He’d dreamed all through his teens that one day he’d own a classic car. Yet it wasn’t until he came to the States and worked a few years that he was able to afford one, even one as skeletal as the Crestliner had been when he bought it.
He spent hours on his baby, loving every minute of it. That was, until today. Instead of the car calming his nerves and distracting him from his pain, it stood as a reminder of time spent with Julia. Exactly what he was trying to forget.
Revving the motor while looking for fluid leaks beneath the car’s chassis kept Diego from hearing anything but the potent purr of the V-8 engine. Even without the motor’s noise, Diego was miles away from the present, for all he could think about was Julia and what a mess he’d made of things that morning.
No matter how high the volume was set on his cell phone, he didn’t hear it ring. Nor did he hear Julia’s follow-up call.
His anger told him to get as far away from Salmon Run as he could. He reasoned the only person he was truly angry at was himself. Even if he drove a thousand miles, there would be no getting away from his nagging thoughts wherever he settled.
Besides, his tender heart convinced him he could never travel far from Mariela, Eduardo, and Felicia. These people were his family, and family was everything not only in his culture but in his very soul. Instead he’d find work elsewhere in the Nooksack Valley. If that didn’t pan out, perhaps he’d pay a visit to the University in Bellingham, to see what it would take for him to become a credentialed teacher in the States.
If he had to start all over again, he probably wouldn’t pursue it. Yet if it was only a matter of a few classes, then this fall may be the best time to move in that direction.
Right now the only thing he was certain of was he needed to stay as far away as he could from Julia and the winery. At least until things settled down between her and James. It killed him to have to do that, but his feelings for Julia left him no other choice. He knew he was helplessly in love with the Señora, even if at this moment she was less than thrilled with him.
~ ~ ~
By the time Julia and Gayle woke up from their naps, the kids were hankering to get out to the winery so they could play with their new friends from Vacation Bible School, Eduardo and Felicia. It’d be dark by nine, and it was already five o’clock.
“Auntie Julia, do you think Felicia’ll want to play with me when we get there?” asked Bobbie.
Julia smiled at her little niece. Bobbie looked like the Reynolds side of the family—auburn hair with hazel eyes. And for a moment Julia, flashed on to Robert and his smile.
“I’m sure she will, Bobbie. Do like soccer? Because both Eduardo and Felicia are soccer nuts.”
“Jimmy’s better at soccer than me, but I like it all the same. Do you like soccer, Auntie Julia?”
For a second, Julia couldn’t breathe. All she could think about was how strong and capable Diego had been with the children. They all adored him, and no wonder. Diego was funny, smart, and looked damn good running up and down the field in his soccer shorts and Chicharito jersey.
“Earth to Auntie Julia! Hello!” Bobbie jiggled her aunt’s arm.
“I’m sorry, Bobbie. I was trying to remember if I’ve ever played soccer. You know, I don’t think I have. Maybe you and Felicia could teach me a few moves,” she said in an effort to hide what she was actually thinking.
Jimmy ran into the living room wearing his overstuffed backpack. “Hurry up, Bobbie, and put this on.” He handed Bobbie her overstufffed Disney Princess Elsa backpack. “Mom said we can go as soon as you’re ready, Aunt Julia.”
“Okay then,” said Julia as she stood and folded the knitted afghan which had served as her blanket and placed it over the arm of the couch. “Let’s hit it!”
Gayle grabbed her overnight things and piled the kids and Julia in the minivan. As soon as the four of them pulled out of her driveway, she noticed since waking that Julia was more quiet than usual.
“Is everything okay, Julia? You’re not having second thoughts about us crashing at your place tonight, are you?”
Until that moment, Julia hadn’t realized how upset she was in not having reached Diego.
“No, of course not. I’m thrilled you’d want to spend the night with me, given I’m not the best company right now.” She paused to take in a deep breath. “I called Diego twice, left a message, and I still haven’t heard a word from him. Oh God, Gayle, I’m afraid I’ve blown things with him for good.”
