Cactus cradle, p.1
Cactus Cradle, page 1
Foreword
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Twenty-Three
Twenty-Four
Twenty-Five
Twenty-Six
Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Eight
Twenty-Nine
Thirty
Letter from the Author
Locations Visited on the Texas Wine Trail
Acknowledgements
Cactus Christmas
Cactus Wedding
About the Author
Copyright © 2024 by Heather Renée May | heatherreneemay.com
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, contact the publisher.
For special bulk discounts, or to arrange for the author to attend your live event, please visit the author’s website, or address correspondence to: www.heatherreneemay.com
MayDay Publishing Ltd. Co.
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2024915996
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978-1-7377193-5-9 Paperback
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FIRST EDITION
This book is dedicated to my biggest critic and fan, Jimmy Farrell, Sr.
“One more, no more!” (RIP 1938-2024).
Foreword
This book contains fictional characters, and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. However, the places in this book were real at the time of writing. This book is not meant to be an exhaustive list of wineries or businesses in Fredericksburg and the Texas Hill Country. Rather, the author encourages readers to come visit this beautiful and unique Texas wine country and experience it firsthand. At the back of this book is a listing of all locations highlighted for reference.
Further, this book is not meant to be used as a guide for RV life. There are plenty of resources that are much more comprehensive than this that the author encourages you to explore
“When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall…”
One
A flash of light illuminated the skyline of the Hill Country, then a crescendo of thunder came barreling across the land like a train on an invisible track. The ground reverberated with the weight of the violence, seeming to absorb the magnitude in an unspoken pact. A steady staccato of rain drops came down and blanketed the terrain, quickly filling the deep dried cracks from the previous season’s drought.
Another flash of lightning contrasted the dark contours of the Slate Theory Winery, sitting quietly up on the hill. The thunder came soon after, impatient with a commanding melody to offset the unrelenting rhythmic rain. Water filled every possible opening and rushed between the vines to pool along Highway 290.
Within the sturdy cement walls of the winery, you could hardly hear the storm’s fury outside. Metal stairs led down to the secure barrel room. Rows and rows of oak barrels stacked high covered the expanse of the underground cellar. The cave was empty, the soft glow of LED lights exposed the rough contours of the archways. Behind a single row of barrels stacked double high, a shadow moved. There was a faint sound of a drill. Then silence.
* * *
Kate woke up groggy from the overnight storm. She stretched inside her Airstream trailer and looked out the window to see that the deluge of rain had power-washed the dusty pavement of the RV park, leaving behind haphazard fallen branches. Birds were emerging from their shelter tweeting in relief as they rushed between the live oak trees. Kate was always amazed at how loud the rain could be inside her trailer. The incessant pounding overnight made it tough to sleep. She had finally dozed off before sunrise when the lightning and rumble of thunder moved east.
Setting water to boil for her morning coffee, she looked at her phone and saw a text message from Zach: Hope you managed ok last night? Sure missed having you here. XO
Kate sighed deeply as the water began to percolate in the pot. As happy as she was being closer to Zach now that he had a home in the Hill Country, she still loved her time alone in her trailer in Spicewood. It was the only way she felt she could really tap into her creative vision for her writing. She had just finished edits on her fourth novel and had a good feeling about it.
Two years ago, Zach and Kate had their first fateful meeting on the Texas wine trail at Texas Heritage Vineyard. Zach was a doctor from the northeast scouting for a winery to invest in and they decided to pair up to do some tastings.
Kate took a sip of her coffee as she thought back to how difficult that time had been for her. She had just begun the process of legally separating from her now ex-husband, and was struggling with writer’s block. Her marriage had become toxic, and just the thought of that dark time sent a shiver down her spine. That week with Zach had been a beacon of hope.
Kate watched a bright red cardinal flit past her window and duck under the foliage of a live oak next to her trailer. She remembered back then, how Zach had to leave suddenly. At the time, she wasn’t sure she would ever see him again. But fate had a different plan.
Last year, they ran into each other at Pontotoc Vineyards in downtown Fredericksburg, and picked right back up like no time had passed. He was opening a tasting room on Main Street, and his daughter Chloe had moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas.
She topped off her coffee and lightened it with oat milk. Sitting down at her tiny dinette table, she looked out onto the peaceful park, amazed at how everything turned out. She loved living full-time in her trailer, and just a forty-five-minute drive to Zach and his tasting room. It all seemed almost too good to be true.
