The Vineyard at Painted Moon

by Susan Mallery

  Unlike Four, she’d never gone out of her way to stand up to her mother. Mostly she simply ignored what Barbara said and went her own way. But not tonight. Tonight she’d overtly rebelled, and while she wasn’t sorry, she couldn’t help wondering if, one day very soon, she would be.

  * * *

  Mackenzie walked into the restaurant and moved toward the hostess station, but before she got there, she spotted Stephanie and Four already at a table and turned in their direction.

  She was dealing with so many emotions—feeling both hopeful and adrift at the same time. She was still upset about her encounter with Barbara, sad about her divorce and scared about her future. Everything was different now, including the fact that she had to meet her sisters-in-law at a restaurant instead of just having lunch in one of their kitchens.

  Mackenzie paused a few feet from the table, wondering what other changes there would be in her life. A few short weeks ago, she’d known exactly how each day was going to go. Her work and her days had been defined by the seasons. Now she wasn’t sure about anything.

  Stephanie looked up and saw her. Her immediate smile drew Mackenzie forward. Four followed her gaze and her mouth turned up in a huge grin. Their obvious pleasure at seeing her eased a tension she’d refused to acknowledge until that second.

  Mackenzie walked into the three-way hug and hung on. “I was so scared you’d be mad at me for what happened with your mom,” she admitted.

  “Never,” Stephanie promised.

  “You’ve done nothing to make me mad,” Four pointed out. “Besides, I’m not sure how you could upset my energy that much. I do my best to go with the flow. To observe rather than embrace negative emotions.”

  The very “Fourness” of that comment made Mackenzie laugh. She squeezed them both one last time, then released her sisters-in-law.

  “Thanks for suggesting lunch,” she said, taking her seat.

  Stephanie sat across from her with Four between them.

  “In a restaurant,” Stephanie said with a laugh. “It feels very clandestine. Like we’re in a spy novel and discussing an insurgency.”

  “With Mackenzie as our own insurgent.”

  Mackenzie shook her head. “That implies more strength and planning than I’m capable of at the moment. Right now I’m just getting by as best I can.”

  Stephanie and Four exchanged a look.

  “At the risk of adding to your stress level, we wanted to talk to you about a few things.” Stephanie sighed. “One thing.”

  Mackenzie tried not to let her apprehension show. “Barbara?”

  “That’s it,” Four said cheerfully. “She totally went off on you last night. We’re forbidden from having contact with you.” Her smile turned impish. “Which is when I texted Stephanie and suggested we have lunch with you today.”

  “I should have thought of it myself,” Stephanie said.

  Mackenzie hated to think about what she’d done to the family. “I’m sorry,” she began.

  Stephanie shook her head. “No. You’re not and you shouldn’t be. This is my mom’s doing, not yours. The work stuff. You and Rhys are responsible for your marriage.”

  “It was inevitable,” Four added. “The change. You couldn’t have stayed where you were forever. It wasn’t right for you.”

  Mackenzie wondered if that was true. Until Rhys had mentioned getting a divorce, she’d been fairly content. Yes, there had been problems and disappointments, but she wasn’t sure she would have ever thought to leave on her own.

  “We don’t expect you to do anything with the information about our mom,” Stephanie said. “But we thought you should know she’s gone a little cray-cray. Watch your back.”

  “I will.”

  “We’re both going to let you know if we hear anything of real concern,” Four told her. She smiled. “And that’s all the grim news. How are things otherwise?”

  “And how are you doing?” Stephanie asked.

  “I’m trying to figure it all out. So much has changed so fast that it’s hard to get my head around it all. I’m still recovering from my encounter with Barbara.”

  “She does love to leave a scar,” Stephanie said.

  The server appeared and took their drink orders. When she was gone, Four turned to Mackenzie.

  “Barbara’s just as lost and confused. I suspect she’s not totally sure if you’re really leaving or if you’re playing her to get more money. She’s also hoping she can figure out a way to make the winery work without you. She’s angry, hurt and scared, not to mention furious that she doesn’t have a backup plan. Every other winery has an assistant winemaker, an assistant to the assistant and so on. You and Barbara have always been so intertwined that you two never wanted to add a third person to the mix. You each resisted taking the sensible next step and now she’s paying the price.”

  Mackenzie stared at her. “You are the most amazing person. Everyone assumes you’re just a crystal-loving tree hugger, but you are emotionally deep.”

  “I observe,” Four said modestly.

  “I think she’s secretly psychic,” Stephanie teased.

  They bantered for a few seconds, their familiar teasing helping Mackenzie feel as if there was a chance that one day things could be normal again. A new normal for her, but she was open to that. Just being around her friends was comforting. What Four would describe as grounding.

  The server returned with their drinks. They ordered lunch. When they were alone again, Stephanie said, “How are you doing? Really? Are you sleeping? Eating right?”

  Mackenzie smiled. “I’m taking care of myself. I’m not drinking and I’m also not sleeping that well, but I’m using the extra awake time to work on my business plan.”

  Which reminded her. She pulled out two pieces of paper from her handbag and handed them to her sisters-in-law. “If you want details, I’m afraid you’re going to have to sign these.”

