by Jo Leigh
“Cameron, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I shouldn’t... It’s nothing. We’ll talk about it another time.”
“No. That’s not fair. You can’t leave me wondering. I won’t be able to think of anything else.”
“It’s just...I don’t want you to think I was hiding something. And I need you to know so that we can discuss things.”
“What things?”
His eyes closed for a moment, then opened again. “I got the call from my boss. We’re fully funded.”
After a stunned silence, she said, “That’s good, right?”
“Right.” He gave her a small smile and touched her face. “They want the team to get straight to work. They’re making sure we have the best resources money can buy. There’s oversight, which is always good, but we’re in this for the long haul, with yearly reviews to see if we need more capital. It’s not just U.S. funds, either. The World Health Organization has taken a stand, and we’re going to be one of four facilities worldwide working on the problem. We’ll share information, which is kind of unprecedented, but this isn’t about profit. Well, not all about profit.”
He’d spoken so quickly, she wasn’t sure she’d gotten all the details, but it didn’t matter, because there was only one that counted. He was leaving. “When?”
“Next month.”
Her breath left her in a huff. They’d both be leaving in October? That should have made her feel better, but October was too soon. Far too soon. He had his arms around her before she even realized she needed them to hold her up. “Hey, wait. I know it’s a long way from here to Syracuse, but maybe I could, you know, come down on weekends. When you had an event or whatever. I can always work on the train. That way you can stay on track with your schedule and I’ll try to be there to help when you need me.”
She shook her head, but couldn’t get her voice to work. He would do that for her?
“I wouldn’t get in the way of your career,” he said. “I swear to God, I wouldn’t. I know how important it is for you, and how busy you are, but—”
She raised her hand and covered his mouth. “Stop. Please. I was going to tell you, but everything happened so fast. I’m going to France.”
His forehead furrowed, and she let him speak. “France? When? For how long?”
“I’m leaving at the end of next month. I’ve been offered a position there. With Phillip and Simone. I’ll be working side by side with them at the vineyard and selling wines all over the world.”
“Oh. No kidding.” He seemed shocked. Of course he was—this had come out of the blue. “That would be a good career move, huh?”
She nodded.
His hold on her loosened and he took a half step back. “That’s impressive. And it’s with your foster parents, so that’s the best, right? That’ll put you on the map. You’ll be leaps and bounds ahead of the game.”
Her insides twisted as what had always been a comfortable silence between them became a wall. “We always knew this wasn’t supposed to be forever,” she said finally. “It wasn’t even supposed to be real.”
He nodded. But he didn’t look at her.
“And, anyway, you’re going to be doing the work of a lifetime. You shouldn’t be worrying about traveling on weekends—you should be resting. Thinking. Making yourself a life in Syracuse. You said you would probably be on that project for the rest of your career.”
“That’s...that’s true. I will. I’ve got a down payment saved to buy a place there. The housing market’s decent. Not like Manhattan, that’s for sure.”
She wanted to be happy for him. He deserved all the happiness in the world. How had they let it go so far? After all her planning and assurances that it was impossible, how on earth had she not realized she’d fallen in love?
“You know, I think I’ll make myself a drink,” he said. “I’ve got some fine whiskey in the cupboard. A gift from one of my thesis advisers. He’s from Scotland. It’s a Talisker, aged eighteen years.” He opened a high cupboard and pulled out a tall blue box. Before he opened it, he brought down two glasses. “Would you like some? Or I can still make you a soda or some iced tea.”
“I’d like some whiskey. Thank you. I’ve never had Talisker, and I’ve heard it’s great.”
“Yeah. I like mine on the rocks.”
“Me, too.”
He pulled up the bottle, the amber liquid shining in the light from the setting sun. “They say it’s fiery, yet tastes like it was made from the sea. That’s because they make it on the Isle of Skye right at the beach in Loch Harport.”
She smiled. “Think we can ever drink anything without wanting to know its provenance?”
“Soda,” he said. “I don’t care where my cola comes from.”
“That’s true.”
She rubbed her arms, sorry she’d worn a sleeveless blouse now that she felt so chilly. The clink of ice cubes didn’t help much, but the scotch should warm her up.
She should have never talked about France. Not today, not after his victory.
When he finally turned around, he held out her glass. She took it, and he lifted his own. “To your brilliant career.”
Her glass kissed his. “To yours.”
* * *
BEST IDEA HE’D had in ages, pulling out the Talisker. It made it much easier to paste on a smile when they went down to dinner. The whole family, except for Ruby, who’d gone back to Indiana, was gathered there, along with every one of the pub’s employees. It was a huge damn party, where they had enough prizewinning beer for only one round each because they’d sold so much at the festival.
Karla had pulled out all the stops. She’d made enough smoked brisket and tamales to feed an army. Her kids had cooked up her special-recipe potato salad, and the bakery two doors down had brought in a giant sheet cake with The Four Sisters logo on top.
