The Height Of Happiness

Chapter 6

After the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year seasons had finally ended, Serena decided to take Edward up on his offer. At work, the few months apart had been busy. Lawyers had taken up her time as she got the legal right to produce brandy, and handed out too many checks for that legal guidance. They hosted Christmas parties at the inn, and several families thought it would be fun to spend their holiday there. This meant while she’d cooked her own Turkey, Serena had to drive back and forth to check on her business. The job never seemed to end because her dedication had Serena bound to such tasks. Others would have called such emotions a burden, and as she rang in the New Year hosting yet another party Serena began to agree with those imaginary strangers.

In her personal life, things felt oddly tedious. Truth be told, Serena had grown tired of her family. She always did after so many weeks together in the same house. Thanksgiving with friends was filled with joy over engagement rings on other people’s hands. Christmas wasn’t that much more pleasant. It didn’t help that her mother almost burned her pies and ruined the stuffing at Christmas, nor that her parents decided they should all take a family photograph in their newly gifted pajamas. After hosting a dozen different people between her friends and family during different parts of the holiday season, it seemed like Serena herself should be pampered for a change.

She took a flight out from Raleigh, North Carolina to Sacramento, California, and Edward met her with his car at the airport. Serena had gotten changed quickly from yoga pants and a sweatshirt into a more fashionable cashmere sweater and black jeans. With her hair wrapped up in a printed silk scarf, Serena felt good about seeing Teddy again, and she found him leaning against a brilliant blue Maserati in a modern suit tailored perfectly to his body. Keeping it casual, he had the buttons on his shirt undone so you could see a faint tan from his Christmas trip to the coast of Morocco.

“You cannot be serious right now,” Serena began as she took in the sight.

He held out his arms, displaying his convertible as if he were a model and greeted her warmly with, “Welcome to my world, Serena. Are you excited?”

“Am I allowed to say no?” she asked, suddenly nervous to immerse herself in such a lifestyle.

He shook his head, “My mother already has dinner planned. There’s not turning back.”

On the drive out to his estate, Edward raced through the country roads as he told her about his visit to Northern Africa. He had gifts for her, including the traditional wedding blankets that she had gushed over right before he left.

“I knew when you said that,” Teddy told her. “I had to find you one.”

Just then, they turned up to a grand wide gate. Teddy pushed the buttons of a keypad and the iron bars slid open to a long drive. Going through a manmade forest, Serena felt she was truly entering another world. As they came out the other side, Serena saw the fields of grapes. It was a sight she knew well, but the house was another story.

To call it a house seemed inaccurate, it was a Californian palace done in a traditional Spanish style. A grand courtyard and a garage attendant greeted them, while a maid took her bag to some mystery location. She said Serena’s bedroom, but Serena had no clue where that was. According to Edward, this place was an old monastery that his family had taken over. Those men of God had been winemakers, and that was how the Summerfields had gotten into the business of fermenting fruit.

Walking into the foyer, they were greeted by a modern metal chandelier and the man who was polishing it. The stone floors looked like granite, and they sparkled in every direction as Edward and Serena walked along. She was shocked that she didn’t slip, but caution had her keeping her steps slow and measured.

“Mother?” Teddy called out. “Where are you?”

“In the main living room my dear!” a soft voice called out.

Serena felt a thrill as they came into the grand room decorated in a way fit for Spanish royalty. Paintings twice Serena’s height consumed the walls, but she could only look at them for so long. Her interest was far more peaked by the woman sitting on the gold accented sofa.

Lydia Summerfields looked like American royalty. It helped that her mother had been a silent film star before marrying an iron magnate. Her Hollywood roots gave her a careful poise as if a camera could flash at any moment. Always prepared and always softly smiling, it was easy to see where Edward got his good looks. It was obvious that she’d had work done, but only because she looked too young for her age. Just like every pearl and diamond on her jewelry and each curl of her long silver hair, the needles and facials she must have endured over the years were strategic. Her bright blue jumpsuit was crisp and neat with perfect white polka dots adding a playful vibrancy to the woman’s demeanor. She adjusted the ivory cardigan draped over her shoulders as she stood before extending her hand to Serena.

 “Miss Serena, I have heard so much about you,” Lydia greeted her in a warm and graceful tone.

Serena took her hand, shaking it warmly, “It’s enchanting to finally meet you Mrs. Summerfields.”

Lydia laughed, “Oh that southern politeness! I haven’t heard such gentility since my last trip to Charleston. Please dear, call me Lydia.”

Motioning to the couch where she’d been sitting, Serena took the seat next to her. She was doing her best not to look starry-eyed. When Serena first began to study the larger world of the wine industry, Lydia Summerfields had become a person of interest for her. One of the first female owners of a major wine producer, she was the reason that Summerfields was doing so well. As a single mother, she’d been the one to take the business to new heights. She’d flipped around the marketing, improved product, and made Summerfields a lasting success. She was the reason her family had the most award-winning mid-market wine.