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Skylar leaned over to look out the windshield and was filled with indescribable happiness as she took in the view of the winery surrounded by what remained of the fall colors.
They pulled up to the entrance and headed inside, where they were warmly greeted by a friendly face.
“Happy birthday, Sky!” Izzy exclaimed as she came around the desk and gave her a hug.
“Izzy! It’s so good to see you again.”
“You too. I’m sorry I missed you last time you were here.” She let go and turned to the others. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Schultz.”
“Hello, Isabella,” Dad said.
“Hello, dear.” Mom greeted her with a hug.
They small talked while Izzy checked them in then headed upstairs.
In her room, Skylar found a lovely bouquet of pink roses, and her heart skipped a beat, hoping they were from Franky. She snatched the card from the arrangement.
Happy 30th, Sky.
Sorry I couldn’t be there to celebrate with you.
Love, your favorite brother,
Gus
Well, that answered that.
She dropped the card onto the table and admired the flowers. They were beautiful, and she wanted to love them, but they were a poor substitute for her brother being there for her.
As she unpacked her things and settled into the room, she continuously checked the clock. It would be hours before Franky arrived since he was leaving after work, and she tried to rein in her emotions, but she was far too excited to see what the weekend held.
Raindrops pelted the windows of the restaurant as Skylar and her parents ate dinner. The sun had set an hour before, and every time vehicle headlights flashed by outside, her heart skipped a beat, wondering if it was Franky.
The restaurant was fairly busy, despite being past the tourist season. Fall was their busiest time because of the leaf lookers, but since the tree branches were mostly bare now, their guests would soon thin out as well.
Skylar watched as the Zanettis did their thing. Izzy was greeting guests and showing them to their seats. Luca was helping his mom, Rose, serve the guests. Roberto mingled, talking about the wines that best complimented their meals. And she’d seen Ari at the reception desk earlier. She loved that running the winery had become a family thing for them.
Rose stopped by the table, carrying a tray of various scrumptious-looking pastries. She was short and stout with dark blonde hair twisted in a neat bun at the nape of her neck, and she had the most beautiful blue eyes and the kind of smile that lit up the room. Skylar had always thought Luca and Izzy bore the strongest resemblance to their mom, especially the square shape of their faces and their blond hair.
“Who’s in the mood for dessert?” Rose looked in Skylar’s direction. “The birthday girl?”
Skylar smiled and was about to reach for a cream puff when Dad snatched it and popped it into his mouth. “Hey! I think, as the birthday girl, I should’ve chosen first.”
Dad chuckled as he chewed. “Sorry, sweetie.”
She chose a cherry turnover instead and savored the Michigan cherries in every bite.
Rose stayed and talked to her parents for a while, and Roberto joined soon after. They talked about the old days, how much the place had changed, and Roberto’s plans for the future of the winery, but Skylar was only half listening. She was too distracted by Franky’s imminent arrival.
She leaned over to her mom and spoke quietly. “Is it rude if I leave early? Dad might talk for hours.”
Mom chuckled softly. “It’s fine, sweetie.” She leaned in and gave Skylar a hug.
Skylar laid her napkin beside her plate and stood, making her way around the table to hug her father. “Goodnight, Dad.”
“Goodnight, sweetheart.”
She said goodbye to the Zanettis and headed out, but on the way to her room, she spotted Franky across the lobby, standing by the reception desk. Butterflies bolted to and fro in her stomach, and she moved stealthily up behind him, covering his eyes with her hands.