The place was more crowded than the night of the blackout, and Cam’s back hurt from getting congratulated by so many people. It helped that Molly was trying so hard. She really was happy for him, and except for how monumentally fucked-up everything was, he was happy for her, too.
Soon she’d be with the family she loved, and he’d be with his team. It would be okay. They’d both be busy as hell, and work was so consuming, he’d probably get over her in no time.
They ate, although his appetite wasn’t what it could have been, and they lifted their glasses for a number of toasts. And since it seemed to be the night for making announcements, he figured he’d make one more.
He stood up and whistled to get everyone’s attention. It took a while, but finally the room was as quiet as it was going to get with a plethora of beer drinkers in it. “I have news, people. October 31, you won’t have me to kick around anymore. I’m going back to my real job. The one that doesn’t involve a bunch of bikers making a mess every damn night or a jukebox that makes the bed shake like it’s got Magic Fingers.”
“I heard it wasn’t a jukebox making that bed shake.”
Cam wasn’t sure which idiot had yelled that out, but it got a laugh, and a blush from Molly. “Sorry, sweetie,” he said. “I warned you about this place.”
“It’s fine,” she said as she stood. She lifted her glass, filled with draft beer this time. “Here’s to the man who created the fantastic beer we all love so much, and who’s leaving behind his wonderful family for one of the most important jobs in the world. You watch—before he’s through, he’s going to save this pitiful world of ours from our own excesses. To Dr. Cameron Crawford.”
The cheers barely penetrated. He didn’t even remember to take a drink for his own toast. He just kept staring at her. At the woman he was going to miss so much, he could barely comprehend it.
“Hold up,” he said, so quietly his father had to repeat it for him in a loud voice. Gordon got everyone to shut up
again and then Cam turned to his dad. “Sorry to give you the news like this, but hell, everyone here’s family, right? Don’t worry. I’ll make sure there are plenty of fall and winter beers ready to try before I leave.”
His father shook his head as if he didn’t give a crap about the beer. “I’m glad you got the funding, son. I’m proud of you, and I always will be.”
A smattering of applause died down quickly as Cam looked at each one of his sisters. “You’ve been a real pain in my ass.”
“Ah, stop,” Amber said. “You know we hate it when you get all mushy.”
He smiled as best he could. “There’s one last surprise for tonight.” He turned toward Emmy, standing at the edge of the bar. “Would you mind?”
“No worries, bro. I kind of figured.” She disappeared into the kitchen, but came out again just after he’d put his glass down, holding five bottles of beer. She handed one to Cam. He walked over to Molly.
The folks behind the bar stepped back some, and the folks on the other side pushed closer. “I made this for you, Molly Grainger. It’s going to be on tap here at The Four Sisters. One of our year-round selections.”
Molly took the bottle and held it as if it were made of diamonds. “It’s got my name on it,” she said. Her voice was so soft that he barely heard her.
“I know,” he said.
“Molly’s Dark Ale for Wine Lovers.”
“I know,” he said, and he couldn’t be sad, not when her eyes were brimming with tears and she looked so stunned.
“This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever—” Her voice faltered.
“Why don’t you hold that thought until you taste it.”
The few people close enough to hear laughed, and then a hushed murmur fell across the room.
He took the ice-cold bottle, popped the top and handed it back to her. His heart was beating a mile a minute and he was more invested in her liking this beer than he was in getting gold medals.
She sipped. Took another bigger sip. Then smiled so big, it was as though she’d invented the move. “This beer is gorgeous,” she said. “It’s like the very best things about beer met the very best parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and they got married and had kids.”
Cam closed his eyes as his chin dropped to his chest. Okay. That settled it. He’d pick up his sorrows later. Because Molly was still his tonight.
19
MOLLY LOOKED AT the time again. She knew Phillip and Simone were scheduled to leave in the morning, but they hadn’t spoken since the afternoon they’d taken her to lunch. She had too many unanswered questions and she didn’t relish trying to speak to Phillip once he was back in Bordeaux.
She’d waited until four to call. They usually didn’t have cocktails until six. Besides, Cameron was coming over in an hour, and she wanted this done with so she wouldn’t be distracted. Phillip’s phone rang several times, and she was prepared to leave a message when he finally picked up. “Hello, Molly. We were just on our way out. Can this wait?”
“Not really. I shouldn’t keep you for long, but I need some information.”
He called out to Simone that he’d be a few minutes. “What do you need?”
“Travel arrangements, primarily.”
“Ah, yes. Mathilde was to have called you with the details yesterday. A situation arose that she had to take care of.”
“Mathilde?”
“She and her husband, Julien, are our personal assistants. You’ll meet them soon, of course. Mathilde will help you find an apartment, probably sharing with one of the staff. Something near the office. She’ll also help you with your work visa.... Excuse me.”
The phone sounded as if he’d put it against his shirt. The scratching of fabric was loud enough that she couldn’t hear what was being said. It gave her a chance to process what he’d told her. She shouldn’t feel surprised that they were seeing to her living quarters. There was absolutely no reason she should’ve expected she’d be staying with them. And she hadn’t, not really. So why did it hurt?
