Crush the Crescent Lake Winery Series Book 2

by Lucinda Race

  Sam smiled, and Anna knew that look in his eye. He was about to end this conversation quickly. “David, like your family business, Crescent Lake Winery will continue to grow with members of the Price family in control, just as it has for four generations. I’m confident it will still be here with a Price running it long after my grandchildren’s children are gone.”

  “I see.” David’s brows knit together. “Then forgive me, but I am confused. Why did you agree to meet with me?”

  “I may have recently retired, but my brain is much harder to convince and I still own CLW. Anna is considering the offer from Henri and Sophia, and of course, with you trying to conquer the wine world in your own right, your father and I have come to an arrangement.”

  David leaned forward and clasped his hands together. His sole focus was Sam. “I’m intrigued.”

  Sam slowly swirled the wine in his glass. “What if a new wine was created under a new label? A joint venture of possibly a white or red.”

  He nodded. “That is an interesting idea. And who will create the wine, as I’m assuming your intention is to each produce a wine which can export to the other country.”

  Anna knew where this was going. Henri and Dad had effectively crushed David out of this venture. “David, if I can speak for my father, he may be thinking we could combine juice from grapes grown in each region to create a very special blend between CLW and Marchand, not between you and CLW.”

  Dad beamed. “Exactly. Two great wineries coming together. Henri agrees it is an excellent idea which will be supported with Anna working in France.”

  “Ah, now that is a fascinating idea. Of course, I’m disappointed you are suggesting working with my father and not me. However, I can see where Anna will be invaluable in this endeavor.” He gave her a forced smile.

  She took Colin’s hand. “This would be an excellent opportunity to work with Sophia and demonstrate how we would take the best of our two great wineries and combine them into something new. It would be up to Don and our marketing manager, Beth, to create a joint label and develop the launch.”

  His eyes grew bright and his smile grew. “Are you making an announcement that you will come to France for a year?”

  She put on her poker face. “I will be calling Henri with my decision. Until then, let’s just agree to end the discussion for the balance of the evening and enjoy the delicious dinner my mother has prepared.”

  With that, Dad stood up. “We should move this dinner party inside.”

  “We can toast to the new joint venture between two great wineries.” David gestured for Mom to go ahead of him.

  Anna said, “We’ll be right in.” The door closed behind them for some privacy.

  Colin asked, “Why didn’t you tell David your decision?”

  She could hear a different question in his words and see the worry in his eyes. “I will tell Henri.” She cupped his cheek with her hand and pulled him in for a kiss. “And we have things to work out first.” She kissed him again. “You have nothing to worry about.”

  He dropped his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “Cut yourself some slack. You found out this morning I was offered a wonderful opportunity, and we have something special between us that neither of us want to lose. But we”—she pecked his lips—“will have a plan, and a year from now, I’ll be planning my return trip and we’ll have had so many wonderful adventures that will make life in Crescent Lake look dull by comparison.”

  “Anna, no place is ever dull when you’re around.”

  The door slid open, and Dad stood in the doorway. He gave them a wink. “You can stare deep into each other’s eyes later. Dinner is served.”

  “Right behind you, Dad.” Then to Colin, she whispered, “Give us three hours, tops, to have dinner and dessert and we can escape.”

  He whispered in her ear, “Make it two.”

  31

  Over dinner with Marie and Ginny the following week, Anna laughed at all the funny stories Marie told about Colin.

  “Did you all go to school together?” Anna poured more wine in her glass and offered to refill Ginny’s. Colin and Marie, the dedicated drivers, declined.

  Ginny said, “I met Colin and Drew when Marie and I were in college in Boston. Colin went to Northeastern. We used to hang out from time to time.”

  “Those were good times.” Marie gave Ginny a poke on the arm and grinned. “We won’t bore you with the details tonight. We’ll save that for another time.”

  “Marie, you don’t need to share the stupidity of my youth with my girlfriend.”

  Anna’s heart skipped a beat. That sounded so good. Despite what she had said to Colin about France, she was a little worried about a potential strain on their relationship.

  After Colin paid the check, the couples went their separate ways with the promise of a rematch before she left for Europe if time permitted. She and Colin strolled hand in hand through the parking lot.

  “Did you enjoy dinner?”

  She hugged his arm to her body. “It was fun. And they didn’t hate playing golf with me, either.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “You parred two holes for us and at the most, we were two over. Considering who we were playing against, we did fantastic.”

  “Marie is amazing. The way the ball sails like it’s being chased by the wind. Unbelievable.”

  “Ginny can hold her own too.”

  “Will she do the pro-am with Marie?”

  Colin opened the passenger door for her. “She’ll be Marie’s caddy.”

  “They’re really close, aren’t they?”

  “Ginny has been half in love with Marie forever and my sister is too blind to see it.”

  She got into the car and Colin closed her door and walked around to his side.

  She clicked her seat belt. “I like Ginny.”

  He turned the engine over. “Ginny’s good for Marie.”

  “Everyone needs to have someone who loves them unconditionally.” She squeezed his hand. “Are you going to stay tonight?”

