Laurel’s spine straightened as she angled her dainty chin upward. “I do. You can ask me anything you want to know pertaining to the business. Whether it be in reference to the finished product or how it’s made. I’m well versed on everything that Ryan and his team produces and everything he’s thinking of producing. It’s imperative, considering these things are planned out years in advance.”
“Agreed. And I have no doubt you are at the top of your game, otherwise Harry never would’ve hired you. Your knowledge is impressive and, honestly, a surprise. I had no idea you were interested in the business.”
Laurel lowered her eyes to the bottle I held, and for the first time since she’d arrived this morning, she looked uncomfortable.
“I didn’t either, really. But after graduation…” She frowned. “I got a job here, and, well, it all just kind of fell into place after that.”
When her words faded and we were standing in the silence they left behind, I couldn’t help but think I was missing something. But before I could ask, or press her for more details, Laurel spoke again.
“Would you like me to take you over to the property’s main cellars? I could get Ryan to meet us there.”
“No. That’s okay. I think I’m going to focus on one thing at a time. Today I’ll stick to the villa. Get a feel for the inner workings of the place and take a look at the books.”
Laurel smiled, and then gestured to the Cabernet. “Well, take that with you. Later on, I’ll have Pete prepare the rib-eye for you to try.”
She walked by me, and the intoxicating scent of her perfume beckoned me to follow, which was just fine by me. I had no problem whatsoever walking behind Laurel, especially in those heels and that skirt.
We exited the cellar. Several staff members were gathered around the counter in the center of the kitchen, and when they spotted us, all talking ceased. As their eyes ping-ponged between us, Laurel stopped and smiled.
“Good morning, everyone. Mr. Chamberlin here—”
“Noah.” Laurel glanced at me, and when I winked, her eyes widened. Then I turned back to the staff members. “You can call me Noah.”
Laurel cleared her throat. “Well then, Noah is going to need your help around here for a few days while he learns the ins and outs of how we run things. Also, try to be on your best behavior. We want to impress him.” They all chuckled but nodded. “Okay, get to it, and Pete?”
The stocky guy with the shaved head and apron standing over by the oven turned our way.
“Let’s serve him up the rib-eye for dinner tonight.”
“You got it, boss lady.”
“Very good. If any of you need me, I’ll be around.”
I followed Laurel out of the kitchen and down the hall to our offices, and once we reached them, she said, “I have to go and check in on something with Ryan. Will you be all right here for a bit?”
Truth be told, I didn’t want to let her out of my sight. I was enjoying watching her in her element. Knowing I couldn’t trail her all day, however, I gave a clipped nod and gestured to my office.
“I’m sure I’ll manage. I’ve got some books to look over, and if they stress me out”—I held up the bottle—“some good wine to drink.”
“Great wine to drink.”
“If that’s the case, why don’t you join me for dinner tonight and we can enjoy it together?”
Laurel grinned, and I wanted to kiss her so badly I ached, but she took a step back and shook her head. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“But I need to taste the food with the wine. We need to go over the pairings.”
She nodded and bit down into her lower lip. I had her, and she knew it. “That’s true, and we definitely will. But you have enough to go over today. We’ll work on the menu throughout the week and have Pete join us so we can add or take away foods.”
Ah, she wanted to bring along a safety net. I wasn’t upset by that. It just meant she was feeling the same things I was, and that was going to make things over the next year very interesting indeed.
13
Noah
“IF THERE WAS anything I could do to change this, I would. But once again, Harry has gone and fucked us all.”
I leaned back in my chair and looked out the window as the sun began to set. It was Saturday afternoon here—nearly a week since I’d been back in Chamberlin—and late Saturday night in Italy. But knowing Sergio as the night owl he was, I’d taken the opportunity to give him a call and see how this all sat with him now that he’d had time to process the news.
“He’s put us in a difficult position for sure. But it’s your family, Noah. I’m not going to issue some ultimatum that will make you the one responsible for losing part of the business.”
Sergio paused, and I could hear the distinct sound of wine pouring out of a bottle.
“We can hire on a manager while you’re gone. They can pick up your share of the work, and when your obligation there is through, you come back. What else can we do?”
Nothing. There was nothing I could do unless I sold off my half of the partnership, and I wasn’t about to do that. As far as I was concerned, the only option was to put in the year required of me here, and once I was done, I’d return to Italy.
“I hate this. I hate that he’s controlling me again.”
If anyone understood how I was feeling right now, it was Sergio. When I’d arrived at his winery as a twenty-something-year-old, I’d been a bitter, surly pain in the ass. But after graduating with top grades for my viticulture and enology degree, he’d taken me under his wing anyway.
Over the years he’d become my surrogate family, and I his, after he lost his wife in a car accident. He knew all of the ugly details about Harry, and all of my misgivings on having to return. The one thing neither of us had counted on was Harry pulling a last-minute coup to trap me into staying.
“Look, it’s one year. And this is for your mother, not him. You always spoke of how you regretted the distance between you and the rest of your family because of Harry. Maybe this is a chance to rectify that. To heal those relationships.”
I thought about Justin and how angry he was, and the way my mom had held my hand the day of the wake. It was a small gesture, but in that moment it had meant everything to me. It had been a symbol of solidarity that I hadn’t expected upon my return, and one I hadn’t realized I’d missed.
“You’re right. I need to stop thinking about Harry and focus on the good.”
“There you go. Now go out and do something that makes you happy for a change. You’re too young to be so serious all the time.”
“You think so, old man?”
“I know so, and because I’m old, I’m gonna go to bed now. I’ll send you some resumés for your replacement over the next week or two.”
“Send away. I’ll try not to be too picky.”
“Just get me someone who knows what they’re doing. I don’t have time to teach a newbie anything other than where things are.”
“Got it. Now go and get your beauty sleep.”