by Judith Keim
In her arms, the puppy squirmed until she could reach up and give Cami a lick on the cheek. “Oh, she’s so sweet!”
“She’s a ten-week-old dachshund from a reliable breeder in the area. I remember how you were with one of the staff’s wiener dogs when you were small. And of course, there was Babe. But I thought you’d want something smaller than a Lab.”
“Nonnee once gave me a stuffed wiener-dog toy,” Cami said remembering how she used to love it. “I’m going to call this one Sophie too.” She hugged the dog to her chest. “Thank you, Rafe. It means so much to me to have her, especially with your moving out of the house.”
“I thought you’d like the company.” He gave her a teasing grin. “But don’t call me when she makes a mess or does something worse.”
Cami laughed. “It’ll be worth all the training. Maybe the puppy will even come to my office with me.”
Rafe gave her a hug. “It’s nice to see you smile, cariño. Now, I will leave you. Time for me to get more settled.”
Carrying the puppy, Cami walked Rafe to the front door. She stood and watched him as he walked away, not toward the cabin, but to the grove of trees.
Cami set the dog down in the grass. “Get busy!” she ordered.
The puppy cocked her head, started to run, and then squatted in the grass.
“Oh, you’re so smart, Sophie! Good girl.” She picked up the puppy and brought her inside, knowing it was going to take a lot more training to get Sophie to understand her commands.
When she put Sophie back in the kitchen and left to go change her clothes, Sophie gave an indignant bark that grew into loud, high-pitched yaps of fury at being abandoned.
###
A few days later, preparing for Friday’s meeting with the staff at The Barn, Cami placed a small blanket inside the huge, canvas bag she sometimes used for travel and put Sophie inside. The puppy had made it clear she intended to be a bigger part of her life than Cami had imagined. But she didn’t mind. Sophie was bright and responsive and adorable.
Abby met her outside the barn. “I love seeing you with the puppy like this. It reminds me so much of Lettie carrying you in a backpack as she went about business at the inn. Heaven knows how many miles she walked with you through the vineyards, but it was a lot.”
Cami smiled at the memory. “I hope I was easier to carry than this little girl.” She opened the bag wider so Abby could get a good look. “Isn’t she the cutest puppy?”
Sophie wagged her tail, making a thumping noise against the canvas that made them break out in laughter.
“She sure is a sweetie,” said Abby. “C’mon. Let’s go inside. The staff knows you, of course, but they’re anxious to learn how you envision things going forward.”
“I have several ideas, but we’ll have to work together to see how best to do things.”
“Nice idea to be part of the group from the beginning,” said Abby. “Don’t hesitate to let us know when you see something you don’t like or you want to do differently. With your artistic background, you might want to change things up, bring in some new merchandise, that kind of thing.”
Cami let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She hadn’t wanted to offend Abby, but she wanted to do exactly what Abby had suggested.
When she entered the meeting room upstairs, twenty-one people smiled at her. She knew, of course, that six were full-time store employees, and eight were part-time. Two more worked on filling mail orders, three handled the wine-tasting bar, and two office workers handled invoicing, ordering, shipping, payroll, and other office procedures. Of different ages, all seemed friendly.
Abby had every person in the room tell a little bit about their background and interests and their role at The Barn. Cami was pleased to see both men and women were part of the operation and the entire staff had been trained to know about the wines they served at wine tastings.
After everyone had spoken, Abby said, “I’m going to give Cami a complete tour of The Barn, and then over the next week or so, she will spend time in all areas working with each of you so she understands every aspect of the operation. That will be your job.”
Amidst the murmuring that followed, Cami said, “Don’t worry. I’ll be a hard worker.” Laughter followed.
A woman she guessed was in her forties and who worked in the book section of The Barn smiled. “It will be a pleasure to have you.”
“For all of us,” added a gentleman. “I want to hear everything you have to tell me about our wines. You wouldn’t believe the questions I get from visitors.”
