Passionate Harvest (8 page)

“That’s twice today you’ve made me jump.”

A frown puckered his forehead. “I thought you went home ages ago? Did you come back for something?”

“No, I didn’t go. I went to get some cakes to take home and poor Isabelle was swamped so I stayed to help.” She realised she probably looked a complete mess with blistered feet and her hair clinging damply to the back of her neck. And somehow despite wearing an apron she’d managed to smear cream and jam onto the bodice of her dress.

“If you’d have called me I would’ve come to help.”

Lucy gave a small shrug. “Neither of us thought of it. It was so hectic in there we just got on with the work.”

“I’ll have to get something in place for tomorrow.” Dominic’s frown deepened.

“No need. I already told Isabelle I’ll stop by and stay to help again if it’s busy. I suppose we can count it as my induction into the café work.” 

“You’ve already given up your free day.” 

He didn’t look too happy with her suggestion.

“I won’t be in again till later in the week, remember? I have to tie up all the loose ends with the tour company.” She shuffled her feet, longing for a sit down and a change of shoes.

“Hmm, I suppose so.”

“What brought you back here?” He could hardly tell her off for working on a weekend when he was there too.

He dangled his car keys in the air. “I left the car earlier. I came back to move it down to the cottage.”

Lucy’s face heated as she recalled exactly why his car was still parked next to hers. The same memory appeared to cross his mind at the same time judging by the dull flush of colour reddening of his cheeks. 

She licked her lips nervously and picked at a dried spot of cream on the shoulder of her dress. “I should get going, Maggie will be back from her trip and I could use a shower.”

“Um, yeah, me too. I could use a shower, I’ve been fixing the trail path with Bob.”

Lucy’s face grew hotter under his gaze. Her traitorous mind immediately filled with images of Dominic naked inside his shiny white tiled bathroom. With water dripping from his dark hair onto his broad shoulders and his ice blue eyes fixed on her own bare body as she joined him under the cool water spray. 

From the glint she saw there right now she suddenly had the uncomfortable feeling that he had her pictured in a similar situation, and the thought of it made her melt.

* * *

She arrived back at the café the following day in time for Isabelle to open up. The forecast was for another bright, sunny day and Lucy was certain Isabelle would need all the help she could get. At least she was sure there would be a role for her within the business even if it was only waiting on tables. Perhaps that would be sufficient to meet the terms of Nick’s will.

“Lucy, I’m so glad you came back today.” Isabelle beamed at her.

“If it’s anything like yesterday then you’ll need the help.” Lucy smiled back. At least today she was dressed for waitressing in comfy shoes and loose practical clothes.

Sure enough they had barely had time to get the place ready and set up the counter when the first customers were outside the door. Time passed quickly and Lucy enjoyed making herself useful. It was well after lunch before the flood of customers slowed to a trickle and they were able to snatch a quick break.

“We will definitely get you more staff for next weekend.” Lucy sat at a table opposite Isabelle and stretched one leg to ease the ache in her calf.

“I’m going to hold you to that,” her companion agreed.

“At least you have the day off tomorrow.” Lucy wondered what tasks Dominic would have waiting for her on her first ‘proper’ day in her new role as part-owner. Fortunately she had a couple of days to get her former life in Tenerife sorted out before she found out.

“You’ll be fine. Dom’s bark is worse than his bite. Everyone here is pretty nice. Even Jo is really, it’s just that she can be a little proprietary where Dom is concerned.”

“Are they dating?” Lucy wondered if Dominic was involved with anyone and was surprised at how dismayed she felt by the thought.

Isabelle shook her head. “No, although Jo keeps hinting at him, I don’t think he sees her in that way if you know what I mean. Come to think of it I’ve never known him get involved with anyone since he’s been here. I think occasionally he’s taken someone out for dinner or drinks but then nothing. He never talks about his private life at all; maybe he’s been burned in the past.”

“He does seem very private.” A prickle of guilt tickled at her conscience that she was talking about her work partner like this with an employee.

“Hmm, I suppose he is.”

Lucy drained the last of her coffee and stood. “I’ll go and tidy up in the back, stay there and finish your break. Call me if anyone else comes in and needs serving.”

She left Isabelle finishing her drink and went into the compact but nicely fitted kitchen that served the tea room.

