“Yeah, me too.”
As they continued along the path, occasionally resting underneath the shade of a tree, Maggie sighed heavily, seeming very tired.
“Let’s head back to the guesthouse where you can be cool and rest. Remember, the sooner you get better, the sooner we can head back to the States.”
“I think that’s an excellent idea, my dear.”
The two walked slowly to the guesthouse, settling into the living room where Maggie placed her feet up on the ottoman. “I sometimes worry about Cheryl. I have no reason not to trust Vincent or his brother, and yet, it seems they live beyond the means of even a successful family winery business. I always get the feeling that there are secrets here.”
Curious as to her meaning, Jeannie prodded, “Secrets?”
“I’ve visited many wineries in California. The Garzas’ winery is very successful, even in years when others have had difficulties due to weather issues or other problems. It makes me wonder if it’s just from an exceptionally well-run winery or if the Garza family gets their money from something else.”
A shiver ran through Jeannie. She wanted to ask more questions but hesitated.
Maggie turned toward Jeannie and, with a smile on her face, waved her hand dismissively. “Please, just ignore my ramblings. The Garzas have been so good to me, I should have never cast aspersions on them. Their wineries are more successful because of all the hard work they put into them, I’m sure.”
Nodding, Jeannie plastered a wide smile on her face, as well. “Well, to get focused on our trip back home, we’ll just keep taking morning walks?”
“Absolutely. That’ll be lovely.”
As Maggie read, Jeannie moved into the kitchen to prepare lunch. More questions flew through her mind, and Maggie’s words did little to take away her concerns. After lunch, Maggie laid down to take a nap, and Jeannie putzed around the guesthouse, tidying an already-clean space. Finally, she settled onto the soft sofa cushions with her laptop.
She first answered several emails. Brother… yes, I’ll be back for my nephew’s fifth birthday party. Mom… yes, I’m safe and eating well. Friend… Susan… no, I don’t know when I’ll be back, but it will be soon. And no, I haven’t decided about my job. Hospital Human Resources… thank you for holding my position while I fulfill my Red Cross assignment. She hated indecisiveness, but professional burnout was making all her decisions seem more difficult.
Thomas… if you’ve read the last three months of emails, you’ll see the pattern of me letting you know that we won’t get back together. Screwing someone else because I was on the night shift tends to be a nail-in-the-coffin in a relationship. Her fingers halted over the keyboard then deleted the last message. He’s not worth the continued effort!
With emails answered, she glanced out the window over the sunny vista, Maggie’s words playing in her mind. “…wonder if it’s just from an exceptionally well-run winery or if this branch of the Garza family gets their money from something else.”
She heard Maggie stirring and closed her laptop, setting it onto the table. With a genuine smile, she had to admit Doctor Cortez was right. Walks through the gardens. Privacy in the guesthouse away from the family. The beautiful scenery of the winery with the mountains in the background. This was very much like being paid while being on vacation.
3
Two days later, she wished for her vacation to be over, or at least, back to just being her and Maggie. Sitting in the luxurious dining room of the Garzas, she felt completely out of place. She’d tried to beg out of the dinner invitation, but Maggie insisted she go.
“Oh, you must go with me. It will be such a lovely dinner, and you’ll get to do something besides just take care of me.”
Now, wearing the only dress she’d brought—a simple sundress—she was stuck next to Juan, Cheryl’s stepson, whose gaze continually dropped to her chest level when he talked to her. With Maggie on her other side, in evening wear with jewels on her fingers and wrists, dangling from her ears, and around her neck, she tried to focus her attention in that direction, but Juan was determined to draw her into conversation.
The dining room as well as the rest of the mansion was ornate, and the table setting was opulent. She was hardly a pauper but felt completely out of place. The other women also wore expensive dresses and jewelry, and the men were in suits. There were more pieces of silverware than she’d seen at one time, each for another course the servants continually brought out. The food was delicious but heavy and spicy. And she couldn’t help but remember Maggie’s pondering over where the Garzas’ money came from. Just from successful wineries? For all this wealth?
“So, you’re from Los Angeles?” Maria asked, looking at Jeannie with a pinched expression on her face as though the idea of living in LA was akin to living in a dirt hovel.
“I work in LA but don’t live there,” she said as the polite smile she’d plastered on her face was beginning to fade.
“I always loved to shop in LA,” Cheryl enthused.
“Hmmm,” Maria acknowledged as she rolled her eyes before turning to her father, now ignoring both Jeannie and Cheryl.
“I can imagine you have an exciting nightlife there,” Juan said, leaning her way, his hand landing on her thigh.
Eyes wide, she jerked her leg back. Turning, she bestowed a smile, speaking softly so only he could hear, “Not really. There’s little time after patching up gang members whose guts are spilling out of their bodies after a knife fight, putting body parts back together after a car accident, or trying not to get shot when someone comes in with a gun wanting drugs. After that, I’m more than satisfied to go home alone.”
He blinked, his mouth twisting in a grimace. The sound of laughter met her ears, and she turned to give her attention to another conversation, desperately wishing the last course would be served.
Dinner had been interesting in a strange way. The family dynamics were laid out clearly. Vincent seemed to dote on his wife and was solicitous to Maggie, but it was obvious that his children simply tolerated the two women. Vincent and his brother, Alonzo, appeared to be close as was Alonzo’s wife, Ann, with her niece, Maria. Juan continually inserted himself into the conversation between his father and uncle, something they indulged, and when this happened, Maria glared at her brother.
Walking back to the guesthouse with Maggie when dinner was finally over, she breathed deeply, reveling in the clean air filling her lungs.
“Overwhelming, isn’t it?” Maggie asked, her steps slow and careful with her walker.
“Honestly… yes,” she agreed, and the two women laughed as they entered the guesthouse.
“My husband and I had money, but we weren’t wealthy like that. We worked hard and saved, but… oh, I don’t know. It just seems so over-the-top. But then, I’m happy for Cheryl. She’s the daughter I never had.” Looking over at Jeannie, she said, “I raised her after my sister and her husband were killed. Cheryl was about twelve at the time. So, we’ve always been close.”
“Well, for what it’s worth, I got the feeling that Vincent is very taken with her.”
“Oh, yes.” Maggie sighed. “But Maria and Juan? Those two don’t seem to like her. They’re pleasant enough, but… well, I suppose they jealously guard the family business.”