by Judith Keim
“I’d better get another bottle of wine,” Kenton said.
“And I’d better refresh the tray of food,” said Lettie, needing a quiet moment with her husband. Things were happening so fast she was feeling dizzy.
Outside the office, Lettie took hold of Kenton’s hand. “Are you okay? I know how sad you are.”
“Dad had all kinds of ideas. I just wish he were still here to share them with us.” His brow creased with concern. “Are you all right with how things have been set up? It’s a lot for anyone to handle—this place, all the plans, everything.”
“As long as you’re around to help me, we’ll manage.”
A look of sadness crossed Kenton’s face, touching her heart. “And if I’m not?” he whispered.
She threw her arms around him and hugged him. Maybe if she held him tight enough, he’d never leave her. A sudden chill made her shiver. No woman wants her man to go to war.
Mrs. Morley and Joe Lopez walked down the hall toward them. “Ah, the newlyweds!” Joe exclaimed, beaming at them.
Lettie felt her cheeks grow warm, but she smiled gamely.
“Yes, we mustn’t forget in all this grief that a happy event has taken place,” said Mrs. Morley.
“A very happy one.” Kenton wrapped an arm around Lettie and gave her a quick kiss. He turned to them with a smile. “I’ll be right back. I’m getting another bottle of wine. I think we’re going to want it.”
“And I’ll get two more wine glasses,” Lettie said quickly.
###
Later, after the reading of the will, Kenton refreshed their glasses with the wine he’d brought in for the occasion.
Mrs. Morley sat dabbing at her eyes. “I can’t believe Mr. Rex set up a retirement fund for me and Pat.” She turned to Joe. “Or that he gave you the land and the house you’ve been renting for years. What a wonderful man he was.”
“He had great faith in the two of you,” said Lew. “He hoped you’d continue to work at Chandler Hill if anything ever happened to him.”
A niggling thought crept through Lettie’s mind. “Oh my God! Do you think he had any idea that something like this was going to happen? It seems like he had plans for all of us.”
Lew shook his head sadly. “We’ll never really know, but I can tell you he had a sense of urgency to get his will in order. It’s not all that unusual.”
At the idea, Lettie’s stomach turned. She gazed at Kenton. As soon as she had a moment alone with Lew, she’d ask him if he could pull any strings to get Kenton out of serving in the war in Vietnam.
Mrs. Morley got to her feet. “I’m going to fix dinner. And I don’t think Mr. Rex would mind if we made it a quiet celebration of Kenton and Lettie’s marriage.”
“Why don’t you ask your husband and Rita Lopez to join us, and we’ll eat all together?” Lettie said.
Mrs. Morley gave her a dubious look. “I don’t know if that’s quite proper.”
“You’re all Dad’s friends, Mrs. Morley,” said Kenton with enough authority for her to give him a relenting nod.
###
Mrs. Morley prepared a couple of roast chickens and put together a menu that would challenge any holiday spread. Whipped potatoes, gravy, and stuffing accompanied the chicken, along with a bacon-and-green-bean casserole, a fresh, green-leaf salad with dried cranberries and pistachio nuts, and her famous apple pie.
“Excellent,” said Lew, sitting back in his chair and patting his round stomach. “Rex said you had a knack for cooking. If this is an example, he was absolutely right.”
“Yes, thank you so much, Mrs. Morley,” said Lettie, touched by the effort she’d put into the meal. She’d even rearranged some of the flowers that had been sent to the house into a more suitable, winter-wedding bouquet for the table.
After dinner, as people rose, Lettie stayed behind to help clear.
Mrs. Morley placed a hand on her arm. “No, Lettie, you don’t work here anymore.”
Drawing on a strength she didn’t know she had, Lettie gave her a steady look. “Mrs. Morley, we’re all going to have to work together to make this right for Rex. That includes me.”
“Okay,” Mrs. Morley said. “You’re right. But I still want to ask Paloma to help on a more permanent basis.”
“I agree. I’ve got a whole lot to learn and won’t be able to do everything I did before.”
