Silenced By Syrah by Michele Scott

now.”
    Hmmm. “All right. What’s this about?”
    “You know the business I had in the city today?” he asked.
    “Yes.”
    “I was meeting with my financial advisor, and I’ve built a bit of cash flow. Quite a bit, and I’ve invested in a vineyard.”
    “You have? Wow. That’s wonderful. Where is it? Here in Napa, or Sonoma, or wait, did you find something up in Healdsburg? I know you love that area.”
    He took her hands. “I don’t have quite that much to invest, Nikki. My vineyard is back in Spain.” His hands tightened around hers.
    “Oh. Well, that’s great. Spain is your homeland, and I know you still love it, and you know the people there who can grow your grapes and manage the vineyard. I think that’s wonderful!”
    “ Sí . I do know the people who can help, but I need to go back for a while, and make sure things are operating smoothly and are underway.”
    She slumped into the sofa. “Oh.” She tucked back a piece of stray hair that had fallen out of the ponytail she’d tied earlier. “For how long are you going back? When?”
    “Probably six months. I’d like to see the first planting done, and make certain I have the right people for the job there. I didn’t plan to go until next month, but I need to settle some of the transactions with the bank in Spain and I have to be present to do that. I’m leaving Saturday.”
    “You’re what? That’s only a week away. What about Spaniard’s Crest?”
    “I have an excellent assistant. You’ve met Samuel. He can handle it while I’m gone. And, the staff knows what needs to be done.”
    “So, you’ll be back?” Her heart raced.
    “Of course. As I said. I haven’t made retirement money. Spaniard’s Crest pays well, and when I do go back to Spain I’ll have the recognition here in America to promote my wines from Spain. I’m hoping my employers at Spaniard’s Crest will want to do a joint effort with the wines.”
    “Then you plan on eventually moving back to Spain?” Not only was her heart racing, but she could hear the blood flowing through her ears, as if trying to drown out his words. He nodded slowly. “What about Isabel?” Nikki asked, referring to his sister, one of her closest friends, who lived in Yountville a few miles away and owned the five-star restaurant Grapes.
    “My sister is independent now. She doesn’t always need a big brother hovering over her. You’ve heard her tell me that over and over. Besides, I won’t be leaving for Spain for good for two or more years. You know as well as I do that it takes vines several years to produce wine-making grapes, and it’ll take another couple of years to get our first vintage. Sure I’ll have to go back and forth to make certain things are running right. But my loyalties for now remain at Spaniard’s Crest.”
    “Oh.” It was all she could think of to say.
    “Nikki, I want you to come to Spain with me for the next six months.”
    “What? I can’t do that. My job. It’s here.”
    “I know. I spoke with Derek today, this morning before everything happened, and told him I wanted to ask you to come with me, but that I knew what this job meant to you. He said that he felt he could spare you for six months and that you would always have a job here. He won’t replace you.”
    “He told you what? You did what ? Wait.” She stood up and crossed her arms.
    “What’s the matter? I thought I was doing the right thing. I want you to come with me, and I thought you would want that, and so I spoke to Derek.”
    “To get his permission, like he’s my father? Did either one of you factor me into this? What I might want or think?”
    “That’s why I’m asking you now.” Andrés stood and walked over to her. She moved away from him and turned her back to him. He moved in again and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Nikki, I’m falling in love with you. I am not afraid to tell you that. We have been friends for some time now, and dating for almost three