“Yes,” she said finally. “I’ll be back in New Orleans in a few days.”
Before her doctor responded, Bianca was already ending the call. She slowly slipped the phone into the pocket of her robe and lowered herself onto one of the patio chairs. Her hands gripped the arms of the chair tightly. A million thoughts filled her brain. Her heart ached, and fear rushed through her. Her shoulders slumped for a few moments, and then she pulled herself together.
The door creaked behind her, and she didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.
“What are you doing out here?” Remi’s voice was groggy and laced with concern.
Bianca wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her robe and stood. “Just didn’t sleep very well last night. I decided to get some fresh air.”
Remi stepped closer, watching her with quiet intuition. “Bianca—”
“I’m fine, friend,” Bianca interrupted her and forced a smile. “I promise.”
Remi didn’t force the issue, but her eyes lingered. “Come inside. I’ll make us some coffee.”
“That sounds good.” Bianca nodded, then tried to lift the mood. “Let’s get this morning going and figure out what we’re getting into today. What’s on the agenda?”
“I have that meeting with Napa County officials,” Remi said. “Licensing, permits … all the fun stuff.”
As they walked inside together, the first light of day cast a shadow across the floor. And Bianca, still holding the weight of the secret in her chest, knew that soon she would have to tell her friend the truth. But not yet. Not while she was still recovering from receiving Gerard’s ashes. Not this morning. Not while the world was still quiet. Not until she figured out her plan of action.
Remi moved with quiet purpose in the kitchen, pulling down mugs from the cupboard, setting the kettle to boil on the stove. Bianca leaned against the counter; arms folded lightly against her chest, as if holding herself together.
“You know,” Bianca said after a moment, her voice casual but with the edge of something much heavier, “I used to think this wine country life was something of a fantasy. Too quiet. Too still for my taste.”
Remi glanced at her. “And now?”
“And now it seems like the type of stillness I need.”
Remi poured hot water into the French press, her back to Bianca. “Funny how that happens when life shakes you up a bit.”
“Yeah.”
Silence settled between them as Remi stirred the coffee in the French press. She turned to Bianca, her eyes warm and steady. “You know you don’t have to pretend with me, right?”
Bianca hesitated for a moment. “I know. I’m just not ready to say it out loud yet. Because when I say it out loud—”
“It’s real.” Remi finished gently.
Bianca nodded with her eyes lowered.
“Okay, well, whenever you’re ready I’m here.” Remi handedher a mug. “No rush. And don’t worry about putting too much on me. I know that’s what you’re doing.”
Bianca smiled at Remi’s intuitiveness. She held onto the mug and nodded. “I’m going home for a bit, but I’ll be back. There’s something I need to handle.”
Silence lingered between them for a moment longer.
“Okay. When are you leaving?” Remi asked.
“Within the next couple of days. Plus, I’d like to check on Chic Threads, make sure things are running smoothly.”
“Okay,” Remi said. “The girls are here. We’ll hang out—keep one another company while you’re gone.”
Bianca smiled faintly. “Don’t have too much fun without me,” she said with a slight chuckle. “I’ll be back.”
“When do you think you’ll return?”
The truth was, she wasn’t sure how long she’d be gone. She didn’t know what would unfold once she returned to New Orleans and met with her oncologist, but she needed to give Remi something. A timeline. “A week, tops.” Bianca’s smile deepened. “This place has grown on me.”