by Judith Keim
“Maria? Who’s she?” He hadn’t mentioned her name before this.
“She’s my old girlfriend, who still thinks I’m going to marry her.”
“Marry her? How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-four, and for several years our families have wanted us to marry. I’ve tried to tell my parents that though I like Maria a lot, I don’t want to marry her or anyone else right now.”
Taking in all this information, Lettie sat back against the cushions of the couch and studied him. “I see,” she finally said, though she wasn’t sure what all of this meant. She’d never had a family that cared about her, while he had to answer to his.
He reached over and clutched her hand. “Lettie, I care for you. I really do. But I’m not able to make a commitment to anyone. I have family issues to take care of, and after the Christmas holidays, I’m moving to California for a year to study viticulture.” He squeezed her fingers. “In so many ways, you’re an innocent. I don’t want to be the one to break your heart. Understand?”
Tears filled her eyes. “So, later, you’re not going to spend the night?”
“I don’t think I should.”
“But I want you to!” she burst out. Then, before she could make a bigger fool of herself, she got up and ran from the room.
Rafe followed her to the door of her bedroom. “I’ll pick you up at two. See you later.”
Lettie lay in bed staring at the ceiling while conflicting thoughts raced through her mind. Rafe was just trying to do the right thing, wasn’t he? He’d called her an innocent, but for the first time she was aware of the awesome things her body could do with a man she might already love. Maybe, she thought, glumly, he was telling her politely that she was no good at making love or not good enough, period.
A large part of her wanted to call his family home and tell them she wouldn’t come to dinner. But she decided not to allow herself that bit of cowardice. Besides, she wanted to see what kind of family he had and what kind of woman Maria was.
###
The short ride in Rafe’s truck from the inn to the Lopez home was awkwardly silent. Lettie couldn’t talk about what had happened between them, and he, apparently, wouldn’t.
But as they pulled into the driveway of a rambling two-story house, Rafe turned to her.
“Lettie, my talk with you this morning has everything to do with how much I wish I could be with you, not the other way around.” His brown eyes bored into her.
Before she could respond, he climbed out of the truck, walked around behind it, and opened the door for her.
As she stepped onto the ground, she gazed up at him. “It’s too late, Rafe. I think I’m already in love with you.”
She breezed by him and headed to the wide porch along the front of the house.
He hurried to catch up to her. “You can’t know that. There hasn’t been enough time for you to be sure.”
Before she could answer, the front door was thrown open and a woman stood there looking at them.
Rafe gulped and said, “Hi, Mom. This is Lettie.”
“Hi, Lettie. I’m Rita Lopez.” Dark eyes above a smile flashed with interest as her gaze traced Lettie’s body from top to toe. “Come in. Rex called to ask if I’d like to include you in our family meal. I’m so glad you agreed to come. We like introducing others to our family, don’t we, Rafe?” Lettie heard both pleasure and caution in her voice.
“Yes,” Rafe answered, avoiding eye contact with either of them.
Lettie followed his mother into the house. The living room was crowded with people, mostly men. Some looked up at them; others continued their loud conversations. Rita led her into the kitchen where a group of women had congregated.
“Ladies, say hello to Lettie Hawkins, the young woman who’s working at the Chandler Hill Inn. We’re happy to have her here with us today.”
Staring into a sea of brown faces, dark eyes and dark hair, Lettie felt every strand of her unusual-colored hair. Automatically, she looked away and down to the floor, as she’d been forced to do so often in her youth when she’d been teased about her looks.
She felt a hand on her arm and glanced up.
A pretty, young woman smiled at her. “Hi, I’m Paloma Sanchez. Nice to meet you. Where did you get hair like that? It’s beautiful.”
Lettie blinked in surprise. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Paloma laughed. “Really.”
The women gathered around her, introducing themselves. All the names seemed a jumble until a stunning young woman said, “I’m Maria Mendoza.”
