Going Home

by Judith Keim

  CHAPTER FOUR

  A few days later, as was her usual routine following the evening clean-up in the kitchen, Lettie stepped out onto the back porch. This time of evening enchanted her with the sights and sounds of the land and its creatures coming to rest at the end of a summer’s day.

  She stopped in surprise. Rex was standing at the porch rail reciting a poem from the Robert Frost book she’d once noticed in his office. He ended the poem and turned to her.

  “Will my reading aloud bother you?”

  “Oh no! I love hearing your voice, and poems are special to me.”

  He gave her a wide smile. “A voice is like a musical instrument. I like to practice like this in order to keep my vocal chords exercised.”

  “I won’t interrupt. I promise,” she said, thrilled with the idea of sharing this special moment with him.

  Rex’s deep, velvet voice was like music as it soared around her. She sank into a rocking chair, curled her legs up, and leaned back, drinking in the sound of the words.

  After another two poems, Rex closed the book and sat in a chair nearby. “I’m glad you enjoyed this. You said poetry is special to you. Tell me, did you do well in school?”

  “Yes,” she answered shyly. “But I knew I couldn’t go to college. That was one reason I left for San Francisco as soon as I turned eighteen. I doubled up on courses and graduated high school in January.”

  He gave her a thoughtful look. “Did you know I never got a degree from college? There’s no reason you can’t succeed without it, though I believe it’s important to get as much education as you can.”

  “That’s why I want to learn everything about growing grapes and winemaking,” she said and then covered her mouth for her boldness. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have ...”

  His dark eyes drilled her. “Shouldn’t have what, Lettie? Shouldn’t have spoken from your heart?” His voice was soft with understanding.

  Too embarrassed to utter a word, she simply nodded.

  “Do you have any idea how refreshing it is to talk to you? After all the phoniness in Hollywood, your honesty is welcome.” He leaned back in his chair and stared out at the scene in front of them. In the distance the sun was slipping below the horizon, spreading fingers of light and orange color as if grabbing onto the sky for as long as it could.

  “Amazing isn’t it?” Rex said. “The days and nights come and go in a regular pattern. Makes me wonder about bigger things.”

  “Like where the stars come from and if we’re alone in the universe,” said Lettie.

  “Exactly.” Rex smiled at her. “I see we have much to talk about. Feel free to come sit with me anytime.” He rose. “Thank you, Lettie.”

  She jumped to her feet. “No, thank you, Rex. I mean Mr. Rex.”

  “Rex will do nicely,” he said, and left her on the porch alone, filled with an inner joy she couldn’t contain. “Good night, everyone!” she shouted, and then as her words fell to the land, she laughed at herself and went indoors to the privacy of her room where she could relive every moment of this unforgettable encounter. No one had ever treated her with such respect and kindness, engaging her in a way that was new to her.

  That evening was the first of many discussions with Rex over that summer. Sometimes he read aloud; other times they sat quietly and talked about nothing and everything. Lettie knew if she could have chosen any man to be her father it would be Rex. He understood her need to know things, and though she was just a young woman, he respected her, even when she asked silly questions.

  ###

  As he’d promised, Rex arranged for her to meet Ben Kurey when he came to the vineyard.

  On this early fall day, Lettie stood in the field with Rex, Kenton, Rafe, and Rafe’s father, Joe, while Ben Kurey let a handful of dirt sift through his fingers.

  “Nice soil with both the marine sediment and volcanic stone. You’re making this vineyard an organic one?”

  At Rex’s nod, Ben issued a sigh of satisfaction. “Very good. Now let’s walk along the vines so I can see how you’re treating them.”

  Lettie listened as Ben remarked on the wiring of the arm of the grapevine to the wire trellis that formed each row. He turned to her. “The cordon or arms extend from the trunk and are the part of the plant where additional arms and eventually leaves and grape clusters extend.”

  She fingered one of the arms.

