Stirred: A Love Story by Tracy Ewens Page B

was what, sex, right? He liked sex. Probably not a good idea to have it with his sister’s friend, but if she wanted him, who was he to argue? The love aspect of her speech was a little harder to get his head around. No way she loved him. Love took time, not that he’d ever bothered, but watching his brother and sister, it seemed like work. He already had enough work.
    Still standing on the sidelines, he scanned the barn—there were a few couples, a family of five, and a group of four women who were a little rowdy. Garrett thought he heard one of them say they were all part of the same book club. The whole thing was pretty cool. Once everyone had one of Sage’s concoctions or a glass of wine from the guy who had kissed Sage—yeah, he’d noticed that—they took their seats. Logan and Travis began doing what they did best—feeding people. The intimate setting of the barn, plus everyone sitting at the same table, passing and sharing, was fun to watch. He was filled with pride for his farm, his barn, and most of all, his family.
    The way his brother took something simple and made it special was a true talent, and he was honored they chose his new barn as the place for these events. It was great business for The Yard. A reflection of a lifestyle that was trendy now, he supposed, although he always thought those glossy magazines made things look far too easy.
    After a welcome, followed by a description of what was on the menu, everyone began eating. Sage leaned against her bar, looking beyond the barn toward the back field—kale and butter lettuce, Garrett’s mind couldn’t help but note. The lights strung throughout the rafters of the barn brought her face into focus as he took a few steps closer. She wore some wispy top that showed off her neck, or maybe he simply noticed it more now. She always seemed to be in something new, but not exactly new. Most of her clothes looked like they came from a different time. She was a discovery: color, beads, texture, and lace. His mind immediately went to the towel getting caught on the detail of her skirt. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen legs before, and there was barely anything showing, but standing there with her, he thought he might actually swallow his tongue.
    He’d noticed Sage before her ride in his truck. She was kind of hard to ignore, but lately everything was heightened to distraction, as if his mind was trying to make sense of her, and his body hummed in wait. Garrett walked over to the bar.
    “Are you and wine guy a thing?” He caught her off guard; she was still gazing out into the night.
    “Huh?” she asked with a sigh.
    “Wine guy, you two seem cozy.”
    Her eyes danced around the barn as if she hadn’t even heard the question. “It’s incredible here. I’m sure you already know that, but I’ve been here a couple times now and the air, my God. It’s like I think I’m breathing at home, then when I get here, I realize I wasn’t even close.”
    Garrett was stunned by her words—they managed to perfectly describe what it meant to live where he did, do what he did. How could she know that?
    “I love everything about this place, the sounds and smells.”
    He raised his brow. “The smells, huh? I could probably find some smells that would change your mind.”
    Sage’s laugh lit up the space, and he knew he wanted her. Garrett had lived a life that made it clear that want and have were two very different things with an ocean of work between them, but he didn’t care. Standing there, almost desperate to reach out and touch her face, he was willing to work. Hell, he’d add it to the schedule.
    “Do you still know how incredible it is, or does it get old being here all the time? I’ve always wondered that, you know.” She twirled a straw. “Like people who live in Paris, do they get sick of driving by the Eiffel Tower, or is it a marvel every time?”
    “I’d imagine they get used to it,” he said, grateful he’d found some words. Was she