364 freaking Bread and Banken


    364 Breaking Bread and Barriers (Winona)


    The backyard is alive withughter and chatter as the grill sizzles away. Jayden stands at the helm, flipping burgers, hot dogs, and skewers of vegetables, while Bobby and the girls dart around, helping where they can.


    It''s a beautiful scene-warm, weing. Therge fire is burning well and there are many gathered around it. Some sitting on the many stumps provided as seats and some just standing near the warmth. Everyone is smiling and chatting. I''d gotten some of the bottles of rose from the main house cer brought down. Not everyone likes beer.


    Viktor walks over, holding a beer, his usual stoic expression softened. "I think you''ve won them over," he says in his deep, ented voice, gesturing toward the staff who are now mingling andughing, clearly enjoying the meal. "Bobby has really outdone himself. I never would have expected it of him."


    "Kids can surprise you if you don''t limit them."


    I nce around, taking it all in. The chefs have been cooking alongside Jayden who''s demonstrated how to perfectly turn a hotdog and had them in peals ofughter.


    Now they''re sitting with the other staff, enjoying tes piled high with food.


    Some of the gardeners have found themselves in charge of refilling the beer coolers, making sure no one''s ss stays empty for long.


    In fact there are staff here I''ve never seen before. Henry is tucked up in his pram sleeping like he''s never slept before. It simply couldn''t get more perfect. Bobby runs over with a grin. "Mom, they''re going through the beer fast. Do we have more?"


    Iugh. "I think we''ll need to send for reinforcements. Maybe some wine too. Viktor, is there a secret stash here somewhere that isn''t worth my first-born child?"


    Viktor chuckles. "I''ll make a call. I''ll have them bring bottles of rosé and a few extra crates of beer. Europeans can drink"


    "Also, thanks for today, Viktor. The way you step in to support Jayden, our family. It doesn''t go unnoticed. I know it''s your job, but I hope we''ll also be friends."N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Viktor nods and heads off to organize the drinks, I spot a few of the female staff chatting in French I decide to practice my rusty French skills. May as well get some practice in.


    I approach the group with a smile. "Excusez-moi, mais.. je veux pratiquer... uh... parler Fran?ais avec


    vous?"


    One of the women, with a warm smile, nods encouragingly. "Bien s?r, madame!"


    1 smile, but I can feel the heat creeping up my neck. "Je travaille... avec... vache?" I meant to say something about working with the team, but the women burst intoughter. 1/3


    #


    "Ali, non, madame! You just said you work with a cow


    I blink, thenugh at my mistake, throwing my hands up. "Okay, maybe French isn''t my strong suit! But I''m trying."


    The staff around meugh too, and the mood lightens even more. I feel a sense of camaraderie building-nguage barriers aside, we''re all just people enjoying good food andpany.


    "Je suis désolé," I add with a smile. "I meant to say ''team," not "cow!"


    One of the younger women pats my arm. "C''est bien, madame. We understand. You are very kind. We ''elp you remember French."


    I take a deep breath, theughter echoing around us making me feel at ease. "Maybe I should stick to English for now or I''ll end up out in the fields with the animals," I joke, but inside, I''m thrilled to be breaking down some of these barriers. It''s a small thing, but it feels like a step forward.


    As the evening lingers on, everyone is on their third round of food, the rosé and extra beer arrives, and I send a bottle to each of the small groups scattered around the yard. Making sure they all have sses.


    Some prefer beer, but others smile warmly at the offering of wine, toasting us in gratitude.


    But then, Hugo arrives.


    I see him before anyone else does, his tall, lean figure cutting a sharp contrast to the rxed atmosphere. He strides toward us, his eyes scanning the scene with barely concealed horror.


    I can almost hear his thoughts: This is not how things are done.


    "Hugo!" Jayden says, spotting him. "You''re just in time. Grab a beer and burger and join us."


    Hugo''s expression flickers with something close to shock. "Mr. Brennan... this is... highly irregr. These are the crystal sses. outside. Mixing with the staff like this-"


    Viktor, ever the silent observer, steps in, a beer already in his hand. "Rx, Hugo," he says with a rare smile. He pushes the beer toward him. "It''s a barbecue. You do know how to rx?"


    Hugo takes the beer like it''s a foreign object, holding it awkwardly. "I''m here to discuss the uing tasks for next week," he says stiffly. "There''s much to get done."


    Jayden takes a sip of his own drink, nodding. "And we''ll get it done, don''t worry. But first, take a seat, have a drink. You''re part of the team too, Hugo."


    Hugo''s eyes dart toward me, as if seeking validation that this is allpletely inappropriate. I smile and raise my crystal ss of rosé. "To new traditions," I say lightly. "We''re all working together, right?" "Take a seat, Hugo." Jayden gives a sweep of his arm.


    "On a... a log?"


    "Sure. New concept, clothes can be washed." Jayden winks at him.


    There''s been a definite shift in mood since Hugo arrived. The staff are a little more on edge. They all watch him.


    365 The Wise Woman