Chapter Thirty-three Remi
Chapter Thirty-three
Remi
Remi could hear the crunch of the gravel beneath the crane truck’s wheels as it pulled into position.
They were earlier than she’d expected, otherwise she would’ve already been out there to meet them.
She made long strides toward Joie, heart pounding with anticipation.
Zoe and Mila rushed to catch up, and Bianca followed close behind at her own pace.
Paloma was already there, confidently directing the truck driver into place—not that they really needed her help, but she wasn’t one to stand still when something big was happening.
Leo stood nearby in his athletic shorts and running shoes, hands shoved into his pockets, watching with a relaxed grin.
Leo stepped closer to Remi, smiling. “This is a big moment for you,” he said. “I happened to be out for my morning jog and saw the truck pull in.”
Remi nodded, her excitement barely contained. “I’m really excited.”
Paloma walked over with a wide grin on her face. “This is it, girlfriend. Are you ready to see your name in lights?”
“I’m so ready.”
Paloma and Remi held hands as the crane’s hoist began to lift, raising the covered sign high off the ground.
All eyes turned upward as it was carefully positioned atop the building and secured in place.
Then came the unveiling. The cover was removed slowly.
Then … there it was in bold, elegant lettering: Joie Winery—Tasting Room.
Winery. Vineyard. In the center, nestled between the words, was Mila’s logo.
The signage for the winery in full view, for the world to see.
Remi pressed a hand against her chest, overwhelmed. She glanced at Mila, who stood by silently, eyes wide, lips parted in awe.
“That’s your masterpiece, sweetheart,” Remi told her, and pointed at the sign.
Mila covered her mouth with her hands in disbelief. Zoe clapped and let out a cheer, and everyone else followed. Then she wrapped her arm around Mila’s shoulder.
“This is so cool,” Zoe said.
Bas walked up, wearing sweatpants and an old T-shirt, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He looked up at the sign, blinked in amazement, and grinned. Without a word, he gave Mila a high five. The three of them—Bas, Zoe, and Mila—stood huddled in a circle.
Across the gravel, Bianca stood quietly, watching.
She didn’t say a word, just smiled and looked at Remi with eyes full of pride.
It was a look that said I see you and I’m proud of you.
Remi smiled back, soft and warm. Their friendship had changed.
That was for certain. It had weathered so many things that should’ve destroyed them, but the love was still there.
It had transcended all that happened. They were still family, whether they wanted to be or not.
Remi felt the fullness of the moment settle around her. As the crane lowered, she stood there, her eyes focused on the signage, taking in every curve of every letter. Joie Winery. Every letter leaving an imprint in her heart.
Inside, everyone gathered into the finished tasting room, with its earth-toned, soft peach-colored walls.
Paloma held a wine bottle high above her head.
The soft light caught the label. Joie, printed in elegant script, was wrapped around the slim bottle of blush rosé.
“Here’s to Joie’s first bottle,” she announced, her voice full of pride. “It’s from our very first batch.”
The room quieted for a moment. Remi stepped forward, took the bottle into her hand, ran her fingertips over the label. The moment was surreal. She handed it back to Paloma, who was watching her. Paloma uncorked it with a soft pop. She poured slowly into waiting glasses.
“To growth,” Paloma said, lifting her glass in the air.
“To the badass women who built it,” Zoe added, raising hers a little higher. She giggled when she caught Remi’s eyes. “Sorry, Mom, but you’re a badass woman.”
Laughter filled the room. Glasses clinked, and Remi gave her daughter a light smile.
Remi watched as Mila held hers close, then touched her glass to Bianca’s. She said it in almost a whisper, but Remi heard her, “To the ones who made it through,” she said.
Bianca blinked back tears and Remi’s smile trembled. Remi raised her glass to her lips, tasting her first batch. The wine tasted like pure, crisp sunlight. Like wonder, excitement, and everything beautiful.
Like joy.
Bianca had started going for walks every evening, just before the sun began to set.
A ritual she’d adopted after her visit to the doctor.
Tonight Remi decided to join her. They found themselves side by side, making slow strides around the property.
Birds rustled in the trees overhead, and then the sprinkler system hissed, watering the rows of vines.
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my future lately.” Bianca breathed heavily as they increased the pace.
“And what did you decide?”
“Decided that I really like the peace and calm that I feel here, in this area,” Bianca said. “I called my realtor in New Orleans. She thinks that if I put my home on the market now, she’d have it sold by fall … maybe sooner.”
“Wow. That’s soon.”
“And I had a long talk with Amelia. She’s totally open to running Chic Threads, at least until I figure out what to do with it.”
“Chic Threads would fit really well in downtown Napa.”
“Or, even better, in Bodega Bay. It’s a cute little area, and I’m quite fond of it. I’ve been looking at small homes near the beach.” Bianca ran her hand through her short curls. “I have my eye on a couple of possibilities. One of them I’m going to see soon.”
“Wow. You’ve done a lot of footwork. Sounds like your mind is made up, then.”
Remi felt a bit detached. Normally, these were decisions they would’ve made together. They would’ve brainstormed together. Bianca would have asked Remi’s advice. They would’ve also celebrated the fact that she was staying in the area. They would’ve drunk wine and toasted.
“I don’t know how much time I have on this earth, Rem. I want to make sure I spend it being happy. I’ve done some bad things to the people I love, but still, I have to believe that there’s some good out there, even for me.”
“There is some good out there for you, B,” Remi said.
She looked at Bianca. Color had returned to her skin. She was putting on a little weight. Her mood had lifted. For a while there depression had her bound. But lately, Remi had seen a change.
“I hope so. I was in a very dark place.”
“I certainly don’t want you in that dark place. I want to see you healthy … and happy.” Remi paused. “And for the record, I have forgiven you. Not necessarily for you, but for me. You have to forgive for your own self-care.”
Bianca choked on her words. “I’m thankful.”
Remi reached for Bianca’s hand, held it tightly as they walked.
“Maybe I can go with you to see that place in Bodega Bay.”
Bianca glanced at her, smiled warmly. “I’d like that.”
They rounded the curve in the path, the sign for Joie coming up ahead, its letters glowing faintly as dusk began to set in.
Remi looked out over the rows of vines. “Isn’t it crazy how something good can grow out of everything bad?”
Bianca followed her gaze. “It’s not crazy,” she said. “It’s what we’re made for … to grow.”
They walked on, side by side. Bianca and Remi were no longer two women carrying grief and old wounds—but survivors moving toward whatever came next, together.