They studied one another a moment. Then Mrs. Morley said, “You’re a good girl, Lettie. Rex thought so too.”
Fresh tears stung Lettie’s eyes.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Christmas was as dismal as any Lettie had known. Outside, a cold rain pelted the windows of the house like the tears she held inside. Knowing that Kenton would be leaving her soon made it even harder to inject some cheer into the holidays. But he’d said he wanted it to be a nice beginning for them, and she was doing her best to make it a good memory.
The one celebration that had always been present in her foster home at the holidays was the baking of Christmas cookies. No wasteful presents nor popular holiday songs were allowed in the household, but working with one’s hands for the good of others was not only allowed but encouraged.
While Kenton was still sleeping, Lettie packed a tin with the cookies she’d set aside for one of his gifts. In going through some of Rex’s things, she and Kenton had found a photograph of Rex and Kenton laughing as they stood together. When Kenton wasn’t looking, she’d hidden it away. Now, it was inside a brown-leather frame, wrapped and under the tiny tree they’d finally decorated, along with a new wallet and a pair of work gloves Kenton had told her he wanted.
Lettie sat in her robe in the kitchen, sipping her coffee, thinking of holidays and how they never seemed to turn out the way anyone wanted. For her, she’d learned long ago that the magic others felt for them just didn’t happen for her. She had no bitterness about it; she simply knew it to be true.
Kenton came downstairs wearing jeans and a Christmas sweater they both had agreed was awful. But Mrs. Morley had given it to him, and he’d promised her that he’d wear it on Christmas Day.
“I’m going to grab a cup of coffee and do a quick errand. I’ll be right back.” He gave her a sly smile.
“Want me to go with you?”
“Definitely not,” he said, chuckling softly.
She could feel a smile spreading across her face. “Is this about Christmas?”
“Definitely,” he said, laughing harder.
He took her in his arms. “Ah, my Christmas angel. I’m so happy you’re here with me. I don’t know what I would do without you. You make everything seem better.”
Kenton’s lips pressed down on hers in a sweet, tender kiss that was equal to the nicest holiday gift she could think of. When they parted, they simply smiled at one another, content to be together like that for the moment.
He broke away. “I’d better get going. I promised Joe Lopez I’d see him first thing this morning.” He poured coffee into a mug, took a few sips of it, and set the mug on the counter. “I’ll hurry back, I promise.”
After Kenton took off, Lettie headed upstairs to shower. Stepping into the bedroom she now shared with him, she studied her surroundings. The large room was more like a suite, with a separate sitting area overlooking the back garden and the valley beyond.
Lettie hurried into the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day.
Later, she was stirring pancake batter when she heard a car making its way up the driveway. She set down her spoon and hurried to the front window. Staring through the glass, Lettie frowned at the unfamiliar yellow car. They weren’t expecting guests.
Kenton got out of the car and hurried up the front walk, carrying something under his coat.
Lettie met him at the front door. “What’s going on?”
Kenton’s eyes glowed with excitement. He opened his coat and held out a black, wiggly puppy to her.
She took the puppy in her arms and laughed as its pink tongue swiped her cheeks with warm, moist kisses. �
��Oh, puppy! You’re the sweetest thing ever!” She glanced at Kenton. “She’s mine? Really?”
“Merry Christmas, honey!” he said, beaming at her.
She tried to hug him but stopped when the puppy got between them. She set the dog down and wrapped her arms around Kenton. “Thank you. It’s the nicest, best Christmas gift I’ve ever received.”
At the sound of a tiny growl, she looked down. The puppy had grabbed hold of Lettie’s shoelaces and was tugging on them.
“Oh my! What a busy little girl,” crooned Lettie, picking the dog up. “Maybe that’s what we’ll call you. Busy.”
Kenton laughed. “Sure. Why not? Or just plain Bee.”
“Oh, I like that.” Lettie knelt and clapped her hands. “Hi, Bee! Come here.”
The puppy’s pink tongue hung out of its mouth as she stared at Lettie and then trotted off down the hallway toward the kitchen, squatted, and peed.
