Free Among The Cloud Dwellers (Entrainment Series) by Giuliana Sica Page A

the Southern Rhone and with Bordeaux and Burgundy, until it was legally excluded from this last role by “ appellation contrôlée ” rules. It has become extremely important in Australia, producing rich, spicy, intense reds, but it also does well in blends with Cabernet Sauvignon.
    We followed a simple wine-tasting ritual. Frank handed each of us a glass filled to one third of its capacity and, with a general “ à votre santé ,” raised his glass to toast ours.
    Color, smell, and then taste are the essentials to look for when sampling a new wine for the first time. Held against the light, Frank’s Shiraz revealed a deep purple, almost inky color.
    We sipped in silence.
    The nose evoked intense, rich blackberry aromas. The flavor on the palate showed mouth-filling fruit, massive structure, and a long, sweet finish. It coated my throat like a velvet caress, glazed my stomach with warmth, and shot straight up to my head.
    Have I mentioned that I’m a sensible drinker?
    A plate of paper-thin sliced salame and hearty bread appeared as if by magic on the table. Nicolas passed it around while Frank refilled us, a satisfied smile lingering on his face.
    I looked at Frank and cleared my throat. “I believe there is no need for me to mention how excellent a product you have here. I know by experience that the producer is his own biggest critic, and if I’m not mistaken, you’re having a hard time hiding that grin of yours.” I must have been getting drunk at the speed of light to use such a tone with him. Faintly appalled at my gaffe, I begged, “Pardon my hauteur .”
    A loud racket coming from the stairs made us all turn at once.
    “Bloody hell! You’ve been as busy as cats burying shit! I can’t believe you’ve hit the turps without me!” Desmond Tanier’s voice boomed like a cannonball, ricocheting against the dark stone walls. Beverly followed at a safe distance, her flustered freckles blanching with chagrin.
    Tanier spotted me. “Porzia! Dear lass! How long have you been going at it? You seem a bit flushed.” He hugged me, then abruptly pushed me to arm’s distance and eyed me critically. “Have you gained weight since last I saw you? Having romantic troubles as usual?” Desmond Tanier would never win awards for manners; we all knew that by now.
    “Desmond! Mon petit fleur , did you just get in?” I asked, smiling sweetly. I threw French at him in a futile attempt to trigger Vietnam flashbacks in his mind. It didn’t seem to shackle him at all.
    “Yes, indeed! Just drove up the coast from Melbourne. I reckon I beat my own previous record, but I’m as dry as a nun’s wrinkle.” He snatched the glass Frank was handing him.
    Beverly got hold of a bottle and looked like she had all intentions of drinking straight from it. Who could blame her? Heaven knows what had happened upstairs before they actually made it down to the cellar.
    Desmond quickly sniffed his glass. With a sharp motion of his wrist he swirled the dark wine once around the smooth crystal, grunted satisfaction, and gulped the contents. Briefly, he closed his eyes. Wiping his mouth on his sleeve, he declared, “Excellent!” He raised the empty glass up to Beverly who promptly refilled it from her precious bottle. Frank and the boys shared an idiotic, amused look that reminded me they were definitely related.
    Dom appeared, legs first, and announced dinner to be served in less than an hour.
    As I followed everybody upstairs, I realized the thought of Gabe had been humming in the back of my mind the entire day. I couldn’t wait to talk to him again. I climbed the steps two at a time.
    The sun had set and dusk spread twinkling stars one by one on a violet velvet stretch of sky. A gentle winter breeze fluttered softly along . . . or maybe it was just my head buzzing. I made it to my room and dialed Gabe’s home number from the back of his business card and sat on the edge of the bed. The anticipation of speaking to him again rose with every