Home at Last

by Judith Keim

  Will came up behind her. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Full of promise.”

  Lulu’s eyes stung with tears. It was that kind of thinking that touched her.

  “Come on inside,” he said gently. “We’ll both feel better when we know what we’re dealing with.”

  She drew a deep breath. She knew he’d be disappointed in her for so many reasons.

  “Let’s have a glass of wine,” he suggested. He went over to the bottle of wine and basket of treats sitting on a table next to the loveseat in front of the fire.

  “You go ahead,” Lulu said. “I’ll just have water.”

  Nervous, she waited while he opened the bottle of wine. He hadn’t commented on her request for water which meant he was going to be totally unaware of what she had to tell him.

  He poured wine into one of the wine glasses and lifted it up. “Beautiful color.”

  “Oh, yes,” said Lulu. “And a beautiful bouquet and smooth finish. It’s one of my favorites—light and fruity.”

  He turned to her with a surprised look. “Wow! You’re learning a lot. I’m impressed.”

  She waited until he’d taken a couple of tastes and then poured more into his glass before patting the place on the couch next to her.

  “This would be so much easier if I could say this on the phone, but I’m glad now that you insisted that we talk here at the Chandler Hill Inn.”

  “What is it? All I know is that you want to live in Oregon. I’ve come up with a way for you to do both—live in California and stay at the winery part-time.”

  She sighed. “I never had the chance to finish our conversation. There are several reasons why I can’t contemplate thinking about growing our relationship or working with you on your campaign. I’ll just say it. I’m pregnant.”

  “What? How? I mean ... who?”

  “That is going to remain private information because I intend to raise this baby alone.”

  Will jumped to his feet and began pacing the room. “This is crazy. I didn’t know you were dating anyone. And any baby needs a father. If you’re intending to raise the baby by yourself, why don’t you let me help you?”

  “But the campaign ...”

  “The public will love it—me helping you with your mystery baby.” His eyes widened. “Oh, Lulu, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

  Her eyes misted. “Of course, you did. You have your mind on the campaign. Though it’s painful, I understand. Besides, I think the issue would bring up all sorts of bad things about my father. Can you imagine? Like father, like daughter.” Her laugh was bitter. “I’m not going through anything like that again.”

  Will knelt down in front of her. “You need me. What are you going to do here in the middle of nowhere? You need to be by my side.”

  “No, I need to stand on my own two feet, take care of the situation myself, and build a life I truly want.” Lulu surprised herself with her calm, firm words.

  He rose and stared down at her. “Yeah? How?”

  She got to her feet and faced him. “I’m helping Cami and the others by taking charge of marketing for all three wineries. It’s a big job, a challenging one I intend to do well. I’ve already rented a house and will be settling in soon. I appreciate your offer, Will, but I’m sorry. I can’t do what you want.”

  He sank into the couch and covered his face with his hands. When he looked up, the sadness on his face was gut-wrenching for her to see. “I’ve loved you for a long time, Lulu. I should’ve told you before now, but with everything going on with your father, I knew I couldn’t. Now, it’s too late.”

  Lulu sat down beside him and put her arm around him. “I’m so sorry, Will. But I can’t be less than honest with you. It wouldn’t work between us for many reasons.”

  “You’ve never loved me?” His handsome features contorted with misery.

  Lulu swallowed hard at the pain in his voice. “You’ve been a loyal friend to my family and for that, I’ll always love you, but not in the way you want.”

  His sigh said it all. “I should probably get going. No use in my staying.” He rose to his feet.

  Lulu followed. “Don’t go. I want us always to be friends, and I need you to understand what Chandler Hill and my new family mean to me.”

  He paused.

  In an attempt at humor, she added, “Besides, if you’re going to run for president one day, you need to know as many people as possible.”

  With obvious effort, he tried to smile. “Do they know about the baby and us?”

