Going Home Read online

  “Go ahead, Lettie, and take a sip,” urged Kenton.

  Lettie swirled the wine in her glass, sniffed it, and held it away from her. It didn’t smell sweet at all.

  “Well?” Kenton said.

  She took a sip and swallowed. Her tongue curled in confusion as it tried to sort out the taste of the wine.

  “I don’t know what I’m supposed to say,” Lettie said, feeling awkward. “If I had to guess, I’d say I tasted some melon.”

  Rafe grinned at her. “Good. I think we’re going to find you have a good palate.”

  She gave him a questioning look.

  “A good palate is having the ability to taste the different nuances in the wine. And, like I said, I think you do.”

  By the time she’d had her share of the bottle of wine, her cheeks felt warm. She leaned back against her chair and let out a sigh of contentment. No wonder people liked wine. Once she got past the surprise of the initial taste in her mouth, it was pleasant.

  Rafe put a cassette tape into a player, and the sound of the Beatles filled the air. Here in the cabin with Kenton and Rafe, the music sounded much better than what she’d heard on the streets of San Francisco. Lettie closed her eyes and let the music pour through her.

  She wasn’t sure how much time had passed before Kenton announced, “Time to go to dinner.”

  Her pulse pounding with alarm, she jerked to a sitting position. Part of her job was helping Mrs. Morley in the kitchen.

  “See you up there,” she said to Kenton. “Thanks, Rafe. I’ve gotta go help in the kitchen.”

  After running back to the main house, Lettie arrived breathless and hurried into the kitchen. “I’m here to help with dinner.”

  Mrs. Morley studied her with a raised eyebrow. “With it being just family, I have things under control. But, next time, you need to be here to help me. Understand? You’re a member of the staff, not the family.”

  Reality hit her. The camaraderie she’d just shared with Kenton and Rafe evaporated in a gut-wrenching moment. “Yes, Mrs. Morley,” she said, politely, hiding the bitter taste of disappointment. She’d thought she’d found a comfortable situation with two new friends.

  Lettie quickly set the table for two, and then, after Mrs. Morley had dished up the lasagna Kenton had requested, Lettie carried the plates into the dining room and served them to Rex and Kenton.

  Kenton studied the plates and frowned. “Why aren’t you eating with us?”

  “Like Mrs. Morley said, I’m just a member of the staff.”

  Kenton faced his father sitting across the table from him. “Dad, when no other guests are here, can’t Lettie eat with us? It would mean a lot to me. She’s becoming a good friend.”

  Rex looked with surprise at Kenton and turned to her. “Well? Would you enjoy that?”

  Lettie hesitated and then spoke from the heart. “I would love it.”

  “Then set a place for yourself, go to the kitchen for your food, and join us. It will be nice to have a feminine voice at the table. Besides, I’m interested to know more about you.”

  Lettie hurried to do as he’d told her. Within a few minutes, and after receiving a disapproving frown from Mrs. Morley, Lettie sat beside Kenton at the dining room table.

  “How did you like your first day at the Chandler Hill Inn?” Rex asked her.

  “It was good. Mrs. Morley is very nice. And after my work was done, Kenton and Rafe showed me around.”

  “What do you think of the vineyard? Did you check out the vines?”

  Remembering the overwhelming feeling of finding her rightful home when viewing the vines, Lettie clasped her hands together in an almost prayerful gesture. “I love the land, the rolling hills, the fact that volcanoes and marine sediments made the dirt, the look and feel of the vines, everything. The soil even smells good when you lift it to your face.” Suddenly aware of what she must sound like, Lettie clamped her mouth shut.

  Rex continued to stare at her with surprise.

  Wishing she’d given a simple answer, Lettie squirmed in her chair.

  “And, Dad, we tested her. She has a good palate for wine,” said Kenton.

  “I understand from Mrs. Morley you’re from Ohio. Have you ever been to Oregon before?” Rex asked her.

  Lettie shook her head. “I’d never been anywhere but Dayton, Ohio, until I went to San Francisco.”

  “So, tell me again why you like Oregon,” Rex said, leaning forward and studying her.

