For all his reservations about helping, the day was more enjoyable than expected. The novelty took off the restless edge that had been plaguing him for months. It was a much-needed escape from his ever-present grief. For the first time in a long time, Foster relaxed and enjoyed the moment.
The pace of sales was steady and there was barely time to rest, let alone dwell on the upcoming lunch date. What had he been thinking? It made sense to build in rest time for them. But a lunch date? That was not in the plan. Felicity’s warning rang in his ears. Don’t get too close to Zoe. Easier said than done. He was attracted to her like a moth to a flame.
He watched her, deep into her reading, with awe. Her raven hair fell over her shoulder while she leaned down to study the cards. Full lips pursed slightly in concentration. Her tongue flicked out to wet her lips as she touched one card and gently wiggled it on the table. She tapped the top of her deck decisively, then pulled a last card. She looked up in triumph, her blue eyes shining as she provided her insight to the girls in front of her. Foster could watch her all day.
Zoe finished the reading and walked over to him just as Francesca bounced into the tent.
“Zoe,” she exclaimed as she wrapped Zoe in an enthusiastic hug. “Your space is gorgeous. I’m so happy for you!”
Francesca was the youngest Dupont sibling. Despite her age, she was one of the most accomplished of the siblings. She’d graduated from college with a prestigious sommelier degree and had returned recently from an internship in Europe, honing her craft.
“It’s great to see you, Frannie,” Zoe replied. “Thank you for watching the store while we take a break.” Zoe glanced at Foster and blushed slightly.
“No problem,” Francesca said as she took the tablet. She tapped the screen to get a feel for the payment app. “I’m all set, so get going.” She nudged his shoulder with hers.
Foster offered his arm to Zoe. “Shall we?”
Zoe blushed. “Okay,” she replied. Was she nervous? It comforted him knowing she might be as well. We’re just getting lunch. No pressure.
Once outside, the sun warmed him. He was conscious of Zoe’s hand on his arm, which further warmed him. The festival had come alive in the time since they’d arrived. People milled around the vineyard. A mix of families and friend groups came to celebrate the occasion.
The air smelled of sage from the various vendors who were scattered around the extensive field. Instrumental music played from speakers around the area. The sky was bright blue with white clouds, which contrasted with the saturated hues of the fabrics draped over the plain white tents.
In the distance, the tasting room and events center were visible. It was a massive wood and glass building. A touch of modern on land that had been in Foster’s family for hundreds of years.
He paused a moment to take that in—that his family was carrying on the legacy of generations that came before. That he was one small part of that. His chest ached at the loss of his parents. They’d be proud that his siblings were continuing their hard-earned legacy.
Until this moment, the connection to land and legacy had been foreign to him. Sitting in his New York City office, he’d never stopped to ponder the origin of the building he was in, or the land it sat on. Looking at the winery spread before him, he finally understood.
“You okay?” Zoe asked. She squeezed his bicep and his attention snapped to her. Her sapphire eyes were wide with concern.
“I’m fine. Just thinking about the history of this place,” he offered. He didn’t want to get into the depth of his thoughts with Zoe at this moment. He wasn’t sure what to make of them himself. Explaining them to someone else felt impossible.
“You feel your ancestors,” Zoe nodded sagely. “I do too whenever I’m here.” She glanced across the property at the view of Harmony below. “It’s so peaceful. As a teenager, I came up here just to think,” she confessed.
Foster turned to her, his brows lifting in surprise. “You did? I never noticed you here.”
He watched her face fall for just a moment before returning to her usual cheer. “I was careful to be discreet because I didn’t want to impose. I saw you sometimes,” she admitted.
“Oh really? Tell me more.” He recognized the teasing tone as flirting. Do not flirt with Zoe. Still, he winked as he said, “You were watching me, were you? I’m flattered.”
Zoe blushed and looked down at her feet. “I couldn’t help but notice you.” She took a deep breath before looking up to meet his eyes. “I had something of a crush on you, to be honest,” she said.
Foster stood, rooted to the spot, in shock. He thought back on that last evening before he moved to New York, when their eyes met across the party and held for longer than was proper. He remembered the intensity of her gaze and how he had to hold back the heat in his. She was only sixteen, after all, and he was nearly nineteen. Too old for her. Or at least he’d thought so at the time.
Now their age difference didn’t seem so large. Foster resisted the urge to confess his youthful crush on her. No sense bringing up old feelings that had nowhere to grow. He would return home to New York in less than two weeks, after all. Though somehow the city felt less like home than it had when he left a few months ago.
Something about being back in Harmony, surrounded by familiar people and places, had wound its way inside him and made him long for something he once thought long gone.
He started walking again, Zoe still holding his arm. It reminded Foster of those period dramas his younger sisters enjoyed. Zoe and Foster taking a turn about the ballroom.
He chuckled, and Zoe returned her attention to him. “What’s funny?”
“Oh, I was just thinking of those shows my sisters watch. I feel like a regency couple parading around a London ballroom.” It certainly felt like that, with half the town watching them intently.
Zoe’s laugh wrapped around him, warming his heart. “Thank you, kind sir, for escorting me to our meal.” They stopped in front of the vendor selling Mediterranean food. “I confess to enjoying this exotic fare.”
Foster joined Zoe’s mirth. He bowed, then gestured to the menu. “Ladies first. Choose any food that appeals. My treat.”
Zoe perused the menu while Foster studied her. Her long hair fluttered in the breeze. It got in her eyes and she brushed it off her face with a delicate hand decorated with shiny silver nail polish.
Zoe ordered, then Foster added his choices. He paid for their food and they stood to the side, waiting. Foster greeted a few people he remembered from high school and made the obligatory small talk. He found it much more pleasant with Zoe at his side. Zoe was up to date on their lives, given they all still lived in Harmony. She filled in helpful details once they were alone, such as who was dating whom, or broke up, or was nicer now than in high school.
He found himself imagining what it would be like to live here—to see these people regularly. For all the time away, Foster was beginning to see that Harmony still felt like home.
When their food was ready, they took their meals and looked around at the full tables scattered throughout the area. There wasn’t room to eat unless they wanted to squeeze in with another group. And Foster realized that he wanted Zoe all to himself.
“I have an idea,” he said and led them to a path off to the side of the festival. “We can go to my secret hiding place.”
“Oh, that sounds intriguing,” Zoe said as she followed Foster. The path was a bit overgrown but passable. It had been some time since he’d frequented this hideout. He’d come here in high school and on college trips home to get away from the chaos of his large family.