Love On The Vine (7 page)

The look in Etienne’s eyes as he carefully fed her was so erotic her lips tingled with the urge to kiss him again.

“I knew you were driving, so I thought we’d better avoid alcohol.” He poured effervescent liquid into a crystal flute in a thin stream.

Regret pierced Bella’s mood. “Yes, I’ll have to go in about an hour. I have things to set up for this evening.” Bella took the glass from his fingers and drank, savoring the tingly bubbles on her tongue. “I’ve another birthday party.”

Etienne’s mouth tightened and he glanced away.

For a reckless moment, she thought of asking him to join her, but catering to a boisterous group of teenagers was probably not his idea of an evening out. Besides, she needed to concentrate all her energies on ensuring the party was perfect. Etienne’s presence would be an irresistible distraction.

“So, no time for a swim?” Etienne gestured to the rucksack. “I brought towels.”

“I can’t.” Bella’s face reddened. Had he packed swimsuits too? Somehow, she knew he hadn’t. The smooth surface of the water enticed, and a disturbing image sprang to vivid life of their naked bodies in the silken water. She swallowed, and resolutely changed the subject before she weakened. “I’ve had a few ideas about the launch, and about the vineyard as well, to be honest,” Bella fiddled with the stem of her glass. Having any ideas about his vineyard seemed impudent, but she had always been bothered that the vineyard, under her family’s tenure, was so low-key. She swallowed a mouthful of cool water.

Etienne was silent.

But his expression was open and interested. Bella pulled in a deep breath.

“My grandfather was old school,” she said. “He ran the vineyard and produced the wine, but he shied away from any promotional events. He wanted the vineyard to be famous purely for its wines, but these days things are different.”

“I decided to hold the launch to introduce the wine to a wider public.” Etienne munched on another morsel.

Bella bit her bottom lip. How would he respond to the ideas swirling insistently in her mind? “We need to introduce not just the wine, but you to a wider audience,” she said. “I have friends in some of the other local wineries, and they’re all dying to meet you. Only a couple of weeks away is September, which here in California is Wine Month. Scheduled are lots of wine-tasting tours, harvest openings, and stomp parties.”

Etienne’s brow creased. “Stomp parties?”

Bella gladly seized the opportunity to explain. “Barrels are loaded with grapes, and people climb in to squash them with their feet. It’s great fun. The tourists love it. Maybe tomorrow...” Her words trailed into silence. Was she being too pushy? After all, he hadn’t socialized with any of the other vineyard owners in the months since he’d lived in Aqua Blanca.

“Tomorrow what?” Etienne leaned closer.

“I thought you might come with me to meet some of the other owners. We could visit their vineyards and sign up your vineyard as an attraction on the established tours.” Bella’s gaze flickered to his and she held her breath.

He leaned forward and trailed a feather light kiss over her mouth. “Let’s do it.”

Heat spread through Bella’s body from the point where their lips met. She pulled away, needing the distance before she tossed away her plans for the afternoon to pull him close and intensify the contact. “Tell me about France.” She reached for her glass again and held it before her like a shield. “You worked in the family vineyard?”

Etienne’s mouth tightened and his eyes darkened to pitch. “Yes.”

In the moments of silence that followed, a telling kaleidoscope of expressions flickered over his face. A frown creased between his eyebrows as though reliving unpleasantness. Perhaps, like her, he battled difficult memories of life with his family.

Just as she’d decided that it might be circumspect to change the subject, Etienne spoke.

“For years, I expected to inherit the vineyard when my father retired.” With a sudden move, he stood and gazed over the lake. “Until my elder brother Vincent abandoned the world of high finance to claim his birthright.” That said, he turned back and packed the plates back into the picnic basket.

“So you inherited this vineyard?” Bella asked, hoping he’d reveal more.

He looked up and held her gaze. “This vineyard and the chance to build it back into one of the best in America is my second chance.”

And the look of determination blazing in his eyes hinted he had no intention of letting this chance slip through his fingers.

“H
e said what?” Bella’s legs wobbled and she sank onto the swivel chair, holding the phone tightly against her ear. Surely Sue was mistaken. Her father couldn’t really...