  “I have to be at the hospital early tomorrow and you should sleep in, so can I have a rain check?”

  “Stay tonight. We’ll swing by your place and get your work clothes and then tomorrow night, we’ll have dinner and you can stay again.”

  She could see his eyes twinkle.

  “Now that sounds like an invitation I can’t pass up.” He gave her a quick kiss. “What’s on your agenda for tomorrow? Kayaking?”

  “Liza and I are going to one of the smaller lakes. We probably haven’t been since before the boys were born, and spending time together the last few months, we’ve grown even closer.”

  “You two do seem to be very close.”

  “I think it’s because Tessa and I were always competing to be the best at the winery. Liza never cared about the business.”

  He pulled out of the parking lot. “And now?”

  “Tessa and I have matured and we stopped competing when it was crystal clear neither of us would ever occupy the CEO office; Don would. Then she bought Sand Creek.”

  “Which turned out to be the best decision for her. She met Max and married him because of that change, right?”

  “Yeah.” It dawned on her that sometimes taking a huge chance was just what was needed to live your best life. She knew they had a lot to talk about when it came to France, but she wanted to just be in this moment with Colin a little longer. The year abroad was going to change so many things; she just wasn’t sure how.

  “Earth to Anna.” Colin drew her back to this moment. “What are you thinking about?”

  With a shake of her head, she said, “Wondering what I should make for dinner since I don’t want to poison you.”

  “Frozen pizza is fine as long as we’re together.” He slowed and pulled into his street.

  “That was a quick drive.”

  “I’ll run in and be right back unless you want to come in?”

  “You’ve got ten minutes, buddy, and then I’m
taking the car and heading home.”

  “I only need five.” He chuckled.

  Anna watched him disappear inside and closed her eyes, wondering how she got so lucky to have this wonderful guy in her life. Would things change while she was away? No, she would do everything she needed to do to keep things going strong with him.

  The driver’s door opened and he tossed a small duffel bag into the back seat. “I was just thinking, you live less than five miles from the club. Heck, if it was legal, we could buy a golf cart and drive back and forth.”

  She laughed out loud. “Could you picture that? Us puttering along the side of the road in a little electric cart.”

  “I’d let you drive.” He bumped her shoulder with his and winked.

  “Hmm, then maybe we should see if it’s legal.”

  Each was lost in their own thoughts as he made the short drive to her place. When they arrived, she unbuckled her seat belt. “Are you coming?”

  He pushed open the car door and hurried around to open hers. He took her hand before she could get out and pulled her into his arms. She slid her arms around his neck and interlaced her fingers. He gazed into her eyes and kissed her as promised until her knees grew weak.

  The next morning, the air held a slight chill as the sun crested over the horizon. Liza waved at Anna and pointed to where their yellow and orange kayaks were ready for launch. The sisters agreed the early morning was the best time to be on the water. The surface was calm, and most people hadn’t made their way to the lake for a day of boating. Yet.

  Liza was wearing shorts, a zip-up sweatshirt, and a ball cap, with huge sunglasses covering her eyes and most of her cheekbones.

  “Hey, sis. Thanks for getting the kayaks out.”

  “No problem. I was up early.”

  “Couldn’t sleep?” She gave Anna a wink. “A handsome hunk hogging the bed?”

  Anna squinted into the sun, which was behind Liza. “He had an early shift at the hospital, which worked out since we had plans. But I’ll see him tonight too.”

  Anna buckled her life vest on and pushed her bright-orange kayak to the shallow water. Liza did the same with the yellow one.

  They stepped in with one foot and pushed away from the bank with the other. As soon as the kayak was free, they each settled on the hard seat with legs extended.

  “Comfy?” Anna asked Liza.

  “You bet. Where are we headed?”

  Anna pointed to the vast expanse of the lake. “Out there somewhere.”

  Liza cast a worried look toward Anna. “Let’s skim the banks and stay out of the center. I’m out of shape.”

  “Whenever you’re ready to go in, just give the word.”

  Dipping one side of the paddle and then the other, the girls set off at an easy pace, the kayaks skimming over the glass-like surface. They were side by side and conversation was easy.

  After about thirty minutes of chatting about the boys and an upcoming event Liza had the following Saturday, she asked, “So when are you going to tell me what’s on your mind?”

  Anna paddled a little farther and then laid the paddle across her lap and glided. Liza worked her kayak so she was looking at Anna.

  “What makes you think I’m stewing on something?”

  “We’ve been sisters for thirty-two years. Don’t you think I know you?”

  Anna blurted, “Have you ever been presented with an amazing opportunity but the timing sucks?”

  “What are you talking about, specifically? Something to do with Colin?”

  “Yes and no.” She looked into the distance, at the clear blue sky with zero clouds.

  “Now I’m confused. Start at the beginning.”

  “You know when Colin and I went to London for the wine conference, I met the Marchand Winery owner and his daughter.”

  “Yes, that’s old news.” She pushed her sunglasses up her nose.

