Free So Good: A Ribbon Ridge Novel (Love on the Vine Book 1) by Darcy Burke

get Alaina and Crystal on that too.”
    Hayden pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. “Bex is bringing some food in a bit if you guys are hungry. I haven’t had lunch.”
    “I ate before I came,” Brooke said.
    Cam didn’t want her to go when the tour was over. He envisioned them sitting on the patio upstairs. “Then wine—I still have that Riesling in my fridge.”
    She smiled at him, showing straight, brilliant white teeth. “I’m not sure I can decline that a second time.”
    Luke came down the hill then, his hat pulled low over his eyes. “It’s a good thing I love the sun.”
    “You’re in the wrong line of work if you don’t,” Cam said. “Luke, you remember Brooke Ellis.”
    “Yep. Good to see you again.” He slipped off his sunglasses and shook her hand. “Ready for a sweltering walk?”
    “Absolutely. I tried to choose the right footwear.” She held her foot out to show her hiking boot.
    “Perfect. Though a hat would’ve been good.”
    She nodded toward his head. “I see that now.” She looked over at Cam and Hayden. “Where are yours? You guys should know better. In fact, you should have a stock of them here—haven’t you heard of swag?”
    Cam chuckled. “We’re looking at some—hats, shirts, all that. Maybe you can help me decide what to buy. Tell me what people will want when you go selling.”
    “Sure,” she said.
    Hayden pivoted toward the building. “I’ve got stuff to do inside. In the air-conditioning. Actually, Cam, I could use a hand.”
    Cam preferred to go on the vineyard tour, even without a hat. “I was going to tag along with them.”
    “Like you haven’t walked every inch of this vineyard a hundred times. Come on.” Hayden jerked his head toward the winery. “See you in a bit, Brooke.”
    Cam had no choice but to reluctantly follow Hayden. Brooke and Luke were already on their way toward the vines before Cam could say anything. He trudged back inside into the cool dark of the bottling room.
    He tossed Hayden a glare. “What could possibly be so urgent on a Saturday afternoon?”
    Hayden laughed. “Absolutely nothing, dick-for-brains—and I mean that literally. Someone had to save you from yourself.”
    Cam pulled the door closed behind him. “What the hell does that mean?”
    “You were practically tripping over yourself. Where’s the cool ladies’ man we all know and love?”
    Cam scoffed. “You’d give me shit no matter what, wouldn’t you?”
    Hayden slapped his shoulder. “It’s what we do.” He walked out of the bottling room and started up the stairs. “But seriously, do you like her?” He glanced back at Cam as they ascended.
    “Sure. She’s great.”
    “I mean like-like her. Don’t you think it’s time you had a girlfriend again? I know we always give you crap about being a player, but you have sort of abandoned that way of life of late. I guess I thought that might signal that you’re ready to let down your guard.”
    Cam scowled at his friend’s back. He hadn’t mentioned the reason for Cam having a guard in the first place, but it wasn’t necessary. They both knew why.
    “I’m never doing that, and if you think I should, keep your opinion to yourself.”
    They climbed in silence until they reached the fermentation level. Hayden stopped and turned. “Is it wrong for me to want to see you happy?”
    “Isn’t this the same crap your family pulled when you came home from France to find Bex ensconced in your house and working for your brewpub? They were all happily paired off and wanted you to get right back with Bex.”
    Hayden looked down at the floor, but Cam caught the smile pulling at his mouth. “Yeah, they did. And it pissed me off. But they were also right about me and Bex.” He looked at Cam again, and his gaze was sincere, caring even. “Maybe Brooke isn’t the right woman—believe me, I really don’t want you screwing up a good working relationship if she turns out to be a fantastic