Risking the Vine (Romancing the Vine Book 1) (19 page)

“Her cousin, Rowena, neglected to pay the taxes on the farm.”

Luke clenched his jaw until the muscle popped. Why hadn’t Jac told him? Granted, they barely knew each other. Well, other than a really glorious couple of exchanges of bodily fluids. Since he’d left Team Vino, he’d only whined about the contract talks, bitching about how much he missed her. Maybe that was why. Jac didn’t want to bother him with it. Or maybe she didn’t feel inclined to share private information with a guy she was just fucking until it was time to move away. The idea soured his gut. “No, she didn’t.”

Bella glanced at him, eyebrows raised at his sharp tone. “I know she really likes you, but this is money we’re talking about. Plus the labor talks have kept you a little busy.”

“Not too busy to help if she needs it. I’d give her the money. She should know that.”

“Really? You’ve got fifty thousand dollars just taking up space in your bank account?”

“Fifty grand? How big is this farm?” Jac had led him to believe it was fairly small.

“Scatterbrained Rowena didn’t pay the bill for three years. Even though the taxes aren’t high, the fees and penalties have really added up.” Bella twitched the scratchy sheet and pale green blanket higher on the bedridden man’s chest.

Luke battled the urge to race from the room, grab his phone, and call her. “Oh, hell, she must be devastated.”

“Jac wouldn’t take your money anyway, even if you did just happen to have a chunk of spare cash lying around. She’s pretty independent and wants to do this her way. She’ll work it out. She’s smart and methodical. Once she sinks her teeth into the farm life, she’ll succeed. She isn’t really good at failing.”

“Just one more reason to love her,” Luke said as he escorted Bella from the room.

Then he slapped a palm against the doorjamb, screeching to a halt.

Bella turned, a curious smile lurking on her lips. “Love her?”

Wonder replaced every other emotion weaving around his chest. “I . . . yeah. I think I mean it the way you took it.”

He loved her. Her gorgeous body, her spirit, but most importantly he loved her brilliant, sexy mind. The confidence she displayed never seemed to end. The quiet manner she’d used to soothe him when he’d whined about his boss, the labor dispute, and the shitty hours he’d had to work. This morning, Jac had taken it all in, put a positive spin on it, and then rocked his world with her playful, adventurous spirit.

Bella gave him a knowing look and tapped her fist to his bicep. “I’ll never tell her you told me first. Best thing I ever did was introducing you two at happy hour. Took you guys long enough to discover it. For the record, I think it’s freaking awesome that you two found each other. With any luck, you’ll continue building a team for the next fifty years.”

Fifty years of Jac? Hell yeah, he’d take that. Suddenly, the fatigue of double and even triple shifts at the medical center disappeared in a blaze of brightness. His step lightened as he walked with Bella down the hall.

A glance at the clock over the nurses’ desk told him he only had twelve hours to wait until Jac returned to Medford. If he managed to stifle Brian’s contentious attitude toward the nursing staff’s demands, it would be only another six after that before he could race to her condo, hold her in his arms, and kiss the ever-loving daylights out of her.

The agonizing wait would be worth it. Especially if Jac returned his feelings.

Chapter 18

Saturday dawned cool and cloudy in northern California, perfect jeans and sweatshirt weather. During a leisurely breakfast with Jules and Marcus in the kitchen at the big house, Jules presented Jac with a standardized contract. The straightforward document definitely favored Jac.

“Jules, eighteen months isn’t long enough to come anywhere near to repaying the investment,” Jac pointed out over coffee. “I won’t even plant a new crop for six months.”

Jules insisted she considered it fair. “Actually, I’ve found it more than sufficient. Most of the businesses I’ve invested in hit their stride within a year. I think the owners work harder to repay my investment because they appreciate my trust.”

“But have you ever funded an agricultural operation? The variables are pretty uncertain. I can’t control weather and pestilence.”

“Well, no. But I do own a farm of my own.” Jules swept her hand toward the view of the vineyard from the kitchen windows. “I’m not worried. I think you’ll do great. Did you already schedule an appointment with the county Ag extension service?”

She’d made the call this morning, figuring the man would be at his desk and accessible to farmers who dropped by on a weekend. “I’m driving up next Friday to sit down with the farm specialist. He remembered my granddad. He seemed very encouraging when I explained why I wanted to speak to him.”

Jac patted the front pocket of her jeans, where Jules’ check resided. “I’m also going to run a payment to the Assessor’s office. Getting the bill paid is the first priority.”

The grin on Marcus’ face was blinding. “You’ve certainly got all your ducks lined up. But just remember, should you change your mind, or not be able to get the farm off the ground, there was an escape clause in the contract.”

Jac had noted that item. It allowed an additional eighteen months to repay the investment with a minuscule one percent interest fee in the event things went south. “I’m not going to change my mind, but that clause is a very comfortable safety net.”

Marcus rapped his knuckles on the table. “Are your bags packed? I’ll bring them down and stow them in your trunk.”

“Everything is good to go. Thanks,” Jac said as she handed him the key to her room. She could get used to this type of service.

