Summer Wine (Callie & Rebecca Book 4)

by Barbara Winkes

  “Did you like it?”

  Rebecca had tried to prepare herself, to imagine the moment, but every time she did, she got blurry-eyed and she was certain she’d embarrass herself. She was as ready as she’d ever be.

  Callie gave the scene a bemused smile. “Of course. It was delicious. Are you going to tell me…?”

  “Yes, sure. Did your brother let you know when he’s going to come?”

  “Not yet. Why?”

  “He might be happy to hear the news, because…oh my God.” Rebecca took a deep breath. “Bear with me just for a moment, okay? I brought something back from Italy. For you.”

  “Okay.” Callie didn’t let on if she had any inkling, but her eyes widened, her gaze wandering back to the elaborate dinner table, in the middle of the week.

  Rebecca got up on shaky legs to go into the kitchen where she’d left the small box earlier, on the highest shelf behind some dishes they hadn’t yet used--she had figured it was unlikely that Callie would stumble across it there.

  Was it enough? Should she have taken her to a restaurant, someplace special? Then again, this house was where they’d first met. They’d been away from home for weeks, and this was something for the long run, not just a special occasion.

  “Everything okay? Rebecca?” Callie called from the living room.

  “Yes. I’ll be with you in a moment.”

  She opened the box to take a look at the small object that had kept her awake and daydreaming during the past few days. She had barely been able to concentrate on anything else. Rebecca had proudly worn an engagement ring once, because that was what you did. For many reasons, and hardly the right ones. She beat all her friends in college to it. At the time, because she’d thought it was what she wanted. A few years down the line, she’d thought herself to be some sort of expert on marriage, when in fact, she hadn’t known all that much.

  The life she’d always wanted, a house full of love and laughter, was right here. Maybe she could have read some signs earlier, should have at some point, but none of it mattered anymore. She had found her way anyway.

  “That’s a long moment,” Callie observed from afar.

  “I’m sorry, I—can you come here for a second?”

  Callie might have had a suspicion before. Rebecca could tell the moment when it became certainty, her jaw dropping slightly, and her eyes welling up as she stepped closer. Rebecca took both of her hands in hers. This might have to be the first telepathic wedding proposal ever, because I won’t get any word out.

  “Okay…I wish I had prepared a smart and engaging speech, about how, after everything we’ve been through, this feels like the right thing to do—and I really think it makes sense to get some sort of legal protection, even if Autumn Leaves isn’t quite there yet. I’m sure it will happen, some day not so far from now.” Thank God Callie was patient. “I wanted to make it sound good, you know--but whenever I tried, all I could think of was, I love you. I want to honor that. I want to honor you.”

  At the very last moment, Rebecca remembered the object that meant to signify everything words could only marginally describe. She opened the box with trembling hands and held it out to Callie. “Will you marry me?”

  It took Callie exactly three seconds, the three longest seconds of Rebecca’s life, to say “Yes!” and wrap her arms around Rebecca.

  As she held her close, it occurred to Rebecca that maybe, she should have gotten down on one knee, or put the ring on her finger before she asked, but as it was, the moment couldn’t get any more perfect. They’d work out the details later.

  “I love you too,” Callie whispered. “I think I have a little surprise for you as well.”

  Before they got to that, though, she finally put on the ring, which fit perfectly. They shared a long passionate kiss, almost forgetting Maggie would be back from book club not so long from now.

  * * * *

  After quickly clearing the dining table, they’d retreated to the living room. Callie was still in utter and blissful shock over the past few minutes. She intended to tell Rebecca about the conversation she’d had with Father Langdon prior to Rebecca’s birthday, about blessing their, at that time, hypothetical marriage. As it was, she sat, clutching her glass of champagne, staring in wonder at the ring on her finger.

  This was a validation of all the ways in which her relationship with Rebecca was so different from all the ones she’d had before. A companionable sharing of time, space, and sex, but without something she hadn’t even realized was missing. Rebecca hadn’t known something was missing in her life as well. Something that made all the difference. She was going to cry again.

