The Winemaker Read online

  The young woman fell to her knees next to Zenna. “Where is he, Zenna?”

  Zenna looked at the small hole. “He’s in there. I’m going in. I think I can get him out.”

  “No.” Clara grabbed her arm. “Wait for one of the men. Etán is on his way.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t, Clara. It will be too late. Tell Etán to find the exit at the back. There is a way out on the other side of this hill.”

  Zenna didn’t wait to ensure Clara had understood what she meant. She moved forward and crawled through the narrow hole into the darkness. From somewhere far behind she heard her name being called. She heard Etán’s voice, and it was sweeter than anything she had ever heard, but she had to block it from her mind as she once again turned into a little bird, praying she would have the strength to help Luca.

  Outside the cave, Etán caught up with Clara, breathless. “Zenna...” He couldn’t find more words. They were caught in his throat, drenched in the dread that suffocated his heart.

  Clara was crying. Her face was lined with the dirt that mixed with her tears. “Luca...” she said, looking at the entrance to the cave. “It’s a maze in there.”

  Behind them, Ana and Pedro followed shortly. Pedro’s shirt was torn where it had caught on the branches during his mindless race toward his children. He looked haggard. Ana stopped, her face calm, but her body trembling.

  Etán moved forward, but Clara pulled him back. “No. She said we must go around the hill. There is an opening to a cave chamber at the back of it. She said she was going to lead Luca through it.”

  He moved forward again, but Ana stepped between him and the mouth of the cave. “We have to trust her.”

  Etán tried to step around his mother. “There is no exit on the other side of the hill,” he said, exasperated.

  Ana took his shoulders. “Look at me.” When he did, she spoke firmly. “Zenna knows, Etán. You have to trust her.”

  He watched, helplessness threatening to drive him insane, as his mother, father, and Clara started to scramble over the boulder to make their way to the back of the small hill. Wordlessly, he followed, praying.

  In the cave, Zenna felt her body and mind strain as all of her senses fought against the incredible sensation of claustrophobia. She inhaled the fine dust broken loose from the earthquake. Darkness enfolded her. Again, she shut her eyes tightly.

  “Please, Margarita,” she mumbled, “don’t fail me now.”

  With her hands in front of her, she felt her way around the maze of tunnels until she entered a smaller cavern and then yet another narrow tunnel. She was only distantly aware of pebbles and rocks that cut into her elbows and her knees as she crawled forward like a snake. She focused on her breathing, and, when it became difficult even to breathe, she stilled her mind and let herself be led by a force she fought to maintain.

  After another short distance of dragging herself forward, she grew aware of a familiar probing feeling reaching out to her. Luca. He could feel her. He knew she was coming. She tried to force feelings of strength and determination over the fear and angst she felt, to be strong for him. The tunnel narrowed and for a split second she panicked, thought she was going to get stuck, but then she felt a pair of hands reaching for hers, grabbing her by the wrists and pulling her forward. The sweatshirt she wore got torn on the sides of the rock wall surrounding her, and she felt a sharp bump on her skull. A warm trickle ran down her temple.

  Then she was free, pulled into the cavity of a bigger chamber where it was possible to rise to her knees, her head bent to avoid knocking herself out against the rock ceiling.

  “Luca,” she breathed his name.

  His arms went around her, hugging her close, and then he pushed her away to allow her space to breathe. “What the hell were you thinking, coming here?”

  “What were you doing here?” she snapped, annoyed at his stupidity.

  “I didn’t know there was going to be an earthquake,” he said in self-defense. “The caves collapsed around me.”

  “Of all places you could have chosen...”

  He laughed, relieved. “I came here because this is where I first brought her. Our first date.”

  “What on earth are you talking about? Are you hallucinating?” She moved his body, trying to feel her way around in the total blackness, to find the big rock that offered their only chance to escape, their only doorway to life.

  “Clara,” he said. “I brought her here.”

  Her hands moved over a rock that felt detached from the wall of the cave. “I’m sure it’s an interesting story, but if you don’t mind, you can tell it to me when we’re out of here.” She pushed, but the rock didn’t budge.

