Four motioned to Stephanie, who tucked her feet under her and smiled.
“I’m good. The kids like their classes. Carson will get his cast off in a few weeks. His coach is worried about Carson being recruited too early. It’s a high-quality thing to worry about. Avery is still claiming she’s not dating the entire school year, but we’ll see how long that lasts, and I’m prepared for my interview, which will be right after harvest. So yay.”
Four stretched. “We’re doing well at our end of the compound. The kids are happy and Jaguar remains the love of my life. Barbara continues to be a problem, but now that you’ve moved, I’m hoping her negative energy will start to calm down.”
She grabbed Mackenzie’s hand. “Focus on being happy. You’ve made all the right decisions. You know your place in the universe. Believe in yourself.”
Stephanie poked her in the ribs. “Stop with the spiritual sayings.”
“I offer blessings.”
“You need to spend more time on the internet. That will cure you from being so positive.”
Four grinned. “I like being positive. It annoys people.”
Mackenzie laughed. “I love you two so much.”
“And we love you.” Stephanie glanced at her watch. “Oh, look at the time. Any second now there’s going to be a knock at the door.”
She stood and pulled Four to her feet. Mackenzie rose, as well. “What are you talking about?”
The sisters grinned at each other, then at her.
“You’re going to have a visitor,” Four told her. “A very handsome man with impressive masculine energy is bringing over dinner.”
Before she could ask what they were talking about, her doorbell rang. Stephanie reached it first and let in Bruno. He had a pizza box in one hand and a shopping bag in another.
“Am I early?” he asked.
“Right on time,” Stephanie told him. She turned to Mackenzie. “We’re heading home. I’ll be by in a couple of days to hang out. Enjoy your new house.”
They all hugged, then her friends left. Bruno had retreated to the kitchen, where he unpacked a container of salad, a small cake and a bottle of sparkling apple juice.
“Plates and glasses?” he asked.
Mackenzie nodded at the cabinets. “You planned this with them.”
“I did. Once Stephanie told me what she and Four were doing, I thought it would be nice to have a celebratory dinner together. Today was a big day.” He glanced at her. “Unless you have something else going on?”
“I was going to fold the load of towels I have in the dryer and that’s about it.”
She helped him carry the food to the table. He poured them each a glass of the sparkling apple juice and took a seat across from her.
After running his hands along the table, he said, “Beautiful piece. Unusual.”
“Four painted it.”
“She’s very talented.” He raised his glass. “To our partnership, to Painted Moon and to your new home.”
“Thank you.”
They touched glasses. Mackenzie stared at her drink. “I miss wine.”
“I’m sure you do, but it’s for a greater good.” He put a piece of pizza on her plate and took one for himself. “How are you feeling about the house?”
“I love it. With all the furniture, it’s perfect for me. After dinner you’ll have to come upstairs and see the baby furniture Stephanie and Four brought for me. I have Stephanie’s old rocking chair and one of the cribs Four used.” She pointed to the book lying on the counter. “Even reading material.”
“So you’re ready.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t go that far, but I feel slightly more prepared.”
“Is the baby more real?”
“No, and I wish it was.”
“You’ll get there.”
“If I don’t, I’m in for a real shock when the labor pains start.”
He chuckled. “But you’re happier about the baby?”
“Yes. Despite everything, I’m excited about being a mom and having my own family.”
“You and Rhys never wanted children?”
“I thought we did but we never made it happen. There are a lot of reasons. Timing, the business. I wonder if we subconsciously knew things weren’t right between us.”
“Barbara didn’t pressure you?”
“I think she was afraid having a child would distract me from the business.”
“That’s a ridiculous fear. You can do more than one thing at a time.”
“That’s the plan.” She took a bite of her pizza. “I’m really happy with the house and the winery.”
“I’m glad. I have big plans for us. The contractor is getting started on the office remodel right away. It shouldn’t take more than a few weeks. I’m less sure about the tasting room. Retail isn’t my thing. I’m wondering if we should hire someone to help us plan that.”
“It’s probably a good idea. My taste is all in my mouth,” she said with a laugh.
“Considering why I wanted you as my business partner, that’s a good thing.”
He’d changed into jeans and a shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair was dark, his jaw strong. He was a good-looking man, she thought. Capable and smart, but kind. Not the type of man to be single.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“I’m speculating about your personal life again. You really weren’t dating anyone back home?”
She asked the question as lightly as she could, trying not to be concerned about the answer.
“I’m moving here alone. I have been dating someone casually, but it’s not going anywhere.”
The unexpected admission produced a thousand questions. “You never said. Who is she? Where is she? What does she do? Does she know it’s not going anywhere or is that your decision?” She pressed her lips together. “Sorry. I can’t help being curious.”
He laughed. “Her name is Gloria and she’s a former model who is now a physical therapist who works with sick kids.”
Mackenzie felt her eyes widen. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”
He picked up his glass. “It’s all true.”
