The Winemakers

by Jan Moran

  Especially now that she was a grandmother.

  For a woman in her forties, Ava knew she still looked fairly good. The physical work in the vineyard kept her trim. She touched a diamond-studded brooch she’d pinned to the lapel on the matching jacket. The brooch was a cascading spray of sparkling stars. Her heart quickened as she thought of the day, not so long ago, that she’d received this most precious gift. Not for Mille Étoiles, Raphael had said, but for the stars in your eyes. She’d never known such a kind man.

  Ava was pleased and relieved that Caterina had returned with her baby. She’d been shocked when Caterina had first told her, but her daughter had already suffered enough because of her stubborn attitude, and Ava had missed out on the joy of witnessing the birth of her first grandchild. If God forgives mistakes, she thought, so should I.

  Ava checked her watch. She didn’t want to be late; she’d been looking forward to her lunch date today. Her religion might forbid remarriage in the church, but it couldn’t govern the emotions of the heart. Not for Caterina, and not for her.

  Waiting for her packages, she felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped with fright.

  “I didn’t mean to scare you,” Raphael said, his dark eyes twinkling. “I saw your car outside.”

  Ava was glad to see him. “I’ve bought the prettiest things for little Marisa—wait until you see them.”

  “Then I’m just in time.” Raphael hooked the bags over his arm, picked up the boxes, and opened the door for Ava. “You look worried. What’s wrong?”

  “Ever since Luca reappeared, I’ve been on edge. I jump at the slightest noise now.”

  She opened the trunk, and Raphael deposited the packages. He shut the lid and turned to her, sunlight framing his face. His white shirt was neatly pressed, and he smelled of citrus and woods. She’d bought a bottle of Acqua di Parma Colonia for him the last time she’d been shopping in San Francisco; the fragrance always reminded her of Italy. Raphael brushed her arm, and a spark of electricity snapped along her nerve endings. “Where would you like to go today?”

  “Remember that pretty little lake high in the mountains near Sonoma?”

  Ava nodded. “I’d like that.” She slipped into his truck beside him.

  He fired the engine and turned onto a street that led through the old downtown section of Napa. No one in the village thought anything about seeing the two of them together. Everyone knew they ran Mille Étoiles together and had for many years.

  At first, after Luca had gone, there had been supposition about their relationship, but Ava made sure that she was the most pious, principled woman in town. The gossip soon ceased. Furthermore, nothing was happening between them at the time.

  Now, no one suspected them anymore—or if they did, no one cared.

  Once, Ava had wondered why Raphael stayed. He was an attractive man, and he could’ve had any number of women who’d been interested in him over the years. He seemed settled at Mille Étoiles, satisfied with the relationship she had once dictated. Lately, though, something had shifted within her. She was no longer content with the status quo.

  Raphael glanced at her as he drove through the countryside. “So has little Marisa stolen your heart?”

  “Completely,” she said simply. “I regret having treated Caterina as I did.” They climbed in elevation, and the temperature dropped. She shook her hair in the cool breeze from the open window.

  “And what’s different now?”

  “While she was in Italy, I had a lot of time to think about my mistakes and how I’d hurt people because of them.”

  “Caterina will forgive you.” Raphael touched her hand. “But you’ve missed out on life, too.”

  After bumping over a dirt path, they arrived at the lake and stepped from the truck. A variety of indigenous trees—oak, maple, and laurel—surrounded the clear azure lake. Their branches rustled with remnants of Pacific Ocean breezes that wafted across the mountains and valleys.

  Raphael helped Ava from the truck. He tucked a plaid blanket and a bottle of wine under his arm and picked up a brown paper grocery bag filled with hard salami, parmesan cheese, and sourdough bread.

  Glancing around to make sure they were alone, Ava spread the blanket near the water’s edge. She arranged their lunch on plates she’d brought while Raphael opened the wine and poured two glasses. They stretched out on the blanket, eating together in comfortable silence and watching the forest wildlife. They did this every couple of weeks, as long as the weather was pleasant. They got away, spent time together, and talked about the vineyard, harvests, and wine.