  “Come, help me. We have to move this rock and quickly. There’s another aftershock coming.”

  She heard a curse escape his lips as his hands felt around hers. They both pushed with all their strength. The rock was heavy. It moved, but its uneven edge made it difficult to roll. It then reversed, falling back into its original place.

  Luca felt for Zenna in the dark and pulled her away from the rock, putting his shoulder against it.

  “On the count of three,” he instructed. He started counting and on his cue Zenna heard him grunt as he put his full weight behind it. She felt the skin rubbing from the palms of her hands as she flattened them over the rough edges and pushed. She thought the veins in her head and her eyes were going to pop. Slowly, the rock started to lift. It gave Luca renewed motivation. With a final, mind-blowing effort, they managed to flip the rock over itself, pushing it from its position.

  Zenna almost cried when she saw the opening exposed, illuminated by distant light. She went first, crawling again, and Luca followed. This time, the distance was shorter, and she felt herself gain strength as more clean air flooded through the opening at the far side of the tunnel to reach her lungs. There was another very narrow patch, but it was big enough for Luca to push through. Finally, they fell from the tunnel into a bigger cave. The rock room had previously been hidden from sight, but a large part of the back wall had collapsed to expose the once closed hall like an open artery to the daylight.

  Only another ten steps. Zenna pushed forward, hearing Luca’s steps behind her. For a few seconds, the sudden influx of daylight blinded her, but she could make out the black shapes of figures waiting for them at the exit of the cave. Knowing they were all right, and safe, she relaxed. She allowed herself for the first time to feel the strain and the weakness that engulfed her.

  A strong pair of arms reached for her, drawing her forward. Trembling started to build under the soles of her feet. Someone picked her up and carried her swiftly down the steep end of the hill, the shortest path to the bottom. When she was lowered to her feet, she collapsed onto the hard grass just in time to see the caves collapse with an awful sound above them, and to see Clara run to Luca.

  Clara fell on her knees beside Luca, cradling his head in her lap, her tears falling all over his face, “Luca, I love you. I love you.”

  Zenna was aware of a comforting feeling, a familiar smell and voice in her face. She felt a well-known pair of lips brushing over hers, and then the bright day went black.

  * * * *

  Zenna woke in the bed in her room. Ana, Pedro, and Etán sat around her. Someone had swept up the pieces of glass, but the room was still wrecked.

  “She’s awake,” Ana said gently.

  Etán bent over her, brushing her hair from her face. “If you ever do anything as stupid as that again, I’m going to give you the hiding of your life.”

  “Etán,” Ana reprimanded, “now is not the time to preach.”

  “How are you feeling?” Pedro inquired.

  “Sore,” she said honestly. “How is Luca?”

  “He’s fine, thanks to you.” Ana squeezed her hand. “A few scrapes and bruises. Nothing serious.”

  “Clara?” She turned to Etán.

  “Clara is with Luca.” He smiled. “It seemed Clara has always been with Luca.”


  She frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  Etán moved his hand over her face. “I think that’s something Luca wants to explain himself.”

  Ana and Pedro got to their feet. “I’ll call him,” Ana said. She looked at her husband. “Coming?” They walked from the room, leaving Etán and Zenna alone.

  Etán kissed her tenderly. “Ah, Zenna...”

  Luca cleared his throat from the doorway. “Can I come in?”

  Zenna looked from one brother to the other. “What’s going on?”

  Etán smiled at Luca. “Take a minute, but I want her back, soon.” He got up and left them.

  Luca sat down next to her on the bed. He took her hands into his. “Zenna, I don’t know how to...”

  She moved and groaned as a pain cut through her shoulder. “Is it me, or did I hear Clara say ‘Luca, I love you’ over and over again out there?” She felt confused, and angry.

  He chuckled. “Zenna, don’t be angry with me. It was all such a big misunderstanding.”

  “Yeah? Well, I’m listening.”

