“I highly doubt you know what you want for the rest of your life at twenty-five. You might think you do, but you don’t. Trust me.”
“I’ve lived plenty. You don’t know anything about me, Ry. My father passed away when I was seven. I have a little brother who can’t seem to stay away from drugs. I have a mom who has done everything for me and my brother. She worked two full time jobs to make ends meet. I had to take care of my little brother. We were far from being wealthy. Now, she no longer has to provide for us, she’s been able to cut back on work, and I help her every chance I get. We owe her everything.”
“I didn’t mean to assume. I’m sorry you went through all that.”
“Nah. It’s fine. It made me who I am today. I was lucky enough to find a job, thanks to Chance for hooking me up with the right people. But I think it’s time to make my own way and my own career.”
“That’s awesome. Are you dating anybody?”
“Well, if I’m flirting with you, I’m not. We did sleep together last night.” I grinned and flashed a wink. I was not going to give up no matter how much Rylee said we couldn’t date. Granted, I barely knew her, but I felt this connection with her, even though there was an age difference. I knew full well she felt the attraction between us.
“Once we go through town here, you won’t be far from Cotton House Hotel.”
“Oh my god, this town is so cute. I must come back and explore when I get time.”
“This is considered Old Town Temecula. It definitely has that old-time charm to it.”
“Yes; you took the words right out of my mouth.”
I’d like to do a lot of things to that mouth.
“Another twenty minutes and we’ll be at the hotel. The beach is roughly thirty miles away, and San Diego is an hour away. “
“There’s so many places I want to visit.”
“I can take you,” I offered.
“Really?”
“Yeah. When we have free time, I’d be glad to show you around.”
“I’m actually getting anxious as we are getting closer,” she admitted.
“The ground property is pretty awesome. And Sheryl and Bud are really good people.”
“They seemed like it when I talked to them.”
Chapter Four
RYLEE
Turning off the main road and onto Walford Lane, as Levi advised, I took in the grand beauty of the hotel. It was about three levels, the wine vineyard was off to the right, and a lake was off to the left. Why would the previous owners run such a beauty into the ground? It was beyond me. Clearly, they didn’t know how much of an advantage this place already had.
“The pictures on the website didn’t do the place justice,” I said as parked out front.
“It really is a slice of heaven.”
Now under new ownership, I was brought in to supervise repairs, and get the word out about it. The only thing keeping it running was when they offered wine tasting off in a barn-like building.
The grounds were beautiful. This hotel could bank on booking weddings. Ideas were already flooding my brain and I couldn’t wait to get started.
Stepping out of the car, I couldn’t take my eyes off the exterior of the hotel. It had seen better.
Sheryl and Bud were standing on the long porch, ready to greet us. “Hi. You must be Rylee.”
Levi scattered past us to talk to some other people.
“I am. You must be Sheryl and Bud. I’m so glad to meet you.”
“Well, you came highly recommended. Should we go inside and get started?”
I smiled. “Absolutely.”
***
By the time our meeting was over, I had a clear picture of the design work that needed to be done. They approved all my ideas, and I added some additional ideas that they had. Being that I was a designer, I could work after the contractor completed each project. It was going to be a lengthy task, but a doable one. It was likely going to be a three-month or more project if everyone worked accordingly. Thankfully, they would be within budget.
Levi jogged up to me. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
“I wanted to thank you for the ride in. I appreciate it.”
“Sure, no problem.”
“Are you getting settled in okay?”
“I am. Finished my meeting with Sheryl and Bud, and I was just wandering around looking at everything.”
“Okay. Well. I am in guest suite seven,” Levi told me.
“Actually, I’m in guest suite ten.”
“Ah, we’ll be close to one another. Maybe we can have a sleepover.”
I rolled my eyes. “In your dreams, kid.”
“See you later, Cupcake.”
“See ya.”
Tomorrow, construction would be underway. And I was ready to get started.
After hauling my belongings inside, I showered and changed into a pair of shorts and a tank so I could venture outside.
The sun was beginning to set and I knew once the hotel was in tip-top shape, it would be picture perfect. With my planner in hand, I took notes for more inspiration. Wandering over to the vineyards, I saw grapes growing and some being picked by the employees. I knew for now Sheryl and Bud were putting all their attention on getting the winery running, because tours and taste testing would be profitable.
“You must be Rylee,” a blonde woman said in a cheery sing-song voice.
I nodded and smiled back. “Hi.”
“I’m Ashley Martinez.”
“Good to meet you, Ashely. What do you do here?”
“Oh, I’m in charge of the winery. Should be opening up for tours in about a month.”
“That’s amazing.”
Ashley was a petite blonde and she was probably in her late twenties or early thirties.
“It’ll be nice to have another female around.