“Great. So she’s beautiful, altruistic and has a body five ways to Sunday. Why don’t you want to go out with her anymore?”
“She doesn’t make me laugh.”
“Do you make her laugh?”
“Not often enough.” His gaze met hers. “Sometimes laughter is important.”
“Rhys and I didn’t laugh that much, but I don’t think of myself as funny. Stephanie has a good sense of humor. Better than me.”
“You can be funny.”
“Yes, but am I doing it on purpose?”
He chuckled.
“Gloria sounds very intimidating,” she admitted. “Is she really beautiful?”
He hesitated just long enough to make her groan. “Ugh. I’m so never dating. I won’t be good at it. I wasn’t good at it before. Rhys and I just kind of happened.” She served herself salad. “Plus I’m going to have a baby. Don’t guys hate dealing with other men’s children?”
“Are you looking to get involved with someone?”
“Not really. I mean maybe, at some point. I don’t know. It’s hard to think about. I get buried in my work. I’m not a brilliant conversationalist. Not like Gloria.” She emphasized the name.
“Maybe she isn’t, either.”
“Oh, please. She’s perfect. I hate her and I don’t care if that makes me shallow.” She ate more pizza. “Stephanie’s single, and as we’ve discussed, she’s funny. And pretty. And smart.”
“I’m not interested in Stephanie.”
There was something in the tone of his voice, although she couldn’t begin to name it.
“Considering my lack of experience, I probably shouldn’
t get involved in your dating life,” she said.
“I think that’s for the best.”
“Don’t tell Gloria what I said, please. She’ll think I’m mean.”
“I thought you hated her.”
“I do, but I don’t want her to know.”
He smiled at her. “It will be our secret.”
* * *
Eight days after taking ownership of Painted Moon, Mackenzie woke at 3:29 in the morning, exactly one minute before her alarm was due to go off. She got up and turned on the small lamp by her bed, then walked to the window and opened the curtain.
The sky was clear, the air still and cool. Sunrise was more than two hours away, but by the time the first rays crept over the vineyard, she would be out there to greet it. Harvest would begin today.
She turned off her phone’s alarm, dressed quickly, applied sunscreen and made her way downstairs. It took only a few minutes to mix up her smoothie and pack plenty of water. Normally she would go the whole day without eating, but being pregnant changed that. Stephanie would come find her and bring lunch, along with snacks and more water to keep her hydrated.
They would start in the southernmost vineyards. She’d been driving to them every day, checking the grapes visually, measuring the sugar, or Brix. They were ready.
She made sure she had a hat, sunglasses, a portable charger for her phone, her paperwork and her drinks, then headed for her Jeep. She was on the road by four, driving across the Columbia River to Oregon and Painted Moon’s Seven Hills vineyards.
Anticipation fluttered in her stomach. All the hard work from early spring came down to this moment. Once the grapes were harvested, she would work with what she had, but until then, there was the promise of possibilities. The only dark cloud on her otherwise sunny day was that this harvest would be different. She didn’t know the grapes or the vineyards—not the way she normally did. There would be no family dinner later to discuss how it had gone. Barbara wouldn’t drive out to watch and give her a hug. She wouldn’t see Rhys several rows away, pitching in where needed, waving at her when he caught her eye.
Change was hard, she reminded herself, and she’d been through a lot. Next year would be better. Next year the grapes would be hers and she would be more comfortable in her role. Next year she would have a baby.
That last thought shocked her more than any of the others. A baby. The pregnancy was still more intellectual exercise than reality, but in a year it would be a lot more than that.
“No distractions,” she murmured to herself. “I’ll deal with the baby when this part is done.”
She pulled off the highway and onto the smaller road, then turned onto a dirt trail where she would park out of the way of the big equipment. Shortly after dawn the giant harvesters would rumble to life and start down the rows, picking fruit and sorting out the leaves and branches. Grapes would be carried across the row and dropped into waiting bins.
Once the first truck was full, Mackenzie would follow it back to the winery, where she would oversee the crushing process. She would monitor every delivery until sunset, and in the morning they would do it all again, with her staying with the harvested grapes and Bruno in charge of what happened in the vineyards.
She’d already set the order in which the various vineyards would be harvested but reserved the right to change her mind. Stephanie was spot-checking certain plants Mackenzie had marked, texting her the results of her testing. The Brix level would ultimately determine the order of harvest for the last three vineyards. When they were done, the big equipment would head off to another winery and start the work there.
Next year they would handpick some of the vineyards, she told herself. Next year she would have time to plan better, but for now, they were going high-tech.
She’d barely finished half her disgusting smoothie when Bruno pulled up behind her, his sleek sports car out of place in the rural setting.
“Be careful you don’t break an axel,” she said as she got out of the Jeep.
“My car is tougher than it looks.”
“I doubt that.” She looked up at the stars twinkling overhead. “It’s going to be a perfect day.”
