Walking away from Alexis was the second hardest thing he’d ever done in his life. He could tell she was aroused by the way her eyes turned into liquid syrup, and how her cupid’s bow mouth plumped in anticipation of a kiss. It often hung open in a cute and annoyed manner when she didn’t know how to react, when words were hard to form.
When she was angry, Alexis fired words faster than a hail storm ruins a crop. When she was aroused or emotional, her lower lip dropped, and her eyes grew round with anxiety. There were times when he took advantage and covered her mouth with his, slipping his tongue to meet hers and bringing her to a climatic release.
And there were other times when he knew she’d return the kiss initially, but would regret it later. Tonight he’d read the confusion, the mixed emotions and fear of what could happen between them.
So he didn’t push, teasing her a little, and hoping she’d slowly—only not too slowly—open up to him, forgive him, and accept him into her life.
Dialing Hope on his way back to the inn, he thanked her for giving them privacy, and asked if someone was available to give Alexis a ride. He’d watched Hope take Alexis’s keys from her bag on her way out, tossing a wink at him before she left. He appreciated her support.
She sent a quick reply that Mia was on her way back to get Alexis.
When he returned to the inn, Melissa was on the floor playing peek-a-boo with Sophie. His little girl giggled at the attention, and when she spotted Ben, her chubby legs kicked and her arms shook in excitement.
Every time Sophie saw Ben she greeted him in the same manner, as if she hadn’t seen him in ages. His heart grew more and more in love with his daughter every day. He’d watched his niece and nephew transition from baby to toddler to young child, but it wasn’t the same as watching his own grow and develop.
Her wiggly body came close to rolling over, and he couldn’t wait for the day when she crawled, took her first steps, said “Dada.” All in due time. He’d savor and cherish these moments.
“Looks like someone is happy to see her daddy.” Melissa picked up Sophie and handed the squirmy baby to him.
Sophie opened her mouth and gnawed on his chin with her gums while he kissed her soft cheeks. She slobbered him, covering him in drool and he laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re getting ready for teeth. I’m rather partial to this smile just as it is.”
“Brandon drooled for months before he cut his first tooth.” Melissa picked up the blanket from the floor, folding it and draping it over the diaper bag.
When he heard Brandon’s name, turmoil and jealousy didn’t stir in him. He was beyond worrying about his and Alexis’s past; it was time to focus on their future.
“I appreciate you looking after her tonight, Melissa.”
“Oh, anytime. I hope Brandon finds a girl to settle down with and brings me grandbabies as adorable as this one.” She gave Sophie’s legs a gentle squeeze. “Please let me know if you need anything tonight. Sleep well.”
Alone in the sitting room, Ben cradled his daughter in the crook of his elbow and tossed her diaper bag over his other shoulder.
“It’s you and me, kid, for the moment, but Daddy’s working on changing that. I think you’re going to like it here.”
He blew raspberries on her cheek and carried her up to his room where he gave her a bath, changed her into her footie pajamas, and tucked them both into his bed. Once Sophie started rolling over it wouldn’t be safe to have her in bed with him anymore.
And depending on the books and articles he’d read, co-sleeping with his daughter was either the best way to bond, or the worst thing in the world to do. He took his parenting articles in stride, doing his research but making his decisions based on what he thought was best for his daughter.
Thankful she was too young to feel the abandonment by her mother, Ben worked overtime to make sure Sophie felt loved by him and anyone caring for her. Which also meant he had to work less.
Between his mother, father, and sister, he had decent day care coverage while he worked. Biting the bullet, Ben had hired two employees to run the California division of Martelli Designs while he undertook his new project.
Leaving his home and his family wasn’t as hard as he thought it would be. He’d miss working at Martevino on the weekends, spending time with his parents and brother and sisters, but over the past few years, life had evolved.
His parents spent more time in Italy, Adrianna spent more time with her husband and kids—as should be—Eamon worked like a horse, and Nora, well, they kept up with her through Facebook.
It was time for Ben to make a life for himself and his new family. And the life he wanted was in Maine.
The following morning while Sophie lay in his arms drinking her bottle, Ben sent work emails, confirmed his morning meeting, and picked at his blueberry pancakes.
“You’re gonna spill food on your baby eating that way.” Priscilla refilled his coffee and set the pot on the table. “I’ll take that precious baby for you.” Without waiting for a response, she lifted Sophie out of his arms and walked around the diner with her like a pro.
“I appreciate the help, Priscilla, but you’re working.”
“She’ll get me better tips.” The waitress hummed and rocked Sophie as she picked up dishes expertly with her other hand.
Since the diner was practically empty, Ben let Priscilla have a few moments of baby snuggles while he typed on his laptop with two hands. Much more efficient.
