Love's Harvest, page 19
part #1 of A Salmon Run Novel Series
“That son of a bitch!” he seethed. Gayle gazed at James in horror as she elbowed him in his side.
“Shh! Are you nuts?” she hissed at him.
James quickly turned around and kept his eyes focused on Pastor Knudson at front of the church. All through the following sermon he could think of nothing more than how much he detested the fact Diego was seated next to Julia, obviously trying to take his late brother’s place—as if he could.
James was already furious his brother had died before he had a chance to make amends for all the years of jealousy and competition they’d experienced, particularly from his side of things. He was angry at Lady Luck for losing everything he’d saved for, and he was pissed off Gayle and the children saw him for the loser he’d become.
Yet he refused to blame himself for any of it. In fact, in his eyes if it weren’t for Diego Gonzales-Martinez and the effect he had on Julia, James would’ve already had the winery and vineyard in his hands, and his money issues would’ve been yesterday’s news.
~
The sermon ended and the final hymn was sung before Julia and Diego could escape the church and head toward his truck. They both kept silent until they seated themselves inside the truck. Finally, Julia broke the tension.
“I’m sorry, Diego. I had no idea James would make his once-a-year appearance on the very Sunday you and I decided to attend.”
Diego turned his body sideways to face her while she continued to stare straight ahead. “As I said to you inside, we’ve nothing to be ashamed of. Nor does that man hold any power over you or any of us who work at the winery. The only control he has is what we give him, and I for one refuse to give him the time of day.”
She broke her stare to note her folded hands. “I know. You’re right. But, James is still Robert’s brother, and even though he’s acting like an idiot now, I remember him differently. Albeit, it was some years ago, but still he was once a truly nice guy. I wish to God I knew what it was that changed him, but changed he is. And if anything, I feel sorry for him.”
Diego grunted. “Perhaps this is where we most differ, Julia. Because I do not.”
Startled, the two of them jumped to the sound of someone knocking hard on Diego’s window. It was James. And he didn’t look too happy.
“Get out of your truck, Diego, and talk to me man to man!” he snarled.
Diego let go of Julia’s hand and started to open the driver-side door when she grabbed him by the arm. “Don’t listen to him, Diego. Let’s simply back the truck up and leave well enough alone.”
Diego patted her hand and then pulled his arm away from her grasp. “It’s all right, Julia. I know how to talk him down.”
He pressed a single kiss on her cheek and opened the door to get out. As soon as his legs hit the pavement, James swung and hit Diego square in the jaw.
She screamed as she saw Diego fall back onto the side of his truck and slide to the ground. She scooted over to his door and was about to jump out to see if he was all right, when she heard Diego tell her to get back into the cab and lock the doors.
She then heard Gayle scream out James’s name as she and half the congregation came running over to where he stood.
“Are you out of your mind, James? Diego’s done nothing to you and you know it.”
“Shut up, Gayle. This is between him and me.”
Gayle could see the man meant business, so she quickly turned away and pulled out her cell to call the sheriff’s department for help. She wasn’t sure if Barb was still on duty, but it didn’t matter. Someone with some authority need to intervene, and fast.
Julia had obeyed Diego but rolled the driver-side window down to so as to hear what all was exchanged. She watched as Diego struggled to get back up on his feet, a trickle of blood spilling out of the corner of his mouth.
“Listen to me, you field rat. Stay away from my brother’s wife. I know your kind. You’re nothing more than an opportunist looking to prey upon a vulnerable woman in hopes of obtaining a green card. It’ll be a cold day in Hell before I see the two of you marry. Mark my words, Tonk! If you value your life and Julia’s as well, you’ll leave this valley and never return.”
Julia could stand it no longer. Never in her life had she heard anyone speak that way to another human, let alone James.
“Stop it right there, James. In the first place, Diego’s a legal citizen of the United States, and secondly, I’m no longer Robert’s wife. He’s dead, James. Gone! The sooner you realize that, the better off both of us will be.”