“He said Etienne stole the château from him,” her friend reiterated calmly. “After your grandfather’s death, John was due to inherit, but because of a legal technicality he lost out.”

Sue sounded curious.

“Surely you knew? The news spread like wildfire around Aqua Blanca when Etienne arrived.”

She hadn’t heard. No-one had brought the issue to her attention. Probably because they felt pity the evil Durands had forced her family out. Over the past few months, she’d been so busy with Celebrate she hadn’t had time to socialize. The venomous lies were so far from the truth, she couldn’t hold back the words spilling from her mouth. “Oh, Sue. I can’t believe my father has been spreading such lies.” She rested her head in her hands.

No wonder Etienne hadn’t been welcomed into the town. She pulled in a deep breath. “I lived with my grandfather for the last year of his life. He told me the whole story. In the nineties, my father insisted the vineyard be sold. He wanted money, and had no confidence that the vineyard would make it through the bad times. The Durands bought him out. They were  even so kind as to insist my grandfather be allowed to remain in his home until he died.”

A harsh laugh tore from her. “So, in fact, they were incredibly generous and supportive. They paid above the market price at the time, and from what I understood, they struggled to raise the money. After Grandfather died, the life interest in the château reverted back to their family.”

“Why did your father lie?” Sue’s soft voice questioned.

“Because he didn’t want to admit he’d made a foolish decision, selling when he did. He’s resentful of their success.” Bella rubbed at the tense muscles of her neck. Money and control defined her father, those items always had. But destroying a man’s reputation was a serious matter. She’d do everything possible to redress the wrong.

“That doesn’t surprise me,” Sue said. “I think your idea of introducing Etienne to everyone before the launch is a good one. Bring him over to us tomorrow at lunchtime. I’ll invite a few people. And don’t worry, Bella. I’ll tell them the score.”

Bella hung up, leaned back in her chair, and closed her eyes. If she hadn’t learned of this situation, many may have boycotted the launch out of a misguided sense of loyalty to her father. And now John had seen them at the string quartet recital together, he’d probably intensify the whisper campaign against Etienne. She glanced at her watch and then picked up the phone. She had time before this evening’s party. And a showdown with her father was well overdue.

****

E
tienne needed coffee and croissants for the morning. And an excuse to get away from the vineyard. Everywhere he looked reminded him of Bella. He even imagined her scent in the air, and the frustration she’d had to leave tore a hole in his gut. In town, he could pick up some chocolates to present to his hostess for lunch tomorrow.

Etienne drove quickly and expertly through the narrow roads toward Aqua Blanca. A warm breeze wafted in through the half-open window, bringing the realization that change was in the air. And Bella was the catalyst. A newly envisioned future stretched before him. One with a flourishing vineyard filled with people...filled with friends. A future to share with a totally unique, caring woman.

Bella was open and honest. He enjoyed her company, and any reservations that lingered about taking her to bed had dissolved in the heat of their mutual attraction.

As he drove down Aqua Blanca’s main street in search of a parking spot, he caught a glimpse of his smiling face in the rear-view mirror. And felt his smile widen, and his heart lift at the sight of a familiar blonde striding with determination toward the local café, The Tin Cup. His hand rose to the horn.

John St. Clair stepped from the café.

Etienne’s hand paused.

St. Clair’s arm went around her shoulders.

Bella didn’t pull away, but smiled him a greeting. In the next moment, they disappeared from view.

Etienne’s grip on reality shifted. His hands slackened on the steering wheel. She’d told him she didn’t speak to her father, but nothing in her body language today backed that up. She’d smiled at St. Clair and walked into the Tin Cup like a lamb by his side.

As if pursued by the hounds of hell, Etienne gunned the engine and sped down the street. He tried not to condemn her without a trial, but all the same, the clench of distrust tightened in his belly.

****

W
hat should have been a joyous occasion, the first time he’d been invited to lunch by one of his neighbors, was tainted by Etienne’s broodings about the woman who sat at his side in the car. The squat adobe building with the terracotta tiled roof squatted like one of the older buildings in the French countryside, transplanted into Californian soil. Etienne pulled up outside it, and turned off the engine.

As the engine’s noise faded, a tall redhead strode from the house, smiling a welcome.

