Estate Affair

by Sara Orwig

  Seven

  A woman walked along the drive. Lara’s heart missed a beat. Then, to her relief, she recognized Charlotte, who waved and smiled. Lara returned the wave, and Eli followed her gaze. “That’s Charlotte Ashton, isn’t it?”

  “Yes,” Lara answered when she slid into his car. She watched Eli go around the car. As he did, he waved to Charlotte, and as soon as he started driving, Lara turned to him.

  “You don’t know Charlotte, do you?” Lara said.

  “No, I don’t, but I’d like to. I don’t think she was close with Spencer, and he only gave her a token bequest in his will.”

  “Charlotte is friendly and has always been kind to me. Actually, I feel rather close to her. She doesn’t treat me like a servant. Sometimes I feel like woodwork to some of them, mainly Lilah. I don’t think they even see me, but not Megan or Charlotte. Both of them seem like friends.”

  Eli glanced at Lara. He wished he could take care of her, but he knew with her independent nature, she would have none of it. He wanted to sweep her off her feet, but it was obvious from all her arguments about going out with him that he had to back off or else he would lose her.

  Last night he had wanted to get a hotel room and take her there, to make passionate love to her again, but she would have been gone like a flash if he had made any such overtures. He’d overcome her arguments so far about spending time together, but he was treading as lightly as if he were in a minefield. He didn’t expect this relationship to end any less disastrously than others had for him. Yet Lara was different from all other women he had known—more exciting, more independent, sexier.

  Lara was quiet when he drove under the iron arch of curving vines that protected the entrance to Louret Winery and swept up to the house. “Here we are,” he said.

  “Your home is beautiful.”

  “That’s my mom’s doing,” he explained proudly. “It’s comfortable, a real plus in my book. I’ll show you my suite when we get a chance.”

  “I’m surprised you live at home.”

  “I often work until three or four in the morning, so it’s handy to fall in bed here.”

  “I don’t think you trust a lot of people,” she said, “but you trust your family.”

  Annoyed, he shot her a stormy glance and then shrugged. “I suppose that describes my life. I hadn’t ever thought about it. People have a way of disappointing me, but my family doesn’t.” He drove around to the back where people were congregated.

  “That’s sort of bleak, Eli.”

  “So, do I have your sympathy?” he asked softly, cutting the motor and leaning close to her.

  “You don’t need sympathy or want it,” she said, drawing herself up. “You’re strong and self-sufficient and—”

  “Don’t tell me arrogant again,” he said. For a moment he thought he might have elicited her sympathy, but it had vanished with his question. There was fire in her eyes and she had put that wall up that kept her heart shielded. He knew he had his own protective barriers, too.

  “Come meet everyone,” he said, climbing out of the car and walking around to hold her door. He took her hand, but, to his amusement, she shook free of him. “I may be arrogant, but you’re as independent as a person can be,” he said.

  Even though she smiled sweetly, he knew that demure countenance hid a will of iron. He wondered if there was a time she would ever let someone take care of her even in little ways.

  A small combo played: a bass, a fiddle, a clarinet and a drum. Brisket was being smoked in a cooker by the caterers and tempting smells wafted in the air. Round tables, each with a yellow tablecloth, were scattered across the patio. Centered on the tables were pots of pink geraniums with clusters of balloons anchored to the pots.

  “How pretty this is, Eli!” Lara exclaimed.

  “My mother has a knack for decorating. There’s an artistic streak in the family. It bypassed me, but my mother and my sister Jillian have it. Come meet all of them.”

  While uniformed caterers served drinks, Eli took Lara’s arm to lead her through the crowd toward an attractive woman in a lavender blouse and gray slacks.

  “Mom,” he said, and the woman with dark-blond hair that was stylishly short, turned to smile at him. When she looked at Lara and extended her hand, her hazel-green eyes were friendly. “This is Lara Hunter,” Eli said. “Lara, meet my mom, Caroline Sheppard.”

  Lara smiled as she shook hands briefly with his mother.

