Since Trisha and I were going out for a nice dinner, and to meet my sons, I figured we’d take “the nice car,” and not the big Suburban I picked her up in at the airport. As we exited the mudroom into the four-car garage I told her we’d be taking the black car.
“Oh, a Lexus! We have three Lexus lots,” she said, referring to the family car dealerships. “I don’t know much about the cars, but those locations are very profitable.”
“This was Julie’s SUV. She bought it right before she was diagnosed, so it’s basically brand new. I make a point to drive it at least once a week,” I said.
We were meeting the family at one of Oak Valley’s finest restaurants, a steak house called Vines. Being wine country, it had one of the largest and best wine lists in the area, but it was known for its steaks and seafood. Vines is located near the railroad tracks and is in an old early 1900s brick warehouse building and has a very rustic vibe. Contrasting the old brick are the upscale tables and chairs, white linens, and large mural paintings.
I held Trisha’s hand as we walked into the restaurant’s foyer. Noting that we were a bit early, I asked if she’d like to get a drink in the bar after I checked in with the hostess, and she agreed. As we stepped into the large bar area, I saw several couples that I knew and either gave them a wave, a smile, or a slight head nod. Oak Valley is still a small town to the old locals, many of us who have been farming for generations.
Before we could find a table, I heard my name called from the end of the bar. As I looked the thirty feet in the dim light I saw the Shaws, Debbie and Carl. I told Trisha that I needed to say hello to this couple as they were old friends.
“Scott, so great to see you,” said Debbie. Looking at my date she continued, “And you are?” She gave Trish the once over, looking her up and down.
Unfazed, Trisha extended her hand and said confidently, “Scott’s date, I’m Trisha Stewart.”
“Nice to meet you, Trisha,” Debbie said. “I’m Debbie Shaw and this is my husband, Carl.”
I quickly jumped in, unsure where Debbie wanted to take this conversation, “Yes, Debbie was one of my wife’s best friends. In fact, she was a bridesmaid at our wedding,” I told Trish.
Just then I saw Carl wave to someone near the bar entrance. I turned to see my sons and their wives. We quickly said good night to the Shaws and approached my family.
“Boys, this is Trisha Stewart. I’m sure your wives told you about meeting her over margaritas earlier,” I said. “Trish, this is Steve and Greg.”
Everyone exchanged pleasantries, the ladies hugged, and we made our way to the hostess area.
“Trish, you look fabulous, as usual,” said Allie. “That LBD is stunning.”
Allie was right; Trisha looked amazing. She was dressed in a black cocktail dress, and nude high heels, and was accessorized with diamond stud earrings and a diamond bracelet. Her long blonde hair had extra curls tonight. Very traditional, very classy, very sexy.
Knowing what my date was wearing to dinner, I chose a pair of gray glen-plaid slacks with a black dress shirt to compliment her outfit. My vintage 1987 Rolex Submariner, my wedding gift from Julie, was on my left wrist.
As the hostess showed us our table, I suggested that Trisha and I sit in the middle of the table for conversation purposes. Steve and Allie sat on my left, with Greg and Kate on my right. The men all sat on one side, the women on the other. I did this so my boys could look easily at Trish as we all talked.
Knowing that Trisha was an admitted oenophile I suggested she order the wine. This took the table by surprise as I am usually the one with a strong opinion on the wine we should enjoy. I usually suggest a bottle from a winery that buys our grapes, but I figured with the family starting a winery we should try other local wines.
Smiling, Trish said, “Well, my favorite local winery is River Oaks and I love their estate zinfandel. It pairs great with beef, and since this is a steak house it makes sense.”
I looked around the table to see smiles on the kids' faces. They were pleased with her selection. The kids are club members at most of the area wineries, and River Oaks is in their Top Five. They tell me it’s market research for our new winery.
Over the next ninety minutes, our conversations jumped from one thing to the next, we shared four bottles of wine with dinner, and each couple split a dessert.
“Kate, Trish, would you like to use the ladies’ room?” asked Allie. The three women left the table for the powder room.
“Dad, I’m so happy for you,” said Greg. “Trish is great.”
Steve added, “You two have both been smiling all night.”
“I glad you two see the things in Trisha that I do. She is phenomenal,” I told them.
And then Greg said something I’m sure all four of the kids were thinking, “And she has her own money. We don’t have to worry about a woman dating you just for your money.”
“No, you don’t. She told me earlier that the dealerships are worth well over ten million bucks,” I whispered to my sons.
The women soon returned and sat down. Allie talked about how Trisha and I might have met at her wedding to Steve in Santa Barbara four years ago.
“I do recall Gail (Allie’s mother) telling me that the groom's father was a widower. I would have remembered meeting you, Scott,” Trish said.
As Trish spoke, Kate leaned over and whispered something to her husband, Greg. He had a funny look on his face, and then he looked at Trisha and smiled and winked.
Our waiter, Robert, came by the table and asked if we needed anything else. I told him no; I just needed the bill. He looked puzzled. Kate and Allie both looked at me.
“Sir, your bill has been paid,” said Robert. “Mrs. Stewart took care of the tab.”
I looked across the table to see Trisha smiling.
“Scott, I want to thank you for your hospitality this weekend. It has been a wonderful evening meeting your family tonight,” she said.
“Get used to it,” said Allie. “She never lets my mom buy lunch when they go out.”
Everyone exited the restaurant and said our goodbyes in the warm June night. As my sons drove away, I suggested we take a stroll through the downtown area to aid our digestion. I instinctively held hands with Trisha as we walked down the sidewalk and chatted away.
“Your sons are just like you in so many ways. They’re smart, well-spoken, and very handsome,” said the blonde beauty. “Hopefully you can come visit me in Santa Barbara and meet my family soon.”