Chapter Text
Chapter One
The little bell on the shop’s front door jingled with each opening and closing. This afternoon it seemed to be non-stop.
I don’t know why I thought I would be able to get any reading done today, she thought to herself as she sighed and blew a lock of her blond hair out of her eyes as the door opened.
In walked a very distinguished looking couple. The man, older, with silver hair and world-weary crinkles around his eyes. He smiled at her when he caught her gaze from behind the bar. The woman, aloof and wearing expertly tailored clothing had a frown on her face. Any observer would know that there was nothing casual or typical about these tourists. The woman scanned the room with a discriminating gaze, a single eyebrow arched as her eyes settled on the young woman behind the bar in the small wine shop.
“Welcome to Vina Vinifera!” Felicity said and smiled. “How can I help you?”
The older gentleman walked up to the bar and said, “A family friend said that this was the best place to find rare and unique bottles of wine. My wife and I were in the area and thought we might be able to pick him up something for his birthday.” The older woman gave Felicity a weak, humoring smile and simply nodded her head.
Felicity proceeded to ask inquiring questions about this friend. His likes and dislikes. Was there a particular varietal or year that he preferred? Were there certain flavor profiles that he enjoyed more over others? Would he be willing to try some of the newer wines being created by some of the smaller wineries both in the area and out of the area? The older gentleman held up both hands and said, “Whoa, Miss. You’re very thorough aren’t you?”
Felicity apologized, “I’m so sorry. It’s just that I love the opportunity to give some of our smaller, lesser well known winemakers a chance to be discovered by new people. If your friend recommended you here, then he must have appreciated a recommendation I made. I just don’t want to disappoint him or you.”
The older woman frowned and said haughtily, “You must think a lot of yourself to assume that it was your recommendation that brought us here.” The older gentleman snapped, “Moira, that was uncalled for.” Moira turned on her heel and stepped outside of the shop without issuing an apology or a glance back.
“Please accept my apologies on behalf of my wife. Our friend, Walter, mentioned that he had bought a wonderfully, well balanced Meritage and I thought I would pick him up another bottle or something similar that he would like. I’m sorry I don’t recall the name, only that he had purchased it here.”
“Well if it is a Meritage that you are interested in for him, I have a few that I could recommend to you…” Felicity started as she walked around from behind the bar and over to the far right wall. “But if your friend doesn’t mind being a little adventuresome, then I recommend this bottle.” Felicity smiled as she reached up and pulled out a dark bottle from shelf. She turned it around and smiled as she said, “The winemaker graduated from U.C. Davis a few years ago after spending several years in the military.” The gentleman looked down at the bottle and said, “Spartan? That’s an interesting name for a wine.”
Felicity smiled, “Like the ancient warriors known for their bravery, it’s a blend of some of the strongest, full-bodied varietals grown in our region. John has managed to tame their flavor profiles into an impeccable glass of robustness that partners well with a meal fit for a king.”
The older gentleman smiled and said, “What about a Queen?”
Felicity blushed and said, “I’m sorry, of course. Equal rights, right?” with a small nervous laugh.
“No dear, I’m a Queen. Robert Queen to be precise.”
Felicity’s mouth gaped open. I’m talking to Robert Queen, Queen Consolidated Robert Queen. OMG, close your mouth Felicity.
“It’s okay dear, Robert Queen, Queen Consolidated Robert Queen is quite a mouthful. Please just call me Robert”
“I said that all out loud didn’t I?” Felicity asked. Robert smiled at her and said, “how about I take a case of this wine you recommend and when we enjoy it at Walter’s birthday next week, I’ll send you a note on how it all went?”
Felicity beamed back at him her brightest smile, “that would be amazing! Thank you!”
Felicity put the case of wine together and processed Robert’s credit card to complete the purchase. When she reached up to grab the boxes, Robert stopped her and proceeded to carry them out to his waiting town car as she followed him outside the shop. His driver placed them carefully in the trunk of the car and then stepped around to open the door for Robert to get in the car.
Felicity waived at Robert and smiled. His wife sat in the back of the car unsmiling or acknowledging Felicity’s goodbye. The car drove off and Felicity went back into the shop. She couldn’t wait to call John and let him know that someone had bought an entire case of his first vintage and that someone was none other than Robert Queen!