Diego crouched next to him.
“Are you okay, amigo? You ran away from Felicia and me so quickly, I couldn’t tell.”
“I’m sorry I yelled at you, Uncle Diego. Sometimes living here is hard. I want to go to school like all the other children who live in Washington, not do home studies with my little sister.”
Diego handed Eduardo a clean bandana for him to wipe his eyes.
“Felicia loves you, and all she wants is for you to be happy. It’s what I want, too. So do your mama and papa. Believe me, I know how difficult it is to leave a home you love and start over. You’re stronger than you think, and you are loved more than you could possibly know. We are proud of the way you hold yourself—with courage, with integrity, and with self-confidence. All we need to do is find a way for you to find your joy.”
“I love soccer,” Eduardo added. “Soccer brings me joy.”
“I know, answered Diego. “If you didn’t love soccer so much, I’m fairly sure I could never get you to do your mathematics.”
Eduardo gazed up at his uncle and smiled. “I’ll try harder, Uncle Diego. But please don’t make me learn the names of forty-nine more states.”
With that Diego laughed and hugged the boy.
“Come on. Let’s go back and get something to eat. Then we’ll see about putting a scrimmage together. Okay?”
“Okie dokie, artichokie!”
It’d be some time before he or the children would forget—if ever—his friend and employer, Robert Reynolds. And that was just fine with Diego.
~ ~ ~
When Julia woke from her nap, she felt disoriented. The sunlight still poured into her bedroom, giving her the sense she may have slept through the entire night. The clock read 6:30. But was that a.m. or p.m.?
Feeling the heat of the day, she realized she’d only been asleep a few hours, except her body suggested much longer. Even when she washed her face, she couldn’t help but notice how much more rested she appeared. She even had some color on her cheeks, perhaps from yesterday’s outdoor graveside service.
Most startling, however, was the sudden realization she’d slept well by herself and in the very bed she and Robert had shared before everything went haywire. Julia moaned softly as she realized how the bed no longer belonged to her and Robert, but rather was hers alone.
It felt odd to suddenly come to that awareness. Robert passed away less than a week ago, and already she was beginning to feel him gradually disappear from her life. A part of her knew Robert would never be totally gone from his place in her heart, but she also knew it was time for her to release the vise-like grip he had on her soul.
After a quick shower, Julia set up her computer at the dining room table, hoping to get her mind off of her loneliness for Robert. Due to his illness, the winery’s finances had been horrendously neglected over the past year.
She clicked open one of the file folders. Her mind unexpectedly drifted to the conversation she’d had with Diego the night before. No doubt about it, she’d enjoyed his company. And what that was about, she hadn’t the foggiest. After all, she wasn’t particularly interested in starting a relationship. Nor did it have anything to do with the business of the winery. She simply wanted to see him. Funny, she thought. They hardly knew each other, and yet she felt as if she and Diego had been dear friends for years.
She imagined he was more than likely at the compound, or perhaps out in the vineyard. It was probably best she wait to talk to him until tomorrow morning at their meeting. But something compelled her to grab her sweater and walk down the road toward the workers’ housing. She thought about what she’d say to him once she got there, but nothing came to mind.
Several times, she considered turning around and returning home, but she wasn’t quite able to do that either. My God, I feel as if I am in high school again.
As she made her way toward the dusty compound, she thought of how she would’ve loved to give the workers nicer places to live. As it was, the compound provided only small apartments and a couple bunkhouses, hardly enough space to house a family or extended family members. They were clean and functional, but that was it. Other than the grassy field where the children played, there was no playground other than the dirt parking lot in front of the buildings. No yards to play in or to grow flowers and vegetables.
The closer she got to Mariela and Rafael’s apartment, the clearer the voices of the children playing soccer became. She and Robert talked about having children, but with her concert career and his focus on the winery, nothing ever came of it.
And quite honestly, children never seemed to be her thing. At the time, only her piano and career mattered to her. And Robert, of course. Yet she had to admit she’d enjoyed playing the piano and sharing her dinner with Felicia and Eduardo yesterday. And they’d seemed to have had fun with her as well. Who knew?
“Señora!” piped up Felicia. “Señora, look. I am playing football with the big kids. They let me play with them!” The smile overtaking the child’s face was enormous. Even with a few missing front teeth, Felicia’s smile was a beautiful image to behold.
Julia smiled back. “That’s wonderful! Good for you!” But her focus was suddenly drawn to Diego who stood on the opposite side of the field, coaching the children, giving tips on how to warm up their muscles and stretch so as not to be injured. Julia waved at him, but he didn’t return her greeting.
Instead he turned his back, keeping his focus on the children at his feet. Surely he’d seen her. But, why did he obviously ignore her? He seemed friendly enough the evening before.
Feeling awkward, she didn’t know whether to once more try and get his attention, or merely turn around and head back up the road toward her house. But she was no dummy. Even though Julia would prefer Diego acknowledge her, she also had her pride. The minute she decided to return home, however, Mariela emerged from her front door.
“Eduardo. Felicia. Time to come in for supper. Don’t forget to wash your hands.” Mariela’s voice rang out across the field. When she saw Julia, she smiled at her and walked over to where she was standing.