Though they greeted one another pleasantly, Lettie’s stomach curled with dismay. Rafe would never choose her over Maria.
“Here, Lettie. Have a glass of white wine,” said Rita.
Lettie accepted the glass Rita handed her and took a sip. It was a nice, light wine.
As conversation among the women resumed, Lettie looked around the kitchen. A massive pine table dominated the room. Lettie got the impression from its worn edges that it was often filled with guests.
“Rita is the best cook in the neighborhood,” said Paloma, coming to stand beside her. “Several of us often meet here for social occasions.”
“How many children are in the family?” Lettie asked, watching several of them racing around outside.
“Rita and Joe have five of the older ones, the rest of us each have a couple.”
“You’re married?” Lettie asked, surprised because they seemed the same age.
Paloma grinned. “My husband is in the service. Our Mikey is three, and little Isabel is just one. She’s in the bedroom with my mother.” Her gaze settled on Lettie. “Rex Chandler must like you a lot to make sure you have some family for the holiday.”
“It’s been the best job ever. Mr. Rex and Kenton have been wonderful to me.”
Paloma gave her an impish grin. “And Rafe?”
Lettie didn’t know where to look. She knew she couldn’t face Paloma without giving herself away.
“It’s all right,” Paloma whispered to her. “I’ve seen the way Rafe looks at you when he thinks no one is watching.”
“But Maria ...”
Paloma shook her head. “She demands much more from him than he wants to give. She thinks she can talk him into moving to southern California, but he has dreams of becoming a landowner here in the valley.”
“Hey! What are you two talking about?” said Maria, approaching them carrying a glass of wine.
“I’m just filling Lettie in on the families,” said Paloma. “She couldn’t believe I’m married with kids.”
Maria laughed. “I swear, Paloma, you’ve always been married with kids.” Still smiling, she turned to Lettie. “She and her husband have been in love since third grade. Isn’t that right, Paloma?”
“Afraid so. It happens like that sometimes.” Paloma’s eyes filled. “I’m just hoping Manny comes home to me.”
Since coming to Oregon, Lettie had pushed thoughts about the war aside as she’d adjusted to her new life. She reached over and patted Paloma’s arm. “I hope so too.”
“Okay, everybody, dinner’s ready. Come help yourselves,” Rita announced.
While Lettie had been chatting, a buffet had almost magically been set up on the long kitchen counter.
Paloma left Lettie and went to help a cute little boy fill a plastic plate with food.
Rafe came over to her. “You’re in for some treats. Mom’s known for her chorizo stuffing for the turkey. And Aunt Sophie’s pumpkin empanadas are the best.”
“That’s right,” said a woman, smiling at him. “My regular pumpkin pie is pretty darn good too.”
“What about my apple pie?” said another woman, elbowing him.
Watching the way members of the group teased each other, Lettie thought back to her past Thanksgivings and realized how empty they were of fun, how bland the food had been. This kitchen, filled with happy people and tantalizing aromas, was delightfully different.
After she’d loaded
her plate with food, Lettie found a place to sit in the living room near Paloma. The conversational noise that had filled the house disappeared as people dug into their meals.
“When are you going to get off your arse and ask Maria to marry you, Rafe?” said a gray-haired man. “Don’t wait too long. I want to be able to dance at her wedding, like I promised her.”
Lettie set down the fork she’d lifted to her mouth and held her breath.
“Ah, you know that was just a childhood dream. Maria wants to leave here. I’m going to northern California for a year, and then I want to come back and set up my own business in the valley.”
“There’s no reason the two of you can’t work something out,” said Rita. “Maria can try California with you. She’ll see that home is where family is.”
A small child’s voice broke into the silence. “Can I have pie now?”
The mood instantly changed.
“For those who aren’t ready for dessert, there’s more food in the kitchen,” said Rita.
“I’ll put on the coffee and set out the desserts,” Paloma offered, rising to her feet along with two other women.