  “I’m keeping quiet about the pregnancy, so please don’t mention it. They know how much I admire you, and even though they know I’ve chosen to stay in the valley, they’re anxious to get to spend some time with you. It’s a wonderful group of people.”

  He sighed. “As long as I’m here, I might as well take a couple of days off from work and try to enjoy myself.”

  She lifted on her toes and kissed his cheek. “I do care about you, you know.”

  “Maybe I hesitated because I was concerned all along that it wouldn’t work,” he said, tilting his head in confusion. “Some guy is going to be very lucky to have you for his partner one day. I’m sorry it isn’t me.”

  She hugged him and lay her head against his chest for a moment, well aware she was letting go of a man with whom she could’ve built a good life.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Like any true politician, Will seemed to let go of his dashed hopes easily and enter into the spirit of the weekend. Only Lulu, who knew him well, was aware of his deep disappointment in her. She tried to make it up to him by introducing him to the family, the inn, and the area, hoping he’d understand some of her decision.

  On Sunday morning, Lulu sat with Cami in her office.

  “I think it would be nice to gather family and friends together to meet Will on his last night with us,” said Cami.

  “Very nice. I’m sure he’d like that.”

  “I want to hold the party at the inn so I can spend quality time with Will. Because he knew our father so well, I’m hoping to get some information about him from Will.”

  “Of course,” said Lulu. “I’ll feel better knowing you’re not stuck in the kitchen at home while everyone else is relaxing. Can I do anything to help set this up?”

  Cami shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m going to have Darren and his wife, Liz,work their magic in the kitchen and come up with anything they want. It’s a slow time of year, and they’re anxious to keep busy.”

  Lulu squeezed her affectionately. “Thanks for being so understanding. I think Will is beginning to see how lucky I am to have found you.”

  Cami hesitated, then said, “Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?”

  “Yes, I’ve thought it through, and this is the best resolution for me. If your Nonnee could raise a child alone, I can too.”

  Cami studied her. “Will seems nice. I’m a little surprised he’s let you go so easily.”

  Lulu arched her brows. “Doesn’t that tell you something? He wanted me for a partner. I suspect for his campaign more than anything else. And he never actually got down on one knee to ask me to marry him. When the time comes for something like that, I want it to be perfect.”

  “When he proposed, Drew caught me off guard and then was so sweet about it. I understand you’d want the same thing.” Cami smiled at the memory.

  Lulu remained quiet. Only Rafe knew who the father of her baby was, and that was how she intended to keep it.

  ###

  That night, Lulu dressed in black slacks and a long-sleeved silk blouse in a rich, deep shade of green that went well with the emerald and diamond earrings her mother had given her for Christmas. The simplicity of the outfit showed the tiniest expansion in her abdomen. Frowning at her outline in the full-length mirror, Lulu realized she’d have to purchase some new clothes—ones that would better hide her condition.

  Cami knocked on her door and stuck her head inside. “Ready?”

  “Coming,”
Lulu replied, pleased by her sister’s excitement. Hospitality came so easily to Cami.

  ###

  At the inn, a few guests lingered in the library enjoying drinks and conversation. Lulu and Cami stopped to say hello and then proceeded to the small dining room. As promised, Lulu texted Will they’d arrived.

  Moments later, Will walked into the dining room looking as polished as ever. The clean, country air had added color to his cheeks, and the sadness that had coated his features had disappeared. Though Lulu was pleased to see it, she wondered how deep his proclaimed love had really been.

  “You ladies look lovely. Where are the others?”

  “I wanted to come early to greet some of the inn’s guests and to make sure things were set for this evening. I’ve given Darren and Liz carte blanche to create whatever they wanted for the meal.

  A movement at the door caught their attention. Imani, Cami’s assistant, walked into the room with Gwen and Laurel, followed by Rafe, Drew, Becca, and Dan.

  “Ah, the party has arrived, I see,” said Will. He went over to greet everyone. Lulu watched the way flushes of pink colored the women’s cheeks as he spoke to them and understood that’s the way it would always be with him. Like her father, he had the ability to charm anyone.