“Why don’t we bring in Scott Kurey to talk to us?” said Cami. “He’s our winemaker. He can tell us more about Chandler Hill wines than anybody I know.” She could never get enough information about winemaking. Each vineyard, each grape was so different. She’d found that in France, too.
“Great suggestion to ask Scott to speak to us,” said Abby. “I’ll arrange it.”
Sophie woke up from her nap and stared at Cami from inside the canvas carryall.
“Excuse me,” she said, and raced to take the puppy outside.
As she was watching the puppy do her thing, Cami thought about all the work Abby did overseeing The Barn. Gone were the days of only T-shirts, trinkets, and baseball hats. Those still remained, of course, but the inventory had become more widely diversified, and activities now included wine tastings, sampling of appetizers, cooking demonstrations, and merchandising of every conceivable item for cooks and lovers of wines. As someone who appreciated art, she was interested in adding more of that to The Barn. She knew that artists in the valley were always looking for ways to display their work. What better place than The Barn at Chandler Hill? And perhaps there’d be opportunities to use reproductions of the work of local artists in some of the guest rooms that needed freshening.
From a distance she watched guests enter The Barn with enthusiasm. Others left carrying packages and brochures. One man lugged a case of wine. No doubt he’d joined the wine club at Chandler Hill.
Later, Cami and Becca interviewed Imani Patel. Short and petite with lively smiles that frequently lit her tan face, her bright dark eyes seemed to miss nothing as she sat in Cami’s office to discuss the role of assistant and the necessary qualifications to fill it.
As the three of them talked, Cami was impressed by how competent and confident Imani was with her office skills. More than that, she was a nice person with a great personality and a willingness to get along. From the smile on Becca’s face, Cami knew Becca liked Imani as much as she. Together they asked Imani to join their team, pleased with the idea of the extra help. They needed it. The inn was continuing to be busy.
###
As the holiday season approached, Cami vowed to keep to Nonnee’s traditions.
Thanksgiving Dinner at the Chandler Hill Inn had become one of the best events in the valley. Darren Bullard, his wife Liz, and the entire kitchen crew worked for days in advance to create a meal worthy of the inn’s reputation.
Darren, a long-time alumnus of the Culinary Institute, was a wonderful chef and a true find for the inn. His wife, Liz, assisted in the kitchen and did most of the work on the morning shift while he took on the dinner duties. In their fifties, they’d moved to the Willamette Valley to have a simpler life from the competitive rat race they’d experienced in the restaurant business in metropolitan areas.
As her grandmother had done every year, Cami stood at the entrance to the dining room to welcome her guests. This year, three different seatings were scheduled: eleven thirty; three o’clock; and six p.m.
By the time the last of the guests had completed their dinners, she was exhausted from standing on her feet greeting guests, making small talk, and overseeing the wait staff. Good service was as important as the food to some people, and she didn’t want to disappoint anyone.
Darren waved her into the kitchen with a grin.
Cami eagerly joined him and the other staff members to celebrate with a glass of wine. Tomorro
w, she knew, would be another hectic day when she and the staff would turn the inn and The Barn into a winter wonderland.
###
Outside, small, white, holiday lights twinkled on trees and bushes. Inside, cinnamon-scented candles, fresh pine boughs, and wine-colored velvet ribbons brightened rooms everywhere.
Cami stood in the reception area, studying the huge Christmas tree they’d put up there. It glistened and glowed with assorted, colorful glass balls and sparkly ornaments from the Christmas gift shop at The Barn and complemented the burgundy color of the Oriental rug.
Her spirits soared. Christmas was the one day of the year the inn was closed so staff members could be with their families. Growing up, she’d always loved this holiday best because it meant she could be home with Nonnee and Rafe and have them to herself.
“Looks nice,” said Becca, coming to stand beside her in front of the tree.
“It’s such a wonderful time of the year. The Barn looks fabulous, and sales are going crazy.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind if I take a few days off after Christmas?” Becca said.
