Casa Parisi (23 page)

"What's that thing?" Lucia asked.

"It's a refractometer. Did Luke ever show you how it works?"

"He never mentioned it," Lucia said. "What's it for?"

"We use it to measure the sugar content in the grapes. If we could even get enough juice to get a reading it wouldn't mean much this early in the season because the grapes are too small. I only brought it to show you how it's done." Before she'd left to pick up Lucia, Juliet thought about what she could do to extend their time in the vineyards. It was far too early to test the grapes for their sugar level. They were barely the size of a pea and squeezing any juice out of them would be next to impossible.

"I'll pretend it's a big juicy grape in late August."

"Use your imagination." Juliet simulated the steps of the test. "The sugar content in the juice tells us when the grapes are ripe enough to be picked."

Lucia stood slightly behind Juliet as she peered over her shoulder. "This winemaking process is very scientific. That's what you love about it, isn't it?"

"That's what I love the most, but I love every aspect of it." Juliet looked back at Lucia. What was it she saw in Lucia's eyes? Whatever was there was having a profound effect on her and not strictly on an emotional level. Not knowing what to do, she went on with her lesson. "Along with sugar content, we also assess the levels of malic and tartaric acids to determine if the grapes have reached maturity."

Lucia's eyes twinkled. "Now, that's more than I needed to know. I think I'll leave the minute technical details up to you and Luke."

"The point is, this is the most important part. This is where..."

"I know," Lucia interrupted. "This is where the wines are made. I remember."

"I see you've been paying attention."

"I've listened to every word you've said." Lucia stomped her shoes in the loose dirt leaving a few footprints. "There. My footprints are in the vineyard. Are you happy?"

"Immensely," Juliet said. "Now the grapes truly belong to you."

"Are you aware that you're a walking encyclopedia of wine adages?"

"Would you like to hear a few more?"

"Not at the moment," Lucia said. "Why don't you bring them out whenever you think it's apropos. That way I won't have to take them in all at once."

"I like you when you're like this."

"I like myself when I'm like this."

"Just think about it, Lucia." Juliet waved her arms around. "This is all yours."

"I have thought about it. Luke tried to tell me things but I only made a token effort to listen. I wanted us to make good wines, but I foolishly saw that happening without any help from me. Now I find I want to know all about it except for phenolic maturity and those other chemical names you mentioned."

"You don't have to know every detail."

"I agree and you don't have to turn me into you or Luke. Just tell me the basics so I can act like I have a clue as to what's going on," Lucia said. "And keep it simple. Science was never my thing."

"Have no fear. It would take years to teach you as much as I know."

They stared at each other for a good ten seconds before bursting into laughter. In the sunlight, Juliet saw specks of gold and green in Lucia's eyes. They sparkled with life for a change. Though she tried not to, Juliet let her eyes descend to Lucia's lips, those warm, velvety lips that had touched hers. The memory of those kisses forced her to grab on to one of the trellises for support. When she felt stable she started walking. "Let's move along. We have more vines to look at."

Lucia caught up to her. "Juliet?"

"Yes?" Juliet stood in place and turned around.

"You've made everything change for me. I wasn't sure I would ever--"

Their eyes met and the desire to kiss Lucia was so fierce it almost made Juliet fall. This kiss would not be like the others. Lucia wasn't drunk and they weren't in the midst of a sensitive situation. This kiss would mean something else entirely.

Lucia went to Juliet and rested her cheek on her shoulder.

Juliet wrapped her arms around Lucia briefly and then moved away. She needed to create some distance between them, distance that she hoped would diminish her arousal and help her avoid finding out where physical contact would take them.

"Let's finish checking those grapes," she told Lucia.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY crawled by at a snail's pace as though some genius had finally figured out a way to slow the forward progression of time. On Saturday morning, Lucia drove to the Ithaca farmers market to buy heirloom tomatoes and a bunch of fresh basil for a salad. Even though the popular market with its makeshift wooden stalls was crowded she was able to buy what she needed and get out quickly. After the market, she went to a gourmet food store for fresh mozzarella, a bottle of imported extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, and a loaf of crusty Italian bread.

