Page 13 of Sharing Forever in Hope Creek (Hope Creek #2)

‘You’re still considering buying though, right?’

Jack registered an edge of urgency to the question.

‘I have a few things to consider, but I should be able to get back to you by the end of next week.’ He wanted to hear back from his forensic accountant and get one more independent opinion on the viability of the operation.

Jack was also keen to hear Callie’s take on it.

‘I love this place and it’s a great business.’ Thompson shook his head with regret and repeated, ‘I’m sorry I have to sell, but unfortunately it needs more time than I can give it.’

So why not keep it and put in a manager?

And, if someone else already takes care of employing personnel, who is that person?

Before Jack could ask, Callie said, ‘It’s such a beautiful day. Do you mind if Jack and I take a walk through the vineyards and up to the top of the hill, Andrew?’

‘Absolutely. Take all the time you need.’

‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘I imagine it’s a great view of the whole of Hope Creek from there.’

‘You’re right.’ Thompson’s gaze flicked to something beyond Jack’s left shoulder as he spoke.

For a split second, the owner’s eyes widened and something flared in his expression that looked uncomfortably like alarm.

Turning to follow the direction of the other man’s gaze, Jack saw a blond-haired man of medium-build pivot and stride away hurriedly.

What was that all about?

A frisson of unease slithered down Jack’s spine as he saw the owner of the vineyard compose his features, reach out to shake their hands and bid them a hasty farewell. A minute ago he’d offered them a wine tasting, now it seemed he couldn’t get away from them fast enough.

Something didn’t add up.

As Jack and Callie left the cool of the cask room, Jack decided he needed to have his staff do more digging. On the surface, everything was appealing, but—

‘Thank you for inviting me, Jack.’

He warmed at the genuine appreciation in Callie’s voice. ‘What do you think of the place?’

She smiled enthusiastically as they moved into the sunshine of the summer’s day. ‘I love it. It sounds as though it’s already doing well but I think it’s got a lot more potential.’

‘Potential, huh? So, what would you change? How would you develop it?’ He hung on her answer, wondering how similar they’d be in their thoughts.

‘For starters, I wonder how often the cask hall is booked for functions.’ She stopped walking but kept her hand linked in his as she turned to look back at the centre over her shoulder. ‘Stella and Mitch could’ve been married there yet I doubt they even considered it.’

‘I assumed getting married at Hope Creek Station was a sentimental choice for Stella.’

‘Well, it was, but it’s been a huge job clearing out the barn and sprucing up the surrounds when she could’ve had the reception right here in the cask hall,’ Callie reasoned as they crossed the carpark.

‘This vineyard is only a stone’s throw away from home, it’s gorgeous and it would’ve saved a lot of work. ’

He smiled. ‘I like your pragmatism.’

‘Don’t get me wrong,’ she said with a laugh, ‘I’ve loved helping Stell, but there’s still so much to do that I think we’re all going to be exhausted by Saturday.’

Instantly concerned, he stressed, ‘You have to look after yourself and not get over-tired. If there’s anything I can do to give you more chance to rest, let me know.’

For a second her lips parted and it looked as though she was overcome by his concern.

Then the moment passed and she raised one eyebrow cheekily.

‘Are you good at arranging flowers and handy with a glue gun?’ His horror must’ve shown because she laughed.

‘Don’t worry. You guys are doing all the heavy lifting and cleaning, we’re just doing a bit more cooking and organising the final touches for the day now. ’

Mitch had kept him on the hop since he’d arrived because there’d been a lot of clearing and cleaning to do.

It’d been a tiring few days with the wedding preparations, still trying to devote several hours in the day to overseeing the running of his company and spending sleepless nights as he came to terms with impending fatherhood.

But his body wasn’t nurturing a new life.

‘Just take care of yourself and get as much rest as your body needs.’

‘I will,’ she promised as they started up the hill.

It was only a gently sloping hill, but it was still quite a hike to get to the top. ‘Is the walk too much for you?’

‘Absolutely not! Exercise is good for me.’ Even so, when they reached the top, her breaths were choppy. ‘Wow! It’s a shame the function centre isn’t built right here. This is the best view!’

‘It’s magnificent.’ A possibility flashed through his mind.

‘If the land was graded a bit, it would be a fantastic place for a home.’ As soon as he uttered the words he had a vision of Callie living with him in that home.

