The Memory of You Read online

  “Hey, now.” An unexpected chuckle filled the room and coaxed Natalie’s real smile out of hiding. She snuck a glance his way.

  His usual work attire—dirty jeans and stained shirt—had been replaced by a pair of smart khakis, a green and black plaid button-down, and almost shiny brown oxfords. His hair was neat, save a few strands that fell across his forehead, tickling one dark eyebrow.

  The man cleaned up well.

  Natalie looked away, ignoring the fluttering in her stomach. He wasn’t the first handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on. And she was in no position to be considering him attractive. For a lot of reasons. The first being if her father had his way, she would probably put him out of a job.

  “Jeni, Nan says time to wash up,” Tanner instructed. “Go fetch Jason, he’s out back with the dogs.”

  “Okay.” The little girl scrambled off the bench, threw her arms around his legs before she ran off, yelling for her brother.

  Tanner stood at the glass doors, his stance stiff. Natalie played a few chords, trying to figure out what to say without sounding stupid.

  “So, you’re their uncle?”

  “What?” He made a slow turn, light hitting the gold flecks in his eyes.

  “Jeni called you ‘Uncle Tanner,’ so you’re their uncle? Not their father?” Natalie tried to get a look at his left hand. She hadn’t noticed a ring before, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t married.

  “Say what?” He looked at her like she was a lunatic.

  “I’m sorry. I just . . . I didn’t know. I thought maybe the kids were yours.”

  “Mine?” His brows shot upward.

  “Well. Yes. I assumed you were married with a family by now.” She folded her arms and met his look of astonishment.

  “You assume a lot.” Tanner gave a snort and crossed the room. “They’re Marnie’s kids. My sister.”

  “Marnie?” Natalie swiveled, watching as he studied the photographs she’d been looking at earlier. “I don’t remember her.”

  “You never met her.” He sighed and massaged the back of his neck. When he faced her again, his eyes had turned stormy. “She’s a couple years older than me. She lived with my dad.” He shifted from one brown loafer to the other. “Lunch is almost ready.”

  Natalie got to her feet. “So . . . you’re not married?” Okay, that just jumped out all on its own.

  Tanner waggled his ringless fingers in front of her. “Not married. Now if you’re done with the cross-examination, can we go eat?”

  They enjoyed their meal outside under clear skies and a warm sun that almost made Natalie forget that back home winter was on its way. She didn’t even miss the changing leaves. Maybe she’d stay in California a bit longer.

  “Natalie Grace, you don’t eat much more than a bird.” Grandpa Hal raised bushy eyebrows.

  “Sorry, Grandpa. It’s all delicious, but I’m afraid my stomach is still giving me trouble.” Natalie shot Sarah an apologetic smile. She managed to eat all of the vegetable soup and tried a few bites of the beef, but ended up pushing the rest of her food around her plate.

  “You’ve been working too hard at that job of yours, haven’t you?” Grandpa teased. “Good thing your father sent you out here. We’ll force you to relax a bit. Maybe even have a little fun. Tanner can join you. He hasn’t taken a day off in years.”

  “Tanner has too much work to do,” Tanner muttered, “and I don’t think Natalie came out here to have fun.” He picked up his wine glass, tipped it toward the sun. “What did you think of the Cab, Hal?”

  “Can we be excused?” Jason asked, sounding bored. They were released, and he and Jeni raced down the hill, the dogs tearing after them. Natalie noticed a new swing set down there and wondered when that had been built.

  “Smooth. Bold. I think it’s ready to go. More, Natalie?” Grandpa offered to refill her glass but she shook her head. Tanner put a hand over his glass, so Sarah got the remainder.

  “I’d like to meet with Mike Spencer next week, Hal,” Tanner said. “He’s offered a fair price for the two fields beyond the bridge. I think you should consider it.” He pushed his chair back and stretched out long legs.

  Her grandfather’s eyes narrowed as he straightened his shoulders. A lock of white hair curled over his furrowed brow. “That man has being trying to buy my land since 1975. I’ll never sell to him. We might need those fields someday, my boy.”