Knowing she'd be spending the evening with Juliet made her very happy. She could hardly wait to open the door and see Juliet standing there fresh and clean with her cheeks all aglow. How could the mere prospect of seeing her bring Lucia such pleasure? Shaking her head, she listened to the foreboding behind the exhilaration and cautioned herself that it was sheer madness to indulge in this attraction. She could get hurt and more than likely, she would.

AT THREE-THIRTY ON the dot, Lucia opened the front door to find Juliet standing there excited, flushed and breathless as if she had run down the road. In her arms she held a miniature brown and white dog with beautiful markings. The dog was almost as excited as Juliet and if Lucia didn't know better, she would have believed it was smiling at her.

"I brought you something," Juliet announced. "She's a long-haired Chihuahua."

"I can see that and she's precious. You didn't tell me you were getting a dog."

"That's because I got her for you," Juliet said.

"You got her for me?" This was totally unexpected.

"I hope you're not mad at me for doing it without asking your permission."

"Mad? Are you kidding?"

"Do you want to hold her?" Juliet held the dog out so Lucia could take her.

"Please." Lucia took the dog and held her against her chest. The dog nestled in and snuggled against her, licking her face with its tiny pink tongue.

"I think she loves you."

"I think I love her." Lucia kissed the top of the dog's head. "Where did you get her? When? Come in and tell me all about it."

"Two days ago," Juliet said as she came inside. "I met a breeder at my last job. She was a regular customer and one day she brought in a couple of dogs. They were so cute I almost got one. After you said you liked this breed, I contacted her to see if she had any dogs available. I guess you can figure out the rest."

"She must have cost you a fortune," Lucia said.

"Not really. I got a special deal because she wasn't going to show this one. She has a couple of minor flaws. Nothing the untrained eye would notice."

"I don't care how flawed she is." Lucia rubbed the dog's ears and kissed her on the top of her head. "I love her coloring and her markings and her shaggy ears. To me, she's perfect in every way."

"I was hoping you'd think so."

"I do. She's absolutely adorable." Lucia kissed the tiny dog again and buried her face in her fur. "Does she have a name?"

"Her name is Angel, but you can change it if you want to."

"No, I like the name. I think I'll keep it."

"Good, because she comes when you call her Angel."

"She seems so sweet." Lucia locked eyes with Angel and scratched her under her chin. "Are you as sweet as you look my little Angel?"

"She is. I had her at home yesterday and she was so good."

"I'll have to buy some things for her," Lucia said.

"I already did that. I brought you some food and a collar and leash. I even got her a few toys, bones, and treats. She's been housebroken, but the breeder said she might have an occasional accident until she gets adjusted to her new home. She gave me information on training and feeding her and I brought that for you."

"You thought of everything." Lucia sniffed the dog's fur. "She's already a winery dog. She smells like the cellars." And she smells like Juliet, Lucia thought.

"I brought her into work with me this morning."

"Were you in the winery all day, my Angel?" Lucia asked the dog as she rubbed her ears. "Did you behave yourself?"

"She ran around a lot, but she didn't do anything bad. No accidents either. She only went when I took her outside."

"How did she get along with Sabrina?" Lucia asked.

"They were wary of each other at first and I was worried about leaving them when I went to work on Friday. But, when I got home I found them sleeping together on the sofa. I wanted to see how they got along just in case you didn't want her."

"Not want her?" Lucia reached out and touched Juliet's cheek. "Oh, no, I want her. I want her very much. I don't know why you did this for me or how I can ever thank you."

"She's made you happy. That's thanks enough."

LUCIA'S ATTENTION SHIFTED from Angel to Juliet. Her hair, curlier than usual, appeared recently washed and the smell of some kind of soap, possibly lavender, filled the space she occupied. She wore denim shorts and a plain, sleeveless white shirt that accentuated her shoulders and arms. Although Lucia found them attractive, it was Juliet's breasts straining beneath her shirt that captured her eye. Barely a week ago, she'd held their softness in her hands, touched their firm nipples.

