“How long are you staying?”
The mug paused on the way to her mouth. “I don’t know yet.” Her attention slipped over him. “Sorry. I know unquantified time gives you heartburn.”
“It’s fine,” he said stiffly.
“Is it?” She stared into her coffee. “Last time we were here—”
“I said it’s fine, Natalie.”
His sister’s mouth snapped shut, but she recovered quickly. Even faster than he could begin to feel guilty for being harsh. “So . . .” She took a deep breath and exhaled, somewhat unevenly. “Have you had any heartwarming encounters with our mother yet?”
“Perhaps not heartwarming,” Corinne said from the kitchen entrance, arrival unannounced. “But positive and productive. That’s what we aim for here, isn’t it?”
Julian noticed the barest flash of hurt in Corinne’s eyes. Over his sister arriving without warning? Or her offhanded sarcasm about their heartwarming relationship? It wasn’t like his mother to be, or at least appear to be, upset over anything. Natalie and Julian’s stiff upper lips were genetic, after all. After his conversation with Hallie this morning, it was easier to notice a chink in Corinne’s armor, however. Not only now, but the last time she’d stopped by, too.
Was the vineyard in trouble? Would Corinne let the family business fade into obscurity, rather than request a helping hand? He was almost afraid to ask. To find out if she had the same use for him as Dalton. Namely, none. Sure, she’d asked him to participate in a festival, but that was far from hands-on. That was merely for the cameras.
“Since you’re here, Natalie, I’ll extend the same invitation I made to Julian. Wine Down Napa takes place in a week. A little Vos representation won’t hurt. Will you be in St. Helena long enough to attend?”
No movement from Natalie, save a thick swallow. “Probably.”
Corinne processed that information with a tight nod. “Lovely. I’ll make sure you’re issued a badge.” She folded her hands at her waist. “Please try and remember the wine at these events is mainly for the paying attendees, Natalie.”
“There it is.” Natalie laughed, sliding off her stool and batting at the wrinkles in her pants. “It only took you forty-five seconds to put me in my place.” Julian’s sister split a venomous look between him and his mother. “I’m thirty now. Can we all get past the fact that I rebelled a little bit as a teenager?”
“A little bit?” With a bemused expression, Corinne tucked some hair into the bun at the nape of her neck. “A little rebelling doesn’t land you in rehab at seventeen.”
Color infused Natalie’s cheeks. “Yes, well, I landed on my feet at Cornell, didn’t I?”
“Not without some strategic maneuvering.”
“I’m . . .” Natalie’s head of steam was diminishing quickly. “I made partner last fall.”
Corinne eyed the suitcase. “And how is that going?”
“That’s enough,” Julian said firmly, his coffee mug hitting the island. “Natalie shouldn’t have to explain her presence in her own home. I’m . . . sorry I made her do that. It ends now.”
Natalie’s head swiveled toward him, but he didn’t meet her eyes. For some reason, he didn’t want to see her surprise that he’d defended her. Once upon a time, it would have been a given. They might not be confidants or the closest of siblings, but he’d offered quiet support for his sister. At school, at home. Hadn’t he?
When had he let that part of their relationship fall by the wayside?
His sister was obviously going through something serious, and he found it impossible to turn a blind eye to that now, as he’d been doing more and more since they’d each left St. Helena. Hadn’t he been so wrapped up in his world that he’d missed the warning signs with his colleague Garth? One day they were discussing quantum theory in the hall, and the next, Garth was locked in his office and refusing to communicate with anyone outside. It didn’t appear that Natalie was on the verge of a breakdown, but he should pay attention.
Be more present. More empathetic.
I witnessed your character when you didn’t think anyone was watching and it really inspired how I’ve treated other people throughout my life.
Unexpectedly, that line from the secret letter popped into his head, and he mentally scoffed it away. The whole thing was a prank—and he wouldn’t think about it a second more. It wasn’t the letter that had inspired him to step up for Natalie.
Was it Hallie and the way she staunchly defended the owner of Corked, by fair means or foul?
Thinking of the gardener, he immediately caught a whiff of her soil and sunshine scent. Had it been lingering in the kitchen since Friday night or was that his imagination? What had that impulsive, curly-haired bundle of energy done to him?
Why couldn’t he stop thinking about her?
Julian ordered himself back to the present, where his mother and sister were eyeballing each other across the kitchen. Yes, the Vos family had their share of issues—and he was far from the exception.