by Nadia Gordon
“Brando circa On the Waterfront,” said Monty.
“Exactly,” said Wade.
Monty held out his glass for a refill. “I can’t help thinking how sad it is that Jack spent his life being in love with his high-school sweetheart and she was married to someone else the whole time.”
“You’re such a little girl, Lenstrom,” said Rivka. “He didn’t really love her. It was a land grab.”
“It makes it easier to think so,” said Sunny, “but that’s not how Nesto described what he saw. He said he’d never seen Jack put his arms around Larissa or anyone else the way he did with Claire. He thought they were in love.”
“Love will get you every time,” said Wade.
A pensive silence fell over the group. Things had worked out well for Wade but not for Claire and her two little girls, or for Larissa, or Al and Louisa Beroni. They had all lost so much.
Wade trudged off toward the winery for more glasses. Sunny lay back and looked at the eggshell-blue sky directly overhead. To the west, thick gray clouds were forming, and already the temperature was dropping. The parched land would smell wonderful when the first drops hit it and all the plants woke up. She wished the rain would come now, but tomorrow would be soon enough. That would give Wade time to get in the last of his harvest. She thought of the gray light of a rainy day and the sound of the drops thrumming on the roof.
“You know,” she said, rolling up on one elbow, “a nice, dull rainy day sounds great to me right about now.”
“Me, too,” said Charlie.
“My favorite thing is to put on some music, like Segovia or Peter Tosh or just about anything, and make grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, grab a book, and open a bottle of good, cheap red wine,” said Sunny. “You know, nothing fancy, so you don’t have to pay attention and you can just slug it down.”
“I’ll be over at noon tomorrow,” said Monty.
“Me, too,” said Rivka.
“Doesn’t anybody around here have to work for a living?” asked Charlie.
“It’s probably going to keep raining until dinnertime,” said Sunny, tipping her head back to smile at him and feeling a gust of cool air brush her cheek.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author wishes to thank the many people who generously offered their advice, input, and expertise on the matters of food, wine, and human nature throughout the course of the writing of this book. Special thanks to my brother G., who schooled me in the ways of Assault Golf, a noble game which should rightly be known as his own invention and not that of Wade Skord. I am deeply indebted to my wonderful mom in so many ways, but particularly with respect to this project. Without her enthusiasm and support, this book would not have been completed. I would also like to thank R. S. for his many contributions. Whenever I saw that fiendish look light up his face, I knew his brain was about to disgorge a thought of great usefulness. Further thanks to Mark for comparing the manuscript against his extensive personal archive of facts; to R. C. for her culinary prowess; to L. L. for the same, and for starting it all; and to J. W. for his sassy wit and savoir-boire. Thanks also to Norm for sharing his experiences and expertise; to Leslie J., whose joyful spirit and love of good food are inspiring; to Nik for his friendship and frank opinions (less of that next time, please); and to D. C., who read and listened and was there like a true friend. Thanks also to my editor, Jay S., for his patience, good judgment, and innumerable contributions at every stage. What succeeds best in this book is there thanks to Jay, who makes work fun. And last but not least, my thanks and fond appreciation to Jay L., who provided instruction and motivation by his good example. Santé!
Copyright
Copyright © 2002 by Chronicle Books LLC.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.
eISBN: 978-0-8118-3462-9
Though Napa Valley and the adjacent regions are full of characters, none of them are in this book. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is entirely coincidental.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available.
ISBN-10: 0-8118-3462-X
Book and cover design by Benjamin Shaykin
Cover photo by Rebecca Floyd
Composition by Kristen Wurz
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