“Also, we’d like you to come on the twenty-fourth, if at all possible. We’re leaving on the twenty-third for Greece, but the earlier arrival will give you time to get your things in order before we return. Ah, Simone has assured me that Mathilde will call you in ten minutes. Don’t worry. She’ll take care of your flight, and Julien will meet you at the airport and get you settled in the hotel. You’ll like it. We use the same one for all our employees. Travel safely. Now I must go. We’re already late.”
“But—” She couldn’t seem to catch her breath. “All your employees?” she repeated, her voice smaller than small.
“Molly? I’m sorry I don’t have time—” His impatient tone brought her around.
So he’d said what he meant.
“Of course.... I’m sorry. I’ll wait to hear from Mathilde.”
She ended the call, her fingers shaking. What she’d pictured about her new life and what she’d just heard were miles—no, continents—apart. Sure, Phillip and Simone had a large estate, but she was no longer their ward. She was a grown woman. They probably thought she’d want her own place. But she’d be sharing an apartment. Okay, fine...what she really hadn’t expected was that they’d view her as an employee.
It was the truth, though. There were no blood ties between them, and Phillip and Simone had never been sentimental. Honestly, she was amazingly lucky to get the offer in the first place. Nothing she could have garnered for herself would help her career more. She should be grateful. She swallowed hard, but the lump in her throat wouldn’t go away.
God. She needed to get past this. It was a disappointment. Like hundreds of others before it. But it was also an opportunity if she stepped up to the challenge.
She needed to get organized.
The first item on her to-do list was to wrap up her whole life in a month without burning any bridges. She’d notified NYU so they could find a replacement to teach her classes for the rest of the term. Everyone at the radio station already knew and had been gratifyingly sad that she was leaving. Donna had assured her she would be able to continue writing her column for Wine Connoisseur, which she was happy about. But there were still so many other things left to do. She had yet to give notice on her apartment, arrange for the shipping of her belongings, connect with all of the event organizers to cancel her appearances...and the list went on.
But all of that was nothing compared to saying goodbye to Cameron.
The phone call from Mathilde interrupted her thoughts, but it wasn’t a particularly long conversation. The woman was all business, and Molly learned far more from her than from Phillip. Mathilde told her that Phillip and Simone would cover the cost of shipping her things over. She also told her what her salary would be, which, while not a fortune, would allow her to live well. Finally, Mathilde mentioned that Molly would be traveling quite a bit and entertaining clients. That was something she hadn’t even considered, and it left her with a feeling of dread. Especially because she’d be doing it without Cam at her side.
The buzzer rang, followed so quickly by a knock at her door that whoever was there must have run up the stairs. The moment she opened the door and saw Cam, she fell into his arms.
“Hey, what’s going on?” he asked, his voice as soft as the hand that petted her hair.
“I’m leaving soon,” she said, feeling ridiculous. She wasn’t a child, and yet the comfort of his embrace felt as necessary as her heartbeat.
“I know. I hate it, but I know.”
She looked up into his dark eyes. “No. I’m leaving a week earlier than I thought.”
He inhaled and held it. Finally he smiled, although it wasn’t particularly convincing. “Wow, seems fast all of a sudden.”
She nodded. “Come in,” she said, stepping out of his arms into the apartment. “Sorry. What can I get you?
I have the most fantastic beer in the fridge. It’s for wine lovers.”
His smile became real, but also bittersweet. “How about I just take a soda, and we go lie down.”
“It’s just after five.”
He nodded. “Unless you’re hungry.”
“Ugh.” She shook her head on the way to the refrigerator. “I don’t think I could eat anything at the moment.”
“Then we’ll order something later. Or go out.”
She got them both sodas. “Sure. Whatever.”
She’d thrown on one of her summer shifts, and he was in jeans and a plain white tee. It would have been easy to strip down, but that wasn’t what she wanted. After putting the drinks by the bed, he joined her on top of the sheets and held her tightly against him.
“Having second thoughts?” he asked.
“No. Maybe.” She sighed. “I found out I’ll be doing a lot of entertaining, dinner with clients, that sort of thing.”
“Ah.” He kissed her hair. “You’ll do great. Look how far you’ve come. Selling wine at the pub like you’re a pro and giving my sisters grief.”
“That’s different. They’re family.” Her breath caught when she realized what she’d said. Of course, she didn’t mean they were her family.
Bless Cam, he didn’t say a word. Just continued to hold her while she closed her eyes and tried to memorize everything about the moment. The way his chest was so firm and yet felt better than any pillow. How his long arms wrapped around her as if he would always keep her safe. How they’d found the perfect way to entwine their legs, as if they were made to fit together.
She couldn’t hear his beating heart because of the noise coming from the air conditioner, but she could imagine it, and that would have to do.
“Something else is bothering you. Tell me what happened,” he said.
“Turns out I’m an employee.” She kept her head down, not wanting him to see her face, read the sadness that was too close to the surface.
