Passionate Harvest (5 page)

“I’m sorry about your clothes. Will the marks come out of your jeans and your sweater?” Dominic asked as they drove back to Maggie’s house.

“I don’t know. I only have a few things with me as I have a flight back to Tenerife booked for Monday.” She folded her ruined jumper together with her dirty tee shirt. The company had allowed her three days compassionate leave plus her regular two days off. The delay in her incoming flight meant that half her time was already gone.

“If you decide to stay in England will it be difficult to get your things shipped back here?”

Lucy thought about the meagre contents of her wardrobe in the tiny apartment in Tenerife. Anna, her flatmate would undoubtedly pack them up for her if she called her. She wondered what her small team would think if she rang and said she wasn’t coming back. Would Christopher leave his mountain village and the bride he hadn’t told her about to try his luck at seducing her replacement? That thought left a sour taste in her mouth.

“No, it won’t be a problem at all,” she said firmly. At least if she decided to remain here in Somerset she would be able to put Christopher and Tenerife behind her.

“I’ll pick you up again tomorrow morning then? Same time?” He parked the car outside Maggie’s house.

“Yes, that’ll be fine.” She glanced at her watch, she needed to make an appointment to see Mr Fullwood to go through the terms of the will in more detail and it would be Friday tomorrow. “Are you coming in?” She felt obliged to make the offer knowing her aunt would probably be expecting him to accompany her.

“No I won’t today, I’d better take Mutley home, and then I need to sort some things out in the office.”

The big dog in the back of the car gave a little whine at the sound of his name.

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning then.” Lucy undid her seatbelt and slid stiffly across the leather seat, bracing herself for the big step down from the car.

Before she could open the car door Dominic had jumped out and crossed around to open it for her. He held her arms as she stumbled from the car, the muscles in her legs protesting at being forced into movement once more.

“I think we definitely walked too far for you today.” Dominic observed as he set her down. 

“I need to buy some trainers.” It was suddenly hard to breathe with his strong arms still supporting her.

He glanced at her poor canvas shoes. “Perhaps I should have left the vineyards for another day.”

His gaze returned to her face and for one single wonderful, awful minute she thought he might kiss her. The world seemed to stand still as his gaze locked into hers. When he released her arms she couldn’t decide if she was disappointed or relieved that he hadn’t.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He clambered back into his car and with a brief wave of farewell, drove away, leaving her standing, still jelly-legged on the drive.

* * *

Dominic waited until he was on an open stretch of road before cranking up the volume on the CD player and belting out his favourite rock band. He couldn’t believe he’d come so close to kissing Lucy. God, how stupid would that have been? He rubbed a tired hand at the back of his neck in an attempt to ease the tension in the muscles there.

She’d looked so sad and tired with her borrowed tee shirt sliding off one slim shoulder revealing more of the tan on her soft skin. Being around her all day had been distinctly disturbing. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this way around a woman. When she’d stood in his kitchen earlier with her wet top revealing the outline of her bra and nipples it had been all he could do to stay cool.

 He hadn’t done a great job at convincing her to take up her inheritance. A five mile route march in blatantly unsuitable shoes and allowing his dog to maul her and ruin her clothes maybe wasn’t the best way to commence a business partnership.

“Way to go, Dom.” He muttered to himself. Mutley gave a small whine of agreement from the back of the car.

“And some help you were too.” Dom shook his head. 

His mobile phone vibrated in the back pocket of his jeans as he pulled the car to a stop outside his cottage. He glanced at the screen and let the call go to voice mail. The vultures had started circling as soon as Nick’s death announcement had appeared in the press. A couple of them had even approached him about a partnership whilst he’d been at the funeral trying to commend themselves to him.

It had been partly why he’d been so angry with Lucy when she’d arrived late. At the time, not knowing the full story of her connection with Nick, he’d assumed she was yet another one of those waiting to pounce on the business. Mr Fullwood had hinted to him that Nick had left Lucy an interest in the vineyard. He hadn’t known it would be the entire fifty per cent of the holding. At the time he’d assumed it would be simply a couple of shares.

