The Vineyard at Painted Moon - Susan Mallery Page 0,14
smiled. “You said it was a great year.”
“It was. We had perfect conditions and a harvest to match. I want to hold it an extra three months before we sell it.”
“What? No! You can’t. The reserve is already scheduled to be bottled and we’ve told our wine club members when to expect it. There are events that—” Barbara pressed her lips together. “Mackenzie, you’re being overly cautious.”
“Three more months. I promise, it will be worth the wait.”
“It had better be,” Barbara grumbled. “Do you know the costs of keeping that many barrels in storage?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Down to the penny. She might not run the business side of the winery, but she knew all the numbers.
She heard familiar footsteps in the hallway and smiled. Seconds later, Rhys walked in. He crossed to her, bent down and kissed her lightly on the mouth, before greeting his mother.
As he took his seat next to Mackenzie, he said, “You were right about the Seven Hills irrigation. Several of the drip lines had been chewed through. How do you know when stuff like that happens?”
“I just get a feeling.”
Bel Après had acreage all over southwestern Washington State and into Oregon, from Red Mountain to the Walla Walla Valley and south to Seven Hills. The different areas had distinct characteristics that influenced the grapes. Mackenzie liked working with the various topographical challenges each vineyard offered.
Everyone was hot for Red Mountain, and she thought the vineyards there were special, as well, but she could make her magic just about anywhere. She supposed her ability to go with the flow, so to speak, was because she didn’t own any of it. She was married to Rhys, but as for her work at Bel Après, she was simply an employee. She got a paycheck twice a month, along with quarterly royalties from her Highland wines, but at the end of the day, she worked for Barbara.
Her house was part of the Barcellona family compound, her truck was winery property. She supposed if she were to suddenly pack up and leave, she could fit everything that was actually hers into a handful of moving boxes and be gone in a few hours.
An unexpectedly sad thought. Not that she was going anywhere. This was home. Rhys was her husband, Stephanie was her best friend and Barbara was pretty much the closest thing to a mother she’d ever had.
She was a Barcellona, she reminded herself. In spirit if not in name. She was a part of the fabric of the family. If sometimes she thought about how nice it would be to buy a few acres just to play with, well, that wasn’t going to happen.
There were more footsteps on the stairs. Stephanie and Four joined them. Stephanie sat next to Mackenzie and immediately started talking.
“Carson leaves tomorrow. I don’t think I can let him go.”
Mackenzie grabbed her friend’s hand and smiled. “You do this every summer. He’s been going to baseball camp since he was eleven. Yes, you’ll miss him, but it’s for the greater good. Let him go. It’s what he wants.”
“You’re being rational. I find that offensive.”
Mackenzie laughed. “No, you don’t.”
Stephanie’s mouth turned up at the corners. “Okay, I don’t, but why is this so hard? I thought it would get easier. But every summer it’s just as painful to know he’s leaving.”
“You love him and you like having him around.”
“I know. I suppose part of it is that he’s gone the whole summer. When he gets back, we’re two weeks from school starting. Why does camp have to be so long?”
Barbara turned toward them. “Dear God, Stephanie, let it go. We’re all aware that you have trouble setting your children free. Catherine, say something about the cycle of life or the universe having angels to take care of teenage boys.”
Four smiled. “You’ll have more time with Avery. Maybe plan a girls’ weekend in Portland or something.”
Stephanie brightened. “You’re right. That would be fun. Thank you.”
“Order restored,” Barbara said dryly. “Hallelujah.”
She waved her hand as she spoke, her new engagement ring catching the light. Mackenzie leaned forward and touched her hand.
“I didn’t get to see your ring up close, at the party. It’s lovely.”
Barbara splayed her fingers. “I’m still getting used to it, but yes, it is fabulous. Giorgio chose well.”
“In his choice of bride as well as his choice of jewelry,” Rhys said with a grin.
Stephanie glared at him. “Suck-up.”
Barbara sighed. “Children, please.”
“Have you decided on any wedding particulars?” Mackenzie asked.