“I’m sure. As long as you’re back for New Year’s Eve, it shouldn’t be a problem.” She placed an arm around Becca’s shoulder. “The good thing is we have full-time jobs. The bad thing is these jobs are 24/7.”
Becca laughed. “Growing up in New England, I never dreamed I’d be so involved with an inn in Oregon. But I love it.”
“I love it too,” Cami said automatically, fighting the knowledge of forever being tied to a property, never able completely to escape again. She understood now why Nonnee had been so eager for her to travel and be away from home while she could.
###
Christmas Day dawned bright and sunny. Cami stood in her kitchen adding champagne to two glasses of orange juice. Her grandmother had started the tradition of serving mimosas and eggs benedict on Christmas morning, and even though she and Rafe would be alone, Cami wanted to continue the custom. It made her feel as if Nonnee were there with her in spirit. Sophie barked when the doorbell rang, and Cami hurried to the door. She opened it and stared in surprise at Rafe and Drew standing together.
“Hope you don’t mind, but I’ve invited Drew to join us,” said Rafe. “Seems he didn’t have anywhere else to go.”
“That’s fine. Come on in. The more the merrier, as Nonnee would say.” A thread of excitement quickened her pulse. She’d forgotten how mesmerizing Drew’s light-brown eyes could be.
“Thanks,” Drew said, giving her a broad, white smile. “Rafe insisted I join you.”
“I’m so glad he did,” she said sincerely. She’d made plenty of hollandaise sauce, and poaching an extra egg or two was no problem. The baker at the inn had given her a coffee cake as a gift—one she’d put to good use.
While the men greeted Sophie, Cami took their coats and laid them on a chair in one of the rooms in the guest wing. When she walked back into the living room, Rafe and Drew were standing in front of one of the paintings on the wall.
She froze.
“Lettie and I are so proud of Cami’s work. This was a study she did in college,” Rafe was saying.
“Very nice,” said Drew. “I like the colors.”
Rafe turned to her. “I’ve discovered another admirer of yours.”
Cami felt her cheeks grow hot. Embarrassed to be described as a real artist, she said, “It’s just a piece of homework, really.”
Drew shrugged. “I like it. As I said, I’ve learned to appreciate art, and this is talent.”
Remembering Bernard’s cruel laughter, tears unexpectedly stung her eyes. She blinked furiously and quickly changed the subject. “How about joining me in the kitchen?”
The men followed her and stood by the kitchen bar. She handed mimosas to them and fixed herself another. Raising her glass, she said, “Here’s to us! Health and happiness!”
“Hear! Hear!” cried Rafe, clicking his glass against hers and turning to Drew. “Here’s hoping our new partnership works out.”
“Partnership?” Cami said.
Her grandfather and Drew clicked their glasses in a mutual salute and turned to her.
Rafe cleared his throat. “I was going to tell you later, but you might as well know now that Drew and I are going to change up a few things in our winemaking. I’m renaming a section of my land and will produce wines under the label of Lettie’s Creek Wines. Drew will be in charge of these grapes and the end product. It’s an exciting time for both of us.”
Surprised but pleased, Cami grinned. “How nice.” She hadn’t seen Rafe so happy for weeks. This would be a great way for him to move on.
They took their drinks to the living room and sat in front of the fire. With Sophie curled up between Rafe and her on the couch, a peaceful quiet filled the room.
“Abby and her partner, Lisa Robbins, would ordinarily be here with us, but they flew to Arizona to make sure their house was ready for the move,” she explained to Drew.
“Yes, I know,” said Drew. “Once they leave, I’ll rent their place here.”
“Oh, that’s a great house, nestled between our two properties, convenient to both.”
“That’s important because I’ll continue to help Sam with the vineyards on both your property and Rafe’s.”
Cami couldn’t hold back her curiosity. “I understand your Uncle Sam raised you.”
“Yes. My mother took off when I was a toddler, and who knows who my dad is. So, Sam took me in. He’s a great guy.”