  The sound of the doorbell jolted them both out of the daydream turned reality. Rebecca wiped her face with a self-conscious laugh. “We don’t want them to think something terrible happened.”

  “No. Let’s get Dina too. I’m not sure Tomaso is the only reason she’s still hiding upstairs.”

  Rebecca leaned close to kiss her again, pulling back with some hesitation.

  “Okay, yes, where were we…the door.”

  Callie heard her talking to the mom who brought Maggie home from book club, and a moment later, Maggie came rushing in, all excited about her evening.

  “Hey!” Callie hugged her. “I’d love to hear all about the book, but could you get Dina first? Don’t worry. It’s nothing bad.” She felt like she had to add that, because lately, sitting down to talk about something didn’t come with the best of memories for Maggie. However, Maggie nodded eagerly and went to knock on her sister’s door.

  In the kitchen, Callie prepared another glass for her and Rebecca, juice with a splash of champagne for Dina, and juice with sparkling water for Maggie, carrying all of them into the dining room on a small tray.

  Rebecca returned almost at the same moment as her daughters, Dina’s face lighting up when she made the connection.

  “I was hoping the crying would be done by the time I’d come back down, good,” she said. That was how long she managed to uphold the cool teenager act. “Mom, you did it! I’m so proud of you.”

  Callie caught the worried expression on Maggie’s face and sat beside her, laying an arm around her shoulders.

  “Don’t worry. We’re just really happy, and even more so, because you’re both here to share it with us. Your Mom and I are getting married.”

  “Is it really true? That is awesome,” Maggie said, a smile spreading on her face as if a burden was finally lifted off her shoulders.

  To Dina’s chagrin, the blurry-eyed moments were far from being over, for any of them. For a split-second, Callie had been worried, wondering what might be Maggie’s reaction, but she realized that for her, it meant this in the first place: She didn’t worry anymore about being left behind.

  * * * *

  The Skype screen showed kissy smileys exchanged between Dina and Tomaso. Dina quickly closed the window when Rebecca came to say goodnight. She looked around the room that, a few months ago, had been nothing but a storage place for boxes with everything that hadn’t yet managed to fit in anywhere else, now a teenage girl’s room. Dina was here to stay, at least for another year if she was accepted for the program.

  “You know who’s also going to be thrilled? Sara,” Dina said before Rebecca had a chance to answer. “Can I tell her?”

  “Yes. Sure.”

  Rebecca thought of going back to the group, and even before that, Saturday brunch. Tomorrow morning, she’d call her parents. She wouldn’t waste any more time before sharing the things that mattered with the people she loved.

  “Are you going to tell Dad?”

  I’d love to stay in the afterglow a little while longer... “At some point, I guess I have to…but don’t worry, I’ll write to Susan because of those papers. You have her email address somewhere close?”

  After Dina had written down the information, they exchanged goodnights and another hug, which was a bit unusual for Dina. Rebecca would take them while she could. She went down to Maggie’s r
oom. Rebecca shook her head at Maggie sleeping, hugging Barney close to her. He wasn’t supposed to sleep in her bed, but both looked so comfortable she hated to disturb them. Maggie was the only one Barney had forgiven the prolonged absence right away.

  Carefully, she picked up the book Maggie had been reading and laid it on the bedside table. The Girl Who Lived in a Castle was the first book Callie had once given her for Maggie to read, still one of Maggie’s favorite. It was with shame that Rebecca remembered the conversation she and Callie had regarding some of the characters, the two moms of the main character’s friend. At the time, she hadn’t understood the relevance of making all kinds of families visible, sadly, considering she’d been pretty self-righteous about her uninformed ways. She had opened her mind though. Would Andy, ever? Could she? Should they have reached out to her more?

  Rebecca shook her head to herself. You couldn’t force anyone to listen. In the end, Andy made her choices like she and Callie had made theirs. Coming to the bedroom, she found that Callie was still mesmerized by the ring on her finger.

