Free Ditched by Amity Hope Page A

was absurdly proud of myself over that accomplishment. Max, the conversation, the traveling, the scenery…They were the best kind of distraction.
    I was so grateful to him for all of it.
    Undoubtedly, if I’d stayed behind I’d either be in my bedroom wallowing in my sorrow or I’d be listening to my parents tell me how disappointed they were in me. Looking back, I should’ve cancelled the wedding immediately. I knew that now . There was nothing I could do with that revelation except move on.
    Now, w e’d already crossed over into Oregon. Max had decided to make a few stops along the way, to break up the monotony. He’d decided we were making good time and we didn’t need to be in such a rush. We’d actually stopped and eaten somewhere decent for lunch instead of eating in the car. Better yet, Max had stopped at the most incredibly beautiful waterfall.
    He was shocked that I’d never seen a waterfall, an ocean sunset or the Pacific in general. I’d also never, in my life , spent so many days in a car.
    It had felt good to get out and stretch our legs. But after we’d seen all there was to see at Multnomah Falls, we were back on the road again. This time, Max ushered me back to the car with a bit of urgency. I decided he’d taken the time out to see the waterfall on my account and perhaps I’d put us behind schedule.
    Once in the car again, I listened intently as Max told me about the winery. He’d told me a little bit about it over the past half year. We’d probably had this exact same conversation the other night, when I’d been such a mess standing in my backyard. I was too embarrassed to admit I hadn’t been paying attention and he was too nice to point it out. Instead, this time I listened raptly, taking in everything he had to say.
    I already knew that the business had belonged to his grandmother, Villette’s, parents. They purchased it the same year she was born; hence the name, Villette Vineyards. When his grandpa, Charles Campbell, married Villette they eventually took the business over from her parents.
    “I just have so much to learn,” he admitted. “It’s all so overwhelming. I mean, there’s the vineyard and I know nothing about growing grapes. I’ve got a vague understanding of the fermentation process but it’s different depending on the type of wine. I know nothing about the business end. Or business in general. So,” he said cheerily, “I guess it’s good that I have the next several to figure it out. I’m going to be the third generation and I don’t want to be the one that messes everything up.”
    “You won’t, Max. You’ll be great at this. I know it,” I said. I believed it, too.
    Whatever he lacked in current knowledge, I knew he’d make up for with his enthusiasm.
    I cocked my head to the side. He was driving with one arm resting against the window, his sunglasses on. He looked so at ease. Something about him looked just a little bit different.
    “You look really happy,” I finally said.
    He gave me a sideways glance and the permanent small smile that had been present all day turned into a full grin. “Yeah?”
    “Yeah,” I said with a little nod.
    “I guess I’m just in a really good place right now,” he admitted. Then he gave me a sheepish look. The smile fell from his face. “Sorry. That’s kind of a thoughtless thing to say. I mean, under the circumstances.”
    I cut him off before he could say anymore. “No. It’s not. I’m really happy for you. I think this move is going to be good for you. Just talking about the family business, it makes you look really happy.”
    “It’s funny,” Max said, “but growing up, I never thought twic e about it. Hell, until last winter I never thought twice about it. But when I was there visiting, Grandpa took me out to the vineyard and he got to talking and I got to thinking and,” he glanced at me, “I thought maybe it would be a good idea.” I knew Max had been struggling, trying to decide what to major in.