The Vineyards

By Marigbz

The Vineyards is a captivating story of a poor maid, but through an accident in a rainstorm takes the place of another. As time passes there is another accident in the rain and our poor little girl convinces others of her place in life. She marries her rescurer and this begin a life connection with The Vineyards. A romantic tale of four generations of ladies. You find yourself in Germany, then to America and back to Germany where the vines of the G Vineyards sing a lullabye.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491870105

Marigbz

Marianne Brechler Zarek was born, raised, married, had three daughters (all now married) where she lived in the small town of Fennimore, Wisconsin. In 1982 she and her husband, Bob Brechler, moved to Naples, Florida. After Bob’s death, she married Gene Zarek, who is also now deceased. Marianne still resides in Naples, enjoying the Sunshine State.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

THE BABY

In the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred Sixty Five, a new life was just beginning.

It was a cold, bone chilling January day in Wisconsin. Why was it that on this particular day, the Canadian Ice Maker turned its jet stream south with a vengeance to create a blizzard, forcing man to seek shelter from its wrath?

Yet, one man and one woman would have to brave the storm out of necessity. A child was to be born.

As each New Year must struggle to stand strong against the eternal nature of things, this new life about to come forth, would also have to struggle forth into this cold world of today.

The unborn child would soon learn that cold is only on the outside, for her parents would provide love and warmth in the home. There were also Grandparents and Great Grandparents in the order of time which would make an interesting tale of fate.

But, did this cold beginning forewarn of other forces which would affect the life about to be born?

This is how it began for the baby, Marci.

Marci Duster was born of middle class, mid-westerners, in the State of Wisconsin. Her arrival was in a small hospital in the snow swept country side.

A doctor, a survivor of the World War I trenches of France had moved to this quiet area to care for its people. Now, he found himself, old and tired, but still the only doctor for many farmers in the rural are. After being called from his warm bed on this miserable of nights, he found himself in his car, yet a few miles from the hospital with the message that a young man was bringing his wife into the hospital with labor pains. It was this message which drove him forward.

Shortly before his arrival, the man and woman had reached the door of the hospital with relief and expectation.

CHAPTER TWO

REMEMBER

Why do I stand at this frosty, cold, window? The beauty of the ice crystals form pictures of ecstasy, while the earth is transfixed into a wonderland. I stand here, reflecting, and wondering.

All life has a basis, a beginning, which molds us into something called self. When, I, Marci Duster, was born, I know on that bitter cold day, they believed a new star had burst forth in the firmament. Was my mold really a star? Perhaps that is why I stand, seeing beauty with my eyes and longing for the past to rescue me from what has happened in my life.

Yes, I can look back and find the reason. But can I excuse and truly be forgiving?

Some hundred years ago my Great Grandmother, Annabel was born. Everyone says I look like her. I don’t and I will forever have proof by a picture card taken on the day of her marriage to Henry Von Gehrke.

Perhaps I judge unfairly, since I see the eyes of a reluctant bride. That marriage was not founded in love by Annabel, rather she desired position and money. Position, something she ached to claim and money to allow her to escape to the promised land of America. She knew the stories of the hopeless going to America to make their fortune. When she went to America, she was not going as one of the hopeless, but that comes later in my story.

In time, plans have a way of changing. It was Annabel’s ill-sought gain which reared its ugly head producing a love for kindness received.

Why do I think of her? Is it the image reflected from the frosty window? If it is, then it is I who has the lost look which flashes forth from her picture on that wedding day. We do have the same green eyes and auburn hair, but our size is considerably different. She was rather petite, where I am tall and gangly. I would say we both carry ourselves with dignity and the grace of a lady.

There is a saying that a lady cannot be a lady unless her Grandmother was. A false statement in today’s world when one is privileged to achieve any goal their mind is set-on.

If we were to diagnose traits, you could easily say I act like her. Independent, self-driven, anxious, is just a few of the characteristics noteworthy to mention. Yes, there are even times I actually sense or think I hear her voice. Perhaps too many persons have attempted to link our lives together for a destiny of struggle.

I stand at a threshold of the nineties. Man’s ability to build on the past and enhance the future has no limits. Medical advances are new and unlimited. For this, today, 1 give thanks.

I think of family as a whole today.

There is nothing I can do to erase the super star or black sheep. All are a part of family, life, and me.

Great Grandmother Annabel was neither black sheep nor super star. She was a force, a woman determined to prove it can be done. My brain stretches against bone remembering, bringing thoughts, knowing as she, it can be accepted.

The cold of the window pane eases my fevered brow. I am desirous for peace and long for rest against the rising tide of yearning. What is going to be the outcome? There are choices to make, and this is where my story begins.

