Between the Vines (15 page)

From his position on the desk Ed got a good look at her exposed cleavage. He often wondered how he could forget such great eye candy. He and Felicity had been an item for a short time before she started working for them, then he'd gone interstate. Peter had employed her in his absence to cover for their previous office manager who left at short notice. When Ed returned Felicity had already established herself in the office. They thought it best to keep business and pleasure separate.

He rose and pushed Felicity out of his thoughts. No point in dwelling on past conquests. He took his phone from his pocket and scrolled to Cheng's name again. He'd done it several times this morning without actually ringing. His previous messages had gone unanswered. Ed moved away to his office and sat in his chair.

“Damn!” He thumped the desk. Noelene hadn't taken the message, Felicity was the only other female staff member who could have taken the call. She was usually efficient but he'd kept a slim hope that coming down with the flu had made her less so and that she might have had Cheng's details jotted on a paper somewhere.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He had to let the Chinese option go for now. Vintage was on them and he was too busy to pursue Zhu.

Taylor stepped outside into another gorgeous morning. Only a few more days until autumn and yet the daily temperatures were still high. She crossed the track to the edge of the vines that stretched away in front of her. Underneath the canopy of green that reached above her head, she could see the bunches of deep purple grapes nestled amongst the leaves. Between the rows, strips of green grass were a vivid contrast against the red soil. She pulled out her phone and took a picture. With the vivid blue sky as a backdrop it was a beautiful scene.

She retraced her steps and followed the track as it wound behind Pete's cottage towards the shed and the winery office. She hoped she'd find someone over there. Antoine had been moving about early and was gone before she got up. It was Tuesday so she knew the cellar door was closed. Tomorrow it would be a week since she arrived.

Taylor picked up her pace. She felt restless. She wasn't used to doing nothing. Ed had stopped in for a quick coffee then gone again. The cellar door work had been fun but now that Noelene was back she needed to find something else to do. She walked past the sheds and around to the front of the winery where a low brick building abutted one of the sheds. When Ed had taken her for the tour he'd shown her their small office area. She hoped she'd find him there. She'd be happy to run messages, wash the floors even, just to have something to do.

The heavy glass door swished shut behind her as she entered. The smart young woman behind the counter lifted her head. She looked Taylor up and down then smiled.

“Are you Taylor?”

“Yes, and you're Felicity?

“Sounds like we've both been talked about.” Felicity ran her fingers through her long hair and lifted her chin. Her gaze swept over Taylor. “Can I help?”

“Maybe. I'm looking for Ed.”

“You missed him. He's gone in to town.”

“Oh.” Taylor's spirits dropped.

“He shouldn't be long. Is there something I can help you with?”

“No, thanks.” Taylor turned to go.

“How are you finding it here?”

Taylor stopped and looked back at the smartly dressed young woman with the glittering eyes who was perhaps a few years her junior. “It's great. I'm just not used to being without work of some kind though. I was hoping I could be of help here.”

“I don't need any help.” Felicity waved one hand over her tidy
desk. “And there's not a lot on offer around here except the seasonal stuff. Someone might be looking for pickers if you're game.”

“Pickers?”

“Grape pickers.”

“Oh, of course.”

“Most vineyards are done by machines these days but hand-pickers are still required from time to time. How long are you planning to stay? You could put your name down in town.”

“I'm not sure. I'll think about it. Thanks.”

Taylor let herself out through the front door. She knew there was a door through the lunchroom behind Felicity's office that opened in to the work rooms behind because Ed had taken her that way before, but with Felicity the only one in the office it felt like prying. Instead Taylor walked around the front to the other side of the office.

She had the distinct impression Felicity was being cool with her even though her manner had appeared friendly, a bit like Noelene who was fiercely determined to keep her at arms-length. Taylor usually got along well with people.

She looked across the several rows of vines between her and the cellar door building. Nothing would be happening there. She followed the drive down the other side of the office. Where the brick wall joined the tin another door was set in to the shed wall, with a small verandah to protect it. She put her face to the top half, which was glass. A passage led off with more doors set in it. Once again she had a rough memory of the layout from her tour with Ed.

She pulled on the handle and let herself in. She paused. A squelching sound came from further inside the building. The first open door was an office. It was empty. She followed the sound to the next door. Pete was stomping on a plastic bag. He looked up.

“Hello.”

“Hi.” She loitered in the doorway.

“Looking for Ed?”

“Felicity said he's gone in to town.”

“Yeah, shouldn't be long.”

“What are you doing?” She could see a green mush through the plastic.

“Checking the baume level. We're picking these grapes tomorrow. I wanted to double check.”

“Baume?” She stepped in to the room.

“It measures the sugar level in the juice which converts to alcohol content.”

“Oh.”

She leaned in close as Pete poured the mush via a sieve into a jug.

“Winemakers get very fussy about it.”

Taylor spun at the sound of Ed's voice. “Where did you come from?”

“I work here.” He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the door frame. “Where did you come from?”

“I was hoping someone could find me a job.”

“Cellar door's closed,” Ed said. “Felicity might have something.”

“I've spoken with Felicity. I don't think so.” Taylor felt a little ripple of annoyance. There was something dismissive in Ed's tone.

“I can show you how to measure the baume in the lab.” Pete picked up the jug and peered into it.

“Antoine does that,” Ed said.

“Only when I'm busy. It would release both of us for other things.”

“I'm game.” Taylor had no idea how to measure baume but she was willing to learn and she didn't want to give Ed time to make any more objections.

“Go for it.” Ed shrugged. He looked over her head to Pete. “I'm off to fix that faulty pipe again.”

“No probs. Antoine should be there somewhere if you need help.”

Ed gave Taylor a brooding look. “See you later.” He spun on his heel and left.

