Boss-man,
When I went to check on the vineyard, something in my gut called to me. It led me all the way to this newest vintage, and the feeling multiplied. All I could think about was giving it a try, so I stole a small sip for myself. And the taste was so rich and so incredibly inspiring that I had to call the winemaker. This is, without a doubt, the best vintage this vineyard has ever produced, and it wouldn’t have been caught had it not been for my gut.
I pulled out one of the bottles of wine and looked at it. Then, my eyes fell back to the note.
I’ve watched you mature over the years, Grayson. Like the vines of your vineyard. I’ve watched you heal and grow and improve, just like your skills and your knowledge of your grapes. I am so proud of you, and so very excited for the future you have lying ahead of you. What I want you to know, however, is the lesson behind your best vintage. Two more weeks and it would have been ruined. It would have tasted like all the other wines you’ve produced. My gut guided me, and you need to lets yours do the same.
I set the bottle down onto the kitchen counter before I leaned against it, a smile dragging across my face.
Keep yourself open, Grayson. Do not allow this world to rob you of the joy and the pleasures you’ve created for yourself. Remain open to opportunities and make meaningful connections in your life. Because you need that more than you think you do. These grapes? They won’t provide you with comfort. Your room? It won’t provide you with conversation. Your mansion? It won’t provide you with love and support. But people can, and they will. If you let them in far enough.
I closed my eyes and conjured Anton’s presence. The two of them would have gotten along greatly. Maybe in another lifetime, the two of them might have even hit it off.
I clenched my jaw to keep it from quivering before I opened my eyes again.
You leave the hounds to me. I’ll make sure your company goes far. But these wines and this vineyard and myself? We can only take you so far, Grayson. Follow your gut. Listen to what it’s telling you. Don’t let anyone or anything else guide you, including myself.
“Yeah. That’ll go over well,” I murmured.
Enjoy your time, and enjoy the wine. I believe this will be the vintage that puts you on the map, Mr. Grayson MacDonald.
Sincerely,
Your Savior, Maria Lopez
I threw my head back and laughed at her signature. Maria always did have to get a jab in there. I said that to her once. Once, in all the years she worked for me, and she never let me live it down. I set the note back in the box and started opening drawers, looking around for Anton’s wine opener.
And when I found it, I uncorked the bottle on the counter to let it breathe.
The aromas that filtered through the kitchen left me speechless. It smelled wonderful. I wanted to tip it up to my lips to taste it, but not before it was aerated properly. I could already tell Maria was right, though. This would be our best vintage by far. I opened cabinets and drawers until I found Anton’s glass decanter, then I washed it, dried it, and poured the wine into it. I let it set on the counter and rest as I prepared our plates, setting the filet mignons within the forest of crab legs.
“Oh my gosh, something smells phenomenal in here.”
I turned around at the sound of Michelle’s voice and she stopped me in my tracks. Her beautiful red hair was carefully styled on top of her head, with a few wispy curls framing her face. She had carefully-planned makeup on her face, accenting her round green eyes and her pouty crimson lips. Those lips, dripping with the tainted lust on them I couldn’t get out of my head, bled into a beautiful dress that fluttered gracefully over her body. I had no doubt it was the nicest piece of clothing she owned, and it suited her well. It framed her curves, but didn’t cling to them. And the way the sleeves fell off her shoulders made my veins bulge.
I found it hard to breathe.
“Not good?” she asked.
My eyes whipped up to hers as I snickered.
“Not good at all,” I said. “But perfect.”
Her cheeks blushed and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I picked up the plates and showed her the dinner I had made and her eyes widened. Then I propped the plates against my arm and reached for the decanter filled with the luscious red wine.
“Do you need help?” Michelle asked.
“Just follow me,” I said.
I led her out onto the porch and put everything down onto the table. Then I pulled her chair out and ushered her to sit down. She slipped into the chair, her legs splaying across the seat, and it was hard for me to take my eyes off those thighs of hers. I filled her wine glass before I filled mine own, then made my way t
o my seat as the sun began to set.
“To great dinners and great company,” I said, as I held up my glass.
“Here here,” she said.
“You look wonderful tonight.”