“Forecast says it’s supposed to move through fast.” Maverick wasn’t about to look this gift horse in the mouth. “So you can wait here, ride out the storm with me.” He gestured around him at all the cases of wine. “Can’t think of anywhere better.”
She laughed. “You’re right about that.”
“Grab us a couple of those stools by the wall and we can pass the time at my favorite barrel.” He tapped his knuckles on the wine barrel in front of him. “I’ll grab us… Hmm…” He walked over to one of the shelves. “How do you feel about red?”
“I loveallwine,” she replied.
Maverick winked. “Good answer.”
He grabbed a bottle of pinot noir, two wineglasses, and a corkscrew. The two of them sat down as the rain pounded outside. Once he’d poured them each a glass, he handed one to her, tapping it. “To old friends.”
“To old friends,” she repeated softly.
“So,” Maverick said, hitting her with his most charming smile. “About this mushroom risotto dinner…”
Ella tapped her chin playfully. “It might be a hard sell, but I think I can convince Edith to add a place at the table for you. If we have to.”
They laughed together, until he reached over and ruffled her hair.
The moment he touched her, his smile faded away. Because now, he was the suddenly breathless one with a racing heart.
Would Maverick ever be able to touch her without feeling as if he’d been struck by lightning?
Of course, he realized she’d gone quiet too, her cheeks flushing pink, her eyes suddenly looking everywhere except at him.
She felt it too.
He could tell.
And while he’d figured out he’d never be able to resist her, it didn’t look like Ella was ready to admit defeat.
She cleared her throat and took a sip of wine. “We’re already setting an extra place for Manny, who was salivating the second she said that she was making it. Complained she doesn’t make it often enough.”
“Edith’s been on a kick the last few years, determined that Manny needs to eat healthier,” Maverick said.
“That man does love food. God bless his appetite. Of course, I understand his struggles. I’ve been here less than a month and I swear I’ve gained ten pounds.”
Maverick took her words as permission, allowing his gaze to slide from her face and along her delicate frame. “You could stand to gain ten more.”
Ella had always been on the too-thin side, even in high school. At first, he’d thought that was simply the way she wasbuilt, but after a while, he started to wonder if her slight frame was the result of not being offered enough food. God knew, she devoured the sandwiches and chips he brought for them to share in the cabin every day. Her appetite was as healthy as his, and during that summer, she’d started to fill out. Not enough but at least a little.
“You used to say the same thing when we were in school,” she replied with a smile. “Food’s never been that big of a deal for me, and even less so, now that I’m cooking for one. Most nights, my dinner is either a can of soup or a bowl of cereal.”
Maverick placed his hand on his heart, reacting as if she’d just said something sacrilegious. “Food isn’t a big deal?”
“Let me restate that. It’s not a big deal back home. Here, in Gracemont, mealtimes seem to carry the same importance as Christmas and birthdays and weddings. I swear your family and Edith have made cooking an art form.”
“That they have, which is why I’m facing a Manny-like, watch-what-I-eat future.” Maverick patted his stomach, even though he wasn’t fighting an expanding waistline yet.
Ella rolled her eyes. “Please. You’re still in great shape.”
Maverick took the opening. “Oh yeah. You think I still look hot?” Unable to resist, he flexed one arm, pulling up the sleeve of his T-shirt to showcase his muscle. “Still like the gun show?”
She smacked his “gun” playfully, laughing.
God, he’d always loved her laugh. Probably because he never heard it nearly enough.
“You’re ridiculous. And fishing for compliments,” she joked. “Don’t you get enough of those from your long line of girlfriends?”