“All I’m gonna do is make sure that guy doesn’t think he’s coming back here to stay.” Leroy started to stand, determined to nip this thing in the bud.
“Wait.” Gina held up her phone. “Sophie should handle this. She’s the one who hired her.”
Leroy sat down again to consider her reasoning, but before he could respond, Gina was already on the phone with her sister. From the sound of it, their new hire had simply gotten a ride from the motorcycle man.
“Okay,” Gina assured her sister, “I’ll make sure Dad doesn’t go off half-cocked.” She pocketed her phone with a satisfied smile. “Sophie confirmed that Bree is single and never mentioned a live-in boyfriend. She’s certain there’s no problem. The motorcycle guy probably goes with the trailer lady.”
“Huh?” Leroy scratched his head.
“That’s what Sophie said. So don’t worry, okay?”
He shrugged. “As long as it’s true.”
“Of course, it’s true. Sophie promised to ask Bree about it, just in case. So why not let her handle it?”
“Fine. Sophie can handle it. Speaking of handling things, where’s your little work crew? Sleeping in?”
“As a matter of fact, they were all just getting up. And Judith is fixing us breakfast.”
“Judith?”
“Mara’s mom. Remember, I told you all about her.” She sounded aggravated.
He tried to think. “Well, I do remember Mara was your roommate—before you dropped out of school.” He gave her a dismal look. “But I honestly don’t remember anything about a mother or sister.”
“Well, Mara’s sister is Cassie, and she’s seventeen. Mara’s mom is Judith. I’m not sure how old she is, but she’s been divorced acouple of years. Judith and Cassie live in Palo Alto. I spent a few weekends with them last year. Do you rememberthat?”
“I guess I have a lot going on in here.” He tapped the side of his head. “Sorry.”
“That’s okay. Anyway, I’ve been wanting you to meet Judith for a while. She’s really nice, Dad. Hopefully, you’ll remember your manners today. You know, those same manners you taught to your kids. How to congenially meet someone without acting like a social outcast.” She poked him in the chest. “I had to make your apologies yesterday. I told them you were justso busy.”
“Iambusy.” He polished off his coffee. “In fact, I have a full day planned—”
“It’s Sunday, Dad. You don’t usually do real work on Sunday. You always used to say that it was a day of rest.”
“And it usually is. But there’s a Bible verse about this guy whose ox has fallen in a ditch on the Sabbath, saying even though it’s hard work, it’s okay to rescue the ox.”
“You don’t have an ox, Dad.”
“This vineyard is my ox. And there’s so much to do right now to rescue it, well, I think God will understand.” He stood.
“But don’t you want to have breakfast with us? Judith plans to make something special. I think she’s going to serve it on the back terrace and everything. Mara wants to make fresh-squeezed orange juice, and Cassie’s setting the table up real nice. And they all want you to join us.”
Leroy let out a low groan.
“Judith’s a great cook. And she loves French cuisine. She’s making crepes with fresh berries, cheese blintzes, and I can’t remember what else.”
Leroy considered the granola bar and banana he’d stuck in his denim jacket pocket. “Well, okay then. I guess I could join you ladies for breakfast. Just don’t expect me to sit around and chew the fat all morning.”
Gina laughed. “There won’t be much fat, Dad. Judith’s a vegetarian.”
He rolled his eyes. “So no bacon and eggs, then?”
Gina punched him playfully. “Come on, Dad. Be a good sport, okay?”
“I’ll do my best,” he assured her. “In the meantime, I need to go check on the south slope drip lines. I noticed water was puddling in the low section.” He reached for his hat, then shoved it onto his head. “I’ve got my phone. Let me know when it’s time to eat.”
“And you’ll really come this time?” Gina looked skeptical. “You won’t blow us off like you did last night?”