  Her cheeks aflame with shyness, Lettie said,” I don’t know about other parts of Oregon, but the land around here is beautiful. The hills roll on and on like folds of fabric striped with grape vines. It makes me think I’m looking at a big, beautiful, green quilt.”

  Lettie noticed the looks of amazement Kenton and Rex were exchanging. “Did I say something wrong? I probably shouldn’t have spoken. I’ve been told that I sometimes say things in a crazy way. My foster parents hated when I talked like that.”

  “No,” said Rex quietly. “Your way of speaking is delightful. It’s obvious you love the land. Nice. Very nice.”

  Embarrassed, Lettie stood. “May I get either of you something more? If not, I’ll clear the table.”

  Lettie quickly gathered the empty plates and carried them into the kitchen.

  “Who wants dessert?” Mrs. Morley said. “I’ve made Mr. Rex’s favorite pie. Apple.”

  “I’ll ask,” Lettie said.

  Moments later, she returned. “Both Kenton and Rex want pie.”

  Mrs. Morley gave her a warning look. “Mr. Rex to you, Lettie. Remember what I told you.”

  “Okay,” Lettie said politely. “If you want, I’ll carry dessert into them.”

  “Aren’t you going to have any dessert?” Rex asked, when she placed a plate of warm apple pie in front of him.

  Lettie shook her head. “No, thank you.”

  Uncertain whether she should stay or go, she quietly slipped out of the room.

  CHAPTER THREE

  The next day after Lettie’s chores were done, Mrs. Morley said, “Remember, you must keep an eye on the house. We have four guests arriving this afternoon. We want to make sure they have everything they need, like we talked about. Understand?”

  Lettie bobbed her head. It was a nice day. The sun was shining, and the temperature was in the low 70s. She was anxious to get outside, walk the land, and settle her thoughts.

  She stood outside the house and surveyed her surroundings. In the distance, a tractor moved. Curious, she headed that way. As she walked, she inhaled the fresh air and wondered what the next months would bring. The last few days had been the best of her life.

  As she was walking down the knoll, she noticed Rafe working on a piece of machinery by the barn and waved.

  He waved back and headed in her direction. “Where are you going?” he called to her.

  She pointed toward the tractor.

  “Hold on,” he said.

  She stopped and waited for him to reach her.

  “Why are you going all the way down there?” he asked. “It’s just the tractor guy doing his work.”

  “I know, but what is he doing?” Lettie asked. “I want to know everything about growing grapes. It’s fascinating.”

  A grin broke out on his face. “I’ve never met anyone like you. Your hair. Is that what you call strawberry blond? And your eyes aren’t just blue, but a kind of green.”

  Lettie scuffed her feet in the loose dirt, unsure if he was giving her a compliment or teasing her, as had happened so often at home.

  “Hey! I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable,” said Rafe. “I like the way you look.”

  Their surroundings faded away as she returned his gaze. His dark hair formed a curl over his right eyebrow. She studied his straight, proud nose, the cleft in his chin, the fullness of his lips. But it was his brown eyes that drew her in.

  “I like the way you look too.”

  He chuckled happily. “I can’t wait to get to know you better, Lettie.” He
checked his watch. “I’d better get back to work.”

  Before he left, he gave her a wink.

  Lettie waited for her heartbeat to slow before moving on.

  “Hey there!” called Kenton as he hurried her way. “What’s up? Where are you going?” He looped an arm around her shoulders.

  At his easy-going manner, she smiled at him. “I’m on my way to check out a tractor. I want to see what it’s doing.”

  “Pretty boring, but I’ll go along. And then later, maybe we can taste some more wine.”

  Lettie shook her head. “Not today. We have four guests coming in, and Mrs. Morley wants me to make sure I’m around to help her check them in.”

  “Too bad,” he said, grinning. “If you married me, you wouldn’t have to worry about the guests.”

  Shocked, she stopped and looked at him. “You don’t even know me. Why would you say something like that?”

  “Just teasing. My dad asked me about our relationship, and I told him we were just friends, but that I liked you a whole lot and maybe more than that.”

