“I’m not sure everyone up there would agree with you. But honestly, I love it down here so much, I don’t really care what they think.”
He held up his glass. “Here’s to not caring.”
She held hers up, clinking it with his. “To not caring.”
For a while they both ate quietly, but then Brynna started wondering what the women up in that house really were thinking. “Did you tell Gina and her friends you were dining down here with me?”
He looked sheepish.
“You didn’t, did you?”
“Truth be told, I sneaked out the back door without saying a word to anyone.”
She couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s terrible having to sneak around in your own house,” he continued. “But it feels like they’re everywhere. If it’s not Judith, it’s one of her daughters or Gina. It’s like I’m surrounded by females these days.”
“How long are Judith and her girls supposed to be here?”
“I have no idea. It seems like they don’t either.”
“They must be enjoying themselves.”
He shrugged. “I guess. Gina seems to run hot and cold on them. Sometimes she sounds fed up with her friends, and the next thing I know, she’s singing their praises. I thought they’d be gone by now, but for all I know they could be here all summer.” He chuckled. “Maybe me ducking out of their dinner again will send them packing. Ya think?”
“I don’t know...” Brynna remembered that Sophie had invited Gina’s guests to the birthday barbecue and doubted they’d leave before that. Not that she planned to mention tomorrow’s surprise. Instead, she asked him about the preparations for his mother’s big birthday party.
“Hopefully the pieces are falling into place,” he said.
“Well, let me know if there’s anything I can do.” She smiled. “I know it’s not in my job description, but I’d be happy to help.”
“I appreciate that. I’ll keep it in mind.” He pushed his empty plate aside. “That was really good. Thanks again.”
“Any room for dessert?”
He sighed and leaned back. “I’m not a big dessert eater.”
“Me neither. But I have some vanilla ice cream and fresh peaches if you’re interested.”
“Fresh peaches?” He rubbed his chin. “That actually sounds pretty good. Maybe just a small serving, but not until we finish the last of this.” He refilled her wineglass. “And if you’ve no objections, I’d like to relax and enjoy the view first.” He gazeddown toward the sloping rows of grapevines. “I love this section of vineyard. It’s why I put that big terrace out behind my house. I’ve missed sitting out there lately.”
She suspected that was due to his houseguests. “I noticed you had some festive-looking dinners on the terrace this week. It seems like the perfect place for gathering.”
“I always thought so. I remember when I put in the outdoor kitchen and Marcie thought I’d lost my mind.”
“Why was that?” Was she rude to question this?
“Because it was an expense, and she’d been wanting to remodel the kitchen in the house.” He shook his head. “Naturally, I had to give in to her after that. But her kitchen remodel cost about ten times more than the outdoor one.”
“It is a beautiful kitchen. I mean the indoor one. I’ve never seen the outdoor one. Not up close, anyway.” She wasn’t about to admit she’d studied it from a distance, or that she’d spied on their social gatherings a couple of times. “Anyway, I think Marcie did a wonderful job with it. And I know she put this cottage together too. She had very good taste.”
“Very expensive taste.”
Brynna didn’t know what to say. She certainly didn’t want to bad-mouth his deceased wife.
“But it’s nice that this cottage enjoys the same view.” He took a sip of his wine. “I’d forgotten.”
“I love sitting out here this time of evening.” She leaned back as well. “The way the long rays of golden sunlight filter through the dark-green grape leaves. It’s just so rich and beautiful. And when there’s a backdrop of dark clouds, like we had a few evenings ago, it’s truly magical. I love how the vines seem spotlighted, and the colors become so vivid and clear.”