  A glossy green-headed mallard duck paddled through the water, and Raphael tossed bread crumbs to him. The drake bobbed and gulped the crusty bread. “So you had a few revelations, did you?” Raphael threw another bit for the drake’s brown hen.

  Ava hesitated for a few moments. “I regret being so strict with Caterina.”

  “She grew up to be a fine young lady, though. She had you to thank for that.”

  “My temper was quick. I was harsh, often without justification. I wanted a better life for her. Not just better than what I had; I wanted her to have the very best. She was always a good girl, always tried to do the right thing.”

  “Smart, too.”

  “So is Santo. You did well by him.”

  “He’s doing well for himself. Building quite a business in Davis. Don’t see him much anymore—he travels a lot.” He tossed more crumbs to the pair of mallards. “Know who the father is?”

  “She still hasn’t said. It’s someone from school. The name will come out in time. I’ll be patient.” As long as it isn’t Santo. Surely Caterina would have told her if he were the father. And if he were, how would she ever tell Caterina the truth? And yet, Marisa’s eyes were so like Santo’s. But plenty of people had vivid blue eyes, didn’t they?

  Raphael scattered the remaining crumbs on the water’s surface. “What else is in your book of regrets?”

  Ava sipped her wine. One of her deepest regrets was sitting right beside her. Instead of lamenting her shortcomings, she lifted her chin with defiance. “I definitely regret not shooting Luca.”

  He laughed and shooed a fly from her food. “You told me that gun wasn’t loaded.”

  “It wasn’t, but he didn’t know that.” She smirked with satisfaction. “That’s the only reason he left.” She glanced around, still nervous that he was in the vicinity.

  Raphael sliced off a few slivers of salami and cheese for her. “Wish I’d known more then. Could’ve done a better job of protecting you.”

  “It wasn’t your place at the time.” She shaded her face from the sun and gazed into his eyes. “But I’m glad you’re here now.”

  Raphael shifted to block the sun from her eyes. “We’ll face Luca together this time.” He poured another splash of wine into her glass.

  Ava swirled her wine and slanted her glass toward the sunlight, inspecting it out of habit. There were so many things she wanted to say to Caterina and Raphael. Even Santo. “Know what else I regret?”

  Raphael tossed a few more crumbs in the water. “What?”

  “Us. Why didn’t we follow our hearts a long time ago?”

  “You know why.” Raphael frowned. “Even if you’d divorced Luca, we couldn’t have married in the church. That’s important to you.”

  That was true, she thought sadly. “Except for Santo, I always thought you missed having children of your own. Look at how much we denied ourselves. Do you really think God would have minded that much?”

  He smiled down at her. “I came to terms with the restrictions on our relationship many years ago. You know how I feel about you, and that’s all that matters. I made a promise to you long ago. I’ll never leave you, Ava.”

  She slid a hand around his neck and pulled him closer to her. His breath was warm on her face. Closing her eyes, she kissed him on the lips and felt a connection flame between them.

  A few minutes later, Raphael pulled away. “We should get back,” h
e said, his voice husky.

  * * *

  “Nina, I’m home,” Caterina called out when she returned to Mille Étoiles. Nina had been watching Marisa that morning while she was in the city meeting with Elsa Williams, president of the Women’s Commercial Bank, by referral from the First Lady of California, for whom she’d planned a dinner at the St. Francis Hotel before she’d left for Italy.

  Ava had asked her to call for help. Fortunately, Caterina had been able to meet with the banker right away. The meeting had gone well, and to her relief, Elsa had asked for more details about their wine operation. The bank was one of the few options for women in business, since most other banks required a man’s cosignature.

  The air was rich with the aroma of Nina’s fresh-baked bread. The scent reminded her of Giovanna and of the delicious bakeries she and Santo had found in Paris. Since her return, her heart had been heavy with memories of their time together. As far as she knew, Santo didn’t know she’d returned; he was away on a business trip. She had a few days before she had to face him. How could she continue a relationship with him until she knew the truth?