Quickly averting her eyes, Lucia said, "You look great."

"So do you," Juliet replied. "I hope I don't smell like wine. I showered and changed, but I can't seem to get the smell of yeast and fermenting grapes out of my nose. I swear someday I'm going to permanently smell like a bottle of wine."

"I wouldn't mind that." Lucia leaned forward and sniffed Juliet. "You smell nice and sweet and if you were a wine, you'd be a fine rosé."

Juliet flashed her blue eyes. "Are you flirting with me?"

"Maybe a little. I hope you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all," Juliet said

"It's the lesbian in me. I can't help it." Lucia was treading in dangerous territory and when Juliet's cheek color deepened and she didn't respond, Lucia had the good sense to move on to something else. "Why don't you join me in the kitchen while I finish up a few things? Want something to drink?"

"I'll have some iced tea if you have any," Juliet said as she followed Lucia.

"I do. And I have beer and wine."

"I'll have some wine later."

"Do you think it's all right if I put Angel down and let her roam around?" Lucia asked when they were in the kitchen.

"Go ahead. She'll explore a little and then she'll stay close to us."

Lucia put Angel on the floor and like Juliet predicted, she scurried off to explore. "She's so cute. Look at her go." After grabbing a glass, Lucia got the iced tea from the refrigerator and poured some for Juliet. She added ice cubes and handed it to her.

Juliet sat at the table and drank the tea while Lucia lined up a pile of napkins, four place settings of silverware, and a variety of plates on the countertop.

"I'll set the table later," Lucia said. "I thought we'd eat on the porch."

"That would be nice. It's not too hot out," Juliet said.

"I made most of the dinner ahead of time. I'd rather not have a lot to do while they're here so I can relax and enjoy myself."

Juliet took a long look at Lucia. "You look good, rested."

"Luke said the same thing to me yesterday and you're both right. I feel better than I have in a long time." This past week had been her best in two years.

"I'm really happy to hear that."

"You're the reason for it."

"I was there when you were ready to deal with her death," Juliet said. "That's all."

"It's far more than that."

"I don't know what you mean."

Lucia came over and sat at the table next to Juliet. "You're the only person I've been able to talk to and you've made me feel alive again. You've given me hope."

Juliet reached for Lucia's hand. "You give me way too much credit."

"I don't think so. I thought I'd never see good in the world again. I thought the best part of me had died and I would stay that way for the rest of my life. I truly believed I would never be happy again."

"Are you saying you're happy?"

"I am right now and I'm beginning to feel that life is worth living."

"It is." Juliet squeezed Lucia's hand.

"I know I've told you this, but I hope you stay with us a long time. You've become a part of our family and I don't want you to leave."

"I'm not going anywhere," Juliet said. "I'm very content here and I need to feel like I'm part of a family. You both mean a great deal to me."

Her heart heavy, Lucia let Juliet's hand go. "Why don't we sit by the lake?"

"You go find Angel while I go out to my car and get the stuff I brought for her. I'll be right back."

"Can we can put her leash on and take her outside with us?"

"She'd love that."

CAROLYN AND LISA arrived shortly after six. Lucia greeted them with Angel in her arms and relayed the story of Juliet's surprise gift. After they gushed over the dog sufficiently, Lucia put her down and let her wander around the porch sniffing everyone's legs as she wagged her feathery tail. Once they were all sitting she curled up at Lucia's feet while they caught up on everyone's latest news.

"Who'd like something to drink?" Lucia asked once she had an opening. "I've got iced tea, beer and wine."

"Yours, I hope?" Carolyn asked.

"Why drink anyone else's when you can have the best?"

"Spoken like a true winery owner," Carolyn said. "What are the choices?"

Lucia named the wines she had on hand, including a few of their new blends and the medal winners from the Atlanta competition. "Take your pick."

"I'd like to try them all," Carolyn said. "But since that wouldn't be a good idea, I'll have a glass of the Lac Bleu just because I love the name."