Fire in the Vineyard

by Christa Polkinhorn

  Sofia, who had grown up in a very small family with only her father and her aunt enjoyed the extended family of the Segantinos. Even as a child she had always wanted a sibling. When she found out about Julietta, her father’s other daughter in Italy he had kept hidden from her, it took some time for her to be able to forgive him for having withheld that family secret. Later, her sense of having been betrayed gave way to gratitude when she met her sister.

  Sofia hummed as she combed her blond-highlighted, light-brown hair. She had cut her long hair during the pregnancy and now wore it in a modern bob. She applied a light eye shadow that accentuated her purple-blue eyes and added some lip gloss. Still trying to shed some extra weight from her pregnancy, she decided to walk to her in-laws’ home. She was tall and had been very slim, but now her hips and her belly still carried those pesky pounds.

  The rather steep path up the hill to Robert and Janice’s property was perfect for exercise and getting her heart pumping. She put little Henry in his front carrier, strapped him to her body, and grabbed the bag with extra diapers, a few prepared bottles of milk, and toys.

  On top of the hill, Sofia stopped, catching her breath. She looked around, enjoying the view of the valley. The fields of yellow sun-dried grasses and dark green live oaks stretched to the horizon. Sofia scrunched her eyes as she watched a black bird—a raven perhaps—soaring above the trees.

  She caught a glimpse of Robert through the window of his office on the first floor of his home. The door to the house was ajar and she heard some agitated voices. “Uncle Matthew is here, too,” she told her son.

  “And you didn’t think it necessary to let me, to let us know?” Matthew’s voice sounded irritated.

  “Matt, calm down, it’s just a stupid anonymous scribble. Who knows it may be the Water Queen. You know she’s nuts. Whoever it is, I’m not going to give them the satisfaction of reacting to it.”

  Sofia had heard of the woman activist who had protested in front of wineries with a few of her friends, denouncing the vintners’ “raping of the land and wasting water.” She was considered a little unbalanced.

  “Dad, you don’t know. It may be serious. Don’t you think someone is out to harm you?”

  “Stop blowing it out of proportion. This belongs in the trashcan.”

  Sofia knocked on the half-open door and pushed it open all the way. As she stepped inside, Robert tossed a piece of paper into the wastepaper basket. Robert got up, and Matthew turned around, and their tense facial expressions gave way to smiles.

  “Hey, my favorite nephew,” Matthew said and tickled Henry’s chin. Henry gurgled and waved his arms.

  Sofia lifted Henry out of his cloth seat and handed Robert the baby. “Coming to see your Grandpa, huh?” Robert held and kissed the little boy.

  “What were you two guys arguing about? I couldn’t help overhearing something about an anonymous letter,” Sofia asked.

  Robert sat down and bounced little Henry on his knee. He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Nothing to worry about.”

  “Well, here it is. What do you think?” Matthew fished the piece of paper out of the wastepaper basket and handed it to Sofia.

  It was a typed letter. Sofia scrunched her forehead as she read it.

  I warned you before. This is my last warning. Stop wasting water. Stop poisoning people with alcohol or you and your family will regret it!

  “Gee, that sounds nasty. What does this mean?” Sofia asked.

  Matthew glared at his father. “Is this the first one you received? It says here ‘my last warning,’ so there were others?”

  Robert shrugged. “I got a couple of them before.”

  “F—” Matthew caught himself and glanced at Henry. “I don’t understand how you can ignore this.” He ran his fingers through his hair. His already sun-tanned face had darkened. “Well, anyway, I have to get back to work.” He walked toward the door. “See you later,” he said to Sofia, then left.

  Robert gave a weak smile. “He takes things too seriously.”

  “Well, we’re off, too,” Sofia said. “Janice is waiting.”

  Robert kissed Henry, then handed him to Sofia. He picked up her bag for her. “I’ll see you guys in a while.”

  Sofia hesitated. She knew that Robert could be stubborn, and she didn’t want to anger him. She took a deep breath. “Perhaps you should do something about the letter, just to be on the safe side.”

