The Vineyard at Painted Moon

by Susan Mallery

  She selected a golf cart and drove past the tasting room and onto the private road that led to the compound. Vineyards stretched out for as far as the eye could see. The sight of clusters of hard green fruit filled her with anticipation. In a few short months, the grapes would turn color and ripen, and then they would be harvested. An intoxicating scent would linger over the area, sweet with promise of what was to be.

  As she approached the compound of four houses in a loose circle, she paused to collect the mail, then drove toward the house she shared with Rhys. In the distance, she saw Jaguar outside playing with his kids.

  Overhead the sky was a perfect blue. The temperature had hit ninety, but it would cool off at night. She hit a button on her key chain, and a golf-cart-size garage door rose slowly, allowing her to zip inside.

  The house was still and cool. After taking a glass from a cupboard, she filled it with water and ice, then opened the refrigerator to check what was for dinner.

  A baking dish held chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts. Next to that was a salad. On the counter she found a three-by-five card with heating instructions and a peach pie.

  The four families shared the services of a professional chef. Chef Betsy came in five days a week. Dinners were left daily, along with the next day’s lunch.

  Mackenzie turned over the card and saw the next day she would be eating a shaved roast beef and arugula wrap with asiago cheese and a horseradish dressing for lunch. She put the card on the counter and took her water with her as she headed upstairs.

  Like many of those who worked outside, she showered at the end of the day. As she tossed her clothes into the hamper and pinned up her hair to avoid the spray, she told herself she was really lucky. She had a pretty amazing life. A husband, a beautiful house, family and friends, a job she loved. Even someone else to do most of the cooking. She was truly blessed, in every way possible. As for those times when she found herself wondering if maybe there was something else out there—well, she should just suck it up and get over herself. Nothing could be better than what she had.

  five

  Stephanie opened the closet by the front door and pulled the rolled decorative flag out of the corner. As she opened the front door, she gave the pole a little shake to unfurl the flag, then stepped onto the porch and slid the pole into place. A light breeze caught the fabric, causing the print of the giant cookie to ripple slightly.

  In addition to the six dozen cookies she’d baked for Carson to take with him, she’d made four dozen more for the family. A few years ago, Mackenzie had started the tradition of putting out a flag whenever she baked cookies. Avery and Carson had gone running to grab a few and bring them home. Now that Zeus, Galaxy and Eternity were big enough to roam the compound, they watched for the cookie flag, as well.

  Stephanie went back inside and carried two disposable containers up to her son’s room.

  Carson’s large suitcase was ready to go. His carry-on backpack stood open on the desk. Her son was stretched out on his bed, his gaze locked on his tablet.

  “I made you cookies for the trip,” she said. “And the first few days of camp.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  When he didn’t raise his gaze, she sighed heavily. “Look at me, Carson.”

  He did as she requested. She waved the two containers. “These are your cookies. The ones in the red container are peanut butter. You’re fourteen, Carson, so I’m trusting you to be responsible with them.”

  The corners of his lips trembled as if he were trying not to smile. “With cookies, Mom? I think I’m up to the challenge.”

  “Peanut butter cookies. Just the thought of you carrying them with you makes me break out in a sweat. Remember that some kids are allergic. It’s a real thing. Do not go passing them around without talking to everyone first. Peanut butter cookies can trigger nut allergies.”

  His dark eyes crinkled as he grinned. “Didn’t you put walnuts into the chocolate chip cookies?”

  “What? Crap. What was I thinking?”

  He dropped his tablet onto the bed, stood and wrapped his arms around her. “Mom, don’t sweat it. No one I know is allergic to nuts.”

  “What about at camp? Forget it. You’re not taking these with you. No kid is dying on my watch—not because I made cookies.”

  He took the containers from her hands and dropped them into his backpack. “We’ll be fine. I’ll make sure everyone I bunk with is okay with nuts. There’s four of us in a suite, Mom. The cookies won’t last the night.”

  She knew he could be trusted to be responsible. “Okay, just be careful. Maybe I’ll text your counselor.”

  He winced. “Don’t set me up to be that freaky little kid who can’t be away from his mommy.”

  “That’s so judgmental.”

  “You know I’m telling the truth.” He zipped up his backpack, then slung it over his shoulder and grabbed his suitcase. “It’ll be fine. Have a little faith.”

  “I should go with you to the airport,” she said.

  “Mom, stop. I’m driving to Seattle with Grandma and Giorgio. Dad’s meeting me there and getting me to my gate. I’m fourteen years old. I’ll be fine.”

  She wanted to protest that he was still her baby, only she knew he wouldn’t appreciate that. So instead of telling him he had to stay little forever, she followed him downstairs and found Rhys sitting on a stool by the island. Four and her three kids were there, as well, all eating cookies. Because in this family everyone came by to say goodbye. Mackenzie had stopped by that morning, as had Jaguar, and Avery had seen her brother before she’d gone off to work.

  “Excited?” Rhys asked his nephew.

  Carson grinned. “Can’t wait.”

  They hugged. Four was next, whispering something in his ear. Carson chuckled but didn’t respond. He hugged and kissed his cousins before heading out front. Stephanie went with him.

