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Authors: Sally Clements
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matter. She’d do everything possible to redress the wrong.
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Sue said. “I think your idea of introducing Etienne to everyone before the launch is a good one. Bring him over to us tomorrow at lunchtime. I’ll invite a few people. And don’t worry, Bella. I’ll tell them the score.”
Bella hung up, leaned back in her chair, and closed her eyes. If she hadn’t learned of this situation, many may have boycotted the launch out of a misguided sense of loyalty to her father. And now John had seen them at the string quartet recital together, he’d probably intensify the whisper campaign against Etienne. She glanced at her watch and then picked up the phone. She had time before this evening’s party. And a showdown with her father was well overdue.
****
E tienne needed coffee and croissants for the morning. And an excuse to get away from the vineyard. Everywhere he looked reminded him of Bella. He even imagined her scent in the air, and the frustration she’d had to leave tore a hole in his gut. In town, he could pick up some chocolates to present to his hostess for lunch tomorrow.
Etienne drove quickly and expertly through the narrow roads toward Aqua Blanca. A warm breeze wafted in through the half-open window, bringing the realization that change was in the air. And Bella was the catalyst. A newly envisioned future stretched before him. One with a flourishing vineyard filled with people...filled with friends. A future to share with a totally unique, caring woman.
Bella was open and honest. He enjoyed her company, and any reservations that lingered about taking her to bed had dissolved in the heat of their mutual attraction.
As he drove down Aqua Blanca’s main street in search of a parking spot, he caught a glimpse of his smiling face in the rear-view mirror. And felt his smile widen, and his heart lift at the sight of a familiar blonde striding with determination toward the local café, The Tin Cup. His hand rose to the horn.
John St. Clair stepped from the café.
Etienne’s hand paused.
St. Clair’s arm went around her shoulders.
Bella didn’t pull away, but smiled him a greeting. In the next moment, they disappeared from view.
Etienne’s grip on reality shifted. His hands slackened on the steering wheel. She’d told him she didn’t speak to her father, but nothing in her body language today backed that up. She’d smiled at St. Clair and walked into the Tin Cup like a lamb by his side.
As if pursued by the hounds of hell, Etienne gunned the engine and sped down the street. He tried not to condemn her without a trial, but all the same, the clench of distrust tightened in his belly.
****
W hat should have been a joyous occasion, the first time he’d been invited to lunch by one of his neighbors, was tainted by Etienne’s broodings about the woman who sat at his side in the car. The squat adobe building with the terracotta tiled roof squatted like one of the older buildings in the French countryside, transplanted into Californian soil. Etienne pulled up outside it, and turned off the engine.
As the engine’s noise faded, a tall redhead strode from the house, smiling a welcome.
“Bella.” She clutched Bella close, and then released her to greet Etienne. “And you must be Etienne. Welcome to our vineyard. I’m Sue.” She reached for his hand. “And I’m very glad to meet you at last!” Genuine warmth shone from her eyes.
Etienne smiled, glad for the distraction of another person. “I brought you some chocolates.” He handed them over.
“Wow. How did you know?” Sue’s eyes twinkled and she darted a quick glance at her friend.
Bella shook her head. “All his idea, Sue. I had nothing to do with it.”
“Well, Etienne, just so you know,” Sue’s voice lowered, “you couldn’t have bought a better present if you’d tried. I’m a confirmed chocoholic. Come in and meet the others.”
They walked through the white-painted house to an expansive
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Sue said. “I think your idea of introducing Etienne to everyone before the launch is a good one. Bring him over to us tomorrow at lunchtime. I’ll invite a few people. And don’t worry, Bella. I’ll tell them the score.”
Bella hung up, leaned back in her chair, and closed her eyes. If she hadn’t learned of this situation, many may have boycotted the launch out of a misguided sense of loyalty to her father. And now John had seen them at the string quartet recital together, he’d probably intensify the whisper campaign against Etienne. She glanced at her watch and then picked up the phone. She had time before this evening’s party. And a showdown with her father was well overdue.
****
E tienne needed coffee and croissants for the morning. And an excuse to get away from the vineyard. Everywhere he looked reminded him of Bella. He even imagined her scent in the air, and the frustration she’d had to leave tore a hole in his gut. In town, he could pick up some chocolates to present to his hostess for lunch tomorrow.
Etienne drove quickly and expertly through the narrow roads toward Aqua Blanca. A warm breeze wafted in through the half-open window, bringing the realization that change was in the air. And Bella was the catalyst. A newly envisioned future stretched before him. One with a flourishing vineyard filled with people...filled with friends. A future to share with a totally unique, caring woman.
Bella was open and honest. He enjoyed her company, and any reservations that lingered about taking her to bed had dissolved in the heat of their mutual attraction.
As he drove down Aqua Blanca’s main street in search of a parking spot, he caught a glimpse of his smiling face in the rear-view mirror. And felt his smile widen, and his heart lift at the sight of a familiar blonde striding with determination toward the local café, The Tin Cup. His hand rose to the horn.
John St. Clair stepped from the café.
Etienne’s hand paused.
St. Clair’s arm went around her shoulders.
Bella didn’t pull away, but smiled him a greeting. In the next moment, they disappeared from view.
Etienne’s grip on reality shifted. His hands slackened on the steering wheel. She’d told him she didn’t speak to her father, but nothing in her body language today backed that up. She’d smiled at St. Clair and walked into the Tin Cup like a lamb by his side.
As if pursued by the hounds of hell, Etienne gunned the engine and sped down the street. He tried not to condemn her without a trial, but all the same, the clench of distrust tightened in his belly.
****
W hat should have been a joyous occasion, the first time he’d been invited to lunch by one of his neighbors, was tainted by Etienne’s broodings about the woman who sat at his side in the car. The squat adobe building with the terracotta tiled roof squatted like one of the older buildings in the French countryside, transplanted into Californian soil. Etienne pulled up outside it, and turned off the engine.
As the engine’s noise faded, a tall redhead strode from the house, smiling a welcome.
“Bella.” She clutched Bella close, and then released her to greet Etienne. “And you must be Etienne. Welcome to our vineyard. I’m Sue.” She reached for his hand. “And I’m very glad to meet you at last!” Genuine warmth shone from her eyes.
Etienne smiled, glad for the distraction of another person. “I brought you some chocolates.” He handed them over.
“Wow. How did you know?” Sue’s eyes twinkled and she darted a quick glance at her friend.
Bella shook her head. “All his idea, Sue. I had nothing to do with it.”
“Well, Etienne, just so you know,” Sue’s voice lowered, “you couldn’t have bought a better present if you’d tried. I’m a confirmed chocoholic. Come in and meet the others.”
They walked through the white-painted house to an expansive
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