Brynna had mixed feelings as they turned onto the road to Sorrentino’s. On one hand, she was relieved to be done with this awkward drive and suspected Leroy felt the same. On the other hand, it hurt to witness the green and gold beauty of the vineyard again, knowing she was here only to say goodbye. The lump in her throat grew harder as the barn, house, and guest cottage came into view. She wanted to comment on what a lovely setting it all made but was afraid she’d break into tears. Seeing she had another text, she focused her attention on it. “This is from Sophie,” she told him. “She says the guest cottage is unlocked.”
“I’ll drop you there then,” he said a bit gruffly. “I’ve got some business to attend to.”
She thanked him and, refusing his effort to help with her bag, jumped out of the Jeep and hurried to the cottage. She had no idea how she planned to spend the next few hours. Would she just hole up here and lick her wounds? Or would it be better to go out and thoroughly enjoy her last hours in this magical place?
She paused at the cottage door to admire the flower beds she’d carefully weeded and tended and watered. They looked healthy and pretty now, but would anyone keep them up after she was gone? Perhaps it didn’t matter. As she went inside, she felt that familiar feeling of sweet hominess. She set her bag on the floor, then noticed that the bed was now neatly made and fresh linens were in the bathroom. Probably Sophie’s way of welcoming her back.
After getting settled and freshening up a bit, she texted a thank you to Sophie. She’d barely hit send when her phone rang.
“Oh, Bree, I’m so glad you’re back,” Sophie gushed. “If you’re not worn out, I could really use your help this afternoon.”
“Of course.” Brynna felt a wave of relief to have something to distract herself with. “Anything you need. Just ask.”
“Garth is working the tasting room today, and I’m trying to finish baking and decorating a cake. Plus, I’ve got some otherthings to do before the birthday party tomorrow, but the kids are driving me nuts.”
“Why don’t I come lend a hand?” she offered. “I noticed your bike’s still here. I could be at your place in about fifteen minutes if I pedal fast.”
“Thank you!”
Brynna hurriedly changed into faded jeans and a white T-shirt then hopped on the bike. Even though the sun was beating down hard, she pedaled as fast as she could over to Sophie’s house. As she coasted down a rolling hill, bracing herself for going up the next one, she mentally debated whether to let Sophie know she was here only until tomorrow. It seemed kinder to say nothing ... and yet Sophie had asked for a “proper goodbye.” As she pedaled up the next hill, she silently prayed, asking God to lead her. It was the third time she’d prayed today. Was this getting to be a habit? If so, she liked it.
So far no one had mentioned anything about Leroy’s birthday tomorrow, and he felt fairly certain the date had fallen below their radar. That worked for him. He’d never enjoyed that kind of attention. Considering how busy everyone was—with the winery improvements, Gina with her houseguests, Luna with her internship, Sophie with her family and pregnancy, plus the birthday celebration being planned for his mother—he was relieved to be forgotten.
When he’d told Brynna he had work to do it wasn’t completely untrue. There was always work to do around here. However, he didn’t have anything specific in mind as he drove over to the burn area. Even as he busied himself with digging and staking and cleaning where the crew had left off, his labors felt mechanical. As if he weren’t really there. As if his mind and his heart were somewhere else ... somewhere far away.
As he toiled in the hot sun, the information he’d learned about Brynna continuously looped through his head. Round and round,as if replaying it over and over could make him grasp it better. He thought about what Sophie had told him, and what Brynna had written in her letter, and most of all, what he’d gleaned from their conversation in the Jeep. Finally, hot and tired and dirty, he climbed into his rig, ready to call it a day. But first he wanted to talk to Sophie. He knew she assumed that he’d brought Brynna back to stay here and he wanted her to understand it was just for the night—to say goodbye.
But as he pulled into the driveway, he noticed the turquoise bike parked by the house. Had Garth brought it back here or was Brynna visiting? It wasn’t that he wanted to avoid Brynna exactly ... well, maybe he did. But as he saw his grandkids tearing around the side of the house with Brynna right behind them, he knew it was too late.Just man up and get out, he silently chastised himself.
As he waved to the kids, noticing his ash-blackened hands and clothes, he realized he looked like a bum. But that was life on a vineyard. He called out to his grandkids, cautioning them that he was filthy as they redirected their path toward him. Oblivious to the dirt, Addison grabbed onto Leroy’s leg, but Lucy folded her arms in front of her with a scowl of disapproval.
“Pappy, you should go wash up,” she sternly advised him. “Just don’t wipe your dirty hands on Mama’s nice white towels or she’ll yell at you.”
Leroy chuckled. “Thanks for the warning.” He looked at Brynna. Her face was flushed and her brow glistened, but she looked as pretty as ever—and could’ve passed for a young babysitter in her blue jeans, T-shirt, and long brown ponytail. “Hello there,” he said, suddenly feeling a bit like an awkward teenager.
“Hello.” She shoved her hands into her pockets with what looked like a forced smile. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “Working on the burn area.”
“Thirsty?” she asked. “I made a pitcher of sweet tea. I could bring you out a glass if you like.”
“That sounds great.” With Addison still clinging to his leg, helimp-dragged the youngster over to a lawn chair that was in the shade and sat down, then he proceeded to tickle his grandson until he had to let go. “What are you kids up to?” he asked Lucy, who was still keeping a safe distance. “Where’s your mom?”
“She’s inside,” Lucy informed him. “Cooking something.”
Leroy felt his stomach growling. “What’s she cooking?”
“I dunno.” Lucy shrugged with a funny expression on her face. “But she told us to stay out of the kitchen.”
“Right.” He looked up to see Brynna coming out with some paper cups and an oversized mason jar filled with tea.
She sat down on the other lawn chair, then filled four paper cups, handing them out. “I don’t usually add sweetening to iced tea,” she said, “but that’s how Sophie likes it.”
“That’s how we like it too,” Lucy said.
“It’s how Sophie’s mom used to make it.” He took a long swig. “And today it hits the spot.” He downed his tea then, smiling, held it out for more. He studied Brynna as she refilled it, noticing how blue her eyes looked in this light. Kind of a periwinkle blue.
“I was wondering where you’d like Jan and Mike to set up their camp tonight,” Brynna said. “They don’t need much room. Jan’s trailer is pretty small, and Mike has a tent that’s even smaller. I wondered about the parking area behind the barn. Sophie told me there’s no tasting scheduled for tomorrow.”
