Barbara lowered her gun and stepped out of her shooting stance. “Do either of you two want to tell me what this is all about?”
Sheriff van Persie tried to sound put off, but she wasn’t having much luck, so she holstered her weapon. “I should drag the both of you in for administering a prank call to the Sheriff’s office.”
Julia tried to wipe her eyes, but her tears of laughter wouldn’t stop. “It wasn’t a prank call, Barb. Honestly, after all we’ve been through this last week, I’d think you of all people would understand that.”
Things finally quieted down and Gayle passed the box of Kleenex on Julia’s desk to both women. “Well, as long as you’re here, you might as well congratulate Julia on her award winning Siegerrebe. Show her the letter, Julia.”
Barb gave the document a thorough once over before looking up at Julia with as big a grin on her face as that of her two friends. “Wow, kiddo! Good for you!! You and your people so deserve this, Julia!”
“Turns out Señor Gonzales-Martinez applied for the award last fall, but we didn’t find out about it until today,” Gayle butted in. “I told you, Julia, that man’s a keeper if I ever saw one!”
Barb’s curiosity peaked. “So, what’s with you two, huh, Julia? As far as I can see, Diego is certainly more interested in you and the winery than as a mere employee.”
Julia felt her face redden and her heart skip a beat. “I . . . uh . . . well, he’s a wonderful person. We both care about the winery and the future of . . .”
Gayle could no longer stand Julia’s hemming and hawing. “For goodness’ sake, tell her, Julia. Geez!”
When Julia didn’t immediately reply, Gayle couldn’t help herself. She spilled the beans. “She thinks he’s hot and the feeling’s obviously mutual. There, Julia. Your dirty little secret’s out of the bag!”
Barbara sat down and let out a long whistle. “Oh great!” she finally said sarcastically. “Why don’t you simply load James’s gun with bullets and point it at yourself! No offense, Gayle.”
“None taken!”
Julia crossed her arms and sat on the edge of the desk. “It isn’t that big of a deal, is it? I mean, he’s a nice guy, and we’ve a lot of the same interests.”
“Yeah, like jumping into the sack together!” Gayle snorted.
“Look, Julia. It’s none of my business. Lord knows you deserve someone to love and take care of you. Yet I’m not sure Diego’s the best choice given his position here—”
Julia interrupted the sheriff. “—and he’s Mexican. Is that what you were going to say?”
Barbara looked stunned by Julia’s statement and immediately glanced over at Gayle for help.
“I think what Barb’s saying, Julia, is that now may not be the best time to hook up with anyone, not only Diego,” Gayle continued. “James has a hair up his butt right now. One more thing could set him off, and I’m not sure what’ll happen when he blows.”
Gayle’s face saddened. “Gosh, Julia, I’m so sorry. James never used to act this way, so even I can’t predict his behavior any more than anyone else can.”
“Look, you two,” said Julia. “Diego and I are both aware of the obstacles in front of us. We’ll be careful. You can trust me on that. I don’t want to cause a scene with James any more than you do, but I’m not going to change who I am and what I do because somebody doesn’t approve. I’ve lived most of my life that way already, and I’m tired of it. Diego’s a good man, and you know it! In fact, I feel lucky he has the kind of feelings for me that he does. Now, are you behind me as my friends or not?”
Barbara stood and smiled. “We love you and are only concerned, that’s all. Diego is a great guy, you’re right. And you deserve to have the best.” She then offered Julia her hand to high-five. “Count me in, girlfriend!”
Gayle rose from her seat and went to hug her two pals. “Me too, you lucky girl!”
The women stayed in their tear-filled embrace until they heard Mariela behind them clearing her throat. “Good afternoon, Señora Julia. Is everything all right? I’m not interrupting, am I?”
The women smiled at Mariela as Julia grabbed the award document off her desk. “No, silly, you’re not interrupting a thing. We’re merely celebrating. Turns out our last year’s Siegerrebe won the top prize at the San Francisco International Wine Awards. Look. Can you believe it?”