  “Welcome to The Vines. I’m glad you could join us tonight.” Caroline turned to catch the arm of a slender, gray-haired man. Twinkling blue eyes met Lara’s gaze as he held out his hand.

  “Lara, this is my dad, Lucas Sheppard,” Eli said. Lucas enveloped Lara’s hand in a warm handshake that made her feel welcome.

  “You’ll have to get Eli to give you a tour,” Lucas said. “Just don’t let him talk about grapes all night.”

  “Maybe I’ll learn something about vineyards,” Lara replied pleasantly, aware of Caroline’s curious gaze still on her.

  “I’m going to introduce her around,” Eli said, taking her arm to steer her to another group of people.

  Lara met a dizzying array of friends and relatives and tried to get his immediate family members firmly fixed in her mind.

  When he introduced her to the new neighbors for whom the party was being held, she was surprised at how young they both looked.

  “Lara, this is Kent and Rita Farrar,” Eli said. “They have Farrar Vineyards just to the northwest of us.”

  Lara shook hands with a tall, blond man and a slender blond woman dressed in a denim skirt and white cotton blouse.

  “This is so nice of you and your family to welcome us to the area like this,” Kent Farrar said.

  “Glad to have you as neighbors.”

  “If we can get half as tasty wine as Louret Vineyards, we’ll be thrilled,” Rita Farrar added with a smile.

  “We’ve worked at developing these wines for a long time now,” Eli replied. “It takes time and weather and luck.”

  “And ability,” Kent Farrar said. He held up his glass. “This Cabernet Sauvignon is delicious.”

  “It’s a 2001 release. An excellent year,” Eli answered. They discussed wine briefly and then Eli took Lara’s arm to introduce her to other guests.

  “The Farrars look young to be starting a vineyard,” Lara said as they walked away from the couple.

  “Kent told me they got out of college last year. His grandfather put up the money for their winery.”

  “I’d think they’d want experience working for someone else for a few years first. I hope they succeed,” she said.

  “We’ve had some economically hard times. That’s why the Farrars got their acres at a bargain price. Competition is getting fierce, too.”

  “Your family is nice to welcome them. After all, they’ll be your competition.”

  He shrugged. “That’s my mom and dad—Mr. And Mrs. Friendly. We’re established and we’ve weathered the downturns. We can afford to be friendly.”

  “I’m glad,” she said, squeezing Eli’s arm. The moment she touched him, Eli looked down at her and covered her hand. A look passed between them and for a moment the world disappeared. Only Eli existed and she wanted him with all the hunger she had felt that first night when they had abandoned logic for passion.

  A newly arrived guest called a greeting to Eli and shattered the moment. Eli’s fingers tightened slightly on her arm. “Come meet my brother Cole and his wife, Dixie. He’s Mr. Dollars-and-Cents. He does an excellent job on the business end of things even if he is a bit stubborn and doesn’t always understand some of the expenses I have.”

  “I suspect your brother thinks you’re a bit stubborn, too,” she said with amusement. “You’re fortunate to have such a wonderful, big family,” she said.

  Before they could reach Cole and Dixie, a man came up to Eli and shook his hand. He had broad shoulders, fine lines in his face and looked to be in his early forties. His green eyes hint
ed that he might have Ashton blood in him, but she knew it wasn’t Eli’s brother. The man smiled broadly and Eli flashed a rare smile in return. “Lara, this is Grant Ashton, my half brother from Nebraska. Grant, this is my friend, Lara Hunter.”

  Grant’s large hand enfolded Lara’s as he shook her hand and smiled at her. There was an earthiness and strength to both men that had been evident the moment she first met them.

  “I’m glad to meet you,” she said.

  “Glad to meet you. Are you getting introduced to too many Ashtons?”

  She laughed. “No. I’m delighted to meet them, and everyone has made me feel welcome.”

  “This family excels at that. They’ve made me feel welcome, too.” Grant turned to Eli. “The Farrars are overjoyed with this party. They’re like two friendly pups.”

  “It’s Mom and Dad’s deal. The Farrars can direct their thanks to them.”