  “We haven’t needed them in two years. We have ample supply for our demand at the moment. If you sell, we can pay off—”

  “We’re getting by, Tanner.” Hal reached for a bottle of slightly chilled Pinot, poured the light red liquid into his glass, swirled it around, and lifted the rim for a sniff. “Very nice nose on this one.”

  Natalie considered their interaction in silence. From the numbers she’d studied so far, she suspected things were worse than Tanner would admit to. If Grandpa wasn’t willing to make some changes, her father might just get his way.

  Something in her shifted.

  She’d always been drawn to a challenge. Always rooted for the underdog, perhaps because she identified with them. Since this bout of depression started, she hadn’t felt like rooting for anything or anyone. Hadn’t wanted to get involved in everyday living. Deep down she was terrified of getting sucked under again. But maybe . . . maybe this time it would be different.

  Maybe she was stronger than she believed.

  Or more insane than she wanted to be.

  She leaned forward and touched her grandfather’s rough hand. “Grandpa, getting by isn’t good enough in this economic climate. You need to make a profit. You can’t continue to ignore that times have changed.”

  “Ah, yes. Times have changed. Where’ve I heard that before?” Hal took a sip and wagged a finger at them. “Are the two of you in cahoots now? Want to get me to change the way I do business or you’ll shut the gates on Maoilios?”

  “No.” Tanner and Natalie spoke in unison. She ignored Tanner’s eye roll.

  “Nobody’s shutting anything down,” Tanner added, giving her a pointed stare. “Not if I can help it.”

  “Grandpa.” Natalie focused on her grandfather instead of Mr. Grump across the table. “It’s about protecting your investment. You’ve spent years of your life on this land. You’ve worked hard to make Maoilios the wonderful winery it is today. But you have to continue to invest. I don’t know much about wine making, but I do know that it takes time. I know that there is a process to it, formulas that you follow. When things don’t work, say you get a bad batch, you try to figure out what went wrong, and you make the necessary corrections and try again. Am I right?”

  “Yes, but . . .”

  “It’s the same way with a business.” Natalie smiled at his look of chagrin. “If it doesn’t work, change it. Throw different ideas around until you find something that does work. All we’re saying is that you should consider something different. We don’t have to overhaul everything overnight, but you must give some thought to new ideas.”

  “Such as?”

  She had his interest now. Tanner’s, too, although his expression was more one of disdain, but he was listening. Natalie summoned courage and continued. “I know you have a tasting room in town, but why not have one here? A nice, bright space where people can come and enjoy the land, learn about the wine, and really get a feel for the vineyard.”

  “Things like that cost money.” He pulled at his earlobe and looked at Tanner. “Aren’t you telling me that we’re losing money?”

  “Yeah,” Tanner admitted warily, drumming his fingers on the table. “But if you’re willing to put out some cash for a few improvements, I think we can turn things around.”

  “You’ve got to spend money to make money.” It was her favorite saying. “I noticed an old barn off to the side of the offices down the hill. What’s that used for?”

  “Nothing.” Tanner glanced at his mother, who stood and began to clear their plates. “Sometimes we’ll use it for employee events, like
the harvest celebration, but usually it just sits there. Right, Hal?”

  “Maybe you could show it to me, Grandpa.” Natalie gave him a smile she hoped he would succumb to. “And I could show you a few websites of wineries where things like we’re suggesting are working. Would you think about it?”

  “If it will make you happy, my dear, I will take your suggestions under consideration.” Hal finished his wine, stood, and pecked her on the cheek. “I’m off for a wee nap. Perhaps we’ll amble down the hill later this afternoon.”

  “I’ll look forward to it.” Natalie watched him head inside, released a sigh, and wondered if the air out here was making her crazy. From what she’d seen so far from their financials, her father was right. Maoilios was in trouble, and it was clear her grandfather didn’t realize it. If she really wanted to jump on board here and help turn things around, she’d have her work cut out for her.

