New Beginnings

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Jack booted the ball high toward the touch line to roll end over end into touch a few metres from the try line. Blake joined the other parents watching the game in clapping, taking immense pride in Jack’s skill as a fullback.

“No doubt about it,” Hunter Lewis, remarked, “Jack has such raw talent, doesn’t he?”

“Sure does, although I have to say the team as a whole are super talented, did they win the competition last year?”

“Yes, they’re the current champions,” Xavier added, “They’re a dream to coach, I enjoy working with them.”

“Any news on who attacked you?” asked Hunter.

“Not a peep, so I’m taking that as nothing to report.”

Xavier was shaking his head, “Can’t believe they couldn’t make a connection between the explosive and who might have access to stuff like that.”

“Me neither,” Blake agreed.

They returned their attention to the game where a scrum had been set right on their opponent’s try line, the two forward packs melded together, and with a lot of grunting and sweat, the Waiheke boys pushed their opponents back, screwed the pack around for Leo, the team’s halfback, to flick ball out to Mason Lewis who delivered the perfect pass into Lucas’s hands and who dived across the line to score his second try of the match and to be mobbed by his teammates.

“Nice work from your boys,” a man sitting behind them applauded, he extended his hand and introduced himself as a father of one of the boys in the team.  They shook his hand just as the referee blew the whistle for full time. Jack led his team in congratulating their opponents before trudging off the field.

“I’m going to head over the change rooms. Barbecue is at your place, Hunter?”

“It is indeed, whenever you’re done here.”

Xavier mumbled to no one as he wandered off in the direction of the playing field.

“I think he’s kind of nervous about the baby,” Hunter suggested while Blake walked beside him to the car park.

“Yeah, although they’re going to have plenty of help from Diana, Alex, Olivia and even my sister, Gabriella is in on it.”

“Now that my parents are back from Hawkes Bay, my mother has also been busy with the knitting needles.”

Blake checked himself, because when, in his lifetime, would he have imagined talking about babies and knitting. He delved into his pocket for his keys and released the central locking. His boat was still moored in Cactus Bay, but two days ago, he had gone across to Auckland on the ferry and brought his car back later the same day on the vehicular crossing. As Xavier was bringing all four boys with him, it was a good opportunity to help Hunter set up the barbecue and they were soon turning into the entrance of Cactus Bay Wines.

“You can park over there,” Hunter indicated, “Don’t worry about the sign, it’s to deter visitors parking too close to the house.”

The house was a single level sprawling design with a wooden deck that ran the length of the front which faced the Hauraki Gulf.

“Nice house,” Blake said.

“It’s really two houses in one. In another lifetime I was married, and my parents enlarged this house so that we each had a separate end. But she didn’t want to live in the same house as my parents, so Dad and I built a bungalow further down at the southern boundary,” he shrugged, “She still wasn’t happy and buggered off anyway.”

Alex had told Blake about Hunter’s short-lived marriage, the tragic end and how Hunter was raising two kids on his own.

“Can I interest you in a beer?” Hunter asked while he peered into the refrigerator.

“Sure.”

“Do you have a preference?”

“No, whatever you grab is fine.”

“Izzy’s prepared all of the barbecue stuff,” Hunter noted, “I’m humbled by the support Olivia, Alex, Marron and all have done to infuse some feminine energy into Izzy because, poor kid, she’s the odd one out here and there’ s Leo,” Hunter handed him a bottle, “He’s so good to Izzy, so protective, it’s as though -,” he stopped, his gaze settling on a small boat skipping across the choppy water in the bay below.

“It’s okay,” Blake said, “Alex told me. You’re doing a great job and from what Alex said, Izzy is being fussed over by all of them and she and my niece, Allegra, appear to be forming a friendship.

“Come on outside and I’ll give you a tour of the cellars while we wait for Xav and the boys.”

Blake followed him away from the house and into the cool interior of the cellar.

“My grandfather purchased this property just on a hundred years ago,” he explained, “They never expected to live here, he ran a few goats and cattle, but the logistics weren’t easy, so he decided to build a house e site as the original homestead?”

