Page 54 of One Sweet Day is Never Enough

Fourteen

On Sunday evening, Seth and his parents sat around the farmhouse table, eating dinner.

“So what’s going on with you and Gia?” His mother wanted updates now that Seth was dating her. “Did you have a nice time yesterday?”

He certainly didn’t mind talking about her. She was all he thought about, lately. “Yeah, we really did. She’s a great girl.”

His mother dished a serving of potatoes onto each of their plates. “Well, I’m glad you’re finally taking a break and enjoying yourself a bit.”

His father passed the salad to his mother, who took a serving then handed it along to Seth. “Your dad and I had been talking about it, and to be honest with you, honey, we’re so glad you finally made the decision to end it with Stacey. We thought it was nonsense that she’d been planning to come like that in the first place. To move here without even visiting first just felt irresponsible. But we didn’t want to stick our noses in.”

“That’s so unlike you, Mom.” Seth grinned and his mother laughed.

“Your mother’s right,” his father said. “We won’t need another employee in the fall when everything begins to slow down with the tourists. We weren’t sure how we would even have paid her.”

“I know, and you don’t have to worry about that anymore.” Seth took a bite of his salad. “I should’ve taken care of it long ago.” He arched an eyebrow and took a bite of his pork chop. He hadn’t realized his plans had been stressing them out so much. Well, that was all behind him now.

His mother wiped her mouth and nodded. “We’re so happy you’ve found a nice girl, honey. It’ll make your life so much easier in the long run that she’s from around here.”

“Well, she’s from Minnesota, technically.”

“That’s still from around here, in my mind.” His mother grinned and Seth nodded agreeably.

“When do I get to meet this girl?” his father asked.

“I’ll bring her around soon.”

His mother put down the bottle of dressing. “So how do you think our winery’s looking after visiting a few others around here yesterday?”

Seth wiped his mouth. “Actually, it feels really modest in comparison, but the others gave me some ideas. Our wine’s just as good as everything I sampled, though.”

“And that’s what counts.” His father glanced over at Seth.

This morning, he’d told his father how the owner of the winery they’d visited yesterday had sent his regards. Seth mentioned the improvements that must’ve gone on in the time since he’d left and how he had some ideas to improve things here at the Pederson Winery to keep up with the competition.

“Absolutely.” Seth took a sip of his water.

His parents both loved the idea of creating a dedicated walking trail for guests. It would encourage people to stay longer. Maybe they’d spend a little more money in the market, too.

He wanted to put benches in the orchard along the way. His mother suggested that the path should venture a short distance through the orchard, meander through the vineyard, and then wind around the market before it looped back to the barn. They could create a few focal points along the way with a birdbath and another flowering arbor, maybe some signage for taking selfies. Seth thought it was a great plan.

“So the anniversary party’s coming up on Saturday. Dad, do you think you’ll be feeling well enough to attend? We’re all on the guest list.”

“He’d better, because I don’t want to be sitting alone.” His mother chuckled.

“I’ll be fine,” his father sputtered. “I’m looking forward to seeing some old friends.”

“Good.” Seth placed another dollop of mashed potatoes on his plate.

He was looking forward to Saturday for many reasons, one of which was to see his parents relax and have a good time together. After all they’d been through lately, they deserved it.

He also was eager to see their first big event go off without a hitch. Noreen had called to schedule a corporate banquet and an angler club’s annual picnic for the outdoor venue in August, and that was just the beginning.

But he couldn’t deny it. He was most looking forward to the party because he’d get to experience all of it working side by side with Gia Stewart. Doing the work he loved alongside the woman he cared for, maybe would even grow to—dare he think it?—love someday. It was too soon for that word, but his feelings were heading in that direction faster than he’d ever anticipated.

His misgivings about his future—they’d all disintegrated when he’d left Stacey and finally followed his instincts. No more feeling caught between two different worlds, no more constantly missing his old life in California, no more feeling like an outsider looking in anymore—which had been the strangest sensation, since he’d been born and raised here. Regardless, it was a relief to feel like he belonged here again.

The weight of the farm’s financial problems were even lifting from his shoulders a bit, with high hopes for the future.

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