“Señora.” She nodded toward Julia.
“Mariela.” Julia nodded in return.
“Can I help you with something?” Julia noted a slight terseness in Mariela’s voice. Now she was on the spot.
“I uh . . . I merely wanted to thank you one more time, before tomorrow, for all you and your people here at the compound have done to make me feel welcome and cared for. We begin a busy week tomorrow morning, and I simply wanted to make sure you knew how much you were appreciated.”
Mariela studied Julia for several silent seconds.
“You already told me that, Señora. Why are you really here?”
Oh, boy, she thought as her face reddened. Julia was totally stumped as to what to say.
“That’s all.” She fidgeted. “Well, maybe I am being somewhat repetitive. It’s only that I feel a bit lost without Robert. And you and Diego were so kind to me last night . . .”
Mariela took Julia’s soft and elegant hands between her own rough and calloused ones.
“I understand, Señora. But you must also understand about my brother. He’s been hurt in the past. Hurt so badly that for the longest time he didn’t talk to anyone, let alone another woman. Now, he speaks with you. And laughs. And smiles. This can’t continue, for if it does, Diego will find himself destroyed, perhaps even worse than before. And I can’t allow that to happen. You understand?”
Julia felt the heat of shame rising from her chest, flushing her cheeks. She nervously diverted her eyes to those clasped in front of her and nodded. Taking in a deep breath, she raised her head and in the most business-like voice she could manage, she said, “I understand your concerns. Once again, thank you for your help this weekend. I look forward to our meeting in the morning.”
Julia turned around slowly and began to make her way up the hill along the winding road connecting the housing of her workers to her own. She knew Mariela gazed after her, but didn’t dare turn and see if Diego was aware of her conversation with his sister. It didn’t matter. Julia’s loneliness had allowed her to forget Diego was merely her employee and nothing more. She was on her own for the first time in her life and it was time she realized it, regardless of how terrifying it might be!
~ ~ ~
Diego glanced toward his sister as he heard her calling everyone in for supper. Julia’s back was to him, so he wasn’t able to see what was exchanged between the two women, but he could guess. His sister could be stubborn and direct, especially if she thought one of her children or a member of her family was at risk of getting hurt.
Plus, Mariela was right. He wasn’t being realistic. Julia could never be the woman for him. He was nothing compared to her. The Señora needed to be with a man who’d provide for her and give her everything. Julia and he were worlds apart. It’d be best if he satisfied himself with merely being Julia’s employee.
He had resisted feelings of caring and affection for so long, now that they were beginning to re-emerge, he had to fight to hold them back. Yet, his heart stirred with the possibility of something warm and alive being reawakened, an elusive spark of hope refusing to be ignored.
But what was he thinking? Julia’s husband, a man whom he had call friend, had just died. He remembered how vulnerable he had been when his fiancée had left him for his best friend. No, it was best he keep his distance for now. More than anything he knew the Señora was relying on his loyalty and commitment to the winery. And at tomorrow’s meeting he was determined to show her just exactly that.
Chapter 4
The business meeting began at eight o’clock sharp. Mariela and Diego were already seated at the long, oak conference table. Next to them sat the winery’s accountant, Duncan D’Angelo. Across from him were two of the workers from production, Umberto Colon and Joaquin Lopez. Joaquin had worked with the Reynolds family for many years, but Umberto was fairly new and exceedingly young.
Normally Rafael didn’t attend. Either he looked after the children for Mariela or worked on the jewelry he made and sold at the local growers and flea markets. This was Julia’s first winery meeting. Ever. And she wasn’t about to take any chances. Not knowing what to expect, she’d invited Sheriff Barbara to attend as well.
Whenever the winery closed for a staff meeting, the tasting room became the makeshift conference room. Often this area served as an undersized chamber concert hall or gathering place when both she and Robert performed along with many other local musicians. The room had a certain richness, with a stone fireplace at one end made out of river rock and a beautiful wood-hewn bar at the other. The ceiling was fashioned out of stained planks of cedar and featured several skylights allowing in the natural light of the northwest Washington sunshine. The stools, benches, and floors were made from wood indigenous to the area. Many windows invited customers and guests alike to look out across the nearby rolling farm and ranch lands, as well as the vineyard itself, to the majestic Olympic mountain range in the distance.
The outside of the main winery building, however, appeared shabby and neglected. From the road, few found the winery unless they saw the faded, dilapidated sign near the gravel entrance. The Nooksack Valley Winery looked as though it was anything but operational.
It’d fallen victim to the elements of weather or perhaps a marauding party of vandals. Julia knew how crucial it was for marketing to have an inviting façade. Otherwise, no matter how delicious or popular the wine, it became difficult to sell. This, among many other issues, had to be brought up on this morning’s agenda if the winery was ever going to garner a second chance.
After everyone was seated, Julia stood up from her chair and handed each person a copy of the agenda she’d put together.