They were standing together surveying the view with the house rising up behind them and the sound of children’s voices carrying from the house.

The vision was so real, he turned to her and glanced behind her—half relieved not to see a house there.

But his mouth dried. He might not be totally convinced yet that they could play happy families in this spot, but he wanted to draw her into his arms and kiss her.

Hell! He didn’t just want to kiss her lips, he wanted to kiss every inch of her as a prelude to lovemaking.

Nope. He took a step away from her, determined to veer away from that slippery slope.

Keep things about the vineyard .

Forcing himself to damp down on his desire, he blocked out the imagined sound of children laughing. ‘So, you’d market the function centre harder?’ It was one of the things he’d already decided to prioritise if he went ahead and bought the place.

She nodded. ‘This place has huge potential and if it was developed properly, the extra jobs could help the younger generation to stay in the area instead of having to move out to the bigger cities like I did.’

‘My development on the other side of Lancaster should help that, and you mentioned the bottling facility has made a difference.’

‘It has,’ she agreed. ‘But, although I didn’t challenge him on it, it’s not true Andrew’s employed everyone who’s knocked on his door looking for a job.

There have been people turned away and that’s why there’s been criticism that he employed backpackers over locals in the labelling operation.

According to what I’ve heard, not a single local has been employed in the labelling process. ’

‘If it’s true, that’s odd.’ He made a mental note to check into it.

‘You said you’d only met Andrew once, but …’

‘But?’

She pulled a face. ‘I’m not normally someone to think negatively of a person—especially on such brief acquaintance—but I didn’t warm to him.’

‘Good, because the way he looked at you was sleazy.’

‘I felt that too, but it was more than that.’

He raised his eyebrows. ‘Care to elaborate?’

‘I can’t.’ She shrugged. ‘It probably sounds over the top but he’s not someone I’d trust. There’s something too smooth about him. He’s almost … shifty. It’s like he’s trying too hard.’

Trying too hard . Interesting. He’d had the same impression.

She turned her hands palms upward. ‘Maybe he’s pushing because he’s overloaded as he says and he’s after a quick sale. But for all that I love this place, I’d be doing my research really well before I bought it from him.’ She shrugged again. ‘It’s just a gut feeling.’

‘Never discount gut feelings.’ His gut reactions had made him pursue Callie, and he still had a bone-deep feeling they’d be good together. ‘Don’t worry, my staff are doing a thorough check before I sign on any dotted lines.’

‘I hope it all checks out and you do buy the vineyard and develop it. It’s a fine balance in a place like Hope Creek.

We need to move with the times and find ways of supplementing income for farming families in times of drought or flood—or when international markets work against them—but we’re also here because we enjoy the pull of the land and the community ties.

We don’t want huge developments to dilute the sense of rural community, and we don’t want to see more backpackers in the area if they’re taking jobs that could be given to locals. ’

Hm. ‘The backpackers haven’t brought any increase in crime, have they?’

‘Not at all, and I don’t want to give the impression we’re an unwelcoming or small-minded community because that isn’t the case at all.’

‘I understand what you’re saying. You all want to protect local interests first.’ Mitch and Stella had already told him all the reasons why they’d returned to Hope Creek. ‘You need development, but don’t want too much of it.’

‘Right.’

Time for the big question …

‘Callie, if I’m to buy this place, would you be interested in managing the function centre?’

She stopped in her tracks. ‘Seriously?’

‘Seriously—if you want to,’ he told her. ‘I know my sister loved staying at home with her daughter for the first few months, but she said she missed the mental stimulation of work.’

‘I— It would be a great opportunity.’

‘Not that you have to work,’ he hastened to assure her, ‘because I intend to support you and the baby. I just thought—’

She lifted her chin a little, pulled her hand out of his and took a step backwards. ‘I’m not asking for any financial handouts, Jack. I can support the baby and myself. Not only do I have substantial savings, but I’ve got fantastic references so I should never be out of a job.’

‘Hey!’ He raised his hands before hitting the heel of one hand against his forehead. ‘I’m sorry. Let me backtrack here. What I’m trying to say is that you don’t have to work.’

Her expression was guarded and he sensed her withdrawal. ‘There’s a whole lot more to parenting than finances.’