Page 43 of Cru's Crush
“I’ve been pushing you.”
“You haven’t. I mean, what would I have done without you? Two days ago, I had no idea what I might do with my life. I didn’t even know what part of the world I’d live in. I hated the idea of leaving California, the Central Coast in particular. I had the dream of being a winemaker but had no idea how to make it a reality.”
“Right place at the right time.”
I’d been watching the horses, but turned to look at him. “You don’t even know if I can do it.”
Cru shook his head. “Your palate is impeccable.”
“You just say that because I love your wine so much.”
“Your education is the best there is. You’ve grown up in the business, but more, I’ve watched you in the vineyard. You don’t just walk among the vines; you close your eyes and breathe them in. You look at the fruit as though you can see through the skin to the pulp. It’s as if your mind knows the sugar content without needing a hydrometer. I’ve seen you run your hand over the graft union up the trunk as if you know exactly what that single plant needs. It’s in your blood, Daphne. Ijust thank God I get to watch you create what I know will be pure magic.”
My eyes filled with tears at his words. “You humble me,” I whispered.
He shook his head, then stood and held out his hand. “I believe in you. Come on, let’s go inside.” When he pushed the door open and went first, I heard him gasp. “What the hell?”
There was a switch on the wall, and when I flicked it, lights all over the large room came on. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Hey, I thought I heard voices.”
I grabbed Cru’s arm out of reflex when Trevino came around a corner.
“Bit, did you do all this?” There was awe in Cru’s voice, and for one of the very first times, I saw a truly genuine smile stretch across his brother’s face.
“Just cleaned it up some.”
Cru walked over and ran his hand over the top of a tasting bar. The base was made of the same stone as the building, but the top looked like the same kind of oak that grew on the property. “I’m stunned, Bit.”
Trevino joined us at the bar. “I’ve always liked this room the best.”
“I can’t remember when I was in here the last time, but it wasn’t very long ago. Maybe three weeks.”
“Four.”
Cru smiled at his brother. “Were you spying on me?”
Trevino shook his head. “Hiding.”
I watched the man I loved more with every passing minute as he walked over and embraced his younger brother. “It’s amazing, Bit.”
“I was thinking you could do private tastings here. Maybe wine dinners since it’s more intimate than the main building.”
Cru turned to me. “I love that idea. What do you think, Daphne?”
I went behind the bar and opened one of the cabinets built into the stone. My eyes lit up when I saw it was stocked with glassware. “Is there anything here we could uncork?” I asked Trevino.
He came around to where I stood and opened a cabinet on the outer wall. “Take your pick.”
“You choose.”
He reached to the lowest-level rack and grabbed a bottle from the far right, handed it to me, then pulled out a somm’s knife. “You do the honors.”
I did and poured three glasses, raising mine. “Here’s to the next generation of Avila wine-making gods.” I clinked Trevino’s glass, then Cru’s.
If he and I were alone, I would’ve asked why his eyes bored into mine so intensely. Then, when Bit left the room, why Cru took his place behind the bar, put his hands on my waist, and lifted me to sit on it. The only thing stopping me from asking why he spread my legs and stood between them was my inability to form words. Then, when he cupped my face and leaned forward, I stopped breathing.
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