“What do you think?” Bella asked as she stepped into the living room and twirled in front of Tom. She wore a sleeveless minidress with a swishy skirt and sweetheart neckline, the swirls of the blue-green fabric catching the light in her caramel eyes. Her three-inch espadrilles and the short skirt showcased her slender, shapely legs.
Her brother frowned. “That’s not what I call a friendly dinner dress.”
“Do you like it? I went to that dress shop in town that everyone raves about. Gabriela’s. She has some very cool stuff with not so cool price tags.”
“It suits you, and I’m guessing your friendly date will think so too.”
“Well, good! Are you getting ready to leave?”
“Not till your boyfriend arrives.”
“Oh no, you don’t!”
“Oh yes, I do. Don’t worry, I’ll be cool.”
“I’ll just bet you will,” she said as Whip knocked on the screen door.
Bella grabbed a white shawl and her purse. “All set!” she called, her brother on her heels.
“Hi,” Whip said, eyes wide. “You look amazing.”
“You too,” she said, and he did in black jeans and a blue sport shirt that turned his eyes cerulean. The silver rodeo buckle at his waist looked newly polished, and his usually unruly blond hair had been tamed.
“Hey, Whip,” Tom said, stepping out on the porch beside his sister, his arm around her shoulders.
“Hey, boss. You coming along as chaperone?”
“Should I?”
“That depends,” Whip said, a huge grin on his face.
“On?”
“On how much you trust your sister and me.”
“Oh, I trust her fine. Jury’s still out on you.”
Bella raised her hands. “That’s enough, you two! I have no intention to listen to any more of this ridiculous, chauvinistic nonsense. Good night brother. Hope you and Grace have fun in Grenville.” With a backward wave, she headed down the steps to Whip’s truck.
“I’m serious,” Tom said under his breath.
“I know, and she’s fine, boss. No worries.”
“Better be. Now, get the hell outta here.”
Whip slid into the truck, a grin on his face. “Never seen that overprotective side of the boss.”
“Most of it’s bluff. Pay no attention.”
“Says you,” he said. As he started the truck and pulled out of the drive, Tom remained on the porch, arms akimbo. “You don’t have to work for the guy.”
“The guy’s a marshmallow. He’s been with me through thick and thin, and he really hates tears.”
“What about your folks?”
She shrugged. “They moved to Florida a few years before Tom’s divorce. They’re very involved in their life down there and weren’t around for most of both of our recent ups and downs.”
They had reached the Gila Highway, and Whip turned south. “Has moving to the Valley been an up for you?”
“In most ways, yes. I went through a bad breakup. Then a situation with one of my coworkers back home turned into a horror show. It’s been great to escape from all that.”
She gave him a short account of her stalking coworker at her previous Ob-Gyn practice, but said nothing about Derek and the breakup. Whip listened, but said little except, “Bummer, I’m sorry,” at the end of her tale. They rode the remainder of the trip to Vermillion in silence, enjoying the incredible landscape all around them.
The farm-to-table restaurant, so named because of the farm’s unusual vermillion-colored soil, was at the end of a long gravel driveway. At the center of the vast Loggins Farm, the barn-style restaurant was one of several buildings on the property, which included a rambling farmhouse, several barns, sheds, and silos. A meandering arbor behind the house and a couple of other arbors behind the barns grew a variety of grapes used for wine and many of the dishes created by Chef Bissett.
“Wow, this is amazing,” Bella said as Whip parked near the restaurant.
“It’s a pretty cool place,” he said. “I’ve only been here once when my folks visited last year.”
By the time Bella gathered her things, he had rounded the truck and was opening her door. “Thanks,” she said, her body grazing his as she stepped out. His scent, sandalwood, and spices, surrounded her as she passed nearer than she’d intended. Oh my!
Whip smiled his genuine, beautiful smile. “My pleasure. Shall we?” Hand at the small of her back, he led her toward the entryway.
They were greeted at the door by owner, Edna Loggins, a short round forty-something with rosy cheeks. “Evenin’, folks. Welcome!”
Edna seated them by a window that faced northwest. “You’ll get a magnificent view of the sunset soon.” As they sat down, Edna grabbed a water pitcher and filled their glasses. “Enjoy your meal. Nancy’ll be by to take your drinks orders.” Edna hurried off toward the door to greet the next arrivals.