  “What are you thinking?” Cami asked softly. “I noticed you staring at him. Are you sorry about the choice you made?”

  Lulu shook her head. “Not at all. I’m actually relieved.”

  “I’m sure things will work out.” Cami turned as Drew walked over to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  “How’s my favorite girl,” he said, drawing her into her arms.

  Cami laughed and hugged him before stepping away to answer Darren’s beckoning wave.

  Drew turned to her. “You’re looking nice, Lulu. Cami tells me you’re going through a rough time. Anything we can do to help?”

  Lulu shook her head. “Thanks, but I’ll get through it. By the way, I’ve signed the lease for the house so I can move in anytime.”

  “I’ll get the rest of my things out of there,” Drew said. “Like I said before, it’s a great house. I think you’ll be happy there.”

  “Me, too,” Lulu said with determination.

  Cami announced it was time to find seats at the table. Name cards had been placed by each table setting. Lulu was pleased to see she was seated between Rafe and Becca.

  Liz oversaw the waitstaff as bowls of soup were carried in and placed before them.

  “We’re starting with Butternut Squash Apple Soup with Sage Parmesan Croutons,” Liz announced. “I think you’ll find it a nice beginning to your meal on this chilly, rainy day.”

  She left the room, and it was quiet as everyone tasted the soup. Satisfied murmuring followed.

  “How’s that puppy of yours doing?” Rafe asked Becca.

  She laughed and shook her head. “He’s into everything. But, like Dan says, he’s going to be a very nice dog.”

  Conversation remained light among the group. Seated opposite Will, Lulu saw how much fun he and Imani seemed to be having as they talked to one another. On his other side, Gwen was looking as if she wasn’t feeling well.

  When she got up, Lulu followed her to the ladies’ room. “Are you all right?” she asked Gwen, alarmed by how pale she’d become.

  “It must be the flu,” Gwen said. “I haven’t been able to shake it.”

  “Let me know if there’s anything I can do,” Lulu said. “Do you need to go home now?”

  Gwen shook her head. “I’ll just put cold water on my face and then I’m sure I’ll feel better.”

  Lulu returned to the dining room just as Liz was announcing that their main course was Cornish Hen with Garlic and Rosemary, accompanied by a mélange of winter vegetables and rice.

  Cami shot her a look of concern as Lulu took her seat. “Is Gwen okay?”

  “I think so,” said Lulu, even as a niggling worry buried inside her.

  Gwen returned. After she was settled, Rafe lifted his wine glass. “Here’s to us! We’ve come together for different reasons, but we share an affection for one another that is and always will be there.”

  “Yes!” said Cami, raising her glass. “We’ve only just begun to know you, Will, but I’m sure we’ll see more of you in the future.”

  Lulu shot Cami a look of horror at what Cami might be implying. She hadn’t told Cami the father of her baby wasn’t Will.

  Cami noticed and quickly added. “I meant with the political race on which you’re about to embark.”

  As they raised their glasses and enjoyed sips of the wine, no one else at the table seemed to notice her discomfort, or the fact she’d held her glass but hadn’t take a sip.

  Rafe placed his hand on hers and she drew a deep breath. It was silly, she knew, to try to hide the fact of what had happened, but in this group of wine lovers, sooner or later they’d notice.

  This special evening was a lovely gesture, Lulu thought as she sipped her tea after dinner. Not only for Will, but for Imani, Gwen, Becca, and Laurel. Cami had put together a capable, loyal team. She glanced at Gwen and was relieved to see she was acting more like herself.

  “Thank you, everyone, for coming,” Cami said, getting to her feet as people began to prepare to leave. “Hopefully, Will, this has given you a nice send-off with all our thoughts on what we’d like to see happening in government.”

  He glanced at her with a warm smile. “I now have a very good idea of what it’s like to live here. I understand completely why Lulu has chosen to stay.”

