Crush the Crescent Lake Winery Series Book 2

by Lucinda Race

  7

  Saturday morning arrived, warm and sunny, as Anna pulled up to the front entrance of the hospital in Dad’s oversized SUV. Her sports car was not going to cut it for bringing him home. Besides, he wanted to have some bulk around him. Since the surgery, he felt vulnerable to so many things: falling, keeping pain in check, getting a cold. The list seemed so endless Anna had lost track of everything. When she asked Colin if this was normal, he said every person dealt with open heart surgery in their own way and to have an extra dose of patience with him.

  She peered through the windshield. The glass doors slid open and a nurse pushed her father in a wheelchair. He held the heart-shaped pillow to his chest. She hopped out and went around to the passenger side. She glanced behind Dad, hoping to see Colin, and was disappointed when she didn’t.

  “I’ll bet you’re ready to go home.” She noted his face had a healthy glow instead of that gray undertone he’d had last Sunday at brunch.

  She tossed her shoulder bag into the back seat and left both the front and rear passenger doors open.

  The nurse locked the wheels on the chair and flipped up the footrests. “Are you ready, Sam?”

  He looked at Anna, Mom, and then the nurse.

  He cleared his throat and rubbed the palms of his hands on his jeans. “As ready as I’m gonna be.” He hunched his shoulders down and over his chest. “I’m going to go slow.”

  The nurse was ready to assist him. Anna stood in front of him just in case he fell forward, and Mom was on the other side.

  “Don’t worry, Dad. We’ve got you covered.”

  He leaned forward and eased to his feet. He paused and pulled himself upright. “So far, so good.”

  The nurse pulled the wheelchair back so that Dad could step forward and Anna took over, holding on to his arm as she mirrored his halting steps.

  “Kind of a big step up.” Dad gave her a sideways glance. “Maybe you should have brought Mom’s car.”

  “You wanted me to bring the SUV. Remember?”

  His brow furrowed. “Do you always have to listen to me?”

  She couldn’t help it and let out a half snort, half laugh. “Will you always micromanage what I do?”

  He clutched her hand tighter. “As long as I’m breathing, I will.”

  Taking his time, he climbed into the passenger seat. Anna secured his seat belt and waited for Mom to get into the back. She took the vases of flowers and balloons from the nurse and a tote bag with cards and pictures from the boys, along with the hospital gear he’d need at home, and thanked her again for her help.

  Before getting in, Anna sent a quick text to the family asking for some help when they got home. It would be better if her brothers helped Dad out of the SUV. He was a big guy and if he stumbled for any reason, Anna wouldn’t be able to hold him up. She didn’t bother to wait for an answer but checked the time before she stowed her phone in her jacket pocket. She was still planning on meeting Colin at two and things were going much slower than she had thought. Maybe she should cancel.

  “Anna-banana, are we going to stay here all day?”

  Even though he used her nickname, she could catch the impatience in his voice. Dad was more than ready to go home. During the drive to her parents’ house, he remained silent.

  “Are you in pain?” She glanced at her dad and then Mom in the rearview mirror.

  He shook his head and continued to stare at the passing scenery. At this point, they were driving past acres of vines. Crescent Lake vines.

  She kept one eye on Dad and watched a lone tear trickle down his cheek. This wasn’t like him. Something had to be terribly wrong.

  “Daddy.” She touched his arm. “What’s wrong?”

  In a gruff voice, he said, “I’m happy to be going home.”

  “I’m glad they didn’t have to keep you any longer too.”

  Dad remained silent. Mom reached over the back of the seat and put her hand on his shoulder.

  A simple touch. Anna marveled at how Dad relaxed with the small gesture.

  “I wasn’t sure I’d have the opportunity to see my land again.”

  “Dad,” she gasped. “What are you talking about?”

  He reached up and patted Mom’s hand. “This heart attack put my life in perspective and I’ve come to some decisions.”

  “Which are?”

  “I’ll tell everyone together, but suffice it to say there will be changes.”