She’d barely started cleaning down the counters when she heard a woman’s voice. “Sitting down on the job, Izzy? Better not let the new boss see you.”

Lucy paused in her task of stacking the dirty tea cups in the dishwasher acutely aware of Maggie’s adage that ’eavesdroppers never hear any good of themselves’.

She didn’t catch Isabelle’s reply before the other woman’s clear confident voice continued. “Not that we’re likely to see much of her. I can’t see her wanting to play at winemaking for long. What was she before? A children’s nanny or something for a holiday company. It’ll be Hi-Di-Hi campers and a crèche in here next.” The woman laughed heartily at her own joke.

Lucy felt for Isabelle who had to be acutely embarrassed knowing that Lucy was in earshot in the kitchen. She toyed with the idea of going out into the tea room to silence the unknown woman but thought that might make things even more awkward.

“I think you have the wrong impression of Lucy.” Isabelle’s reply reached her this time.

“Oh well, time will tell I suppose. Although I’m not very happy that Dom took my car back to give to her. He seems quite taken with her for some reason, although it may be her inheritance that’s the main attraction.”

Lucy’s heart bumped as she realised the unknown speaker must be Jo.

“It was only ever a temporary loan till your car was fixed, and Lucy’s a very pretty girl,” Isabelle responded.

There was a rustling of paper and the sound of the till drawer opening. “Whose side are you on Izzy?”

“Don’t be silly, I’m not on anyone’s side. I think you should give Lucy a chance though. I’ve met her a couple of times now and she’s really nice.”

Lucy could imagine how awkward this was for her, defending her new employer and unlike Jo, knowing that Lucy could probably hear every word.

“Well we’ll see. Time will tell if she’s going to stick around.”

The sound of voices died away and Lucy sagged back against the work top hoping that Jo had gone.

“I’m so sorry. I take it you heard all that.” Isabelle appeared in the doorway looking flushed and awkward as she twisted her hands in her apron.

“Well, you know what they say about eavesdroppers. Anyway, you did warn me about Jo. It wasn’t your fault.” She patted Isabelle’s arm. “Really, it’s okay. Come on we’ll be able to close up soon so we may as well make a start on cleaning up.”

* * *

Who was he trying to kid? Dominic wondered as he clipped Mutley’s lead onto his collar ready to walk out in the direction of the tea room. He didn’t have to take his dog out for exercise at the precise time the tea rooms were due to shut or be in that area when he knew he was likely to bump into Lucy.

He was about to cross the lane to walk towards the vineyard when a small red car drew to a stop by his gate and the driver wound down her window.

“Jo, what brings you out this way on your day off?” He fixed a polite smile to his face. He’d been aware for some time that his assistant had been trying to manoeuvre situations where they spent more time together. While he was fond of her as a friend and colleague, he’d never harboured any other kind of feeling towards her. Unlike Lucy.

“I’ve been to collect some cakes from the tea room for my mother. She’s got guests tonight.”

“Was it busy over there?” Perhaps Lucy hadn’t gone in to help today after all.

Jo pouted a little. “I think it had quietened down by the time I arrived. There wasn’t much choice left in cakes though so I presume they must have sold well.”

Mutley had grown bored with waiting for Dominic to take him across the field. Before Dom could react the big dog jumped up the side of Jo’s car resting his paws on the open window as he sniffed interestedly at the box of cakes on the passenger seat.

“Get down, Mutley.” Dominic jerked on the leash and the dog dropped back to look mournfully at his owner.

Jo frowned in distaste at the dog. 

“I’d better take him for his walk. I don’t suppose you saw Lucy over at the tea rooms while you were there did you?”

“Lucy? Why would she be there?” Blank astonishment replaced the frown.

“She helped Izzy out yesterday. I don’t know if she intended going to help today too.” Lucy may not have kept her word about assisting Isabelle.

Angry pink colour flooded along Jo’s cheeks. “Well I’m sure I didn’t see her and Isabelle certainly never mentioned her to me.”

Dominic waved goodbye as Jo rapidly wound up her window and drove off. Something about Lucy’s name had caused Jo to react but for the life of him he couldn’t think what it could have been. Perhaps Lucy hadn’t gone in to work after all.