  “Look at these shoots.” He knelt down. “They are hardening and changing color, becoming what we call canes. Come winter, you trim the canes off.” Ben straightened and shook hands with Rex. “Your grape grower, Joe here, is doing a fine job. Congratulations! Looks like you’ll have a good crop next year.”

  “This calls for a celebration,” said Rex. “I realize it’s only eleven o’clock, but a taste of a nice California pinot noir is in order. In a few years, Lord willing, it will be a Chandler Hill wine.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” said Ben, grinning.

  As the men headed up the hill, Lettie paused.

  “Go ahead,” said Kenton. “I’m staying here with Joe and Rafe.”

  Lettie walked quietly behind Rex. At the mention of her name, she leaned forward to hear better.

  “What is Lettie doing here working at Chandler Hill? With her looks, she should be in Hollywood,” said Ben.

  Rex chuckled. “She’s a stunner all right, but I’d never encourage her to go there. Those people would eat her alive. Besides, I have other plans for her.”

  Lettie jerked to a stop. Stunner? Not according to her foster mother, who’d constantly told her that with her odd-colored eyes and almost pink hair, she’d have a hard time finding a decent, church-going man. And what plans did Rex have for her?

  She hurried to catch up to them.

  Their conversation was all about a couple of other vineyards that had emerged.

  Ben was now saying, “It’s going to be big, this pinot noir crop in the Willamette Valley. I predict in a few years, people will be asking for it.”

  “At the moment, a lot of guys can’t even give their wine away,” Rex said.

  “No worries. As we get to know the ins and outs of the pinot noir grape here in the valley, things will improve,” Ben assured him.

  Listening to them, Lettie filled with excitement. The Chandler Hill Vineyard and Inn was on the brink of something wonderful. She could feel it in her bones.

  All her excitement evaporated when Mrs. Morley greeted her. “Now that your meeting is over, better get to work. Mr. Kurey is leaving this afternoon. We’re going to serve him lunch and then his room will need to be cleaned. After that, you can help me prepare dinner.”

  “Okay, Mrs. Morley,” said Lettie. “But like Mr. Kurey says, things are going to get busier and busier around here.”

  “Is that right?” Mrs. Morley said, giving her an indulgent smile.

  Lettie’s lips curved. “Wait and see.”

  ###

  The next few weeks sped by as Lettie became more involved with the inn. She now handled the guest rooms on her own, taking care of cleaning and refreshing them every day. Both she and Mrs. Morley did the laundry, working the two washing machines and two dryers in the large laundry room behind the kitchen near Lettie’s room.

  Sometimes, on days Lettie liked best, she worked with Mrs. Morley in the kitchen. She’d seen the enjoyment Kenton and Rex got out of Mrs. Morley’s cooking and wanted to do the same for her own family one day—the family she dared to dream of having with Rafe. Not that she’d ever tell him. They hadn’t had any time alone together since that one evening in the cabin. But she could dream, couldn’t she?

  At night, Lettie lay in bed replaying that evening over and over in her mind. Rafe’s kiss had made her want to do things she’d only heard about. And when she’d told him about her one experience, he hadn’t laughed or made fun of her. She could still remember the way his eyes had flickered with concern when she’d told him she hadn’t liked it.

  She and Kenton spent a lot of her off-hours tog
ether. Like his father, he was someone who respected her and gave her the freedom to be herself. The same corny sense of humor that had attracted her to him in San Francisco gave her reason to groan at his jokes. But Kenton was a serious young man with high principles. Though she knew he wanted to kiss her in the same way as Rafe, he did nothing more than give her a few playful kisses on the cheek. She liked him so much.

  As the third week in November approached, Rex came into the kitchen to speak to Mrs. Morley and her.

  “Kenton and I are going to L.A. for the holiday. Therefore, Mrs. Morley, you may have the time off. Lettie, I’m hoping you’ll agree to stay here at the inn. Rita Lopez has asked you to join her family for Thanksgiving dinner, but otherwise, it would be helpful to know someone is keeping an eye on the inn. Do you mind?”

