“I have a feeling you say that a lot,” Rae said to Min.
“And this after only meeting once,” Min laughed.
“Twice,” I corrected. “But I’ll let Rae tell you about that. What can I get you?”
“Water would be great. Thank you.”
So polite when she wanted to be. The hellcat was in there somewhere though, and I wanted her to come out and play. As I grabbed a diet soda and a water in the break room, I admonished myself. Clearly Min had made more headway in one morning than any of us had with either of the owners of Sunset Vineyards in the five years since they bought the place. I really should back off.
If only it was in my nature.
“I can’t believe you ended up training her this morning!” Min exclaimed as I came back into the room. “What are the chances?”
I handed Rae a water and my sister the soda which she promptly opened. “Thanks.”
“Thank you,” Rae said, as if it was difficult to get the words out.
Capitalizing on the fact, I ignored Min’s plea. “You’re very welcome,” I said sweetly.
“So I hear you’re the new sheriff in town?” Neo asked Rae.
Before she could answer, Min slid half of the meatball hoagie toward her. She looked at it as if she wanted to eat it but wasn’t sure if it might jump up and bite her. “You could say that,” Rae answered. Then, after a brief hesitation, she took a bite.
To clarify, she opened her mouth wide enough to accommodate the many meatballs Tony put on there, and then took a bite. First the gym, and now this.
She was clearly enjoying it, so I wondered why she hesitated. Because she didn’t want to eat in front of us?
She and my siblings talked about Grado and Sunset, Min confirming what was abundantly clear already. “Rae and I already have so many ideas on ways we can work together.”
That she so easily conversed with Neo and Min but wasn’t my biggest fan irked me enough to ask, “Will Jerry Reed have anything to say about these plans?”
Ouch. I hit a nerve. Big time.
I pretended Neo and Min weren’t glowering at me and watched as Rae took a sip of water.
“Everything Min and I have discussed will only help both of our businesses.”
“Hmmm.” I could have said more but Min did ask me to behave myself. I’d have to remember to tell her I listened. But at least I knew what the dynamic was between her and Reed. Not that I was surprised. I never met her father, but had talked to Jerry Reed a few times over the years. I’d always got the sense he held the reins tight on Sunset despite never being up here.
Should be interesting to see what he thought of Rae rocking the boat.
“Are you always so skeptical?”
“Skeptical is one of the nicer words we use to refer to Marco,” my brother said looking down at his phone. “Oh shit. I was supposed to meet Thayle five minutes ago. Actually Min, she asked for you too... something about new boxes for the wine club. But I’ll tell her you’re here.”
“I have to get back anyway,” Rae said. “Don’t stay on my account. We can catch up soon.”
“Are you sure?” Min looked at me.
“I will take good care of her.” I crossed my heart. “Promise.”
“Go,” Rae said. “I’m fine, really.”
“Take good care of her,” Min repeated, muttering, standing up and gathering the empty wrappers. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“So,” I said after Min and Neo packed up their hoagies and left. “Alone at least.”
TEN