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The dust had settled behind McAndrews' SUV. Quiet sounds returned to the clearing—birds in the orchard, the wind rattling leaves. And around Alex and Sofia rose the heady scent of ripe grapes, fertile soil, and a hint of residual apple from the orchard.
The sun moved behind a cloud and Sofia shivered. Alex wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “It'll all work out. All of it.”
“Are we talking about the winery, the restaurant, you, me, or us?” She smiled up at him.
“All the above?” Including whatever Ben wanted.
Her laughter rang like a bell.
He'd racked up plenty of points on his Great Ideas list this week, aka “all the above.” Offering to help pick the grapes held a top three place on the list, even if he wasn't entirely sure he could pull it off. Running off the idiot buyer Nicole Stevens had suckered had been bonus points. Of course, sex in the vineyard had been his best idea ever.
The most important item, though, was he'd made Sofia happy.
“It really is gorgeous out here.” She tucked into his shoulder and slid an arm around his waist.
Rows of grape vines terraced below them to the wide river. The water reflected the blue sky, making the Snake appear deceptively innocent. Its water was cold and the current, treacherous. Another orchard climbed the far bank, and far upstream, he could make out its collection of farm buildings. “Private, too.”
She elbowed his ribs.
He took a deep breath, inhaling the subtle scent of her shampoo. The deeper note was her.
His Sofia.
He liked the sound of that.
He also liked the idea of her being his woman.
Would more sex in the vineyard be a do-over? A let down after yesterday's amazing lovemaking? It wouldn't be for him. Anywhere worked for him as long as he was with Sofia.
“So peaceful.” Her voice held a wistful note.
Clearly, she didn't know about the vineyard's recent violent history—a separate part of the Tim and Nicole disaster he preferred not to think about.
“There's always some chaos at the winery or in our family vineyards. Something happening or needing to happen.” Her shoulder rose and fell. “Much as I'd love to stay, I have to head back to town. There are about a million details to arrange if we're going to harvest tomorrow.”
“I should make some calls too.” Sex wasn't on the agenda. Not for this afternoon, anyway.
They strolled toward their cars. She would have equipment to stage and preparations to arrange at the winery. All he had to do for tomorrow was get his mother on board. She'd start the phone tree, growing it with calls to the aunts, who'd turn around and get the cousins involved. The cousins were the ones who'd actually pick the grapes. Most would find it a fun distraction, a one-time chance to be part of the wine industry.
A ringing phone interrupted his thoughts.
Sofia tugged the cell from her pocket and checked the screen. “Wow. Three missed calls. Coverage is so random out here.”
“At least you have service.” His cell showed one bar.
“Liz probably wants to know what happened with that buyer.” Sofia connected and hit the speaker icon.
Alex caught Liz's strident words. “Where are you? I've been trying to get hold of you.”
“I'm still at the vineyard. What's wrong?”
“Dad collapsed after arguing with Alex.”
Oh, crap didn't begin to cover either the situation or her reaction. “Lorenzo collapsed?”
Sofia ignored him. Her fingers flashed across the screen. Phone now pressed tightly to her ear, she swung around and stared at him. Her sister said something, then Sofia responded. “I'm on my way.”
She closed the connection and continued to stare, an incredulous expression painted across her face. “The ambulance just left. They took Dad to the emergency room.” Disbelief gave way to fury. “What did you do to him?”
The guy had been standing in the hallway, ranting but upright, when Alex left the winery. “I didn't do anything except try to help you. He went off on me.”
“God, Alex. I can't believe you'd argue with a sick man.” Tears filled her eyes. “If he dies...”
“Whoa.” What? It'd be his fault? He didn't start anything with the bastard. Besides...
He held up a hand, ignoring his own buzzing cell phone. “He's not going to die. And it wasn't a big huge fight. I wasn’t at the winery more than five minutes. Just long enough to get that contract for you. And by the way, 'You're welcome.' I stood up to both your dad and your asshole buyer. Good to know where I stand in your priority list.”
His phone had rolled to voicemail. It promptly rang again.
“You're so selfish.” She stuffed her cell into her jacket and swiped at her eyes.
“I'm selfish?” He snatched the phone from his pocket and yelled, “What?”
His cousin's voice filled his ear with more bad news. “There's a policeman here, looking for you.”
The world went still.
It had finally happened.
His worst nightmare. Arrested for a crime he didn't commit. He found his voice, struggled to keep it calm. “What did he want?”
“I can't believe you're talking on the phone right now.” Sofia's hands had curled into fists.
“He wanted to know where you were,” his cousin said. “He's waiting out front. I think he has some papers.”
Papers? As in another search warrant? Or paper, as in coming to arrest me? “I'll be there as soon as I can.” He closed the phone and stared straight ahead. A giant canning jar had closed over him, separating him from the world. Sound, smell, everything receded as he struggled to process the impossible.
“All you ever think about is yourself.” Sofia's angry voice broke the spell.
He jolted, his entire body giving a massive spasm. “My world just went to hell and I'm selfish? This week, it's been all about you. Your grapes. Your winery. Your image and now your dad.” He poked a finger at her. “Not once have you asked about my problems. Showed that you gave a damn about me other than as errand boy and sex toy. Guess what? 'Supportive' is a two-way street.”
“You are the biggest asshole. Dad was right about you. You can't be trusted.” She turned and ran to her car.