The conversation changed to different topics. People came and went, filling their plates with seconds of the main course or with pie, cake, or other tempting desserts.
“How about you, Lettie? Ready for dessert?” Maria asked.
Lettie stood. “Thanks. I’m going to try to make room for some pie. Maybe if I help in the kitchen it will settle my meal.”
Inside the kitchen, women were working together to get dishes scraped and washed.
“What can I do?” Lettie asked Rita.
Rita handed her a dish towel. “Why don’t you help Connie dry?
Lettie gave her a grateful smile and went to work. It felt good to be part of this congenial group of women.
When the bulk of the dishes were done, the women stopped and helped themselves to dessert. Sitting at the table with their plates and cups of coffee, the women relaxed while their men did the same in the living room. Lettie was amused by the snores that emanated from that room.
Rita turned to her. “Tell us a little about yourself, Lettie. We were so busy getting dinner on the table we didn’t have a chance to talk.”
“There’s not much to tell. I’m from Dayton, Ohio. I was in San Francisco when I bumped into Kenton Chandler. He told me about a job, and I came here to the valley to work at the Chandler Hill Inn.”
“Mabel Morley is a good woman,” said Connie. “If you’re a hard worker, she’ll be good to you.”
“Mr. Rex has taken a liking to you,” said Rita. “My Joe tells me Rex wants you to learn about grape growing. How do you feel about that?”
“It’s very exciting. I love the land and what it can produce with work and care. Joe knows how to do it right. Rafe, too. And Kenton is learning how to make wine.”
“Seems odd to me that he’s taken such an interest in you,” said a woman Lettie knew to be Paloma’s mother.
Lettie’s cheeks grew hot. “I don’t know why he has. I think he’s pretty lonely.” The minute she said the words, her whole body felt hot. “I don’t mean ... I never would ...”
Rita placed a hand on her arm. “It’s okay. I know Rex Chandler well enough to know he would never play games with an innocent like you.”
Lettie could only nod numbly.
“Are you planning to stay a long time? The last person who worked there lasted only through the spring,” said a woman whose name Lettie couldn’t remember.
“I’d like to stay forever,” Lettie said honestly. “The first time I stood on the back porch of the inn and looked at the countryside, I felt like I’d come home, you know?” At the silence that followed, Lettie quickly said, “I know that sounds silly, especially from someone who was raised in a foster home, but I knew I wanted to be here.”
Rita’s smile brightened her face “No wonder Rex likes you. He said the very same thing after he came to look at the inn.”
“The view and Mrs. Morley’s cooking convinced him to stay,” said Connie.
“Your cooking too, Rita,” said Paloma, joining them with a baby in her arms.
Everyone laughed.
“I’ve got to take off,” said Paloma. She kissed Rita on the cheek. “Thanks for everything. Enjoy my leftovers. I’ll get my dishes later.”
Lettie stood. “I guess I should be going too.”
As the group broke up, Rafe came into the room. “Ready to go?” he asked Lettie.
“Do you want me to ride with you?” Maria asked.
Rafe shook his head. “No, I’m spending the night at the cabin to take care of the animals.”
Maria gave him a steady look. “I see.” She turned to Lettie. “Make sure he takes good care of them, okay?”
“Sure, I’ll try, but I’ll be busy. I’ve got things to do at the inn for Mrs. Morley.”
Rita walked Lettie and Rafe to the front door.
“Thank you for having me,” Lettie told her. “It was very nice. Very yummy.”
Rita returned her smile. “I’m glad you could join us. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you at the inn.”
“See you tomorrow, Mom,” said Rafe.
“Be good,” she said, and turned away.
Outside, Rafe gave Lettie an apologetic look. “Sorry for the bit of grilling you got. Everybody’s been curious about you. Especially Maria.”
Silent, Lettie got into the truck and waited for Rafe to join her.
He slid behind the wheel, and they headed for the inn.
“Maria is beautiful,” Lettie said. “I can see why you’d be so perfect together.”