She was aware of the shake in her voice, but she was no longer afraid. “Plus, you‘ve no right to tell me who I spend my time with and with whom I don’t. Diego is the Director of Production at the winery, and I have as much right as any employer to spend time with my employees whenever and however I wish. And finally, the winery’s mine, and no matter what you do, you can’t take it away from me! Stop your ridiculous threats and get yourself some help. You’re obviously a very sick man!”
With that last statement, James lost whatever control he had over his temper and charged toward Julia with every intention of knocking her down.
“You fucking bitch! What’s the matter? A white man too good for you, is that it?”
“Julia, look out!” Gayle screamed.
Julia knew she should get out of the way of James’s wrath, but her body was frozen to the cab of the truck. Without thinking twice, Diego propelled himself in front of the woman he loved.
Before James knew what’d happened, Diego struck him with a right punch to the jaw and then an upward jab with his left. James fell back as Diego stood over him.
“From now on, you stay away from Julia and the winery if you know what’s good for you,” Diego seethed. “Julia’s a much better person than you or I can ever hope to be. I refuse to hear you or anyone else for that matter talk to her or about her in that manner. Perhaps she’s right. You need help, but you aren’t going to get it from me. Entiende?”
Diego pulled his fist back, readying himself to knock James in the face one last time. Julia screamed as she escaped the truck and ran to bury her face in Gayle’s arms. Luckily, Deputy Sabatini arrived in time to pull Diego off his prey. Julia was so angry and embarrassed by what had just happened she could hardly speak. It was one thing for these two men to have a confrontation at the winery and quite another to have it in the church parking lot for everyone to witness.
Deputy Sabatini surmised the situation rather quickly and ordered everyone to go home, stating he had everything under control. He then advised Diego to leave as swiftly as he could and for James to get over himself or next time he’d be spending more than merely a night in the slammer. Both men had by this time cooled down enough to see the reasoning behind the deputy’s suggestions.
“Are you ready, Julia?” Diego asked as he brushed off his pants and sports jacket. “Time for us to go.”
Julia pulled away from the security of Gayle’s shoulder. As soon as she did, Diego saw her withdrawn and tear-stained face and in that moment he knew. His woman was now ashamed to be in his presence, let alone in his truck.
“I think I’ll ride home with Gayle for now,” Julia said softly and without emotion. “She needs me, and I believe I need her as well.”
The two of them stared at each other, and in that moment they both knew things had changed between the two of them, perhaps even permanently.
“If that’s what you wish, Señora.”
“It is.”
Diego turned around and climbed into the cab of his truck. He didn’t know if he wanted to cry or pound his forehead on the steering wheel. His pride wouldn’t allow him to do either one, at least not in front of all these people, especially not in front of James.
~
Julia and Gayle turned to walk toward Gayle’s car, followed by Jimmy and Bobbie who’d seen the entire episode. In the meantime, James had gotten to his feet and headed toward Gayle. When he took her by the elbow, she violently shirked him off. “Get lost, James. Your behavior makes me want to puke. Either get some help or get out of town.”
“Yeah, Dad,” said Jimmy. “You were mean to that man.”
“He didn’t even do anything to you,” piped in his sister Bobbie. “And you hit him in the face. That makes you a bad man.”
James felt the blow of his daughter’s remark hit him solidly in the gut. He wanted to hide or tell them all how sorry he was, but what was done was done. He couldn’t—maybe even wouldn’t—take it back. “Come on, Gayle. Have a heart, would you?”
Without looking back, Gayle took Jimmy’s hand while Julia took Bobbie’s and the four of them made their way toward Gayle’s car. Tears of embarrassment, regret, and sadness flowed down Gayle’s cheeks as she said resolutely so her voice wouldn’t betray her, “Goodbye, James. Have a nice life!”