Time sped by whenever he was given a few moments alone. When he closed his laptop and looked around the room in search of his daughter and was unable to find her, his chest tightened. She was the world to him.
Loud laughter and a startled cry from the kitchen had Ben on his feet, bolting through the swinging doors.
“Sophie? Where is she?” He spotted her, draped over Priscilla’s shoulder, being comforted and hugged.
“I’m so sorry. I think my laugh scared her.”
“You have a tendency to be loud and obnoxious,” Roger, the head cook, teased.
Priscilla handed the crying baby over to Ben. As soon as she curled against his chest, she whimpered and settled down.
“That baby loves her daddy.”
He beamed with pride. “The feeling’s mutual.”
“That girl of yours is a chick magnet. Ladies love a fella with a baby.” She patted Sophie’s back. “Even ladies who don’t think they’re after a family.”
There was only one lady he was interested in, and he prayed to God she took to Sophie as well as the rest of the town had.
“Thank you for looking after her.”
“Ya know, Alexis is a green. Hard working and striving for perfection, that girl. She needs a solid red in her life.”
Ben didn’t have a clue what she was talking about. “Um. Okay.”
“Color auras don’t lie.”
“Sure.” He patted Sophie’s back and inched his way backward towards the door.
“Any time you need a babysitter so you can take your lady friend out for a romantic night, you give me a call.”
“I’m no—”
“Alexis doesn’t come in as much anymore. See her at book club when I make it. Mostly, I go for the drinks. Your girl used to come for brunch on Tuesdays twice a month. Haven’t seen her in here since…guess the last time you were in town. The woman could use a good brunch. Or even breakfast in bed.” Priscilla hummed and left him standing in the kitchen with an amused Roger and a now sleeping Sophie.
“Uh, thanks for breakfast. Your blueberry pancakes are the best I’ve ever had.” Even with the odd characters and the nosy townspeople, Ben loved it here. And he knew it would be the perfect place to raise his daughter.
“See you around, son.”
Once he had his and Sophie’s things packed up, he drove the familiar route to Coastal Vines. Between the expansion and the missing snowbanks, the parking lot was twice the size it was in the winter.
He strapped on the front carrier, and unbuckling his sleeping daughter, tucked her into the pocket, making sure her legs came through the right holes and her arms weren’t bent out of shape. It had taken him twenty minutes to figure out how to put on the carrier two months ago, now he could do it in seconds.
Fatherhood freaked him the hell out, but his daughter was incredibly forgiving, giving him time to learn how to be a dad. They walked around the edge of the property, Sophie snug and sleeping, while Ben took in the changes from winter to summer.
The ocean was harder to see from atop the hill now that the trees had leaves on them, the vineyard full and green, as were the blueberry bushes and the orchard across the road. He could see why Alexis never wanted to leave. After taking in the view, he made his way back around to the function hall.
Folk art and Americana stars and flags decorated the front, and oak barrels filled with flowers edged the pathway leading to the main door. A new hand-painted sign hung over the door with arrows directing visitors to the tasting room, the function hall, and the barn where the wine was made.
Off to the side of the building sat a quaint stone patio with four sets of black wrought iron tables and chairs where a couple and a party of five were enjoying their bottles of wine.
And his favorite, a water feature made out of a wine barrel. Rustic, rural, beautiful, and serene. The Le Blancs had outdone themselves.
Hemmy came around the corner and greeted him with a bark and a nudge to his leg, begging to be petted. Ben squatted, often a challenge with Sophie strapped to him, and gave the dog some attention. Curious about the bundle attached to his front, the dog sniffed Sophie’s legs and gave her a sloppy lick.
Laughter, soft music, and smells of oak, grape, and apples greeted him when he opened the door to the tasting room a few minutes later. There were subtle changes in here as well. A cabinet against the wall held Maine-made products, as did a large table in the middle of the room.
The bar to the left was the same, as was the petite, gorgeous woman standing behind, pouring wine for the four people sitting on handcrafted barstools.
Alexis looked up quickly with a smile that turned upside down the second she saw it was him.
“The last sample is our Coastal Sunset.” She said to the two couples as she poured a taste in each glass. “It’s a lovely blend of our St. Vincent and Marquette grapes, and boasts the taste of cherry and ripe berries.” She capped the wine and added, “It also makes a wonderful sangria.”
The two women in the group ahhed. “Sheryl, we can make sangria for Emma’s bridal shower.”
“Oh, and we can have bottles on each of the tables as door prizes.” While the women planned, Ben could see pride in Alexis’s eyes.
Not for the monetary reward, she’d been clear from day one that money was never her focus, but the reward of making someone happy with her wine. The sense of accomplishment and satisfaction at creating a product from something she’d planted, cared for, raised, and blended being appreciated by others.
Ben cradled Sophie’s bum in his hands noting the similarities in her love for her job as his love in being a dad.
