Page 91 of Finding Yesterday
“Right, that makes sense after what he said to you.” I squeeze his shoulder. “But it wasn’t your fault, Jack.”
He meets my gaze, a lightness in his usual dark and shuttered eyes. He lets out a soft sob. “It wasn’t my fault.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
JACK AND Iare at The Fine Bone with Pops after closing time as we wait for Nate and Daddy to arrive. They were held up with an emergency with the vineyard’s irrigation system, which had to be resolved immediately so there wouldn’t be a flood.
Emma said she couldn’t make the drive from Atlanta this late, so we’ll have to do this without her. We need to tell our families everything, and we want to do it all together while showing them the speakeasy.
Jack and I are heading out of the restaurant to take in the pleasant night when I hear my sister say, “Claire.”
I look to see Emma in the parking lot, standing there in her pajamas, her hair a mess.
“I thought you couldn’t make it.” I do a double take. “You said you’d get home too late. And Dylan has school.”
“I know.” Her lips quiver. “Dylan is with Charley.”
I shoot Jack a look, and he says, “I’m just gonna head inside and get Pops.”
“Thanks,” I whisper.
I run up to Emma and pull her into a hug. “I’m sorry for what I said, big sister. I’m so, so sorry.”
“No, you were right, Claire. I gave up something I loved. And I miss it. A lot.” She gives me a squeeze before pulling away. After clearing her throat, she says, “I’ll do it again, I promise. It’s something I want for myself. I just need some time, okay?”
“Sure, of course.”
She shifts on her feet. “Remember I had to step in to help Daddy, Nate, and Uncle Oz with the vineyard? Then when I realized I was pregnant, I had to make sure I had a way to provide for Dylan. I started the wine store with a newborn. That was all I could manage.”
I swallow the lump growing in my throat. It’s difficult to see Emma, my rock, so utterly vulnerable. But I’m glad to be the one comforting her again—it’s been a long time. “I can’t imagine, Emma, I really can’t.” I take her hand. “I admire you so much. You’re incredibly strong. I don’t understand the first thing about having a child, and I didn’t get it.”
She looks down. “I think I owe you an apology for the same thing. I didn’t understand what you went through either. I loved Mama, but you’re right, I didn’t get it.”
I nod, taking it all in. “I’ve always wanted us to understand each other better.” I smile. “And I do miss that voice.”
“Me too.” She squeezes my hand.
Daddy and Nate pull up, and the four of us make our way inside. Jack and Pops are at a Fine Bone table, waiting, and I go and fetch everyone beers.
They’re all going to need them.
* * *
HAND IN HAND, Jack and I walk down a row of Daddy’s vines. Well, with Winston too, on his leash. Winston would never let me take a walk through the vineyard without him. I’m glad Daddy trained him not to touch the grapes, as they’re poisonous to pigs. But I do have to give Winston broccoli, his favorite.
Bless his vegetarian heart.
The moon lights the sky, marking the continuation of an endless day. We just finished telling our families everything, and like Jack and me, they were in shock. Now they just need time to process the news.
Reaching the edge of the hillside, Jack, Winston, and I make our way to the bench seat there. It’s the perfect spot to watch the stars twinkle in the sky.
After we sit, Winston flops down on the grass beside us. I say, “So…about that talk we need to have.”
“Right. Like I said, it’s a good thing.” A smile tugs at the corners of his lips. “I think.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“So, the problem I kept having with my restaurant in San Francisco. And my lawyer, Julia.”
