Chapter Thirty-Nine
When all theripened bunches had been removed from those first vines, he lifted the basket and they moved past other servants cutting grapes to the vines that still had bunches and continued to cut. When the basket was full, he took it to the wagons and returned with an empty one. This continued until grapes had been cut from the entire row.
It was backbreaking work and the hand that clutched the knife began to ache. He was hot and his shirt was soaked with sweat and every time he bent over, it dripped off his nose. He was not alone because everyone was in a disheveled state. Even Caroline, who had her hat in place, had sweat dripping down her neck and her dress was damp.
Sterling stood and looked around. They were only halfway through the third row with dozens or more to go.
As much as he wanted to quit and rest, nobody else did, nor did they complain of the discomfort, so he got right back to work. Only when a horn blasted just as they reached the end of yet another row did everyone stop. There were some groans from the workers as they stood. Some placed palms against their lower backs, others stretched then wiped their brows with handkerchiefs.
Mr. Hallaway was standing on the back of the wagon. “No more cutting today.” He yelled out. “Eat a meal, drink water, rest, and arrive in the barn in an hour.” He then jumped down and two workers ledthe horses away, one following the other and both carried baskets filled with grapes.
“Cook will have fruits, bread, cheese, and cold meats waiting,” Caroline said as she started to walk back toward the house, the other workers accompanying them.
He had assumed it would be food for them, but she meant everyone and he was surprised by the tables now on the terrace loaded with food and jugs of water as well as pitchers of lemonade.
The workers formed a line, filled plates then found a place in the shade.
Sterling went directly to the jug of water, filled a glass and drank deeply. Many of the workers had canteens with them that they drank from while they worked. If he had one, he would do the same. Caroline had shared hers, but he had been careful not to drink too much.
He then filled a plate, surprised that he was not as hungry as he thought he would be and selected more of the lighter fruits than the heavier cheeses. He then found a place to sit and relax near others, but not so close as to be intrusive since many looked at him with curiosity.
Caroline had disappeared into her home and he assumed she had decided to find a cooler place to rest, but she wasn’t gone long before she returned and handed him an empty canteen with a smile.
“Thank you.”
She then filled a plate and joined him. They ate in silence, which he did not mind. Those around them talked quietly and he could only assume that it was because they were more tired than he was since they had already been working hours before he arrived.
When the horn was blown again, everyone got up, returned their plates, cups and eating utensils to the tables, refilled their canteens, then started walking toward the barn.
*
The familiar sightof long tables, baskets of grapes, and empty buckets in the middle welcomed them and her father assigned jobs to each person as they entered. She was sent to the table to inspect the grapes for freshness before they were tossed in the large vat, but Caroline waited to find out where Sterling would be assigned, which turned out to be destemming. She then took a place at the opposite end of the table and across from him. She told herself that it was simply to observe and help if he needed assistance.
Except, he didn’t need any guidance. Once the man next to Sterling explained that all he needed to do was pull the grapes from the stem and put them in the bucket, he set to work and only occasionally looked up, and at her.
She smiled in return and started inspecting the grapes to make certain they were ripe enough to use for wine, discarding those that were too old or too damaged.
He would smile at her too. No, it was a grin, as if he were fully enjoying himself.
Then again, it was the first day and by the time they were finished, he would likely collapse in his bed, too exhausted to visit hers.
Caroline sighed and returned to inspecting the grapes. She would miss him very much when he was gone.
There was less banter around the table than normally accompanied the harvest, but she assumed that it was because Sterling stood among them. If she did not know him as well as she did, she too would have been intimidated.
Maybe they would become more relaxed tomorrow. That was, assuming Sterling returned the second day of the harvest.
She glanced at him again and smiled. He would be back and return each day until all the grapes had been cut, destemmed, and crushed. Of that she was certain.
They worked quickly through the afternoon because the workers were experienced. After a few hours, everything that had been cut that day was now in the large, slightly angled vats for what came next.
Chapter Forty
Sterling straightened hisfingers then made a fist, then straightened his fingers all over again. He needed to loosen his hands from the stiffness of holding the knife then gently pinching grapes while he removed them from the stems.
It was not a complaint and he looked forward to doing it again. But now that the grapes were in the vat, he waited to see who would be crushing them, and if he were to be honest with himself, he hoped that he could participate.
“Come along.” Caroline tugged on his shirtsleeve and led him to an area where others had gathered and were removing their stockings and shoes and rolling up their trousers.