“Good morning, everyone. Thank you for coming on such short notice. I want to thank each and every one of you for helping the Nooksack Valley Winery and Vineyard remain operational these last six months. This has been a difficult year for us all, but with your help I know we can rebuild this beautiful place into a popular and successful business. I rely on your dedication and many talents, which I have seen off and on over the last year.”
Julia felt her mouth grow dry, probably from nerves but also from the sheer amount of words she needed to say. She quickly glanced about the room and caught Diego’s eye. The heat from her reddened cheeks was also affecting her delivery.
She coughed.
“Señora,” Diego said as he stood. “May I bring you a glass of water?”
Julia nodded.
“If you would, please.”
The silence in the room was palatable as everyone watched Diego patiently fill a paper cup with water from the nearby water cooler.
“Here you are, Señora.”
Diego handed her the cup, his fingers lightly touching her own, sending a bolt of electricity throughout her body. She quickly took a swallow.
As soon as the cup left her lips, Diego smiled, forcing her to take another large gulp. He turned and went back to his seat, finally allowing Julia to regain her composure.
“Thank you, Diego. I’m not sure what came over me. As I was saying, we have excellent grapes, an immaculate vineyard, as well as a recognizable and trendy label. Everything is in our court. That doesn’t mean we still don’t have challenges which need to be discussed, but it is my understanding we should have a crop of prize-winning Siegerrebe by this October. Now, let’s each take a turn voicing our particular concerns as they relate to your job area. Mariela, if you would please go first.”
Julia sat down quickly and gave Mariela the floor. That didn’t go too badly. Public speaking wasn’t her forte. Her heart raced, and perspiration collected in the middle of her back.
“Gracias, Señora,” said Mariela as she stood. “The tasting room is still an excellent money maker, but unfortunately we are running low on the supplies. We are entirely out of Madeleine Angevine, our most popular wine. Also, people continually ask me if we sell T-shirts or wine bottle openers. And regretfully I have to tell them no.” Mariela cleared her throat. She was definitely on a roll.
“I think it’d be good if we had some souvenirs for customers to buy besides our wine. The membership of the wine club could grow if we presented gifts to our subscribers. The membership is low, Señora—the lowest it has been for some time.”
Julia began to take notes. Although surprised by Mariela’s forthright presentation, she was moved by the woman’s honesty and obvious care for her responsibilities at the winery. Mariela had a passionate connection to the winery, even if it was rarely demonstrated so keenly.
“Thank you, Mariela. Those are fine ideas. I suggest we sit down one afternoon this week and brainstorm. I know everyone here would love to see the membership of our wine club exceed its previous numbers. Plus, you’re right. We do need to fatten up our inventory for retail.”
Mariela’s smile lit up the entire room.
“Does anyone else have anything to add regarding retail?” Julia asked.
Once again a silence fell on the room as everyone but Duncan stared at the table in front of them. “I have something to say.”
He stood. After all, he was the money man—the guy in charge of the finances for this struggling excuse of a winery. It was no secret the winery’s profits were in financial straits. Julia was well aware of the financial hole the winery had dug over the past year. Guessing what Mr. D’Angelo might add, Julia braced herself.
“Mr. D’Angelo, please. We appreciate whatever it is you have to report, no matter how painful.” Julia smiled at the accountant as the tension in the room lightened enough for them to give the man their full attention.
Duncan cleared his throa
t and began a speech which to Julia’s ears seemed rehearsed.
“It is all well and good to project a bountiful membership drive, a heavily stocked retail inventory, and a banner year for the not-yet-harvested Siegerrebe grapes. But, the bottom line is the bottom line. And this winery’s bottom line is currently so far in the red, I doubt you’ll be able to stay open longer than the end of this week.” Duncan directed his stare toward Julia, waiting for the answer which he knew she didn’t have.
“Unless you have some secret benefactor whom I’ve never met?”
Julia’s heart sank while she watched him take his seat. Of course, she didn’t have a benefactor. She did have a little life insurance money coming to her. She could always invest that in the winery. It’d mean not paying her bills—at least for a few months. Not paying her bills would have James breathing down her neck. Not that she cared.
She didn’t want to give him any more fuel to feed his enthusiastic desire to close the winery for good. She’d heard rumors from both Sheriff Barbara and some of the winery workers to the effect that both Duncan and James were desperate to demolish the winery once and for all so as to redevelop the land.
“No, Duncan. You know as well as I do, we have no such benefactor. In the past we’ve been able to depend upon my income. Unfortunately, those days are over. It’s your job as our accountant to find a way for the winery to stay open. At least ‘til the end of October. That way we can at least have a chance to produce our Siegerrebe. I have a feeling the quality of our harvest will bring about a prize-winning wine.”
Diego stood up and spoke in his serious, all-business voice. “It is true, Señora. You’ve my assurance this year’s grapes, like last year’s, will be of the highest quality. We should have a plentiful harvest as well. Our workers have wisely maintained the vineyard this past year. Based on our assessments, this year’s crop is sure to be a moneymaker. I wouldn’t be surprised if the bank would offer a short-term loan based upon that strong projection. Wouldn’t you agree, Señor D’Angelo?”
Love's Harvest (A Salmon Run Novel Book 1) Page 5
