Lucy began the descent into the valley. The SUV hugged the curves of the road. The chilly winter rains were being broken up by the first signs of spring. The valley was coming to life; the vineyards were lush and green and wildflowers carpeted the slopes of the mountains.
Mountain Shadows Farm came into view, and it was achingly beautiful. The farm, the valley, and its people had taken up a huge place in Lucy’s heart.
Stupid idiot. She admonished herself. To think she could outwit Jason Palmer. People like him never had to face the consequences of their actions. He had status, money, and a hell-bent mother on his side.
She followed the road into the town. It was a Wednesday afternoon, and she waved as she passed the vegetable sellers by the side of the road. Soon, this valley, its wonderful people, and the school would be merely one of life’s memories. She would remember it as a time of true connections and sweet healing. But real life, where people like the Palmers called the shots, was waiting for her, dull and cold. It was the thought of leaving Josh that made her hand involuntarily go to her heart where she felt a steady ache. For the sake of those she loved, she had made a pact with the devil.
She turned into the gates of the farm. The road curved past the school and cut through acres of vineyards. The stately Cape Dutch manor house stood proudly. How silly she was to have thought that she could have a future here. She drove the SUV up to the house and only seconds later, Josh was running down the steps to greet her.
“Hey, gorgeous, you made it home earlier than I expected. What a bonus,” he said, taking her into his arms.
Lucy clung to him, even when he tried to break away. She knew she would have to be strong but somehow the very nearness of him, his familiar scent and the safety she felt in those strong arms, threatened to shatter her resolve.
Finally, she drew back.
“Lucy, what is it? Did something happen at the conference?” Deep concern was etched in his face.
She placed a hand on his cheek. “It’s been a very long few days. I think I need to go back to my place to unpack and rest.”
“I’m coming with you.” His tone left no room for discussion. The two of them drove the short distance to Lucy’s. He took her hand in his as they drove. “Don’t worry, love, whatever it is, we’ll fix it together.”
***
“You told her what?” Josh’s face was incredulous. He paced back and forth in Lucy’s small living room.
“My God. I can’t believe what you’re telling me. You walked right into a trap. When did you set up this meeting?”
“Last week.” Lucy sighed. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I was afraid you would talk me out of it. This was something I had to do, and I had to do it alone. I told her by email that I knew the Palmers were the ones putting pressure on my family and yours and that I wanted to discuss the situation, to put things right if that was possible.”
“No, no, no.” He was sitting with his face in his hands. “Lucy, everything in life is a negotiation, and you have to go into these situations with a plan and a set of non-negotiables. It sounds like you capitulated right from the outset. Shit! I wish you’d brought me with you.”
“Josh, I didn’t have anything to negotiate with. Can’t you see my hand was incredibly weak?”
“In that case, you bluff.”
“No. I made a decision and it’s one I’m prepared to stick with. No one is going to be hurt from here on out by what I did. Please think about what I’m saying. Imagine for a moment, if the Palmers, together with Sun Valley, manage to sabotage Mountain Shadows. Think of your poor mother and all that she has been through. Does she really deserve to lose her home too?”
“It wouldn’t come to that. You act as if I’m the kind of man who would simply roll over. How the hell do you think we’ve lasted for seven generations? We’ve made it through drought, floods, the Great Depression, and two World Wars. Tom and I aren’t exactly the types to give in.”
“I’m not prepared to have anyone else hurt. The fact is that I made a big mistake. I made a powerful enemy in the Palmer family, too powerful. I was upset and in shock, and I acted rashly.”
“But what will you do? This could ruin your career.” Josh looked up and she could see the agony in his expressive brown eyes. “How can that woman demand that you and I stop seeing each other? It’s absolutely bizarre. Victoria Palmer sounds batshit crazy.”
“She is. She’s been driven crazy by ambition, but she has the weight of the Palmer family behind her, and millions of dollars.”
“Did you at least stall for time?” he asked.
“I promised that I would publish the post by tonight, but I did insist that I stay here until the end of the school year. I will explain everything to Lena, tell her the story so at least she can be assured the children aren’t being taught by some lunatic.”
“So we have just two more months together?” Josh seemed to struggle to digest this bombshell.
“I’m sorry, Lucy, but I just won’t accept this. I’ve never been pushed around in my life. And I don’t take orders from anyone, least of all the Palmers. I’m quite happy at this point to jump on a plane and confront this bitch myself. I’m not used to losing and I have no intention of losing you or Mountain Shadows.”
She looked up, her face sad but resigned. “And what about my family’s business? Can you honestly say that you can fight that battle too?”
“I don’t know,” he said truthfully. “But I do know one thing; always stand up to bullies and do it sooner rather than later. What if you don’t post this alternative version of events, keep them hanging for a while until you can negotiate more favorable terms?”
“Then the Palmers will simply step up their aggression. There’s a meeting of the zoning board in East Chicago in two weeks’ time and it’s very important that it goes the right way or my dad and brother could be seriously affected. And let’s face it, you don’t exactly need more acts of sabotage around here just as the growing season is around the corner.”
“We’ve hired extra security for the entire farm, especially the perimeters.”
“But at what cost?” Lucy’s voice was laden with worry.
“Screw the cost.” He picked up a book lying on the coffee table and hurled across the room in anger.
“Don’t you see? I don’t want you to have to fight. And I won’t have everyone who works and lives here, including the school, the staff, and the children to be put at risk. You have to believe me that there is absolutely nothing I want more than to stay here and build a life with you.”
“Then stay, Lucy! We’ll fight the Palmers together.”
But she shook her head and quickly wiped away a single tear that fell from her eye. “Sometimes you make the right decision, and sometimes you have to make the decision right. I’m going to make sure everyone I love is safe.”
Josh let out a deep sigh and placed another log on the struggling fire.