Crush the Crescent Lake Winery Series Book 2

by Lucinda Race

  Dear Ms. Price,

  As you may know, the London Wine Fair is in a few weeks, but we have an unexpected vacancy in our master class schedule. Would you be interested in presenting a lecture on red wines?

  I’ve attached the summary of several other presentations to give you the flavor of what would be expected. We will gladly pay for your travel arrangements and hotel accommodations while you are in London. I look forward to hearing from you.

  Sincerely,

  Lisette Bishop, Executive Director

  Anna was dumbfounded. Why on earth would one of the premier organizations in the world want her to speak on red wines? She set the pages aside and turned on her computer. While she waited for it, she walked down the hall to the efficiency kitchen and fixed herself a cup of strong black coffee. She hoped to be back in her lab before Don got in.

  “Good morning, Anna.”

  Don’s deep voice caused her to jump, sloshing the hot coffee over the rim of the mug and onto the floor.

  “Don, you startled me.”

  He grabbed some paper towels and wiped up the floor. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to. I guess your mind was someplace else.”

  She could hear the playful tone in his voice. “I was thinking about a letter I received today, from the London Wine Fair.”

  He gave a low whistle. “What did they want?” He tossed the paper towels in the trash.

  “They offered me an opportunity to present on red wine, but I think talking about the blending process for innovative wines based on the grapes is a better topic.”

  “Agreed, and it’s a sweet opportunity. So you’re going to do it?”

  “I’m not sure, but it’s something to think about. CLW hasn’t exhibited in a while. Why not?”

  He leaned against the counter. “It’s been a few years and probably something we need to think about. If you go, you could check it out for us and let us know if we should try and get space next year.”

  “I can do that.” She gave him a gentle shove. “For now, I have samples to gather from the tanks and testing to do. We’re getting close to bottling the shiraz from last year’s harvest.”

  “Good. Let me know what you find out and when we’re going to schedule a run. I’ll bring in some people to get the line ready to go.”

  “Right.” Anna was going to head back to her lab when she said, “Don?”

  He grabbed a carton of cream from the fridge. “Yeah?”

  “When you went to the wine fair in London, were there a ton of people there?” She wondered how many people might attend her presentation.

  He sipped his coffee. “I went my first year as president. It was packed and I made some great contacts, had some fun in London, but it was exhausting. Most of my time was at the convention hall. The presentations were popular. Why?”

  “It might be interesting to go. Any timing issues that you could think of?”

  “No. We can work it out. Especially once we get the shiraz bottling organized.”

  “Dad’s feeling good too.”

  “It’s a true statement. You should go; your instincts on harvesting and blending are the best I’ve ever seen. Even Max said he wished he had your intuition.”

  This was the second time in a short period he had given her a compliment; maybe he had taken what she’d said to heart. “Thanks. See you later.” She hurried down the hall and, once she got inside her haven, closed the door behind her. The lab was immaculate. Everything had a place and that was the way she liked it. She reread the letter from Ms. Bishop. The only reason they asked is they’re desperate.

  She set it aside and picked up her notebook and a pen and set them back down. Going to London would be a good change of pace, and it did say her expenses would be paid. Heck, a paid vacation—that was worth considering. She’d swing by her parents’ after her meeting about the STEM program and bounce the idea off them. She folded the letter and stuck it in her bag.

  It was time to get down to business. She flipped open the notebook and made a few notes. They were close to bottling this batch, and then it would age for another six months. If all went well, it’d be ready in time for the holiday sale.

  The next afternoon, Anna entered her old high school. Her heels clicked on the dull linoleum floor. The long corridor was lined with metal lockers, and overhead lights shone bright as she looked for the math department. Things hadn’t changed since she had been a student here. The familiar smell of pine cleaner filled the air. Kids had gone home for the day and most of the classrooms she passed were dark.

  The math and science rooms were down on the left. They used to overlook a grassy field but from her observation outside, it was now a large greenhouse.

  At last she found Room 122. She tapped on the glass side panel and poked her head inside. An older woman sat at the desk. She looked up from the stack of papers in front of her and gave Anna a warm smile.

  “Anna Price. How nice to see you again.” Her former teacher, Karen Kelley, welcomed her into the classroom.

  “Ms. Kelley, it’s good to see you.”

  “Karen, please.” She gestured to a small round table off to one side. “Have a seat and tell me how things are at the winery.”

  She pulled out a chair and sat down. Karen took the chair across from her. She really did look as Anna remembered. She had pale-blue eyes, a quick and easy smile, and a splash of freckles. Her reddish hair had a few strands of gray and she must be nearing retirement after all these years. Ms. Kelley had taught all of her sisters and brothers.

  “Things are good. I became an enologist.” She saw the confusion fall over Karen’s face. It wasn’t unusual for her to get this reaction when she told someone what she did. “It’s a fancy way of saying I’m in charge of winemaking at the vineyard. I work with Jack to keep the vines healthy, and I blend all the varieties we make and follow up until it’s ready for sale. So basically, I’m from vine to table.” She gave her a smile.

