Chapter 3

That job saved him, in more ways than he thinks even Devin knows. For starters, he was good at it, very good, a natural he was told after only a month on the job. He was so good that when Dick, the manager, retired a year after Tim started, he recommended Tim as his replacement over any of the more seasoned techs. Mr. Mayer had been hesitant, but Pat wasn’t ready for that kind of responsibility yet and the men respected Tim, so he eventually caved.

On Dick’s last day, Tim made a promise to love the vineyard as much as he did.

He’s still proud he’s never gone back on his word.

* * * *

“Why didn’t you call me?”

Devin stared at Tim, blue eyes solemn and soulful. “How could I after how many times you had to bail your dad out, or give him an alibi, or any of the other crap he put you through?”