Mariela grabbed the paper, screamed and then genuflected. “Dulce Madre bendita de Dios! Sweet Blessed Mother of God! This is wonderful news, Julia. Not only for you, but for all of us here at the winery. Wait until I tell the others!”
All four women danced around the office in joy, high-fiving each other with each dosey doe. With Mariela in the lead, they no sooner conga danced out of the office door when they came face to face with Diego leaning against the doorjamb, his straw hat pushed back from his smiling face.
“Mariela, you’re starting to act as loco as the rest of these Lutheran ladies. Does Rafa know what you’re up to?” he asked teasingly.
Barbara pushed herself ahead of Mariela and shook her finger at the man grinning from ear to ear. “Who are you calling loco? Not the sheriff, I hope. Besides, I’m Dutch Reformed, not Lutheran like these other two nuts!”
“Don’t you mean, ‘Much Deformed’?” poked Gayle, in fun.
Barbara grabbed the award letter out of Mariela’s hand and whacked Gayle playfully on the top of head. “I’ll show you ‘Much Deformed’!”
“Wait a minute!” Mariela finally piped in. “I’m not a Lutheran or a Much-Whatever–You-Said. I’m Catholic, so there, and Rafa doesn’t need to know everything I do!”
She stared intently into Diego’s eyes. “And if you tell him we were dancing around acting like . . . like . . . Lutherans, I’ll make sure you attend Mass every Sunday morning from now until Hell freezes over.”
Julia could tell Mariela was only half-teasing. Yet, everyone was having so much fun that nothing was taken offensively. Julia was amazed at how capable Mariela was at standing up for herself, as well as what a funny sense of humor both she and Diego possessed.
She wished she too could loosen up and be that free and spontaneous, but with the responsibilities of the winery coupled with the year of anguish, Julia knew it’d be some time before she’d be able to access the playful side of her personality. Nevertheless, she decided to give it a go.
She took the awards letter out of Barbara’s hand and showed it to Diego. “What I want to know is whatever possessed you to send in our Siegerrebe last fall for evaluation without asking either Robert or me for permission, Señor Gonzales-Martinez?”
Julia tried her best to look irritated.
Taking a moment to figure out whether Julia was pulling his leg or not, Diego at last answered. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m as loco as a Lutheran too, huh? Why do you ask?”
The room fell silent for a brief moment. Then Julia’s face lit up. “Because we won top honors, you wonderfully exasperating man, you!” Once again all four women started screaming and dancing around the room.
“Let me see that!” Diego grabbed the document out of Julia’s hand. As he read it, he too laughed and cheered with the others. He took Julia in his arms and danced with her around the office while the others clapped time to their overdone twirls and silly gyrations.
When their dancing finally ended, Diego put his arm around Julia’s shoulders and pulled her into his side. “Well, I’ll say one thing. You Lutherans sure know how to celebrate!”
Julia and the women again fell apart laughing.
“Maybe I should switch and become a Catholic,” said Barbara. “We were never taught to dance like that growing up in my church.”
“Me either,” said Gayle.
“You know, we Protestants might be a goofy bunch, but we still know how to have fun with each other. You can
bet your life on that! Yet it’s my professional opinion as Sheriff of this county that nobody dances better than the folks who attend Our Lady of the Valley. That’s some kind of fancy footwork you got there, Mister Diego!”
Diego pulled off his hat and bowed deeply. “Gracias, Señorita Barbara. Though I think my talent comes from my sister more than from the church.” He then took Mariela in his arms and spun her into a few elaborate turns before he let go.
“Wow!” said Gayle. “You guys should open a dance studio. I don’t know about you gals, but I wouldn’t mind learning a few of those steps myself.”
~ ~ ~
After the laughter and applause had wound down, both Barbara and Mariela excused themselves, saying they had to get back to work if they were going to get their Saturday chores done before nightfall. Even Gayle gave up her stack of correspondence, citing she had to swing by home to get Jimmy to his ball game and Bobbie to play rehearsal.