  Right on time her mom and Giorgio pulled in front of her house. Giorgio popped the trunk of the late-model Mercedes and helped Carson with his luggage. Stephanie hugged her youngest.

  “Text me the second you get to California,” she said. “From the airport and then again when you arrive at camp. If you don’t text me, I’ll call your counselor and pretend that I’m crying and then you will be the freaky little kid who can’t be away from his mommy.”

  Carson sighed. “Mom, you don’t have to do that. I’ll text you, I swear.”

  “Threaten to fly down and stay with him,” her mother offered from the passenger seat in the car. “Remember when I had to do that with you?”

  Stephanie did her best not to shudder at the memory. She’d been a bit chatty in high school and was constantly in trouble for talking to her friends. When the usual punishments—detention and being grounded—hadn’t worked, her mother had told her that whatever was happening at school must be so very interesting, what with Stephanie unable to stop talking about it. So Barbara would come with her to every class, unless she could learn to be quiet.

  Stephanie hadn’t spoken for nearly four days.

  “Text me or I’ll come stay with you,” she told her son. “Look into my eyes and see how much I mean that.”

  “You’re scary sometimes,” he told her as he kissed her cheek. “Love you, Mom.”

  “Love you, too.”

  She waved at the car until it was out of sight, then walked back into the house to find only Four still in her kitchen.

  “They took cookies and ran,” Four said cheerfully, pointing at the empty plate. “Sorry if you didn’t get any.”

  Stephanie pulled a second, overflowing plate from the cupboard and placed it between them. She poured them each a cup of coffee from the pot, added cream, then settled next to her sister and picked up a chocolate chip cookie.

  “You don’t have to stay with me,” she said conversationally.

  “I’m j
ust here to make sure you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You’re actually not fine. You’re sad and worried.” Four sipped her coffee. “I don’t know how you do it. I couldn’t let any of my kids go away for the summer.”

  “Zeus is only eight. He’s too young to go away overnight. But later, if he wants to, you’ll let him.”

  Four shook her head. “Never.”

  Stephanie smiled. “You will because it will be the best thing for him and you’re that kind of mom.”

  “Don’t try to sweet-talk me with rational thought. It doesn’t work on me.”

  “Yes, it does.”

  “You’re very contrary today.”

  “No, just pensive. I know they’re supposed to grow up and have their own lives, but sometimes it’s hard. Still, as you’ve often reminded me, there is a season for everything.” She paused, thinking about all that had happened in the past few days. “I’m ready for a new chapter in my life.”

  Four looked at her speculatively. “What does that mean?”

  Even though she’d seen her mother drive away not five minutes before, Stephanie still looked over her shoulder to make sure they were alone.

  “I need to get a new job.”

  Four nibbled her cookie without speaking.

  “What?” Stephanie demanded. “You have to say something. You always have an opinion.”

  “You’ve made this announcement before,” her sister said gently. “I’m not sure you want to leave.”

  Ugh—there was an assessment she didn’t want to hear. “I can’t stay. Mom treats me like I’m an idiot. She’s always double-checking my work and dismissing any ideas I have about how to make things better. I’m thirty-eight years old. It’s time for me to strike out on my own, don’t you think?”

  “If it’s what you want.”

  Stephanie supposed her sister’s inability to believe in her was her own fault. She was the one who had been whining about leaving Bel Après for the past five years and to date she’d done exactly nothing. Zip. Zero. Nada.

  “I’m pathetic,” she said, pulling her phone from her jeans front pocket. “Or I was, but not anymore.”

  She scrolled through her emails, stopping when she found the one she was looking for.

  “Here.” She held out her phone to Four.

  Her sister read the note. “You have an interview next week.”

  “I know. Marington Cheese. It’s a small company, but they’re determined to grow, and I’d like to be a part of that.”

  Four glanced back at the email. “Really? Cheese?”

  Stephanie tried not to wince. “They make it and sell it. They’re artisans. I know it’s not wine, but going into that business feels like cheating or something.” She took back the phone. “I haven’t told Mackenzie.”

  Four’s eyebrows rose. “That’s almost more surprising than the interview itself.”

  “Yes, well, I’ll tell her after the fact.” Her shoulders rounded as she hunched forward. “It’s just she’s so damned brilliant at what she does. I think about that and I feel like a failure.”

  “Everyone is gifted in their own way.”

  “I’m not. I’m ordinary. Worse, I’ve settled. She has her wine, you’re an amazing artist. If I don’t have a special talent, at least I can be brave and get off my butt and do something.”

  “Then, yay cheese.”

  Stephanie laughed. “Thanks. I’m doing a lot of research on the industry and coming up with a few marketing plans. It’s time I actually used my degree, you know?”

  “You’ll be brilliant.”

  “I’d accept getting a decent job offer.”

  Four tucked her long hair behind her ears. “You should start dating.”

  “Absolutely not. The last thing I need is a man in my life. I’d be forced to compare that relationship to the one Mom has with Giorgio. I don’t need another place to feel that I’m lacking.”