  Stephanie and Four glanced at each other, then at the NDA. Four finished reading first. She reached for Mackenzie’s hand.

  “I’m proud of you for taking care of yourself and for taking your future seriously. You have a true heart, you always have. That’s what draws people to you.”

  Stephanie scrawled her name on the page, then handed the pen to her sister. “You’re right. This is starting to feel like a spy novel. I like it.”

  “I’m going into business with Bruno,” Mackenzie said, tucking the signed papers back into her bag. “We’re looking at buying Painted Moon.”

  Both sisters stared at her with identical expressions of delight and shock. Stephanie recovered first.

  “It’s perfect. Big, and the land is excellent. Now that I think about it, I’m not too surprised Herman wants to sell. I’m so glad you’ll be staying in the valley. I’ve been terrified that you’d leave me.”

  “Does Barbara know?” Four asked.

  “No. I’m not telling her until we have an accepted offer. Or maybe not until we close.”

  “Keep it quiet as long as you can,” Stephanie advised. “She’ll only make trouble if she can.”

  “That was my thought,” Mackenzie said.

  “Where are you going to live?” Four asked. “I know Rhys will tell you to stay in the house for as long as you want, but eventually you’ll have to go somewhere.”

  “If we buy Painted Moon, I’ll move into the farmhouse there. If that doesn’t work—”

  “I have room,” Stephanie said, interrupting.

  “Us, too,” Four added. “The kids would love having you around.”

  Their generosity made Mackenzie’s throat a little tight.

  “Thank you,” she managed. “Let’s see how this works out.”

  “Since Barbara fired you, you’re eligible for unemployment,” Four pointed out.

  Mackenzie managed a chuckle. “I never thought about that. Yo
u’re right.”

  She still hadn’t processed her lack of a job. Currently she was telling herself that she was just taking a few days off. Her work with Bruno kept her plenty busy, so her hours weren’t empty. But after working at Bel Après so long, it was going to be hard to let go.

  “Enough,” she said, holding up her hand. “How are you two doing? How’s Carson enjoying camp?”

  “He loves it. He texts me every day, mostly, I think because he knows if he doesn’t, I’ll fly down and humiliate him by hugging and kissing him in front of his friends. But I still miss him. Avery’s dealing with her breakup with Alexander.” She turned to Four.

  “We’re all fine,” Four said. “I’m thinking of doing a mural in the dining room. I told the kids they could help.”

  The normalcy of the conversation comforted Mackenzie. This was what she’d been missing, she told herself. Hanging out with her friends in a fun, supportive environment. No drama, nothing but talking and laughing and being together.

  She thought about how she’d felt after her grandfather had died. She remembered how alone and terrified she’d been.

  This wasn’t that. She was older, with more life experience, and she had family. Maybe not Barbara or Lori, but these two would stand by her. Of that she was sure.

  * * *

  Emotionally healed by her long lunch with friends, Mackenzie drove back home. She wanted to go through the house and decide if there was anything she wanted to take with her when she inevitably had to leave. There wouldn’t be a lot—maybe a few mementos from her life, the odd piece of art. As she and Barbara had decorated the house together, she wasn’t comfortable taking much with her. Too many memories, she thought.

  She drove onto the property and turned toward her house, passing a sheriff’s car on the way. The law enforcement vehicle was so unexpected, she didn’t react at first, then slowed to stare at the car turning onto the main road. Someone from the sheriff’s office had been here? But why?

  She parked in the garage, next to Rhys’s SUV, then hurried inside. She found him standing in the kitchen.

  In the half second before he saw her, she studied the sharp lines in his brow. Lines that hadn’t been there the last time she’d seen him. If she had to pick a word to describe his mood, she would say he was furious about something.

  “Rhys? What’s going on? Why are you home in the middle of the day and why did I see a sheriff’s car leaving the property?”

  He turned toward her. The fake smile made her chest tighten.

  “Everything is fine,” he said, his voice falsely hardy. “Nothing to worry about.”

  “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for?” she asked, quoting the original Star Wars movie line they often used on each other. “I think they probably are. What happened?”

  He sighed heavily. “You couldn’t have been five minutes later?”

  “Rhys, please. If you’re trying not to tell me something, it must be about your mother. She’s already fired me. I’m not sure it can get worse than that.”

  The twist of his mouth told her she was wrong.

  “My mother called the sheriff’s office to have you evicted.” His voice was flat.

  “What? But we’re married and this is my house.” Except it wasn’t, she thought bitterly. Only Rhys’s name was on the deed—because he was family and she wasn’t. “Can she do that?”

  “No. That’s what I told the sheriff. It’s my house, and until the divorce is final, you’re my wife and you can damn well live here as long as I let you.”

  “Thank you.” Mackenzie still couldn’t take in what had happened. Barbara wanted her gone that much? Mackenzie had known the other woman would be upset, but to try to evict her?

  Rhys drew in a breath. “How can you think about moving on with everything if she’s distracting you like this?” He crossed to her and pulled her close. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m okay,” she lied, trying to take comfort in his words and embrace and not question how much of his concern was about her getting out of his life.