He suspected that if he went into the office there would be a string of messages from companies and individuals all eager to acquire a slice of the vineyard. It wouldn’t take them long to start working on Lucy if word leaked out that she was now co-owner and they uncovered the terms of the will.

He opened the tailgate to allow Mutley out of the car and tucked his phone back into his pocket. He had to convince Lucy to stay and then he could deal with the vultures. He’d poured too much of his heart and soul into the vineyard to let it go now. Not to mention that it would betray Nick and the dream they’d built together. 

Tomorrow he’d do better; he’d make sure Lucy had a nice time looking around the shop and the restaurant. He had no worries about her meeting with the accountant or Mr Fullwood. The business was in good shape, and if Lucy were willing to learn the ropes, then maybe the partnership could work – at least until he could afford to buy her out.

* * *

Lucy surveyed the remnants of her wardrobe the next day and sighed. Rain beat against the window of her bedroom and Dominic was due to call and collect her in less than an hour. She had the black dress and jacket she’d worn for the funeral, a floral cotton sundress and a pair of cropped cream linen trousers and a couple of tee shirts. The only shoes she had left were the low, black spike-heeled pumps she’d travelled in. She selected the trousers and a matching cream top; she would definitely have to buy some more clothes at the weekend.

Maggie had made her coffee and a plate of toast when she reached the kitchen.

“You look nice.” Her aunt pushed the plate of toast towards her “I think I managed to get the stains out of your jeans.”

Lucy took a slurp of coffee. “Thanks Maggie. I binned my sweater and my shoes. No one warned me about Dominic’s dog.” She liked animals but Mutley had been rather much for her yesterday.

“Nick said Dominic rescued the dog from a pound. He wanted a big animal to act as a guard dog, but by all accounts that one is as daft as a brush. Are you feeling less sore today, love?”

“I’m fine, Mags. It’s amazing what a hot bath and some painkillers can do. It was my own fault for walking so far in those stupid shoes. Today apparently we’re only going to be looking at the buildings.”

Maggie raised an eyebrow. “Nick always said Dom lived to work. Don’t let him hustle you along too fast. You know my thoughts on what you should do about Nick’s bequest, but at the end of the day it’s up to you.”

Lucy swallowed her bite of toast. “I know. I’ve appointments this afternoon with the accountant at Mr Fullwood’s office. I’ll have to make a decision soon; my flight back to Tenerife is booked for Monday.”

Maggie didn’t comment but Lucy noticed the slight sag of her shoulders at the mention of Tenerife. She knew her aunt wanted her to stay and logically it would be the sensible thing to do. Unfortunately Lucy had never been very good at being sensible, or at knowing what she really wanted to do.

The doorbell rang as she finished her breakfast.

“Take my umbrella from the hall. It’s tipping down out there,” Maggie called as Lucy grabbed her jacket and bag.

Dominic was dressed in the same faded snug fitting jeans he’d worn yesterday, with the addition of a battered green waterproof jacket over the top of his shirt. She scuttled to the shelter of the car and scrambled inside, grateful to be out of the rain. Dominic took the driver’s seat, droplets of rain water gleaming on his dark hair.

“It’s not such a nice day today, perhaps it was a good thing we did the walk through the vineyard yesterday after all,” he suggested.

Since her legs had only just stopped aching and her lovely blue shoes were in the bin Lucy wasn’t so sure.

“I have to be at Mr Fullwood’s office by two thirty. Would you be able to drop me there when we’ve gone through today’s agenda?” She tucked Maggie’s umbrella inside her bag and tried to look cool and composed. She’d remembered to bring a notebook so she could take down anything she wanted to check later on at her meeting with the accountant and her solicitor.

“No problem.”

She breathed a small sigh of relief. At least that was one hurdle over.

“I’m sorry yesterday went a bit wrong. I should have taken you on an easier route, and I promise Mutley will be well out of your way today.” He gave her a half smile.

“Thank you.” Why did she have to sound so awkward around him? How would she manage if she stayed? Especially when he had a nasty habit of stirring her hormones into a frenzy every time he came near her.

