“It would be fun to go to town, get some dinner, see a movie...”
“Then just do it.” She tapped his phone in his shirt pocket. “Call Sophie and tell her to get ready for a night out.”
Within minutes, a plan was concocted. Brynna would spend the evening with Lucy and Addison while their parents enjoyed a much-deserved evening away.
Chapter 22
Leroy felt frustrated as he loaded a couple of wine cases into the back of his Jeep. Despite the current demands in the vineyard, he’d quit work earlier than usual today in the hopes of actually meeting Bree. But even though it wasn’t quite four, the office door was already locked. Hearing the phone ringing, he’d gone inside to take the call. Good thing, too, since it was a large and urgent order for an impromptu wedding reception this weekend in the Bay Area. They wanted ten cases by the next day.
With the information about that order in his pocket, Leroy headed for the tasting room to find Garth. But seeing a large group inside, Leroy didn’t want to interrupt. Still in his field clothes, and assuming Bree was inside helping Garth, he decided to use this time to make a fast dash to the house, where he quietly sneaked up the back staircase to take a quick shower. While he was putting on clean clothes, his cell phone rang. It was Jason Reed, an old friend from high school now living up in Bodega Bay. He’d called to place a special wine order.
“Sorry to be so last minute,” Jason said, “and to call your personal number. Our tenth anniversary is coming up, and my wife just told me that she loves Sorrentino’s chardonnay.”
“Well, that’s nice to hear.” Leroy tugged on a button-up shirt.
“And, let me tell you, Laurie was quite impressed when I informed her that I personally know the owner of the winery.” Jason chuckled. “I admitted we weren’t best buddies, Leroy, but just the same, she thought it was pretty cool. Anyway, I’d love to drive down there and pick up a couple of cases of your best chardonnay, but I’ve got this big court case tomorrow and I wondered if you could do a fast shipment of—”
“Why don’t I just bring it to you?”
“You’d do that?”
“Sure. It’d be a fun drive up 101.”
Leroy ended the call with the promise to call back in an hour or so for more details, but by the time he reached the tasting room, it was closed and locked. Neither Garth nor Bree was anywhere to be seen. But determined to meet the new office manager, Leroy had actually marched up to the guest cottage and boldly knocked on the door. He noticed her bicycle parked in front, so he was surprised when no one answered. He even knocked louder and called out her name. Then, assuming she was out for a walk—like he’d seen her take just last evening when he was stuck out on his terrace with Gina and her friends—he decided to do a bit of walking himself. All for nothing. When he got back to the cottage, her bike was still there, but she still did not answer the door.
In frustration he called Jason back and agreed to deliver the order this evening. And now, with the Jeep loaded with his best chardonnay, he wished he hadn’t agreed to this. Although it would get him out of his house for the night. That was worth something.
“Hey, Dad.” Gina rolled a wheelbarrow full of gravel toward him. “What’s up?”
“Just loading up some wine.” He shut the hatch with a thud.
“Where’re you taking it?”
“Just a delivery—out of town.” He tried not to look as grim as he felt.
She frowned. “You’re delivering it yourself?”
“It’s for a friend.” He sighed. “In Bodega Bay.”
“Bodega Bay?” She cocked her head to one side. “That’s a two-hour drive.”
“Yeah, but like I said, it’s for a buddy.” He didn’t want to deceive his daughter but didn’t care to admit he was glad to take the delivery—just to escape the overload of females in his house. “And the coast highway will be pretty this time of day. I’ll have a visit with my friend, spend the night, and drive back tomorrow.”
“Oh?” She nodded. “Sounds like fun.” She tweaked the rim of his hat. “And if anyone deserves some fun, I guess it’s you, Dad. Enjoy!”
He frowned at her load of gravel. “You need help with that?”
“No, I’m a big girl, remember? Besides, I’m used to hard labor.”
He grinned. “Well, that’s what working a vineyard’s all about, right? Hard labor.”
She rolled her eyes. “Wish everyone in the vineyard agreed with that.”
“Meaning?” He studied her. “Something I should know? An employee giving you a bad time? Not our new manager, I hope.”
“No, she’s fine. I actually met her today.” She narrowed her eyes. “In fact, she reminds me of someone.”
“Uh-huh?” He waited.