  She still needed to talk to her mother. Tonight, if she could.

  Caterina wound her way into the kitchen and picked up Marisa. “How’s my baby girl?”

  “Marisa was such a sweetheart.” Nina was clearly pleased to have Marisa there. In fact, having Marisa in the house seemed to lift everyone’s spirits.

  Caterina held her wiggly young child on her lap and squeezed her tightly with love. Marisa giggled. “Mama hugs, mama hugs.”

  Nina wiped her floured hands on her apron and poured a glass of iced tea for her. “How about a tuna salad for lunch? I have fresh garden greens in the refrigerator.”

  “Sounds delicious.” Caterina pressed the cool glass of tea to her lips. The heat of the summer was becoming oppressive. “Raphael says that if this heat holds out, we’ll be ahead of schedule for the harvest.”

  Ava walked through the kitchen door, smiling. “Even more reason for you to be here.”

  Since Caterina had returned to Mille Étoiles with Marisa, Ava and Nina had been bustling about preparing the home for a toddler. Before she arrived, Raphael had put a fresh coat of white paint on her old baby crib and trimmed it with pink accents.

  “Where’d you go this morning?” Caterina asked, noticing Ava’s pink cheeks. “You got some sun.”

  “I did some shopping in Napa for Marisa. I bought sheets for the crib and some new toys and outfits for her. I wanted to surprise you.”

  Ava and Nina were both excited over Marisa, who was toddling around the house now, touching furniture for support as she tore through the rooms.

  “Nina and I will finish decorating Marisa’s room today,” Ava said.

  “I just love looking after her.” Nina placed a salad in front of Caterina and then resumed her bread-making. She punched down a mound of bread dough. “I don’t know if Juliana will ever have children, that stubborn girl.” She punched the bread again.

  Ava sat next to Caterina. “Tell me about your trip to the city today.”

  “I met with Elsa Williams at the Women’s Commercial Bank. I thought the visit went well. She asked for more detailed projections.”

  “I know of her, ma chérie. She’s quite demanding and only accepts the crème de la crème, the best clients to represent. That’s why she’s successful. I’m glad you met with her.” Ava took Marisa and rocked her on her lap. “I can really use your help here. It’s important we follow up with wine buyers, too.”

  Caterina nodded. “And I’ll follow up with Elsa Williams. I think she might be willing to lend against our orders for the equipment we need for harvest.”

  “That would be our salvation,” Ava said. “We need to pounce on the news of the Paris win while we can. In a few weeks, we’ll be old news. We have to write orders now.”

  Caterina stabbed a cherry tomato and took a bite of her salad, nodding in agreement.

  “Juliana is continuing her press efforts. Every day she calls with a new request for an interview.” Ava hesitated. “I’d rather you took that over, Caterina. You should be the new face of Mille Étoiles.”

  “But you’ve always been the head of Mille Étoiles.”

  Ava shook her head. “I can’t do it alone anymore. I’m tired. I’ve been doing this all my life. I love it, but I’d like to live more.”

  Caterina cocked her head. “What do you mean?”

  “I want to do something besides tend grapes before I die.” Ava ruffled Marisa’s fine dark hair as she spoke. “While you were gone, I realized I haven’t really lived.”

  “How can you say that? You’ve accomplished more than any other woman in the wine industry,” Caterina said, incredulous. “You’ve helped put California wine on the world map.”

  “You’re young and ambitious, much like I was when I first arrived here. But it was difficult fulfilling the roles of both mother and father, as well as growing a business that’s tied to Mother Nature’s fickleness. Without a husband, you’re going to find that, too.”

  Caterina bristled at her words. “Times have changed, Maman. You did it, and so can I. I don’t need a man by my side any more than you did.” Even as she said these bold words, her heart faltered. She’d give anything to have Santo by her side.

  “No, you don’t.” Ava’s eyes held a faraway look. “But sometimes, wouldn’t it be nice?”

  In back of them, Nina huffed. “Overrated, if you ask me.”

