“Vines like a view,”my brother explained to Brooke as we covered up the boat. “Nicely exposed vines and proximity to the lake help moderate cold temperatures.”
“I thought you meant the vines literally like to look at the lake,” she teased, buttoning up the front. She knew her way around the boat and hadn’t hesitated to pitch in when we docked.
“Not exactly.” Neo climbed under the cover back into the boat to erect the cover poles. Thayle and Brooke grabbed bags that carried wet towels, and we made our way down the dock, Neo eventually joining us.
“I think I learned as much today about the vineyards as these past few weeks,” Brooke said as we stepped back on land. “I can’t believe right now the crop yield is being determined when there aren’t even any grapes on the vines.”
“You can’t see them from far away,” Neo explained, “but small grape berries are developing as we speak to protect the seeds during the fruit set.”
“Fruit set,” she repeated. “Which comes after fertilization.”
“Exactly.”
“You haven’t been to the vineyards yet?” Thayle asked as we walked toward the cottages.
“I haven’t,” Brooke said.
I zoned out while they talked. Thinking about the day, I wondered why I didn’t do this more often, although I knew the answer the moment the thought popped into my head. Also popping often into my head? Thoughts of a very naked Brooke, that yellow bathing suit leaving little to the imagination.
“I’m starving,” Neo said. “Who wants pizza?”
“Neo’s one request,” Thayle explained to Brooke, “when they updated the lakeside cabins to make them more livable year-round—”
“Our mother’s way of luring us to stay on the property,” I added.
“Exactly,” Thayle said, bolstering the bag on her shoulder. Neo took it from her to carry. “Was a pizza oven in the back. Tell me you haven’t smelled it yet?”
“She’s too far back,” I said. “It’s a miniature version of the one in the cafe. The same guy who installed it twenty years ago is still working. Put in an outdoor pizza oven just for my brother.”
“That’s really cool,” Brooke said, looking at me.
It was very cool. And Neo made great pizza. But pizza wasn’t what I wanted at the moment. “You guys go ahead. I think Brooke is overdue for a vineyard tour.”
“Aren’t you starving?” asked Thayle, who was always hungry.
I didn’t dare glance at Brooke. I was starving, but enough people knew about Brooke and me already. I wasn’t prepared to add Thayle to the list.
“Brooke, what do you think? Pizza or vineyard tour?”
For a heartbeat, I thought Brooke would go for the pizza as she looked up to the sky, thinking about it. “Let’s do the tour. And then eat.”
“We can wait for you,” Thayle said.
When Brooke and I answered, “No, thanks,” at the same time, Neo looked as if he’d burst out laughing. I was glad my brother found enjoyment in my descent into debauchery. A handful of months in charge, and I was already breaking one of Grado’s cardinal rules.
“I could be a while,” I said, catching Neo’s eye. As much as I didn’t want to disappoint him, I wanted to be with Brooke more.
With a wave of goodbyes, we walked in the opposite direction.
“I cannot wait...” Brooke looked slyly, teasingly, at me. “To pee.”
“Not what I thought you were going to say,” I admitted.
“Oh yeah? What did you think I was going to say?”
“Mmmm,” I half groaned at the thought of Brooke talking dirty. I wouldn’t be able to make it to the vineyards if we kept up this banter.
“I’m going to pop into the Cellar first. I’ll meet you on the lower patio.”