Under A Harvest Moon (30 page)

All my affection,

Phillip

Nico glanced up at Danielle. Words failed him. Phillip and his mother? What did that even mean? He couldn't believe it, refused to believe it.

"Are you okay?" Danielle asked.

Was he? Was this shock, this numbness invading his body? "No. I don't know." He sat.

"Do you want to tell me what the letter said?" Danielle asked.

Nico shook his head. How could he tell her that her father had been in love with his mother? Danielle already had so many bad feelings for Phillip. He didn't want to add to them, then he remembered her letter. His stomach hit his toes. Had Phillip written the same guilty confession in Danielle's letter?

"What did your letter say?" he asked, afraid to hear the truth.

She pursed her lips together. "Mostly, it was an apology."

"That's it? Nothing else?" Nico prompted.

"Such as?" she asked.

"Did he mention my family?"

Danielle glanced away.

He knew her well enough now to know she knew something. "He told you, didn't he?"

Danielle looked at him, her eyes filled with compassion. "He didn't have to tell me. I already knew."

Nico came out of his chair. "What did you know, Danielle?" His chest ached, making it hard to draw a breath. "Answer me."

"I know my father had an affair with your mother," Danielle said gently. "He was in love with her. Your father found out. They fought."

Nico shook his head. He didn't want to hear anymore.

Danielle touched his arm, but he moved away.

"I know," she continued, "because I was there. I saw everything. Your father had been drinking. He got in the car. Your mother got in with him. My father tried to stop them."

Nico spun away. "No. You're lying." He tried to picture his parents, but he had trouble, the images becoming jumbled in his mind.

Thankfully, she stopped talking. Nico's mind whirled with all he'd just heard. Is that why Phillip had taken him in? Guilt? Son of a bitch.

"You've known all this time and you didn't tell me. Why?" he asked his throat so tight he could barely get the words out.

"At first, I was jealous of you. My father adored you. Later, I didn't know how to tell you, or even if I should. It wasn't my story to share. It's in the past. Telling you wouldn't change anything. The truth just causes hurt." She stood, her eyes shining with tears. "I'm sorry, Nico."

He didn't want to hear anymore. "I need some air."

"Wait," Danielle cried. "Don't go. Not like this, not full of anger and sadness."

He held up a hand. "I don't want to hear anymore." Nico let himself outside. He walked away from Whitney House to the golf cart. Once inside, he drove like a mad man to Block 8, straight to the white cross that marked Phillip Whitney's death. Nico stared down at the cross.

"You coward," he said to the white marker right before he stomped on the cross, ripping it apart, smashing it flat. "I don't want your damn vineyard. Not anymore."

Spinning on his heel, Nico got in the cart and reversed back down the row.

As soon as harvest was over, he was done with all things Whitney.

Chapter Sixteen

Danielle spent a restless night alone in her own bed, worried about Nico. He'd taken off after she'd given him the letter, not returning home until after she'd gone to bed. As a result, she'd been unable to sleep. Around four a.m. she'd heard Nico leave for the fields.

Giving up all hope of sleeping, she'd taken an early morning jog, but she still couldn't quiet her active mind. The ninety days was ticking by. Without a doubt, she wanted to stay on in Sun Grove, but at what cost to Kaiden? Nico was a separate issue, but an obstacle she needed to conquer before she'd find any peace.

Around nine, she'd called the office to ask Joyce where Nico was, and to her surprise, Joyce had told her he was meeting at the office with Jacques at ten, not working in the vineyard as she'd expected. She didn't want to think about why he hadn't come to see her. He'd been so upset when he'd left her yesterday, but was he upset with her or her father? Or was he grieving for his parents all over again?

She could no longer deny the truth, she'd fallen in love with Nico, heart-and-soul, true love. The same kind of I can't live without you love she'd felt as a teenager when he wouldn't give her the time of day.

She'd given him plenty of chances to speak up, to ask her to stay, or to tell her they'd have a relationship even if he went to work elsewhere, but he'd been silent. She had to know where he stood, and she felt strong enough now to tell him what was in her heart. If he shot her down, she'd deal with it. She wasn't sure how, but she would.

Danielle left the house. She decided to risk arriving wilted and walk the half mile to the office. Sun warmed her shoulders, but it was early enough in the morning she didn't break a sweat. Her body was finally becoming acclimatized to the warmer temperatures here.

When she reached the parking lot outside the offices, she noted Nico's golf cart. Her pulse fluttered, and she pressed her hand to her mid-section, more aware than ever of the risk she was about to take with her heart. She pulled the heavy door open, and went inside.

"Hi, Joyce," she greeted the receptionist.

"Mrs. Rankin." Joyce smiled. "How are you this morning?"

Danielle grimaced. "I've been better." Her nerves tightened.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Joyce said sincerely. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No. I've got to figure this one out myself, but thanks." Danielle gave her a half smile. "I'm here to see Nico."

