by Judith Keim
Paloma came out of the inn and stood beside her. “Sad to see her go, huh?”
Lettie nodded, struggling to hold in her emotions.
Paloma put an arm around her shoulder. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong? I’ve watched you suffer ever since you returned from Vail. You know I’m here to help you any way I can.”
As Lettie turned to her, tears blurred her vision. “You’re my best friend, and I need to talk to you.”
“Okay, let me tell one of the staff inside, and we’ll go to your house where we can have privacy.”
Paloma returned and handed Lettie her jacket. “Let’s walk. I know how much you like to do that.”
“Yes, it helps me,” said Lettie.
As they walked away toward the house, Lettie glanced at the grove of trees that represented the love she had for the Chandler men. She hadn’t gone to visit it since her return from Vail because she didn’t know what to say when she got there.
At the house, Lettie fixed fresh coffee and motioned Paloma to a chair at the kitchen table. Somehow a kitchen was the best place for woman-to-woman talks, and this was going to be a difficult one.
After handing Paloma her mug of coffee fixed the way she liked it, Lettie sat in a chair opposite her.
“What I have to say can go no further,” she said. “But I need your help in trying to decide how best to handle it.”
“You have my word.” Paloma reached over and gave Lettie’s hand a comforting squeeze. “You and I go back to when you first came here to the valley.”
“That’s another reason I didn’t want to talk to anyone else but you,” said Lettie. “You knew how unsophisticated I was, how naïve.”
“Yes,” Paloma said simply.
“I have uncovered some disturbing information, and I don’t know what to do with it. When I was in Vail, I learned that Autumn’s blood type is O positive.”
“And?” Paloma gave her a quizzical look.
Tears spilled from Lettie’s eyes. She hid her face in her hands and let them come.
Paloma rose from her chair and came over to her. Hugging her close, Paloma let her cry until she had no more tears.
When Paloma finally took a seat again, they looked at one another in silence.
“I think I know where this is going,” Paloma finally said quietly. “Want to tell me about it?”
Lettie drew a deep breath. “Okay. Kenton’s blood type was AB positive and I’m A positive. Together, we would not have an O positive child. There’s only one other person who could be the father.”
“Rafe,” said Paloma. “I saw how you were with one another. His parents were afraid for you two to be together. That’s why he got engaged to Maria so quickly. It’s what all the families wanted.”
“But I loved Kenton. I truly did,” said Lettie with such feeling her voice broke.
“Nobody doubts that. The two of you together were precious,” said Paloma. She gave Lettie a wry smile. “I used to be jealous of you for that.”
“What am I going to do? Do I tell Rafe? Does that mean that Autumn can’t inherit the inn? What do I say to my daughter?”
Paloma took a sip of her coffee and set the mug down. “Why don’t you let things take a natural course? Rafe and Maria are still married, but it’s not a happy one. Rafe bought land here and wants to begin farming grapes in the valley, but Maria won’t leave California.”
“Do they have children?” Lettie now realized how odd it was that nobody talked about Rafe or Maria anymore. Did they know their marriage was a mistake?
“No, they don’t have children. My guess is they will end up here in the valley sooner rather than later. As far as the inn goes, both Rex and Kenton gave it to you. You’ve worked hard to do everything they imagined with it and much, much more. It’s yours to give to Autumn no matter who her father is.”
Lettie shook her head sadly. “They never knew I was pregnant.”
“For the time being, I’d say nothing to anyone about this situation. When the time is right, you’ll know it. Both Autumn and Rafe deserve to know the truth.”
“Paloma, you are indeed my best friend,” sighed Lettie. “Thank you for not judging me. I know I won’t get the same treatment from my daughter.”
“Give her a chance. She’s starting to grow up.”
“I’m hopeful she’ll stay out of trouble and be ready to settle down,” said Lettie. “Isabel still doesn’t have much to do with her.”
“I’m sorry ...” Paloma began.