Marcus stood, pocketed the key, and drained the last dregs of his coffee. He carried his empty plate to the big farmhouse sink and waved as he left the room.

Jules picked up her copy of the signed contract, lounging against the slats of her ladder-back chair. “Lots of changes going on for you.”

Jac sipped her lukewarm brew and simply nodded. “All good ones.”

“Especially Luke. Did you talk to him yet about the situation with the farm? About our deal? I mean, not that you have to. You’re not exactly dating yet, or anything.”

“I know, but I feel I’ve known him forever. And will know him forever.” Jac marveled at the truth underlying her words. He was exciting, intriguing, sexy as all get out, and comfortable. “I texted him goodnight after we got back from Sophia’s deli, but I didn’t hear back from him. I’m sure he was busy working. My friend, Bella, told me everyone in an administrative position at the medical center was asked to pitch in to make sure patient care didn’t suffer during the dispute.”

“So after they work a full day, they take an extra shift to help out in some other area?”

“Yep. It’s good because they do get strike pay. It’s bad because they have to work some really long days. Poor Luke probably hasn’t seen the inside of his place other than to nap and shower.” Except there’d been time for some really great phone sex yesterday morning. The memory sent a steamy rush of desire to her center. Jac’s cheeks heated and she hid behind her cup as she gulped the hazelnut coffee. Only sheer discipline kept her from squirming in her chair.

Eagerness to see Luke roared to life in the deepest recesses of her heart. To kiss him. To lay with him and let him love her. To love him back. She wanted to hold him close while she faced this new challenge. Despite the fact that he’d be several hours away, she hoped they could work out some sort of schedule so they could continue to be with each other.
Please don’t let me be kidding myself.

The sound of Marcus banging down the steps with her luggage pulled Jac from daydreaming of the future. After taking her dishes and flatware to the counter, she traded a warm hug with Jules, promising to text once she arrived back home. This woman and Marcus had handed her a way to the future. She owed them so much. Tears of gratitude misted her vision. She blinked the moisture away.

Before she climbed into her car, Marcus wrapped his arms around her again, patting her on the back. “Gonna be great being your partner.” His smooth bass voice came out as comforting and cozy as a warm blanket on a cold night.

Six hours later Jac cruised into her parking space at MedServices. On the flight home, she’d decided to stop by her office first and begin the process of clearing out her desk. Just the personal things she’d brought in over the three years to make her cubicle more comfortable. The blanket she used almost daily because most of the staff had voted to keep the thermostat set in the freezer section zone. The pretty Tiffany-style lamp she’d bought to combat the glaring fluorescent lights overhead. The African violet she’d faithfully watered for a year hoping it would bloom again. A change of scenery might be just the thing to trigger new growth.
Just like me.

As she shifted into ‘park,’ she noticed three other vehicles in the lot. Valerie’s Corolla and Allergy Allen’s Camaro were in their usual spots. A shiny new, black Lexus sat in the slot Deidre normally parked in. Lips pursed and eyes squinting in the sun, Jac pondered the new vehicle. Deidre hadn’t wasted any time spending her raise. The raise Jac should have collected.

Debating whether she should go in or not, she lifted her gaze to the second row of windows. Framed in one of the windows, Deidre stared straight at Jac’s car, arms crossed, an unreadable expression on her face.

Jac huffed a resigned sigh. Too late to back out of the space and blow out of this parking lot like a leaf on an autumn breeze. No hope for a hasty retreat, since Deidre had seen her. Twisting the strap of her purse around one hand, she jerked on the door handle. Cool, humid air slapped her in the face as she made her way from the car to the five-story office building.

Inside, the air was still cool, but devoid of the damp that characterized September days in southern Oregon. She took the stairwell, refusing the elevator for just one floor. Even so, the small, dimly lit space creeped her out, especially when the building was mostly deserted. She wouldn’t miss this when she was gone. The staircase at the farmhouse might be similarly narrow, but an oversized stained glass window about halfway up brightened it.

Taking the steps two at a time, she made it to the top in short order. The panic bar on the door banged as she pushed it open.

She wasn’t going to miss this long hallway with its industrial grade carpeting either. The soles of her shoes scraped along the ultra-low, tightly woven pile, each step snagging on the nasty stuff. The pale green color reminded Jac of pond scum. Was it stimulus awareness; now she knew she’d be leaving, so everything about the office annoyed her?

After letting herself into the MedServices suite with her key, she headed to the corner where she worked. Jac strode past Deidre’s new office door on her way to her cubicle. It was closed. With any luck Deidre would remain sealed off from the rest of them. Probably relishing her new ability to play Candy Crush or Trivia Crack without risk of discovery or interruption.

Jac rounded the corner to the cube farm she’d called home for the past three years, stopping at Valerie’s desk. “Hey, why are you guys here?”

“Slaves to duty? Bat-shit crazy? Lonely spinsters? Well, me at least.” Val leaned away from her computer monitors and stretched her legs under the desk. “Seriously, we’re still recovering from the last billing cycle fiasco. Allen and I are on forced overtime to get it solved.”

