Page 12 of Sharing Forever in Hope Creek (Hope Creek #2)

‘I can’t believe I’ve never been here when this is so close to home,’ Callie exclaimed as she got out of the car at the vineyard.

‘I mean, I’ve driven past and admired the way all the rows of grapevines stretch out so neatly over the hills, but I’ve never actually called in or done a wine tasting.

’ She gestured towards the vines that were heavy with clusters of deep purple grapes and promised a bountiful harvest. ‘It’s really beautiful. ’

‘Really beautiful,’ Jack agreed, but he wasn’t referring to the landscape as he walked around the front of the car to join her. It was Callie, in her gorgeous green and white summer dress, who took his breath away.

Her curves heated his blood and made his hands itch to trace over them. Callie impressed him with her vivacity and her ability to appreciate the simpler things in life. Somehow all his senses seemed sharper when he was with her.

She sighed and did a complete turn with her arms wide. ‘Beautiful and serene.’

The vista that stretched out before them was diametrically opposite to the underlying sexual tension that had pulsed between them ever since he’d picked her up from the homestead twenty minutes ago.

‘They’ll be harvesting in a couple of months, won’t they?’ she asked.

‘Yes.’ He was pleased to be able to have a sensible topic of conversation to focus on before his awareness of her became an obvious bulge in his denim jeans.

‘Vintage is generally from February in this district, but weather plays a significant factor in when it takes place. Andrew Thompson, whom you’ll meet, has said that it’ll be a late vintage this year. ’

She tilted her head. ‘What’s he like?’

Jack only half-listened to her question. His attention was caught by the natural auburn highlights of her brunette hair. Now that she’d left her hair out and it cascaded around her shoulders, the sun brought the various shades to life.

‘Although people are grateful for the jobs he’s brought to the district, he’s never become part of the community,’ she volunteered.

‘Bill, who owned the pub before Mitch bought it, said Andrew’s never set foot in the place, yet it’s the heart of the community.

I know he was invited to come and join in our Saturday night get-togethers several times when he first arrived. ’

‘I’ve only met him once.’ There hadn’t been much time to mull over his impressions of Andrew Thompson because he’d only met the guy on Sunday afternoon and he’d been hit with Callie’s news the same night.

Recalling his initial impression, he acknowledged something had made Jack email his senior accountant immediately after he’d left the vineyard and direct that a forensic accountant go over the books carefully.

Then again, he’d be investing a substantial amount of money into the vineyard, so it made sense to do thorough research.

‘I enjoy drinking wine—though I haven’t had anything to drink since I found out about the baby,’ she hastened to add. ‘But I really don’t know much about the process.’

‘Ah, there’s Andrew now.’

‘Jack!’ The owner of the vineyard called out enthusiastically.

Jack guessed he was in his late fifties. With a medium build and thinning sandy hair, there was nothing particularly remarkable about him.

‘Good morning, Andrew.’

They walked towards each other and Thompson gave Jack a hearty handshake before turning his attention to Callie. ‘You must be Callie.’

‘Good morning, Andrew. You have a lovely place here.’

Callie shook Thompson’s hand but Jack noted the vineyard owner held her hand for way longer than was necessary.

‘It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Callie,’ Thompson said. ‘Here we are both Hope Creek locals. What a shame we haven’t met before.’

Jack frowned. Was he being overly sensitive or was there a suggestive note in Thompson’s tone?

‘I’m looking forward to seeing the vineyard.’ Callie jerked her hand back to her side the second Thompson released it, and she edged closer to Jack’s side. ‘I’m hoping you might be able to educate me a bit on winemaking as we go?’

When Thompson’s gaze swept over Callie appreciatively and lingered on the scooped neckline of her summer dress, Jack felt the blood pulse at his temples.

Calm down, Jack.

‘It will be my pleasure to show you around,’ Thompson told her, yet his smile was a touch too warm in Jack’s opinion.

Jack caught Callie’s hand in his.

Shooting him a sideways smile, she entwined her fingers with his and he loved the way it felt for them to walk side by side holding hands.

But whereas walking beside Callie felt right, there was something that didn’t feel quite right about the vineyard today. He couldn’t put his finger on why he felt that way.

He’d researched its history and sought independent advice regarding the potential for its future growth.