  Anna gripped the steering wheel. Just as she suspected, more work and less freedom at the winery was about to be unleashed on them all. Any hope of making a change in her career had evaporated. She was the enologist of CLW. Suddenly, it didn’t sound exciting. She’d be working with Jack, growing the grapes and then blending the different varieties for the rest of her career, something she could do in her sleep.

  The driveway to the house came into view, pushing all other thoughts aside. There would be time enough to dwell on her dull future later.

  Cars ringed the circle drive but had left a large space open at the base of the stairs. She gave the horn a quick toot. The front door opened and the family spilled out onto the large wraparound porch.

  Dad turned in his seat. “Why is everyone here?”

  Anna knew her voice held a gentle warning tone. “Everyone is happy to see you come home.” She parked the SUV and turned it off.

  Mom unbuckled her seat belt and pushed open her door. “Sam, everyone has been very worried and I’m sure they won’t be staying long, so be nice.” She got out and closed the door.

  “Wait until I get around to the other side before you go hopping out,” Anna said.

  “No hopping for your old man.” He gave her a tired smile. “And as soon as I’m inside, go home and get ready for your date.”

  Her mouth went slack. “Huh?”

  Dad gave her a wink. “I happen to know you have a date with my NP. Not that it matters, but I approve.”

  She was at a loss for words until she muttered, “Is there anything you don’t find out about?”

  His expression was innocent and his brown eyes shone with happiness. “Enjoy your date. He really is a stand-up kind of man.”

  “You all need to stay out of my personal life.”

  Before Dad could respond, Jack opened the passenger door and joked, “What’s taking you guys so long? Waiting for us to roll out the red carpet or something?”

  Dad winked at her and Anna knew her date would be kept just between them, at least for now.

  “I thought you’d never get over here. Your sister was kind enough to pick me up and now she’s turning me over to you.” Dad carefully unbuckled his seat belt. “I gotta keep this pillow close to my chest as I move. It protects the incision.” He held up the heart-shaped pillow. “Cute, huh. It’s a heart to protect my heart.” He gave a soft chuckle and turned so he could slide off the seat.

  Anna watched as Jack took Dad’s forearm and held it firmly. After a couple of deep, calming breaths, Dad leaned forward and his feet slid to the ground.

  “Huh. That wasn’t so bad.”

  As Dad started up the walkway, Mom was next to him. “Coming, Anna?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Dad made her head spin. He seemed to like that she was the steady, single daughter, able to work all kinds of hours that were needed and didn’t have outside interests that would interfere with her job. Now he was actually encouraging her to date Colin. Did he feel sorry for her or, worse, think that Colin was her only option? He was a good-looking guy and nice, but maybe the attraction had been amplified from her concern over her father.

  She was the last one in the house and walked to the back of the home, where everyone always seemed to gather. Something baking made her mouth water and if she were to guess, Kate, the chef in the family, had been cooking. The smell of coffee teased her senses. She headed to the pot to pour herself a mug. Her nephews were crowded around Dad’s chair, asking a ton of questions, but the most important one to them was about his scar.


  Johnny was standing to one side when he said, “Poppy. It’s okay that you got a big scar.” His face was solemn. “Mommy says scars are the road map of our life and when you get a cut or sumthin, it just shows that you did stuff.” He glanced at Liza. “Right, Mommy?”

  Dad pulled him into a very careful hug. “Johnny, you’re right. This scar shows that I want to keep on going for years to come.”

  He beamed. “See, Mom? Poppy gets it.”

  Everyone seemed to think the analogy about scars was cute and Dad looked content but tired. He was starting to droop.

  Liza said, “Hey, everyone, we should go and let Dad get some rest. I’m sure he didn’t get as much sleep as he could have in the hospital.”

  Dad slowly scanned the room, almost as if he were really seeing his family for the first time in a very long time. His face grew flushed and he dropped his gaze.

  Anna rushed to his side and dropped down on one knee.