“Guess I have a lot to learn about puppies,” said Lettie. “But, Kenton, thank you so much.”
“I thought it would be nice for you to have some protection when I’m gone,” he said quietly. “She’s a good lab, from a respected breeder. She’s just ten weeks old and will grow quite quickly and eventually weigh about 75 pounds, maybe more.”
Some of Lettie’s earlier excitement faded. She’d gladly do without a puppy if she could keep Kenton.
“Shall we go eat?” Lettie said.
“Don’t you want to see your new car?” Kenton asked.
Lettie stared at him with disbelief. “New car? Are you kidding?”
The puppy ran toward her, and Lettie picked her up.
“Come on,” said Kenton. “I’ve picked out a VW Squareback for you. You do know how to drive a stick shift, don’t you?”
“Yes,” said Lettie, “but I haven’t driven one in a while.” She looked beyond him to the yellow vehicle sitting in the parking area. Emotions raced through her at such a speed she couldn’t do anything but stare at the car.
“Are you all right?” Kenton said.
“You bought a car for me?” she said, clapping her hands, unable to hide her incredulity. She thought back to the Christmas mornings she’d wished for anything that seemed the least bit personal.
Kenton’s lips curved happily. “I’d buy you the moon, if I could. The best I can do is this yellow car. It reminds me of you, all sunny and warm.”
He opened the front door. “Let’s go take a look.”
Lettie handed him Bee. As soon as she stepped outside, she began to run, laughing and crying as her feet hit the cold surface. Since marrying Kenton, it felt as if her whole world had changed from a life that seemed gray and empty to a lush, colorful one filled with love and kindness.
“What do you think?” Kenton said, approaching her as she traced the lines of the outside of the car, wanting to feel the cold metal beneath her fingers as if to test whether it was real or an illusion. Things like this happened to others.
“Go ahead and get inside, and then let’s take a spin in it.” He handed her the keys.
Lettie grinned. “Okay. Climb in.”
Lettie slid behind the wheel and waited for Kenton and Bee to get settled in the passenger seat.
She turned the key, and the engine started right up.
“Take it up to the barn and back,” Kenton suggested.
Trying to coordinate her feet between the clutch and the gas pedal, she moved the car forward with a lurch, and then the engine stalled.
“Try again,” said Kenton. “You’ll get the hang of it.”
The third try proved to be the charm. Lettie drove to the barn and back with a new sense of confidence.
After she parked the car, Lettie patted the steering wheel. “This car is amazing. I can’t believe you’re giving it to me.” She turned to Kenton. “Thank you! I’ll never be able to tell you how much this means to me. It’s so much more than the car itself. It’s the whole idea of all the wonderful things you do for me.”
Kenton gave her a satisfied smile. “I knew you’d like it. Now, how about breakfast? I’m starving.”
Lettie leaned over and kissed him. “Coming right up.”
As they walked toward the house, Bee ran in circles around them. Lettie clasped Kenton’s hand in her own, thinking life had never seemed so good.
###
The days leading up to New Year’s Eve were full of laughter as Bee filled the house with her playfulness, even as she made a full night’s sleep impossible. Though Bee was very determined to try to worm her way into bed with them, Kenton wouldn’t allow Lettie to succumb. He’d been warned about starting the relationship off right by exerting authority over the dog in a kind but firm way.
Wanting to keep sadness and worry away for as long as possible, Lettie and Kenton decided to put off the task of sorting through Rex’s clothes and personal items until after the New Year. Instead, Kenton invited Lettie to go into Portland with him.
“I think you need some better clothes,” he explained, looking a bit uncomfortable. “Let’s look for a jacket for you and other things you might need.”
Well aware that her wardrobe was sparse, Lettie hid her embarrassment. Though Kenton hadn’t said it, she realized if she was going to be one of the owners of the inn, she had to be more presentable to guests.
###
The next day, Lettie and Kenton left Bee with Mrs. Morley and headed into Portland.
“I’ve made a list of things, like you asked,” Lettie said, almost shyly. She still couldn’t get used to the idea that she could simply buy what she needed.
