Love On The Vine (2 page)

At the corner of Third and Orange Streets, Bella took advantage of a break in the traffic to dart across the road to
Blooms
. Once there, she couldn’t resist a peek above the beveled glass door.

The new sign, with colorful painted flowers spilling out of the basket to form the shop’s name, was a beautiful work of art. When business was better, she’d dreamed of asking the local artist to design a sign for Celebrate too.

A male customer approached the door from the inside with his arms full of ruby red roses.

The bell above the door tinkled as Bella held the door for his exit before slipping inside. The air was heavy with the scent of flowers. French Lavender and fragrant pinks growing in terracotta pots made a tempting display on a semi-circular wrought-iron dais to her left.

She stooped to peer closer. The fragrant flowers brushed against her nose, and she breathed in the aroma of lavender and spicy cloves. Her fingers brushed the soft pink petal whorls traced with claret. Straightening, she looked around. Flowers graced every available space. Fat bunches filled vases against the wall. Sprays and bouquets lay ready for delivery on the counter, and a colorful arrangement of blooms fanned out beneath the nimble fingers of Donna Laurents, one of the shop’s three owners.

“Anything I can help you with?” Donna’s eyebrows rose.

“I’ll have a look first.” Bella turned away to focus on the wall of color. Her niece, Emily, loved bright colors. Those sunflowers would be perfect for the centerpieces and the day-glo pink gerberas were irresistible. A cloud of baby’s breath would set it all off perfectly. Satisfied, she returned to the counter. “I’m organizing a sweet sixteen.”

“Oh, that’s great! Who’s it for?” Donna’s mouth curved into a warm smile.

The ladies at
Blooms
were always so encouraging. Bella’s mood soared instantly. “My niece, Emily.”

Donna laid a stem carefully into the bouquet. “Wow, she’s sixteen already?” She shook her head, setting her cloud of cocoa-brown hair swinging. “Time flies, huh?”

“Sure does.” It seemed only yesterday that Emily had been splashing around in a paddling pool. Now she stood on the threshold of womanhood. “I thought sunflowers and gerberas would be good,” she said. “For centerpieces.”

In quick strides, Donna walked around the counter to join her. “Hmm, yes. And maybe some baby’s breath?”

A warm feeling bloomed in Bella’s chest. As always, they were totally in sync. After a moment’s consultation, they finalized the order. One quick handshake to seal the deal, and Bella headed back to the office.

Excitement fizzed through Bella’s veins as she worked through the ‘to do’ list. Ideas sparked and burst into life. She jotted them down, determined to make this party such fun all Emily’s friends would be tweeting about it. With any luck, the party’s success would make their parents desperate for Celebrate’s services.

With her computer and inkjet printer, she could design fliers with prices and sample party packages geared especially to the teen market. By shaving her profits to the bone, Celebrate could be competitive enough to be attractive. Bella worked away steadily, oblivious to the passing hours.

A warm breeze lifted the lace curtains that hung at the windows facing the street. Diffused light streamed in, carrying indistinct traces of conversation from passers-by on the sidewalk. High and breathy, deep and amused, the sounds were never loud enough to make out individual words, but the link to the world outside the window was soothing.

The door to the office pushed open.

Bella’s fingers stilled on the keyboard. “I’ll be right with you.” With quick strokes, she saved her file, pushed back her chair, and stood to greet her visitor. Shock thundered through her like a freight train, and she clutched the edge of the desk for support.

Etienne Durand stood in the doorway. His dark charcoal suit was expensively European, and the snowy white shirt and patterned red tie transformed him from the casual stranger of this morning into a totally gorgeous businessman. One who glared with frank horror in his dark eyes.

“I am looking for the owner.”

His tone was so coldly dismissive, Bella shivered. She straightened her spine, and prepared for battle. “Come in.” As his gaze swept her head to toe, Bella’s muscles tensed. “I’m Bella St. Clair. The owner.” With a wave of her hand, she gestured to the chair opposite her desk. “What can I do for you?”

****

T
he woman who swam naked in his lake owned Celebrate? Etienne’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. He forced his frozen body into action and strode to the desk. A professional was needed to oversee the launch party for this year’s vintage, and Celebrate came much recommended. His hand gripped the back of the chair, and he frowned. What had she said? “St. Clair? Of the St. Clair Durand Vineyard?”

A faint pink blush swept her features. “Yes.”

Etienne sank onto the battered leather seat. “So, you’re related to John St. Clair?”

Bella’s chin lifted. “He’s my father.”

Tension stiffened Etienne’s spine. She must be the granddaughter of Michael St. Clair, his grandfather’s former partner. On Etienne’s arrival to take over the vineyard after Michael’s death, he’d naturally visited her father to pay his respects.

John St. Clair had been unbelievably rude. He’d spoken to Etienne on the doorstep of his home. Hadn’t even extended the basic courtesy of inviting him in.

“I didn’t know.” Etienne started to get to his feet.

Bella stared, eyes growing larger.

At the glint of desperation in her eyes, Etienne paused. He made his voice soften. “I don’t feel we can work together. I’m sorry.”

“Mr. Durand,” she said in a low voice. “Please don’t dismiss me so quickly. I don’t know why my family name should make any difference, but...”

Surely, she must be aware of her father’s attitude toward him? Etienne shrugged. “Your father and I have an uneasy relationship. He has been far from welcoming since I arrived to run the vineyard.”