  “You’re stronger than I would be under the circumstances.” He released her. “I really am sorry about what my mother did.”

  But he wasn’t sorry about the divorce, she thought sadly. He was ready to move on. She was, too, but she knew he was further along the path.

  “I’m fine,” she said, telling herself that with a little luck and time it would be true.

  sixteen

  Barbara tapped her fingers on her desk. The phone call from her contact at the sheriff’s office had been disappointing. Apparently there were laws against evicting someone from their home, even when they deserved it. The best she’d been able to get was a visit by a deputy. She needed Mackenzie punished and broken so she would come crawling back. Perhaps not logical, but it was the truth.

  She turned her attention back to her computer screen, but before she could start to make sense of the report, Rhys stalked into her office. He stood over her, glaring, as if he was trying to intimidate her.

  “What the hell were you thinking?” he demanded.

  She raised her eyebrows and pointed to the chair. “If you want to have a conversation, please do me the courtesy of speaking in a civil tone and refrain from swearing.”

  “You tried to have Mackenzie evicted.”

  “Tried being the operative word. I knew it wasn’t going to work, but I had to do something. It’s not as if you’re helping, and this is all your fault.” She pointed to the chair again.

  As expected, he sat down. “How is it my fault?”

  “You obviously didn’t make her happy in the marriage and now we all have to pay the price for that. Why didn’t you tell me there were problems in your relationship?” Actually the more important question was why he hadn’t fixed them in the first place, but asking that would get her nowhere.

  “My marriage isn’t your business.”

  “If only that were true, but when your wife works in the family firm, it’s all our business. Did you cheat?”

  Rhys sighed. “I’m not discussing that with you.”

  She wasn’t sure if that meant yes or no. Rhys didn’t strike her as the kind of man who would do that sort of thing. He was a good man—honest and hardworking. He was also handsome and wealthy, which would make him irresistible to most women. So he would have had opportunity.

  “So you’re not going to fight for her?”

  “Mom, this isn’t your business. Mackenzie and I are getting a divorce. End of story.”

  “Perhaps for you, but not for me. Your divorce affects Bel Après and that means it affects us all.”

  She pressed her fingers to her temple, knowing that later she would have a headache.

  Everything had been going along so well, she thought bitterly. The wines were excellent. Mackenzie was doing such good work and now it could all be lost.

  “Why didn’t you two have children? That would have kept you together.”

  “Now you want her pregnant? You were always happy Mackenzie didn’t have any kids to distract her from her work.”

  “I never said that.”

  Rhys looked at her without speaking.

  She waved the comment away. “Fine, I might have said it once or twice, but I didn’t mean it. Had I known you needed children to stay married, I would have encouraged it.”

  “I’m sorry to have missed that.”

  She ignored his sarcasm. “We have to fix this.”

  “No, we don’t. Mackenzie and I are splitting up. That’s on us. What happens with the winery is on you, Mom. You’re the one who lost your temper and fired her.”

  “She told me she was leaving Bel Après. What was I supposed to do?”

  “Ask her why she wanted to go. Maybe show a little compassion and understanding.”

  His idiocy shouldn’t have surprised her
and yet it did. “Perhaps have given her a parting gift? You do realize we don’t have a backup winemaker. We’ll be left with nothing. We could be ruined.”

  Rhys shook his head. “You’ll find a solution, Mom. You always do. My point was you could have worked it out with Mackenzie. All she wanted was to feel like she belonged and was a part of things.”

  Barbara thought about her conversation with Giorgio. Rhys sounded exactly like him. Was there a conspiracy?

  “The terms of the will are very clear. You know I can’t violate them. Besides, what more does she want? I gave her everything. Free rein in all the winemaking.” She felt her temper flaring and consciously suppressed it. “Someone’s going to hire her. I wish I could stop that.”

  Rhys glanced away without saying anything. Barbara stared at him.

  “What do you know that I don’t?” she demanded.

  He looked at her. “Mackenzie and I have a postnuptial agreement.”

  The edges of the room blurred a little as she struggled to comprehend what he was saying. A postnuptial agreement meant Mackenzie was going to get money from him.

  “Why am I just hearing about this now?”

  He looked away again. “It was between the two of us.”

  Anger rushed through her. “When did this happen?”

  “Back when you told her she would never have a piece of the winery. She was devastated.”

  “So you gave her money?” she asked. “Dear God, you’re an idiot. How much?”

  He squared his shoulders. “Half the value of the house, some of my trust fund. I signed off on the royalties from her wines. In total, about two million.”

  “Dollars? You gave that bitch two million dollars?” She half rose, then collapsed back in her chair. No. It wasn’t possible. With that kind of money, Mackenzie could buy something. Worse, she could use it as a down payment on a real winery and compete with Bel Après.

  “It was right at the time,” he said. “We were still happy together and I hated to see her so upset. She felt betrayed and dismissed by you.”

  Barbara ignored the rest of what he’d said and focused on what was important. “Right at the time? You’re regretting the agreement?”