She lifts her head, clearly disappointed. “No smell.”

“No, they’re not fragrant, but they look beautiful and they’re far more disease-resistant than the older varieties.”

Lucy gives the roses one more disappointed sniff. “Disease-resistant is important, especially in the Pacific Northwest with all of our black spot and mildew, but a rose just isn’t a rose without its spicy scent.”

Inexplicably annoyed with Lucy, I yank open the refrigerator with more force than necessary, rattling the jars in the door. “Would you like something to drink?”

She stares at me. “Are you drinking?”

From one of the many kitchen windows, I can see Nathan cross the back patio to light the barbecue. “I’ll probably have a glass of wine.”

“Wine sounds perfect.”

“White or red?”

“Whatever you’re having.”

“Lucy, we have both.” My irritation shows, and her expression crumples. I don’t know who I dislike more right now—her or me. Taking a deep breath, I try again. “We’re hopeless wine snobs, Luce, you know that. I have loads of wine, and I’m happy to open a bottle of red or white. Just tell me what you want—”

“Red.” Her cheeks are a dark, dusty pink.

God, I hate myself. I’m such a bitch, and I don’t want to be. I don’t mean to be. My patience isn’t what it once was. Maybe it’s the long summer with the kids out of school. Maybe it’s the start-up of the auction meetings. Maybe it’s the tension I’ve begun to notice between Nathan and me. Nathan sometimes seems like a stranger. We used to agree on everything. Lately, we agree on almost nothing. Maybe that’s marriage. Maybe that’s life. Maybe he and I just need to get away for a few days and spend some real time together. “Shiraz, Merlot, Cab?”

“Shiraz or Merlot,” Lucy answers quickly. “I love both.”

I open an Australian Shiraz that Nathan favors. I pour three glasses, hand Lucy one, and pick up the other two. Lucy follows me outside.

I carry a glass of wine to Nathan. “You’ll like this,” I say, simultaneously giving him the glass and a kiss. We’re good, I tell myself as he kisses me back. We’re fine.