by Lucinda Race
“Like I have a new lease on life.” Dad took Mom’s hand. She gave him an encouraging smile.
“I’m glad we could get together tonight. I’m sure you’re curious as to what’s on my mind. After we’ve had two family dinners where we’ve talked about major changes, this will be the third.” He slowly looked around the table. “I’m so lucky to be the father to six of the most amazing and talented people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with and spend time with. However, since my recent heart surgery, I’ve been reminded I have an expiration date.” He dropped his gaze. “We all do.”
Mom gave his hand a squeeze. “Sam, tell them the rest.”
“It has become apparent that I may, with having the best of intentions, put a lot of pressure on each of you regarding your career choices. I won’t apologize for doing what I thought was best for the family and our business, as it was expected of me to join the business when I was a young man.” There was a catch in his voice. “Mom and I want you to know that if any of you would like to leave your current positions, you can with no hard feelings. You need to follow your hearts, pursue your dreams, and live a life that makes you happy.”
Anna held her breath. What exactly did that mean for CLW?
Don sat straight up in his chair. “Dad. Do you want to sell the winery?”
“No. I have no intention of selling or shutting down. But if any of you wishes to make a change, you can.”
Anna slumped in the chair. She could leave CLW, no repercussions? She leaned forward. “Dad, are you firing us?”
“No.” He clasped his hands on the table. “I had time to think when I was lying in the hospital and around the house. I remembered my father grooming me to assume control. As an only child, I never even thought about doing anything different. The winery has grown beyond even my expectations. Jack.” His face was drawn into an unreadable expression. “What do you think?”
Jack didn’t look at anyone. “We’ve had our differences, but I’ve never wanted to do anything else. I’ve always wanted to work the land, our land. Nurturing the vines, watching the weather and holding my breath each season—will it be too dry, hot, wet, or whatever. I’m happy here and someday I want to raise my family here.”
Sam nodded. “Don, I put a lot of pressure on you and Kate. I assumed that giving Kate the opportunity to have her own bistro was the way to get you both to do what I needed.” He looked at Tessa.
She opened her mouth and then snapped it closed.
“Tessa, I didn’t give you enough credit for being able to run the business. After seeing what you’ve done with Sand Creek, I now understand CLW would have been in very capable hands.”
She said, “We already cleared the air, Dad. We’re good.”
He gave a half nod and returned his attention to Don and Kate. “Give it some thought. If you want to go back to Loudon, I would understand. Kate misses her family.”
Kate said, “Don and I are happy here. I’ll admit it took me a while to stop being angry at your coercion, but that’s the past. This is our home now.”
Don’s eyes shone with pride at his wife’s statement. He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“Anna, other than Leo and Liza, who serve on the board of directors, you are the one who may want a change. I’ll understand if you’re ready to move on.”
“Dad. I—” She paused. “I don’t know what to say.”
Liza said, “Yes, you do.” Anna swiveled in her chair. She wanted to ask what she was doing, but not in front of everyone.
Anna couldn’t believe her younger sister was meddling in her life. Liza gave her an encouraging look.
Dad’s eyes bore into hers. “Anna, is there something you’d like to do?”
She swallowed hard and steeled her nerves. “I’m going to talk with a guidance counselor at the high school to see if there is a girls STEM program. I have the time to do it, but I don’t have teaching credentials. Maybe I’m not qualified.” She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She hated being the center of attention within her family.
“That is an incredible idea.” Dad beamed. “Do you want to pursue a teaching degree; would that make you happy?”
“What makes you think I’m not happy?”
Dad made a circle in the air. “That beautiful, sweet face cannot hide anything from your mom and me.”
“Dad.” She wanted to cry. She had felt sad for a long time. She had longed for a change and now that it was being presented to her, what should she do?
“You don’t need to make any decisions tonight, Anna. We want you to know that we think you are talented at what you do and would hate to see you leave, but even more important than CLW is your personal happiness. And now that you’re dating Colin, well, it’s been good to see a new sparkle in your eyes.”
She nodded, unable to speak.
“We can talk about what your future looks like at a later date. But you know where we stand. I’m really stepping back from the business. I’ll be a board member and I won’t be coming to the office every day.” He clasped Mom’s hand and smiled broadly. “We’re going to take a long overdue vacation as soon as I’m cleared to travel.”
Mom beamed. “You don’t need to worry. We won’t miss any important events such as babies being born, birthdays, and school events.”
Everyone started talking at once, expressing their surprise and joy at the direction things had turned. Anna was still in shock that she had just been given a choice about the direction for her future. Now, what was she going to do with it—and for that matter, how was Colin going to fit into her new options? Dating him was like rediscovering a part of herself that she missed. It was then it dawned on her that she was having fun.
Anna sat in the middle of her bed with her journal open on her lap. Tonight had not gone the way she had expected. Suddenly, her future was wide open. Dad was giving her a choice to live a different life. But was that what she wanted? She loved what she did at the winery, but there was a difference now that he was finally asking her if that was what she really wanted. She tapped the pen on the paper. When facing big decisions, she found it helped to clear her thoughts to make a pro and con list.