“Bella.” She clutched Bella close, and then released her to greet Etienne. “And you must be Etienne. Welcome to our vineyard. I’m Sue.” She reached for his hand. “And I’m very glad to meet you at last!” Genuine warmth shone from her eyes.

Etienne smiled, glad for the distraction of another person. “I brought you some chocolates.” He handed them over.

“Wow. How did you know?” Sue’s eyes twinkled and she darted a quick glance at her friend.

Bella shook her head. “All his idea, Sue. I had nothing to do with it.”

“Well, Etienne, just so you know,” Sue’s voice lowered, “you couldn’t have bought a better present if you’d tried. I’m a confirmed chocoholic. Come in and meet the others.”

They walked through the white-painted house to an expansive dining room. Soft music played—overlaid with the hum of conversation. A gleaming polished wood table in the room’s center held colorful bowls of tapas, and bottles of wine. Before long, Etienne was in a lively debate about wine production techniques with a warm and friendly group, all of whom seemed genuinely interested in the difference between French viticulture and American. He could feel Bella’s gaze on him from across the room where she chatted with Sue, but resisted the urge to turn and look.

In the car, she’d seemed tense. He’d given her every opportunity to mention the meeting with her father—even asking what she’d done yesterday afternoon after they’d parted.

Her gaze had darted away and she’d licked her lips quickly before brushing off his question.

Etienne’s heart plummeted at her evasive tactics. She was lying. By omission anyway. His gut tightened and he struggled to concentrate.

Sue’s husband, Brad, waved a hand in the air, saying something about pruning techniques.

Etienne’s thoughts drifted back to Bella. She’d seemed so different, so caring. But all the time, she’d been meeting with her father—and enjoying his company if her remembered expression was anything to go by. He glanced over to where she stood.

The azure sundress clung to every curve, perfectly showcasing her breasts in the tight bodice. Her long legs looked even longer in matching blue strappy sandals. When he’d picked her up earlier, the flash of attraction always there between them flared to instant life, despite his anger.

“She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?” Brad murmured, following his gaze. “Sue and I were so relieved when she...” He broke off and shot a glance at his wife.

Etienne felt his eyebrows rise in query.

“Aw hell.” Brad continued with a shake of his head. “Maybe I shouldn’t say anything, but we were so glad she stopped dating that jerk, Brian.”

The mention of another man’s name linked to Bella’s sharpened Etienne’s senses. “Brian?” Curiosity forced the name from his lips.

Brad leaned closer. “They dated for about six months before she broke it off,” he said in a low voice. “Her parents loved him. Called him ‘the perfect husband’.” Brad’s lip curled. “He looked the part. And he had the pedigree. John St. Clair is all about breeding. That and money.”

Jealousy bit at the thought of a rival for Bella’s affections. “He sounds perfect.” Etienne gritted his teeth and clenched his hands at his sides. No-one could say he had the perfect pedigree.

“On paper,” Brad agreed. “But in reality, he was a complete jerk. A completely controlling megalomaniac who ended up getting thrown into jail for threatening Bella. He moved to Boston, where he’s no doubt stalking some other poor woman.”

Etienne struggled for control at the thought of Bella in danger. If he ever met this Brian, this man who’d hurt her... He crossed his arms and forced his violent reaction down. “And Bella’s parents—were they supportive?” A part of him registered that he should be having this conversation with Bella, rather than Brad, but he ignored it. He had to know.

“Anything but,” Brad said. “They threw her out. She moved in with her grandfather after that.”

Angry at the pain her parent’s rejection must have caused her, Etienne glanced over to where Bella chatted with a friend. She tossed back her hair, and smiled, shooting an arrow of regret through him. “She must have been very angry.” He drained his glass, barely tasting the merlot.

“She told Sue she felt devastated, as if her father considered her a piece of meat to be sold to the highest bidder. She threw herself into work. It’s good to see her looking so happy.”

Was she using him to show her father she could be with whoever she wished? The memory of her father’s arm around her shoulders flashed before Etienne’s eyes. Or was her father pressuring her somehow, to plot Etienne’s downfall? His fingers tightened around the stem of his glass. Whatever she was up to, he’d discover it.