“Why can’t I do it?” Brynna jumped in.
“Yes, of course! In fact, the sooner we get an accurate count, the better. I already filed an extension on our taxes, but we need to get caught up before that deadline.”
Sophie continued taking Brynna through the paces then gave her a quick tour of the rest of the winery, including the “cellar” where barrels and cases were stored. It was actually an aboveground building on one side, but the other side was buried into the hill. Still, Sophie called it the wine cellar as she walked Brynna through, explaining the barrels and various wine sections and how they were arranged according to year.
“Hopefully you can get an accurate inventory before things get too crazy around here.” Sophie struggled to pull the big wooden barn door closed, and Brynna jumped in to help.
“I’ll start working on it as soon as I can.” Brynna latched the door closed, watching as Sophie secured the lock then handed her the key.
“Keep it on the wall in the office like I showed you,” Sophie reminded her then glanced at her watch. “It’s already noon. That’s when I usually take my lunch hour. Quitting time is four. Well, unless you’re helping in the tasting room. That can run longer.”
“But that probably doesn’t feel like work.”
“You’re right. It’s actually fun. But Garth told me I can’t help him there anymore. He gets too many comments about pregnant women and wine. As if they think I’m imbibing.” She rolled her eyes.
“And for your baby’s sake, you should go home and have your lunch, Sophie.” Brynna held up the notebook she’d been filling with tips and phone numbers and chores and suggestions. “I think I’ve got plenty to keep me busy until four. So you don’t need to come back—”
“But I told Garth I’d spend the whole day with you.”
“I know. But I feel like I’ve got this. And if I have any questions, I can just call you.” She placed a hand on Sophie’s shoulder. “It’s okay for you to take it easy. Well, as easy as you can with two little ones to chase after. But really, you need to take care of yourself.”
“Oh, Bree! You sound just like Dad.”
Brynna smiled. “I guess we both care about you.”
“You’re sure you can do this without me?” Sophie frowned.
“I’ll give it my best shot.”
“And you promise to call if you need anything?”
“Of course. And if it’s okay, I’d like to come by your house and work on your garden after work.”
“Today?”
“Why not?”
“Well, if you really want. I guess it would be a chance for me to hear how your day went ... in case you have questions.”
“Perfect.” Brynna smiled.
Sophie promised to text Brynna directions to her house and then, with a bit more encouragement from Brynna, she finally left. After a quick lunch “hour,” Brynna returned to the office and went to work. It was fun to be busy, but every time she heard someone outside the door, she felt her heart rate increase. What if it was Leroy? What if he walked in and saw her? What would he do? What would she say?
To her relief, the afternoon passed without any sign of Leroy. Brynna knew he was busy helping a team of workers restore a burned section of the vineyard. She wouldn’t mind if she didn’t run into him for a few days. Long enough for her to get her feet under her and feel like a real part of this place. After that, well, she didn’t really want to think about it. Fortunately, she had plenty to distract herself with.
At four o’clock, she locked the office like Sophie had told her, then hurried back to the cottage to change into gardening clothes. But, knowing it was possible she could run into Leroy, she made sure they were cute gardening clothes. Happy to be on a bicycle,pedaling through a beautiful field of grapes, she followed Sophie’s directions by riding up the main vineyard road and over the hill, and finally, turning right at Quail Road, she soon found the manufactured home.
Sophie and the children came out to meet her. “How was your afternoon?” Sophie asked.
“Great.” Brynna parked the bike, then waited as Sophie introduced her to her five-year-old daughter. Lucy had brown curls and brown eyes like her mother. And three-year-old towhead, Addison, peered curiously at Brynna with wide blue eyes.
“Bree is going to work in our garden,” Sophie told the kids.
“Yes.” Brynna rubbed her hands together. “I can hardly wait.”
“Youwantto work in Mom’s garden?” Lucy asked with furrowed brows.
“Of course.” Brynna nodded eagerly. “I never get to work in gardens. I can’t wait to see it.”
