A man is clipping hedges. Not just any man. One of my father’s employees from the mill, and not just any employee—Rafe, the biker gang member.
He’s not paying attention to the shrubs. Instead, he’s staring at me.
Then he emits a low wolf whistle, his eyes trailing down my bikini-clad body—my dripping wet bikini-clad body.
“What are you doing here?” I snap.
“Boss ordered me to come clean up the landscaping. Apparently, there’s an important guest coming.”
“Except you’re not working. You’re just standing there, leering at me.”
“Leering? That’s a big word. Is that what I’m doing? Well, I guess the saying goes, when you’ve got it, flaunt it, and you’ve certainly got it, Miss Sawyer.” His eyes drag down me with a smirk.
I snatch the towel around my body and point toward the mill. “How dare you. Get out of here this minute.”
“Sorry, got a job to do.” He turns away, but I hear him mutter under his breath. “Snooty bitch.”
“What did you say, you trash?”
He turns on the power hedger and pulls the earphones that were wrapped around his neck up over his ears, smirking. “Sorry, can’t hear you.”
I stomp into the house and up the stairs.
“You okay?” Ruth calls after me, but I march into my room and slam the door.
At 7pm I come down the stairs in one of the few dresses I brought with me. It’s a short vintage Chinese Cheongsam dress characterized by its high collar, fitted bodice, and slit on the side.
The feeling of the dress is dignified and elegant. I couldn’t resist when my mother and I traveled to China last year. It’s mulberry silk of the highest quality, trimmed with satin frog buttons that decorate the high mandarin collar and the diagonal slant on my right shoulder.
It fits my body to perfection, and with my hair swept up into a French twist, it elongates my neck. I feel pretty and elegant and very grown up.
My father and his associate are in the study, glasses of bourbon in their hands. They turn when I appear in the archway.
“Tori,” my father says, a smile on his face. “You look beautiful, sweetheart. Alex, may I present my daughter, Tori. Tori, this is Alex Powers of Lorenzo Cellars & Vineyard.”
The man is tall and attractive, perhaps in his late thirties or early forties. His smile is worthy of any movie star. He extends his hand and takes mine.
Instead of shaking it, he brings the back of my hand to his lips for a kiss.
“Ah, the lovely Tori. It’s my pleasure to meet you. Your father has spoken of you and how pleased he is you’ve returned to California.”
“Mr. Powers—”
“Alex, please.”
“Alex, it’s nice to meet you as well. And where is your vineyard located?”
“In Napa. Perhaps I can persuade you and your father to visit sometime.”
“I think we’d both love that, Alex,” my father replies. “Wouldn’t we, dear?”
“I’m sure it’s lovely.”
“I brought a bottle of our best for us to share over dinner.”
“How thoughtful, but I’m not of age to drink yet.”
“Right. Of course. Perhaps your father would allow you a glass with dinner in the confines of your lovely home.”
“Of course. I’m sure she’d love a taste.”
Ruth appears at the door. “Dinner is served, Raymond.”
“Thank you, Ruth.”
Alex extends his elbow to me. “May I escort you, Tori?”
I smile and take his arm, and we move to the dining room. Alex pulls out my chair, and we all sit. I’m across from him with my father on one end and my aunt on the other.
The meal passes in amicable chit-chat, and it’s not as bad as I’d feared. I actually relax and enjoy myself.
When the meal is over and we’re having dessert and coffee, my father looks at me.
“I was telling Alex about O’Bryan’s earlier. Perhaps you’d like to show it to him, Tori?”
My father’s suggestion takes me by surprise, and I hesitate with a forkful of cheesecake halfway to my mouth.
O’Bryan’s is a landmark around here. It’s famous for its coffee and pies.
I used to love the place as a child. They had a courtyard in the back and a waterfall fountain.
I used to throw coins in it as a child and make a wish.
But I’m confused that he’d want me to entertain this man.
“I’d love to see it. It sounds intriguing.” Alex looks hopefully at me. “I can’t think of a lovelier guide to show me the sites. I’ve never been to this area before.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing compared to Napa and San Francisco.”
“If you’d rather not—”
My father cuts Alex off. “Nonsense. She’d love to show it to you.” He winks at me. “Perhaps you’ll bring your old man a pint of their coffee ice cream.”
