Page 78 of Just for Tonight

My mom, though, is beaming at the pair of us, obviously delighted with her introduction and its future potential. I can see that when we’re alone, she’ll enumerate all of Darcy’s stellar qualities and dismiss my objections. My mom is a bit of a steamroller when it comes to getting what she wants, and the fact is that she and Darcy are united in their desire for babies.

I’m not against babies, per se, but I’m not prepared to give up everything to have them. I am alone on that island, though. I can see as much as the senior Rutherfords whisper to each other, then turn to admire what a couple Darcy and I make.

I really hate presumptuous people.

I really hate feeling out of control. I like making my own choices.

But there is truth in the fact that the time to think about kids, if I’m going to think about kids, is soon. I have to give the Devil’s Advocate his due. Am I just fighting the inevitable? Is Darcy actually a good fit for me but I don’t like that my mom discovered him?

It is possible.

I decide I’m over-reacting and that Jake has gotten to me. (We know he’s good at that.) I suggest that Darcy and I go for a stroll after lunch, and do some window shopping in downtown Victoria. There are lots of cute shops clustered around the harbor. He readily agrees.

“Your mom says you’re really good at your job,” he says when we reach the street.

“I hope so. I do love it.”

We compare credentials, which are similar but oriented to different coasts. He went to Washington State and Australia for apprenticeships, while I went to France. I expect that we’ll get into technical talk about winemaking, but I’m wrong.

“France!” he says, as if I’m talking about Jupiter. “Wow. Must have been tough to come back to Ontario after that.”

“It’s always good to come home.”

“But the winters!” He laughs. “And the summers. One extreme to the other. It’s amazing you can grow any kind of grapes there at all.”

“Have you spent any time in Ontario?”

“I’ve had to change flights in Toronto. Does that count?” He gives me a smile, unconcerned that he’s saying he hates the place I love. “Couldn’t drag me any further into the Big Smoke.” He nods with authority. “In the Okanagan, in contrast, the weather is temperate and consistent. I just love it. Everybody loves it.”

“Maybe not the forest fires so much.”

“No matter where you go, there are acts of God.”

“I thought forest fires were started by idiots throwing their cigarette butts into the dry forest.”

He frowns. “Well, there is some of that, for sure, but we don’t get blizzards or tornados.”

“Oh, I like snow and the winter. The skiing is great.”

“We can go to Whistler for that.” He sighs contentment, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “It’s so gorgeous. I don’t think there’s a better place in the world. You’ll see once you arrive. Just like everyone else, you’ll never want to leave.”

At this point, I don’t even want to arrive.

“I didn’t realize I was coming to the Okanagan.”

“Of course! Dad totally wants to give you the general manager job and I can’t wait to show our place to you.”

Give. That word sticks.

“I’ve never had anyone give me a job, like a charity donation,” I say mildly.

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve earned every job offer I’ve gotten, and then some.” I sound fierce, but that happens when I’m annoyed.

“Oh, come on, Mackenzie. What about Rhodes Vineyards?” He’s scoffing at me, essentially calling me a liar.

I turn to face him. “I had to work twice as hard to earn my current post. Opa is very tough on family. He says we have to prove ourselves twice over every day.”