“Old equipment, old problems.”
Emma nodded. “My thoughts, too. Raul, the foreman there, isn’t up on the changes that have happened in the past several years when it comes to production.”
“You want me to help set things up?”
“I would love that . . . but I can’t steal my father’s employees. Helping me on that big of a scale is a job and not a favor. What I was hoping for is a little guidance. I’m going to create a list of all the things I think I need and if you can look it over and tell me what I’m missing, that would be great. And maybe when the time comes, perhaps give me a few hours with Raul and your honest opinion on his capabilities.”
Noland kept smiling. “You don’t even have to ask for that. I’m happy to help you out.”
She sighed. “Good. Thank you.”
“I’m confused, though.”
“About?”
“Your father is likely to send a crew over and set everything up.”
“That’s not the plan. This is going to be completely separate from R&R.”
His face lit up. “How exciting is that?”
“I’m getting there. I won’t go into details about the finances, just know that this isn’t all on my dad. I’m not going to rely on him or R&R.”
“Your father won’t let you fail.”
She shook her head. “I’m not going to fail. I have what it takes to make this work. I may never produce the tens of thousands of bottles my father does, but I don’t have to. I don’t want my father’s sweep of a pen on the bottom line doing this. I want to do it, from the ground up. This favor is for me . . . not paid for by my dad.”
Admiration filled Noland’s eyes. “I’m proud of you, Emma. You’ll get a lot more out of this doing it yourself.”
“That’s my thought. So, you’ll help?”
“Anytime. You know where to find me.”
Emma extended a hand, which Noland shook with a chuckle.
“One more thing?”
“Shoot.”
“Let’s keep this between you and I. I don’t want others speculating on what’s going on.”
“It’s a small community, others will find out.”
He was right. “They will, but I’d like to be the one to tell my father I don’t want his help first.”
She shocked him, Emma saw it on Noland’s face. “You’re serious.”
“I am.”
He blew out a breath. “I’ll keep my lips shut. Considering I almost never see your father, that shouldn’t be difficult.”
“Or my brother.”
Noland leaned against the barrel. “We communicate through email . . . if at all.”
“Thanks, Noland. I’ll be in touch.”
Fifteen minutes later, Emma pulled into her mother’s drive, rolled down the windows, and left her car.
Emma didn’t bother knocking. “Mom?” she called from the foyer.
She heard soft music playing toward the back of the house and followed the sound.
Beth was in her primary closet, shuffling things from one purse to another.
“You ready?” Emma asked.
“Almost.”
“Where is Christy?” Christy was the woman who helped keep the house clean and sometimes cooked meals.
“It’s her day off.”
“We all need those once in a while.”
“I think she’s seeing someone. Lately she’s been asking for more days to herself.”
A hardship for her mother. “You could probably do with her coming in only a few hours a few times a week.”
Beth paused, then shook her head. “What about when your father is home? He can’t put his clothes in the hamper to save his life.”
Emma laughed. “So that’s the real reason you two live in separate houses.”
“It helps. And we don’t live separately.”
“Really? When was the last time you two were together?”
They walked out of the closet and the light automatically switched off.
“I was in Napa for nearly a week when you were in Italy.”
Emma called bullshit. “While there was construction going on at my place?”
“Okay, maybe four days . . . but still. And I’ll be back there in a couple of weeks for an event your father wants me to attend.”
“What event?”
“One of those magazines that he loves to get his name in.”
Emma could think of three off the top of her head. There were always photographers and women dressed in formal gowns and men in tuxes. Emma had only been to one of those events, right after she and Kyle were married. Never before had her father wanted her there, and not since.
“Have you picked out a gown?” Emma asked.
“Not yet. Heaven forbid I wear something I have in my closet.”
They stepped outside the house and over to her car. “Have you ever considered renting a gown?”
Beth rolled her eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
She wasn’t.
As soon as they got in the car, Emma rolled up the windows and blasted the air. They made it to the main road before the questions started.
“Now that we’ve talked about my housekeeper and my clothes, I want to hear everything about Giovanni.”
Emma laughed and looked at her watch. “You know what, Mom? I’m proud of you. That took over fifteen minutes.”
“He is charming.”
“You like anyone who can speak a different language.”
Beth cleared her throat. “I’m sure you like that, too.”
It didn’t suck.
“What do you want to know?” Emma asked.
Beth didn’t miss a beat. “Is it serious?”
“It’s only been a little over four weeks.”
“No, then?”
Emma shrugged. “I wouldn’t say we’re casual.”
“Is there something between casual and serious?”
“Of course there is.”
“What’s that called?” her mother asked.
Emma blinked several times. “Whatever we’re doing.”
“Do you want it to be serious?”
“Oh my God, Mom.” Emma gripped the steering wheel hard.
Beth paused. “He makes you smile more than Kyle did.”
Emma glanced at her mother. “You’ve met him once.”
“And in one visit I saw you smiling more than your whole time with Kyle.”
“There are thousands of dollars’ worth of useless wedding pictures that would say differently.”
“Only because a photographer told you to.”
“Is smiling your barometer of happiness?” Emma asked.
“It certainly helps.”
“I don’t see you and Dad smiling very often.”
Beth dismissed her. “Oh, honey. We’ve been married for so long that doesn’t matter anymore.”
Emma shook her head. “That’s ridiculous.”
“We smile. You just don’t see it.”
“I’m not buying it. I’m convinced that you and Dad have only had sex three times in the missionary position with a timer set. And neither of you were smiling.” The thought made her skin crawl, but the image was in her mind, nonetheless.