“No, no!” said Lettie. “I know how changed Autumn is. And she still doesn’t want anything to do with the inn.”
“She should remember everything you’ve done for all of us in the valley by making the inn a success. Without your help I don’t know what I would have done. And now I have my own house, thanks to you.”
“You deserve it, Paloma. You’re more like a sister to me.”
Lettie and Paloma stood and hugged.
“Guess I’d better get back to work. Guests are arriving this week—a group of women from Idaho, here for a spa weekend.” Paloma got to her feet.
“Maybe Sonya at the spa can fit me into her schedule after they leave.”
“She’s so talented.” Paloma grinned. “I’ll put in a good word for you.”
Lettie laughed, feeling much better.
###
A couple of years later, Autumn was a healthy, happy young, high school graduate about to embark on a college career. She’d been accepted at University of California, Berkeley and was excited about the future. As the summer progressed, Lettie gazed upon her daughter with a sense of pride. Except for her physical appearance, Autumn reminded her of herself with her curiosity, her desire to see and know more. Better even, she was at last exhibiting a kinder, less-selfish attitude. For the first time, Lettie could imagine her daughter taking over the inn.
As she had so many times, Lettie almost broached the subject of Autumn’s father. But at the last minute, she wasn’t ready to deal with the fallout of confessing the truth, disrupting this precious, congenial time together. When Autumn left for college in her own car with Lettie’s full blessing, Lettie was sorry to see her go, but Autumn promised to come home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Lettie thought perhaps then she’d be able to tell Autumn the truth about her heritage.
Before leaving school for the Thanksgiving homecoming, Autumn called Lettie to say she was staying in California, that she and her boyfriend were going to entertain friends who had nowhere else to go. Lettie reluctantly accepted the news, hiding her hurt, pleased Autumn was thinking of others.
But, when Autumn called to say she wasn’t coming home for the Christmas holidays, Lettie pressured her into agreeing to appear for at least Christmas Day. “Besides me, Abby, Terri, Paloma, and the rest of the inn family want to see you,” she pleaded.
“All right,” said Autumn, “but I’m not staying. Richard doesn’t believe in Christmas and refuses to come home with me. So, I’ll come back to California early to spend New Year’s Eve with him.”
“Richard? You haven’t mentioned his name before. Tell me more about him.” Lettie felt as if a rock had landed in her stomach. A man who didn’t believe in Christmas and who had such great influence over her daughter were signs of danger.
“Richard is the smartest man I’ve ever met. He has a view of the world that totally makes sense. Getting rid of the old hacks in the school, defying outdated rules, letting the small people speak is what it’s going to take for us young soldiers to set the world right. That, and getting rid of the rich guys who run everything, just so they can fill their pockets.”
“And you believe that?” Lettie said, unable to hide her disbelief. Autumn, of all people, should know how much hard work it took to get ahead.
“Just because you’ve been successful with the inn doesn’t make it right that you think you have all the answers for everyone who works for you. Why not give Paloma the inn? She’s worked hard for you all these years. Abby and Terri, too.”<
br />
“But, Autumn, it’s so much more than that. It’s the land. We can use it to make things grow. And it’s so beautiful. I remember ...”
“Look, I’ve got to go. Richard is waiting for me downstairs. We’re off to a rally.”
“But, Autumn ...”
“Goodbye, Mother.”
Lettie stood with the buzzing phone in her hand, then slumped down in a chair, feeling weak kneed. She was only thirty-seven, but she felt as if she were ninety. Was all her work at Chandler Hill going to be for nothing? She’d fought against the idea of selling it or turning it over to a professional manager, as some people had suggested. There was no way she’d give up the idea of carrying on the business that had been left to her. This was, and always had been, the one place on earth where she truly felt at home. She’d hoped to have Autumn take it over, maybe have Autumn raise children of her own there. Now, that seemed an impossible dream.
