California Wine by Casey Dawes Page B

made it.
    But apparently they hadn’t. The air went out of her. All their lives were a little sadder because Joe and Serena hadn’t been honest. But their daughter wasn’t to blame.
    The child was the result of Joe’s infidelity, not the cause.
    “There’s nothing for me to forgive,” Elizabeth finally said. “She didn’t ask to be born. She’s an innocent child who has some big problems.”
    “Can you help her?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “What will make the difference?”
    “I think I need to meet her,” Elizabeth said, taking a big gulp of air. That was going to take more strength than she thought she had.
    “A good idea,” Carol said.
    The doorbell rang as soon as Elizabeth hung up the phone.
    Annie pushed it open and said, “It’s only me.” She was carrying a large white bag emitting sweet chocolate odors.
    Grabbing Elizabeth in a big bear hug, she murmured, “I’m so sorry. What a thing to hear after all these years. You really didn’t need to know this about Joe.”
    “But now I do,” Elizabeth said.
    “Yes, now you do. And that definitely deserves chocolate croissants.” Annie waved the bag and walked into the kitchen.
    “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to trust a man again,” Elizabeth said after they settled at the kitchen table with coffee and bakery treats.
    “I understand,” Annie said. “But everyone isn’t Joe. You were too young and too buried under Catholic guilt. You’ve said that before. Sounds like Joe was unhappy and didn’t know how to deal with it honestly.”
    “But to have a three year affair? And a child?”
    Annie shrugged, “Too many people have affairs rather than confront problems in their marriage. Humans have been doing it for centuries.”
    “I didn’t.”
    “No, you’re one of the rare ones. Loyal as they come.”
    Elizabeth leaned back in her chair and took a sip of coffee. She put her coffee back on the table and examined her hands. She needed a manicure badly. Definitely before Marcos came.
    “Marcos. I can’t see Marcos. What if he turns out to be the same?”
    “You’ll never know unless you take a chance.”
    “That’s all life seems to be these days,” Elizabeth said. “Taking risks. Marcos, my product line, and now this Serena woman and her daughter.”
    “What are you going to do about it?”
    “I’m going to see the girl and then decide.”
    Annie nodded. “Did you tell her mother?”
    “Not yet.” Elizabeth stared at her friend. “Would you stay here while I make that phone call? In case I fall apart again?”
    “Sure, honey.”
    Elizabeth’s hands trembled as she picked up the phone and dialed the number Serena had given her. “Hello?” she said when the woman answered.
    “Yes?” Serena asked.
    “It’s Elizabeth. Can you bring your daughter … what is her name?”
    “Alicia.”
    “Alicia. Can you bring her to my store today at about five? I’d like to meet her.” Elizabeth fired off directions to Beauty by the Bay.
    “Gracias.”
    “I’m not guaranteeing anything,” Elizabeth said quickly. “I just want to meet her.”
    “I understand. We we’ll be there.”
    Elizabeth hung up the phone and took a deep breath. “Done.”
    Annie stood up and gave her another hug. “You’re a brave woman, Elizabeth Ladina.”
    • • •
    By the time Elizabeth got to the store, it was after eleven. She straightened up and checked the appointment book for the afternoon. Now that school had opened, walk-ins had slowed down and she had too much time on her hands. Maybe she should close the shop a few days a week?
    She shook the idea from her head. Starting to close a few days a week was an indication that a store was in trouble.
    She stared at the numbers on the credit union application. Financing a loan would be tight, but it was doable, she knew it was. She tucked her hair behind her ears. What she needed was an outside opinion from someone she could trust financially.
    Bobby.
    He’d handled her finances for years