Against All Odds

Chapter Twenty-Nine

"This is winemaker, Enzo Moreau," Henry says, holding out his arm. Enzo, a short, bald man with a kind, wide smile, moves towards Henry, bowing slightly before embracing him, patting his back repeatedly.

"You both seem to have gotten caught in the storm. I could have sent someone for you," Enzo says, pulling back, his accent thick.

"Mia is quite an adventurer. I found her walking around in the storm," Henry says, a wry smirk on his face.

"To be one with nature is to be one with yourself, I always say this."

I smile, nodding. My gaze is distracted as I glance around me. The winery is large and smells like burning wood and grapes.

"We came on a whim. I didn't know you'd still be in," Henry says. "But I'm glad we got to see each other... It's been what? Ten years?"

"You were a young boy when you last came with your father. Followed him around endlessly, I remember."

Henry smiles, nodding.

"Your mother loved to sit in the gardens. I remember seeing her there for hours sometimes."

I remain silent, but look at Henry as his gaze finds the ground. He's never spoken of his mother to me, despite my probing. It's strange to hear about her.

"I've never seen roses so large," I observe, smiling. "This place is like a heaven."

"That it is, Miss Mia. That it is..." He claps his hands together suddenly. "Where are my manners? Come with me, Your Highness. We'll get you some wine, some dinner."

"Does that sound fine with you?" Henry asks, looking down at me. I nod, tucking my wet hair behind my ears.

"Of course, yes."

"Great, great. Come this way. We'll get you by the fire so you can dry off."

...

I sip the red wine slowly, savoring the impressive flavor. We're in the large barn-like building, full of different kinds of wine. There's a stone fireplace, the same stones that cover the ground. There's a whole side to the building that seems like it was once an operational restaurant. There are tables lined against the windows, overlooking the grounds, which are still barely visible due to the raging storm going on outside.

Wrapped in a warm blanket, by the fire, I'm finally dry. Our plates are empty now, once having had filets and oven-roasted red herb potatoes on them. I look at the crimson color in my glass, humming.

"I usually don't like reds but this is... really good."

He sets his glass on the table. "Enzo runs the best winery in France. He's won many awards over the years."

"And you've owned it this whole time?"

He nods. "Yes. It's very profitable, especially around this time of year. Autumn is it's peak."

I smile, shaking my head. How have I known him for so long and not known he owned a vineyard? I'm sure it's not the only thing I don't know.

"How was your meeting today?"

"He said we were welcome to remain for as long as we'd like to. He was cautious to mention anything about England or the affair... he suggested we attend a party on Friday. It's his daughters birthday, I guess and he said he was anxious to meet you."

"Meet me?"

"Yes, turns out he saw you at The Fountain once and is a big fan."

"I'm surprised he still wants to meet me."