  “Oh.” Lettie hid her surprise. She’d thought they were just friends. A worrisome thought struck her. “I don’t want him to think I’d ever skip out on my job. It’s the best one I’ve had for the last four months, if ever.”

  “Deal,” said Kenton, and they smiled at each other.

  After watching the tractor mow the grass that grew erratically between the rows of grapes, and talking briefly with the driver, who Kenton said was Rafe’s father, Joe, Lettie and Kenton headed back to the inn.

  “Rafe’s dad seemed nice,” Lettie commented.

  “Joe’s a good guy,” said Kenton. “My dad trusts him. He’s what we call the grape grower. In time, after we hire a winemaker, I’d like to learn to do both.”

  Lettie gave him a thoughtful look. She was learning that it took a lot of work from a lot of people to produce a single bottle of wine.

  ###

  Winemaking was forgotten as guests arrived. As instructed, Lettie delivered pitchers of cold water and fresh cookies to their rooms and told them about the happy hour in the library starting at five o’clock.

  Since both couples were opting to go into McMinnville to Nick’s Italian Café for dinner, Mrs. Morley left for home early, leaving instructions for Lettie to serve the meal for Mr. Rex and Kenton—a simple casserole of chicken, broccoli, and a lemon sauce. That, a tossed salad, fresh bread, and fruit would serve them well.

  This time, Lettie happily set three places at the pine table in the kitchen. Mrs. Morley had told her that sometimes Rex chose to eat with guests in the dining room, but that most times he was content to live a quiet life in his separate wing. Curious, Lettie was eager to find out more about the Hollywood legend that women used to swoon over. He was still a handsome man.

  “Well, this is cozy,” said Rex as he sat in a chair at the kitchen table. He inhaled and smiled. “Nothing like some of Mrs. Morley’s cooking.”

  Kenton raced into the room and slid into a chair opposite Rex. “Sorry, I’m late.”

  Rex raised his eyebrows but said nothing.

  Lettie ate quietly, waiting for conversation to begin. Rex was a puzzle to her. On the screen, he was a smooth-talking hero who always saved the day. At home, he was a quiet man who liked to read. He met others in town for social times, but not too frequently.

  “Are you sorry not to be making movies?” Lettie finally asked him.

  Rex laid down his fork. “Yes, and no. I got tired of the same old roles. But, I suppose, if an interesting part comes along, I may take it. Right now, I’m trying to get the vineyard off to a good start along with this inn. I hope someday to expand the inn and to make wine from our own grapes. It’ll take time, but I believe we can do it.”

  “I’m glad you decided to do this, Dad,” said Kenton. “Other people are seeing how good the land is for growing grapes and are coming in, taking over farms, and turning them into vineyards. We’re lucky you were able to get good vine cuttings a couple of years ago and planted them. We might be among the first to make wine here.”

  “When is that going to happen?” Lettie said.

  “It would be great if we could harvest enough grapes next year to test our yield,” said Rex. “With your love of the land and interest in the grapes, I thought it might be fun for you to join Kenton and me when we talk with one of the grape growers from California, who’s been training Kenton. He’s planning to visit us after the harvest in a couple of months to see how the vines here are coming along. And when things start to happen, we’re going to need all the help we can get.”

  “Ben Kurey is really nice,” Kenton said to her. “He might even consider moving here if things take off. He’s a good winemaker.”

  “Is there a reason why women can’t be winemakers too?” Lettie asked.

  “There are several women in the valley who are interested in winemaking. Someday, you might like to be one, too,” Rex said to her.

  “I’d like that,” said Lettie, feeling as if her entire future were in his hands. It felt good to have new possibilities.

  “Great idea, Dad. That would make us unique. Even Gloria Steinem would approve.”

  Rex laughed. “Ah, yes. That women’s lib thing.”

  When he was through eating, Rex wiped his mouth with his napkin and stood. “I’m going into town to see a few people. I’ll be back later.”

  After he left, Lettie cleared the table. Kenton hung around while she did the dishes. At one point, she turned to him. “Your father seems lonely. Where’s your mother?”

