Wanted A Real Family(57)
Jase introduced him to Sara. “Travis Goodman, this is Sara Stevens. Sara, Travis makes superior wine at Valley Vineyards.”
After a nod to Sara, the older man asked Jase, “So are you speaking at the symposium in January?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“You’d have a lot to offer.”
“Liam is talking about organic processes.”
“I know. And so are other winemakers. But general management is an area that’s changing year by year. We’d all like to hear how you’re rolling with the changes.”
Jase laughed. “You want me to give away all our secrets.”
“Maybe not all. Just some. Your wine club has a reputation for being one of the best.”
“That secret is easy. We give away freebies and coupons.”
“Yes, but patrons have to want to participate in the vineyard’s activities. They have to want to buy your wines. And they do.”
“Raintree is more than a brand. It’s a way of life. We have a history behind us.”
“Yes, you do. Your father’s been around the block a few times and he learned it from his dad. I’m glad you’re continuing in the tradition. That has to be important to Ethan.” He smiled at Sara. “I’ll let you enjoy your Chardonnay from a cellar other than ours. Don’t forget to stop by Valley’s table.”
“We won’t. I have to keep up with my competition,” Jase assured him.
Jase was joking. But Sara could see something different in his expression since Travis had mentioned Ethan. Would Jase talk about it here in the midst of chatter and noise, wine pouring and an all-around celebratory atmosphere?
She leaned closer to him so he could hear her. “What’s the symposium Travis spoke about?”
“It’s an event that brings together winemakers, labelers, distributors, even bottle vendors...everyone involved in the wine-making industry from all over the world.”
“How’s it different from this?”
“Oh, it’s much different. It’s more of a conference atmosphere. And like a trade show. It’s usually in Sacramento in January.”
“So you’d be giving a workshop?”
“If I decide to do it. As I told Travis, Liam is giving one. I’d be taking Dad’s place.”
“So he wants you to do it?”
“Oh, yes. He hates all the schmoozing now.”
“You can talk to anyone about anything.”
“Is this going somewhere?”
Yes, it was, though Sara knew this was the part Jase might not want to talk about. “If you fly off to Africa again, how’s that going to affect Ethan?”
Studying his wineglass, he turned it slowly. “I’ve been thinking about that, but I don’t have an answer. I do know he thinks Raintree is the be-all and end-all of the world. I don’t.”
It was easy to hear the certainty in his voice and she knew what that meant. “So you’ve made up your mind.”
“I’ve made up my mind about doing the article on the doctors’ clinic...and doing the project in Alabama. My father and I will just have to figure out who can take up the slack while I’m gone.”
“What if he doesn’t want you to go?” In her mind she was thinking, What if I don’t want you to go?
“I already know he won’t want me to go. But I have to do what I feel is right, not what he thinks is safe.”
And that went for her, too. She could see it in Jase’s gaze...in his body language...in his attitude.
Sara watched Jase pick up his wineglass, saw him take a swallow. His hand made the glass look fragile and small. She remembered all too well what his touch felt like. Just thinking about it stoked the familiar heat inside her. Making love with Jase would be the biggest risk of her life. She’d be starting an affair, and she’d never had an affair. Maybe some women would find that exciting and dream-fulfilling, but her dreams had always been about a family, about a husband she could count on, about a life filled with commitment and promises. If Jase flew off at a moment’s notice, how could they have commitment and promises? If he was in and out of her life, how would that affect Amy?
Jase suddenly leaned toward her, wrapped his arm around her shoulders and murmured against her temple, “You’re thinking too much. Let’s just enjoy the time we have here.”
She hadn’t practiced a lot of living in the moment. Could Jase teach her how to do it? As a mom, could she do it?
When she didn’t respond, he said, “Let’s go upstairs and get ready for dinner. I know a great restaurant with global cuisine that you might like.”
All his offer did was make her think again about Jase leaving. He had been around the globe, sampling all kinds of foods, and he wanted to do it again.