  “We only live once.” Ava rested her chin in her hand. “There’s something I’ve been afraid to do. I’m going to correct that.”

  Caterina threw a look at her mother. Something in her voice sounded strange; she couldn’t place it. And then she thought of how she’d felt in Paris—and how she still felt—and in an instant she recognized the quality in Ava’s voice.

  All her life, she’d never known her mother to be in love.

  Did Ava have someone in her life? Did her mother have more secrets?

  As Caterina was contemplating this, Raphael opened the door. Caterina glanced up at Raphael, who also had a ruddy tint to his cheeks. She looked back at her mother. A thought flashed across her mind.

  Caterina took her plate to the sink. “Delicious lunch, Nina, thank you.” She turned and took Marisa from Ava. She paused, gauging her mother’s mood, relieved that Ava was happy today. It was imperative she speak to her mother about Luca and Natalie before Santo returned.

  “Maman, while Marisa is napping this afternoon, I’d like to talk with you about something important.”

  31

  After Marisa had drifted to sleep for her afternoon nap, Caterina changed into light trousers and a thin shirt for protection against the summer sun. She and Ava set off for a walk through the vineyard. Caterina listened to Ava’s updates about the state of the vineyard, waiting for an opportunity to ask her mother about the past.

  Raphael had mentioned that Santo was returning soon from working with clients in Southern California. Caterina needed a resolution to their dilemma. Were they half siblings? The mere consideration of it filled her with anxiety. On reflection she wondered, What if my mother doesn’t have a definitive answer?

  “You haven’t asked me much about Italy.” Caterina plucked a nearly ripe grape and tasted it. Sweetness burst in her mouth. All around them, the scent of ripening fruit permeated the air.

  Ava angled her straw hat. “Much of it I’d rather forget. But I miss Giovanna. How is she?”

  Caterina told Ava all about Giovanna and Alma and how kind they had been to her and Marisa.

  “I’m glad you met them. I was always so fond of them. We used to write with plans of visiting each other, but as the years passed, it wasn’t possible. And now, with the trial at hand, they might never see any of this.”

  Caterina slid a sideways gaze at her mother, assessing her temperament. She had so many questions for Ava she hardly knew where to start. But only one would change the course of her life.
>
  Soon she’d have to talk to Santo. He’d called for her, but she’d been away each time. “Why does Luca hate us so much?” Caterina asked.

  Ava kicked a patch of dirt with the heel of her boot. “What does it matter now?”

  “I have to know why he is trying to destroy us.” Caterina pressed on. This time, she would not be deterred. “He’s my father. I need to know everything, Maman.”

  Her mother paused in a clearing and gazed over the valley below, which was ribboned with row crops and vineyards. “I suppose it’s time to unburden my heart. I hope you’ll forgive me. My attorney tells me much of this might also come out in the trial, so I’d rather you heard it from me first.”

  Anguish washed across Ava’s face as she stared into the distance, prying open a rusty-hinged door to her memories. “You were the child I had prayed for—you were a precious baby girl, my Caterina Marguerite Rosetta. You were an eternal delight, and I don’t know what I would have done without you, ma chérie.”

  Caterina needed more from her mother. “In your last letter to Giovanna, you were planning to go to San Francisco alone. What happened after you arrived?”

  Coming out of her trance-like stare, Ava brushed windblown rose petals from her white cotton blouse and nodded to herself. “First, I set out to Napa—it was a tiny village then—to meet my grandfather’s friend. I told him exactly what I was looking for, and he showed me a parcel of land that would be superb for cultivating grapes for wine.”

  “This land.”

  “Yes, it was. When I saw how the land rolled across mountainous slopes so high above the fog line, much like Montalcino, I felt such an immediate, strong affinity toward this property. I arranged to purchase it right away. With the old vineyard and land for expansion, it was perfect. That day I spent so long walking the property that the sun set, and soon a thousand stars blanketed the sky—for that reason, I christened it Mille Étoiles.”

  Caterina touched her mother’s hand. She’d heard part of this story before, except in the prior version, Ava and Luca had found the property together. “When did Luca join you?”