Chapter Thirteen
"You know, you didn't have to pick me up. I could have followed you to your brother's place." Kim studied Jerry as he checked his side mirror before changing lanes and pulling into a trendy shopping center. She smiled to herself at the care he took in his driving. It wasn't that he drove like the proverbial 'old lady', but her father would definitely approve.
He shot a quick glance in her direction. "There was no point in both of us driving, especially since your place is on the way. Besides, I wanted to make a stop here." The parking lot was nearly full as the dating and shopping hour was in full swing, and he had to maneuver along several lanes before finding an empty space. Then as he was preparing to pull into the slot, a blue-green sedan cut him off and pulled in ahead. He barely had time to hit his brakes.
Kim gasped in outrage. "What a butt-headed thing to do! I hate it when people do idiot things like that. She could have caused an accident!" Had it been her in the driver's seat she would have laid into the horn so that the other driver would know exactly how she felt.
Jerry simply shook his head and drove on. "She must have needed the space way more than I did. "
"Yeah, must be urgent business at Buddah's Winery," Kim said, eyeing the petite, smartly dressed older woman as she climbed out of the car. "She could have at least parked in the compact car section and saved that space for you since you're driving a large vehicle. Just plain rude, if you ask me."
"Down girl." Jerry teased. "It's okay. Definitely not enough to get my pressure up over." He'd found another spot nearer the end of a long row of vehicles. He pulled in, cut the engine and turned to face her. "See, we're all taken care of. Besides, we're going to Buddah's, too. If we hurry, you can hunt her down and teach her a lesson."
Kim made a face at him. "Don't tempt me."
Jerry's gaze locked on hers and he opened his mouth as if to say something that he apparently thought better of. Seconds passed while he allowed his gaze to linger. A warm, engaging smile sprang to life, begging to be returned.
So much for not being tempted, Kim thought, feeling herself go a little melty and warm inside.
"I hope you don't mind my making a quick stop," Jerry said. Though he never broke eye contact, there was a subtle change which signaled a lessening of the intimate look. It was the look that she'd designated in her mind as his 'dangerous look'. Dangerous because it sent her hormones into overdrive and she just didn't need that. A guy as good-looking and easy going just wouldn't be restricted to one woman. It was a lesson that she'd already learned.
"No, I don't mind at all," she said, deliberately turning away to open the door. Climbing down out of the truck gave her time to take a deep breath and refocus herself. "It's something of a tradition," Jerry went on to explain as they walked toward the shopping center. "Whenever we all get together for dinner we take turns trying to pick up the absolute worst bottle of wine that we can find. It's my turn, and I'm trying to out do the Fat Bastard."
It took a moment for what he said to register. "What? Did you just call your brother a fat bastard? He's in terrific shape."
"Oh? Been checking out my brother, have we?" Jerry shot back, barely containing his laughter. Then, having mercy, he continued. "No. Fat Bastard is a Chardonnay. Jasmine found it. I'm hoping Buddah's has something that can top it."
Kim laughed, amused at the wackiness of the family tradition. "Where in the world would you go to find a wine called Fat Bastard?"
"Jasmine's not telling," Jerry responded. "And Josh is in on it with her. But a client turned me on to Buddah's. And trust me, this guy had a lot of knowledge of the unusual."
They entered the building and Kim was surprised at the number of patrons. Apparently Buddah's did a brisk business. She spotted a section off to one side of the store that contained a variety of beautiful wine glasses. Her mother was a collector, and some of the love for the objects had rubbed off on her.
Jerry caught her drooling. "Why don't we meet up in the Wines of the Bizarre section?"
Kim agreed quickly and set off toward the area. She browsed for as long as she dared before making a selection. She could easily get lost in a place like this. She would absolutely have to bring her mother back.
Moving back toward the section of the store that bore a large carved wooden placard which proudly proclaimed Wines of the Bizzare, one of the wines at the end of one row caught her attention. She almost laughed out loud. The name was great. She wondered if Jerry had seen it.
As she reached for the bottle the sound of women's voices penetrated her thoughts. "So what did he say?" One of the women said anxiously.
"He apologized and said that he was attached." The other woman replied. "I practically threw myself at him and there was barely any reaction."
"Maybe he just doesn't like forward women," the first woman suggested. "Did you get any kind of a vibe?"
"Forward? I was subtle. And the only vibe I got was that he was sweet, but not interested."
"I'll give you sweet. But you're about as subtle as. . . "
The rest of the woman's words was lost in the loud clinking of wine bottles. The sound startled Kim out of her voyeurism. Picking up the bottle bearing the Old Tart label, she rounded the aisle in search of Jerry.
The two women who had been speaking were standing at the near end of the row. She looked up at them. Both were tall and beautiful, neither were looking in her direction but were focused along the aisle toward the tall man standing at the end of the row. The aisle was narrow and she couldn’t pass without bumping them.
"Excuse me." She raised her voice just slightly to get their attention.
Jerry turned at the sound of her voice. His look and smile were like a caress as he followed her progress along the row. She just barely caught one of the women mutter, "Hope she knows how lucky she is."
If they only knew.
She came to a stop before him and held out her find.
Jerry looked away from her and down toward the bottle. He laughed out loud, and drew her toward him in a one-armed hug. "Oh, this is absolutely perfect. An Old Tart is the perfect match for a Fat Bastard."
The women at the end of the aisle glanced sharply in their direction at his words. Kim stifled her laughter and grabbed his hand and led him out of the row. "You sure know how to give the ladies something to talk about, Jerry Dumas," she whispered, remembering the nurses at the hospital so long ago. Had it really only been a month?
If her heart rate quickened a little because he held onto her hand until they reached the register, it didn't mean anything. She was simply excited to be a part of one of his family's traditions.