Wine, a beautiful woman and a firefighter... What more do you want? Maybe some romance?
Check
. A strong woman? (I know I have some readers that will appreciate that 😉
)
Check
. Sex, you say?
Check!
I think you'll love Gregg and Ellie as much as I've come to love them. Emails welcome! Thanks for reading!
Kitty
and
Jake's
upcoming stories in Whispers in the Vineyard may have triggers of strong excessive sexual content, squirting, ass fun, girl/girl, nudists, strong excessive sexual content, pregnancy, breastfeeding, unmarried infidelity, and strong excessive sexual content. xo DG
Whispers in the Vineyard Ch 04
It was a depressing drive home after the memorial service. Gregg and I talked about our options and concluded there was only one. I get rid of the restaurant and move to the winery.
Leaving my town, friends, business and staff was the option. Painful one. Not going to Gregg was the second choice. Even worse.
My phone came through the car speakers.
"Hello! Miss you already," I said.
"Me miss you too. Very much. Love you too. Very much." Gregg's voice surrounded me in the car and was somehow comforting.
"I love you too," I sniffed.
"Don't cry babe," he said sadly.
"I'm not," I lied.
"Are you close to home?"
"Not much further."
"Last night was pretty hot," he said, his voice low and sexy.
"Ohno, not while I'm driving. You're making me squirm," I whined.
He laughed. "Okay okay, call when you get home, and we'll discuss it."
"Oh, you are such a bad boy," I giggled. Although phone sex was going to be about as good as it got for a while.
I was back at it the next day. Hit the butcher and produce early and got into the restaurant earlier than usual. I liked this time in my place by myself. I usually found solace, but it was different now. I couldn't put my finger on it but knew it had to do with the last few days at the winery.
I didn't mention it to anyone because Peter asked me not to. He told me he wanted to cut back his hours in the kitchen. His wife wanted to travel, and he wanted to be able to take time off. He was the heart of that kitchen and kept everything running smoothly. I thought back to our conversation.
"Have you considered moving here, Ellie?"
We were sitting on the deck overlooking the grapevines. I studied the winding rows for a moment, gathering my thoughts.
"I am thinking about it yeah. Gregg would like me to move here. It's just that I'd hate to give up my restaurant, and more so, leave my staff jobless."
He nodded. "I understand that. I was wondering if you came here, you'd want to work or not."
"I don't think I can sit and do nothing, but to be honest I never thought that far."
"I'd like to shorten my hours here and take a little more time off. If you would step in, that would take a load off my mind, and I'm sure Ami would be thrilled. I also would hate to have her search for a chef. We know you're a perfect fit already!"
"Oh wow, Peter. That would be a wonderful opportunity, but I don't think I'm good enough," I said, a little awed that he even thought of me.
"I've cooked with you, remember?!" he laughed. "You can easily manage it. You can oversee the whole damn kitchen for god's sake," he boomed, then looked around to see if anyone heard him.
"That you have that much confidence in me means a lot, Peter. It's just that I've never worked in a structured kitchen. Have had no formal training. I'm more seat of the pants type of chef. I normally choose what's in season and the best meat available." I sighed. "I just don't know."
He laughed. "I could argue each and every point, but all I'm going to say is BS."
I laughed. "Okay, maybe it's my own shortcomings hitting me. I do appreciate you thinking about me, and I will think about it. If I did move here, at least I'd still be doing what I love."
"And just as a little teaser, Ami and Gregg are very hands-off and allow us to pretty much do what we want. You could continue on as you're doing at your place."
"Only with a real kitchen and real staff," I laughed. "I will think it over, Peter. Again, my thanks for having such confidence in me."
"I just don't want to mention it to anyone yet. I hoped to tell Ami you'd be filling in when I'd be taking off." He grinned.
"No problem. It's just between us. We'll keep in touch!"