  “Is it okay to turn off the light, or would you like to look at it for a little while longer?”

  Callie laughed. “Can you blame me? It’s beautiful. A gorgeous woman gave it to me. I’m going to need a moment.”

  “I’m glad I found something to get you over the jetlag. Would you mind if I slept? Wow, there’s a reason why you’re supposed to do this only once in your life. It’s stressful.”

  Callie turned to her, her gaze warm and affectionate. “You can turn off the light. I’ll help you relieve some of that stress.”

  * * * *

  “You’re back! Time really flies, doesn’t it?” her mother remarked, suppressing a yawn. Rebecca hadn’t been able to wait any longer to make the call. “Did you have a good trip?”

  “Yes, it was wonderful, but that’s not the only reason why I’m calling.”

  “How’s it going with all of you under the same roof? The girls miss David badly?”

  “Yes, but…they are okay. Mom, I was wondering if you and Dad wanted to come visit again, maybe next Spring? Or earlier. We haven’t really set a date yet.”

  “Rebecca…”

  “Well, yes. I asked her. Mom?” she asked anxiously when for a few seconds, there was no reaction.

  “Yes, I’m here. This is great news.”

  “Did she say yes?” her father called from the background, revealing that Margaret had put her on speaker.

  “Of course she did,” Margaret returned, and Rebecca could practically see her shake her head. “Honey, I’m glad you didn’t wait that long to tell us. I’d say it’s quick, but you’ve been living together for a while now, and you’re not in your twenties anymore.”

  “Now that was unnecessary,” Rebecca said, but she was amused and incredibly relieved about the new tone between her and her parents.

  “It’s true. Both of you. What matters is that you are happy, and the girls are too. Believe me, if you can stand someone for more than two weeks in close quarters like on vacation, you’ve got a pretty good test.”

  A bit wistful, Rebecca wished they could have had that conversation a long time ago, when she didn’t expect much advice from her parents, and they had thought she didn’t want it.

  “Regarding your question, we’d love to come when you have it figured out, right, Jim?”

  “Are you going to hire your friend with the cupcake place again? Becca, of course we’ll come. Give Callie our best and let us know.”

  “Thank you.” Truth be told, this way of communication was still new, and quickly getting emotional, especially given the subject.

  “We’ll pray for you,” Margaret said. “Some day, all of the country will get it right. All of the world, I hope.”

  Rebecca was saved by the bell, the doorbell in fact, before they could continue down that road. “I love you both. Sorry, I have to get that.”

  She opened the door to a young man, in his late twenties maybe, who seemed just as surprised to see her. He found his speech first, extending his hand with an engaging smile.

  “You’re Rebecca, of course. I’m Sean, Cal’s brother.” Rebecca remembered that he was a friend of Asha’s. She was usually the only one who used that nickname for Callie. His next words confirmed her theory.

  “Judging from what I hear from Asha, I imagine she’s still asleep.”

  “You’re right about that. We do have coffee though. Come on in.”

  Minutes later, Callie greeted her brother. Rebecca watched the two of them hug, Callie looking adorable in her PJs and early morning hair.

  “Why do you guys never call?” Callie asked. “I swear, if I didn’t know better, I’d think Asha was going to marry you.” She halted for a moment, as if a certain word in that sentence only now registered with her.

  “Well, we hang out,” Sean said, shrugging with a boyish grin that prompted an eye roll from Callie.

  “Yeah, I got that idea a while ago. There’s something thoug she doesn’t know yet. Not even Mom does.”

  “I’m intrigued. Asha says there’s a lot going on here for such a small town, and after all, she found her wife…wow. Is this for real?” he asked when Callie held up her hand in front of his face. “Congratulations! This is going to be the second time this year that I need to rent a tux.”

  “Probably next year,” Callie said after sharing a quick look with Rebecca for confirmation. “Oh, and as you know, you’re going to be an uncle too.”

