Red Mountain by Boo Walker

Author:Boo Walker [Walker, Boo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780991301874
Publisher: Sandy Run Press
Published: 2016-10-12T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

The Cooking Club

Emilia moseyed along to Margot’s house, shortcutting through the dusty, rocky tractor paths that defined the vineyard block boundaries. She spoke to the vineyard workers she passed along the way, testing the Spanish she’d been learning for years.

Reaching a quiet stretch, she ran her fingers along the leaves of a row of vines and plucked some grapes from a cluster. She tasted them and spat out the seeds. It was a beautiful life here on Red Mountain, this wine life. She understood why her dad had been so caught up. He had seen and done it all, and very little excited him any more. All he could do to find satisfaction was to go back to the basics. To agriculture and winemaking. Nothing made him happier now than playing music and working outside during the day, then sitting at a dinner table drinking a good bottle of wine and sharing conversation with his loved ones. It was a beautiful life.

Jasper answered the door, and in a convincing British accent, one she would hear often in the future, he said, “Good evening, miss. Have ya come for the tea and crumpets?”

Caught off guard yet slightly intrigued, Emilia jumped into her own best British. “I’ve come ‘round to study the art of cooking with your mum.” Her accent wasn’t as convincing, but surprisingly, she didn’t care.

“Ah, yes. You are one of her new pupils.” Jasper reached out his hand. “I am Jasper, her bastard son.”

“She’s told tales. She keeps you locked in the basement. The accordion player, right?”

“Yes, of course. I’ve just escaped and now I’m on my way to Scotland to learn the bagpipes. May I take you away with me?”

“Oh, please.”

“Give me your hand, my lady.”

He took her hand, and a wonderful moment passed between them. Jasper smiled. “Come on in, my fellow thespian.”

Emilia followed him in, but he didn’t let go of her hand for another few seconds. She said, “So you’re as weird as I am, I see.”

“Weirder. Hence my popularity at school. My mom and Joan are in here.” He swung the kitchen door open and held it for her. Aretha Franklin was singing “I Never Loved a Man,” and Margot and Joan were singing along.

“Have fun,” Jasper said.

“You’re not cooking with us?”

Jasper rolled his eyes. “Too much estrogen in here for me.” He touched his ear. “My mom’s already got Aretha going. Soon you’ll be sipping apple martinis and making fun of the dresses in People. Try to have fun without me.”

“We’ll do our best.” She smiled and stepped into the kitchen. Margot and Joan were busily preparing food, both in flowery aprons. They stopped singing to welcome her. Margot turned down the music and said, “We were getting our rhythm and blues on.”

“I love it.” Emilia had a feeling she was going to like these women.

They made introductions. Joan wore a hemp shirt with baggy black pants and sandals. A simple chain necklace with a gorgeous blue crystal hung around her neck. “Oh, my god, I love your style,” Emilia told her.

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