“You studied French.”

She laughed. “Only enough to get myself into trouble if I ever make it to France. If I do, I’m renting a chalet at a vineyard and spending most of my time in the tasting room.” She pointed a finger at him. “Never fear. I don’t plan to take up wine making. As I told you, I’m way more interested in the complexity of beers. But in college, I fancied myself to be quite the sommelier and came to love wine.”

Blackie tasted her selection and winked at her. “Nice choice.”

Their conversation turned to the French language and places they yearned to visit in that country. With a glass of wine under his belt, Blackie forgot to be nervous about Julie wanting babies and was able to simply enjoy being with her. As they savored the taste of the canapés and sipped chardonnay, they discussed business, beer making, and how best to go about starting a brewery. Blackie got so caught up in the conversation that he helped her carry things from the kitchen for their meal rather than allow a lull in their exchanges. Blackie couldn’t help but think how perfect Julie was for him, but there was absolutely no way he wanted to start a family at his age, and he feared that she had her sights set on kids.

Over the enchilada casserole, which was delicious, Blackie ventured a leading sentence. “Well, if you’re really into starting a brewing company, you’d better have your children soon. Starting another business won’t leave you much time for burping babies and changing diapers.”

She laughed and flapped her hand. “Bite your tongue. I’m all done with the baby idea. In my twenties, oh, yeah. I wanted children. But no longer. Maybe I’ve grown selfish, but since my divorce, I want it to be all about me—and maybe about a significant other. I love my life as it is. Well, I still dream of a brewery, to be honest, and trips to exotic locales. But mostly I’m happy right where I am, with the freedom to do whatever I want when the mood strikes. The shop holds me down, of course, but as time wears on, I hope to afford another baker and employees to work out front. That’ll give me lots of time for traveling, and I won’t have to worry about the business suffering while I’m gone.”

Blackie liked the sound of that, and he also noted that she seemed willing to make room in her life for a man. Julie shivered and ran inside for a wrap while Blackie donned his jacket. She was laughing when she emerged from the house with an afghan draped over her shoulders. It made her look like a beautiful gypsy.

“I have a shawl, but it’s crocheted and so holey it won’t keep me warm!”

So was her blouse, but he refrained from saying so. “Despite the chill, I’m enjoying this. It feels good to eat outside. The fresh air, the fading sunlight, the sound of birds chirping as they settle on their roosts. Truth be told, I just plain love being outdoors. That’s why I walk and hike instead of going to a gym.”