  “Are you all right? All the telephone connections are still down after the quake. We can’t call a doctor, but—”

  She pulled a hand from his and waved it in the air. “I’m fine.”

  “You knew, Sugar, didn’t you? You knew the caves were going to collapse and where to find me.”

  “I think we’ve established that part already. What I want to know, is what is going on with Clara?” Her heart was beating with a flicker of hope.

  “Clara...” He looked at his hands. “Clara is the first and the only woman I ever loved. When we first met, it was out there, by those caves.”

  “Go on.”

  “It was by accident. We ran into each other back there. She had gone for a walk, and I was exploring the caves, as I used to do when I was younger. It was a long time ago. Clara was only sixteen.” He paused again.

  “Her father was mindless with anger when he found out. She had slipped out one night to meet me there and got caught. That night, it wasn’t Clara who met me at the caves, it was her father, Juan. He threatened to go to my father and to disinherit her.”

  “So you stopped seeing her?”

  He gave an incredulous laugh. “Of course not, Sugar. You know me. Nothing could tear me from Clara, except...”

  “Except?”

  “Except Clara. I saw her again, but she couldn’t, didn’t want to, disobey her father. She asked me to leave. I did. At least for a few years. My intention was to wait until she finished her studies. Only, she never came back to me.

  “Then, my father went to Juan, and told him about his plan to save our lands. Juan told Clara my father had proposed to both of us, Etán and I, to marry her, and that Etán accepted. Clara believed I knew, but rejected her. She thought I didn’t feel anything for her. I took her virginity and used her, like her father had told her I would all those years ago. You see, Juan truly believed that my father had brought the issue up with both Etán and I. Only, my father didn’t even mention it to me. He didn’t even think about me as a possibility.” He laughed lamely.

  “You see, sometimes my rebel reputation doesn’t serve me. I thought Clara had rejected me when she agreed to marry my brother and not even glancing my way. I thought Juan had spoken to her about marrying either one of us, Etán or I.” He shook his head. “I thought she didn’t love me anymore and had chosen Etán, but she still loves me, Zenna.”

  Zenna smiled at him. “I’m so happy for you, Luca. What now?”

  “I guess, Etán is off the hook, Sugar.”

  “Are you two done?” Etán spoke from the door. “I want to get back to Zenna sometime today, if you don’t mind.”

  Luca got up and bent over her. “Thank you, Sugar.” He kissed her on the cheek.

  She watched as he moved to his brother and slapped him on the back. Etán walked to the side of the bed. He sat down and pulled her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. She moaned.

  He pulled away in alarm. “Did I hurt you?”

  She grimaced. “I think I cracked a rib.”

  He eased the pressure where he held her, but he didn’t let go. “I’m going to get a doctor as soon as I can.”

  She groaned. “You know how much I hate doctors.” Her eyes lit up in alarm as a sudden thought struck her. “Etán! The wine?”

  He pulled her hands to his lips and kissed each finger. “We’ve lost plenty, but we’ll survive.” He kissed the palms of her hands. “I don’t care about the wine. I only care that I still have you.”

  “Have me?” she cocked an eyebrow.

  “I’m not letting go,” he said. He looked at the closed suitcases that lay on the floor. “Those, will have to be unpacked. In my room. You know I would have found you, don’t you?”

  She laughed, but grimaced in pain again. “Ouch.”

  He kissed her lips. “Don’t move. Keep still.” He kissed her jaw.

  “Is everyone all right? What’s the status in town?”

  “The priest has a cut on his head, but that’s it. As far as we can tell from the radio broadcasts there is some damage in the city, but nothing major. Power cuts, but no casualties.”

  “The house? The cellar?”

  “A lot of superficial cracks, but nothing that can’t be fixed.” His look was imploring as he searched her eyes. “I’m more worried about you, Zenna. Can ... we ... be fixed?”

  She grinned at him. “We’ll have to see about that.”