“You ready?” he asked.
“Yes. Nervous, but ready.”
“Good nervous or bad nervous?”
“It’s always good nervous.” She pointed at the large harvesters. “And there are the dreaded machines that will do the work.”
“You’re going to be impressed.”
“I hope so.” She shook her head. “I’m interested to see how this all goes.”
He motioned to the quiet vineyards. “Any last-minute testing or words of wisdom?”
“I trust Herman to have done the best he could. Now we blend science and magic to produce wine.”
His dark gaze met hers. “Regrets?”
There was a bigger question in that single word, she thought. Did she regret the changes in her life? Her pregnancy, her divorce, leaving Bel Après. Did she regret leaving her home, her routine, her future, to step out into the unknown? Was she afraid? Did she want to go back to how things had been?
She looked past him to the vineyards that stretched for as far as the eye could see. In the east was the first hint of light at the top of the mountains. This was hers, she thought contentedly. She and Bruno owned every acre, every grape, every leaf. There was no one to tell her she couldn’t, she shouldn’t or that she was wrong. The mistakes were all on her, as were the rewards.
“No regrets,” she told him. “Not a single one.”
* * *
Barbara woke to the feel of a heavy arm around her waist. Giorgio had spent the night and, as usual, kept her awake pulling her close as he slept. It was a characteristic she usually found charming, just not this morning. Her eyes were gritty, and she felt as if she was operating on two hours of rest. Even the sex hadn’t been as spectacular as usual. She’d been unable to shut off her thoughts and had failed to orgasm, despite Giorgio’s efforts.
As she walked to the shower, she felt her ever-present irritation at the world in general and Mackenzie in particular crank up at least two levels. They were in the middle of harvest and there was no one overseeing the operation. Not the way Mackenzie usually did. Rhys was doing his best, but that was hardly enough. She tried to tell herself they would get through it, but she wasn’t sure that was true.
With coffee and a few minutes alone in her office, she would get her feelings under control. She’d been on edge for weeks, something else she could blame Mackenzie for. She really hated that bitch.
Giorgio joined her in the shower. Before she could protest, he’d moved behind her. He slid his slick, soapy hands over her body, finding all the spots she liked. She was about to tell him not to bother, but before she could speak, his fingers were between her legs and the interest that had been lacking the night before sprang to life.
He made her climax in less than a minute, then dragged her laughing and dripping to the bed where he had his way with her again. When they were done, the sheets were drenched, conditioner was on everything and she just plain didn’t care.
“You’re so good for me,” she said, lying on her side, staring into his eyes. “I’ve been horrible for the past couple of months and you’ve been there for me.”
“I love you. Where else would I be?”
She kissed him, thinking that if she were him, she wouldn’t have put up with her own behavior. Which was why she loved him—he was a better person than she was.
“You’re a good man.”
“Then come away with me. We’re going to New York for my daughter’s birthday. Let’s add a week and fly to Bermuda first.”
She sighed. “You know I can’t be gone that long.” At this point, she didn’t think she could go to the birthday celebration, but she wasn’t going to spoil the mood by saying that.
“Don’t say
no. I’ll ask again in a week.”
She touched his face. “How did I get so lucky?”
He smiled. “I’m the lucky one.”
An hour later, Barbara made her way to her coffee. Her bad mood had vanished and she was no longer tired. Giorgio truly was magic.
She climbed the steps to her office, determined to get as much work done as possible in the next couple of days so that she could consider going to Bermuda with Giorgio. It was a silly idea, but if it made him happy, then it was worth considering.
But all her good intentions vanished the second she saw her son sitting in front of her desk. He didn’t look happy.
“What?” she asked, dropping her purse into the bottom desk drawer and taking her seat. “Why aren’t you out harvesting grapes?”
Mackenzie would have been there. When it was time, nothing could tear her away. Once she’d cut herself so badly she couldn’t stop the bleeding, but she’d still stayed out until sunset, then had gone to the emergency room for stitches.
“Soon. I wanted to talk to you first.” Rhys stared at her desk rather than her. “I’m having trouble finding a local winemaker willing to work here.”
“What does that even mean? How many have you talked to?”
He raised his gaze to hers. “All of them. I’m expanding the search to California. We should be able to find someone there.”
“No one will consider Bel Après? That’s ridiculous. We’re an award-winning company. Is it the salary?”
“No.”
“Then what is...” She stared at him as an uncomfortable thought occurred to her. “Are you saying they won’t work for me?”
He glanced away. “No one said that.”
Which wasn’t an answer. “Because I demand excellence,” she grumbled. “That’s fair. I work my ass off and I’m the bad guy. Did Mackenzie get to them first?”
“This has nothing to do with Mackenzie.”
She could see he was waiting for her to explode, but she didn’t feel angry. Instead her face was hot and her stomach hurt. All the glory from that morning faded, leaving her hollow inside.
The Vineyard at Painted Moon Page 26