Page 137 of Red Mountain Burning
Epilogue
The Tweed Cap
Four days after the fire, Brooks was in the cellar of Lacoda, tasting through their new harvest, with Emilia when Jake came walking in. “Harry Bellflour and Drink Flamingo are pulling out of their Red Mountain project.”
“What?” Brooks said, spinning around with a glass of grape juice in his hand.
“It just came through onWine Business,” Jake said, smiling. “Bellflour gave a phone interview from the hospital. He says they’re selling the land and closing down the project.”
“Did he give a reason?” Emilia asked.
“He was pretty brief about it, just saying that he accepted responsibility for the fire and that it was time to find a different location.”
Brooks smiled back at Jake. “The mountain wins again.”
“Yes, it does,” Jake agreed. “I’m just surprised Bellflour wasn’t canned over the whole thing.”
Brooks dumped the contents of his glass back into the fermenter. “From what I’ve heard, he’s taking some time off and going to Europe.”
“Interesting,” Jake said. “Where’d you hear that?”
“That vineyard consultant they hired from Napa mentioned it to Otis. Said Bellflour was pretty shaken up by the whole thing and was planning on taking some time off.”
“Europe will be good for him,” Jake said. “Everything I know about wine I learned from the old world.” He looked at his daughter. “Anyway, I hope you’re soaking up everything you can from this guy. You’ll be in charge of this place soon.”
“I’m learning as fast as I can, Dad” Emilia said.
Brooks had agreed to stay on at Lacoda until Emilia was ready. Though it would be a busy few years running both Lacoda and Till, he was excited for the challenge.
“She’ll be there soon,” Brooks said. “I have a feeling she’ll earn a place among the greats one day. Who knows? Maybe they’ll start calling her the grapemother.”
Emilia rolled her eyes and they broke into a good laugh.
A few minutes later, Brooks looked at the time and excused himself. There would be no more laughing today.
* * *
When Zack hoppeddown from the school bus, Brooks and Adriana were waiting for him. They sat him down at the dining-room table. Recalling the countless times he’d chased Zack around the house, Brooks fought back tears. “I need to tell you something, Zack.”
“What?” Even at his age, it seemed he could sense bad news coming.
Brooks’s voice cracked. “I’m not going to be coming to Florida.”
Zack looked relieved. “I know, I know. Not until after harvest.”
“No, kiddo. I’ve decided to stay here on Red Mountain for good. You and your mom are taking this adventure by yourselves.”
Zack seemed to understand the implications. “But you and my mom…”
Brooks had no intentions of sugarcoating the situation. “We’re breaking up.”
Zack looked at his mom with confusion. “I don’t want to go to Florida. Not without Brooks. Why can’t we stay here?”
Adriana frowned. “I can’t stay here,mi amor. I’m not happy.”
“I am, and I’m not leaving.”
Brooks knew he had to do something. He didn’t want Adriana to look like the bad person. “Zack, sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do for the ones we love. Do you love your mommy?”