  * * * *

  “You go to church on Sundays. You’re friends with the nice lady from the cupcake place, and you know just about every other person in this town. How did that happen?”

  “I thought Asha kept you informed,” Callie teased. Rebecca had excused herself after a call from Eve. Callie had finally put on some clothes and shown her brother around town where they’d said hi to Roz briefly. She was a bit surprised herself to realize how many people greeted her. In Autumn Leaves, it was almost impossible to go to town without running into someone you knew.

  “It’s still different when you see it,” Sean said. “I guess after what Mom told me, I should have expected this.”

  “Expected what?”

  “That you’re truly madly deeply in love. I can see that too.”

  Callie smiled to herself. “You can see that, huh? What about you? Are you seeing anyone?”

  Sean gave an exaggerated sigh. “You mean since Asha is no longer an option? My heart is still broken.”

  “Asha was never an option,” Callie reminded him, amused. Both Asha and Sean enjoyed the dating game quite a bit. There had always been a flirty tone between the lines even in their friendship, but then again, they were like that with every adult who was not blood-related. Given the fact that Callie and Asha had history as well, she’d rather not know details.

  “Yeah, rub it in, why don’t you?” His gaze turned somber, and for a moment, Callie misinterpreted his reaction.

  “You’re not serious, right?”

  “Not about that, no. Callie, I’m really sorry about…you know. Nicole. When I gave her your email address that time, I had no idea how bad it was--or how happy you are in this new relationship.”

  As they continued walking, Callie gave his words some thought, glad that the reminder brought nothing but an uncomfortable twinge of a memory. The realization why he might have brought the subject up, for reasons other than an apology, was sobering though.

  “I know. We’re good. What did she tell you?”

  “Some things that were obviously not true. When I realized you changed your cell phone number without telling her, I was pretty sure you had a reason. That’s what I told her, and she got pretty mad.”

  Callie winced.

  “Yeah, I don’t think she’ll ever talk to me again. From what Asha told me, good riddance. So, after all that walking, are we going to try that cupcake place now?”

  * * * *

  After the surprise visit, Rebecca had spent a comfortable
morning with Eve, reassured that she wanted Rebecca to continue working on her web site, plus coffee and a bit of small town gossip--a bit like the old days. Except nothing was like the old days. She was going to get married, for the second and last time in her life. It was hard to hide the profound happiness that came with this thought.

  “You’re in such a good mood,” Eve remarked. “When I come back from vacation, I always need a few weeks to adjust to the home life, and each time I wonder what possessed us to buy in Autumn Leaves.”

  “Oh come on, it’s not that bad, right? It’s quite idyllic. A good place for children to grow up.” Somewhere deep inside, Rebecca still believed this, just like she believed that there had been some plan in all those years she’d been waiting, unaware.

  “Yeah, but what if the children are grown up? I can’t believe Callie left New York behind just like that. No offense.” She chuckled. “I guess there isn’t much to distract her from writing around here—at least if you’re not interested in the grapevine. You heard that Andy’s AWOL again?”

  “I heard,” Rebecca said curtly, unwilling to go deeper into the subject while, at the same time trying not to sound too impolite to her client. It was a fine line. A bit horrified after the fact, she realized how much the people in town had to have been talking about her and Callie, and all her family. She instantly had a lot more understanding for David who had chosen to start a new life on the other side of the globe.

  It wasn’t something Rebecca truly envisioned for herself. As long as she had her loved ones, her friends and her faith, a bit of innuendo couldn’t touch her. She had proven it.

  She’d still leave Autumn Leaves in a heartbeat if the girls, or Callie, had decided that it held too many bad memories for any of them.

  “What do you make of all of this? Is she or isn’t she?”

  “Is she…what?”

  “A lesbian!” Eve chuckled. “I mean, I don’t understand how that can happen, and maybe you know. I could never imagine…”

  “I think I should go now, if there’s nothing else about the website…”