Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Theo
John didn’t even try to hide his resentment at being left behind, but neither of the Georges seemed to care. Theo doubted he’d help much with his daughters. He didn’t look like the hands-on type. Betsy dealt with them at breakfast while he puffed out his chest and explained he’d been revamping the social media for the winery.
The three men climbed into Geo’s Range Rover. George climbed into the back, leaving Theo to ride shotgun with Livie’s brother.
Tension permeated the air in the SUV. Theo waited for one of them to continue the interrogation Helen had started at breakfast, but they remained silent. It was odd. The more Theo was around these people, the less he liked them, and they didn’t seem to like each other. Maybe they were all miserable. It wouldn’t surprise him with Helen running the family.
“Livie told me that her great-grandparents started the winery. She works there every summer, right?”
“That’s right,” George said from the back seat. “Each of the kids started as soon as they were old enough to work with the grapes. We kept them away from the wine until they were older, though. It’s how we all learn the business—from tending the vines, to bottling the wine.”
“What type of grapes do you grow?” Theo asked. He was far from a wine connoisseur, but he knew enough to be dangerous, as his mom always said.
“We grow several varieties of muscadine grapes,” Geo said.
“I don’t think I’ve heard of those.”
Geo snorted. “I’m not surprised. You don’t look like you drink a lot of wine.”
Theo knew the man was trying to get a rise out of him. He’d be damned if he’d let him, and intended to keep his promise to Livie. Just because he couldn’t punch the idiot didn’t mean he couldn’t take him down a peg or two.
“I’ve had my share. When I was on assignment in Italy, I spent a bit of time in Tuscany. It’s lovely there.” Theo held in his chuckle at the surprise on their faces.
“It is beautiful. I took Helen there on our honeymoon,” George said from the back seat.
“That sounds like an amazing trip,” Theo said.
“It was. I know you mentioned you’ve been seeing Olivia since September. How serious are you?” George asked.
“We’re not ready to get married. If that’s what you’re asking. I care about Livie. Her happiness is important to me. We’re both busy, but we find time for each other. Although, I figure it’ll get worse once she starts her residency.”
“So, you’re going to let her go through with the doctor crap?” Geo scoffed.
“Let her? I wouldn’t dream of stopping her. It’s her lifelong dream. Do you even know why she wants to be a doctor?”
Geo met his father’s gaze in the rearview mirror. He’d bet a month’s salary they didn’t have a clue.
“It doesn’t matter. She’s letting the family down,” George grumbled.
“Really? I don’t know what it takes to run a winery, but between your employees and the rest of the family, can you truly not function properly without Livie? Because that seems ridiculous.”
“I won’t justify myself to you. It’s not like you’re going to give up your career to bring her home. She needs to find a nice local man and settle down. Stay near her family.”
Geo slowed the car as he pulled into the driveway next to a sign for Peachtree Vineyards. The name sounded familiar. He wondered if he’d had their wines at some point.
“If that was what Livie wanted, then we’d talk about it. We’re certainly not at that stage in our relationship. I’d never decide for her, though. I respect her too much for that.”
George harrumphed again but kept quiet as Geo continued driving through the vineyard. It was larger than he’d expected. He’d love to see it in the summer. It was dormant this late in the year. Eventually, Geo stopped in front of a large barn-like building.
“Let’s go inside. We’ll show you around.” Geo parked and shutoff the ignition. “C’mon, Dad. Maybe after he sees everything, he’ll realize why this place means so much to our family.”
Theo doubted that looking at the inner workings of the winery would make a damn bit of difference, but he’d keep an open mind. As he told them, Livie was his focus. Their relationship stopped being fake last night when he held her in his arms as she slept.
George let Geo do most of the talking as they gave Theo the grand tour. He had to admit he enjoyed seeing the large climate- controlled cellar. It was like a giant warehouse loaded with barrels. The operation was impressive.
Theo asked, and they showed him how they checked the barrels. Explained why the temperature was extremely important. They also clarified about the different barrels for the different wines.
It was easy to see that they loved the winery. It was in their blood. Theo understood since the Navy was his life. He couldn’t imagine following in his parents' footsteps and becoming a teacher. It would have killed him, just like Livie couldn’t stay here and do this. Somehow, he needed to help Livie find a way to make them understand.
As they were leaving the cellars, Geo put a hand on Theo’s arm to stop him from following his father upstairs.
“Are you coming?” George called.
“Yup, be right there, Dad.”
“What’s up?” Theo asked, crossing his arms over his chest. He didn’t know what to expect from her brother. He’d been borderline rude since they met, except during the tour.
“You said it’s Livie’s dream to be a doctor?” Geo looked surprised. “I thought she was using it as an excuse.”
“Really? You realize that medical school is no cakewalk, right? It’s expensive as hell. Your parents aren’t helping her. She’s paying her way on her own. That’s why she’s working in the bar.”
“I didn’t know. But I probably should have, I guess.” Geo ran his hand through his short auburn hair. “Why does she want it so bad?”
“It’s not my story to tell. Maybe you should ask her yourself?” Maybe he’d misjudged Geo.
“Yeah, you’re right.” Geo nodded. “Let’s catch up to him before he blows a gasket. I think you’re good for my sister. She seems different this visit—happier.”
Theo liked the sound of that. He sure hoped he was the reason. Maybe he’d won over one sibling, but there was a lot of weekend still to get through.
When they got upstairs, George was opening a bottle of wine. He had three glasses set out and another couple of bottles pulled to the side.
“Looks like Dad is gonna give you a personalized tasting,” Geo said when he noticed the wine bottles.
“Sounds good, as long as we’re sober enough to drive back,” Theo said.
“Of course. We taste wine all the time. It’s different from just drinking it. Didn’t you do tastings when you were in Italy?”
“Yeah, I did. But I didn’t know if this would be different.”
“Nope, exactly like that. See, he even put the bucket up for you to spit instead of swallow.”
Theo’s inner twelve-year-old boy almost escaped, but he kept his comment about spitting to himself, and chuckled.
George set out a variety of their wines—a sweet white that reminded Theo of a Riesling, a rosé that was like a Moscato, and a red. Of the three, it was his favorite—the hint of peach from their namesake made it unique.
“Thank you. I enjoyed this more than I expected,” Theo said, as they headed back to the SUV.
“At least someone appreciates our hard work. Maybe you can try to reason with Olivia.”
“Livie appreciates it. She just doesn’t have it in her blood like you do. You need to appreciate her for who she is. Livie is still your daughter, and you need to respect her choices. I don’t want to be rude, but I couldn’t believe how you treated her this morning. Like she’s a redheaded stepchild.”
Geo snorted. “Sorry, but she is a redhead. There’s no doubt she came from my mom. Damn, she was a loud baby, too. Screamed with colic for the first six weeks. Mom gave me and Betsy ear plugs so we could sleep.”
Theo rolled his eyes. He wasn’t sure he could get through to this family. Maybe it would never happen. Instead, he’d make sure Livie was happy with the rest of her life. She didn’t need them if they wouldn’t support her. They should be proud, instead of giving her nonstop grief.
Theo took the backseat for the ride back to the house. He didn’t want to have to interact with them. Although he hoped he might have opened Geo’s eyes about his sister. Time would tell, and he hoped for Livie’s sake that dinner was more peaceful than breakfast.