Everyone shared their good-byes with one another, leaving Diego and Julia once again alone in her office.
“Your friends are a lot of fun,” noted Diego.
Julia smiled and nodded her head. “We all need to lighten up around here. Just because we’ve a great deal of work to do doesn’t mean we can’t have fun doing it. By the way, what brought you up here to my office just now?”
“You mean, besides all the girlie laughter?”
“We weren’t that loud!” Julia asserted. “Were we?”
Diego lifted his eyebrow and peered at her roguishly. “Actually I came up to tell you to be ready by six. I’ve a dinner reservation in town for six-thirty. Let’s get dressed up and celebrate our good news. We’ve much to be thankful for, sí?”
“Sí!” Julia smiled up at his ruggedly handsome face. Diego held so much warmth and tenderness in the way he looked at her, Julia couldn’t help but feel a quickening in her body, from her lady parts to her nipples.
She thought he was going to kiss her on the lips, but instead he took her hands in his and kissed the inside of both of her palms. Julia’s breath caught as she shuddered. She knew Diego felt it, too, but he merely smiled teasingly as he let her hands go to put on his hat. “Don’t forget, Julia. Six o’clock, okay?”
“I’ll be ready!” Hell, I’m past ripe now, she thought to herself. Diego tipped his hat and smiled as he left her alone in her office, her body melting into mush.
~ ~ ~
It only took Julia two hours and five complete changes of dress to finally feel she was ready for this evening’s date with Diego. She’d chosen a spaghetti-strapped, turquoise chiffon cocktail-length dress with strappy silver heels, accessorized with silver earrings, a necklace, and several bracelets to match.
The heat of the afternoon hadn’t totally disappeared, so she styled her hair in her signature chignon which skimmed the nape of her neck. It’d been a long time since she’d felt this excited—or beautiful, for that matter. Even when concertizing Julia could never simply let herself go and fully enjoy playing.
That was one of the reasons why she now preferred to stay at home and merely play the piano for her own enjoyment. No demanding conductor to accommodate, no difficult cadenza to memorize and remember, and no terrifying trip on a jet to live through. Nothing to interfere with the happiness she felt in this moment as she made herself ready for her and Diego’s much anticipated date.
True to his word, Diego rang her front doorbell at six p.m. sharp. Julia picked up her white jeweled cardigan sweater and silver clutch. As she moved toward the door, she worried perhaps she’d overdressed. She assumed Diego perhaps owned something to wear for church, but she doubted he had anything in his closet close to the expense of her outfit. Not on the salary she paid him. Oh, well. Too late now.
When she opened the door, Julia’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. There stood Diego in a black tuxedo with a matching black bowtie and leather shoes. He appeared so sophisticated and handsome that she stopped breathing, her eyes as big as Mariela’s homemade tortillas.
“Julia, you look more beautiful than I could ever imagine. I’m speechless.” Diego surveyed her from her sexy shoes to the top of her head. “Absolutely stunning!”
Julia smiled demurely. As much as she wanted Diego to find her pleasing to his eye, being complimented on her looks was always a bit tough for her to accept. Praise her for her artistry, her intelligence, or her courage, and she was in safe waters—but on her beauty? Not so much. Yet the dress tonight did make her feel prettier than usual, and apparently that was all the magic she needed.
“Come. We’ll ride in my car.” Assuming Diego drove a truck, Julia was startled by what she saw in front of her. Diego placed his hand on the small of her back and led her to one of the most exquisite automobiles she’d ever seen.
It was obviously a classic, but exactly what make and year, she hadn’t the foggiest.
“Is this your car?” she asked.
“Sí, I have it garaged a mile or so from here. Sometimes when I finish working in the vineyard, I enjoy tinkering with it. It’s a kind of hobby.”
Julia could hardly believe this oversized root beer colored convertible belonged to a man she thought she knew. Now she wasn’t so sure. “Goodness, Diego, what is it?”