Gayle reached over and patted Julia on her thigh. “Don’t be ridiculous. That man’s nuts about you. Just give him some time. He’ll come around. I’ll bet you anything.”
“I hope you’re right,” she said, even though the lump in her stomach told her differently. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way about someone, if ever. Don’t get me wrong. I loved Robert, but our relationship was somehow different. More like best friends than soul mates.”
She stared down at her hands, willing herself not to cry.
“What I feel for Diego’s much more electric, passionate. Like I can’t go on unless he’s beside me. Oh, Gayle, I don’t know. Am I making any sense to you? I sound more like a love-struck teenager than of a grieving widow. And, believe me, I feel guilty about that all the same, too.”
She’d kept her voice down so Jimmy and Bobbie wouldn’t hear. Luckily, they were both so deeply immersed in watching a DVD, they didn’t pay her much mind.
“Look, Julia. Do you want to be with Diego or not? That’s the real question. All the rest of it is simply nonsense. What do you care what people think? Besides, in my opinion, most people aren’t as interested in your problems as you may think. Everyone of Salmon Run respects you, Julia, for who you are as well as for what you did to stand by Robert during his illness.”
Gayle could hear her voice escalating, but she didn’t care.
“And, if the truth were known, they respect Diego as well. He’s smart, a hard worker, great with kids, and loyal as the day is long. So quit your blubbering and simply get on with your life. It’s the only one you’ve got, so don’t screw it up by being such a nervous Nellie.”
Julia was quiet for so long Gayle worried if she’d said too much too boldly.
Then out of nowhere Julia broke out in giggles. “Thanks, I needed that!” she announced.
“You’re welcome!” Gayle said. “Now as soon as we get to the winery, let’s go down to the compound and see if we can find that handsome Latin lover of yours before we both go nuts!”
“Sounds good to me!”
~ ~ ~
As soon as the car pulled into Julia’s front driveway, Jimmy and Bobbie took off toward the compound. By this time on Sunday evening the children of the workers were usually in their makeshift field playing soccer.
Julia knew Diego was more than likely supervising the soccer antics of his niece and nephew along with all the other kids who loved the game. As Gayle unpacked the minivan, Julia couldn’t help but notice how wiped her sister-in-law still looked.
“Listen, Gayle, I’m going to mosey on down to the compound to see if I can find Diego. Why don’t you relax while I check up on Jimmy and Bobbie for you?”
“Thanks, kid. I still feel totally out of it. Maybe I’ll put my feet up and close my eyes for a few minutes longer. My nap earlier wasn’t all that successful. Funny how I can drop off at church or at work, no problem. Yet as soon as I get home, forget it.”
Julia grabbed her sweater and moved toward the door. “When I get back, I’ll make sure our future soccer stars are with me.”
As she turned the first corner of the road leading down to the compound, Julia searched the field for Diego, but he was nowhere to be seen. Rafael and Mariela were monitoring the children for a change.
Julia somehow knew if they were patrolling the kids, then for s
ure Diego wasn’t around. Her legs felt weak as she made her way toward the field.
She stood on the perimeter of the soccer pitch until Mariela took notice of her. When Julia saw the disturbed look on Mariela’s face, she knew trouble had come to the Pasqual household. She held her breath as Mariela advanced toward her.
“He’s not here, Julia. Diego left for good earlier this afternoon. I’m so afraid for him. He looked as though he’d been in a fight,” Mariela said as she wept.
Julia forced herself not to cry as she fought to comfort her friend. “It’s okay, Mariela, don’t cry. He’s a grown man and knows how to take care of himself. James confronted him at church this morning and the two physically got into it. Other than wounded male pride, I’m certain the two of them weren’t seriously hurt.”
Mariela wiped her eyes on her apron. “His tender heart’s what frightens me the most. Diego cares so deeply for you that I’m at a loss why he’d leave us now of all times.”
