Gaining Miles (Miles Family #5)(15)

My breath caught in my throat, a rush of nerves made my stomach flutter, and my cheeks flushed. Ben went back to his conversation with Roland. But that look. That wink. He’d never winked at me before.

Oh my god, he had sent me the flowers.

I went home, my entire body tingling. It seemed so silly that a bouquet and a wink could have such an effect on me. I wasn’t a naive little girl anymore. But that look he’d given me. Full of heat and a little mischief, like we shared a secret.

I didn’t see him for the rest of the day. When I went home that night, I decided to text him a thank you.

Me: Do I have you to thank for the flowers?

Ben: Yes. Did you like them?

Me: They’re beautiful. Thank you.

Ben: My pleasure.

Me: It’s been a long time since a man bought me flowers.

Ben: Thought so. Figured it was time to change that.

Me: Why didn’t you sign your name? Was it supposed to be a secret?

Ben: Not really. Just having a little fun with you.

I laughed and bit my lower lip. Was he flirting with me? It had been so long, I wasn’t sure if I’d recognize it.

Me: Thank you again. That was really sweet.

Ben: You’re welcome. Good night, Shannon.

Me: Good night, Benjamin.





The next morning, I opened my front door and found a large package on my doorstep. It was wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine. No shipping label or address. Just a tag hanging from the twine, my name written in neat handwriting.

Ben’s handwriting.

Feeling a little jumpy with excitement, I brought it inside and set it on the dining table. I untied the package and tore it open. Careful not to spill the foam packing material, I dug through the box.

I felt something hard and smooth, like glass. A glass bottle, perhaps. Had he sent me wine? That was odd.

I pulled out what was indeed a wine bottle. One of ours, in fact. But it was empty. He’d cut off the bottom of the bottle and run a chain through the top with a metal circle at the base of the neck to hold it in place. Hanging from the circle—inside the bottle—was a votive holder with a candle.

It was beautiful.

Inside the box were two more just like it. They’d look wonderful hanging on my front porch.

I checked the box to see if there was anything else. Perhaps a note or a card. I found another bottle—this one wrapped in bubble wrap. It was heavier than the lanterns had been.

I unwrapped the bottle—it was unopened—and stared at the label. I hadn’t seen one of these in years. It was a Salishan wine, but the label was old and faded. The date was twenty-six years ago.

The year Ben had come to work for Salishan.

I ran my thumb along the label. It brought back a whirlwind of memories. My boys had been so little. Brynn hadn’t even been born. I remembered that summer so well. Remembered meeting Ben for the first time when he’d found Cooper in the vineyard.

Where had he found this? Had he kept a bottle from his first year working at the winery?

It was a Saturday—Ben’s day off—which meant I probably wouldn’t see him. So I decided to call.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Morning. I see you’ve been out and about early today.”

“I take it you opened your front door?”

I laughed. “I did. Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”

“You’re welcome. I can come by sometime and hang the lanterns if you want.”

“Please do,” I said. “I think they’ll look lovely on the porch. Where did you get the wine?”

“I had it at home,” he said.

“It’s from your first season here, isn’t it?”

“I’m pleased you remember.”

“Of course I do.” I nibbled on my bottom lip, unsure of what else to say. “Well, I won’t keep you. I just wanted to say thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” he said. “I’ll see you later.”

“Okay.”

I ended the call and put my phone down. This was so unexpected. Flowers, and now this? A gift he’d made, and a sweet reminder of the first time we’d met?

What are you up to, Benjamin Gaines?





Eight





Shannon





Ben’s gifts didn’t end there. The next day, I had another package on my porch. This time it was a new mug. It was white and said Good Morning, Beautiful in gold letters.

I stared at it for a while before making my morning tea. Traced my fingers over the words. Was he really calling me beautiful?

After brewing my tea, I sent him a picture of the mug.

Ben: That’s nice. Who sent it to you?

Me: Stop. Wait, didn’t you?

Ben: I’m teasing, it was me. Do you like it?

Me: I love it. Very pretty.

Ben: So are you.

My heart did a little flutter and I couldn’t contain my smile.

Me: Thank you. This is so sweet.

Ben: You’re welcome. Can I come by later? I can hang those lanterns for you.

Me: I’d love that.

Ben: Great, I’ll see you this afternoon.

I put my phone down and took a sip of my tea. This afternoon couldn’t come soon enough.