Saviour from the Past

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"What will we do tonight?" Poppy asked Rory as they sat down in their suite in Austin, they were staying at the Thompson hotel, and were in one of the bigger suites on the top floors.

"You aren't tired?" Rory asked incredulously. They were on day ten of their tour, stop number five. So far it had been relatively quiet, they had gone to Disneyland when they stopped in LA for the Glendale event, went on a whale watching tour in Vancouver- managing to actually see a pod of orcas. Poppy had wanted to go rapelling down the space needle in Seattle, but Rory had convinced her that was just the alcohol talking. It was like being back at Yale with Logan and the Stooges.

"Not really. I feel more like I need a break. The event is tomorrow, so we have all day today free. The concierge suggested a wine and bbq tour that they can get us places on, is that something you would be interested in?"

"Barbeque as in brisket and ribs?" Rory asked, perking up.

"Exactly, followed by a trip to two wineries. Sounds like a pretty good way to spend the day." Poppy said, quirking her brow at Rory in question, knowing that food was her weakness.

"Okay, okay. I'm in. Do you need me to call down and book it?" Rory asked, standing to walk to the phone near the island of the kitchenette in their room.

"No, I booked it while you were checking us in."

"Poppy!" Rory exclaimed.

"Well, I knew you would say yes once you heard barbeque food. And if that hadn't worked I was gonna lead with the chocolate pecan pie."

"Pie?" Rory chirped.

"Yes, pie. Now let's go get unpacked and changed. We are meant to be downstairs in fifty five minutes." Poppy said, already walking into her room to the right of the living area. They each had an ensuite which was a big help when it came to getting the two of them out on time to events.

"Oh God, I ate so much I'm not sure I'll be able to fit any wine in," Poppy said as she climbed off the bus onto the driveway of the first vineyard that they were stopping at.

"I hope this wine is worth it, I could have eaten at least three more ribs," Rory said with a small pout as she joined Poppy in looking around the picturesque yard. She could see how they had tried to blend the European Vineyard style with classic Texan style.

"Come on, we both know you put some cornbread in your bag for later," Poppy retorted with a smile.

"Hey! It's good cornbread!" Rory exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, did she just say you stuffed your bag with cornbread?" A voice interrupted the pair.

"I wouldn't say stu-" Rory started to reply while turning to greet the owner of the voice.

"Colin!" Rory exclaimed questioningly.

"Reporter Girl?" He asked, looking her up and down, before exclaiming again it is you, and pulling her into a hug.

"What are you doing here?" Rory asked, trying to work out what the most stuck up Stooge was doing in the middle of Texas.

"I assume the same as you, checking out the Vineyard, Finn is inside. He is trying to find a new house wine for an Austin hotel he owns."

"Finn is here?"

"Ahem" A cough interrupted whatever Colin had been about to reply.

Rory quickly turned back to look at Poppy who was watching the byplay with a smirk on her face. "Oh sorry Poppy! I didn't mean to ignore you. This is Colin McRae, we both attended Yale at the same time. Colin, this is Poppy Khannington, she is an author that my firm represents, and hopefully a friend."