The reports had been positive. Given that he’d always wanted a vineyard, and that it would be a perfect acquisition considering Callie wanted to raise their child in Hope Creek, Jack wasn’t sure why he was hesitant about making an offer for the business.

He’d learned to trust his gut.

Something held him back.

‘We consider the grape ripeness and measure the tannin, sugar and acid levels to work out when we’re going to harvest,’ Thompson told Callie in response to a question she’d asked.

There was almost a hint of desperation in his manner as he started telling her about how fabulous the wine was—as if he was trying too hard to impress.

As if he was too anxious to close the deal as quickly as possible.

Jack had noticed on his first visit that Thompson hadn’t quite met his eye when he’d talked about certain aspects of the wine production, but he’d put it down to the man being distracted.

Today, he experienced a flicker of something that didn’t sit quite right when Thompson spoke about the grape yield and the number of sales.

At one point when they toured the bottling facility, it seemed like a shadow of unease crossed the other man’s face.

Oh, he’d quickly schooled his features into a triumphant smile as he’d boasted about the quality of the wine, yet Jack noticed the smile hadn’t quite reached his eyes.

It was curious.

Now Thompson pointed out the bottling facility, but rather than taking Callie in, he stopped at the doorway and waved a hand. ‘Nothing particularly interesting about the bottling process. Let’s move on.’

Before Jack could voice that he wanted Callie to see the whole vineyard, Thompson was already turning away and asking Callie, ‘Did you know that the first vine cuttings in the country were brought over from South Africa in 1788 by Governor Phillip?’

‘I had no idea,’ Callie replied.

‘They weren’t successful,’ Thompson added. ‘It was actually Governor Macarthur who, in the early 1800s, had the first successful commercial vineyard and winery on his property in New South Wales.’

While Thompson elaborated on the history of winemaking in Australia, Jack changed his clasp of Callie’s hand so he could let the pad of his thumb trace against the palm of her hand.

He was satisfied to hear the catch in her breath and to see a slight tinge of colour rise to smudge her cheeks, but was more satisfied when she shifted even closer to his side.

His own arousal stirred in response and his lips tingled with longing as he wanted to stop her right there, draw her into the circle of his arms and sample her seductive kisses.

God, but he wanted her.

It was hell having to keep to his word and hold back and he cursed his plan. Was this ‘go slow’ really the best strategy when they’d already been lovers and both knew the passion and fulfilment they were missing out on? Had it really been his ‘bright idea’ to work on friendship first?

‘And this is our function centre,’ the other man said as they entered the huge cask hall. ‘Perfect for weddings.’

‘It’s got a wonderful atmosphere. I love all the wooden beams in the ceiling, and—’ she inhaled deeply, ‘—the scent of the oak and wine is divine. How old is this place? I can’t remember how long ago the vineyard was developed.’

‘It was established eight years ago, but I’ve only owned it for the last five years.’

‘I remember the community was really pleased when the previous landowners announced the opening of the vineyard,’ Callie said.

‘It came at a great time because the international markets weren’t being so kind to the farming community.

Then you added the bottling facility and it created more local jobs. ’

‘You’re right,’ Thompson confirmed. ‘Some of the farmers still work casual shifts when we bottle the wine. It’s a good way of supplementing their income.’

Callie’s lips flattened for a second. ‘I know you use both locals and backpackers during harvest, but someone said you only use backpackers in the labelling process. Is that right?’

Thompson’s shoulders stiffened and he looked away briefly. ‘I have someone who takes care of the employment of casual staff, so I really couldn’t say, but I doubt it. My understanding is that all the locals who’ve applied for work have been employed in some capacity during vintage. Now—’

‘Remind me why you’re selling?’ Jack asked as he tried to steer his thoughts to the here and now. He needed to banish the X-rated fantasies of Callie that were playing around in his mind but it was next to impossible with her body so close to his and her thigh brushing against his as they walked.

‘I have a wide variety of business interests.’ Thompson gave a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders but still didn’t meet Jack’s eyes. ‘I find myself becoming spread too thin to give this business the time it deserves.’

Hm.

‘Shall we move on to the tasting room so you can try some samples?’ he asked them.

‘Not today,’ Jack answered. ‘We’ve taken enough of your time.’ Callie had already told him she was avoiding alcohol during her pregnancy, and there were wedding preparations he’d promised to help with.