  “Henri asked me if I would spend a year in France working at his winery, and with Sophia, as her mentor. He likes how I approach every aspect of the cycle. I’m intrigued with the idea and after talking to him and Dad, I think I’ll learn just as much as I could teach. Which, long-term, would benefit CLW.”

  “This is an incredible opportunity. Something you’ve always dreamed of without ever knowing it.”

  “I’m going to take it, and Dad, who is very supportive, said we could find a way so that I can stay involved with things here and he’d be my eyes on the ground, so to speak, for day-to-day stuff.

  “Spending a year on a well-established French vineyard. That’s an experience you’d never get from spending a week or two visiting, and it does have endless possibilities that could benefit CLW.”

  “From the business side, it makes sense.”

  “So what’s the issue? Colin?”

  Slowly shaking her head, Anna said, “Colin is a complication.”

  “What did he say when you talked to him?”

  She dipped an oar in the water and held the kayak against the gentle current starting to move her. “He told me to go.”

  “Anna, look at me. He obviously loves you, so don’t worry about him. You guys will be fine.”

  She looked at Liza. “I’m pretty lucky.”

  “He recognizes this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and he’s supportive. That’s awesome.”

  “What if it strains our relationship? He was engaged to someone and they tried a long-distance thing. It crumbled and broke his heart.”

  “You’re not that other girl and he’s not the same guy he was. From out of something like that, people change.” She gave her a reassuring smile. “Trust me. You don’t want a guy who won’t support your dreams one hundred and fifty percent. He’s telling you to seize the opportunity, so do it.”

  “I know you’re right but…”

  Liza leaned over and paddle-flicked water in her direction. Her laughter was infectious, and Anna couldn’t help smiling.

  “You have heard of the technology called Skype, airplanes, and credit cards?”

  She gave her sister a scowl. “What are you talking about?”

  “You and Colin can Skype all the time. You can use your credit card to purchase airplane tickets to come home.” She smiled. “Or he can go there.”

  “Henri did say they would give me a villa to use.”

  “I think the problem is solved.”

  Anna’s heart felt lighter. “Thanks, sis, for the pep talk and reminding me I’m not going to Mars. Just France.”

  Liza beamed. “So, when do you leave?”

  “I need to make arrangements, but in a couple of weeks, right after July fourth. I’ll explain to Henri that I have a few things to wrap up here.”

  Liza wagged a finger at her. “For the record, you and Colin will be fine. I’ve seen that man look at you. It was the way Steve looked at me. Colin is in this relationship for the long haul.”

  “I hope you’re right.” She began to paddle and laughed over her shoulder. “Come on, Liza. You’re going to the market with me. I have a romantic dinner date to plan with my smoking hot boyfriend.”

  32

  After an early morning spent on the water with Liza and a relaxing afternoon, Anna had finished prepping dinner and lit the candles in the dining room. Wine was chilling and the table was set for two. She smoothed down the front of her sundress and wondered if she should put sandals on. She heard a car in the drive, which ended her debate. Padding in bare feet across the cool wood floors, she pushed open the screen door.

  “Hello, handsome.” She lightly kissed Colin’s lips when he got to the top of the steps.

  He handed her a bouquet of mixed flowers. “Something smells good.”

  “I made pasta for dinner.”

  “I wasn’t talking about food.” He nuzzled her neck.

  She felt her face grow warm and she was sure it was a bright shade of pink.

  He whispered, “I love it when you blush.”

  “Thank you for the flowers.” She noticed he had
a small duffel bag in his other hand. “Do you want to put your bag upstairs?”

  “I’ll take it up later.”

  They walked into the kitchen, where Anna put the flowers in a vase, which she then set them in the middle of the island.

  “The flowers really are lovely. Thank you.”

  “I love the way you brighten when I give them to you.”

  “Flowers make a room.” She was nervous. They had to talk about France tonight. “Shall we have a glass of wine before dinner?”

  “Red wine tonight with pasta?”

  “No, white. I love to challenge the status quo with pairings.”

  “And here I thought I was getting the hang of the wine thing.” He glanced at her toes.

  “Do you paint them in the winter too?”

  She winked. “You’ll have to wait and see for yourself.”

  Now, why did she say that? She’d be in France, but he would be joining her, maybe for Christmas.

  He took the bottle of wine from her hand and poured. They moved to the love seat in the sunroom, then he tried the wine. “Nice. Which one is it?”

  “It’s our pinot grigio from last year. It goes well with shrimp fra diavolo.” She sipped. “What do you think?”

  “I like it; it’s crisp and light.” He took another sip. “Did you choose this one to complement the spices with the shrimp?” He put his arm around her.

  She gave him a broad smile. “You are getting the hang of this.” She pecked his lips.

  He pulled her close. “I’ve been looking forward to this since last night.”

  “How was work?”

  “Uneventful for a change.” He set his glass down. “Did you and Liza have fun?”

  “We did.” She took a sip of her wine and then set it down and took his hand. “There’s something I’d like to talk about. I called Henri today and I have a plan.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  If he was concerned, he didn’t seem to show it.