###
Life was full of more disappointment. Before Christmas, Terri discovered a lump in one of her breasts. After a biopsy proved it to be cancer, Terri scheduled surgery to be done right after the first of the year. In her fifties now, Terri was a sweet woman who managed the kitchen for the inn with a sense of fun that made both staff and guests love her. Abby, Terri’s long-time partner, was distraught at the news.
Autumn arrived home for the holidays to a gloomy group. Everyone tried their best to follow their old routines, but no one’s heart was in it. Richard Nance had refused to come to Chandler Hill for Christmas, but he might as well have made the trip because his stamp of disapproval emanated from Autumn like a poisonous gas.
When Lettie tried to talk to her about it, Autumn lashed out at her with words that Lettie knew were not her own. All this from a man who was no longer a student at the university and who was known as a troublemaker, if newspaper articles about him were true.
Lettie’s voice quavered. “Someday, Autumn, you’ll appreciate all that you have here—our family, the inn, the vineyard, the land itself.”
“You don’t understand. I don’t want any of it. I’m going to Africa with Richard. He’s paying for my airline ticket, and through his connections, I’ve already got a job there. I can be a big help there instead of being pampered here.”
“Africa? Isn’t that a little far to go to prove your point?” Lettie tried in vain to rein in her frustration.
Autumn shook her head. “I knew you wouldn’t get it. That’s why I haven’t told you I’m leaving for Africa in two weeks.”
“What about school?” Lettie felt sick.
“I’m taking a leave of absence. I’ve already made the arrangements. So, you don’t have to worry about me and my school grades anymore.”
“Getting an education is important. Especially now when things are just beginning to open up to women.”
Autumn snorted. “I’ll be old and gray before that happens. I want to make a difference, go where it won’t matter whether I’m a woman or not.”
“But ..."
Autumn held up a hand to stop her. “There’s nothing you can say to make me change my mind. Someday, you’ll understand. Right now, you’re so stuck here that you can’t see the big picture.”
Over the next two days, Abby, Terri, and Paloma each tried in her own way to dissuade Autumn. But one morning, Lettie woke to find a note on the kitchen table and her daughter gone.
“I can’t stay here. I’ll be in touch. Until then, you can send mail to my old address
at school. Someone will get it to me. Love, Autumn.”
Lettie sank into a kitchen chair. She might be a successful businesswoman, but she’d failed as a parent.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Over the next couple of months, change continued at Chandler Hill. Terri went through surgery and followed up with chemo. But the cancer had already spread to other parts of her body and became a hungry creature ready to devour her.
Lettie and Paloma helped Abby keep watch over Terri as she struggled to hold on. But it was a race, and all knew the winner. When Terri finally succumbed, Lettie was both sad to lose her and relieved that one of her dearest friends didn’t have to suffer anymore.
Terri’s death was hardest on Abby, who went into a downward spiral of depression. She announced she had to get away for a while and said that when she came back she wanted to live anywhere except in the cabin she’d shared with Terri.
Lettie spoke to Paloma about taking over the cabin. Still single following her husband’s death from a drug overdose, Paloma readily agreed. Her daughter Isabel was getting married, and Paloma loved the idea of offering the young couple her house for a low but acceptable rental fee.
When a letter finally came from Autumn, Paloma and Lettie met at Lettie’s house, so they could read it together. Lettie opened the envelope and read it aloud.
“Dear Mom, I’m so sorry to learn that Terri did not make it. After being in
Africa for less than a year, it seems ironic that with so little medicine, like
vaccines, we can save so many lives, while cancer is still such a killer. Please give
my love to Abby. Hope all is well with you, Paloma, and the others. Much love.”
Lettie and Paloma studied one another.
“She sounds good,” said Paloma.
“Yes, she does. More grown up.” Lettie folded the letter. “I wonder if Richard is still with her.”
“It doesn’t sound as if he is.”
“I’m going to write her another long letter tonight.” Lettie laid the letter on the table. “Maybe that’s how we’ll form a stronger bond.”
Paloma patted her back. “Sounds like a good idea.”