  “I haven’t had a chance to talk to you, but I heard about what happened yesterday at the reading of the will. Spencer stayed a bastard to the very end.”

  “I should’ve known not to expect anything,” Eli said grimly.

  “I can’t believe that you did. He tossed people out of his life like unwanted trash.” Grant shook his head. “But this isn’t a night to discuss Spencer. I don’t want to think about him. I’d better give my regards to Lucas and Caroline. I just got here and haven’t talked to them yet. It was great to meet you, Lara.” Grant walked away, and Eli took Lara’s arm again.

  “Grant didn’t even know Spencer was his father until this past year. He saw a picture of Spencer on TV and recognized him from a picture his mother had.”

  “What a shock!” Lara exclaimed, looking over her shoulder at Grant. “I’ve heard talk floating around the estate about the news. And, of course, the press picked up the lurid details and scandalous rumors.”

  “They weren’t just rumors. It was the truth. One more scandal that Spencer brought down on everyone he ever touched. Grant is Spencer’s first son. Spencer walked out on his family in Nebraska more than forty years ago. Grant is a salt-of-the-earth man,” Eli continued to explain.

  “I don’t know how Spencer had such fine sons when he was so selfish,” she remarked.

  “Other people have raised us, not Spencer,” Eli replied, and bitterness laced his voice.

  Lara wrapped her arm more tightly in his. “Let go of your bitterness, Eli. Spencer is gone forever.”

  “His legacies and scandals and hurtful actions aren’t,” Eli ground out the words. Taking a deep breath, he tried to shake off the bad feelings. He smiled at her. “Come see our vines.” Eli led her away from the party, and she saw row upon row of vines ahead of her. When they got close, she saw that the vines already bore clusters of tiny green grapes.

  “There are lots of grapes.”

  “We’ll thin the clusters. Then when they ripen, I walk, sample and taste the grapes in every vineyard block daily. That’s the only way to tell when the grapes reach the necessary sugar levels. Then we’ll know it’s time to harvest.”

  “Is that difficult?”

  “Just busy. In harvest, we work around the clock. We use the cordon method for the vines,” he said, pointing to the wire trellises stretched along each row that supported the vines. “With this method, pruning and tying the vines are simple.” Eli snapped off a sucker he spotted and brushed his fingers over the tiny grapes. “These are Pinot Noir grapes, a thin-skinned grape and one of the oldest varieties. Are you familiar with the grapes at the estate?”

  “No, not really.”

  “I know they grow Pinot Noir.” Eli knelt to pull a weed away from the vine, and he picked up a handful of dirt. “This is the lifeblood of Louret—this soil, the vines and the grapes,” he said solemnly.

  “You like your job, don’t you?”

  “I can’t imagine doing anything else.” He stood and brushed off his hand as his gaze roamed over the acres. “Sixty-five acres to produce some excellent wines. We have our Cab, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Petite Verdot grapes. We buy Chardonnay grapes. Beyond these rows are the Cab grapes next. As far as the wine is concerned, my taste runs to our Merlot. I don’t know your favorite. What is it?”

  “I don’t know wines like you do, but I mostly prefer Cabernet Sauvignon.”

  “Great. That’s what we’re serving tonight. That and our Caroline Chardonnay.” He looked around. “When I have a problem or my temper boils over, I come out here and work.”

  She gazed up at him. It was obvious Eli had inherited Spencer’s hot temper, yet she knew he could hold that temper in check—as he had done after the reading of the will.

  He took her hand. “Come with me and I’ll show you our horses and the lake. Over there,” he said, pointing east, “we have a carriage house and a guest cottage. Right now, Grant is living in the carriage house, and Anna and Jack are in the guest cottage.” Eli took Lara’s hand. “First of all, let me show you our tasting room. I told you that Jillie did it over this spring. She did a great job.”

  They walked toward a building set amid the vineyards to the west. Like Eli’s family home, the winery was an inviting structure. It was two stories with peaked roofs and a large front porch.

  After they crossed the porch and stepped inside, Eli switched on lights to reveal exposed ceiling beams. Lara admired the floor-to-ceiling Paladian windows and the wall color—a French blue. The tasting bar was marble.

