Free Finding Home by Aine Kelley Page B

reaches in to help. She’s being quiet again, so I decide to wait until she talks to me. I don’t have to wait too long.
    “Thanks for picking me up. I’m sure it was a pain for you.”
    “No pain.” You have no idea the pain I’m in right now .
    She looks around and brushes her hair off her face. “I thought Jenny would be here. Where’s everyone anyway? It seems pretty quiet.”
    I grab her last bag and walk toward the porch. “Well, given that it’s Friday afternoon, they’re still downtown at the farmers’ market. We have a booth there with wine samples and some fresh vegetables we grow. It’s a pretty big deal around here—lots of people visit for the weekend. We participate every Friday night. That’s the main reason Jenny couldn’t get you.”
    Her body starts to move side to side and I can tell she feels uncomfortable. “I guess I should have picked a better day to arrive. I don’t want to be any trouble. Were you supposed to be there?”
    The need to ease her nerves comes over me. “No, I was already in the city meeting with some distributers so it was easier for me to get you. I hope you didn’t mind my company?”
    She smiles, and I can see the reddish hue form on her cheeks. “No, I didn’t mind your company. I had a nice time talking and almost getting into an accident with you.” My face flushes, but I quickly will it away. “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I’m sorry, Ben. I’m really not an insensitive person.”
    I try my best to stop the queasiness that begins. Thoughts of Beth’s accident flash through my mind. “I know you’re not. I like that you say what you’re thinking. People still walk on eggshells around me. I’m okay.” I move toward her and brush away a strand of hair from her face. “I can talk it about every now and then.”
    She blinks rapidly before opening her mouth. “Would you ever want to talk about her with me? I want you to feel like you can say anything to me.” She places a hand over her heart and holds it there. “I don’t know what it is, but I feel something shifting. Do you feel it?” She casts her eyes downward so I can’t see them.
    My hand reaches down and places it under her chin to tilt it up. “I feel it. It’s actually kind of wrecking me.” I see her eyes go wide in panic. “In a good way. I feel wrecked in a good way.”
    The intensity in her eyes relaxes and is replaced with tenderness. I have to look away to collect myself. “I would like to talk to you about Beth sometime. She was pretty amazing.” I release my hand from her chin and step away from her. Today has been almost too much for me.
    Reaching down for her bags, I gesture to go inside. “Hey, let’s get your stuff inside. I’ll show you where you’re staying. You’ve got one of the best rooms here at the ranch. Wait ‘til you see the view.”
    Cursing myself for sounding like an overexcited tour guide, I walk through the door. She starts to trail behind me, but stops. She turns away from the door and walks back down the porch stairs to a row of grapevines. I put the bags down and feel that pull again to follow her.
    “Is everything okay?”
    She looks back at me. “Yeah, I just need a minute. I want to remember this moment—this shift.” Her hands roam down her neck while she closes her eyes. “I want to let everything soak in.” I watch her open her eyes. “I want to look at the view and see the grapevines and hills. I want to smell the sweetness of the grapes and wine. I want to hear the rustling of the leaves and the tractor engine purrs. I want to touch the vines, leaves, and grapes.” She looks back at me again, and I’m blown away. I watch a stray hair fall in front of her face. It takes all my will power not to touch her.
    “You forgot taste.”
    She smiles devilishly. “Yeah, I definitely want to taste. What do you suggest?” She raises her eyebrows, and I can’t keep my hand from delicately placing the strand behind her ear. Her