“No. My father and his brother were already thinking about growing grapes as my uncle had a vineyard and winery in the Hawkes Bay. It was one of the first to put the region on the map in terms of wine production.”

“You have a proud legacy to hand on to your kids.”

“I don’t think either Mason or Izzy see themselves as vintners, but Leo? Leo is very much interested in how it all comes together so I guess there’s hope.”

Hunter explained the pressing techniques as well as the fermentation process, showing him the barrels and barriques and explaining the difference.

“This year was my first solo harvest and I’m confident it’ll be a good one.”

When they heard voices, they both turned,

“Thought you might be here,” Xavier said, “Has he convinced you to go in with us with the Deans Point vineyard?”

When they had first discussed the venture, Blake wasn’t sure it was for him, what did he know about grapes, but they sent him away to think about it and he had.

“Actually, we haven’t discussed it. Yet.” Hunter replied, a shrewd smile on his face.

Blake lifted his bottle to them, “I’m in. Seeing the setup here and Xavier’s at St Lucia, you guys certainly know what you’re doing. I did warn you that I don’t know anything about grapes so if you’re okay with a greenhorn, show me where to sign.”

Hunter and Xavier beamed enthusiastic smiles at him and they raised their beer bottles and clinked them together.

“Hey, Dad!” That had all three of them turning and laughing, the boys simply stared at them in bewilderment.

“We’re extremely hungry,” Leo added.

“Alright men, best get our aprons on and get busy.”

Blake followed them back to the house with Jack falling in step beside him,

“You played a great game, Jack. I’m so proud of you.” He spoke.

“Thanks, I was stoked when you said you were coming to watch, and I hope you can do it again.”

“Just try and stop me,” he replied, slinging an arm across Jack’s shoulders, and entering Hunter’s house.

Blake noticed the boys sprawled around the family room and smiled, there were arms and legs everywhere as they jostled with Xbox and PlayStation controls, laughing, and making jokes. He sought out Jack and found his son’s gaze well and truly fixed on him, making him smile and which Jack reciprocated with a thumbs up signal. Blake moved out to Hunter’s barbecue area which gave him some ideas for Alex’s place, if she agreed to his plan. At one point he thought having a couple of barbecues on Motutawa was a good idea, but Alex reminded him someone would need to clean them on a regular basis and, as the island was not having any bins to leave rubbish, it would be unworkable. Many of the other islands that were now covered by conservation regulations had no provision to leave rubbish which reduced the potential for vermin. At this stage, it was unclear whether Motutawa had a problem with rats, and it was one of the tasks the conservation rangers had been working on over the last two or three weeks.

“How are things progressing on Motutawa,” Xavier asked, handing him another beer.

“It’s going okay. The warning signs are up and there are a couple of rangers on there most of the time.”

“Will you need any help?” Hunter inquired, “I’d like to have a look over there and help out if I can.”

“Thanks for that, Hunter. You’re very welcome to join our next working bee which is in two weeks. I think the boys have a break from rugby that weekend?” He directed the question at Xavier who nodded,

“Yeah, they have a bye and the following week they’re up against Takapuna Grammar.”

“Tough game?” Hunter asked.

“Relatively, we were one a piece last year and they were defeated in the semi by Westlake.”

They talked on about rugby, then sport, then finally to their venture.

“Are you able to come out to Deans Point later next week?” Xavier wanted to know, “We’re meeting an architect with a view to getting some plans for upgrading the whole place.”

“Don’t you want some money from me, first?” Blake asked.

“Well, at some point, yeah, but no rush.”

Blake did a double take, who asked you to come on board in a business venture but didn’t want to see the colour of your money? Damn if he didn’t like these guys the more time, he spent with them! Outside of Alex’s brother Jack, he hadn’t had large circle of friends but because his childhood had been a solitary existence, it hadn’t bothered him.

“You look a bit shocked, Blake.” Hunter said.

“Well, I was thinking that maybe we needed to sit down and find out what you want from me. I can guarantee I know nothing about making wine, growing olives or even the goat business.”

