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“Press, I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you, Luisa.” I’d wept briefly after speaking with my brother, but now, I felt on the brink of doing so again.
“I wish there was something I could do.”
I tried to respond, to thank and assure her I’d be fine, but my voice broke.
“Press—”
I hung my head, knowing there’d be no way for me to stop the tears that had begun to flow. When I raised my eyes seconds later, Luisa was walking across the lawn—accompanied by Jacy and Zin—headed toward the main house. I met her at the front door.
“Press,” she repeated, rushing over to embrace me. “I’ll only leave if you tell me to,” she whispered, tightening her arms around me.
I shook my head. Right or wrong, I needed her comfort. “It’s okay,” I said, my eyes meeting Zin’s.
“The house is secure,” Jaicon said before Zin escorted her outside and closed the door behind them.
I led Luisa to the room that had always been my mother’s favorite. It had once been a southern-facing veranda, but my father had arranged for it to be enclosed and for a fireplace to be added so she was comfortable in it regardless of the weather. During the day, there was a sweeping view of the vineyards from this room.
Once there, Luisa took my hand and led me over to the daybed where my mum had often napped.
She lay on it and held her hand out to me. When I stretched out beside her, Luisa put her head on my chest and her arm around my waist.
I wokein the same position several hours later, based on how high the sun was in the sky.
“Press?” I heard my brother whisper.
I raised my head, eased Luisa onto the pillow, and got up, following my brother far enough into another part of the house that we wouldn’t wake her. Then we embraced.
“How’s Dad?” he asked.
“Still resting, I hope.” I studied him. His eyes were as bloodshot as I expected mine were. “When did you arrive?”
“About fifteen minutes ago. Zin picked me up at the airfield at nine.”
I followed my brother into the kitchen and motioned for him to be seated at the table while I made us both an espresso. “I figured we could both use something stronger than tea this morning,” I said, setting the cup in front of him. I also knew it was Beau’s preference.
“Soon, we’ll need something heartier than this,” he said, bringing the cup to his lips and softly blowing on the steaming liquid. “Tell me again what the doctors said.”
“That it was likely a pulmonary embolism that traveled from her lungs to her heart. I’m not certain what led them to believe so.”
“How’s Luisa?”
“Likely far more concerned about us than herself.”
Beau nodded. “Do you think it’s a good idea for her to stay here?”
I shrugged. “Zin said something similar last night. Probably not.” I hated the idea of not being with her, but my father needed me more than she did. There were decisions to be made regarding a memorial service, and given my parents were deeply entrenched in the community—particularly with other vineyard owners—there would likely be people coming and going over the course of the next several days.
“Everyone is trying to get here later today.”
“Who do you mean by everyone?”
“Los Caballeros.”
“It isn’t necessary for Ridge to come—”
Beau shook his head. “Are you telling me that if Ridge lost one of his parents, you wouldn’t drop everything to be there for him?”
