Bruno 02 - The Dark Vineyard

before the marriage,” the mayor said. “In the name of the commune of Saint-Denis and of the Republic, let me be the first to acknowledge this new family. The adoption will not, of course, be wholly legal until it is ratified and registered by the court in Sarlat, a formality that should be completed next week.”
    Max kissed Cresseil on both cheeks, and then he embraced Alphonse, Bruno and Pamela, who congratulated everyone anddeclared it was the most charming adoption she had ever attended.
    “I might as well stay up here since I think I hear the wedding guests on the stairs,” Pamela said. “But, Max, I shall be most disappointed if this means you stop selling the best goat cheese in the market. I’m sure some of my guests come and stay only for your cheeses.”
    “I soon hope to be selling your guests wine as well, madame,” Max said. “I have an idea that might interest you and other businesses in the area. With my computer I can print special customized labels for your guesthouse, your own private cuvée, and I can offer you a very good price for the new vintage of Domaine Cresseil, a completely bio-organic wine.”
    “Sounds interesting. I’ll come round for a tasting. And now forgive me, I have a wedding to attend. Bruno, tell the girl to call me. I’m sure we can work something out.”
    The adoption party shuffled out, squeezing past the wedding guests in the hall. Bruno felt a tug on his arm. The mayor hauled him back into his office and closed the door.
    “Is the boy serious about making Cresseil’s land into a vineyard, into a business?”
    “It looks that way, but he’s heading back to school soon. I don’t see how he can do anything until he finishes his studies.”
    “I’m tempted to hold off sending those adoption papers to the court at Sarlat for the moment,” the mayor said. “I’m not going to let the fancies of an old man and a youngster who thinks he’s a
vigneron
block the best chance this commune has for fifty new jobs.”
    “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Bruno said carefully. “Cresseil is one of us, and so’s Max. Our obligation is to them, not to Bondino, and his investment isn’t even certain yet. We said we’d file the finalized adoption papers by the end of next week. If there’s much delay Alphonse could be asking you somepointed questions, and if it turns out we sat on them, it won’t look good. It will certainly make it harder to get Max and Cresseil to see things our way about selling the land to Bondino.”
    The mayor squeezed his lips together in irritation. Then he took a deep breath.
“Putain
. You’re right. But so am I, and you know it.
Tiens
, I’ve got this wedding. I won’t bury the papers. I’ll just delay them a bit, buy some time for you to sound out Cresseil and the boy. If we can’t get those land sales guaranteed, this whole project collapses. And then some people will get really upset, including some council members, I’m sure.”
    “But the council members don’t know about this yet,” Bruno objected.
    “Bondino knows how the game is played. The best pressure he can apply is to get the rumor going that I’m blocking an opportunity that’s going to raise land values for a lot of people. That’s what I’d do in his place, and he’s shrewd enough to know that. We don’t have much time. Let’s meet tomorrow, with Xavier, and talk all this through.”
    Disturbed by this first real breach with the mayor, someone who had been his patron for a decade, Bruno walked heavily down the stairs and into the sudden sunlight. But his mood was transformed and his face broke into a wide smile when he saw, leaning against the door of his official van, the familiar slim figure of Isabelle, watching the entrance to the
mairie
for him to emerge. As she saw him, she brandished a shopping bag.
    “Steak, salad, cheese and a bottle of Saint-Emilion,” she said as he stretched out his arms to hug her. “Just like the first time. And I also have a bone for Gigi.”
    And then she was in his arms, easily fitting the length of him as she always had, tall enough to put her cheek against his and to whisper in his ear, “I’ve missed you more than I thought possible.”
    How could he have anguished over this moment? He kissedher and felt all his doubts dissolve, all his questions about how they would meet and what they would say and how reserved she might be.
    “Bruno,” she said. “How fast can your little van get us back to your