Josie #2
I look around the winery as I speak. “The problem is that everything has changed,” I continue. “Black Bear’s future looks different now than it did a month ago, and that makes your offer harder to evaluate. My uncertainty isn’t really about Napa. It’s about figuring out what happens here.”
Malcolm nods, as if he understands, but he has a counter to every way I try to explain.
Sera walks in just as the conversation begins repeating itself.
He wants an answer. I don’t have one. We’ve spent the better part of an afternoon together, and neither of us is any closer to a resolution than when we started.
“There you are,” Sera says as she approaches. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”
I gesture toward Malcolm. “Malcolm Westcott.”
Malcolm offers his hand. “The famous sister.”
Sera laughs as she shakes it. “I don’t know about famous.”
“Oh, you’re famous.” Malcolm glances toward me before returning his attention to her. “I’ve heard enough about the two of you to think perhaps you’re a package deal.”
The comment earns a groan from me and a grin from Sera. Neither reaction discourages him.
“You’re the dynamic duo.”
“That’s embarrassing,” I mutter.
Sera looks entirely too pleased with herself. “I kind of like it.”
Malcolm folds his arms. “Honestly, if I could convince both of you to come to Napa, I’d consider that a major victory.”
For several moments the three of us stand together in the barrel room. Malcolm remains determined. I remain undecided. Sera watches both of us.
We drift deeper into the barrel room as the conversation continues.
The air is cool, carrying the familiar scent of oak, wine, and damp concrete.
Malcolm pauses beside a row of barrels, studying the chalk markings on the heads, and Sera watches him with an expression I’ve learned to distrust. It’s the look she gets right before she inserts herself into something that isn’t technically her business.
Eventually she shakes her head. “You need to stop trying to make her leave.”
Malcolm’s attention shifts toward her. “That’s not how I’d describe this conversation.”
“Really?” Sera tilts her head. “Because from where I’m standing, you’ve spent the afternoon trying to convince Josie to choose Napa.”
Malcolm doesn’t deny it.
Sera glances at me before looking back at him. “She understands the opportunity.”
“I know she does.”
“Then stop explaining it.”
Something shifts in Malcolm’s expression. Not irritation. Resignation. He looks less like a man negotiating and more like a man confronting an answer he doesn’t particularly like.
His gaze finds mine. “You’ve made up your mind.”
The words aren’t a question. And as I look over at Sera, I realize I have.
A month ago I hesitated. A month ago I had a dozen reasons to keep the possibility alive. But standing in Black Bear’s cellar now, surrounded by barrels that will eventually hold this year’s vintage, the answer feels surprisingly clear.
“Yes.”
The single word hangs between us.
Malcolm looks away first, looking down the long aisle of barrels while he considers it. I can almost see the disappointment settling in.
When he looks back at me, the fight is gone. “That’s unfortunate.”
Sera laughs softly. “Look at that. Acceptance.”
“Don’t get carried away,” he says, though a reluctant smile appears before disappearing just as quickly. Malcolm steps forward and extends his hand. “If you ever change your mind, you call me first.”
I smile as I take it. “I can do that.”
His grip tightens briefly before he lets go.
“Good. And I can’t promise I won’t reach out again.
” His gaze darts to Sera. “You know, if I have a question about something.” Then he looks around the cellar one last time.
When his attention returns to me, there’s respect in his eyes. “Black Bear got lucky.”
Before I can answer, he turns toward the door.
I follow him outside and watch as he climbs into the Escalade. The engine starts, gravel crunches beneath the tires, and the vehicle disappears down the vineyard road.
Beside me, Sera slips her hands into her pockets. “You know,” she says, watching the dust settle behind him, “most people would kill for an offer like that.”
“I know.”
“Any regrets?”
“You’re asking me that now? I could barely get a word in edgewise before. You seem to know my thoughts better than I do.” I look back toward the winery and then toward the rows of vines stretching across the hillside. “But no.”
“We’ve spent our entire lives planning around Evie,” Sera says.
“We never got the chance to think bigger because we were always reacting. But our chance is coming. I really feel that. We can’t give up now.
” Sera points toward the main house sitting above the vineyard.
“Speaking of thinking bigger, Ric had another idea.”
That makes me nervous. “Should I be worried?”
“You probably won’t like how much I like it.”
I laugh despite myself and follow her gaze toward the house.
“He wants us to meet with an architect—for the main house.”
I stop walking to stare at her. “Why?”
“We’ve always talked about converting it into a restaurant…”
The answer takes a second to register. Evie always vetoed a restaurant, though we’re big enough that it would be an advantage to the property. People aren’t looking for a single tasting anymore. They want experiences. They want destinations.
“We could compete for tourism dollars,” Sera continues. “Events. Weddings. Weekend visitors. People who stay all afternoon instead of stopping for twenty minutes.”
I nod. “Do you really want all that responsibility?”
She shrugs. “I think so. But nothing happens until Black Bear is actually ours. We have a long way to go before any of it could become real.”
The practicality in her voice reassures me. She isn’t building castles in the air. She’s building possibilities.
“But if it does become ours,” she continues, “I want us thinking bigger than we’ve ever thought before. The Paradises have dominated this valley because they’re always looking ahead while we’ve spent decades protecting what we already had.”
I nod and realize she’s right.
“It’s time we compete for more than wine,” she says. “It’s time we compete for visitors too.”
She slings an arm around my shoulder, and I let out a whoop of joy. I guess that’s settled. Or it has a path.
And then my heart lurches. I would love to share this with Alex. Is that still possible? I owe him the chance to explain what’s happened in his life, and I owe myself the opportunity to know if he’s going to be part of my future.
So now I have to face the next challenge on the list.