  “It sounds like a pretty important job.” Karen crossed her arms over her midsection. “Do your sisters and brothers work there?”

  “Tessa owns Sand Creek Winery with her husband.”

  “I went there for a tasting when some friends were in town a few weeks ago. It was nice, but I didn’t know she owned it.”

  “She took ownership about eighteen months ago.”

  “And the twins?”

  “Leo is a mechanic, but he’s moved into classic car restoration now, and Liza has become an event planner. She does some events at CLW, but she can work at any venue. But Don and Jack work with me.”

  “A nice family business.” She gave an approving nod. “I was surprised to get your phone call the other day.”

  “Really? Why is that?”

  “Not in a bad way. I’m thrilled you want to volunteer with us.”

  “I think it would be rewarding and I remember we had a good STEM program here. Is it still active?”

  “I couldn’t agree more. And you would be an excellent role model. You always were in the top of your class in school.”

  “Thank you.” Anna really wanted to find out when she could get into the classroom with the kids. The small talk was driving her buggy.

  “But the program you’re referring to ended a few years ago from lack of money, and we would need community leaders to support its relaunch. I’ve talked with the other teachers in the science and technology departments, and we all agree starting an after-school club for girls would be a wonderful opportunity. Sadly, we’d need funding and approval from the school board and both of these will take time.”

  Anna sat up straighter in the chair. She felt her bubble burst.

  "The most successful programs are carefully planned, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Anna understood. “You’re right. It makes the most sense to have a sound plan before presenting this to the board.”

  “I’m glad you understand. I’d be interested to see an outline of your ideas.” Karen stood up and walked to the desk. “Please stay in to
uch.”

  “I will.” She picked up her bag from the table.

  “Anna, I love your enthusiasm for this project.” Karen extended her hand.

  Giving it a firm shake, Anna said, “Thank you for your time today and we’ll be talking very soon.”

  Anna left the school pleased with how things had gone despite it being slower than she had hoped. She texted Colin. Dinner? I’d love to tell you about my exciting day.

  Before she pulled out of the parking space, she got a YES!!! in return.

  Meet me at Anthony’s at six?

  He responded, Looking forward to it.

  Her next stop was to see her parents and show them the letter from the wine fair. What could Dad share about her presentation topic or who she might meet in London? She laughed to herself. Her mind was made up and she was going.

  Once she got behind the wheel, she pushed the hands-free option to call her parents.

  Mom answered on the third ring. She was slightly out of breath.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “Anna, this is a nice surprise.”

  “What are you doing?” She eased out of the parking space and drove slowly through the lot. Looking right and left, she pulled out onto the quiet two-lane road.

  “I was just pulling out some old luggage from the storage room.”

  “That’s exciting. Do you mind if I swing by?”

  Mom laughed. “You don’t have to call and ask. You know better. I’ll brew some coffee for when you get here.”

  “That sounds good. I could use a boost of something. See you soon.”

  She disconnected the line and pushed a button on the steering wheel. Jazz filled the car. Her thoughts turned to Colin. Maybe he’d want to go with her to Europe. They could rent a car and hit the open road. Now that sounded appealing, and she could ask him over dinner.

  18

  Anna drove slowly down her parents’ drive and parked in front of the garage. Her parents were sitting on the porch glider and appeared to be deep in conversation when she walked up the wide, shallow steps.

  “Hey, Mom, Dad.”

  Before either of them could respond, she held up her hand as Mom started to get up. “I can get coffee, or would you prefer wine?”

  Mom said, “Coffee, please.”

  Anna set about the task. After she returned with steaming mugs of coffee, she settled herself on the wicker chair and asked, “You’re done sorting luggage?”

  “We will need to buy a few new pieces. What we have is older than you.”

  Dad said, “What brings you by today?” Mom tapped his leg and he smiled. “Not that we’re not happy to see you.”

  “First, I wanted to ask you why you were angry with David the other day at lunch.”

  “He offered to purchase CLW for a paltry sum of money, said he was helping out an old family friend who needed to retire.” His lips pressed together, and then he took a deep breath. “I reminded him that we are a family-run business and it takes all of us to be successful.”

  “Wow, he was bold.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows. “It was nice to see Colin.”

  “It was, and we’re not talking about Colin, but David.”

  He shook his head. “Let’s not dwell on David. I set him straight and he’s headed back to France. But what else did you want to talk about?”

  She pulled the oversized envelope from her bag and passed it to him. “I got this in the mail and wondered what you thought.”

  He took his time reading the cover letter and subsequent pages before he handed it to Mom and gave her a thoughtful look. “What do you think of this opportunity?”

  She noticed he didn’t give his opinion but was waiting for her to respond. “Well, on the one hand, I’m honored they contacted me, but on the other, I feel like I’m just a last-ditch effort to fill in for someone better. However, I want to go.”

  He nodded as she spoke. Measuring his words carefully, he said, “I can tell you that being on this list is very prestigious. I believe you were to be invited next year and pulled up with this vacancy.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “I submitted your name”—he held up his hand—“and before you get mad, I want you to have the recognition you deserve and maybe I should have told you, but in my defense, I didn’t want you to start worrying about it.”