James stood alone in the parking lot and watched as his wife and children drove away. An hour ago he’d have blamed Diego, a week ago Duncan, and a month ago his brother Robert. Yet in that very moment he knew he had no one else to blame but himself. He’d hit rock bottom and he knew it.
James finally acknowledged he was at a crossroads. Either he could choose to continue down the road he was already on, or he could choose to get the help he finally understood he needed. Neither choice actually appealed to him, but something deep within spoke to him.
Closing his eyes and ears so he might fully comprehend what the still small voice within him suggested, James began to cry, quietly at first and then escalating to a full-scale wail. Suddenly, he dropped to his knees and looked up to survey the sky.
“I’m sorry, Robert,” he cried. “I’m sorry I never told you how much you mean to me. I’m sorry that the only way I knew how to react to you was by being jealous and competitive. I’m so sorry that I treated Julia and the people at the winery with such malice. Forgive me. Forgive me for everything I did and didn’t do while you were alive, and for everything I’ve done since you left. Forgive me and please, dear God, help me to forgive myself.”
James lowered his head and let his emotions take over. Soon, he felt a strong hand touch him on his shoulder. Pastor Knudson leaned in.
“You just made an important first step in getting your life back again, James. Why don’t you come with me to my office? We’ll discuss what further action you may want to take to get the help you need and deserve. Okay, pal?”
James gazed into the kind eyes of the pastor. Funny. He’d known Roland Knudson since they were both in the seventh grade at Cascade Middle School. Yet this was the first time the two of them had spoken to each other in years. James wasn’t exactly an active member of the church, even though Gayle and the kids had been attending regularly for years. James took in a deep breath and nodded his head. He then took the pastor’s offered hand to help him to his feet.
“I appreciate this, Roland.”
“I know, James. It’s my pleasure to be of help to one of the members of my flock.”
“Heathen that I am!” remarked James jokingly.
Pastor Knudson smiled in return. “Ah, James, we’re all sinners in our own way. Now come on, let’s talk. And while we’re at it, let’s see what we can do about that bruise on your jaw.”
The two men talked like old friends as they walked into the church. With each step, James became more and more aware his life was changing before him. His deepest hope was that this time it’d be for the better.
~
No doubt about it, Diego was angry. Not so much at James, but more at himself. He’d lost his cool not only in front of Julia, but in full view of the entire congregation at Julia’s church.
“How could you be so stupid, Diego?” he said out loud to no one but himself as he banged his fists on the top of the steering wheel. “Estupido! Stupid! Stupid idiot!”
The more he thought about his actions, the more he convinced himself he was not only unworthy of Julia, but of his new position at the winery as well. Hell! He wasn’t even sure she’d speak to him again, let alone keep him in her employ.
He knew he’d moved in on Julia way too fast, but he couldn’t help himself. Perhaps James was right. Maybe he was holding her back from making amends with her family. One thing was certain. He’d made Julia’s life more complicated and difficult. That’d never been his intention.
By the time Diego turned onto the gravel road leading to the winery, he’d convinced himself the best thing for him and Julia was to leave before he caused any more trouble. He snickered as he thought about his history of poor timing both presently and in the past.
If he only would’ve waited a few months more before pursuing Julia, then maybe he wouldn’t be in the situation he was now in. If he’d persuaded Paulina to leave Mexico and come with him all those years ago, she more than likely wouldn’t have run to his best friend Jorge and married him instead.
“Ah, Diego, you truly are a piece of work!”
He stopped the truck directly in front of the apartment he shared with Mariela and her family. It wouldn’t take him long to pack. After all, the only possessions he had to his name were his clothes, a few toiletries, his guitar, and his parent’s crucifix. He was tempted to leave even that behind, but thought better of it, believing if he didn’t take it with him, once again he’d prove himself to be a disappointment.
Mariela was the only person at home, thank God. He didn’t know what he’d do if he had to say good bye to the children. His disappearance was best left for Mariela to explain.
“What’s going on with you?” asked Mariela curiously.