"He just arrived. He's in the conference room with Jacques."

"Great." Forcing optimism, she tapped her hand on the corner of Joyce's desk. "Wish me luck."

"Good luck?" Joyce questioned. "I'm not sure I understand."

"That's okay." Danielle took off down the hall. Her sneakers made no sound as she walked. She passed Gayle's office.

"Great, you're here," Gayle called as she passed by, motioning her into the office. "Your ten o'clock will be here any minute."

"I didn't realize I had a ten o'clock," Danielle said, searching her mind for the forgotten appointment.

"Didn't you check your calendar yesterday or this morning?" Gayle pushed her glasses back up on her nose.

"No. I pretty much took the day off yesterday," Danielle said. "Who am I meeting with?"

"Germaine Cellars," Gayle said. "Miles Germaine contacted me after he spoke with you and made the appointment."

"Oh, no," Danielle groaned. "Can we cancel?" She didn't want to talk with Miles today, or ever. She'd never sell to him. The vineyard was staying with her or Nico, of that much she was certain. On the other hand, maybe a meeting today was good. She could tell Miles once and for all that the vineyard wasn't for sale.

"It's too late." Gayle checked her watch. "He's sure to be on his way."

"Darn." Danielle glanced down at her casual shorts and top. "I'm not dressed for a meeting."

Gayle smiled. "As eager as Germaine Cellars is to meet with you, I don't think they'll care how you're dressed."

"I suppose not," Danielle agreed. "Okay, give me a few minutes to meet with Nico, then I'll be back."

"Good enough," Gayle said.

Danielle continued down the hall, and around the corner.

She could hear Jacques' laughter coming from the end of the hall, hear the low timbre of Nico's voice. Her heart sped up, her palms felt damp.

She was nearly to the door when she heard Jacques say, "You're a master at seduction."

Danielle froze. Seduction?

"You used your charm on Danielle and it worked. You've totally seduced her. She looks at you with love in her eyes," Jacques said. "Soon you'll take your rightful place as head of the vineyard. She'll never sell to Germaine Cellars now, you've seen to that."

"I'm not sure what I've seen to," Nico said. "I'm too hung over to even think about the mess I've made. There's more involved here. That's what I want to talk to you about."

Danielle didn't wait to hear any more. She made an abrupt turn, running back down the hall. Her chest tightened with pain the sensation nearly stopping her breath. The truth hurt more than she feared it would. No wonder Nico hadn't asked her to stay. He'd had no intention of making a life with her. She had to get out of here, now, before Nico discovered her.

She ran past Gayle, who called, "Danielle!"

She flew by Joyce, nearly upsetting the tray of coffee cups she held.

Danielle yanked the door open, and left the office, heading for the parking lot, to Nico's golf cart. She got in, turned the key, and sped off.

Her worst fears had come to pass. Their romance had been a game to Nico, a way to get her on his side. He knew he could never top Germaine Cellars' offer, and he and Jacques had formed a plan, using her heart as their insurance policy.

Tears filled her eyes as she drove. Dust rose in a haze around her. Between her tears and the dust, Danielle had to swerve to avoid hitting the SUV that seemed to come out of nowhere. She braked hard. Her head cracked on the frame of the cart.

The SUV stopped. Dust whirled around the two vehicles, a brown, hazy cloud. She heard the SUV door open then close. Danielle pressed her hand to her forehead, seeing the blood on her fingers.

"Oh, my God," a man called. "Are you all right?" He reached her. "You're bleeding."

She glanced up at the man. He had neatly combed blond hair and light green eyes. His nose was straight, his jaw lean and hard, his lips full but not too full. Something about him told Danielle he'd be more comfortable on a beach than here, dressed in a business suit. His tan attested to his love of the outdoors.

"Here." He passed her a handkerchief. "It's clean. Press it to the cut on your forehead."

"Thanks." Danielle took the cloth and held it against the wound.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"Stupid," she said. "I'm so sorry. I was driving too fast. It's my fault."

He squatted down beside the cart. "Here, let me help you." He took the handkerchief and blotted at her head, his touch tender. "It doesn't look too bad. I don't think you'll need a stitch."

"Well, that's good," she said, giving him a small smile, even while her heart was breaking. "Thank you for your help."

"I'm Miles Germaine," he said.

"Of course you are." If the situation wasn't so sad, she'd laugh. "I'm Danielle Whitney."

He smiled and she noticed he had bright, white teeth.

"So we meet at last," he said easily. "May I give you a lift back to the office?"

"I would love a lift," Danielle said. "But not to the office." No, not anywhere near Nico. "Would you mind taking me to Whitney House?"

"Not at all," Miles said. "The pleasure is all mine."

***

"What do you mean she was here?" Nico asked with a calm he didn't feel. "Why didn't you buzz us?"

Joyce set the tray of coffee on the table. "She didn't give me a chance."