A burst of laughter coming from the direction of Hunter’s very upmarket outdoor kitchen, sent Alex to check whether the men were simply goofing off or were doing something about dinner. The family room was littered with teenage boys and she had to pick her way through the legs and bodies.

“Hey, Mum,” Jack called, “Did you have a nice time at the day spa?”

“I did, thanks, sweetie. Um, Jack?” His concentration was solely on the large screen TV,

“Yeah,” he answered absently.

“What’s happening outside?”

“Huh? Mum! I’m at a critical point in the game!”

Moaning, Alex stepped over a pair of legs, they might have belonged to Mason and followed the delicious smell of barbecue around to where the three men stood in a tight huddle. She thought she heard the word knitting needles but dismissed it because none of these guys probably knew what knitting needles were.

“Gentlemen,” she said quietly.

“Oh, hey, Alex!” Xavier welcomed, giving her a brotherly peck on the cheek, “You ladies have nice time?”

“We did. Hunter, have you seen your family room? There are legs and bodies all over the place, it’s like an obstacle course.”

“Yeah? I guess the boys are right into a game then.”

“Mm. Anyway, I’m the forward party, with a request for an ETA on the food.”

“We’re almost done. Izzy had it all set up for us.”

“Well, your daughter has had a wonderful day, I won’t bore you with the details of what she got up to, needless to say she looks stunning.”

Alex saw the worried look skip over Hunter’s features,

“She still looks like Izzy though, doesn’t she?”

Alex laughed, “Not sure what you think happens at a day spa, but Izzy is still Izzy.”

She flicked her gaze to Blake who winked at her and it was such a damn sexy wink, damn it if she didn’t feel that pulse between her thighs.

“I’ll just get the boys to part so you can bring the food in, okay?”

“Yeah, sure thing,” Hunter replied, although if his tone was anything to by, he was still thinking about Izzy having been completely made over.

When she made it back to the kitchen, it was a hive of activity with plates and serving dishes set out on the table. There was chilled water, fruit juice, sparkling water, soft drink for the teenagers and sparkling grape juice, essentially for Marron.

“Here we go,” Blake entered the kitchen carrying two large platters and right behind him was Xavier with another two. “Hunter’s just shutting it all down and bringing the remaining platters.”

Xavier slung his arm around Marron, “You look beautiful,” he said.

“Do I?”

“Yes, you do. Now, Hunter has put on the outdoor heaters if you want to sit outside”, or we can sit indoors.”

“I’d like to sit out,” Izzy said, “Can’t wait for Dad to see me.”

Alex laughed. Izzy’s hair had been cut and styled, her nails were buffed and polished and she did look lovely. Alex had a vague memory of Nina Larsen, but her mother had shown her a school photo with Nina and comparing the two, Izzy was like her mother.

“Okay, here’s the last of the food.” Hunter strode past them and then did a double take when he saw Izzy. “Wow, Izzy you look amazing!”

“Thanks, Dad.”

It was such a sweet interchange that Alex had a lump in her throat.

“Alright?” Blake asked softly.

“I am. That was nice because I think Hunter was a bit sceptical about what we might have done to Izzy.”

“You ladies are so good with her and to her. It’s a pity Allegra couldn’t make it today.”

“We’ve assured Allegra, that next time we’ll let her know well in advance so she can come.”

“Okay, ladies and gents, I would strongly advise filling your plates and finding somewhere safe before those boys fly in here like a plague of locusts.”

Laughing, Blake reached for two plates, handing one to Alex.

“Why don’t you load one plate, and we can eat off the other?” she suggested, “Do you want to sit outside?”

“Yeah, if you find it too cool, I have a sweater in the car you can wear.”

Warmth spread through her, boy was she enjoying time with this deeply caring man,

“Or we could cuddle up together,” she offered.

“That we could. First things first, the food.”

Hunter was right, Alex mused, because four absolutely starving teenage boys swarmed into the kitchen and began loading up their plates. Blake “had poured her a sparkling grape juice, and she took a sip.

“Maz, this is really delicious. Have you had it before?”

“No, but I overheard some hugely pregnant woman in the supermarket telling the cashier that it was the best thing for women in this condition,” she said, pointing to her relatively small bump.

