It took the salesman three tries to find a mission-style set of tables and chairs that satisfied both Slade and Christine. None of the barstools were in good enough condition. Slade was ready to whip out his credit card, but Christine haggled the price down further.
“You’re killing me.” Slade paced while their order was written up and a delivery scheduled.
Christine patted his arm. “I’ll never understand why men think paying full retail adds to their image. It only makes you look gullible.”
“It reassures us of the thickness of our wallets.” He noticed the girls were looking at him and grumbled, “I’m kidding. I like a good deal as much as the next guy.”
“Liar,” Christine said under her breath, but loud enough for him to hear.
He checked his watch. “Jeez, look at the time. How about we skip buying the patio furniture? It’s not as if anyone will be sitting outside on our patio until next year.”
“Not true. We’ll have to invite critics and reviewers for barrel tastings next spring. They need to experience the quality of work we’re doing while they enjoy the outdoor view. It’s all part of the ambience of Harmony Valley.” They stepped outside into the summer heat.
Slade fiddled with his key fob, and his truck started from halfway across the parking lot.
Her clunker couldn’t compete with that. When she had time, she’d sell it and buy a more practical truck. “And this fall we’ll need a place for the crush workers to take a break. Treat your seasonal workers well and they’ll make sure to return every year as promised. Besides, if we put in the fantastic landscaping you approved, they’ll tell two friends how wonderful it is out here, and they’ll tell two friends. And—”
“Fine.” He opened the rear truck door for the girls, releasing a precious burst of cool air. “Take me to your thrift store.”
She hurriedly climbed into her own seat in front, which had air-conditioning vents in it, waiting until Slade was sitting beside her to say, “And with the money I save, you can buy me a forklift.”
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but during harvest time a dependable forklift was a close runner-up.
* * *
WHEN THEY ARRIVED at the next warehouse, Christine pulled the girls aside. “Fashionistas, I’m looking for three or four outdoor tables made of black iron—no glass tops. They need to be in good shape and classy, like you’d see at a New York sidewalk café. You shop the right side of the store, we’ll shop the left.”
The twins nodded and skipped off.
“That was nice to include them, but you know they’ll lose interest twenty paces in,” Slade said.
“Don’t be so sure. I bet those girls love to shop.”
It was the twins who found three square tables and twelve chairs in great shape at a real bargain. Slade paid and arranged to have them delivered.
“Maybe we can fit in a trip to a clothing store,” he said to Christine as he stuffed the receipt into his wallet.
“Quit trying to buy their affection.” Christine touched his arm. “Do I sound like a broken record?”
He nodded.
“Tough. I love my dad, but he made me happier letting me hang out with him in the vineyards than with any material gift he gave me.”