Julia stepped back and folded her arms. Staring at the ground, she answered Mariela in a barely audible voice. “It’s my fault, Mariela. I was so upset he’d struck James, I didn’t want to come back home with him. From that he must’ve thought we were finished.”
She raised her gaze to meet Mariela’s. “I am sorry, Mariela. I didn’t mean for Diego to leave. I’ve fallen in love with your brother, and even though I don’t know what to do about that, I never would’ve turned him away. He means far too much for me to do that.”
Mariela put her arms around Julia, this time to transfer her strength and comfort to the Señora. “I know Diego. He’d never leave unless he felt he’d a good reason. Besides, he loves Eduardo and Felicia too much to stay away forever.”
Julia at last broke down and sobbed. “I love him, Mariela. More than I suppose I should. Whatever am I going to do without him?”
Mariela took Julia by the shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. “You’ll know what to do and say when you see him again. Diego loves you, too. I can see it in his eyes. Besides, when a man loves, he can’t stay away for long.”
The women at first didn’t notice the four children who had in the meantime surrounded them, waiting for a break in the conversation to interrupt.
“Mama, mama,” cried Felicia. “Can I spend the night with Bobbie at Señora Julia’s house? Please!”
Eduardo elbowed his way in front of his sister. “And Jimmy invited me, too. Can we please stay, p-l-e-a-s-e?”
“Goodness, you two,” said Mariela. “Are you sure it’s okay with the Señora? Did she invite you or was it Jimmy and Bobbie?”
Jimmy and Bobbie had by now circled their arms around their Aunt Julia in an effort to persuade her with their charms. “Please, Aunt Julia, we want them to stay with us,” Bobbie insisted.
Julia smiled first at her nephew and niece and then at Mariela. With mischief in her eyes, she said, “What do you think, Mariela? Have Eduardo and Felicia been good children? Because if they have, I think the two of them spending the night at my place would be a super idea.”
“Well, if you’re sure, then yes, they’ve been very, very good children.”
“It sounds like it’s a go then!” Julia finalized. The kids then went berserk. Jumping up and down and screaming before making a bee-line to the Pasqual home.
“It’s not too late to bow out,” Mariela offered.
Julia placed her hand on Mariela’s cheek. “I wouldn’t think of it. I’ve fallen in love with your children as well, Mariela, and am happy to have them spend the night at my house. Besides, Gayle’s staying over as well, and I’ll let her run roughshod over the entire crew. She does that sort of thing better than I do. Don’t worry. Everything’ll be fine!”
“I hope so. I’ll make sure they’re on their best behavior. And Julia?”
“Yes?”
Mariela took Julia’s hands in her own. “I’ll talk to Diego next time I see or hear from him. He needs to know how you feel and start doing something about it! Sí?
“Sí!”
As soon as Eduardo and Felicia gathered their things, Julia followed the four children up to the house. As she sauntered up the road, she couldn’t help but think of Diego. She missed him terribly and felt lost without seeing him on the soccer field.
She wondered if Diego felt that same loneliness. A short but earnest prayer formed silently on her lips. Dear God, be with Diego tonight and remind him of how much he’s loved not only by his family but by me as well. Amen. Oh, and PS: Please help me sleep through the night!
~ ~ ~
Diego had trouble getting to sleep that night. Up then down, and up then down again. He turned his gaze toward the clock and couldn’t believe it was already midnight—the witching hour. The fact he was spread out in the back seat of the Crestliner may’ve had something to do with his restlessness. The width of the backseat wasn’t an issue; it was the length. He tried to sleep by keeping one of the backdoors open so his legs could stretch out. In too many ways to mention, that was as uncomfortable as being scrunched up with the door closed. He even tried putting his feet out the side window, but everything about that position was just plain wrong.
Diego was finally left with no other recourse but to sleep in the bed of his old pickup. He’d be sleeping outdoors. Since it was in the heat of summer, the night-time temperature would at least be pleasant, even if the truck bed beneath his long frame was not.
