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“Dad, how could I regret chasing the dream I’ve had for so long? I would regretnotstepping up more than trying and failing.” Frankie edged toward the door, eager to share the good news with Fi and Enzo.
“I want you to remember that if you end up working for free for a few years to pay down the debt.”
That stopped her in her tracks. Turning back to Dom with her hands on her hips, she stared. “Wow. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dad. You really think I’m going to fail?”
Dom pushed back in his chair and met her annoyed glare steadily, calm now that he'd settled everything to his liking. “I didn’t say that. But I’ve been in this business long enough to know that sometimes things don’t go according to plan. You’ve never held all of the cards before. I think it’s going to be more challenging than you expect.”
“And I know I am up to the challenge. In fact, I’m going to clear a few things with Sofia so we can hit the ground running.” Frankie turned once more to leave, but Dom stopped her again, this time with a gentle hand on her wrist, his voice low and gruff.
“Francesca, you know I love you. It’s hard not to want to protect you from the ugliness of the world, especially now.”
Especially now that Gabe is deadwas what he meant. So much had changed with that terrible news four years ago. Didn’t he understand that was exactly why she had to try? “Playing it safe doesn’t get you anywhere good. Did you and Zio Tony play it safe when you built this place? Or did you make sacrifices along the way to grow and thrive?”
“I did those things so you wouldn’t have to.” He turned his hand into hers and squeezed.
“But what if I want to, Dad? After all, I learned from the best.”
She kissed his forehead and crossed the hall to her big sister’s office. Despite having the utmost confidence in her ability to pull off this project, Frankie knew that Sofia’s talent with interior design and deep knowledge of their mother’s taste would play a big role in that success.
She dropped into the upholstered chair in front of Sofia’s desk and waited for her sister to finish a call. Sofia pulled fabric swatches out of the mismatched cabinets that served as both storage and samples with her cell phone tucked against her ear. Buster rose from the blanket he had carried from Frankie's office into Fi's corner and nudged his head under her hand, demanding his welcome.
“Hi, big boy. Got lonely, huh?” Frankie ruffled his ears and laughed when he took that as an invitation to put his paws on her thighs and cover her face with big doggy kisses. “Were you a good pup for Zia Sofia?”
Her dog was almost four now, but he was still a big puppy at heart. He was her best boy, and she hoped he never lost his playful joy. It had been the reason she picked him out of the pound. She’d desperately needed a reason to keep moving after losing Gabe. Buster had forcibly pulled her back from the edge of her grief with every tug on his leash. He'd needed her to save him, and so she had. And he'd saved her right back.
Sofia ended her call and sat back in her chair, rubbing her slightly swollen belly. “He was an angel. I don’t know why you complain about him so much,” Sofia said, setting her phone on her desk and picking up her coffee mug. She grimaced after one sip. "God, I will never get used to that not being coffee."
Frankie didn't know how Sofia was functioning, having switched to herbal tea for the little peanut. Buster turned his head and gave her a snuffly woof. He had learned early on that Sofia was not one to mess with. She was a clear alpha in their little pack. He had no such respect for Frankie, even though she was the one who fed and housed him. Ungrateful little wretch. But then he plopped his head on her thigh and gazed up at her with eyes full of love, and all was forgiven.
“I wanted to see if you’d had any more thoughts on the vineyard project. We are finalizing the contracts today so it seems like it’s a go.” Frankie tried to play it cool, but she felt her face stretching with the grin she simply couldn’t contain.
“What are you so giddy about?” Sofia teased.
“It’s my show. I’m going to run the build. I’m finally getting my chance, Sofia.”
Sofia sat upright in her chair and bumped into her desk. “Really? Dad went for it?”
“What is it with all the surprise today? Your faith in me is overwhelming.” Frankie’s smile faded. Did anyone think she could do this?
“Shut up. You know I'm happy for you." Fi reached into her chocolate drawer and pulled out a 100 Grand bar and tossed it at Frankie. "Congrats, Pip. I’m just surprised Dad went for it. But I’m not going to look this gift horse in the mouth. I’ll be honest—I was worried about how Adrian would juggle filming with the baby coming. You’re sure you’re ready?” Sofia longingly stroked a Snickers bar before setting it firmly back in the drawer and closing it.
“I’ll never know if I don’t try. And I am so ready to try.”
“Well, you know I’ll help out however I can. Sooner would be better,” she said as she patted her belly and reached for the ever-present bottle of Tums on her desk, “but I’m here for you.”
“I'm going to take you up on that. Dad's got a lot riding on Ma loving this. I really want to nail it, and no one knows her taste better than you.”
Frankie gestured to Fi's office. Despite the mismatched cabinets, Sofia Valenti's style shone in this room she'd made her office. Sofia was classy, colorful, and scrupulously organized—Frankie often wondered how they'd grown up in the same household and come out so differently. Fi had taken after their mother, with that inherent understanding of how to make things beautiful. From fashion to decorating to wrapping a Christmas present, Sofia and Ma were peas in a pod.
Frankie, on the other hand, was Daddy's little tomboy and could deconstruct a toaster to fix a short, but still managed to burn the toast. Her decorating style could best be described as "Adolescent Boy Dream Designs." Functionally cool, but not super tidy. She would install every bell and whistle on this winery, but Sofia would make sure they all shined.
“I’ve got Dad’s take covered, but you are the pro at making things functional and beautiful. I can do the legwork if you can point me in the right direction.”
“I’ve started a file…” Sofia reached for her laptop and pulled up an idea board within seconds.
Once again, Frankie marveled over the ease with which her big sister operated in her sphere. Since making a push for her design business, Sofia had really come into her own. Frankie hoped she could do the same. Although Frankie's desk would never look this clean.
It didn't matter. She needed to see things in order to find them, but she could always find them. And she could juggle details for multiple jobsites in her head. She tried to remind herself of her strengths.