  “No, not at all.” And, in fact, she didn’t. She’d been looking at the books in the library and would love the opportunity to enjoy reading some of them. A new one had been added to the collection, and she had her eye on it. Rich Man, Poor Man. She’d always loved to read. Though she’d had to cram it in between her duties at the foster home, reading had been an escape for her.

  “I’ll make sure to leave enough food here for you,” Mrs. Morley said to her. She turned to Rex. “When do you expect to return?”

  “We’ll be back the Sunday following Thanksgiving. I promised a friend we’d stay with him for the duration.”

  “I see. Well, it’ll be a nice break for you,” Mrs. Morley said.

  “And for the both of you, I hope,” Rex said, smiling at each of them. “It’s a quiet time for the vineyard, and we don’t have any reservations lined up for the holiday, so it’s perfect.”

  After Rex left the room, Lettie turned to Mrs. Morley. “He mentioned a friend. Doesn’t he have any family? He’s never spoken of one.”

  “From what I’ve learned, he and Kenton are all alone. No relatives. Each is an only child. Sort of sad, if you ask me, but that’s how some families are.” Mrs. Morley’s eyes rounded. “Oh, Lettie, I’m sorry. I forgot ...”

  Lettie waved away Mrs. Morley’s concern. “It’s all right. It wasn’t as if you were teasing me like some of the kids used to do.”

  Mrs. Morley pulled her into a bosomy hug. “Such a shame, especially when you couldn’t help your situation.” She smelled of talcum powder and a rose-scented perfume.

  Lettie nestled in for a moment and then pulled away. “Now that you have the time off, will you go visit your daughter in Seattle?”

  Mrs. Morley’s face brightened with excitement. “Why, yes! That’s exactly what we’ll do. Wait until I tell my husband. Pat has missed her, being the last to leave the nest.”

  ###

  On the day before Thanksgiving, Lettie lay on her bed reading one of the books she’d chosen for the long weekend. Even though the house was eerily quiet, she wasn’t afraid. Either Joe or Rafe would be around before dark to check the property and take care of the cows and other livestock.

  She was deep into her book when she heard knocking at the front door. She got up to answer it. When she opened the door, Rafe greeted her with a smile.

  “Just doing my duty and checking up on you like Mr. Rex asked me to,” he said, his dark eyes gleaming.

  “Come on in.” Her pulse raced at the thought of them being alone without any interruption.

  “Are you sure you want me to?” Rafe asked.

  She knew he was asking much more than this simple question. She held the door for him. She was attracted to him and wanted to experience the kind of love everyone was always talking about.

  “Would you like something to eat? Mrs. Morley left all kinds of food for me.”

  “How about a cup of coffee? It’s getting chilly out there.”

  In the kitchen, she went about setting up the coffee maker, glad for something to keep her busy. She wanted nothing more than to run into his arms and continue the thrilling moments she’d had with him a few months ago in the cabin. From the way he kept staring at her, she was pretty sure he wouldn’t mind at all.

  After the sound of the percolator stopped, she poured him a mug of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table opposite him.

  “Be sure to thank your mother for including me for your Thanksgiving dinner,” she said, trying not to let her gaze rest on him too long.

  “Mom loves having a big crowd for the holidays, and she’s happy to have you. She hasn’t done one of her special Mexican meals for the inn since you’ve been here, but they’re the best.”

  They chatted about some of her cooking. Lettie admitted she hadn’t tried much Mexican food beyond tacos.

  Rafe finished his coffee and set the mug down. “What are you doing this evening?”

  She shrugged as nonchalantly as she could. “Not much. I’m reading a good book.”

  His gaze remained steady, and then he stood. “Maybe I’d better go.”

  “Don’t,” she said, surprising herself. She got to her feet. “I mean ... we could watch television or something.”

  “Or something?” His gaze settled on her.

  Her cheeks grew hot. She glanced at him and then away. She didn’t know how to tell him that he brought out new feelings in her, urges that needed to be satisfied.

  “Come here.” He drew her to him. “Is this what you want?” he whispered, his voice hoarse with desire. He pressed his lips to hers.