  Robert nodded. “I’ll show it to Walt Smith,” he said, referring to the sheriff who was a friend of Robert’s.

  “Does Janice know?” Sofia asked.

  “No, I don’t want to worry her. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say anything.”

  Sofia nodded. “Okay, I won’t tell her.” She felt Robert was avoiding a serious issue.

  Chapter 14

  It was another busy day at the estate. Sofia walked into the living room of her home in shorts and a T-shirt. She was getting ready to go to the winery. “You’re sure, it’s not too much trouble, watching him?” she asked her sister.

  “Of course, not.” Julietta said. “I love babysitting him. Besides, he’s asleep most of the time. Don’t worry.”

  “I just don’t want to overburden you. Don’t you have studying to do?” Sofia grabbed her sun hat and a bottle of water.

  “Hey, it’s vacation time. Besides, I finished whatever studying I had to do.”

  “Okay, I’m really grateful,” Sofia said and opened the door. “Oh, look who’s here.” Curious, Julietta joined her.

  Adam, walking up to the house, waved at them and Julietta felt her face stretch into a smile.

  “Hello, ladies,” he greeted them. “You look beautiful today … well, of course, any day.”

  Sofia laughed. “I’m sure you came for Julietta. I’m off to work.” She winked at Julietta and left.

  “Come inside.” Julietta put a finger on her lips. “Shhh. The baby is still asleep.”

  Adam tiptoed into the living room.

  Julietta grinned. “You can walk normally. He doesn’t wake up easily. Just don’t scream or something.”

  “Scream? Why would I scream? Now, listen, what are you planning to do to me that would make me scream?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

  She playfully hit his arm, then led him into the nursery where little Henry was asleep, his arms stretched over his head, his pudgy cheeks slightly flushed.

  “Cute little guy,” Adam whispered.

  “He is, isn’t he?” Julietta said. “Want some coffee?”

  They went into the living room and Julietta got them two cups of espresso from the kitchen and a plate of cookies. “Are you done with work for the day?”

  “Yes. Ken had to leave early, and we’re pretty much caught up with the daily data entry and the filing, so he gave me the time off. I think the poor guy is having relationship or family problems. I heard him arguing on the phone, maybe with his wife. It sounded pretty ugly.”

  “Oh? What were they arguing about?” Julietta asked.

  “Not sure,” Adam said. “I didn’t hear the whole thing. I was in the filing room, just heard a few sentences, but I think it was about money.”

  “Too bad,” Julietta said. “Ken seems like such a nice man.”

  “Yeah, he’s really nice. Perhaps a little too nice, you know, the kind of guy that lets himself be pushed around. Just got that feeling.” Adam shrugged. “But anyway. Are you babysitting tonight?”

  “No, just for a couple of hours this afternoon. Why?”

  “Have you ever been to one of those free concerts in the downtown park?” Adam asked.

  “Yes, once with my sister and brother-in-law. It was fun.”

  “Would you be interested in going tonight? That friend of mine I mentioned before, the one who plays saxophone in a jazz band, is on tonight. They’re really good. They even played at the Hearst Castle a few times.”

  “Whoa. Sounds interesting. I love jazz.”

  “Good.” Adam’s face lit up. “As you k
now, it’s very casual. Perhaps we could have a bite to eat afterward?”

  “Yes, why not?”

  “Good, I’ll pick you up at five o’clock, if that’s all right.” Adam touched her arm.

  “Wonderful.” Julietta’s heartbeat picked up speed. At that moment, they were interrupted by the sound of crying.

  “Oh, oh. Someone is calling for you. Another young man. Almost makes me jealous,” Adam joked.

  Julietta laughed. She went to pick up the little boy and brought him into the living room. He had stopped crying and Adam gently touched his cheek. “My competition. But I can’t blame you. He’s so cute.”

  “You’re silly.” Julietta smiled.

  “I know. Anyway, I’ll pick you up later. Okay?”

