Casey has only been at her desk a few minutes on Wednesday morning when Daniel summons her to his study at The Nest. Fear and uncertainty overcome her. Daniel reserves his inner sanctum for all his serious talks. Has she done something wrong? Is he going to lecture her?
She leaves her office and race-walks across the lawn to the mansion. When she arrives, instead of waiting for her in his study, Daniel is having breakfast on the back terrace.
He rises out of his chair to greet her. “Good morning, sunshine. Care to join me for breakfast?”
Casey pats her stomach. “Sally and I ate earlier. I’m still stuffed. Now I understand why you always rave about Marabella’s famous French toast.”
Daniel chuckles. “What is it you youngsters call it, a food coma? I’m headed in that direction for sure.”
Casey slides into the chair opposite him, and Marabella appears with a pot of coffee. “Back for seconds?”
“Haha. No. I was just going on about your French toast, but I couldn’t eat another bite.” She eyes the coffee pot. “I’ll have some coffee though, please.”
Marabella fills her cup and disappears inside.
Casey studies her father. He’s the healthiest she’s seen him since before his stroke. “How was your trip?”
“Relaxing.” He looks at her over a forked sausage link. “A little birdie told me you encountered some monumental problems while I was gone.”
Casey wrinkles her brow. “I’m guessing this little birdie is your youngest son.”
Daniel nods. “Sheldon was singing your praises. He says you have things under control. But he wanted me to be aware of what’s going on, and he thought you should be the one to tell me.”
She sits back in her chair with her coffee mug. “Hugh fired Bruce. He told him his services as winemaker are no longer needed since we’ve reconstituted our varietals.”
Daniel lowers his fork. “He can’t do that without my approval.”
Casey wraps her hands around her mug. “That’s the part that confuses me, that you never made clear. Isn’t the point of our competition to prove we can manage the vineyard without you?”
“To a certain extent. But if one of you fires key personnel, I need to know about it. Please tell me Bruce didn’t leave.”
“He’s still here. I hired him back. I have him working on a sparkling rosé varietal for us.”
Daniel points his fork at her. “Smart thinking! Sparkling rosés are growing in popularity.”
Casey sips her coffee. “Hugh also fired Chef Michael, claiming we were overpaying him. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to convince Michael to stay.”
“That’s not good,” Daniel says as lines appear on his forehead. “What’re we doing about a chef?”
“Rod, our sous-chef, is currently managing the kitchen. He asked to be considered for the head job. What he lacks for in experience, he makes up for in talent. He’s creating a special menu, and I’m putting a table together for sampling tomorrow night. I hope you can come.”
Daniel doesn’t hesitate. “I wouldn’t miss it. May I bring Millie?”
“Absolutely! I invited the whole family, including Ada and Enzo. They have news to share, which could be interesting.”
Daniel’s face lights up. “Do you think she’s having a baby?”
Casey shrugs. “What else could it be, since they already bought a house and started their own business?”
“How exciting! I’m going to be a grandfather again. Who else is coming to the dinner?”
Casey ticks off the guests on her fingers. “Charles asked if he could bring Hazel. Not sure what that’s about, but I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
“Charles and Hazel are going into business together. I think it’s too soon after the divorce, but who am I to argue? Who else is coming to dinner?”
“Sheldon declined. He doesn’t go out much these days with an infant at home. Hugh hasn’t responded. And Sally. I hope you don’t mind if she stays until the end of the week. Being away from New York has given her the reset she needed.”
“I don’t mind at all. Both of you are welcome to stay as long as you’d like. I enjoy having young people in the house again.” He looks over at the new construction next door. “Speaking of houses, mine is almost finished. Would you like to see it?”
Casey has a full morning ahead, but she hasn’t yet broken the news to Daniel about Hugh’s embezzlement. “Sure! But I can only spare a minute.”
On the short walk next door, Casey broaches the subject. “There’s something else you should know. Marsha and Renee in our accounting department found some discrepancies in our bank accounts.”
Daniel stops walking. “What sort of discrepancies?”
Casey faces him. “For several months now, Hugh has been withdrawing sizeable sums of money. I’m honestly not sure what’s going on. Maybe he’s stretched thin because of the divorce and assault charges. Maybe it has to do with the bidding war he’s in with Sheldon for the purchase of Valley View Vineyard. Hugh countered Sheldon’s latest offer with a price that’s way more than the property is worth.”
Daniel’s expression turns grim. “Do Marsha and Renee have evidence of these withdrawals?”
“I have copies on my desk. I’ll email them to you when I get back to my office.”
Daniel looks away, staring over at The Nest. “Did you confront Hugh about the missing money?”
“I did. I told him he has a month to pay back the money, or I’m pressing charges.”
Her words hang in the air between them. Thirty days is also the deadline for Daniel to choose his successor.
Daniel proceeds to the house, fumbling in his pocket for the key. He opens the door and steps out of the way for Casey to enter. The small foyer opens into a large living area with massive windows. Off the living room is a screened porch leading to a stone terrace on the level below.
They stand at the windows, looking out over the mountain range. “I’ve decided to build a pool,” Daniel says. “Whoever takes over The Nest doesn’t want me hanging around the pool all the time.”
Whoever takes over The Nest? Is he serious? Is Daniel still considering Hugh for the head position after everything she just told him?
Turning her back to the windows, Casey goes to the adjacent kitchen, inspecting the handsome hunter-green cabinets and commercial-grade appliances. Dragging her fingers across the quartz countertops, she asks in a teasing tone, “Are you taking Marabella with you when you leave? Or will Millie be cooking for you?”
“I can cook for myself, thank you very much. I enjoy Millie’s company, but we aren’t serious. I was using her to make Ruthie jealous. Unfortunately, it isn’t working. Ruthie is in love with her hardware store boy toy.”
“It won’t last. That guy is creepy.”
“So, what do you think?” Daniel asks as they leave the kitchen and migrate back toward the front of the house.
“You’re definitely downsizing. Are you sure you won’t feel cramped over here?”
“Maybe a little at first. But it’s time to pass the baton.”
Daniel locks the door, and they stroll back across the yard.
As they approach The Nest, Casey wonders what living here all alone would be like. With no husband or children, only herself to rattle around in the vast rooms. She suddenly feels overwhelmed at the prospect of the upkeep. “It must be a massive job to take care of an estate this size.”
“The Nest is a well-oiled machine. We have maintenance and grounds crews to handle most everything.”
“It seems like a lot for one person.”
“The house is intended for a family. Generations of Loves have raised large broods of children here. Speaking of which, have you heard anything from Luke?”
“Not a word. I assume he’s waiting for me to make my decision about my career, because obviously he’s not changing his mind about his.”
They reach the pool level, and Daniel turns toward her. “Have you thought about whether you’ll stay on at the vineyard if Hugh wins the promotion?”
Casey’s brow hits her hairline. Has he lost his mind? Then she notices the corners of his mouth twitching. He’s goading her. He’s intentionally getting under her skin to see how she’ll respond. As if she hasn’t already shown him how tough she is.
She looks him dead in the eye. “No. Because I have no intention of losing the competition.”
“Good answer. But remember, despite Hugh’s flawed judgement, he’s still my son. I can’t turn my back on him, any more than I would turn my back on you.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing. Because Hugh’s flawed judgement may very well result in the downfall of this vineyard.”
Casey whirls around and strides off in the opposite direction, toward the winery. For the first time since this ridiculous competition started, she doesn’t care if she wins or loses. If Daniel is stupid enough to pick Hugh, then father and son can wallow in their flawed judgements together.