  “It was a beautiful proposal,” Four said. “I wish it was going to work out for them.”

  Stephanie nearly slid off the stool. “What do you mean? Of course it’s going to work out. Why wouldn’t it? They’re so in love.”

  “She won’t let go. The more she should, the harder she clings to whatever ridiculous idea she has. Giorgio is all about letting go. He loves her, but I don’t think he understands who she is. Not really.”

  “That’s really deep.”

  “I’m feeling a connection to Mother Earth today. It’s powerful.”

  Stephanie reached for her coffee. “Want to give me some lotto numbers? There’s got to be a Powerball somewhere.”

  Four patted her arm. “A, it doesn’t work like that and you know it, and B, you don’t need the money. Let someone else win. You’ll find your joy and happiness in less material ways.”

  “I think anyone could find joy in fifty million dollars.”

  She owned her house outright and she had some savings, but she needed to work to pay the bills. Fifty million dollars would—

  She held up her hand. “I take it back. I’m going to work to find my place in the world, not wish for it to be given to me. Someone else needs to win that money.”

  “Personal growth. I’m so proud.” Four rose and hugged her. “I’m going to go meditate. I want to take advantage of my connection to Mother Earth today.”

  “Love you,” Stephanie called as Four crossed to the door. “Say hi to Mother Earth from me.”

  “You could tell her yourself.”

  “She only likes you.”

  Four was still laughing when she shut the door behind her.

  * * *

  As far as Barbara was concerned, the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Seattle was just about perfect. She loved the location, the views, the understated luxury, the staff. She always stayed at the hotel when she came over for business or shopping, but these days the hotel seemed even more wonderful than usual. A fact that had nothing to do with the hotel itself and everything to do with the man who shared her room.

  Giorgio, handsome in a hotel robe, pointed to the bottle of champagne resting in the ice bucket. “More, my love?”

  She waved her half-empty glass. “In a minute. I’m still trying to catch my breath.”

  They’d checked in two days ago, after dropping Carson off at the airport. In that time, they’d been to museums, seen a show at the 5th Avenue Theatre and tried new restaurants. But their afternoon trip to Nordstrom had derailed when Giorgio had suggested they order in rather than shop.

  After making love, they’d had champagne and small bites sent up to the room. Decadent, she thought with a smile. It was barely one in the afternoon and she’d already had champagne and a man in her bed. Let the millennials have their avocado toast—she would take sex with Giorgio instead, any day.

  “What makes you so happy?” Giorgio asked.

  She tucked her feet under her, adjusting her silk robe around her legs. “You.”

  “Good. That’s what I want to do.”

  She studied the lines in his face. She could see the man he’d been when he was younger. He would have been difficult to resist, she thought. Not just because he was attractive, but also because he was strong and caring.

  “Tell me about Beth Ann,” she said, thinking about how lucky his late wife had been to have so many years with him.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Did you have a big wedding?”

  He smiled. “We each came from a large Italian family. Yes, it was a big wedding. Three hundred people. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends. The church was overflowing. Our mothers and aunts cooked for days.”

  “That sounds nice.” She sipped her champagne. “James and I had a small wedding. I didn’t have any family and we didn’t have any money. Do you mind if we have a big weddi
ng?”

  His eyes crinkled as he smiled at her. “Your happiness is my happiness, my love. I will be there regardless. I’ve talked to my children and they are excited to fly in here.”

  “Thank you for asking them.”

  “Of course. You remember we’ll be flying to New York in a few weeks for Rosemary’s birthday.”

  “I do. I’m looking forward to it.”

  She’d met his children a few times on their quick visits back east. His two sons were running the family business and his daughter was a pediatrician. Unlike her, he got to be proud of all his offspring.

  “I’m thinking late fall or maybe over the holidays,” she said. “Everyone is too busy around harvest and I don’t want to wait until the new year.”

  “I agree. The sooner I claim you as mine, the better.”

  She laughed. “I think you do plenty of claiming, Giorgio. Sometimes twice in a day.”

  He grinned at her. “You know what I mean. I want to spend time with you, Barbara. Just the two of us.” He waved his hand toward the walls of the suite. “I appreciate that we get away for a few days, but that’s not enough.”

  She held in a sigh. “You mean work.”

  “I mean the lack of work. You said you’d start cutting back.”

  She had said that, she reminded herself. She was supposed to be handing off her responsibilities so she and Giorgio could travel. But who exactly could she trust to run the company? Rhys was busy managing the vineyards, Stephanie had an average skill set, at best. Lori would jump at the opportunity but had the imagination of a flea, and Catherine wasn’t worth discussing.

  “I should talk to Rhys about hiring someone to take over his job,” she said, thinking out loud. “Then he could step in for me.”

  “You haven’t talked to him about that yet?” Giorgio sounded more hurt than angry.

  “I’ve meant to.”

  He set down his champagne glass. “Barbara, do you want us to spend more time together?”

  “Of course. We’ve talked about traveling together. I look forward to that.”

  He took her hand in his. “Then I’ll make you a deal. You plan the wedding of your dreams and I’ll do the same with the honeymoon.”