“It’s a Ford Crestliner. 1951.” Diego smiled in pride. “Do you like it?”
Julia’s eyes were bright with surprise. “Do I like it? My goodness, Diego. It’s unbelievable! You did all this work yourself?” she asked, looking at the sheen of the paint and the shine of the chrome.
“Of course. It took a good year or more, but yes, the work is all mine.” Diego opened the door for her to slide in and then circled around to his side and slid in as well.
As soon as he did, he pulled her close enough so that their legs touched. “This is my first big outing with the car, and so I’m honored to share it with you, Julia.”
Julia thought of what she could say in return, but was transfixed on the heat she felt coming from Diego as it ran up her left thigh. “Well, then this is a real treat!” she said and smiled.
Diego started the engine and revved the motor for fun. “You’re telling me!” He then put his right arm around Julia’s shoulders and they were off. The evening cooled off to the perfect temperature for a ride in an open-air car. Julia felt caught up in the giddiness of the occasion. Dinner out with her orchard manager. Who would’ve thought?
She chattered all the way to the restaurant, telling Diego about her concertizing days on the small-town symphony circuit and her piano teachers both when she was a young girl and later in college. Diego did his part to keep up by sharing about his years as an elementary school teacher in Guadalajara and about his parents back home.
He told her how his father taught him everything he needed to know about working on cars. She could tell from the tone of his voice he longed to see his mother and father again, even though he didn’t know how he could leave the winery now that they needed to accelerate the production and marketing of their newly prized Siegerrebe.
All in all, Julia couldn’t remember a time when she’d had more fun. Robert had been a wonderful friend and companion, but when it came to having fun or being spontaneous, he fell short. Of course, until tonight, Julia had no idea the quiet and stern-faced man she knew as Diego Gonzales-Martinez was as amusing and impulsive as he now seemed. Nor had she any idea he could look that good while driving his amazing car. In fact, it was difficult to tell exactly who or what was sexier: Diego dressed in his all black tux or his brilliantly refurbished classic car.
The minutes spent traveling between the winery and the restaurant passed quickly. As soon as Diego pulled into the parking lot, Julia recognized it as Ristorante Sabatini, once run by Cosimo and Eleanora Sabatini but now owned and managed by their daughter, Adriana.
Julia wondered how Diego could afford all of
this but decided not to question. At least not until the bill came. She’d at least offer to go Dutch. She always thought that was an odd saying, made all the more strange since living in the Nooksack Valley, where over one hundred years ago the Dutch settled.
Diego put the car in park, hopped out while it was still running, and handed the valet his keys. It was obvious to Julia as Diego and the valet spoke—in Spanish no less—that the two men knew each other.
Diego opened the passenger door and helped Julia to her feet, all the while laughing at the valet and winking at Julia. At the end of their quick conversation, the valet patted Diego on his shoulder and then drove Diego’s car to its designated slot.
As Julia and Diego made their way to the front door, Julia pressured Diego to tell her what the exchange had been about.
“Ah, his name’s Fermin. He’s been in the valley about as long as I have.” Diego smiled and shook his head.
“And what did he say?”
“You really want to know?
“Yes,” Julia insisted. “I do.”
Diego chuckled. “He asked if I’d stolen the car.”
“Seems to me like the conversation was a bit longer than that. Is that really all he had to say?”
Diego gazed into her eyes warmly and took her hand in his. “No.”
“Well? Aren’t you going to tell me?” Julia was insistent.
Diego grinned as he opened the door to the restaurant. “He asked if you came with the car. I told him to mind his own business, and he said his lips were sealed. Come, let’s enjoy our evening. Fermin was only having fun.”
Julia nodded. She was about to say something when Adriana greeted the two of them and led them to their reserved table. Diego had called ahead to make sure he and Julia could be alone by the window which overlooked the Nooksack River below.
“Good evening, Julia. It’s really nice to see you again. It’s been a long time,” Adriana said kindly.
Love's Harvest (A Salmon Run Novel Book 1) Page 15
