sat on the stone porch, where a barrel of mums and pansies spilled over. As if on cue, a gray cat strolled onto the porch, stretched in the patch of sunlight, and sat, regarding her as if she were the intruder.
“Hello, fella,” Ellery said, walking over and extending her hand. The cat meowed but ignored her.
She shrugged and walked down the path marked with natural stone pavers that matched the house. A gravel drive led up to the main winery and bed and breakfast where her mother was staying. Her father had texted earlier and told her he’d try to make it for whatever her mother had planned. Once upon a time, he would have never considered not making her birthday party, but that was before her parents split. Sometimes she forgot that her parents weren’t together anymore. Every time she forgot and then remembered, the loss stung more. She wanted to believe that some things in life lasted . . . that people could truly be committed to each other. Because that’s what she would have with Josh.
She was determined.
Ellery started walking along an unmarked path that led into the vineyard. She glanced around for a sign that might warn her it was for staff only but didn’t see anything. The path rose through the vineyard to the top of a gentle hill. Once she reached the top, she could see acres of dark, twisted vines that looked to be in the first stages of pruning. An abandoned truck sat near a fence line that backed up to a subdivision, but she saw no evidence of workers. To her left, the hill sloped down to a small pond, and beyond that a pasture of bovines lazily chewed cud. Brilliant autumn foliage from scrubby trees tumbled toward the rippled water, and the midafternoon sun had started its descent, encompassing the scenery in warm, soft light.
It was the perfect place to gather herself and do a few breathing exercises.
Her shoes slid on the gravel exposed by erosion, and the sun warmed her shoulders even as the breeze caused goose bumps to dot her legs. Someone walked to the pond regularly, because the path was beaten down. Once she reached the pond, she spied a shady spot to the left that looked level and still gave her a view of the serene water and swaying reeds. It was too cool for snakes, so she should be fine folding herself into Sukhasana and searching for her center.
Sinking onto a soft carpet of pine needles that were flattened to such a degree they didn’t prick through her lululemon shorts, Ellery positioned herself into a relaxed pose and straightened her spine, dropping her head to her chest, closing her eyes. She allowed her hands to rest palms up on her knees. She drew in a deep breath, making herself aware of the birds chirping overhead, the earthy scent of wood and decaying leaves, filling her lungs with cool autumn air. She tilted back her head and allowed her breath to escape. She did this three times, each time feeling the tension leave her body.
“You’re not supposed to be out here. It’s private property,” said a voice to her right.
Ellery yelped, her hands going to the ground, pushing herself back.
Her gaze found Gage standing several yards away, watching her like she was a bug he wanted to squash. Or maybe that was his usual expression—bored disdain.
“What . . . I’m sorry. I needed some time to myself,” she managed to say, pressing a hand against her chest so she could stop her galloping heart. “You scared me.”
“There are signs that should have told you this area is not for guests,” he said, setting his hands on his hips. He wore running shorts and a long-sleeved athletic shirt that fit so closely she could tell he had a spectacular body. His dark hair was damp, his skin sheened with perspiration. He wore trail-running shoes, an armband with his phone strapped to his biceps, and earbuds draped around his neck. Her memory of Gage the barkeep had been spot-on.
Grumpily sexy.
Ellery lifted her chin. “I didn’t see a sign, so I wasn’t aware I was trespassing. You might want to take this up with whoever is supposed to put up signs.”
Gage’s eyes narrowed. “Wait. Do I know you?”
“No. You most definitely do not know me.”
He studied her for a second or two, and she saw recognition dawn in his eyes. His mouth twitched. “Yeah, I do. Minnie Mouse.”
“That’s not