He spread out a few blankets to sleep on and wadded up several old towels for a pillow. By the time he settled in, Diego could think of nothing else but how he spent the previous night in Julia’s bed. The more he thought about her and their time together, the more his body responded.
“Oh, that’s absolutely great!” he said to himself. “Now I’ll never get to sleep.”
He turned over onto his side and pounded his makeshift pillow into submission. If he could merely fall asleep, then he wouldn’t remember how delicious Julia felt against his skin—how soft and warm. How beautiful she looked with her long blonde hair falling over her breasts. How her gentle green eyes tore open his very soul as they made love with the same ease and artistry as two old and familiar lovers.
He missed Julia bad but not enough to go back to the winery. At least not yet. Not until the smoke cleared between her and James. As he stretched out in the back of his truck, he had the strangest sensation. As if he smelled the very smoke he’d hoped would clear from his and Julia’s life as a couple.
Try as he may, he tried to ignore it, thinking what he did smell was merely a trick of his mind. Then all at once it hit him. It was smoke from a fire, and not that far away from where he was.
Diego immediately stood up from his make-shift bed and looked around. He didn’t see anything at first. Then he saw what he gathered were flames coming from the direction of the winery. Quickly, he ran back into his garage and grabbed his cell phone to call first Sheriff van Persie, then Mariela, and finally Julia.
As soon as he opened his phone, he saw Julia had called him that afternoon several times. He’d listen to the messages later. Right now he needed to call emergency services.
Given that the winery production barn had within it bottles of alcohol, along with papers and boxes of every size and shape imaginable, it didn’t take a genius to realize the entire Nooksack Valley Winery and Vineyard could easily burn to the ground in less time than it’d take to get everyone to safety.
Diego was glad he’d logged the sheriff’s office phone number in his phone after that mess at the winery on Friday. Within two rings someone answered. “Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department, Abigail von Buskirk speaking.”
“Hello, this is Diego Gonzales speaking. I smell smoke and I believe I see flames darting out of the roof at Julia’s winery. Please send the Fire Department. I’m on my way over there now!”
Frantically, he hung
up the phone and grabbed the keys to his truck. He thought about all of the children living in the compound, including his niece and nephew. He didn’t hesitate to do what he knew he must. In a flash, Diego hopped into the cab of his truck and drove as fast as he could to where he could only guess the smoke was coming from.
~ ~ ~
James spent the better part of the afternoon with Roland Knudson and Roland’s friend, Fotis Sotiropoulos—a long-time sponsor with Gamblers Anonymous and the uncle of Deputy Christos Sotiropoulos. James knew Fotis, casually that was, for they belonged to the same Rotary Club in Salmon Run.
Fotis was an extremely wealthy man. Now in his late fifties, Fotis had recently retired from his shipping and marine supply business to spend more time with Christos, along with his wife and their children. Before that afternoon, James had no idea Fotis had once had a gambling problem, let alone that such a thing as Gamblers Anonymous existed.
The three men polished off their talk with a light meal which Vera had prepared. Because Roland never had time for breakfast on Sunday mornings, it was a tradition in his home to have a full Sunday breakfast in the evening for dinner instead. Normally he ate much earlier in the day, but because James needed his immediate help, his omelet didn’t appear on his plate until half past six.
As soon as he left the Knudson household, he felt as if the weight of the world lifted off his shoulders. He knew he should call Gayle first before stopping by, but instead he drove directly to his house. He’d so much to tell her.
He also knew he had to speak to Jimmy and Bobbie. To tell them he was sorry for what he’d done and that he was going to be a better father—hell, a better man—from this day forward. Admitting weaknesses and asking for forgiveness were completely foreign to James. Yet if he hoped to have even a glimpse of a chance at getting back with his family again, he’d have to find a way to do just that—apologize.
Love's Harvest (A Salmon Run Novel Book 1) Page 21