“And he’s never married?” she continued to ask even though Rafe had begun to frown at her.
“He was married briefly and has no intention of ever doing it again. I think living with him and seeing how happy he is without a woman in the house is one reason why I’m not eager to settle down with anyone.”
“Interesting. Neither one of us knows who our father is.”
“I’m not sure we could ever have gotten the whole story from your mother,” Rafe said to her. “Autumn could be pretty stubborn, and she wasn’t about to share any information about your father.” He turned to Drew. “Autumn was killed by a car as she was jogging when Cami was just six.”
Drew’s glance shot to her. “Sorry. That must have been hard. I was too young when my mother left to be able to remember her.”
“I say we have another mimosa,” said Rafe, rising to his feet. “I’ll make them.”
“Great,” said Cami, watching him leave the room. She stared into the flames of the fire feeling a sense of loss. Her father, a man she didn’t know, was somewhere.
“Here we are,” said Rafe, carrying in a pitcher of mimosas. “We can take our time, though I do have a gift for you, Cami.”
“Not another dachshund,” she teased. “I’m not sure I could handle another Sophie.”
When Sophie heard the sound of her name, she wagged her tail and barked.
Rafe laughed. “No, something a little easier to take care of. I’ll give it to you later.”
###
After they’d eaten their eggs benedict and each had enjoyed a last sip of hot coffee, Drew got to his feet. “Great breakfast. Before I go, can I help you with the dishes?”
Cami shook her head and rose from her chair. “Thanks, but I’ll take care of them.”
She walked him to the front door. “I’m glad you could join us, Drew. It made for a very nice morning.”
“I really enjoyed it.” He gave her a smile that reached his eyes, adding a sparkle to them, drawing her in. He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “See you around.”
Watching him head to his truck, Cami lifted a hand to the spot on her face that still tingled.
CHAPTER FIVE
After doing the dishes, Cami sat in the living room with Rafe, watching the glow of the fire. Above it, the mantelpiece was lined with a collection of Santa Clauses that Nonnee had started. In the corner of the room sat an Alberta spruce in a pot. Cami had decorated it with family ornaments. Now, it hid a few pres
ents for Rafe. Later, she would plant it a distance from the deck.
Rafe smiled at her and squeezed her hand. “Before we begin our gift exchanges, I need to tell you that I wasn’t entirely truthful when I mentioned I was simply devoting land for Lettie’s Creek Wines. I intend to give that land to Drew when I die. He has no idea this is what I have in mind, and I have no intention of ever mentioning it to him. But I need to be sure you’ll be okay with it. You’ll inherit most of my land, vineyards, and the winery.”
Cami understood that what he planned to leave her was a gift from the heart, but the thought of taking on more responsibility seemed overwhelming at the moment. “It’s fine with me, Rafe. We’ve always talked about combining the two properties one day, and I will have more than enough to handle.”
“If you don’t mind, I’m asking you not to mention this conversation to Drew. I want him to get started in his own business for all the right reasons. Drew reminds me so much of myself at that age—anxious to succeed and eager to work with the land. You know, it was your grandmother’s love of the land that bound her to Rex Chandler and then to Kenton. She always felt at home on these acres.”
“Yes. That, and the fear of flying kept her here,” said Cami.
Rafe stared out the window. “I would never have left the valley if Maria hadn’t insisted on living in California. She couldn’t understand my ties to the place.” He turned back to her with a smile. “But Lettie always did.”
Cami’s lips curved. “It’s nice you two had all those good years together.”
She rose from the couch and from behind the Christmas tree extracted her gifts to him.
His eyes rounded when he saw the collection of packages. “All those for me?”
She laughed. He loved surprises as much as she. “Yes, for you from Sophie and me.”
“I only have two gifts for you,” he said, rising. “They’re in my jacket. I’ll get them and be right back.”
Cami lowered herself onto the couch and waited impatiently for him to return. One of the gifts for Rafe was something Nonnee had asked Cami to do for her, and she couldn’t wait to give it to him.