Mutley pulled at his lead, anxious to be off. Dominic followed his dog along the track. A short while later he rounded the bottom of the path to discover the car park was almost empty. His pulse quickened when he saw Lucy’s dark green car parked in the far corner. He was surprised Jo hadn’t seen it unless of course the place had been busier when she’d been there.

His steps slowed as he crossed the car park. Mutley pulled impatiently on his leash. The dog knew that the tea room invariably meant a biscuit from Isabelle and he was intent on dragging Dominic over there. 

Isabelle noticed him as he entered the tea room. “Hi Dominic.” She bent to fuss the dog. The room was empty of customers.

“Hello Dominic.” Lucy was busy mopping the quarry tiled floor in the far corner.

Isabelle bustled behind the counter to fetch Mutley his treat. “We were about to close up.” 

“I can tell. Have you been busy?” He kept a tight hold of the dogs lead as Lucy walked past to put the mop away. The last thing he needed was a repetition of the other day when Mutley had flattened her.

“Run off our feet.” Isabelle confirmed.

Lucy came back from the kitchen to stand at her side. “We have to get Isabelle some more help for next weekend.”

“I’ll ask Jo to give the local college a call. They have some catering students who might want weekend work.” Dominic sighed as Mutley crunched his biscuit scattering crumbs onto Lucy’s freshly mopped floor.

“Thanks, I’ll put a card on the window here too.” Isabelle untied her apron and rolled it up into a ball before tucking it inside her bag. Lucy followed suit.

“I’d better let you ladies lock up.” He walked Mutley outside and waited while Lucy and Isabelle collected their things. 

Isabelle produced a huge bunch of keys from her bag, locked the door and turned the handle to check it was locked. 

“Right, I’m off home. Thank you for all your help this weekend, Lucy. It’s going to be great having you working here.” She kissed Lucy’s cheek and with a farewell wave set off across the car park towards her car.

“It’s nice to be outside in the fresh air.” Lucy sniffed appreciatively as she looked around the now deserted space.

“I planned to walk Mutley a little bit further towards the lakes; you’re welcome to walk with me if you aren’t too exhausted from waitressing.” The offer was made before he had time to think about whether spending leisure time with Lucy was a good idea.

“Provided it’s not too far, I’d love to. It’ll perk me up before I go home and start to sort out my papers ready for tomorrow. A shadow crossed her face as she spoke and he wondered if she had second thoughts about leaving behind her life in Tenerife.

“We won’t go far then, I promise.” He released the clip on Mutley’s leash and the big dog bounded away towards the lakes which glittered in the sunshine in the distance.

“You won’t let him jump up at me this time will you?” Lucy laughed.

“I’ll do my best to stop him.” He joined in her laughter, glad she didn’t hold a grudge against his pet.

They strolled together in a companionable silence for a few minutes. He couldn’t help sneaking peeks at her as she walked. The flush on her cheeks from where she’d been working inside had died down leaving behind a soft pale gold tan, a legacy no doubt of her work abroad. 

“This is so lovely.” She paused at a spot where they could see the pools set like sapphires in bright green turf and fringed here and there with weeping willow trees. Mutley was happily preoccupied running to and fro on the edge of the water head down as he sniffed at the grass.

“There are worse places I guess.” He had grown used to the sight of the English countryside now, so different from his native California. Thinking of California reminded him of his brother’s planned visit.

“Is everything okay?” Lucy looked at him. “That was a heavy sigh and you were miles away for a minute. Are you regretting persuading me to stay?” A hesitant smile lay on her lips.

“No, I was thinking of home. My brother and sister-in-law are planning a quick visit next week.”

“Oh, that’ll be nice. Do you miss your family?” There was a wistful note in her voice.

“Sometimes. Jake and I used to be real close.” He hadn’t intended to tell her about his family. He never usually discussed anything personal with other people but there was something about Lucy that invited confidences.

“I would have liked a brother or sister but…” She grimaced.

From the things she’d told him about her parents it had been akin to a miracle that they’d had Lucy so a sibling had almost certainly never been a possibility.

“Why don’t you come to dinner when they’re here? Sasha might enjoy having another woman to talk to.” It might ease the strain between them if Lucy were there too. Sasha might even behave herself.