“Of course, she’ll go,” Aunt Ruth puts in and seals the deal, shocking me even further.
Alex scoots his chair back, laying his napkin on the table. “Shall we?”
“Yes, go,” my father says.
We walk down to his car. It’s a sleek sports car, one I don’t recognize. He clicks his key fob, and the doors swing out and up like wings.
“Wow. What kind of car is this?”
“A McLaren Artura Spider. I’m a bit of a car afficionado.”
I slide onto a seat made of exquisite leather, and Alex goes around to slip behind the wheel.
The car rumbles to life, and he grins. “You like fast cars, Tori?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been in one. How fast does this car go?”
“205 mph, but of course I’ll do the speed limit. I take your safety very seriously.”
“Thank you.” I glide my palm over the leather. “It’s beautiful.”
“Maybe I’ll convert you to a car lover.” He winks and rolls down the driveway.
“How many cars do you have?” I ask.
“Twenty-four.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“Nope. I guess you could say I’m addicted.”
“Do you have a favorite?”
“This is my latest one. I got it last month. Right now, I’d say it’s my favorite.” He gives me a boyish grin, and I can’t help but find him charming. “I suppose I have a problem, eh?”
“You’re a collector.”
“Well said, Tori.”
“Do you collect anything else?” I ask.
“Wine, of course. Those are my two loves. Wine and cars. Though if I had to choose, I’d say I was a car guy.”
He pulls onto the highway and shows me a sample of what the car can do, getting to speed quickly with a roar.
I can’t help laughing as the car zooms down the road. It’s freeing, and I’m not the least bit afraid.
Alex follows my directions to our destination, and we pull in the lot, turning heads.
“Wait there,” he says as he climbs out, then comes around to help me out like a true gentleman.
He holds the door for me as we enter, and soon we’re seated. We bypass the food menu for the dessert menu and study the options.
“What do you recommend, Tori?”
I close mine and set it aside, already knowing what I want. “My favorite is coconut crème. It’s the bomb.”
He grins and closes his own menu. “Sold.”
When our pie and coffee arrive, we dig in.
Alex moans around his bite and leans back in his chair. “That’s heavenly. I wonder if they’d sell them at my winery.”
I giggle and take a bite of my own.
“I’m serious. When I come across a good thing, I like to promote it.”
Cocking my head, I study him. “And what deal are you working on with my father?”
“He has some land I’m interested in, and I have some he’s interested in. You’d think it would make it an easy deal to make. I have to say your father can be quite stubborn, though.”
“What land of his are you wanting to buy?”
“The land we just left.”
I drop my fork to my plate with a clatter. “You mean the mill… and the house?”
“Yes,” he replies, glancing at me and taking another bite. His movements slow. “You’re not happy. Why?”
“He can’t sell the mill.”
“He has ten of them. Surely, he can part with one, especially when he’d be getting the prime land I’m offering.”
“But that mill is the original. The one my great grandfather started at the turn of the century. He couldn’t possibly sell the house. It’s been in our family for generations.” I huff a laugh. “You’re wasting your time. It’ll never happen.”
“I don’t know, Tori. I wouldn’t bet the farm on that. He seems quite tempted. I was actually hoping you might be able to help me convince him.”
“Sell our family home? Absolutely not.”
“I had no idea you felt such an attachment to the place. Your father told me you’d been away from it for a decade. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m really enjoying your company, so we’ll talk no more about it. As you say, he’ll probably never agree.”
My eyes narrow on him. “But you’re not giving up.”
He chuckles. “I rarely give up. I guess it’s one of my faults. But I’ve learned you don’t get what you want in life if you don’t try. Right?”
“I suppose.”
“What do you want in life, Tori?”
I shrug. “I’m not sure I’ve figured that out yet. My mother wants me to consider law, and my father wants me to focus on business. I think he plans to leave Sawyer Lumber to me.”
“Of course. You’re his only child. I’m sure that’s exactly what he’ll do. Is that what you want? To be running ten lumber mills?”
“Not really.” I muse, and for the first time it really sinks in that all of it will be left to me. Is that what I want? To run the business?
“What are your interests? What do you love to do?” Alex asks, sipping his coffee.
“I love to travel. I get that from my mother.”
“Ah, a love we share. Where have you been?”