Putting her coffee mug down, Kate picked up her phone and finally replied: What a storm. It was so loud! All is fine here. Miss you too. xxo
Two
It was Thursday morning and traffic in downtown Fredericksburg was just picking up. Chloe pulled her Prius up in front of her dad’s tasting room, Winsome Winery. She felt so much pride every time she stepped up to those bold letters etched in the glass. It was early June, and her summer break at UT. She had insisted on helping her dad at the tasting room as the tourist traffic swelled in summer and seemed to only increase every year.
She stepped inside and instantly smelled the scent of Mexican pine and leather furniture that was familiar and comforting. “Dad, I’m here!” she said as she made her way around the long bar to put her purse and water bottle on the shelf below and began taking the barstools off the bar top and turning them right-side up to place evenly in front of the counter.
Zach came out from the storeroom with a white case of bottles. “Hello, sweetie!” He gave her a kiss on the cheek before putting down the box. “Here’s some extra bottles of the Viognier. That’s been a big seller so far, and I figure we should be prepared.”
Chloe nodded and hummed as she went about her business. She watched some tourists pass by the picture window peering in. Chloe waved to them and mouthed, “Open soon!” as she pointed to the business hours on the door.
Zach turned on the rest of the lights and started pulling the slender bottles out of the box, placing them in the custom cut cubby holes behind the bar. The shelving behind the bar took up the entire expanse of the wall, creating quite an impressive display of bottles. The butcher block counter underneath held rows upon rows of shiny glasses just waiting to be filled.
Chloe turned on the WiFi speaker and started the playlist she had created for the tasting room earlier that year. A combination of acoustic, soul-inspired singer-songwriters with just the right mellow, but high vibe.
“Oh! I meant to tell you, I talked with Lillie today and she gave me the number of that duo you were looking to book,” she told Zach.
“Excellent,” he said, as he stayed focused on his bottles. “I’d rather have her and Paul, but we have that bachelorette party reservation and I promised them live music.”
Chloe nodded and surveyed the room to see what else needed to be done before opening. She went to the back patio and grabbed a broom to sweep off the seats. Turning on the hanging lights, she remembered how beautiful it was when Lillie and Paul had their wedding there, and how she loved capturing the candid moments with her camera.
Lillie was Kate’s sister, and she had spent time as a touring musician in France before returning to the States unexpectedly pregnant. Chloe shivered at the thought of having a baby at her age, but Paul ended up coming
After their breathtaking musical performance at the wedding party, it was agreed that they would be the “house” band at the tasting room. People came from all over to hear Lillie on her violin, with her hauntingly beautiful voice, with Paul backing her up on exquisite guitar.
The instant Chloe met Lillie they bonded. They were just a few years apart in age, and it was like they were cut from the same cloth. She cherished their friendship and helped watch Emma when she could, although they had gone back to France to visit Paul’s parents for a few months.
Coming back into the main tasting room, she went behind the bar next to her father and began putting pouring spouts onto the bottles he was opening.
“How was your trip in?” he asked her.
“Perfect. Not too much traffic at all,” Chloe responded, gently nudging a spout in.
“You know, you’re always welcome to stay at the house when you’re working multiple days in a row,” Zach reminded Chloe.
She laughed. “You say that every time, but I like going back to my own place, and it’s not like the tasting room stays open that late. Besides, what if Kate comes to stay?”
Chloe had grown very close to Kate, but still felt a bit awkward sharing her father’s home with someone else. Kate had definitely won her over with her warm spirit and big heart. Chloe knew it was only a matter of time before they would be tying the knot as well.
“There’s plenty of room. And Kate prefers to stay in her trailer most of the time so she can focus on her writing,” Zach said as he broke down a box to take back to the storeroom.
Chloe knew that if he had his way, she’d be living with him full-time in Fredericksburg. It’s not that Chloe didn’t want to spend time with him, but she loved her independence.
“Ready to open?” Chloe sang as she headed to the door.
“Yup. Let’s do it!” Zach said, taking the last empty box from the bar into the storeroom. He heard the bell on the door ding as Chloe unlocked it and put a wooden easel outside on the sidewalk announcing Live Music @1pm.
Three
“Kate!” Lillie answered after just a few rings.
“Sis! How are you? How’s France?” Kate was delighted to hear her voice.
“It’s been a fabulous trip so far. I forgot how absolutely beautiful it is here in the summer, with the vines, the flowers, and the food… But, of course, it’s nothing compared to the Hill Country!”
Kate laughed. “Oh, you don’t have to even try to compare. I’d love to be in France right now instead of this humidity and heat! How are you and Paul getting along with his parents?”
