Jake sat at the bar, nursing a tall, untouched glass of golden ale. “Hi,” she said, scooting into the seat beside him.
He forced a smile. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.”
“I’m popular all of a sudden?”
Francesca frowned. Something wasn’t right. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he said. “What’s going on?”
“My mother’s leaving.”
The blue eyes clouded. “I’m sorry, Francie. I know you didn’t want it this way.” He looked genuinely concerned.
“The thing is, I was hurt at first, but now I don’t really mind all that much. Isn’t that strange?”
“I don’t think so,” he said slowly. “It would be strange if you were really broken up. She hasn’t ever been a part of your life.”
“I thought she’d changed. I wanted her to know Nick.”
He took her hand, lifted it to his lips and kissed it. “She wasn’t particularly maternal.”
“That’s what she said.” Francesca’s laugh was brief and bitter. “She said I turned out well despite my parents. She said it was probably because of Julianne. She said—” Francesca stopped. Jake had worshipped Carl Harris. Maybe it wasn’t fair to tell him about his father. Julianne would have told him if she wanted him to know. “Never mind,” she said. “It doesn’t matter now.”
He wasn’t paying attention.
“Jake, something’s wrong. Tell me, please.”
He looked down at this drink. “The Soledad purchase fell through. I have to tell Gene and Kate today.”
Francesca’s stomach burned. “Why? How?”
He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Of course it does.”
“Property values are unstable because of the dam.”
“But the crack has been repaired and the entire dam is being inspected for reconstruction. That can’t be the only reason.”
“I don’t have enough money up front, Francie. Soledad is on the other side of the valley. It’s still worth full value. Other properties haven’t fared as well. DeAngelo Winery’s profits are based on its vineyard’s harvest. The vineyard lost acreage. Next year’s harvest won’t be what it was this year.”
“We’ve had low harvests before and come back just fine the following year. That’s the nature of the wine business.”
“I can’t make them give me the loan,” he said impatiently. “Those are the committee’s reasons for refusing the money. It probably has something to do with GGI’s interest in the area as well.”
“GGI’s bid went down in the election.”
“For now. That doesn’t mean it won’t come up again. Banks are conservative.”
She bit her lip. “Surely we can do something.”
“This isn’t a we thing, Francie. You can’t control everything. This was my project, and every argument you’ve given me is one I’ve already thought of. The outcome is disappointing, but I’ll get over it.”
Francesca’s chest hurt deep inside, as if her heart were being squeezed dry. She couldn’t concentrate long enough to figure out what it all meant. “What happens now?” she asked, her voice low.
“What do you mean?”
She swallowed and forced herself to ask the question. “What are you going to do?”
He grinned. “I’m going to stay here, work for my ex-wife and convince her to marry me again.” His arms closed around her. “Is that all right with you?”
Too relieved to answer, she leaned against him.
“I love you, Francie. I’m not going anywhere. I thought I’d made that clear.”
She straightened and reached for his glass. “Do you mind?”
“Help yourself.”
She sipped at the ale until her insides warmed and the shaking in her hands stopped. “How much more money do you need?”
“I’m not taking your reserves, Francie.”
“What if we mortgage the vineyard, too?”
He shook his head firmly. “I appreciate the offer, more than you know. But I’m not taking it.”
“Will you think about it?” she pleaded.
“Not this time.”
“Why not?”
“Because it isn’t a fair exchange. That didn’t work for us the first time. I don’t want to risk us again. There will be other deals. Now isn’t the right time. Trust me.” He kissed her briefly on the lips. “Let’s go home.”
She followed him back to the house and they pulled into the courtyard together. She recognized Mitch’s parked car. Nick was outside shooting balls into a net with a hockey stick. He waved and ran up the steps to wait for them at the door.
“Hi, buddy,” his father said, ruffling his hair. “How’s the practice going?”
“It’s okay. Where were you?”
“I met your mom in town and we came in together.”
Francesca leaned over to kiss his cheek. “How was school, sweetheart?”
“Good. My special day is tomorrow. I need a poster with pictures of me as a baby and special awards on it.”
Francesca groaned. “How long did you know about this, Nick?”
“It came home on the Monday worksheet.”
Jake cut in smoothly. “I’ll help him with it, Francie. I’ve got nothing going on tonight.”
“We’ll both help,” she said. “It’ll be fun if we do it together.”