“China. Egypt. Amsterdam. London and Paris, of course.”
“Of course.” He grins. “I’ve always wanted to go to Egypt. Did you enjoy it?”
“I found the pyramids fascinating.”
“Have you been to Morocco?”
“I haven’t.”
“You’d love it. The people, the food, the architecture. Perhaps I could show it to you sometime.”
It’s the first indication that he’s interested in more than being shown around town, and I frown. “You want to take me to Morocco?”
“Tori, I’d love to show you the world. I see in you a woman who’s open to adventure and who isn’t afraid of trying new things. You climbed in that fast car without an ounce of fear, and you laughed when I hit the accelerator. Tell me I’m wrong?”
“I suppose I am adventurous.”
“I’d love for you to see my vineyard. Please tell me you will.”
I look away, flushing. He’s an attractive man, and his attention is very flattering.
He cocks his head. “Is it my age? Is thirty-eight too old for you?”
“No. Not at all.”
“Glad to hear it.” He takes another bite of pie. “You’re beautiful, Tori, and I find you fascinating, plus I love your laugh. I’d love to spend more time with you. Would you have dinner with me sometime?”
“I’d love to.”
“Fantastic. I’ve got business I have to take care of this weekend, but perhaps the one after that?”
“All right. Call me.”
He finishes his pie and pushes the plate forward. “Show me this fountain you’ve talked about.”
He pays, and I lead him out to the courtyard. It’s late, and we’re the only two out here. Pretty lighting is strung about, and the sound of the water is soothing.
Alex digs into his pocket and holds a quarter out to me. “Make a wish?”
I grin and take it, laughing. “I’m surprised you still carry coins.”
“I came prepared.” He shrugs. “Gotta have a coin to make a wish, right?”
I smile and turn to the fountain. Then make a wish and toss the coin.
“I don’t suppose you’ll tell me what you wished for,” he murmurs, stepping closer and tucking a stray hair behind my ear.
My pulse beats at his nearness, and I breathe in his expensive cologne. A moment later, he leans in and kisses my lips. It’s barely a brush, and I like that he doesn’t press for a deeper kiss. He’s simply testing the waters. Pulling back, he grins. “I know what you wished for, Tori.”
“What’s that?”
“To drive my car back?”
“Bingo,” I tease, knowing he’d never let me drive it, but he surprises me by holding up the key fob. My mouth drops open. “You can’t be serious.”
“Serious as a heart attack, angel.” The fob still dangles in front of me.
“Are you sure?”
“Don’t fail me now, Tori. Be that adventurous girl I know you are.”
I take the fob from his hand, unable to hold back my huge grin. I’m jumping up and down on the inside.
When we get to the car, I hesitate. “You have insurance, right?”
He chuckles. “On a two-hundred-and fifty-thousand-dollar car? Yeah, I have insurance, babe.”
“This car costs two-hundred-and fifty-thousand-dollars?” I squeak.
He laughs and holds his hand toward the car. “Hit the green button on the fob, and let’s take it for a spin.”
I do, and the doors rise up. This is so cool!
When we return to the house, he leaves me at the door with a gentle kiss on the lips. “I’ll call you. I enjoyed tonight immensely, my little hot-rod.” Then he winks and trots to his car.
I enter, smiling. The house is dark, and I go up to my room and walk to the window I’d left partially open earlier today. The sheers blow with the slight breeze. Before I can shut them, I hear voices below and peer down.
Alex is talking with a man next to his car, and I recognize him as my father’s foreman.
“I’m working on it. That idiot, Bubba, ruined the last thing I planned,” Charlie Thompson says.
“Just get it done,” Alex replies. “Whatever it takes, understand? It’s the reason I put you here.”
“Yes, sir.”
Alex reaches into his pocket and pulls out an envelope, passing it to Charlie. It looks thick, like maybe it contains a stack of bills. Charlie steps back, and Alex climbs in his car and fires it up.
I watch him drive away, and then Charlie disappears into the shadows in the direction of the mill.
I stand in stunned silence, frowning, wondering what in the world those two would have to say to each other, and how they even know one another.
What did Alex mean by his words, ‘ it’s the reason I put you here’ ?
If Charlie is up to something suspicious, perhaps he doesn’t deserve the trust my father’s put in him.
Whatever is going on, I’m determined to find out.