Silence stretched between them and Lucy wracked her brains to think of a neutral topic besides the weather. As they approached the traffic lights Dominic flicked the button for the CD player. Loud rock music blasted from the speakers making her jump until he quickly brought the volume down to a much lower level.

“Sorry. I forgot I had it turned up loud.”

She hadn’t had him pegged as a rock fan. Somehow she’d thought he might be more jazz or classical. He definitely hadn’t appreciated
Take That
the other day when he’d been chauffeuring her around. That was something else she would have to do if she stayed – get herself a car.

She hadn’t needed one whilst she’d been living in Tenerife. Her apartment had been on the hotel complex and she had walked to the other hotels within the resort when there had been meetings or when cover had been required. She’d also need somewhere to live. Maggie had been adamant that she could stay with her but she would have to insist that she be allowed to pay rent and grocery money, otherwise she would move out. Her conscience wouldn’t let her stay there for nothing.

“Okay, we’re here. Shall we do the public buildings and the winery first?”

His question took her by surprise. She’d been so deep in her own thoughts she hadn’t realised they had pulled into the vineyard car park.

“Fine.”

He frowned as he turned up the collar of his coat as protection against the rain before leaving the car to open her door for her. She put up Maggie’s umbrella to shield her from the rain as they hurried across the almost empty yard towards the barn where the wine was produced, bottled and stored.

An hour later Lucy had cramp in her fingers and a notebook full of information which she was sure she’d never manage to master. She had to admit that the process was fascinating and Dominic clearly knew his stuff when it came to producing wine. It was no wonder that her Uncle Nick had been pleased to secure him as his partner for the venture.

“You look as if you could use a break.” Dominic locked the door to the storage area.

“It’s a good thing you know about all of this side of the business. I don’t think I’d be much use.” She slipped her notepad and pen back inside her bag.

He opened the door leading back outside and peered out at the pouring rain. “You still need to know about this side of the business as well as the distribution, marketing and sales side.”

Lucy grasped Maggie’s umbrella ready for the dash across the courtyard to the shop and restaurant. “I guess so, it’s going to be a steep learning curve though.”

She kept the umbrella over them both as they splashed through the puddles to the restaurant. If the rain didn’t let up soon her black shoes would be going the way of her canvas wedges. Already her feet were squishing in her shoes where the water had seeped in through the scoop tops and trickled down to settle round her toes.

The restaurant was quiet with only a few couples drinking tea and eating lunch. It was a small room with walls the colour of clotted cream, decorated with pink and purple bunches of dried flowers along the beams. A pretty blonde girl wearing a black top, jeans, blue striped butchers apron and an expression of avid curiosity stood behind the counter next to a tempting display of cakes.

“Isabelle, this is Lucy, Nick’s god-daughter. Isabelle is the cook and manageress of the café.” Dominic performed the introductions.

“Oh, Dominic said you might be taking over from Nick.” Isabelle flushed and shook hands with Lucy. “What can I get you both?”

Lucy ordered a latte and a blueberry muffin while Dominic chose an espresso and a Danish pastry.

“I suppose the rain has put people off today?” Lucy asked, looking around the quiet room.

“We’ve only been up and running for a few months, so it only takes one wet day for numbers to fall,” Isabelle said.

Lucy asked her questions about the menu and had a quick look around the small kitchen behind the servery before joining Dominic at a table by the window.

Lucy smiled her thanks at Isabelle as she delivered their drinks and food. “What advertising do you do for the café?”

Dominic shrugged. “I think Nick did quite a lot at the start but you’d need to ask Jo in the office about specifics. That was all Nick’s side of the business.”

“And is that the part where you think I could fit in?” She poked at the milky foam on the top of her coffee with a spoon.

“Maybe.” He took a bite of his pastry.

His offhand tone stung. 

“I know I don’t have much experience of working in a winery but I’ve worked in a lot of other different places and jobs. I’m sure I can bring something to the business.”

His expression suggested he wasn’t convinced.

Lucy knew he didn’t want her as a business partner but he was about to be stuck with her for twelve months whether he liked it or not. Even as the thought flashed through her mind she knew that unless the accountant and Mr Fullwood revealed something unexpected to her later, her decision was made. She intended to stay and take on both Oakdale and Dominic.