  Lulu listened to his easy banter, thinking how much he acted like her father and if her father were alive, how proud he’d be of his student.

  Will came over to her. “I’ve arranged for a driver to pick me up early tomorrow morning. Want to join me for a few private minutes to say goodbye?”

  “Sure. I’d like that.” Will was a friend and, she hoped, he always would be.

  They walked up to his room, and, as before, sat in front of the fireplace facing one another.

  “I’m glad my family liked you, Will.” Lulu said. “And I’m even happier that you liked them.”

  “They’re great! But, Lulu, you could be doing something so much more meaningful with your life. It’s nice to be what Rafe laughingly calls a “grape farmer,” but together we could be doing things that would really matter to everyone.”

  “At what cost to family?” said Lulu. “You love the spotlight. I don’t. And what so many politicians forget is that this nation was built on core values of virtue, hard work, and a belief in doing for others in what little ways one can. My new family epitomizes that.”

  Will sighed and shook his head. “I can see that I’m not going to be able to change your mind. I think your father would be disappointed.”

  A torrent of feelings rushed through Lulu and spilled out of her. “My father was a lying, cheating bastard who all but destroyed my mother and me! Don’t you get it? I try to be fair about the good things he did, but bottom line, he’s someone who can’t even begin to compare to a man like Rafe.”

  “Whoa! Where did that come from?” Will said, holding his hands in front of him to ward off her anger.

  “It came from my heart,” Lulu said softly and blinked back tears. She stood. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. I wish you well with everything. I know you’ll give it your best.”

  He stood, leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Good luck with the baby. I wish it were mine.”

  Unable to find words, she gave him a little hug, and left the room.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The following morning, Lulu awoke with a new sense of purpose. In the coming days, she was moving out of Cami’s home and into the rental down the road. She hadn’t wanted to do it while Will was around because, to her, it symbolized a new beginning.

  With it being a slow time of year, she had the day off to begin cleaning the house. Far from the portrait the press had painted of her, she knew very well how to clean a house. M
elba had made sure of that.

  Thinking of Melba, she punched in her cell number.

  Melba’s cheery “Hello” brought a smile to Lulu.

  “How are you?” Lulu asked her. “And how is my mother?”

  “I’m fine, thank you, and so is your mother. After all these years of trying to come up with the right combination of medicines, we’ve finally found one that is keeping her steady.”

  “She was wonderful here at Christmas. I kept waiting for things to change, but they didn’t,” admitted Lulu.

  “What’s going on with you?” Melba asked.

  Lulu wished she could be honest, but she wasn’t ready to tell Melba or her mother about the baby. “I’m moving into a rental house. In fact, I was going to ask you about that cleaning solution you use for the bathroom.”

  “You’re cleaning the house yourself?”

  “As much as possible,” Lulu said. “It’s part of my plan for making a fresh start.”

  “Good girl,” said Melba. “I’ll email you a list of my favorite products. Here’s your mother. She wants to say hello.”

  “Lulu, I’m so glad you called. I’ve been thinking of you and everyone there. I want to make another visit as soon as possible. I felt so well, so happy there.”

  “I’ve rented a three-bedroom house. When you come, you can stay with me.”

  “How lovely. I take it everything is settled between you and Will. He told me he was going to convince you to join him, but it sounds as if that isn’t happening.”

  “No,” said Lulu. “I don’t want the kind of life you had with Dad.”

  “I’m so glad,” Rosalie said. “I wanted you to make your own choice, but I was worried about it.”

  A new tenderness filled Lulu. She and her mother were building a stronger relationship. As her stomach rumbled, she wondered if news of the baby would destroy it.

  “Well, my darling. Have a good day. Talk to you later.”

  Lulu clicked off the call and padded into the kitchen. Drew had already left for work but Cami was sitting at the kitchen table sipping a cup of coffee. She looked up at Lulu and smiled.