  She pushed her chair back and reached for a couple of empty plates.

  “Not so fast.” Tanner crossed his arms and regarded her coolly from across the table.

  So much for a hasty retreat. “What did I do now?”

  “Oh, come on.”

  “Give me a break.” She was so not in the mood for an argument.

  Natalie walked across the patio to the bench that overlooked the stunning vista. The vines had been stripped bare over the last few nights. Yesterday had been cooler, and they’d worked most of the day. Hoping some fresh air would help, she’d taken a walk and watched the activity in the vineyards. Watched the way the workers interacted with one another, Tanner moving in and out of the rows, stopping to chat and share a laugh every now and then. It was clear he had the respect of the men and women who worked for him, but it was obvious they liked him too.

  She wondered whether the man might ever give her a reason to like him again. Because, right now, all he seemed capable of was igniting her temper.

  “So, I’m confused.” He strolled up beside her and cleared his throat. “What’s the point of trying to convince Hal to make changes when you’re only going to turn around and shut the place down on him in a few weeks?”

  Natalie rounded the bench and sank onto it. “You really don’t trust me, do you, Tanner?”

  “Pretty sure we’ve established that.” Tanner perched on the arm of the weathered bench and studied her with a quizzical expression.

  She sighed and took off her sunglasses. “You know, since we do seem to be in a position where we’re going to have to cross paths, a little civility would be welcomed.”

  “I have been civil.”

  “That’s what you call it?” She lifted a brow. “Sometimes I find it hard to believe we used to be friends.”

  “Ditto.” He marched off toward the row of rosebushes that lined the border of the patio and then stood, silent.

  Natalie gave up. She didn’t know what to say to this surly man who seemed threatened by her every move.

  “I’m not sure you see what’s at stake here, Natalie.”

  Apparently he wasn’t done.

  “You’re talking about putting people out of work, uprooting families who have lived here for years, mine included. I understand your father’s reasoning and the need for a business to be profitable, but it doesn’t seem like he’s willing to give us a chance. You rich people don’t think twice before signing on the dotted line. Don’t care who you’re hurting in the process. Well, you can tell your old man that we’re not done here. I want six months. If things haven’t improved by then—”

  “Okay, already.” Natalie held up a hand. He loomed over her, waiting. “I do see what’s at stake, Tanner. The truth is, my father can talk all he likes, but he doesn’t have the power to shut this place down. Do you know who owns the majority of shares in Maoilios?”

  “That would be you.” His skewed look screamed I’m not stupid.

  “Exactly. So if the winery is losing money, so am I. Wouldn’t it be prudent of me to investigate things first? See whether we can find a way to increase profits?”

  “You haven’t shown any interest up to now. Why bother?”

  “I don’t know yet. And I don’t know why my father wants to shut the place down so badly, other than the financial losses.” She watched the way his jaw pulsed as he pondered her reply. “My uncle and my father are the other shareholders, as you probably know. We’d all have to be in agreement to close. I have no idea where my uncle is, and I don’t think my father has tried to contact him. If you’re really that concerned about your position, why don’t you just offer to buy my father out?”

  Tanner’s mouth fell open. “You’re kidding, right?” He gave a harsh laugh. “I don’t have that kind of money. Even if I did, I doubt your father would sell me the time of day let alone his part of the vineyard. But I don’t discount your influence over Hal. He listens to you. I saw that just now.”

  “So why is that a bad thing?”

  “It’s not. But you’re going to have to be a little more persuasive if you want me to believe you really want to help.”

  Uncomfortable silence fell heavy around them, made it hard to breathe. “I’m not sure how I can do that when you’ve made it perfectly clear you won’t work with me.”

  Eventually she heard him give a ragged sigh. “Yeah. About that.” Tanner shrugged, still wary, but a new light sparkled in his eyes. “If you’re really serious, I’ll give you a chance. We can work on some ideas together if you want. Getting Hal to understand the gravity of the situation, that’ll be the first hurdle. Are you up for that?”

