“Absolutely. You’ll get a kick out of her. And she’ll know plenty of their family history.”
“I had no idea he had relatives living nearby,” Derek said as we took our glasses and cheese plate into the kitchen.
“Trudy’s the only one I know of, and she’s lived here longer than we have. She doesn’t mingle much with the commune folks, although she’s good friends with my mom. She always helps with the harvest, and she shops in town. You might recognize her when you see her.”
We finished cleaning up, refilled the animals’ water dishes, and then took off to meet Robin and Austin at Arugula, my sister Savannah’s restaurant on the Lane in downtown Dharma. It was less than a mile away, and we found a parking place easily enough.
The Lane—more formally known as Shakespeare Lane—had become a destination point over the last few years with its upscale shops and fabulous restaurants as well as the Dharma winery just up the road. B and Bs were beginning to sprout up all around town, and there was a small luxury hotel and spa at the far end of the town center. My sister China had a popular yarn and weaving shop, Warped, on the Lane, and now Savannah’s restaurant was here and very successful. Our family was well represented on the Lane and at the winery, where my father and brothers worked.
I could tell something was bothering Robin the minute we walked in. They had already been seated at the table but stood when they saw us. I gave her a hug, and I was pretty sure I heard her growl, sort of like a bear.
I flashed a wide-eyed look at Derek, who had also noticed her mood.
I moved around to Austin and whispered, “What’s up with Robin? What did you do?”
He laughed and grabbed me in a hug. “She’ll be fine.”
“Men are so naive,” I said, patting his shoulder. But he was still grinning, so I figured he preferred to stay clueless.
I sidled up to Robin. “What’s bugging you?”
She bared her teeth. “Men.”
“Ah. Okay, then. How about some wine?”
“Definitely.”
We waited patiently in silence while the waiter opened the bottle. Austin took a sip and approved it, and our glasses were filled. The waiter walked away, and Austin said, “I’d like to propose a toast.”
As we all raised our glasses, I noticed a blinding flash of light and set my glass down. “What is that? What’re you wearing?”
“Nothing,” Robin barked. “Drink your damn wine.”
“Nothing?” I burst out, shoving my chair back. “There’s a gigantic diamond ring on your finger. What do you mean, nothing?”
“Hello?” Austin said. “I’m in the middle of making a toast.”
Robin glared at Austin, then reluctantly thrust her arm out so that I could see the ring. I grabbed her hand and stared at the most gorgeous diamond ring I’d ever seen. “That’s a Tiffany setting.”
Her look at me dripped with suspicion. “I’m wondering how you know that, but yeah, he went to Tiffany.”
“It’s spectacular,” I said. “And it looks beautiful on you.”
She shook her head in dismay. “Can you imagine anything less practical? Tiffany! It’s two and a half freaking carats! How am I supposed to wear this thing around Dharma? We live out in the country, for God’s sake.”
“It’s the wine country,” Austin said, laughing. “We shop at Dean and Deluca.”
She ignored him. “I’m a sculptor. I can’t wear this while I’m working. What were you thinking? You should’ve bought me a pair of earrings or something.”
“Fine,” Austin grumbled, then extended his wineglass. “A toast, to the woman who has agreed to be my wife. I am the happiest man in the world.” He clinked glasses with Derek and slugged down a big gulp of wine.
“Aww.” I jumped from my chair, misty eyed, and rounded the table to squeeze Robin in a hug. “I’m so thrilled. So happy for you.”
“I don’t know why,” she groused, refusing to hug me back. “I should’ve told him no. He’s such a goofball.”
“You’re wearing his ring,” I said softly, hugging her again. “You said yes. You love him and he loves you. I’m so proud of him and so glad he finally wised up.”
“That’s what you think.” But her tone was lighter, and I felt her chuckling as she hugged me back.
“We’ll be sisters for real,” I whispered.
“Oh.” She pressed her hand to her lips, and her eyes filled with tears.
And my work here was done.
Derek stood and gave Austin a hearty handshake and a slap on the back. “Congratulations, mate.”
“Thanks, Derek. I’m a lucky man.”