Rose's Vintage (18 page)

Sunday proved to be an even busier day than Saturday, with the spring sunshine bringing out the crowds in full force, and by the end of Monday Rose's feet bore more than a few puffy blisters and she'd had to make an emergency trip to Sacred Grounds in Eumeralla for more coffee beans. Bevan joked that she'd lured away half his customers, but as there as also a throng of people in the cafe she doubted he was serious.

Rose was putting away the last of the glasses when her eyes came to rest on the cellar door keys hanging on a chain behind the door. Dan had left them with her, asking her to return them to the winery at the end of the day. She'd lay bets that the key chain also included a key to the winery office.

In her last email to Henry, despite feeling that her loyalties had become compromised, she'd told him the little she'd managed to find out. ‘He's on his uppers,' she'd typed. ‘And by that, I don't mean taking controlled substances.'

‘Yes, sis, but it's leverage I need. Get me some hard info. Something that I can use to tighten the screws when the time comes,' he'd replied. ‘But knowing that he's in London might be helpful.'

Why Kalkari? It had been puzzling Rose for some time now. In her distracted state when Henry had first put the plan to her, she'd never asked why he was targeting this particular winery, especially as it was on the other side of the world. It seemed a stretch, even for his far-reaching plans.

Unable to figure out an answer, she brought her mind back to the present. Grabbing the chain and turning the keys over in her hand, Rose knew this was her chance to do the sleuthing Henry was demanding. She felt sick to her stomach. Did she really have to do this? But blood was thicker than water, after all …

All of the winery accounts were in the office, and last time she'd been talking to Dan, she'd seen the computer login details scribbled on a bit of paper next to it, so she didn't think it was going to be that difficult.

She walked over to the winery, glancing about to check that there was no-one else around. All the visitors were long gone and Astrid was in the house with the kids. There was no sign of Dan. This was her chance. Rose's heart pounded as she stepped into the paper-strewn office.

Remember your promise to Henry. Just see what you can find. In any case, it might not be very much.

All it took was the press of a few keys and she easily located the winery's accounts on the computer's desktop. She'd helped out in the office at The Pine Box from time to time, so she knew her way around a spreadsheet. Tabbing through the sets of monthly figures, it was immediately obvious that everything she'd heard was true. In fact, if anything, things were even worse than she'd imagined. Kalkari was in the red by a frightening amount. On a tray on a shelf next to the computer was a thick pile of unpaid bills, weighed down with a horseshoe. Flicking through them, she came across a bank loan application to remortgage Kalkari House. It was dated the previous month. No wonder Mark was so stressed.

What was she going to do? Could she really pass this on to Henry? He'd always been vague about the exact nature of the information he'd wanted her to dig up – ‘just have a poke around and see what you can find out' he'd urged – but she knew this was probably gold as far as he was concerned. Her brother would waste no time moving in quicker than a school of great whites when he thought the time was right, that much she was sure of.

She was just shutting the computer down when she heard a step behind her and she whirled around, her heart thudding at ninety kilometres an hour.

‘Is that you, Rose?'

It was Dan.

‘Um, er, yes.' She thought on her feet. ‘I was just putting the day's takings in a safe place.'

He looked at her suspiciously. ‘Well, the boss doesn't like anyone in here, I'm afraid, so you'd better find another place for them.'

Rose played the innocent. ‘Oh, gosh, sorry. I didn't realise. I'll take them over to the barn instead.' Rose's back was to the computer. She prayed that the computer had shut down in time. She didn't dare risk a look.

‘That'd be a good idea. Off you go. I'll lock up in here.'

She couldn't meet his eyes. ‘Sure, okay, Dan.'

CHAPTER 17

T
he following weekend, though not as busy as the first, brought plenty of visitors to the cellar door, including some locals, who'd heard the buzz about Rose's cakes and pies. Rose had been flat out restocking, baking and clearing up, not to mention keeping the house in order and Astrid, herself and the kids fed, but she had managed to get Astrid on her own after dinner one night and find out what was going on.

‘Have you decided what to do?' Rose asked.

Astrid nodded. ‘I saw the doctor in Eumeralla last week and he did some tests. He says I am now about twelve weeks pregnant.'

‘Okay, well you're leaving it a bit on the late side for a termination, if that's what you decide. How are you feeling?'

‘Not so sick any more, just a little in the mornings.' Astrid looked subdued. ‘I'm just so scared. I think I'm going to keep it, but I don't know what Thommo is going to say.'

‘Wow, that's very brave.' Rose was surprised at Astrid's decision, but tried not to show it. ‘I'll be here for you, whatever happens,' she said, trying to comfort her.
What was she thinking? She hadn't planned on sticking around at Kalkari.