“Just superbe,” Lillie said, playing up a French accent. “They are excellent with Emma, giving us a chance to relax and enjoy each other again. In fact, we’ve taken to napping during the day before dinner and I’m starting to feel human again!”
Kate loved hearing her joy over the line. She had been a bit concerned how Paul’s parents would take the news of him having a child with an American. His family was deeply entrenched in the wine business in Burgundy, and as proud to be French as any Texan flying the Lone Star flag.
“Ah, that’s fabulous,” Kate said, and meant it. “I miss having you here, but this is exactly what you need. Both of you.”
“Thanks, Sis,” Lillie said. “So, how are things with your book? With Zach? The winery? Chloe?”
“Ah! One question at a time!” Kate laughed, and then quickly filled her in on the news.
“I’m glad you’ve made progress with your book,” Lillie said. “Tell me, how do you feel about it?”
“The book? I feel like this one is a bit different somehow.” Kate paused, trying to put it into words. “I think this one is going to be a game changer.”
“Ah!” Lillie squealed. “I think you’re right. You know they say it takes a few books to really find your voice as an author.”
“Yes, much like wine, I think that my writing is beginning to age at just the right time,” Kate said.
They finished catching up on Paul and all the other news across the pond, and then agreed to talk in another week.
Kate stood up from her dinette to stretch her legs. She watched a neighbor walking her white dog with a short stubby tail outside and gave a wave of hello as they passed.
Her phone buzzed and she looked down to see a message from Zach: Breakfast tomorrow? Usual time & place?
Her stomach growled just thinking about it. She responded, You bet. See you tomorrow xo
Then, she saw a heart appear on her response and smiled.
She poured herself a tall glass of water and sat back down, opened her laptop, and got back to work on her novel.
Four
It was early in the morning when Kate pulled up to grab a coveted parking spot at The Sunset Grill in Fredericksburg, her favorite breakfast joint. She was meeting Zach before he had to open the tasting room. She could almost taste the “Sunsetter Benedict” she was going to order.
She saw Zach from the front door and he stood up, smiling as she came closer. He gave her a big hug and she relaxed into his arms for a moment before giving him a sweet kiss and sitting down opposite him.
“I missed those lips,” he said to her as he put his napkin back into his lap.
“I was just thinking the same thing.” Kate smiled as the waitress came up and poured her coffee.
After giving their order, Zach focused back on Kate. “Dennis said he wanted to join us if that’s okay?”
“Oh, sure!” Kate said. She hadn’t seen Zach’s partner in a while due to being busy with the book. Dennis was also more of a vineyard guy, preferring the vines or the production facility to the tasting room.
Before she could ask how he was doing, she saw a large figure come through the doorway.
“Pardon me for being late,” Dennis said politely with his signature Texas twang. He gave Kate a quick hug, and then shook Zach’s hand, taking off his cowboy hat and placing it in the other empty seat.
“It’s good to see you,” Kate said.
“Good to be seen,” he chuckled, and then quickly added his order as the waitress poured him a black coffee.
“So, what’s going on, Dennis? How are things looking at the vineyard?” Zach asked before taking a sip from of his mug.
“Well, sorry to bring up bad news, but there’s been some rumblings around town,” Dennis said grimly.
Kate side-eyed Zach and listened as he continued.
He cleared his throat. “Some of the growers are seeing strange things happening with their vines this season.”
Zach sat up straighter. “Really? Like what?”
“Well, seems some hail netting has been cut, and there’s more rodent infestations than usual.”
“Huh, that’s strange. Do you think it’s just a random coincidence?” Zach asked.
“Hard to say. Maybe separately. But all together, it doesn’t add up.” His face was set in a grim line.
“But what about your vines?” Kate interjected.
Dennis patted her hand. “Oh, don’t worry, ours are fine right now. I’ve been vigilant.” He turned to Zach. “I just thought you should know.” He cleared his throat again and lowered his voice leaning towards them both. “There’s talk as well that might point to something else going on.”
Kate’s eyebrows raised as she looked at Zach and then back to Dennis.
“Seems this all started when the you-know-who moved to town.” He shrugged, then leaned back. “Just saying. It’s not painting a pretty picture.”
Kate sat amazed. She knew who he was talking about. The Californians who had come to the Hill Country, buying up the available properties and building wineries up and down Highway 290. She remembered their former business partner, Peter, who was from California and was supposed to be the money man behind the Winsome Winery tasting room, but was forced out after he insisted on shipping California juice to Texas to bottle under the guise of Texas wine.