I reran that conversation in my mind while I was prepping tonight's dinner. I'd get to be with Gregg again which was my first consideration. I'd get to work and learn with Peter, which was my first work consideration. I learned so much in the short time I was in the kitchen with him before and I'd love to continue that.
"You must have been here early!" Janeen said, seeing the tables set and ready.
"I was. I sorta missed the place," I admitted.
"How was it? I mean for a memorial service type of thing?"
"It was very nice. The community made the food, and the tables were loaded. It was nice that the kitchen staff could attend the service."
And they offered me a job
. "It was wonderful seeing Gregg." I blushed.
"I bet you really miss him now," she guessed. "You know, it's none of my business, but I'm going to say it anyhow... Don't let this slip away from you. A lifetime of happiness compared to," she waved her arms, "this."
"I appreciate your thoughts and you're right. I wanted to wait until the timing was right, but what will be my indicator." I asked rhetorically.
"Do you think anyone would be interested in taking this over?" Janeen asked.
"I've never thought of that," I said, looking at her. "Maybe you?" I smiled.
"Me?" she squeaked. "I can only cook grilled cheese." We both laughed.
"What if you got more kitchen help? A chef? A wannabe chef like me? I had no formal training."
We looked at each other. "Hmmm."
I invited Randy over for my next test recipe day. While I was gone, he finished my deck, and I was thrilled. I called, but I need to pay him and thank him personally.
I was feeling creative and had loads of leftovers. Randy had unearthed outdoor furniture from my shed, so I planned on eating outdoors.
"You did a beautiful job, Randy! I'd never have come up with anything like this. You're very talented!"
"I'm glad you like it. It's a relief. I was hesitant to finish it while you were gone."
"No no. No worries. I leave it up to the professionals," I grinned. "I thought we'd eat out here since it's such a beautiful day?"
I set the food up buffet style, gave him a plate, and told him to go for it.
"Wow, you made a lot of food this time."
"I was feeling extra inspired today."
We ate and made small talk. He dove in and I promised him lots to take home. Probably enough to take to the station if he wanted to share.
He opened the after-dinner wine and asked, "I guess you're thinking to move north?"
"I am, yes. In fact, I'm looking for a chef to take over. I hate to just close the place and leave my staff jobless."
"I'll keep an ear out. I'd like to see it stay open myself." He swirled the wine in his glass looking down. "I guess it's a permanent thing with you and Gregg." He went on without needing an answer. "I was hoping I might have a chance, but I wish you both the best of luck."
"Thank you, Randy, that means a lot." There was little I could say to that, and we went back to small talk until he left.
The next day I walked into the restaurant and before the door closed behind me, Janeen said excitedly, "You're not going to believe this!"
I dropped my bags on a chair. "What?!"
"I might have found someone that could step in and take over!"
"Really? Who?" I was as excited now.
"You know Elizabeth that does catering around town?"
"Oh yeahhhhhhh," I said, her reputation running through my mind at warp speed. "Wow, she might be just the person?" Janeen nodded.
"I told her to come in tomorrow about this time. Will that work?"
"Hell yeah!" I laughed.
I had time to make a few inquiries about her before she showed up. She was bubbly, energetic, and as imaginative as me. She stayed with me in the kitchen and worked right alongside me. She was perfect and I was thrilled. All that was left was some paperwork. I would retain ownership and she would run the restaurant. I would be able to leave in a few weeks. After I felt she was trained, that is.
That freed me to think about the move. I hadn't told Gregg yet. I wanted to tell him when the time was right. When he'd be surprised. And he would be since he hadn't heard about the job offer yet.
I was off today, wasn't testing new dishes, and had nothing real pressing to do. I opened my eyes, decided it was too early to get up, and went back to sleep.
"Ellie."
I was having such a delicious dream that Gregg was here. I could hear him. I could smell his pine scent. I squeezed my legs together to enjoy the dream.
"Ellie. Babe."
"Mmmm," I moaned. The dream seemed so real. I squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to wake up. His fingers softly trailed over my face.
"Ellie, honey, wake up."