Pro Con
ChangeLeave fam
IndependentPotential harm winery
See worldFinancial uncertainty
Leave freedom/control
Leave Colin!!!!!
She mused. Well, it seemed on the first pass that the cons outweighed the benefits. She closed the journal and shut off the light. Her phone pinged. She picked it up to read the text. It was from Colin. She smiled, but thought he was going to call.
Still at work but wanted you to know I was thinking about you. How did everything go?
She hesitated. How could she explain? Just some changes within the business and M/D going to travel when able. Thanks for asking. See you tomorrow?
She set the phone aside. It pinged again. Yes… I’ll call and we’ll make plans for the driving range. Sleep well.
She sent him a sleepy face. There would be time enough to talk tomorrow.
She slipped under the blankets and turned out the lights. Just when she thought she knew what to expect, things had gone wonky. She lay in the dark, willing herself to sleep. The hands were in triple slow motion on the clock face. Giving up, she flipped back the covers, pulled on a lightweight robe, and slipped her cell in the pocket. She padded down the stairs. The cool wood floors against her feet soothed her.
She wandered in the darkness. The moonlight bathed her sunroom in a soft glow. She really could use someone to talk to. Liza might still be awake.
Are you awake?
In response to her text, her phone buzzed.
“Hi.”
“I wondered when you’d call.” Liza’s voice was a whisper. The boys must be asleep in her bed again.
“All I can think about is what Dad said. That he was giving us all an out, to change our lives and do something we might really want to do.”
“Have you made y
our list yet?”
Anna smiled in the glow of the moonlight. “You know me so well. Of course I have.”
“And how did it turn out?”
“For many reasons, leaving is not the right thing to do.”
“What is your heart telling you?”
Anna sighed. “I’m going to talk to Dad tomorrow, but your idea was spot on. If I get some time to volunteer and maintain my position at CLW, I’ll have the best of both worlds. I know Don will be supportive, but I want Dad to understand too.”
Liza gave a small soft laugh. “I knew it, and Colin?”
“I want to give this relationship a real chance. He’s a great guy and I’d be a fool to just walk away from him.”
“I’m glad you’ve finally opened your eyes to see this amazing man standing right in front of you. I know from experience life is too short.”
“Thanks, sis, for having my back. I don’t think I would have brought it up if you hadn’t prodded me.”
“You’d have done the same for me.”
A little voice said, “Mommy, you’re talking too loud.”
Before Liza could say anything more, Anna said, “We’ll talk tomorrow. Night, sis.”
Liza whispered, “Sweet dreams.”
Anna put her cell into her robe pocket. She stared into the shadows. It was blissfully quiet. She yawned. Time to call it a day.
14
Anna strode into the winery the next afternoon and took the stairs two at a time. She was going to see Don and then run over to her parents’ house.
She rapped her knuckles on the doorjamb and stuck her head in the office. “Do you have a minute?” It was too bad he was working on a Saturday and she knew where to find him.
Don looked up from a stack of papers.
“Come on in. I’m reviewing invoices for the last shipment of bottles. The glamourous life of the president.”
She eased down into the buttery soft leather chair across from him. “Why don’t you have the accountant do that?”
“Randomly I pull invoices just to keep eyes on the more mundane aspects of our company. I’m not surprised to see you.” Don set his reading glasses aside and rubbed his eyes.
“Interesting dinner last night.” She crossed her legs and waited for Don to pick up the thread she dangled. “Did you have any idea what was coming?”
“I guessed Pop’s mortality had him reevaluate a few things. I’ll tell you, I was shocked when he admitted that he basically forced me and Kate to move home.” He watched her closely. “And then when he said if you wanted to leave the company, he would support you, I was really surprised. No, that’s not right, either. I was stunned.” He leaned back in his chair. “Thankfully, he wasn’t planning on dismantling the business for the family without talking to me.”
“You had no idea what he was up to?”
With a slow shake of his head, Don said, “No. I was glad to hear Jack is happy in his role, and we have good people like Peyton in the tasting room.”
“She’s good. We’re lucky to have her running things. But I’m worried about Dad. Do you think his health is worse than we’ve been told?”
“You’re dating Colin. Has he said anything?”
“No. He can’t. There are privacy laws and I don’t want to put him in that position and ask about something that is confidential.”
Don pushed back from the desk and paced the length of the oversized office. Anna kept a close eye on him. “I’m worried about him.”
“We all are. This time was much worse than the first heart attack.” She gave a brisk nod. “Which is why I’m going to the house after I leave here and ask him straight out about his health and the business.”
“I like that. When you ask him directly, you can see how both he and Mom react. If there is anything wrong, you’ll know.” He leaned against the window, attempting to appear casual with the expansive view of the vineyard as a backdrop. “What have you decided? Do you want to leave?”
“No. I’ll be right here, waving my magic wand in the lab.”
He visibly relaxed. “Good.”