Over the top of the padded cube, Jac heard Allen clear his throat.
Not going to miss that either
.

She asked, “Couldn’t say no, huh?”

“Not given the option,” Val replied. “Why are you here?”

She couldn’t tell Val she was planning to clear out her desk. Without having the opportunity to talk to Ted, Jac didn’t feel right about telling anyone else about her decision. Yes, her loyalty was misplaced, but informing him first was the professional route. She rested her hand on the top of the open frame of the cubicle. “Just figured since I was out all week, I’d try to get my inbox to a more manageable level.”

“Good luck,” Allen quipped from his spot on the other side of Val’s cubicle. He cleared his throat again and continued, “Dingbat Deidre forwarded most of her emails to you to handle.”

“No surprise there,” she mumbled.

Val snorted, but continued in a subdued voice. “We all feel your pain. With Deidre in charge, the rats will be leaving the sinking ship. Poor Ted doesn’t have a clue.” She brightened, her smug look a mix of delight and devious. “Hey, there’s coffee. And I brought amaretto creamer. Not the real stuff, but we can pretend. Help yourself.”

Jac moved down the row of cubes to her own, larger than Val’s and Allen’s because her space housed several cumbersome file and storage cabinets. The space was still miniscule by comparison to, say, the great outdoors that would be her workspace in the future.

One corner of her mouth lifted as she dropped her purse under the desk. Coffee cup in hand, she trooped past Deidre’s office to the kitchen.

Dirty dishes were piled in the sink and on the counters. Jac worked with a bunch of cleaning-schedule challenged people. This state of the kitchen explained why she always cleaned her cup and took it back to her desk at the end of each day. Always cleaned the coffee pot so it was ready each morning. Usually, the kitchen resembled a gross college boy’s apartment. It was one hundred times worse today because she’d been gone all week.

As she poured a cup, she glanced at the calendar taped over the machine. Deidre was on the schedule for the past week. No wonder the place looked like pigs had taken up residence.

She added a dollop of cream to her cup, wishing it were alcohol-laden amaretto, not just the flavored not-quite-real cream. She carried the mug back to her desk, tiptoeing past Deidre’s office door which now stood open. The woman wasn’t in the room. Shit, her absence could only mean two things. Either she’d headed to the restroom or, more likely, she waited at Jac’s desk.

“A word, please.” Deidre’s sooty voice held an edge. Her tobacco stench breath was an assault to Jac’s nose as she re-entered her cube. “The bills you prepped came back all fucked up. You need to fix this.”

“Good afternoon to you, too.” Jac squeezed past the woman and claimed the black faux leather chair at the desk. She carefully set her mug on a coaster before saying, “Do you remember the discussion about changing the date and the multiplier before you sent them out?”

“You never told me that.”

Allen cleared his throat and the keys on Val’s keyboard went silent. No damn privacy in this office.

“Deidre, we talked about this face-to-face before I left the office on Monday. I also printed the instructions for you. And for good measure, I emailed them to you as well.” She wasn’t going to mention copying Valerie on the email. She couldn’t bear the idea of Deidre throwing Val under the bus for something she’d neglected to do.

Deidre’s mouth opened and closed, resembling a baby searching for the elusive nipple. “I . . . you . . . I never got an email. I certainly don’t remember a conversation about it.”

Dammit, I knew I should have read-receipted that message.
Perhaps if Deidre hadn’t been on a shoe-shopping website while they were talking, she might remember the conversation. “Next time I’ll tape it to your computer screen.” Although Deidre would probably just rip it down and use it as scratch paper to scrawl confirmation numbers from her online purchases.

Besides, they wouldn’t have a new cycle ready to go in two weeks, all the notice Jac was prepared to give. Eagerness to launch her new career as an herb farmer in the country trumpeted in her brain. As Deidre flounced down the cubicle pathway, Jac scanned the fabric-covered walls of the place where she’d spent one-third of her life during the last three years.

What she saw, however, was the rolling hills she’d rambled around, following her grandpa as he went about his chores. She saw the dark paneled room in the farmhouse Gramps had used to do paperwork and keep track of crop rotations and delivery schedules.

Jac pushed the memories away as she waited for her computer to boot up, instead shifting her thoughts to Luke. Daydreams about the kind of memories they could make in the coming months invaded her imagination. Both on the farm, and in the farmhouse. She planned to claim the master bedroom as hers, with its king-sized bed. From that bed, they’d wake to the line of windows framing a view of rows upon rows of herbs, rolling away up the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.

And the best part would be the nights she’d get to snuggle next to Luke in the big four-poster bed. Being kissed awake by him in the morning might become her new favorite pastime.

Good heavens, she was getting ahead of herself. The computer flared to life, revealing a desktop picture of the mountains she’d just fantasized about. Would Luke want a place in her life once she moved? Or was she easily replaced? Combatting the doubt threatening to crash over her, she shut down the ramblings of her chaotic mind and focused on the work she needed to deal with.

And counted the hours until Luke knocked on her door later tonight.