“Spit it out,” I told Horatio as I stuck the little flower behind my ear.
“I…I was in Sweet Water this morning, met with Julie’s dad. I’m going to ask Julie to marry me at the ball tomorrow.”
My tears started welling at once. My big brother had found his love. I was so happy for him. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tight. “Congrats! Please tell me you got her a good ring.”
“Well, duh,” he said as I pulled back. “I just wanted to make sure, you know, that it was going to be okay?” he said then, looking at Dad.
My father and Julie had gotten off to a bad start. Dad had wanted the property that later became Julie’s shop. The tug-of-war between them had almost killed the spark between Horatio and Julie. But in the end, it was that same tension that had given Horatio the strength to stand up to Dad. And to this day, I wasn’t quite sure what Julie had done to soften my father, but I knew something she’d said, or done, had won him over.
Dad smiled. “Horatio, you and Julie were meant for one another. Of course you have my blessing.”
Horatio grinned. “Wait until you see what I have planned.”
“I’m sure it will be epic,” I said with a wink. “Congrats.”
“Indeed, congratulations,” Dad added.
“Well, she hasn’t said yes yet.”
“She will,” I said with a smile. “I also have news. Nothing that fabulous, but it’s an opportunity I want to take. I was offered an internship.”
“At the college?” Dad asked.
I shook my head. “In France, at the Beaumont perfumery.”
My brother, who knew my true goals, nodded. “Do it. It’s just what you’ve been dreaming of.”
“So you’d be gone the whole summer?” Dad asked.
“Maybe. I know you need me here. I wasn’t sure about the timing, but Luc Beaumont offered, and it’s a great opportunity.”
“Is this what you want?” Dad asked.
“Yes. I want to get some hands-on experience then come back and set up shop in the old distillery, start my own perfume label. I’ve even been considering opening a day spa.”
My dad nodded. “Cottage industry. That could work very well.”
I grinned. “Yes, it could. And I have a good nose for it. Of course, I’m going to need some acres for flowers. But not here. Make a sparkling wine here.”
“We’ll put you in the back along Rayne’s property, let his bees work for you,” Dad said.
At the mention of Rayne’s name, my cheeks started burning. Unable to hide it, I noticed Horatio look closely at me then furrow his brow, looking perplexed.
“Well, how about that,” my dad said then, sitting. He propped his elbows on his knees and gazed out at the lake. “Big news. Good news. Proud of you both,” he said. There was a wistful acceptance in his voice that would not have been there in months past. And, I dare say, the sound of pride.
Horatio sighed. “And now, I should probably head back.”
I looked at my phone. No return call from Rayne yet, and I needed to get ready for my shift at Falling Waters. “Me too. Coming, Dad?”
“No. I think I’ll sit here a bit,” he replied, looking out over the field.
I leaned in, setting a light kiss on the top of his head. He grabbed my hand, patting it gently, then let me go.
With that, Horatio and I turned and headed back toward the parking lot.
“Cool about the internship, but you’ve got something else on your mind,” Horatio said. “Spit it out.”
“I don’t know. You’re going to be mad. Actually, right now, I might be mad. I’m confused. If I tell you, you won’t do or say anything unless I say so. Promise me.”
“Uh, no. I can’t promise that.”
“Then I’m not telling you anything.”
“Yes, you are. Tell me. No, don’t tell me. I see it on your face. A guy. Wait, not that Luc guy, right? I thought Alice—”
“No, not Luc.”
“So it is a guy thing?”
“Do you know Rayne’s friend, Cassidy?”
“Cassidy? Wait, are you hot for Cassidy? I didn’t think you—”
“Oh my god, shut up. She’s pretty enough, but no. Are Cassidy and Rayne an item?”
At that, Horatio stopped in his tracks. “Why do you care?”
“Just. Well. Are they or aren’t they?”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I think they’re just friends. I never saw anything between then. Now, tell me why. Rayne…did Rayne make a move on you?”
“It’s not like that. I have feelings for Rayne.”
“For Rayne?”
“Yes.”
“Rayne?”
“Yes. Shut up. So, well, am I stupid or what?”
Horatio was scowling. “Viola, are you sure? You two are so different from each other.”
“Opposites attract.”
“Have you talked to him about it? I mean, is it a thing?”
“We kissed.”
“You kissed? When?”
“At Julie’s.”
“I think I may kill someone,” Horatio said, looking pale once more.
I laughed. “No. Don’t. Well, not yet. I need to see what Rayne’s up to first. I mean, if he’s genuine, I want to be with him. So don’t mess things up.”
“You and Rayne?”
“Yes.”
“You? And Rayne?”
“Yes. That’s what I’ve been saying.”
“I’ll go talk to him.”
“No. Listen, you worry about Julie right now. I’ll sort out this business with Rayne, and if you need to kill him, I’ll let you know. We can hide the body together.”
Horatio laughed then put his arm around me. “I will say this, Rayne is a loyal friend. He’s amazingly kind and generous. He’s not rich, but he’s a happy person. If you do care for him, and he does care for you, the two of you could get along fabulously. And if not, I know a great place to dig.”
I laughed then pulled out my phone once more. When I did, I saw I’d missed a call from Rayne. Ugh! Cell service was always spotty in the vineyard.
“That’s a start,” I said, showing Horatio my phone. “You’re sure about Cassidy?”
“Yeah, he told me once he understands our relationship because Cassidy is like a sister to him. It’s not a thing.”
I exhaled deeply.
“He’s taking you to the ball tomorrow night, right?”
I nodded.
“Well, you’ll see for sure then. And so will I. I’ll have my eye on him.”
It was then that I stopped cold, grabbing Horatio’s arm. “Oh shit!”
“What?”
“I forgot to buy a dress!” Wonderful. In the middle of all the excitement going on around me, I’d somehow forgotten to buy myself a gown. How in the world had that happened? I’d prodded Alice along to get hers, but somehow it had just slipped off my radar. With the symposium, and Beaumont, and Rayne, I’d totally forgotten.
“Stumble into that closet of yours. I bet you have something in there you forgot you even own.”
“Very funny,” I said with a frown, but then my mind was struck with an idea. “I’ll come up with something.”
I opened my car door.
“Don’t forget to take those boots off,” Horatio reminded me.
“Crap. My head is a mess,” I said. Pulling off the boots, I handed them to my brother who tossed them in the trunk.
“Muddy boots and designer pants. I don’t know, seems like you and Rayne might work after all,” Horatio said with a grin as he leaned against my car.
I smiled at my brother. “Shut up. Anyway, I’m so excited for you. I love Julie.”