“Good,” said Kenton, sitting behind the wheel of his car. They’d paid a driver to bring it and the rest of their belongings back to Chandler Hill from California. “After we go shopping, I want to take you to one of my favorite restaurants for lunch.” His eyes changed, became full of sadness. “Dad and I used to eat there every chance we could get.”
Lettie reached over and squeezed his hand. “I think he’d like to know we’ll carry on the tradition.”
“Yeah, that, and starting a few of our own,” said Kenton. His smile couldn’t hide the sadness in his voice.
“Bee is already changing things around the inn,” Lettie said brightly. “Everyone adores her.”
“We’ll have to introduce her to our guests carefully. Not everyone will like having a big dog around.”
###
Kenton parked in the center of Portland, and they headed out on foot. Meier & Frank was the first stop, where Lettie quickly found a brown-corduroy, belted, double-breasted jacket. With Kenton’s encouragement, she purchased a simple black dress, a navy skirt, and gray slacks. As he guided her toward conservative choices, Lettie began to understand that fads would come and go, but conservative, classic clothing of high quality would last and always be in fashion.
She selected a number of sweaters and blouses that seemed suitable to the selections she’d already made, gaining more approval from Kenton.
“Let’s go to lunch,” he said, after she’d made the last of her purchases. “Huber’s isn’t far, and I’m hungry for their turkey pie.”
They dropped off the bags of new clothes into the trunk of his car and then walked the few blocks to the restaurant. The sun that had beckoned to her that morning was now hidden behind clouds. The crisp air felt good to Lettie as she enjoyed the warmth of her new jacket.
Gold lettering on the window announced they were at Huber’s, founded in 1879. They stepped beneath the dark awnings at the entrance and into the restaurant, which was alive with conversation from the crowded tables. Kenton asked the host to seat them in the bar, and as they were led to the room in back, Lettie studied every detail.
In the bar, wood paneling covered the walls more than half-way up from the floor. But it was the arched, stained-glass skylights that drew and captured her attention. She mentioned it to the host, and he smiled. “Ah yes, everyone is always curious about them. The yellow and amber skylights were made by the Povey Brothers
Studio. Note the terrazzo floors. They go all the way back in time too. They’re almost one hundred years old.”
The waiter seated them at a table in the center of the room, giving Lettie a chance to look around. Seeing the way people here were conservatively dressed, Lettie was glad Kenton had helped her choose her new clothes. She realized now how sheltered she’d been, how unsophisticated she still was.
“Turkey is the specialty here. And Spanish coffee too. Though, you’re too young to order that.” Kenton gave her a devilish grin. “But if I order it, you could have a taste.”
She laughed. “I’ll be fine without it.”
Later, leaving the restaurant, the thought of going back to Chandler Hill was enticing.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay in the city?” Kenton asked, throwing an arm around her shoulder.
She smiled up at him. “I’m ready to go home.”
A grin split his face. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Who knew I’d fall for a homebody?”
“Do you mind? I don’t want to take any fun away from you.”
“Are you kidding? You’re the fun for me. The truth is, I’m pretty much a quiet kind of guy. Mrs. Morley says I’m an old soul. Not one of the hippie types at all.”
Lettie had liked that about him. Maybe she was an old soul too.
Back at the house, while they snuggled on the couch, Kenton proved to her that he wasn’t old at all. And, apparently, neither was she.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The days following the holiday were quiet at the inn but filled with activity on the homefront. Rafe and Maria left for California, Lettie and Mrs. Morley packed up Rex’s clothes and the personal belongings that Kenton wanted donated to charity, and Kenton and Bernie Randolph went through Rex’s office, sorting through papers, setting up a filing system that both Kenton and Lettie could easily use, and shredding papers that were of no importance.
Then, Bernie, Kenton, and Lettie went over the plans Rex had left behind, coming up with a practical schedule they all agreed on. Adding a wing to the inn was the first thing on the list. They estimated that if the project were begun in the spring, it wouldn’t be completed for at least six months, after which time they hoped to have a crop of grapes good enough to sell to one of the other wineries nearby.