  “I think so.” Natalie’s heart rate jacked. What exactly was she agreeing to here?

  “Will you ask your father to cut us some slack? Talk to Hal. Get him to see reason. Give me six months to make some changes and I promise you, you’ll be looking at a very different set of numbers.”

  Natalie nodded. “From what I’ve seen so far, it’s not going to be easy. But I think things can improve. My father won’t like it though.”

  “What’s his beef with this place anyway?” Tanner shoved his hands in his pockets.

  “I’m not sure.” Natalie rubbed her nose. “He doesn’t like losing money, that’s for sure. I know that he and my grandfather don’t have the best relationship. But I guess all families have problems, right?”

  “Yeah. They do.” His eyes clouded in an expression that was unreadable. Then he brightened, dimple flashing. “You actually thought I was married, huh? Who would put up with a jerk like me, really?”

  “Nobody in their right mind, that’s for sure.” She was only half kidding.

  “That’s what I keep telling myself.” A spark of humor flashed across his face. “Look, I can’t promise to stop being a complete moron, but I’ll make a more concerted effort to improve my civility.”

  She waved off the remark with a laugh. “That’s not necessary. I’ll just put an extra jacket on when I see you coming.”

  His smile created a flush that raced upward and caused her cheeks to tingle.

  “So that password you picked took me back a few years.”

  Natalie nodded. “Yes. GodsWinepressRev141920. I thought you might remember.” Whether it still meant anything to him, Natalie couldn’t tell.

  Tanner’s expression softened. “‘And in the eyes of the hungry there is a growing wrath. In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy for the vintage.’ The Grapes of Wrath. I remember.”

  Steinbeck was not an author your average junior high school student would gravitate toward, but her grandmother had owned his entire collection. That last summer, Natalie had been curious, started reading, and dared Tanner to join her. To her surprise, he had. They’d spent a lot of time together discussing the novel, arguing over it, and eventually talking about other things as well. Things she’d never shared, not even with Nic.

  “We talked about that book for hours,” he said, cutting into her thoughts. “I think I read it three times after that summer.”

  “I never
read it again.”

  The past skulked around again, unwanted. Natalie wished it would disappear for good and let her start over.

  “Why did you stop e-mailing me, Mouse?”

  “What?” The question startled her.

  Tanner shrugged and pulled at his collar. “After you left that summer. I wanted to keep in touch. But then you stopped writing back.” That surly look returned. “Guess you figured I wasn’t going to end up with a six-figure salary like your rich country-club pals so I just wasn’t worth your time anymore, right?”

  Natalie stared. His efforts to redeem himself were short-lived. “Right. That’s exactly what I was thinking.” A sad sigh slid out of her. “Tanner, what is your problem?”

  “Sorry.” He kicked at a small rock and sent it flying down the hill. Amber eyes blazed under the afternoon sun, his lips pressed together in a thin line. Everything about him said back off. “But ever since you showed up, all I can think about is that in a few weeks, I could be out of a job. And that’s not exactly a comforting thought.”

  “Oh. Well, I’m sorry.” Natalie shook her head, realizing how her presence here might make the other employees feel. “I don’t want anyone to worry about the future of Maoilios. You haven’t mentioned the possibility of closure to anyone else, have you?”

  “Only Leo. Not that he does much to help us along anyway.”

  She sat back and crossed her legs. “Like I said, if things are salvageable, I’ll go that route first.”

  “And your father?”

  “I’ll have to convince him. Call it a personal challenge.” One she was starting to think might tip her over the edge.

  That seemed to pique his interest. “You think you can prove him wrong?”

  “At the moment I have no idea. But I’d like to try.” God help her.

  “Really. I never pegged you for someone willing to go against their old man.”

  She gave a brief shrug. “I don’t see it as going against him if we can turn a profit. It’s more a matter of me having something to prove.” She’d leave it there. “Anyway, that’s where things stand. Believe what you want about me. I’m not here to impress you or make nice. That was Nic’s domain.”