“Lisa left,” Nick announced, “and we’re having company for dinner.”
“She didn’t waste any time,” Jake said.
Francesca refused to think about her mother and what could have been.
“It’s Mr. Gillette and Sarah and Drew,” said Nick, continuing his train of thought.
“My goodness.” Francesca’s eyes widened. “That’s quite a crowd for a weeknight.”
Jake held the door while Francesca and Nick walked into the house. He followed them into the kitchen. Drew and Sarah were chopping vegetables. Julianne was standing over the stove, stirring something in a pot, and Mitch was seated on a bar stool opening wine.
Julianne greeted them. “Just the people we wanted to see.”
“What’s the occasion?” asked Jake.
“We’re celebrating,” Mitch informed them. “I’ve resigned from GGI.”
“You’re kidding.” Francesca accepted the glass of wine he held out.
Mitch shook his head. “Not this time. We’re staying. I’m going to try to make a go of the vineyard.”
“Congratulations.” Francesca looked at Sarah. “How do you kids feel about all this?”
Sarah’s blue eyes sparkled. “I’m excited. I really didn’t want to move again now that we’re all settled. The company was sending him to Washington.”
“Nobody wanted to move again,” Drew added. “Besides, where would I find another job like this one?”
“What are your plans, Mitch?” Jake asked casually.
“I’ll learn as much as I can about growing grapes and make do on what I’ve got until my first harvest.”
“Three years is a long time.”
“I’ve planted Pinot Noir. The rest will have to come later.”
“Pinot Noir isn’t a sure thing,” offered Jake. “You won’t make a living on that variety, not here in the valley.”
“Do you have another suggestion?”
Jake grinned. “As a matter of fact, I do.” He stood. “How long until dinner, Mom?”
Julianne looked bewildered. “A half hour or so.”
“Give us forty-five minutes.”
“I can do that.”
Jake nodded at Mitch. “Will you join me in the office? I have a proposition for you.”
Julianne waited until they left the room. “What’s going on?” she asked Francesca.
“I think Jake is offering Mitch a share of Soledad. He needs more capital and he won’t take it from me.”
“You don’t have more capital.”
“I have the vineyard.”
&n
bsp; Across the space of the kitchen, their eyes met. “You offered him the vineyard?” Julianne’s voice sounded different.
“Yes. But he refused.”
Julianne smiled. “Good for him.”
Drew and Sarah looked at each other and shrugged. Nick, not understanding but wanting to be included, shrugged, too. For some reason the adults around them were charged with positive energy. It flowed through the warm room surrounding them until they were caught up in its rhythm.
Dinner was even more celebratory. Julianne’s carrot soup, delicious and nourishing and tasting nothing like carrots, accompanied grilled chicken, sun-dried tomato, cheese and portobello mushroom sandwiches. A pear salad finished off the meal.
Mitch waited until every last spoonful of Nick’s favorite, peppermint-stick ice cream, had been consumed before he stood and held up his wineglass. “I’d like to offer a toast,” he said. “To a successful future partnership.”
Julianne poured sparkling cider into the children’s glasses. “Everyone stand and hold up your glasses. You’re part of this, too.”
Chairs scraped the wood floors, glasses clinked and warm wishes were exchanged.
“My goodness,” Julianne said when they were seated again. “That was fast.”
“Jake did his homework,” Mitch explained. “All the documents were there, with facts in place. It’s a great investment and it will give me an income until my own grapes come in.”
Francesca looked across the table. Her eyes met Jake’s and held. “Jake and I have an announcement, too.” She laughed out loud. “We’re getting married. Again.”
For an instant there was silence and then everyone spoke at once.
Julianne leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. “Thank goodness.”
“Wow!” said the twins.
Nick clapped his hands.
Again, Mitch stood. He looked at Julianne. She shook her head slightly.
“This calls for another toast,” he said lifting his glass. Everyone did the same. “To marriage,” he said, “and family, and the future.”
“To good friends,” Francesca added, winking at Sarah.
Drew whispered something to Nick. The two held up their glasses. “To dads,” they said in unison.
Julianne laughed at the expression on Mitch’s face. “I’ll call my daughters and tell them the news. They’ll be thrilled.” She picked up an empty serving bowl and, on her way to the kitchen, briefly rested her hand on Mitch’s shoulder.
Across the table, her son noticed the caress. And then he smiled.
A Delicate Finish Page 29