###
Lettie was surprised to learn in 1992 that the land next to her on the opposite side from Rod Mitchell’s property had been sold. The couple who owned it hadn’t done well. Word was that they wouldn’t listen to advice from anyone, even when everyone in the valley knew how delicate the pinot noir grape was.
Even though land on both sides of Chandler Hill was owned by others, there was enough acreage at Chandler Hill to allow Lettie the privacy she wanted for herself and her guests. With more and more people recognizing the facilities at the inn, weddings and small group events were becoming a stronger segment of business.
Paloma came into Lettie’s office and sat down. “Did you hear the news? The Taunton property next to you, the one that sold recently, has been bought by Rafe Lopez.” Paloma’s gaze remained on Lettie.
Lettie tried to hide the fluttering in her belly. She was anxious to see him again, but the thought of the secret she’d withheld from him sent a streak of panic through her.
“Seems he traded some land he bought years ago to help pay for it. Joe and Rita are ecstatic, because Joe, as you know, is slowing down. Joe hopes that he and Rafe can work together to get his land in shape and keep working here. You know Joe. He’s never going to leave Chandler Hill after all Rex did for him, giving him the house and the land with it.”
“Is Maria coming with Rafe?” Lettie asked.
“Yes, though she’s not happy about it. I’m not sure why she agreed to move here. I’ve heard rumors that she’s not well, but I don’t know if what people are saying is true.”
Lettie rose, went over to the window, and looked out at the pool. A couple of guests were lying in deck chairs soaking up the sun. In the distance, she saw Joe driving the tractor, making sure the soil between the rows of vines was free of weeds.
The summer day, which had started off nicely, seemed even brighter, even warmer. But, Lettie noticed that gray clouds were gathering at the horizon. Considering the mixed emotions that were roiling through her, it seemed appropriate.
###
Lettie lived in suspense as she waited for the moment she’d run into Rafe. The few times he’d been home for holidays or family visits, she hadn’t seen him. But with his living here and owning the property next to hers, it was inevitable that they’d meet.
One summer morn
ing, she stepped outside of her house, and seeing how beautiful it was, decided to walk to the inn instead of driving. She was crossing one of the sections of the vineyard when she noticed Rafe in the distance, standing at the barn next to the tractor.
He lifted his head and gave her a steady gaze as she made her way toward him.
Heart pounding so fast she thought she might faint, Lettie kept walking. It was past time for them to meet.
She was overcome with shyness as she approached him. She took a moment and then said in a friendly voice, “Hello, Rafe. I understand you’re my new neighbor. Welcome home!”
A smile lit his face. Seeing him up close like this, Lettie realized how much Autumn looked like him. True, her coloring and her build were different, but that cleft in her chin was the same as his.
She didn’t realize she’d been staring until he turned away from her and then back again.
“You haven’t aged a day, Lettie,” he said softly.
She shook her head. “As much as I’d like to think I haven’t changed, I know I have. And a whole lot has happened to me since I first came to Chandler Hill.”
Rafe raked his fingers through his dark hair and sighed. “I haven’t forgotten what you were like back then. If you don’t mind my saying so, you’re even more beautiful now.”
“It’s good to see you, too,” said Lettie, as attracted to him as she’d always been. But she wouldn’t act on it. He was a married man.
“Say, who is this Rod Mitchell?” Rafe frowned. “He warned me to stay away from his property and yours.”
“What?” Lettie could feel her eyes round with surprise. “Why would he say that?”
“I thought maybe you and he had something going.” Rafe’s brown gaze bored into her.
She shook her head. “He had big ambitions about joining properties and taking over the inn. I ended anything with him a long time ago.”
“Good. I know how Rex and Kenton felt about your handling things at Chandler Hill, and I admire the way you’ve overseen the development of the inn and the vineyards. I hope my pinot noir is equal to yours. You’ve built a reputation for a very nice wine. Through the years, Dad has saved several of your special bottles for me. I understand Scott Kurey is working with you on making the wines.”