  “Dad, what’s wrong?”

  “It’s nothing.” He patted her hand.

  “I strongly disagree. Talk to us.”

  He lifted his head. “I’m a lucky man. A wonderful family that supports each other and an amazing woman who has shared my life for forty years. I’m going to do a better job of taking care of my health so I can be here for a long time.”

  Relief coursed through her. She was worried that he was having pain, or worse. “You scared me.” She placed a kiss on his cheek.

  He said, “I am tired. Do you think one of the guys can help me down the hall? I’d like to lie down for a while.”

  “I’ll walk with you.”

  He shook his head and dropped his voice for her ears alone. “No. You’ve done enough. Go home and get ready to meet Colin.” He squeezed her hand. “Don’t forget what I told you.”

  “I won’t, but I’ll come back later and we can have dinner and watch a movie together.”

  “You’re banned for the next twenty-four hours. It’s time for you.” He gave her a warm smile. “Have fun and don’t worry about me. Promise?”

  So much for keeping her date off the radar with the rest of the family. She waited while Don and Jack stepped forward, waiting for Dad to be ready to stand.

  Anna pulled Mom to one side. “Call me if you need anything and I’ll come right over. We’re meeting at Sawyers so I can be here in ten minutes. Fifteen, tops.”

  “I agree with Dad. Have fun and don’t worry about us. Your brothers and sisters are backing you up.”

  Mom trailed behind her sons and husband.

  Liza and Kate steered her to a chair and Liza’s smile warmed her eyes. “So, what was Dad talking about? Do you have a date?”

  There was no getting out of this conversation without giving them a few details. “I’m meeting someone for coffee in a little while.” She crossed her fingers behind her back when she said, “It’s no big deal. Just trying to shake up my dull life.”

  “At Sawyers? Kind of upscale for coffee.” Liza’s eyebrow quirked up.

  “I chose it so it was close to home, just in case.” Anna felt the need to defend herself.

  Kate said, “It doesn’t matter where you go. I agree with what Sam and Sherry said. Have fun. You deserve it.”

  Liza looked at Kate. “Anna hasn’t had a decent date in a long time. I hope she and Colin have a nice time.”

  “Why does everyone keep saying that? And I never said the date was with Colin.”

  “Call it a lucky guess. I like him; he’s different in a good way.” Liza continued. “To be honest, sis, I saw how he was looking at you a couple of times at the hospital when he thought no one was watching, and that’s how a guy should look at you.”

  Anna could feel her cheeks grow hot. “I’m going to leave now, and no one had better drop by Sawyers to check up on me.”

  Liza flashed her a broad grin. “The thought hadn’t crossed our minds until now.”

  Anna muttered as she left the room, “Yeah, right. And for the record, you guys need to find something else to do other than keep track of my dating life.”

  8

  Butterflies raced in her stomach as Anna made her way up the walk. She paused before pulling open the door. What if this wasn’t such a good idea? Maybe it was better to leave their flirtation as just that.

  The first time she had met Colin, she was too shy to even think about asking him out. She had just broken up with Vic, and that relationship had sucked all the joy from her life. He had been borderline verbally abusive, and Anna knew the only reason he had dated her to begin with was because of the door her father could open for him. She hated the idea she might find Colin not who she thought he was and then she’d have to break it to him that she didn’t want to see him again. Or worse, what if he rejected her? There was so much pressure for a first date. Did she look okay or was she too casual? Here goes nothing. Her forward motion caused her to almost walk into the door as it opened and a couple came out. She stepped to one side and waited for them to pass.

  At least they look happy. She needed to snap out of this lack of confidence. Where was the woman who used to look at her from the bathroom mirror? She was a smart and funny woman and Colin was lucky they were having coffee together.

  She straightened her shoulders and pressed a hand to her stomach in hopes of quieting the flutter, then stepped into the foyer. The heels of her sandals were muted on the deep carpet runner. Alan Waters, the owner of Sawyers, came over and welcomed her with a warm smile. He clasped her hand. “Anna, great to see you today. What brings you in?”

