Page 23 of All This Time

Titling my head, I make sure my tone is soft when I say, “You know we should think about buying a new one, Dad. Those things aren’t meant to last forever.”

His thick, gray eyebrows pull together. “I know, Laney. But as long as I can fix it, I’m gonna. There’s no sense in buying something new for no reason.”

My father’s excuse sounds reasonable, but we both know the real reason why he doesn’t want to replace this popcorn machine—it’s the one my mother picked out when we started Hart Winery seasonal events.

It’s the first weekend in June, which means it’s the start of our summer event series, and as the seasons change, so do the experiences we offer. Normally, we host events during the week or Sunday afternoons, but since we didn’t have a wedding on the calendar this Saturday night, my father decided to host an outdoor family movie night to fill the winery with people and take advantage of the warmer weather.

As the winery has expanded over the years, so has the property. We now have two main buildings—one has the tasting room and barrel room we use for private parties, while the other houses our farm-to-table restaurant and event spaces for wedding receptions, business conferences, and so much more.

Between those two buildings is our open and spacious courtyard, perfect for hosting events like tonight’s. Trees, shrubs, and flowers are planted around the space, a playground is off to the left for kids to enjoy while parents relax with a glass of wine, and to the right are several cornhole sets, bocce ball courts, horseshoe pits, and fire pits for the cooler nights.

“Auntie Laney!” Ellis shrieks as she runs across the grass, her little feet carrying her as fast as they can, and leaps into my arms.

“Hey, Ellis.” I tug on her shirt. “I like your pajamas.”

She looks down at her shorts and matching shirt. “Princess Elsa is my favorite.” Rhonan always brings Ellis to movie nights in her pajamas to make life easier when she inevitably passes out early.

“Oh really? I thought Moana was.”

Rhonan whispers in my ear as he comes up behind me. “That was last week. You’ve gotta keep up, Auntie.” He circles back to my niece. “And Elsa is a queen, honey. We talked about this.”

“Ah, I see,” I say, setting Ellis gently back on the ground. “Are you still excited to watch the movie, though? Papa chose Moana because you asked for it.” My dad loves letting Ellis help pick the film for family movie nights. It’s his way of including her in the legacy of our family business, and I know if Mom were still alive, she’d do the same.

“Yes, I still love Moana. But she’s my second favorite now.”

“Got it. Well, movie night means you get to stay up past your bedtime. Are you excited?”

Nodding, her brown hair sways as she dances in place. “Yes! I can’t wait to eat popcorn and snuggle with Uncle Fletcher.”

As if she summoned him, Fletcher appears out of nowhere, looking freshly showered in black shorts and a plain gray T-shirt. His signature backwards hat is missing, allowing him to push a hand through his thick curly brown hair, which looks in dire need of a cut.

Ellis can sing his praises all she wants, but I know the emotional turmoil this man is capable of inflicting.

“Wh—what are you doing here? I thought we were meeting at Elliot’s later?” I ask while trying to keep my composure. My plan was to finish helping my dad set up, drive to Elliot’s for our wedding talk, then head home and bury my feelings in a pint of ice cream later.

Ellis tugs on his hand, pulling his attention to her before he can answer. “Uncle Fletcher, where are your pajamas?”

“I don’t wear pajamas to bed, sweetie.”

Her nose scrunches up. “That’s weird. Then what do you wear?”

His eyes lift to mine, as if he sensed me anticipating his answer as well.

When Fletcher slept in my bed all those years ago, he was always fully clothed, minus maybe a T-shirt depending on his injury.

But adult Fletcher?

Does he sleep in just shorts? Briefs? Nothing at all?

You shouldn’t even want to know the answer to that question, Laney.

Smiling back down at my niece, he dodges her question, and I don’t know who’s more grateful for that, me or my brother. “Why don’t you and your dad find us a spot to put our blanket? Then once I’m done talking to Auntie Laney, I’ll be over to share your popcorn and the candy I brought.”

Her eyes light up and then she’s pulling Rhonan toward the grass. “Let’s go, Daddy! We need to pick a spot.”

Rhonan sighs as he follows his daughter, but not before saying over his shoulder, “Thanks for not telling my daughter that you sleep naked.”

“Wouldn’t want another stripper incident.” Fletcher retorts.