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“That’s what I’m counting on,” I said. “Besides, maybe I’ll stay over here. Get myself one of those green-card jobbies and work here in the States.”
“Won’t you miss your home?”
“Of course. But I was ready to stay for four years to study. I only went home because Patty jilted me.”
“And you came back because of Patty.”
“I did. Which makes me think this is where I should be now.”
“Do you think you’ll go back to school?”
“I might. My student visa is still valid.”
“What if we could find something for you to do around here? On the ranch?”
“I don’t think I’m qualified to do anything here.”
“Brad already offered you the job as winemaker.”
“And I told him I wasn’t qualified.”
“But you’re qualified to choose a winemaker?”
“More qualified than Brad is.”
She nodded. “All right. Assistant winemaker, then. That’ll be your job.”
I laughed. “Are you allowed to go around offering jobs on the ranch?”
“Why not?” Daphne whipped her hands to her hips. “I’m mistress of the ranch, aren’t I?”
“I’d love to stay here, but let’s see what Brad has to say, okay?”
“All right. Wherever you end up, make sure it’s somewhere close. I’ve missed having a friend around.”
“You got it.” I shuffled the stack of papers. “These five look like they have the most promise. Where’d Brad go?”
“Out.”
“Out where?”
“He didn’t say.”
“Does he go out this late a lot?”
“More often than I’d like for him to, but not every night, if that’s what you mean.”
“I’m sorry, love.”
A few days later, I hired Bruce Gershwin as the first Steel winemaker.
BRIANNA
“I thought you were the first Steel winemaker,” Donny said.
“No. Bruce was, but he was only there for a bit. I took over after he left, and I’m the one who trained Ryan.”
“I’ve never heard his name before,” Donny says. “Everyone always says you were the first winemaker.”
