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“What I was going to say earlier is, in your condition, I want you to be careful what you’re eating.”
“I am careful, Mamma.”
Again her eyes met Lucia’s. This time, I knew better than to ask why.
“How are you managing?” Mylos asked as we walked from the house to the winery.
“Feeling a bit like you get with Lily sometimes.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “I’m sorry, but I know exactly what you mean. You should know it happens with my mum and dad too.”
By the time we reached the office, I felt fatigued. The last thing I had energy for was an argument with Georgio. Given Mylos’ presence, it was inevitable.
“Let’s skip the winery today.”
“If that’s what you’d like to do.”
“I’ve gotten used to napping in the afternoon. Is that terrible?”
“Sounds bloody brilliant to me.”
Little by little, I moved more of the things I needed daily down to the farmhouse. I also spent less and less time in the winery offices. That didn’t mean I wasn’t working.
When I took over the operations after my father’s death, I automated so many of the things we did manually that I could handle most of the administrative tasks without a staff. Now, I just took it a step further and worked remotely from the farmhouse.
Mylos and I began most days in the village where we’d buy food that we’d prepare together. When we returned to Valentini, I would work for a few hours, and then in the afternoon, we would read pregnancy books together and then nap—usually preceded by making love.
Before we fell asleep the night before, we agreed that today we’d discuss Valentini and the struggles I was having. It had been easy to avoid thinking about them during the holidays, but it was becoming imperative that I make drastic changes or consider selling. I didn’t want to do either.
I began by recounting some of the things that had happened at the winery in the last few years—the theft; the equipment failures, including the one that resulted in our former winemaker almost dying; and my father’s accident. I also told him about the most recent issues, like the corking machine failing and the distributor from London canceling their order citing quality issues.
“What happened?”
“I suspect Paolo may have something to do with it.”
“Was there ever an investigation into your father’s accident?”
“Yes, but the local police didn’t get anywhere.” I shook my head.
“What?”
“I don’t think they tried very hard. I felt the same way about the thefts. I still don’t understand how they couldn’t have any suspects. That wine only had value if it was sold.”
Mylos nodded. “What about the ventilation failure? Was that ever investigated?”
“No. I mean, it was the equipment.”
“How is the former winemaker, by the way?”
“Elio?” He was a winemaker from days gone by. The reason Georgio had always spoken with my father about modernization was because Elio fought against it intransigently. I wondered now if it had been a mistake not to continue to do things his way after he left.
“I can see the ideas spinning. Tell me what you’re thinking, beautiful.”
“It would be nice to pay a visit to Elio and Nonna Carina.”
“Nonna Carina?”
“Lucia’s mother. They’re her parents. I’d like to see how they are.”
