by Amity Hope
He made a playfully annoyed face. “No. And no more guessing. You’ll just have to wait and see.”
“Does it involve—”
“Holly!” Max said with a laugh. “I’m not telling you. You do know what surprise means, right?”
“Haha,” I said as I scooped up a spoonful of my ice-cream.
I cocked my head to the side while I ate, trying to formulate another guess but nothing else came to mind. Max looked like he was enjoying my frustration a bit too much. I was about to beg for a clue when the double doors that led out of the kitchen swung open. Clarissa appeared, sans apron so I assumed she was officially done with her shift. Instead of heading for the door, she headed straight for our booth.
Maybe she was just only headed our way to tell us someone else would be bringing our meal.
I could hope.
I grit my teeth and pushed on a smile. Max raised his eyebrows in question. Clarissa’s appearance gave him his answer.
“Holly!” she said excitedly.
“What?” I asked with an exasperated smile.
“I just had the best idea!” I raised my eyebrows and waited to hear of her brilliance. “The earrings you have on, you made them right?”
I nodded, lifting my hand to my ear. My fingers rubbed across the smooth crystals, reminding me which pair I had on.
She pointed a finger my way as she smiled. “Something similar would make perfect wine glass charms. You know, the charms that people use? The ones you slip onto the stem of your wine glass? Each one is different so that if someone sets down their glass, they won’t confuse it with someone else’s.”
I held my hand up to stop her ramble. “I know what wine glass charms are.”
She looked at me expectantly. When I didn’t say anything else, she continued on again.
“I bet those would be really popular in the gift shop. How perfect would that be? You could use the jewelry you’re already making and just tweak it a little!” She was practically bouncing on her toes she was so excited by her own idea.
If I hadn’t been feeling so grumpy right then, I would’ve been excited as well. Even though I didn’t want to admit it, it was a good idea. In fact, it was probably a brilliant idea. I was really annoyed that I hadn’t come up with it myself. As soon as she mentioned it, it seemed so obvious. It would be so simple, as she said, to just tweak what I was already doing. And it would be so fitting. And fun.
Already, my mind was throwing new design ideas my way. I could do charms for holidays, for weddings. Depending on what type of beads I used the charms could vary from expensive to very reasonable.
I already had most of the supplies at home. I could get started right away, if I chose to. I could have a full product line ready to go by the time the winery reopened. Not that they were likely to bring in a huge profit. But like Charles had said, people did enjoy buying products that were created locally. And if paired with a bottle of wine, what a wonderful gift that would make.
“It’s brilliant,” Max told Clarissa with a grin. He looked at her in admiration and she beamed back at him, giddy, like a puppy being rewarded for good behavior. Max turned to me, pulling me out of my thoughts about the selection of charms at the local craft store. “Holly, what do you think?”
I forced a smile onto my face and reached for my malt. I tried to keep my voice calm even though the artsy side of me was bubbling with excitement. “Sure. If I get some time, maybe I’ll give it some thought.”
I wasn’t about to admit that now that the idea was in my head, my mind was already running away with it. When my creativity started to flow, sometimes it was hard to concentrate on anything else. Already I could tell it would be a small miracle if I could make myself stop thinking about it.
CHAPTER six
“You really don’t like her, do you?” Max asked worriedly as we walked back home.
“What?” I scoffed. “That’s not true. I like her,” I said meekly.
He squeezed my hand as we turned down our driveway. “Well good. Because she’s a nice girl. And she really likes you.”
I wasn’t so sure it was me that she liked all that much. I kept that to myself because Max was finally smiling again.
He let us into the house. He tossed his keys onto the counter and I took his hand and pulled him into the living room. I led him to the couch and gave him a gentle shove. He grinned up at me as he crashed into the cushions.
“Do you have a lot of homework tonight?” I asked.
“Nope.” He took my hand and pulled me down onto his lap. His arms circled me in a hug. I melted into his large frame. “Thanks for coming with me this afternoon.” He spoke the words close to my ear, his breath fluttered my hair. I turned my head so that his mouth was even with mine.
“Of course.” He had to know by now I’d go with him anytime, anywhere. My heart swirled in my chest when I noticed the way he was watching me. “What?” I wondered, though my lips had twitched into just a bit of a smile.
“I’m sorry I’ve been so busy lately. One of these days, I swear, I will make it up to you.”
“You don’t have anything to apologize for,” I assured him. He had a lot going on. I understood that. I didn’t want to add to his worries. “Unless, you really want to make it up to me because you could do that right now,” I teased.
“Yeah?” he asked as he managed to slide me off of his lap and flip me onto my back. I pulled him right along with me. “And how would I do that?”
“You could start like this,” I suggested. I slid my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. I brushed my lips against his. I felt his body relax above mine as some of the tension from earlier in the day finally began to fade away. His hand coasted up the side of my sweater as his mouth drifted away from my lips, down to my neck.
I let out a content little sigh, amazed at how right it felt to be with him. And grateful that he had waited for me to finally figure it out. When he returned his mouth to mine, my whole body sparked to life. I managed to tangle my legs around him, drawing him closer. I found myself wishing we’d headed to the bedroom because the couch was more than a little cramped.