  “Yes, thanks Adam. Looking forward to it.” Julietta watched him leave.

  He sure was a charmer. Julietta was happy to have something to look forward to. She had talked to her mother on the phone that morning. Afterward, she had felt a little homesick. Although she loved living in California, it was the first time she had been away from home so long.

  At five o’clock, Adam drove them to downtown Paso Robles. They parked on one of the side streets near the park.

  “I’m still surprised how easy it is to find a parking spot here. It’s a real challenge in San Luis Obispo,” Adam said.

  “That’s one of the advantages of a small town,” Julietta said. “It does get more crowded though during the wine festival.”

  Grabbing two lawn chairs and their water bottles, they made their way into the park. It was fairly crowded already but they found a place not too far from the gazebo, where the band would be playing.

  “Care for something to drink?” Adam asked.

  Julietta nodded. Adam walked across the lawn toward the stand with the beverages. Julietta looked around. She didn’t see anybody she knew. She was sitting back comfortably, waiting for Adam, when she felt someone watching her. A heavyset man, standing a few feet away, was staring at her. He was holding what looked like a bottle of beer. His face was shadowed by the brim of his baseball cap, but Julietta could tell he was observing her.

  “Here you are.” Adam gave her a glass of lemonade and sat down on the lawn chair. “It’s pretty crowded at the beverage stand. I guess that’s good for business.”

  “Thanks,” Julietta said and took a sip of her lemonade. She glanced in the direction of the man she’d seen before, but he seemed to have disappeared. Perhaps, she had been wrong. He may have been looking at someone else.

  After a while, the band went on stage and Adam pointed out his friend Jonathan, a skinny, young man with a blond ponytail and a saxophone.

  The band played for half an hour, then took a short break. Julietta admitted they were very good. During the break, Adam and Julietta walked toward the stage. Jonathan waved and came down to greet Adam, who introduced Julietta. They walked over to the beverage stand and got another glass of lemonade each. After talking for a while, Jonathan headed toward the stage and Adam and Julietta went back to their seats.

  “Well, well,” a dark voice said behind them as they sat down. “It’s my nephew with a beautiful girl he never told me about.”

  Julietta turned around and looked into the face of the man she had seen staring at her before.

  “Uncle George, what are you doing here?” Adam said.

  “Same as you, enjoying the music.” The man stepped closer and Julietta smelled the booze on his breath. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to the pretty lady?”

  “Oh, sorry, this is Julietta. Julietta, this is my uncle George.”

  Julietta didn’t let on that she was bewildered. Here was the man Robert had warned her about, the one he had caused to lose his job because of some illegal activities while he was working for the county government. She had taken an immediate dislike to him, even before Adam introduced him. His lascivious glances, as if he wanted to undress her, and the smell of alcohol on his breath made her feel sick. Adam, however, didn’t seem to feel uncomfortable around him.

  “Julietta is the sister of Sofia Segantino, one of the owners of the estate. Remember you brought us some wine from them once?” Adam explained. “I’m working at the estate during the summer.”

  A rush of emotions flashed over the man’s face, anger perhaps or confusion, it was difficult to make out. It lasted only a second and then he smiled again, but the smile seemed fake. “Oh, yes,” he said. “Pretty decent wine.” He pushed his cap back. “So, how do you like the work there?” he asked Adam, looking at him quizzically, then back at Julietta.

  “It’s great,” Adam said. He put his hand on Julietta’s shoulder.

  “Good, good to hear,” George said in a low voice. “Well, I got to go. I’m meeting a friend.” He slapped Adam on the back. “Good to see you. Say hello to the family.” He turned to Julietta. “Very nice meeting you.” He put his finger to his cap in a salute, then turned around and left.

  Julietta heaved a sigh of relief. The man had given her the creeps. Adam watched his uncle walk across the lawn. He chortled. “Some character.”

  It didn’t sound as if he disliked him. He seemed rather amused by his uncle. “Well, now you’ve met the black sheep of our family.” He chortled.