Rafe slammed on his brakes and pulled off to the side of the road.
“Don’t you get it, Lettie?” He rubbed a hand through his dark hair, forming peaks of despair. “After being with you, I never want to think of being with anyone else.”
Lettie’s breath came out in a gasp of surprise. And then she began to cry.
CHAPTER SIX
“What’s the matter?” Rafe’s voice quickly changed from one of frustration to one of concern. He wrapped an arm around her, and she nestled against his chest, trying to control the sobs that felt as if they’d never stop. She’d been so scared that he never wanted to see her again, a thought that had threatened to rip her heart apart.
When she was able to lift her head and look at him, she blurted out, “I thought ... I thought ...”
His lips met hers, stopping her words. She responded to his kiss, desperate to show him how much she cared. They’d only come together once, but it had been so much more than sex for her. She’d felt as if their souls had touched.
As Rafe pulled the truck back onto the road, Lettie straightened in her seat and sat quietly, lost in thought.
The inn appeared before them. Even though it had seemed to take forever, Lettie realized the trip that should have taken fifteen minutes had taken just ten.
Her nerves tingled with anticipation as she climbed out of the truck. Now that she knew how Rafe felt about her, she couldn’t wait to show him the love she felt for him. He’d worried that she hadn’t had enough time to know her true feelings, but the first time she’d seen him, she knew he was special. And when they’d kissed, she’d felt her body fill with a longing she’d never known. It was true that she hadn’t had much experience because of her strict, church-going foster parents, but her body and mind had applauded that kiss.
Inside the inn, Rafe drew Lettie to the couch and settled her into his lap. “What am I going to do about you?” he murmured before lowering his lips to hers.
A deep sigh of satisfaction welled within her. This is where she wanted to be, with Rafe. Even though life in San Francisco encompassed free love, she’d never participated in it. She knew from books and movies how intense passion could be, and she’d decided to wait for the right time, the right person.
Rafe stretched out on the couch and tugged Lettie up beside him.
Lettie suddenly r
ealized how inappropriate it was to make love there. She scrambled to her feet. “We’d better go into the bedroom. It’s more private.”
She started toward the door to her room and squealed with surprise when Rafe caught up to her and pulled her against him. “Can’t get away from me,” he growled playfully.
“Don’t you get it?” she said, mimicking his earlier statement. “I never want that to happen.”
“Me neither.”
Lettie placed her arms around his neck and lifted her face for a kiss.
###
Fingers of early morning light entered her room through the blinds and shone in rosy stripes on the wooden floor. Lettie lay in bed wishing them away. She didn’t want the day to begin. Not if it meant that Rafe would leave her bed and her life. Their lovemaking last night had been as fabulous, as exciting, as fulfilling as the night before.
Beside her, Rafe stirred.
She turned to face him. “I want it to stay like this forever.”
His smile was sad. “Wish we could.” He checked the bedside clock. “The cows are waiting for me. I can’t let them down.” His kiss lingered on her lips, playing a teasing game with the desire that quickly built between them. “Ah, Lettie, if I could magically make things different, I would choose to stay right here.”
He stood outside the bed. “Mind if I take a quick shower?”
“Go ahead. I’ll put on coffee and mix up some scrambled eggs.” Lettie reluctantly got to her feet, wrapped her robe around herself, and left the room.
In the kitchen, Lettie, too, wished she had magical powers. But, like the cold floor beneath her feet, reality chilled her. Others may consider her too young, too inexperienced to know what real love was all about, but something unbelievable had happened between Rafe and her. If their relationship didn’t work out the way she wanted, she had nobody to blame but herself. Though Rafe had made his feelings for her clear, he’d been honest about being unable to make a commitment to her.
Sighing at what she couldn’t control, Lettie went about putting together breakfast.
###
Later that morning, while Rafe worked with his father, Lettie cleaned the kitchen cupboards, wiping down the shelves and replacing the contents in a more organized way.