  Kenton’s laugh was bitter. “My mother is now on her third husband since my parents got divorced. Dad has never remarried. Said he didn’t want to go through that shit again. A lot of women have tried to change his mind, but he isn’t interested in marriage, and they get tired of trying. He returns to California less and less.” He waved her forward. “C’mon, let’s find Rafe. He’s staying in the cabin tonight, and I’ve got an idea for some excitement for us.”

  As Lettie followed Kenton out of the house, she thought of her foster parents. They’d fought often, but they’d stayed together out of what? Fear of reprisal from their church? But theirs hadn’t been a happy marriage or a happy home life. All of the foster kids had known this—especially she, as one of the oldest. And when, on rare occasions, alcohol was introduced to the volatile mix, there’d been times when she’d feared for her life.

  Kenton was marching ahead of her with such angry steps Lettie wondered if he was still thinking of his mother. She’d never known hers. She’d been dumped into foster care as an infant and had never escaped. It wasn’t all bad, but she wouldn’t want any child of hers to live through it. The feeling of being unwanted, unloved lingered in her mind.

  Kenton knocked on the door and walked into the cabin. Lettie followed.

  Rafe was lying on the couch, listening to music. He scrambled to his feet. “Hey! What’re you two doing here?” He smiled at her. “Thought you had to take care of guests, Lettie.”

  “They’re in town for dinner. I’ll check on them later,” she said, plopping down into one of the chairs.

  “I thought maybe the three of us could drive into town,” Kenton said to Rafe. “There might be something going on at the hotel bar.”

  Rafe shook his head. “You go ahead. I’ve got to get up early tomorrow. I’m helping the guys at White Hills with pruning.”

  “I’d better stay here,” said Lettie.

  “You guys are no fun,” Kenton griped. “Guess I’ll go on my own.”

  “See you later, man,” said Rafe.

  “You all right on your own?” Kenton asked her. “I’ll leave all the lights on at the inn.”

  “I’ll walk her over there,” said Rafe. “Don’t worry. She’s safe with me.”

  Lettie liked the way his words made her feel.

  After Kenton left, Rafe said, “Want anything to drink? Smoke?”

  Lettie shook her head firmly. She wanted a rea
l friendship with him, not one laced with alcohol or grass or worse.

  She sat down on the couch with him, leaving a comfortable space between them.

  “Kenton tells me you, along with the rest of us, are going to meet with Ben Kurey to discuss how things are going here at Chandler Hill. What’s that all about?”

  “I’m not sure, but I’m excited about it. Rex knows I love learning about making wine and says he’s going to need all the help he can get.”

  “Yeah, winemaking gets into your blood. There’s a lot to learn. It’s still quite new in the valley, and the pinot noir grapes can be tricky.” He smiled. “I’m as hooked on the land as you are.”

  Lettie’s insides warmed. They’d make a perfect couple.

  He studied her for a few heart-pounding moments, and then, as if he did this every day, he leaned over and kissed her.

  His lips, warm and soft on hers, sent waves of heat through her. Lost in sensation, she lifted her arms to draw him closer. His tongue entered her mouth, and, unsure how to respond, she started to pull away and then succumbed to the rhythmic thrusts.

  “Hmmm,” he murmured, drawing her even closer.

  Lettie opened her eyes, sat back, and felt herself swimming in his brown gaze.

  He cupped her face in his strong, rough hands. “You’re so beautiful.”

  “So are you,” she said, meaning it.

  He chuckled. “I wanted to kiss you the first time I saw you. Have you had a lot of boyfriends, gone all the way before?”

  “No,” she said. “Once, at a party in San Francisco, some guy tried, but I didn’t really like it, and I definitely didn’t like him.”

  “Ah, I see.” He sat up straight. “Uh, oh. I’m pretty sure I heard a car driving up the hill. Come on, I’ll walk you to the inn.”

  Disappointment coursed through her. But not wanting to appear to be too eager, she got to her feet and straightened her clothes.

  Rafe rose and brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. “My sweet little friend, you have no idea how much I want you to stay.”

  He went to the door and opened it.

  “Thanks, but I’m okay on my own.” Then, before Lettie could change her mind, she hurried past him and ran as fast as she could to the inn.