His phone chimed from within the kitchen and I cut off a groan. I recognized the ringtone as Charles’. I knew without him telling me that he would answer it. He rested his forehead against mine for just a moment. He didn’t bother to conceal his groan of disappointment.
“Sorry,” he said as he pushed himself off of the couch.
He left the room and I sat for a moment until I heard the strained tenor of his voice. Then I leapt from the couch and darted into the kitchen. Max was pacing as he pulled a hand through his hair. The color had drained from his face and his expression was grim.
“Yeah, I’ll be right there,” he said.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as an icy tickle of dread began to crawl down my spine.
“That was my grandpa. They think Grandma had a heart attack. I need,” he said as he looked around the room, dragging a hand through his hair again, “I need to find my keys. Everyone else is already at the hospital. I’ve got to go.”
“I’m going with you,” I said, stating what I thought was obvious. “And I’ll drive.” I loved Villette and I felt plenty shaken up even though she wasn’t my grandmother. I couldn’t imagine how Max felt right then.
I grabbed the keys to my car and rushed out the door behind Max.
He leaned his head back as I pulled out of the driveway. “He said he’s been trying to get a hold of me for a while. I should’ve brought my phone to the café. Everyone’s already at the hospital except for me.”
“We’ll be there soon,” I assured him. Harmony Bay was small. The hospital was only minutes away. “Did he say anything else?”
“The doctor was just coming out to talk to him so he had to go. Dammit!” he exclaimed as he slammed his hand against the dashboard. “I knew she didn’t look well after the meeting today. I could see how stressed she was. This is all because of me.”
&n
bsp; “Max,” I said as I pulled up to a stop sign, “don’t you dare go blaming yourself.”
“I’m not. I’m just…”
He faded off because he was. He was quiet for several minutes before continuing.
“I’ve pretty much known all along that my aunts were never going to allow this. The whole idea of me taking over, it was bound to cause problems. I should’ve never gotten involved with Villette Vineyards.”
“Max,” I said quietly, “you can’t think like that. Do you have any idea how happy you’ve made your grandparents? You can see it every time they look at you. They’re practically beaming with pride.” It was the truth. “Do you really think it would be better if you were like the rest of your family? If you acted like the winery was just an inconvenience to deal with some day? Or like it was nothing more than something to be sold off for profit?”
He glanced at me but didn’t say anything.
We rode in silence the rest of the way. I found a parking spot and then we hurried across the lot, through the building to the elevator. When we spilled out onto the third floor, Max glanced around, unsure of which way to go. He spotted Veronica speaking with a nurse at the end of the hallway. He took off and I hurried after him.
“Family only,” Veronica said as she stepped between Max and me.
Max glanced my way, hesitating outside of the door.
“I’ll wait over there,” I said more to myself than anyone. I motioned toward the waiting room designated to this floor.
With a small nod he followed Veronica into the room. I wandered over to a row of brown, vinyl chairs and slumped down into one. I reached over and mindlessly grabbed a magazine. I settled in assuming I was in for a long wait. I meticulously read each page of the magazine, trying to pass the time. When Max appeared in front of me less than fifteen minutes later, I was surprised. I tossed the magazine back onto the table and got to my feet.
“How is she?”
“It wasn’t a heart attack,” he said. The relief on his face was evident. “They’re still running some tests. They said she needs to rest so they’re trying to get everyone out of the room. Of course my aunts are insisting on staying. I thought it was best if I just got out of the way.”
“So she’s going to be okay?” I pressed.
“Yeah, I think so. I don’t really want to leave but the nurse said that really only Grandpa should stay. There are just so many people crowded into that tiny room. Grandma said that if everyone didn’t get out and stop hovering they were going to stress her right into an actual heart attack for sure.” He shook his head, clearly frustrated.
“Well,” I said as I glanced back at the room he’d emerged from, I could hear a commotion coming from the other side of the door, “maybe we should go. If that’s what Villette wants? They’ll call if anything changes.”
He stood for a moment, facing the door, cringing. Finally he sighed. “I guess we probably should. I don’t want to make matters worse than they already are.”
~*~*~
Max had received several updates from Charles. By the next morning he was told that Villette was doing fine and would be released soon. He’d offered to miss his morning classes so he could drop by for a visit. Charles wouldn’t hear of it. Max had hesitantly gone to class but had asked if I’d drop in to check on her. He planned on stopping by as soon as his last class got out.
“Are those whiny little ninnies gone?”
The sound of Villette’s voice startled me and I jumped. She was watching me, with one eye cracked open. The starched white sheets of the hospital bed were tucked in tightly at her chest. Her arms were lying limply at her sides. Her curly silver hair was pressed against the pillow.
“Whiny ninnies?” I asked, willing my heart to settle down.
“My daughters,” she clarified in a whisper. “Did that nurse chase them out of here?”
“Yes,” I told her. “I saw the three of them crossing the parking lot when I pulled up.”
Her other eye popped open and her voice ratcheted up to a normal volume. “Oh, thank heavens!” She reached for the button that would elevate her bed into a sitting position.