They all laughed, and Alex noticed Hunter pour Olivia a glass. Those two would make it, she thought, it was just going to take a bit of time and a whole lot of love.

“Hunter, you and your barbecue buddies have done a wonderful job,” Olivia announced, bringing a bashful look to Hunter who then raised his beer bottle.

“Actually, ladies, Blake, Xavier and I have an announcement.”

Alex glanced at Blake who wore a decidedly satisfied expression.

“As Marron knows, Xavier and I have bought the old winery at Deans Point and we intend restoring it. It’ll be a while before it’s up and running because we’re going to be experimenting with a different type of grape. Anyway, I’m getting carried away, so I’ll cut to the chase and say that a few weeks ago we asked Blake if he was interested in joining us and, he’s in. So, raise your glasses to Deans Point Winery and Olive Grove!”

Alex squeezed Blake’s knee,

“You never said.”

“I know. I don’t know any of the stuff they know, and I thought it was just as a financial backer, but they want more than that and I like them.”

“Alex?” Hunter called, “Once you’ve finished sorting out his island, we’d really appreciate your input. The place has been let go, there are olive trees that haven’t been harvested in forever, most of the native trees have been removed. It’s a lot of work.”

“Hunter Lewis, when have you ever known me to be scared of hard work.”

“That’s what we want to hear. Now I’ll sit down and shut up.”

It was late when they returned home, Jack needed a snack because he was hungry,

“Mum is always worried he has worms!” she told Blake.

“Your mother used to think the same about Jack and I. Remember?”

She laughed, “God yes! I was always so embarrassed because she would have to tell the whole world when she dropped into the pharmacy for treatment.”

“She used to tell us it was chocolate, but that stuff was so far removed from chocolate it wasn’t funny!”

“Ah yes, but the worms didn’t know that,” she replied.

“Okay, I’m no longer discussing intestinal worm treatments,” he said, “How about a nightcap?”

“Who has intestinal worms?” Jack asked as he passed through the living room, “Because frankly, that is an extremely gross subject.”

“Yeah, well, be thankful your grandmother has never kept the world informed of her fears that you have worms”!

Jack’s horrified expression almost brought Alex and Blake to tears they laughed so much.

“Please tell me Grandma does not think I have worms. I mean where do you get those things from?”

“People with worms, food not cooked properly-,” Alex was about to go on, but Jack held up his hand.

“Okay, okay. I get the picture. I’m probably going to have freaking nightmares tonight; you know that don’t you.”

He stared at her, a cheeky grin on his face, one not dissimilar to that Blake often gave her, then he opened his arms and hugged her,

“You’re the best, Mum. I’m super lucky to have you,” he speared a glance at Blake and grinned, “And, you know what? You’re learning fast what it takes to be a good Dad, so I guess I lucky on two counts?”

He kissed Alex on the cheek, patted Blake’s shoulder and disappeared with his sandwich stack.

Alex turned to face Blake, Jack’s words had been so heartfelt but what she saw was sadness,

“Blake?” she prompted gently, “What’s wrong?”

“He thinks he’s lucky and yet I’m the lucky one. The guy you let back into your life after he ran out on you, the guy who ruined his son’s tenth birthday because he was stupid, while that same son thinks I’m a good Dad. Days like today, I feel happy, like I haven’t been happy in years and then this weight of sadness just sits on me, making me feel I’m a total fraud.”

“You’re not a total fraud. Have you spoken to Tom Gordon about these feelings?”

“We’re working on it.”

“That’s good then and guess what, Blake? Jack loves you, just in case you’d missed that and because teenage boys don’t do the L word all that often.”

She reached up to stroke his face and he caught her hand, kissing her palm.

“So, how about we take the nightcap upstairs and we drink and talk dirty?”

“Or” he added, “Instead of talking dirty we could get dirty. And full apology here, I haven’t commented on how lovely your nails look.”

She regarded her nails, “The lovely won’t last, not with gardening and the like but I must admit it is nice to be pampered like that now and then. Nightcap?”

“Onto it. Getting dirty?”

“Definitely.”