When the couples finished their wine and Alexis had their orders boxed and paid for, she offered to bring them on a tour of the barn, to show them the winemaking process.
“Oh, we’d love that.”
“Mind if I join you?” The group looked over his way, noticing him for the first time and welcomed him along.
“You’re bringing a baby on a wine tour?” Alexis wiped down the counter, still avoiding eye contact.
“I promise she won’t disturb you. She’s fast asleep. If she cries, I’ll leave.”
“The barn or the premises?” Ben smiled at her sass. “I’m not worried about her interrupting, I just don’t think a winery is a good place for children.”
“I grew up in a large vineyard.”
“That explains a few things.”
Ben laughed and directed his attention toward the tourists. “Alexis doesn’t like me very much.”
She gasped and tossed the rag under the counter.
One of the ladies, Sheryl, he presumed, cooed at Sophie. “Your daughter is gorgeous. Look at all that hair.”
“Thank you.” He kept his gaze over the heads of the admiring women and finally locked eyes with Alexis. “Sono inamorata di te.”
“Oh.” Sheryl lifted her head and blushed, then turned around and looked at Alexis. “Oh.” She placed a hand over her heart and sighed. “That is so romantic. Michael, why can’t you learn Italian? It’s so sexy.”
It wasn’t the response he was hoping for but he looked at the woman and smiled. “You speak Italian?”
“Some. I spent a few years in Italy after college. I know a handful of phrases.”
“Where she sowed her wild oats, and then came to her senses and settled down with me.”
“Italy was fun. You’re my forever. Sono inamorato di te.” She kissed her husband and took his hand in hers.
“What does that even mean?” he asked.
Sheryl looked from Ben to Alexis and whispered in her husband’s ears.
“Ah. I see. Why don’t we open a bottle of wine out on the patio and let these two lovebirds have a moment? We can go on the tour when you’re ready. No rush.” He tapped Ben on the shoulder and whispered loudly, “Good luck.”
When the couples left and Alexis and Ben were alone—well, except for Sophie—he slid out a barstool and gently nudged Alexis onto it.
“I can’t sit. I’m working.”
“They’re fine.”
“What do you want, Ben?”
“You.” He bent down and lowered his head, taking her mouth between his lips, sipping her sweetness. It was heaven kissing her again. Hooking his hand behind her neck, he held her still while he molded her mouth with his, wanting to fist pump the air when she moaned and parted her lips to him.
A squirming in his chest and a kick to his ribs had him pulling back. Sophie woke, not appreciating being sandwiched between them, and let out a howl.
“I’m sorry. Did I hurt her?” Alexis stroked Sophie’s head, and a sense of belonging, of knowing all would work out in the end, flooded him with content.
“You didn’t do anything wrong.” There was more than one meaning behind that statement. Comforting Alexis with one swift kiss, he stepped back to loosen Sophie from the harness.
“Can I help?” Alexis held down the straps while Ben unbuckled and lifted his daughter, her dress bunching around her waist.
“Thank you. Four hands are definitely easier than two.” He straightened her outfit and held Sophie to his chest, rubbing her back until she stopped crying.
Alexis sat on the stool and stared straight, which kept her eyes locked on Sophie’s legs. She reached out and stroked them and Ben stayed quiet.
“Her skin is so soft.” Sophie, draped over Ben’s shoulder, settled back down into her afternoon nap. “And that’s it? She just falls asleep like a sack of potatoes?”
“Well, not exactly,” Ben chuckled. “For two months if she wasn’t sleeping she was crying. The doctors called it colic.”
“Is that why…”
“Why I stayed at Felicia’s? Yes. I slept on the couch with Sophie on my chest most of the time. Actually,” he paused, rocking back and forth. “That’s a lie. I spent most of my time rocking her, pacing the halls. She likes movement.”
“Can I…can I hold her?”
Ben’s heart swelled with pride as he handed Sophie off to Alexis. She fumbled at first and quickly recovered, clutching the sleeping baby to her chest.
“She’s warm.” She rubbed her cheek against the baby’s head and kissed it. She walked around the tasting room, rocking back and forth and he stood back mesmerized with the scene. He’d never loved two people more than he did at this very moment.
Sophie only stirred to cuddle deeper into her and something inside Ben calmed. He heard the sound of crushed rock under tires and he knew their alone time was limited.
“I won’t bother you on your tour. I came to see the changes. All the work you’ve done around here looks wonderful, Alexis.”
“Oh. Um, thank you.”
It was too tempting to be in the same room with her, unchaperoned. She responded to his kisses easily, and he had a feeling he could take things farther, but only when Alexis was ready. If he pushed too fast, he’d lose her. This time around, he wasn’t fighting time, only his own impatience to be with her.