I rushed over to her side. “Wait! Are you supposed to do that? Aren’t you supposed to be resting? That’s what the nurse at the desk told me before I came in here. I was just going to deliver these,” I raised the vase of flowers that I held, “and then I was going to go.”
“You will do no such thing!” she scoffed.
“But the nurse said that you’re supposed to rest. She said that you needed absolute peace and quiet right now.” I did not want to be the disturbance that caused a setback.
She waved a dismissive hand at me. “Pish-posh.”
“No,” I said. “Not pish-posh. You’re supposed to be recovering. I probably shouldn’t even be in here. You need to be sleeping.”
She smiled at me and winked. “I asked the nurse to say that. For a tiny little bribe she helped me chase those girls of mine away.”
“Excuse me?”
“I told that nurse that if she could get those daughters of mine to leave, I would give her a case of wine.” Her eyes sparkled as she glanced at the clock on the opposite wall. “I believe it took her less than five minutes.”
“You bribed the nurse? With wine? To get rid of your daughters?”
“Did you have a better idea?” she asked defiantly.
For the first time since entering her room, I smiled. Even stuck in a hospital bed, Villette had a sense of humor that I adored.
“No, I suppose not,” I admitted.
“They’re like vultures watching over me. You’d think I have one foot in the grave and the other balancing on the edge of it.” A deep frown marred her face.
“I brought you these.” I held up the vase of a dozen, multi-colored tulips. I walked over to the windowsill where three other large, ostentatious arrangements had already been placed. I set mine off to the side. It looked paltry in comparison. “But it looks like you already have plenty of gorgeous flowers,” I said as I looked them over.
“Do you see a single tulip amongst those bouquets?” she asked with a shake of her head. She answered her own question. “No. Of course you don’t. My own daughters don’t even know what type of flower I adore. Actually, they probably do know but they just pretend not to because tulips aren’t fancy-pants enough for them. I grew tulips. Award winning tulips, for heaven’s sake! And not one of my girls thought to get me a bouquet of my favorite flower. Of course they didn’t,” she said with a shake of her head. “Because they were too busy trying to outdo each other with biggest, gaudiest assortment that they could find. But do you know what I think of them? I think every last one of those monstrosities looks like a funeral arrangement.”
I glanced at the floral arrangements again and I couldn’t disagree.
I thought it was best to change the subject. “Are you sure you’re up to having company?”
“Absolutely. Have a seat,” she said as she pointed to the worn chair that was nestled against the wall. “I can’t believe they thought I had a heart attack. I’m healthy as a horse.” I raised my eyebrows because healthy people were not typically found in hospital beds. She noted my doubt and relented just a bit. “It was just angina. A little old angina never hurt anyone.” She crossed her thin arms over her frail chest and I knew better than to argue with her.
“Regardless, we are all so happy that you’re okay. You gave us quite a scare. Max really wanted to come this morning but Charles told him not to,” I said as I dropped down into the chair.
“Will he be stopping by later?” she asked hopefully.
I nodded. “Yes, if you’re still up to having company when he gets done with class.”
“I’m always happy to see Max. It’s those daughters of mine that I could do without. When the doctor told them I should take it easy, do you know what their solution was?” She made a harrumphing sound as I patiently waited. I did have an idea but I didn’t want to say it. “They
think we should sell the vineyard now. They’re using this little episode against me. They told the doctor I don’t need the stress of the business. I love the business. It’s a comfort to me. I find it relaxing to walk out in the vineyard. I love visiting with the people. The thought of selling it is what makes my heart misbehave.”
“I can’t believe they don’t see that,” I said.
“Oh, they see it. They just like to twist it around and make it into something that it isn’t. But I’m not going to let them.” Her chin jutted out defiantly.
A soft knock on the door interrupted our conversation. The door opened slowly and Max stuck his head inside. “Is it okay to come in? The nurse stopped me in the hallway to say that Grandma should be resting.”
Of course she had. The lady had a case of wine at stake.
I nodded and motioned for him to step inside. I wasn’t surprised to see him. I was only surprised that he hadn’t shown up sooner.
“Maxwell Marcus Campbell,” Villette scolded as she shook a finger at him. “What are you doing here? You had best not be skipping class on my account.”
Max grinned at her unapologetically as he made his way to her bed. He pulled her in for a gentle hug. “I’m absolutely cutting class on your account. But it’s fine. Clarissa is taking notes for me. She’ll bring them by later.”
For once I wasn’t annoyed that Clarissa would once again be dropping by. If it meant that Max could be here with Villette and me, I was grateful.
“Well in that case,” she said with a pleased smile, “come in. Sit down. Keep an old lady company.”
“So when do you get out of this place,” Max asked as he grabbed the other vinyl chair and scooted it up next to mine.
“Soon. But not soon enough,” she said.
CHAPTER seven
“That’s great,” Max said into the phone. He covered the mouthpiece and quietly said to me, “Grandpa just got Grandma settled in at home. They’d like me to stop by for a little bit.”
“I’ll go with you,” I offered.