  “He is a little strange,” Julietta said, careful not to offend Adam.

  “That he is,” Adam agreed. “He isn’t a bad guy, just a troublemaker. Unfortunately, one of his problems is alcohol. I think he was pretty loaded already.” He pointed to the stage. “Anyway, enough about Uncle George. Here’s the band again.”

  After the concert, they went to a restaurant that served tapas and other kinds of Spanish food. They sat outside on the patio, enjoying the warm evening, talking about the concert. In spite of the pleasant and relaxing atmosphere, Julietta kept thinking back to the surprise meeting with Adam’s uncle. She thought of Robert’s misgivings and his veiled suspicions that Adam might have an ulterior and perhaps damaging motive for working at the Segantino estate. Robert hadn’t given her any details, so she didn’t know what the background of his animosity toward George Winter was, except that Robert had been instrumental in the latter losing his job.

  She wondered if she should ask Adam what he knew about his uncle. But she didn’t want to spoil the pleasant and relaxing atmosphere and the deepening relationship between them, a relationship she welcomed but feared as well. Feared, not just because of the suspicions Robert had of him but because of other uncertainties. If they became a couple, where would they live in the future? Here or in Italy? She thought of her mother and her father, the constant separations, the pain of having to always say good-bye to her father, his sudden, unexpected death. It was something she and Adam had briefly talked about but neither one of them knew the answer.

  What would happen if she stayed here? She liked living with Sofia and Nicholas, and she loved her little nephew. But at the same time, she would miss her mother, her Italian family, and her friends at home.

  Why was she even worrying about something so uncertain? What was the English saying about that? Counting your chickens before they hatch?

  She sensed Adam’s eyes on her and looked at him.

  “You’re deep in thought,” he said.

  Julietta smiled and shook her head. “Just enjoying the evening.”

  Chapter 15

  Nicholas slowly made his way between the rows of vines. It was dawn, the perfect time to get some work done before the heat set in. His grandfather used to do it every day, rain or shine, but now, the seventy-six-year-old man skipped a day once in a while, nursing an occasional bout of arthritis. But most of the time, he would be there, hiking on the soft sandy soil between the rows of vines. It was more difficult to walk on sand than on grass, but long before the drought became an urgent problem, Martin Segantino had decided to conserve water. Grass needed to be watered more often than the vines, so it didn’t make sense to plant it between the rows and waste water that way.

  Nicholas loved
these early morning walks together with his grandfather. It gave them time to talk about family, work, the community. Often, they would walk in silence and to Nicholas it felt like a meditation. At the same time, it was an important part of the work. They checked the vines to make sure no pests or disease were present. Fortunately, the climate in the Paso Robles area was too dry for the kind of infestation that threatened the vines in more humid areas of the country.

  Today, however, Nicholas was alone. His grandparents were away for a few days, visiting friends. Halfway through the vineyards, he took a break, drank a few sips of water from the bottle he carried with him, and watched the sun rise above the horizon and color the fields golden. He inhaled the scent of sage. The early morning breeze rustled the dry grass next to the vineyard. Two crows sitting on the fence cawed. Every so often, small animals, rabbits and squirrels, scampered by him. Feeling someone watching him, he turned around and was faced with a coyote, staring at him. They observed each other for a moment, then the animal turned and slunk away through the tall yellow grass. Up in the sky, hawks drew circles, watching for prey.

  About an hour later, Nicholas returned home. As he opened the door, the scent of freshly brewed coffee lured him into the kitchen. Sofia, holding a fussing Henry in her arms, was trying to crack open the eggs. Nicholas smiled, kissed her, and took the baby in his arms, cuddling him.

  “Thanks, just in time,” Sofia said. She poured two cups of coffee and proceeded to break open the eggs. Strips of bacon were sizzling in the frying pan. Nicholas kissed Sofia’s neck, grabbed a cup and took a few sips, then put the cup down. He carried Henry around, who promptly fell asleep again. Nicholas gently put him back into the crib.