Taylor turned to Pete. “Right, show me what I have to do.”

“I really enjoyed myself today.” Taylor lifted her head from Ed's chest. They were cuddled up on the couch at his place. The day had been warm but tonight the temperature had dropped rapidly once the sun went down. There was a definite chill in the air. Ed had put on a small blow heater to warm the room. The television played softly in the background.

“Cooking my dinner?” He trailed a finger down the side of her face. “You can do that whenever you like.”

“I meant working in the lab. I think I could be a mad scientist in another life.”

“I can think of other options.” He put a finger under her chin, turning her face to his. He leaned down. She brought her lips up to meet his, enjoying the taste of him and feeling the heat rise inside her. Ed turned her on, there was no doubting that.

His lips slipped across her cheek, nibbled and pulled on her ear then slid down her neck. She shivered.

“Why don't you stay tonight,” he murmured.

Taylor put a hand over his, the one that held her left breast. She pulled away from him.

“Not tonight,” she said. “You're tired and you have to be up even earlier tomorrow.”

He ran his fingers down her neck. “I told you before I can manage on little sleep.”

“But I can't.” She slid from the couch and stood up. “I should do those dishes before I go.”

He reached for her hand and pulled her back towards him. “I've got a dishwasher.”

“Well I'll tidy up at least. I've left a mess in your kitchen.”

“It's worth it.”

His look was hungry and not for food.

“My cooking's not that fantastic.”

“But you are.” He stood and wrapped her in his arms so swiftly it startled her.

She pushed him away. He released her and held his hands out wide. “Hey, what's wrong?”

“I'm sorry. I just felt…” Suffocated. No, she didn't know what she felt. “I'd better go.” She gave him a swift kiss on the lips. “I'll see you tomorrow.”

“What's the matter?” He reached for her again. “Taylor?”

She evaded him. “Nothing. It's not you. It's me.” She gave him a quick smile. She didn't know herself why she wasn't ready to leap into his bed but something wasn't right.

He gazed back, his searching eyes a dark blue. No smile played on his lips.

“Sorry.” She let herself out the door, hurried down the steps and along the path until she reached the edge of the vines. The fresh scent of earth and grapes mingled in the cool air which was a relief on her cheeks but chilled her through her shirt sleeves. She untied the jumper from around her waist and pulled it on.

Taylor looked back at the house. Shadows thrown from the verandah light and foliage merged to create shapes. Her skin prickled. One of the shapes looked human. Had Ed come outside after her? If so he'd shrunk and was standing perfectly still. Something rustled behind her. She spun, peering at the space between the vines. There was no wind, probably just a bird or an animal. That thought didn't comfort her. What kind of animal would be lurking out here?

She glanced back at Ed's house. Maybe she shouldn't have been in such a hurry. Her gaze searched the shadows, light and dark, large and small, but none of them appeared human now. She let out
a sigh. It was so different from the city. There was always some kind of light there. Here, once the sun went down, there was nothing but the night sky and whatever light the moon offered. Tonight with scattered cloud cover and only a partial moon that was very little.

“Get a grip, Taylor.” She turned and picked her way along the rough track that ran towards the quarters, her thoughts on Ed. She was going crazy. She'd just run from the man she'd moved halfway across the state to be with. Ed ticked all the right boxes for her. He was single, employed, no obvious defects. She sucked in a breath. He had a great body and kissed her till her head spun. Damn, he was hot. He wanted to take her to his bed, and she would have gone willingly but…

She put a palm to her forehead. “What's wrong with you?” she hissed. Perhaps it was the drifting days with nothing much to do. Yet today she'd found something to keep her occupied. Pete had instructed her in baume testing. She'd got the hang of it quickly. Then she'd cooked Ed dinner knowing he'd be late and wouldn't have time to do it for himself.

Somewhere behind her a car engine purred to life. She paused, it sounded close but not big like Ed's four-wheel drive. She listened as it moved away from her and the quiet of the night settled around her again. Taylor shivered but she wasn't cold.

She picked her way along the track, the glow from Pete's cottage and the quarters behind it her guiding beacon of light. Her thoughts drifted to Pete. She'd enjoyed working in the lab today and he planned to show her a couple more jobs tomorrow. He was a good teacher, methodical and particular but with a sense of humour. He'd brushed aside her early misgivings that she'd muck something up. He was a kind guy, happy to share his passion about winemaking with her. Ed on the other hand was full of passion for her, that was obvious, but as far as the real Ed below the surface went, she felt she knew little. Taylor stopped at the clearing at the back of Pete's cottage. What was she doing comparing Ed to Pete?

She put her arm up in surprise as Pete's backyard flooded with
light, the door opened and there he was, as if thinking about him had conjured him up. He stepped out, and stopped when he saw her.

She felt awkward as if she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't have.

“On my way home,” she said.

“Putting out the rubbish.” He waved a pizza box.

“Good night,” she said.

“See you tomorrow.”

She lifted her hand in a wave and hurried on to the quarters. She put her shoulder to the door. It scraped open. There was no way you could let yourself through that door quietly. The living area lights were on but thankfully there was no sign of Antoine. She needed some time to herself.

Her phone rang, echoing in the empty room. Cass's name appeared on the screen. Taylor had only sent her friend one text since she'd arrived. She'd put off calling.

She took a deep breath. “Hi, Cass.”

“Hi there. What's happening?”

“Not a lot. Just heading to bed.”

“Alone?”

“Yes, alone.”

“Isn't it working out?”

“Taking things slowly.”

“Okay.” Cass dragged the word out. “So besides Ed how's it going down there?”

“I'm enjoying it. I had no idea what happened behind the scenes in a winery. The vintage cellar hand is here, Antoine. We share the quarters and–”

“What's the quarters?”

“Accommodation for casual staff.”