Bella gazed across the table at him. “I love this place already.”
“Good,” he said as a younger version of Edna appeared with menus. “Hey, I’m Nancy. Can I get you something to drink?”
Whip asked for a beer and Bella ordered the house white wine. When Nancy returned, she rattled off the specials, then said, “I’ll give you a few minutes.”
When Edna’s daughter appeared again, they both ordered fish specials, Bella a simple lime-infused trout served with dirty rice and roasted vegetables, and Whip, rainbow trout stuffed with mushrooms, peppers, bacon, and arugula, accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. They asked to split a field greens salad. Nancy pronounced their choices as excellent and headed for the kitchen.
“I’m not much of a wine drinker,” he said. “But if you want, I can order a bottle.”
Bella held up her glass. “This is fine for me. I may get one more, but then I’m done.”
As they ate, the conversation revolved around their work and the Valley. When Bella asked about his life on Vancouver Island, Whip shrugged. “Not much to tell. Grew up there, went to tiny local schools through high school, then to Seattle for college.”
“Oh?”
He smiled. “Don’t look so surprised. I’m not a complete moron. I made it through all four years and even managed to graduate.”
“I’m not surprised. I just pictured you as a cowboy from childhood. What was your major?”
“Environmental science.”
“Now that fits.”
“This trout is incredible. How’s yours?”
“Delicious. Did your siblings follow your path?”
“My sister Addie majored in biology. She works for our dad now, and he’s grooming her to take over when he retires.”
“Not you?”
His eyes darkened, and Bella sensed he was fighting off emotions deeply buried. “Enough about me. I want to hear more about Big Sky Country. I love Montana. Almost moved there. Can’t believe you and your brother moved down here. I mean, the Valley’s amazing, but we’re surrounded by desert and heat.”
“Saguaro Valley is a great community. I came to be with Tom. He’s in heaven here. He loves the stables, has great bosses, and look at the house they gave him. Are your bunkrooms nice?”
“State of the art, what else? I’ll give you a tour sometime.”
“I’d like that,” she said, smiling at him.
* * *
Whip insisted on paying even though she’d assumed they would split the bill. After saying good night to Edna and Nancy, they walked out into the night, the clear sky bursting with stars. As they strolled toward the car, Bella tripped on the gravel path and grabbed his arm. Instantly, he slipped his arm around her waist and held her close, a firm, steady grip that took her breath away.
“Thanks.” She laughed nervously as she regained her balance. “This is why I seldom wear anything with heels.”
“I’m glad you did,” he said, lips close to her ear before he let her go.
The path that surrounded the property was, as usual, lit by thousands of twinkle lights. “Let’s walk our dinner off, shall we?” she suggested, heading for the packed sandy walkway. Suddenly, feeling bold and reckless, she slipped out of her shoes and threw them to the side of the path. “Don’t let me forget those, okay?”
Whip followed her, chuckling. “I’ll try.”
Walking backward, facing him, she said, “You know, my brother told me to stay off this path. Apparently, it’s known as an after-dinner lover’s lane.”
“Is that so?” He marveled as the light played on her hair and lit up her beautiful eyes. If she wasn’t the boss’s sister, I’d grab hold of her and kiss her silly, the little flirt.
She paused until he caught up, then slipped her arm through his, resting her head on his shoulder. “Thanks for dinner. I’m not a big drinker, so I’m a little tipsy right now.”
“Uh-huh.” The warmth of her against him rocketed his libido into space.
“I like being tipsy, though.”
Coming to his senses, he stopped. “I know what you’re doing, Bella Jacobi.”
“Oh, you do, do you? What’s that?”
“Trying to get me fired.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
She actually batted her eyelashes! “If you were anyone else, I’d haul you into the bushes and show you.”
“Coward.”
“Not a coward, just a realist. Come on, Ms. Tipsy. Time to get you home before Tom sends out the cavalry.” He grabbed her shoes and opened the truck door, tossing them in.
Bella slid by him, her breasts brushing his arm, a smile on her face. As he closed the door she murmured, “Thanks.”