‘Thanks.' Astrid gave her a grateful smile. ‘I might need your support.'

Mark had left his schedule in the kitchen, and Leo was counting down the days until he was due back. His flight was set to land early the next morning, and he'd promised to be home in time for dinner with the kids, after stopping to call on his distributors in Sydney before driving back to the valley.

Rose had spent that morning putting the house to rights, gathering up abandoned toys and teddies from all corners of the house, and slow-cooking a shoulder of lamb with rosemary, garlic and red wine (she'd been careful to check the label this time) for the homecoming dinner the next day.

Astrid returned with Luisa around noon. ‘Hey, Rose, do you think you could give her lunch for me? I really need a lie-down.'

Rose nodded her assent; Astrid did look tired.

‘Thanks, just want to rest for a bit.'

Astrid might have been tired, but Luisa certainly wasn't, and it took all of Rose's powers of persuasion to get her into bed for a nap after lunch. Eventually, Rose lay down with her, read a couple of stories and cuddled the little girl until her dark eyelashes fluttered shut.

Rose woke with a start. Something – a loud bang from downstairs – had disturbed her, and she blinked, the coloured elephants that decorated Luisa's room coming into focus as she remembered where she was. Luisa lay beside her, breathing softly, cheeks flushed and full lips parted in sleep. Rose's eyes flicked to the door as it slowly opened. A tall, dark figure stood in the doorway.
Mark!
Her heart leapt at the sight of him.

Mark raised a finger to his lips.

Rose looked dazedly at him. She noticed purple shadows under his eyes and stubble covering his jaw. His gaze softened as he looked at first Luisa and then Rose; then he was gone as suddenly as he'd appeared.

Still dozy from sleep, Rose eased her arm out from under Luisa, stretching her fingers as pins and needles fizzed through them, and crept out of the room and down to the kitchen.

‘You're back early!' Rose rubbed a hand across her bleary eyes and drank in the tall, dark sight of Mark, larger than life. Even rumpled from travel, he looked pretty hot. Why hadn't she noticed all this when they'd first met? The broad set of his shoulders; the dark hair that curled into his collar; the deep green eyes on a level with hers.

Busying herself by needlessly tidying the already well-ordered kitchen, she forced herself not to look at him, lest she be caught staring.

‘Yeah, wound up my meetings, changed my flight and got in a day earlier. Couldn't wait to see you all,' he grinned at Rose. ‘How have you been?'

Rose found herself inexplicably shy. ‘Oh, you know … pretty good. Anyway, how was it? Was my home country good to you?'

‘Yeah, it was full-on, but I think we've made some headway and there's a few promising prospects there. Your countrymen really know how to turn it on – a lot of red wine was drunk. Right now though, all I could really do with is a long, hot shower.'

Rose reddened at the thought of Mark naked in the shower, involuntarily imagining herself there too, and turned away so he couldn't see her blushing. What on earth had gotten into her? She was behaving like a love-struck teenager. This was ridiculous. She clearly needed to get out more.

She heard Astrid coming down the stairs. ‘Feeling better?' she asked.

‘Much, thanks. Oh, Mark, you're back!' Astrid said. ‘Welcome home!'

‘Thanks, Astrid. How are the kids?' Mark kissed her, European-style, on both cheeks. Even though she knew she was being silly, Rose felt immediately jealous. He hadn't kissed
her
hello. ‘I've missed their cheeky faces. Can't wait to see them.'

‘I'm just on my way to pick up Leo from school. Rose, is Luisa still asleep?'

‘Yes, but it's probably about time for her to wake up. Why don't you go in and surprise her, Mark? She'd be thrilled.'

Mark didn't need further encouragement; he bounded out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Pretty soon Rose could hear Luisa's shrieks of laughter echoing through the house.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

With a start, Rose sat up from her position slumped on the couch in the barn. She'd been browsing a few food magazines, looking for inspiration for recipes for Ferment. Getting to her feet and lifting the latch, she was confronted by a very pissed-off-looking Mark.

Oh fuck. He must have found out I've been snooping at the winery. Dan must have said something.
Rose's heart sank. It was, without doubt, a sackable offence.

‘What's this I hear about you starting up a cafe? I've just had a word with Dan. I hear you've gone and started your own business behind my back – and at the Kalkari cellar door to boot. Funny, but I thought you were employed by me to help Astrid look after the kids and to keep the house running smoothly.' He glowered at her, his hands clenched into fists by his side and his dark eyebrows knitted together in outrage. ‘Using my premises, trading on the name of the winery … and just where did you get the coffee machine from? Did you think I wouldn't find out? Do you take me for a fool? Just how long was this little operation going to continue? Did you bother to find out if it was even legal? I could be sued, for God's sake!'