  She took his hand and searched what she could see of the dining room. “I’m supposed to be meeting someone for coffee.” She tried to hide her disappointment when she didn’t see Colin.

  “A tall guy with short blond hair and a beard?”

  Typical guy description. “Yes, that sounds like him.”

  “He’s in the bar.”

  “Thanks, Alan.” She never thought to check the bar.

  He released her hand with a squeeze. “Tell the family I said hello.”

  “Will do.”

  Colin saw Anna the moment she entered the bar. She was beautiful. The way she carried herself was confident but totally oblivious to how pretty she was. He liked that she was dressed in a simple white t-shirt, jeans, and a pale-green cardigan sweater. She had clipped her hair off her face. Those eyes were pools of melted chocolate he wanted to dive into and savor. As she approached, he stood up.

  “Hi, Anna. You look very pretty.” He gave her a friendly hug and noticed her perfume was soft and floral. It suited her.

  “Thank you.”

  He held out her chair at the table. “I hope you don’t mind we’re in the bar. I thought it would be more relaxing and if you wanted something stronger than coffee, it would be readily available.”

  She flashed a smile. “Coffee’s good.” She placed her bag on the floor next to her feet. “Unless you’d like something else?”

  He didn’t want anything to dull his senses for their first date. He wanted to remember each moment. Damn, he sounded like a sap. Who had he become since meeting this woman? It was like he had a crush on a girl in middle school, the way he was reacting.

  Before Anna had arrived, Alan had already brought the carafe of coffee to the table. Colin picked it up to pour. She gave him a warm but shy smile.

  “Is there any cream?”

  He passed her the small pitcher that was close to him and then poured his coffee. He watched as she added a packet of sugar, making a note of how she liked it.

  “I’m so glad we’re doing this.”

  “Me too.” Her spoon clinked against the coffee mug.

  There was an awkward silence.

  Anna sipped her coffee and scanned the room. “Have you eaten dinner here?”

  “I don’t go out much because of my work schedule but I’ve heard it’s good.”

  “My brother Don and Alan were in school together. He’s been a friend of our family forever.”
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br />   “He seemed like a nice guy when I came in.”

  She nodded and took another sip. Setting her cup down, it clattered against the spoon. “I’m just going to say this. I suck at first dates.”

  Colin couldn’t help but laugh. Not the soft, polite kind either, but a deep belly laugh that filled the room and began to crack the tension between them. He didn’t care who was watching; Anna’s honesty was refreshing.

  “Now that’s good news. I was feeling like that pimple-faced kid—you know, when his parents drive him to the diner to meet a special girl for ice cream.”

  She flashed him a wide grin. “Where you feel all nerdy and stuff? I was that girl.” With another laugh, she leaned back into the chair.

  He sat forward. “You? I don’t believe it. I would think you had lots of guys interested in you.”

  “For helping them with their math or chemistry homework, sure. But as dating material, definitely not.”

  “What are you talking about? You’re beautiful.”

  “I had a bit of an acne problem and being at the top of the class, teachers liked me and would say things like, Well, Anna, that is an excellent answer or hypothesis or whatever. So I was not popular.”

  “Then I’m going to say that is a good thing for me.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “How so?”

  He lightly touched the back of her hand, and a definite zing flowed into him. “If one of those guys from school discovered how awesome you are, we might not be sitting here now, having our first date.”

  “I guess that’s true. So, tell me more about yourself. I know you have a sister and you’re all about the heart. What do you like to do outside of work?”

  He tapped the rim of his cup with his finger. “I’m kind of dull.” He groaned. “I shouldn’t have said that either.”

  Her fingertips grazed his arm. “I like your openness. Tell me more.”

  He decided if this was going to turn into date two, he might as well confess a few of his more geekier habits. “I’m a Trekkie, the original Star Trek series and The Next Generation, not so much DS9.”