Rescue Me(13)

“What kind would you like to taste first?” Adam asks.

I hesitate for a few seconds. “I would love to try the Riesling, please.”

“Excellent choice, ma’am,” the waiter declares before turning to Adam. “And you, sir?”

Adam tells him he will have the same. I lean back in my chair and look at the horizon. The clouds have an exquisite shade of gray and the sun has the most vibrant hues of pinks and orange. It’s simply breathtaking.

Adam speaks and brings my attention back to him. “I am not sure if I love you all dressed up like you were at the wedding or if I love this look of you all casual tonight.”

I gaze into his vibrant green eyes. I want so badly to believe that he is telling me the truth. He brings his arm across the table and tucks a few stray hairs behind my ear.

“One thing I do know is that I love your hair straight like this. I’m captivated by you, Erin. Your beauty is ravishing.”

Oh, dear Lord. What do I say to that? It’s at that moment the waiter brings our wine. Adam takes a small taste and nods at the waiter declaring his approval. The waiter pours the wine into my glass, and as I take a sip and feel its crispness making its way down my throat, I know I am going to need a lot more wine to make it through the rest of this night.

“So are you enjoying yourself so far?”

“I am. Michigan is absolutely breathtaking and this view is spectacular. I love the way all the colors change on the trees here. It’s so different from Texas,” I say with as much enthusiasm as I can. I can feel the wine start to make its way through my body and my nerves are starting to calm.

“This was one of my mom’s favorite places to be, especially this time of year,” he says solemnly. “She loved fall. She loved coming out here and having cider and pie with her friends and watching the autumn leaves.”

I leave him to his memories of his mother for just a few minutes and then I reach across the table and place my hand over the top of his. “Your mom was one of the kindest women I have ever met, and she loved both you and Shayne so much.”

“She did. I just wish she could be here right now to see how happy Shayne is and to fuss over Lucy. But my mom will always be with me wherever I go, and I know she is watching over us.”

He visibly shakes off his sadness and we continue our meal. After dinner we’re both stuffed. The waiter brings more wine and Adam declines, but I am ever so eager to try more so with my glass of wine in hand, we start off on a short tour of the vineyard. With Adam at my side, we approach what must be the highlight of the night because as I see what lies ahead of us and what we’re about to do, I actually shriek and lightly punch Adam in the arm.

“No way, Adam!” I shout as I look up at the words written across the top of the old rustic barn: GRAPE STOMPING AND STORE ENTRANCE.

“Yes, way.” He slings his arm around my shoulders.

“Fine...But,” I add, shaking my finger back and forth at him, “When you’re the one who falls smack on your ass while we are in that big tub smashing those grapes, don’t act like a big baby because I am going to kick your ass at this.”

“Oh, we’ll see about that, sweet cheeks.”

With a puff and a prayer of kicking his ass, I turn around and strut. If he wants to keep calling me sweet cheeks, I’ll put a little extra sway in my hips. I have never had this much fun in my entire life. Not once did Joel do anything like this for me. Sure we went on dates, but it was your usual dinner and a movie. When Adam remembered me telling him how much I wanted to visit a vineyard, I was almost rendered speechless. There is something about him that makes me feel so safe. Deep down I know that he would never do anything to hurt me, and as long as I keep telling myself that then every day I have to believe that I will become a little bit stronger.

We enter the building where we will be stomping on grapes. I am going to do everything I can to kick Adam’s ass and not ruin my favorite pair of jeans. While the instructor is explaining to us what to do, I can’t help but glance up at Adam. When I do, he is looking directly at me with so much passion in his eyes that I suddenly feel myself blush. Quickly looking away from him, my eyes start skimming the room when all of a sudden I feel him come up behind me and wrap his arms around me. He’s so close I can feel his warm breath at the base of my neck. A shiver runs up my spine as he leans down to whisper in my ear.

“I can’t help but watch you, Erin. I have never seen anything as exquisite as you. Your beauty is rare both inside and out, and as far as I am concerned, you’re perfect for me.”

OH MY GOD. Is he serious right now? Holy Mother of all things. If I was wearing panties they would be drenched. My mind is not progressing as fast as my heart is so I simply reply, “Thank you.” After what he just said my thank you sounds so pitiful, but lucky for me Adam notices my apprehension and pulls me in just a little closer and kisses the top of my head.