Ryan looked at me and grinned. “Sounds like you were a bit of a daredevil when you were younger.”
I stretched my legs out straight, remembering how I used to jump off the rope swing.
“The best part of summer was when the grapes were ready to be picked. My dad built this huge arbor in our yard; it was covered in grapevines.
I remember running out in the back yard first thing in the morning to pick the grapes that were covered in morning dew. Dad said that they were nature’s wine,” I reminisced. “Do you know how wine is made?”
“I know a little. I know more about drinking wine than how it’s made though. What about you?”
I nodded. “My family has co-owned a few wineries for a long time. I have a vested interest in three active wineries now.”
“You do?” He was surprised.
I nodded again. “My parents invested a lot of money into some of the local wineries up around the Finger Lakes. We used to co-own five, but we sold our interests in one of them and two of the wineries merged. After my father died, I inherited all the shares. I’m a limited partner now, but I still get involved in the businesses sometimes. We’ve been great friends with the families that run the wineries – some of them I’ve known my whole life.”
“Quite the businesswoman you are!” he snickered.
“I like diversity. It makes for a steady income and good wine connections.” I shrugged. “I’m also a silent partner in Tammy’s catering business; I stay silent and let it up to her to run it as she sees fit.”
Ryan cast his line out again. “Isn’t it hard to be in business with a friend?”
“No, not yet. Tammy and I have a legal business relationship. We are both partners in a limited liability corporation with signed agreements. I gave her the start-up capital. I wanted to help my friend, but I want to keep my friend no matter what happens. The business relationship is one thing, the long-standing friendship is another. She has the option to buy me out at any time.”
“So let me get this straight. You own a bar, co-own a few wineries, and are a partner in a catering business? Did I get them all?”
“Well, there’s the stained glass business too,” I murmured. “But that’s more of a hobby now. Do you remember seeing the big glass ‘Mitchell’s Pub’ sign hanging behind the bar?”
He nodded.
“I made that.”
“You made that?” He sounded impressed.
“I made quite a few pieces for some of the local businesses. The book store next to my pub… I made their sign too.”
“I think I got one!” Ryan reeled in his line to find a small bass on his hook. “Did you like that worm? Did ya?” he asked the fish, like they were friends. It made me chuckle.
“So what about your parents?” I asked.
“My dad is a dentist,” he said proudly. He parted his lips to show me his teeth. “This is all his handy work.” He motioned with his finger. “I had braces until I was sixteen.”
“I bet that impressed the ladies!” I teased.
“Yeah! Got me a lot of dates! I was so happy when he finally took them off.”
Ryan paused for a moment to take a swig of his beer. “My mom has been his office manager for forever. She pretty much runs the place. We always kid him that all he has to do is show up and tell people to say ‘ahh.’ Mom does the rest.”
A minute or two passed and I had a vision of his dad’s dental business being inundated with new patients. It made me laugh out loud.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“I was just picturing your dad’s waiting room being lined up with hundreds of new patients, all young and female! Oh, Dr. Christensen, I think I have a cavity. By the way can you introduce me to your son?”
“Hah! That’s funny you said that. If someone new calls to make an appointment… if you’re under forty and female forget it. You’re not getting in.
My mom will hang up on you.”
“Guess it’s a good thing that I already have a dentist.” I laughed. “I thought maybe they were grading the women for you. Only the ones with minimal amounts of plaque get your phone number.”
He was laughing so hard he didn’t even realize he had another fish on his line.
I set my pole down and retrieved the net. “Look at that!” I yelled. He had a huge fish on his hook. Poor thing was thrashing its body. Ryan had the biggest smile on his face; he was in his happy place.
“That’s good eating right there!” He held the fish up.