He continued to throw his belongings into several empty garbage bags for easy transport. “I have to go. I’ve caused enough problems for the Señora to last us both a lifetime.”
She looked at him bewilderedly. “What do you mean ‘you have to go’? This is your home. Your work. Your future. Why are you running away?”
He stopped and stared at his sister. “I’m not running away. I’m trying to make things better for Julia and the only way I can do that is to go.”
He grabbed the stuffed bags and took off for his truck.
“Wait, Diego! You can’t go now? How will we survive at the winery if you leave us behind? Please tell me what’s going—”
“Enough, Mariela. Ya basta! I have to go and that’s all there is to it!” He threw his things haphazardly into the bed of the truck.
He turned to face Mariela before getting behind the wheel. “I’ll call you in a few days. In the meantime, I’ll stay where I have the Crestliner housed. Don’t worry, Mariela. I simply need to get away for the time being. Tell the children I’ll call them soon.”
Mariela looked as though she were struck speechless. It was obvious she could think of no other words to convince Diego to stay. Instead, she called to him one last time. “I will light a candle tonight for you and for the Señora as well. My prayer is you’ll both make the right decision and that you’ll be safe.”
“Gracias Mariela,” Diego mouthed as he rolled up his window and drove away from the only place over the last few years which he had called home. His heart ached, but in his spirit he knew he was doing the right thing. Julia’s happiness and security would only return once he was out of the picture. This he was certain of.
~
Julia sat at the breakfast bar in Gayle’s kitchen and watched as her sister-in-law prepared Sunday dinner.
“Are you sure I can’t help?” asked Julia, knowing already what Gayle’s reply would be.
“No thank you, Julia. You just sip your Siegerrebe and relax. Cooking has always been my best stress reducer. I love busying myself in the kitchen. Not for clean up, mind you, but for creating my scrumptious mealtime masterpieces.”
She laughed at her own wit. “Honestly, putting together healthy meals is one of the few things I do best. Besides, tonight we’ll snack at your place if you still want us to come over.”
“Of course, Gayle. I don’t think I can manage right now without you and the children,” Julia said, as she took another sip of her wine.
She was glad Gayle and the children had offered to spend the night with her. After last night’s activities, Julia knew she’d yearn for Diego with each passing day. What she couldn’t as easily deal with were the ambivalent feelings she had for him right now. She was fully aware she still loved him, but that didn’t mean she appreciated his violent display that morning.
She didn’t need to have the only two men in her life fighting like wild animals. All she needed was a few hours away from Diego to figure out how she was going to deal with him and James and her future in this little town she’d grown to love. What she required right now was a simple girl’s night in. Good conversation, good food, and hopefully a good pedicure.
~
Gayle stood at the stove working on a gigantic omelet with everything in it from pasta to portabellas. Before church she’d thought ahead and already prepared the vegetable salad. All she had to do was throw the baguette in the microwave to soften it up and voila! Dinner was done!
Before calling the children to the table, Gayle wanted to talk to Julia about why she hadn’t gone back to the winery with Diego. Speedily, she turned the heat down under the egg pan and leaned over the counter where Julia was seated.
“So what’s with you not going back home with Diego right now?” Gayle reached over and took a sip from Julia’s wine glass. “Damn, that’s good!”
“I don’t know. I guess I was so surprised and embarrassed when he tried to punch James out I overreacted.” Julia took back her wine glass and finished its contents in one hefty swallow.
“Diego was only trying to defend you, you know. James said some pretty awful things. And in my opinion, Diego had every right to lay him out flat!” Julia noted both the anger and sadness in Gayle’s voice.
“I guess you’re right. It’s just that I feel like I’m already pushing it by dating Diego, especially with him being my employee and all. Plus, Robert’s only been gone for a short time, and I know how people talk. The last thing I wanted was to draw attention to myself, but James and Diego sort of took care of that this morning, didn’t they?”
