Page 8 of Love You Truly

“Yeah. Even if the weather is perfect and we pick every damn grape, we still can’t make the numbers we need.”

“What if we do a special edition blend?”

He tilts his head. “That’s an idea. Won’t get us all the way, but it’s a thought.”

Archer holds up the page for me to see it, even though I know how the property is laid out and where every plot of grapevines grows. That’s the problem. There aren’t enough grapes. And without grapes, we can’t meet our growth numbers. Archer could look at that damned map upside down and sideways, and nothing’s going to change there.

“What’s up?” he asks.

“Jose just gave his notice.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah. That’s three in two weeks.”

“He didn’t tell me.” He sounds almost monotone, but I know he’s just covering. “He say where he’s going?”

Archer picks up a metal tumbler from his desk and drinks water from a straw. I’m glad he downs so much water because sometimes the only reason he leaves his desk in a day is to use the bathroom.

“No. I pressed him, and he got a little uncomfortable, gave me some bullshit about spending more time with his kids.”

“You thinking Graham?” Archer points over his shoulder in the direction of Duck Feather.

I shrug. “I don’t know what he’s offering them, but it must be pretty good. I dangled a raise in front of Jose, and he didn’t even blink.”

“We’ve got to get a grip on this shit show. Maybe we lock in current employees with year long contracts? We can’t lose any more.”

“I know.”

“Okay, well, thanks for telling me.”

I nod. “I’m scouring all of California for good people. We’ll be okay. It’s not the first time we’ve had turnover.”

“I like your optimism.”

Archer walks me out and raises an eyebrow when he sees my truck, a pickup that I’ve lovingly restored from its former junkyard state. Painted a deep, shiny blue, it’s a source of pride when I drive it through town, even if it still has a rattle deep in its bones.

“Where are you headed? There’s still time in the workday.”

“Grocery shopping. Then I’m meeting Lucas and the guys at the Dark Horse. Hoping to do some networking with the Calistoga growers.” Maybe Calistoga was far enough away that I could find some fresh faces to replace the employees we’ve lost. Archer’s eyes narrow, and he frowns at me. “The kind of networking you did with Julia Soltero?”

I shrug because there’s no sense in trying to dissuade my siblings from thinking what they want about me. I suppose I come by my reputation somewhat honestly because I broke plenty of hearts during high school and college, and I certainly know how to have a good time. Or at least, I used to.

Old perceptions die hard. Hence my problem with Mr. Soltero.

And half his friends.

I need to do better, or at least convince my family I’m capable of it.

CHAPTER 4

Mallory

My Jeep idles in front of my house, warming up before I take her on the open road. It’s the only thing that will give me some clarity. That and yelling at my parents.

The first thing I do is calculate the time in Europe. Three in the morning.

The next thing I do is call my parents anyway. At least in the middle of the night, I know where they are.

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