  Epilogue

  He leaned against the new, shiny, silver Porsche 911 Turbo, his arms crossed, watching Zenna with that look that told her exactly what was going on in his mind, and it made her blush. Zenna came down the steps of the city university, clutching a pile of books in her arms. Her auburn hair shone in the late afternoon sun, reflecting the last light of the summer day. She wore long, flat, masculine boots over patterned stockings that showed off the curve of her thighs under a tartan mini dress. Her black tie flipped playfully in the light breeze. She held his gaze, as she walked up to him, lifting her chin, and looking him up and down. Strands of hair blew around her face, and her eyes shone brightly.

  Etán stood still, watching her, drinking in the sight of her until he felt he had had his fill. He took his time in letting his eyes travel over her body, finally resting on the unique mismatched colors of her eyes. His gaze was drawn to her mouth when she finally spoke.

  “I was tired in class today,” she said, pouting, “and it’s all your fault.”

  Desire at the memory of the night they had spent in her new flat darkened his eyes. “Stop teasing me or we won’t even get to go out for dinner.” His tone told her he meant every word.

  She lifted an eyebrow. “We’re going out for dinner?”

  “We have some celebrating to do.” He turned, bent through the open car window, and produced a bottle of wine and two glasses. Her wine.

  “The tasting?” she said, breathless.

  He nodded. “Congratulations. Zenobia 2010 won.”

  “Oh, Etán! You won.”

  “You inspired me,” he said with meaning. “As your reward, you get the night off.”

  “Off from cooking...” She cocked her hip. “Or do I also get some sleep?”

  He gave her a wicked smile. “Don’t push your luck.” He stepped forward, pulling her to him with his free hand. “I warned you I was demanding. I told you I was going to make you my slave. In my kitchen, and in my bed,” he teased. “It’s all your fault. I can’t get enough of either. You’re the hedonism of my senses.”

  Her cheeks flushed a brighter shade of red. “People are looking,” she said, glancing over her shoulder.

  “I don’t care.” He planted a lingering kiss on her lips. “We’re celebrating more than the wine.”

  She pulled away, conscious of the stares directed at them from the other students. “What else are we celebrating?”

  “Your first exam and the fact you’re no longer a suspected car syndicate
criminal.”

  Her eyes brightened. “The hearing?”

  He smiled. “It’s done. You’re free to go wherever your heart desires.” He brushed his fingers playfully over her tummy, causing her skin to contract with pleasure. “But don’t even think for a minute I’ll let you anywhere out of my sight, and...” He kissed her again.

  “There’s more?” she asked as he set her lips free.

  “You are the proud owner of your very own travel agency. Congratulations, Zenna. The registration came through today.”

  She squealed in delight. “Really? It’s done?”

  “It’s done. Zenobia Travel. I like it. It sounds exotic, like you.”

  She laughed. It was a free and happy laugh. “All right, you’ve convinced me. We have reason to celebrate. Where are you taking me?”

  The playful look on his face turned serious. “I can’t tell you before I’ve made some confessions.”

  She tilted her head. “Why do I have a feeling you’ve been up to mischief behind my back?”

  He deposited the bottle and glasses on the pavement, took the books from her hands, and left it beside the liquor. He took both of her hands in his. “Zenna, I’ve lied to myself and to you, and I believe I owe you the truth.”

  She studied him, alarmed. “You’re scaring me.”

  He shook his head. “No, Zenna, I scared myself. I thought I had lost you. Forever. Between all the lies I made myself believe, and, finally seeing the truth, there is you, and you deserve to hear this.”

  “All right. You’re not making any sense. Yet. I’m listening.”

  “That day you came out of the caves with Luca was the day I realized you had possessed me. You had possessed my body and all that comes with it. My soul, my heart, my being. I had realized on that day I was trying to protect myself from getting hurt, from getting left, from failing to protect the ones closet to me, but more so, I was protecting you from me. I thought I didn’t deserve you and couldn’t make you happy. I was running from my true feelings, but I also realized it was pointless running or hiding from you. That I lied to myself to think my heart was incapable of love. Believing I was never going to hold you in my arms again on that day, made me realize how much I love you, have loved you from the very first moment.”