  “This is beautiful, Eli! Your sister is very artistic.”

  “I’ll have to admit, she surprised me on this project.”

  “You still see her as your baby sister,” Lara said with amusement.

  He gave her a crooked smile. “I suppose I do. It’s difficult to see Jillie any other way, but I guess I’m going to have to.”

  Lara touched the corner of his mouth. “I like it when you smile. Which you do only on rare occasions.”

  “I’ve been told I take life too seriously, but I guess it’s the way I’ve been programmed.”

  “You’re too bitter,” she said softly, and ran her finger along his cheek. His eyes darkened and he inhaled, reaching for her.

  “Give me a reason to be otherwise,” he said in a husky voice.

  She slipped out of his embrace. “One excellent reason is the delightful party your family is giving. Let’s go back to it.”

  Amusement showed in his expression as he switched off the lights and took her hand again. “First let me show you our horses. Then we’ll rejoin everyone.”

  She walked with him and listened to him talk about wine. They visited the stable and she looked at the lake, the still water shimmering in the late evening. Finally they returned to the party.

  They joined Lucas and Caroline again, along with a couple of neighbors. In minutes Caroline recognized a young woman who approached them with a smiling baby in her arms.

  “Lara, this is Anna Sheridan,” Lucas said. “And this is little Jack. Anna, meet Lara Hunter.”

  As Lucas made introductions, Jack held his chubby arms out to Lara. She laughed and reached for him.

  “You don’t have to take him,” Anna said, but Lara lifted him into her arms.

  “He’s adorable,” she said, looking into big green eyes as he smiled at her.

  “He’ll steal your heart,” Lucas said. “He’s a lovable baby.”

  “And everyone is spoiling him,” Anna stated, but Lucas shook his head.

  “You can’t spoil that baby. He loves the world and the world loves him,” Lucas said. “Watch out, Lara. He likes earrings, too,” Lucas said, catching Jack’s tiny hand as he played with her thin, gold hoop earring. Jack laughed and held his arms out to Lucas. “Up,” he said.

  Lucas took him from Lara. “Here’s my boy and my ears are safe.”

  As they stood talking, Lara realized that the man who raised Eli and his siblings must have been a great father to them. Lucas was easygoing and pleasant and she suspected he had none of Spencer’s narcissistic ways or high temper. Baby Jack got p
assed around and finally set on his feet when he wriggled to get down. Anna excused herself and left to follow him through the crowd.

  The dinner bell rang and Eli took Lara’s arm. “Let’s get in the buffet line. I’ve already spotted our place cards and I know which table we have.”

  “It’s wonderful that your family took in Anna and the baby. I saw her when Lilah turned her away.”

  “No one in our family would think of turning her away, least of all my mom or dad. And they’d never, ever turn a baby away,” Eli said. “I think Anna was desperate when she came here. I hope this is a haven for her and we can protect her and Jack.”

  “I’m sure you can protect her from the press.”

  “That’s not all. She had some threatening phone calls and she was worried about Jack’s safety.”

  “I’m glad she’s here,” Lara replied as they got into line at the buffet. They picked up plates and filled them with steaming brisket, thick barbecue sauce, potato salad and buttery, golden ears of corn. Lara found herself seated between Eli and his sister Jillian, whose husband, Seth, and three-year old daughter, Rachel, were on the other side of Jillian. Beside Rachel was a Napa family, the Trents, who had two children. While Eli talked about grapes to Don Trent, Jillian turned to her.

  “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Thanks. It’s great to be here,” she said to the wavy-haired brunette. Jillian had the family’s green eyes.

  “You’re good for Eli. He’s more cheerful tonight.” Jillian looked around Lara and saw that her brother was engaged in conversation with Don. She shifted her attention back to Lara. “He’s never brought a woman home before.”

  Lara laughed. “Maybe not, but in this case, it doesn’t mean anything. We’re just having fun together. Both of us are too busy for anything serious. I’ll go to law school in the fall.”