  At the touch she’d yearned for, Lettie closed her eyes and let herself be carried away by the desire that pounded inside her.

  His kiss deepened. She fitted her body up against his and felt his arousal. Even new as she was to this, she felt a sense of satisfaction at her power to make him feel this way.

  He withdrew his lips from hers and hugged her. She lay her head against his chest, loving the feel of him, the smell of him. Her breath caught as his hands caressed her breasts, sending a fresh rush of need through her.

  He pulled away, and, face flushed, studied her. “Should I go before it’s too late?”

  Her gaze locked onto his. “Please, stay.” She couldn’t bear the thought of his leaving now.

  ###

  Later, lying beside Rafe, she placed a hand on his strong chest and felt the racing beat of his heart begin to slow.

  He rolled onto his side and beamed at her. “Wow!”

  She laughed, pleased with herself and him. She’d easily followed his guidance, giving them both pleasure.

  “So, you liked it this time?” His grin indicated he already knew the answer, but she told him anyway.

  “Oh yes,” she said. “All I needed was the right man.”

  Chuckling, he cupped her cheeks in his broad hands. “Those beautiful eyes, your body, the way you respond are all part of a package that’s something amazing.”

  At his kind words, her eyes filled.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, giving her a worried look.

  She nodded, too overcome with emotion to speak. He made her feel so lovable, so worthy of tenderness—something she’d missed her entire life.

  Rafe turned to look at the bedside clock. “I’m sorry, but I have to leave. My family is expecting me, and I don’t want anyone to get the wrong impression of you.”

  “I wish you could stay,” Lettie said.

  “I’ll bring you home after dinner tomorrow and spend the night in the cabin, so you have someone around. All right?”

  “Okay,” she said, wondering how she could wait that long.

  While he dressed, she slipped on a white terry robe that had been in her room when she’d first arrived. They offered robes like this to all their guests for use at the inn.

  Lettie walked Rafe to the front door.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, unsure what else she should say. Thank you seemed wrong.

  Rafe gave her a tender smile. “I’ll pick you up by two o’clock. Someone, I’m hoping not me, will take care of the animals here early tomorrow morning.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Until tomorrow.”

>   She watched him walk away and felt the urge to cry. Maybe he didn’t feel the same way about her as she did about him. Otherwise, why would he leave? Maybe, like so many times before in her life, she wasn’t good enough.

  He turned around, saw her standing in the doorway, and waved.

  She waved to him and then closed the door. Leaning against it, she let out a trembling sigh.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Thanksgiving Day dawned gray and cold. A drizzle wept from the sky like the forlorn lovers in her dream. Restless, feeling out of sorts, Lettie got out of bed and headed for the kitchen, thinking a cup of hot coffee might do wonders for her.

  She was standing in her pajamas sipping the hot liquid when she heard a vehicle climbing the hill. Curious, she wandered over to the window in the living room and looked out with surprise at Rafe’s truck. Instead of going to the barn, he pulled up in front of the house.

  Watching him get out of the truck and head her way, she felt a surge of excitement. She set down the coffee cup on a table and went to open the door.

  “Good morning! I didn’t expect to see you!” she said brightly.

  His smile didn’t meet his eyes. “I need to talk to you.”

  Her stomach plummeted to her feet. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yes, and no. Before you come to my house for dinner, I want to set some things straight. May I come in?”

  A numbness traveled through her body, making it impossible for her to do more than step aside.

  “About last night,” he said, entering and facing her.

  Tears sprang to Lettie’s eyes. “Oh, God! You didn’t like it. You were faking the whole time.” Her teeth began to chatter. “I’m so embarrassed.”

  “Whoa!” he said, looking at her with concern. “Where is all of this coming from? No part of what you’re saying is true. Sit down and let me explain.”

  Lettie went into the living room and folded her shaking legs into the couch. She waited for Rafe to take a seat in a nearby chair.

  “At the Thanksgiving dinner at my house, you’ll meet my family and some of our friends. Maria Mendoza will be among them.”