“Did you think I would?” She figured after last night, everyone thought she was a sure bet to leave.
“I’m sure you’ve felt tethered to the winery and when Tessa left, it may have crossed your mind that there were opportunities elsewhere for someone with your skill set.”
“Is that your way of saying I’m valuable to the organization?” Don had never given her a compliment regarding her work without someone else being around.
“Are you kidding?” His eyes grew wide. “We can hire someone to market, run the fields—hell, even do my job—but each season, you just know how to extract the best from every harvest. That’s not something you can teach. It’s innate, an intangible sense of how to blend effectively.”
She looked out the window, taken aback by his compliment. “Everything I know, I learned from Dad.”
“And Dad learned from Grandpa. You’re the lynchpin for CLW.” His face softened. “You had no idea, did you?”
She squirmed in her seat. “You never said anything. For the last two years, you’ve been sitting in this office and you’ve neglected to come to my lab and tell me I was doing a good job.” Her voice cracked. Didn’t anyone realize how that might have made her feel?
“Anna, I’m very sorry. I figured you knew.”
She wanted to be mad at him, but he really hadn’t thought about it. Don was like Mom in some ways but in others, he was more like Dad.
“Can I give you some sisterly advice?”
“Yeah.” He leaned forward.
“Think about what Dad said last night and the mistakes he’s made with us kids. You’re a good man, but don’t make those same mistakes with your kids. If someone does something good, tell them. Don’t assume they’ll know.” She rose. “It would be a shame in twenty-five years if your kids are having a similar conversation about you.” She crossed the room and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Now go home and spend time with your wife and son. No one should be working seven days a week. Not even you.”
“Thanks, sis.” He turned away but not before she saw his emotion-racked face. He heard her message. Now it was up to him to make some changes in his life. She left the room. Time to face Mom and Dad.
She opened up the front door and listened. She could hear the television in the family room. It was reporting the weather at full volume, which meant they were in Dad’s office at the other end of the hall. She stopped and clicked off the TV. “Mom? Dad?”
“In the office, Anna,” Mom called to her.
She poked her head inside. Dad was sitting on the corner of his desk and Mom was in front of the computer.
“What are you two looking at?” Anna came around the side of the desk and placed a hand on Mom’s shoulder. “Cruises? You’re serious about traveling. Good for you.”
Mom looked up from the screen. “We’re thinking about the fall. Dad should be ready to travel. I want to go to the Virgin Islands.”
“Sounds nice.”
Dad came around the side of the desk and sat on a small leather sofa. He patted the other cushion. “You didn’t come to hear about our travel plans. I’m assuming you’ve come to a decision about your future.”
She sat next to Dad and looked at Mom, who gave Anna an encouraging smile.
“I made a list,” she announced.
Dad didn’t make a comment, so she continued. “You know, the whole pro and con thing.”
“And what did you come up with?” Mom asked.
“Well,” she stalled. “I want to stay in my current capacity at the winery but take some time each week for volunteering at the high school. When Liza and I talked about it, she mentioned I was a good teacher. It got me to thinking about girls who may not have the same advantages I had. I’m going to call Ms. Kelley, my old teacher, and see if it’s possible. Otherwise, it’s a big waste of everyone’s time.”
Dad tapped his hand against the arm of his chair.
“There is still a business that will need your attention, and Don needs to know he can count on you.”
“That’s out of line. And I talked to Don, and he’s supportive of the idea.” Her temper began to simmer. “I’ve never shirked my responsibilities. Ever.”
“That isn’t what Dad is saying.”
“For a change, Mom, don’t jump in and defend him.”
“I wasn’t. It’s, just, the two of you can be oil and water.”
“Sherry, she’s right. If we’re going to kick off the next phase of our lives, I want our children to know that I’m listening to them. I haven’t done enough of that while they’ve been growing up and it’s time I change.”
Shocked, Anna said, “Okay, you’re scaring me. What has the cardiologist told you that you haven’t told us. Are you dying?”
With a small smile, he said, “We all are, Anna.”
“Are you thinking your expiration date is sooner than later?” Fear clutched her heart. She wasn’t ready to lose her father.
“To ease the concern I see written on your face, no. The doctor hasn’t said anything that would make me think the clock is winding down.” He patted her hand. “But I do want to make up for what I may have done to bruise your spirit.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Now that you’ve made a decision, you should let Ms. Kelley know your schedule and maybe they can structure special events around the harvest.”
“I’ll talk to her, but no micromanaging. I can handle my life.” Anna grinned. “This may sound backward, but in a way, I’m glad you had the heart attack.”
Mom cried, “Anna, that’s a terrible thing to say.”
Sam chuckled. “Dear, think about what our daughter has said in context with the last twenty-four hours.”
Mom’s face scrunched up. “I guess I’m missing something.”
“If Dad didn’t have his heart attack, he might never have realized that things were skewed and you wouldn’t be ready to travel the world.” As Anna spoke, she watched as the truth of her words dawned on Mom.
