And So It Goes (Stevens Book 10)

Chapter 9

It had been a magical two days spent with Luke and Harper at her family's vineyard. They had toured the site and gone on a  horseback ride, taken a trip into the small village nearby and shopped, taken a starlit walk after dinner, helped harvest grapes, and drunk plenty of good wine with their excellent meals, but now it was coming to an end.

They were leaving the next day for Paris, which had been their end goal. 

The Sinclair family had set up dinner on the patio overlooking the rows of grapevines. There were candles and music as they feasted on some of the best food Agatha had ever tasted. It was one of those special moments that came once in a lifetime, and she was glad that she was getting to spend it with Roark.

Full of good food and wine, Agatha leaned back in her chair, resting her head on Roark's shoulder as they listened to Harper and Luke's grandparent's love story. It was an ill-fated love, full of misunderstandings and heartbreak but with a bittersweet ending. Agatha didn't think she could do what Harper's grandfather had done and spend her life loving someone from afar.

From there, the stories of love continued. Some were funny and others magical, but all touched the heart and made Agatha sigh a little. They ended with Harper's great-aunt, Rita's story, and the way she looked at her husband as she told it made Agatha wish for the moon and the stars.

"My parents and aunts and uncles all had similar love stories, and a few of my cousins have as well. My mother used to love to pick out each couple's love song, but the newer generation won't let her. She is very upset about it." Agatha finally joined in on the conversation.

"What is your song?" Harper asked Agatha, looking between her and Roark.

"We don't have one yet," Agatha said with a smile, doubting that they ever would.

"I know that Aunt Rita and Uncle Jaques have one." Harper smiled, looking at her great-aunt. "Don't you, Aunt Rita?"

"We do, but I haven't heard it in years," the older woman agreed. She was lovely with her grey hair, sunkissed skin, and deep brown eyes. Agatha hoped she aged half as well.

Someone yelled something in French, and someone produced a guitar for a man at the end of the table, who Agatha thought was one of Harper's uncles. He strummed a few bars, and Agatha recognized it immediately as an old song Elvis Presley had made famous, 'I Can't Help Falling In Love With You.'

They all watched as Jaques stood and bowed to Rita inviting her to dance. Rita's smile made her look like a young girl again as she stood and took his hand. It touched Agatha deeply, and as the couple began to dance, Agatha couldn't help letting her voice join the guitar.

There wasn't a dry eye in the house when the song ended, and Agatha finally understood why her mother was so adamant about picking people's songs. It was a memory.

"Every couple has a perfect song," Agatha said as she clapped with the others.

"And you have a perfect voice!" Aunt Rita said as she placed a kiss on Agatha's cheek.

Agatha blushed and made some non-committal comment about it being nothing.

"It's a night for romance!" Jaques grabbed Rita around the waist and started to dance her around the patio to another song.

Agatha and Roark watched the others dance for a time, and Agatha kept hoping that Roark would ask her to dance, but he never did, and after a while, he mentioned that they should head to bed since it was getting late.

With words of thanks and hugs goodnight, Agatha and Roark made their way through the silent house and up to their room.

They quietly got ready for bed, and Agatha was unable to hide her disappointment.