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CHAPTER THREE

GREAT GRANDMOTHER ANNABEL/ANNA

Anna’s existence as a spunky lady’s maid could easily be described as a means to an end. She raced up and down the steps of the castle located on the banks of the Rhine River in France, always peering out the windows in her haste to be elsewhere.

Her enthusiasm to learn everything the upper class controlled as their own, gained the respect of her lady. If Anna was up early and ahead in her daily chores, she was allowed to sit in the study and observe the lessons being taught the children of the Lord and Lady.

Due to the proximity of the castle, French and German intermarried, exchanged promises and some plotted. It was, therefore, easy for a young attractive girl to secretly plan what she would do if the opportunity ever presented itself to become one of them. In the evenings in her attic room, seen only in a broken mirror, Anna curtsied, extended her hand for the brief kiss of meeting the handsome prince, and twirled to unheard music.

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Rain came suddenly to the valley where vineyards flourished with ripening grapes. And, on that particular rainy afternoon Henry Von Gehrke, the wealthy owner of G Vineyards, decided to inspect his holdings. It was also on that particular day walking on the muddy road where 50 year old Henry drove his dapple horses and buggy, which Anna stumbled into the path of the approaching carriage. As the rain splashed her face she remembered the years of planning such an opportunity.

CHAPTER FOUR

HENRY VON GEHRKE

When Anna left her Lady’s service to accompany another young girl to Paris, who would have guessed rain would be the opportunity which knocks.

Only the quick reactions of Henry avoided a tragedy. Leaping from the carriage, he stared down at this damsel so splattered with rain and mud it was difficult to know if there were any injuries. Pretending embarrassment, Anna could only hang her head in shame. But, with the eyes of a deceiver, she recognized her moment of triumph. Attempting to rise, she collapsed onto the rain soaked ground. This caused Henry to take action as the rescuer. Sweeping Anna into his arms, he hurriedly placed her in the carriage and sped for his estate.

Arousing occasionally, Anna’s groans fevered the pitch as he whipped the dapples. Henry now gazed at the semi-conscious girl. His mind went back to his dear departed wife who had died of pneumonia. Here beside him lay a girl, the age of his own sweet daughter, Edythe, cold and wet. Henry urged the dapples with his whip while staring at this child like woman in her homespun. As if his affection for Edythe were being transmitted, a sigh escaped his lips. With that sigh, two green eyes opened and a dazzling, vacant, smile brightened the gloom which previously prevailed.

How Anna achieved a blank look could only be described as showmanship. For, with that look, Henry Von Gehrke’s chest pained with every heart beat. What harm had he done with his fast driving through the rain? Not only his pained expression, but that sigh, was enough fuel for Anna’s plan to succeed.

Henry spoke softly, assuring that all would be well once they reached his estate. He spoke German, unaware that Anna, though understanding it, would not divuldge that fact. Anna spoke German, French, and English, as a result of her years as a Lady’s maid and her travels since. It was then that Anna ceased the moment of total deception. Her green eyes took on a whimsical look of one who does not understand, but her face held the smile of appreciation.

Henry realized this wisp of a girl was French and did not understand his language. What captivates a man more than a helpless damsel would only be one so beautiful, helpless, and injured.

It was a rough ride in the carriage for the road was rutted where rain had washed away soil from the boulders which hazarded the area. The bouncing of the carriage jarred her person, creating a pained countenance on Anna’s face. A tear spilled down her cheek. Like a violent bursting of a dam, this single tear washed away the last defense Henry might have held. Henry knew then he was lost in the two green pools of a French maiden’s eyes.

As they neared G Vineyards, Henry’s smile and arm extended forward showing that they were arriving. As if struck by a green bolt, Henry visualized her staying at G Vineyards forever.

Driving the dapples to a frenzied pace up the long pathway, he quickly reined them to a halt at the steps of the portico. While shouting for assistance, Henry gallantly picked up the injured girl in his arms and approached the door. It swung open as he neared by the maid, Big Pauline, so called because of her enormous bulk. Recognizing an emergency, she reached out to relieve Henry of his burden, only to be pushed aside as Henry proceeded up the stair case with the dirty, unknown person.

Quick to perceive there were things to be done, Big Pauline rushed up the stairs behind Henry. At the top, another maid, Clara appeared. At Henry’s command to open up the green guest room, Clara did not hesitate to run and obey. By the time Henry entered, the bed had been turned down to receive its guest. But, as Clara eyed the delicate, silk linens and this mud splattered creature, she could not help but wonder who the victim was.

Orders ensued requiring more than Clara and Big Pauline to fulfill. The horse trainer was first instructed to care for the dapples, then send one of the grooms for the doctor in the Village—a day’s ride.

Tubs of water were to be heated to cleanse the injured girl. Fresh clothes and linens were to be readied, and porridge prepared for her strength.

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