Page 40 of Deprived No More

“You okay?”

“I think so. I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”

“You know I’m here. If there’s anything you need.” I feel guilty asking more of her. She’s a single parent who never asks anything of me.

“Well, I could actually use a favor.”

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Kat

“Hey, guys. Come on in.”

Rachel, Jenna, and Luke come through the door carrying their overnight bags and several bags of groceries. The kids are all over Luke and Jenna, so excited to share a fun-filled weekend with their older cousins. These two are very well behaved. So, they don’t get the fanfare that Gavin receives since he is a mischief-maker. But they look up to them and are excited to hang out with anyone other than boring old Mom and Dad.

“What’s in the bags?”

“Oh, just snacks for movie night and a few board games,” Jenna says.

I watch as the kids drag the older two over to the den to plop down alongside them and play show and tell with their new gaming system and anything else the four of them feel worthy of presenting. Once out of earshot, Rachel begins to goad.

“Okay. I’m here, and you know I’ll do anything to help you. But could you tell me why you need someone to stay here and watch the kids if Nick is in town? Are you driving there to meet him?”

“No. Even though this place is tranquil, I feel like lately, I’ve stared at the same walls so much I’m going stir crazy. I need to go somewhere and have a drink and clear my head.”

Rachel looks at me skeptically.

“I swear. I’m not doing anything scandalous. I was going to go to the Saude Creek Vineyard. It’s not far from here. They used to have live music on Fridays. I thought I’d get a glass of wine, settle in with a cheese and fruit plate, and try to consider the meaning of life.”

“You’re worrying me a little,” Rachel says as she reaches out to stroke my arm. “Plus, you sound like an episode of Desperate Housewives.”

Gah, she’s right.“Please, don’t worry, Rach. I think I’m just going through a midlife crisis. I want another baby, and I’m pretty certain Nick would rather have a daily root canal.”

She snorts at the statement. “Have you talked to him?”

“No. I’m going to talk to him. But he’s made statements to the contrary on multiple occasions. I just want to prepare myself so that I don’t take it so hard when I get shut down.”

“Awe,” she croons. “It might not be that bad.”

I raise a brow at her.

“Okay, maybe it will. Well, don’t drink more than one glass. I don’t want anything bad to happen on your way back.”

“Oh, of course. You know I’d never let that happen. I rarely even finish a whole glass of anything anymore. I’m usually too tired to drink.”

“Well, scoot. I’m here until Sunday morning. Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

A giggle pops out at the notion. “Rachel, I’m happily married. Well, with the exception of wanting my husband to just say yes to whatever I want without considering anything else. Trust me, I’m not looking for male companionship tonight.”

“What should I say if Nick calls?”

“Oh, he won’t. He’d call my cell. I’ll just explain I went out for a bit, and you offered to stay with the kids. It’s no big deal.”

“Okay. If you say so.”

Pulling up to the Saude Creek vineyard, I instantly feel a combination of anticipation and relaxation. I can’t honestly remember the last time I did something just for me. There are quite a few cars parked on the grassy makeshift lot in front of the vineyard, with the main building visible from the street. It’s been years since we first stumbled onto this little gem, and it appears to be thriving.

I remember Sebastian sharing how his family came to own the vineyard and that all but his brother Sam had taken leave of the day-to-day operations. The only involvement his parents seemed to have is the need to withdraw funds from the business. Sebastian has become more involved in assisting his brother in some of the decisions, but ultimately it sounds like Sam has been the proponent of change here. While I enjoyed our last trip, there were few other patrons enjoying the atmosphere besides Nick and I that evening. Tonight looks a lot busier.

---