  She had to admit she hadn’t thought of it in those terms. “Interesting perspective.”

  Mom handed her the envelope. “It’s exciting.”

  “To be honest, when I first got it, I thought about saying no. But an all-expenses paid trip? That’s hard to walk away from. And now, Dad, the idea that you submitted my name to them and they agreed with you gives it more significance. I’m definitely in.” She took the letter and jammed it into her bag. “But I’m just a part of the family business. I’m not a great world-renowned enologist.”

  Dad sat up straight in his chain and beamed. “Anna, you sell yourself short. You’re very talented and the recognition you’d get from attending the convention would be good for both you and CLW.”

  She sat up. “Over dinner, I’m going to ask Colin to go with me.”

  Mom grinned. “Take a few extra days and do some sightseeing. How long has it been since you’ve been to Europe?”

  “A couple of years, and I do love England.”

  “Give the queen our regards.” Mom sipped her coffee.

  “But of course.” She smiled. “Dad, I can’t figure out David’s angle. Why do you think he really came here?”

  “Henri and I talk occasionally, and we’ve always had a friendly rivalry even though we have an ocean between us. He’s never mentioned an interest in purchasing CLW, not that it would be for sale. Just bizarre.” He looked over the rim of his mug. “You did a good job with the wine selections. He enjoyed them and we really put our best glass forward.”

  “We have good wine, so it was easy.” Her gaze slid over the greenery of vines, the leaves dancing in the soft breeze. “We have good growth this year, and the new field is almost ready for Don to plant his new variety.”

  “It took him a while after living in Loudon for so long, but now he and Kate are home and ready to get started on their own blend.” Mom took Dad’s hand. “I’m glad they’re going to carry on your grandfather’s tradition of each married couple planting a section of the land to ensure the future of the family.”

  Anna said, “Do you think Tessa and Max will plant a field at Sand Creek or here?”

  Dad stood up. “There are acres put aside for them on CLW land so I hope they do, but I understand if they want to start their own tradition.”

  He excused himself, and Mom watched him with a tender smile on her lips. “Checking the weather is something he’s done his entire life. I guess some habits are hard to change.” When he was out of earshot, she said, “It still stings, what happened with Tessa. He understands why she walked away from CLW, but there are things like the new vine tradition he never thought would end for any of our children.”

  “Maybe they’ll plant in both wineries.” Anna leaned forward and took her mom’s hand. “How is Dad really?”

  “He has an appointment with the nutritionist for a follow-up and blood work. We’ll know next week how things are going.”

  “I’m curious. Did you talk about traveling after the first heart attack?”

  “We did but never took action. We kept putting it off, saying there was plenty of time.” Mom looked into her eyes. “He slowed down the number of hours he worked, but he never really walked away from the business, just like Grandfather Donald, who died too young.” There was a catch in her throat. “I want you to live an amazing, full life. What do you want? Do you see Colin in your future?”

  “I’ve been thinking about my future and Colin a lot lately.” She shrugged. “I do know I don’t want to be alone anymore and I’m willing to take chances and explore new opportunities, but I love my job at CLW, and that will never change.”

  “I
’ve been worried about you for a while. Find what makes you happy and live your best life.”

  “Thanks.” She gave Mom a one-armed squeeze. “I’m going to take off; I’m having dinner with Colin.”

  Mom gave her a quick hug. “Have fun tonight.”

  Anna was waiting for Colin when he got to the restaurant. She looked up and gave him a wide smile. He leaned in and lightly kissed her lips before sitting down.

  “I’m so glad you texted. Seeing my favorite person is a great way to wrap up a very long but hectic day.”

  “I hope it’s okay I ordered you a beer.”

  He loved a woman who was confident, and Anna certainly exuded that every time they were together. “That will hit the spot,” he said and looked up just as the waiter set down a glass of red wine for Anna and beer in front of him. He left the menus and said he’d be back for their order.

  “Before we talk about medical stuff, tell me all about your day. Your eyes are shining like you’re bursting to tell me all good stuff.”

  She picked up her glass and tapped his bottle. “I got invited to attend and present at one of the premier wine events in Europe.”

  He could feel his eyes grow wide. “That’s great. When and where?”

  “In three weeks.” She lifted a shoulder, trying to act nonchalant. “I talked to Don and my dad and it’s a pretty big deal. So, I’m going to go.”

  “That’s awesome. Do you know what you’re going to talk about yet and what kinds of people you will be presenting to—wine drinkers, vineyard owners, or other enologists?”

  “I’m not sure. I plan on preparing two versions of the same lecture so I can read the room and tailor it to them. I love to over-prepare. And I’m excited about spending five days in London, three onsite at the convention and taking an extra day or two and doing a little sightseeing. I’ve always wanted to go to the port village of Folkestone and spend a night or two in a charming little inn. It’s supposed to have wonderful views of the English Channel, and I’ve heard there are stone pathways along the ocean and the Cliffs of Dover.” She set her glass aside and leaned across the table. “Which brings me to my question. How would you like to go with me?”