Eyebrows wrinkled, Bella drew in her bottom lip and worried it with small white teeth.

Etienne couldn’t look away from the tiny movement which emphasized her soft, kissable mouth.

“My father...” She hesitated a moment. “My father and I have an uneasy relationship too.” Her slim fingers fiddled with a pen. “If you need Celebrate’s services, then be assured you are dealing with only one St. Clair. Me.” Her gaze held his. “And I take pride in the fact I have never let down any of my clients.”

He noted the determination evident in the blue depths. She seemed embarrassed to admit the truth of her relationship with her father. Under the circumstances, he’d be churlish to reject her out of hand because of her father’s attitude. Etienne rubbed a hand across his jaw, and considered his options. He needed a local event planner. Someone familiar with town politics, with insider knowledge of the important people to invite. The guest list had been drawn up, but the tight-knit community was unwelcoming to strangers. Despite his efforts, he still hadn’t managed to make a single friend since moving to California.

On the other hand, Bella had an automatic ‘in’ to the local community. The St. Clairs had lived in Aqua Blanca since its founding. John St. Clair had been more than willing to tell him all about that. He pushed away the mental picture of Bella covered in water and nothing else, and examined her afresh.

All traces of the damp nymph had vanished. Her blonde hair was twisted up in a chignon, and her sensible suit was professional. There really was no reason not to use her services. His lips stretched into a tight smile. “Let’s give it a try.”

A
t Etienne’s words, relief flooded Bella. Her father must have been horribly rude to cause such a reaction in the new owner of the vineyard. John’s irrational hatred of the Durand family was so toxic she wouldn’t have blamed Etienne if he’d spurned her services. Hell, she’d walked away because she couldn’t tolerate her father. Why should a complete stranger be any different?

She flipped open her notebook onto a fresh page and uncapped her pen. “So, what sort of party are you planning?”
Not an engagement party, I hope
. Bella stilled in shock. Where had that come from? She shouldn’t care if Etienne was involved with someone, she barely knew him. She shot a quick glance across the desk.

Etienne stared back.

She felt like a rabbit, under the glare of an intent hawk. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. With effort, she swallowed and pasted on her most professional smile.

“A launch party,” Etienne said. “To introduce the winery and the vintage to potential buyers.”

Bella’s heart raced. Not an engagement, then. She avoided his eyes and doodled on the page. “How many guests were you thinking?”

Etienne brushed a non-existent fleck of lint from his suit pants. “Two hundred, maybe two hundred and fifty.” His gaze swept the office before settling on her. “Let’s discuss this at the vineyard. You could see the location and I could talk you through what I want in situ.”

Her heart swelled at the thought of visiting the vineyard again. “That makes sense. Have you a date in mind for the party?”

“A date?” One dark eyebrow rose. “Do you mean someone to accompany me?”

Bella’s face heated with a flush.
Oh no, he would have to take that interpretation from her words, wouldn’t he?
“No, I-I...” She bit down on her lip. “I meant when. When do you want to hold the party?”

“Ah.” Etienne grinned. “Forgive me. My English has room for improvement.”

He spoke English better than most of the men in Aqua Blanca, and in a sexy accent that tied her stomach in knots. His tone sounded like he was flirting. But he wasn’t.

Was he?

“I would like the party held in two weeks. Will you have enough time to organize everything?” He leaned closer across the wide expanse of polished pine desk. Close enough so Bella could breathe in the sandalwood scent of his aftershave. “And, in case you were wondering, I don’t have a date.”

He
was
flirting.

And Bella had never felt so out of her depth in her life. A gorgeous, available stranger flirted with her. So much time had passed since she’d played that game, she was pretty sure she’d forgotten how. “I wasn’t wondering.” Her voice sounded sharp.
Oh great, way to frighten away the clients, Bella!
Warmth flooded her face. “I mean, your private life is none of my concern.” To her mortification, she sounded like a prim spinster.

Etienne consulted his Rolex. “We could go to the vineyard now, if you’re finished for the day.”

A flicker of movement from the window drew Bella’s gaze.

Wendy, the hair stylist, pulled down the steel shutters outside Flair for Hair across the street. Must be after six o’clock.

“Unless, of course, you have a prior engagement?” Etienne’s dark brows rose.

More than anything she’d ever needed in her life, she needed this job. If he asked her to walk across hot coals, she’d do it to prevent her company going into liquidation. “I don’t.” She slipped her jacket from the back of the chair and shut down her computer. “Let’s go.”

****

A
s Bella brushed past him, Etienne breathed in the intoxicating scent of roses that wafted in her wake. She was close. So close if he leaned in, he could brush the silken skin at the nape of her neck. Would it feel soft and warm beneath his lips?

The suggestion she join him at the château was a strange, irresistible compulsion that appeared out of nowhere. Something about Bella threw him off kilter—sent uneasiness skittering deep within. The dichotomy between his nymph and this polished woman perhaps. He escaped back a pace. “I’ll meet you there.” He needed time in the car alone to regain his usual composure.

Bella leaned against her Jeep when Etienne pulled up outside the château. High heels emphasized the length of her legs. She really was a spectacular looking woman, in clothes or out of them. He climbed out of his car and joined her.

“I’ve made some changes.” Etienne pushed open the heavy oak door. The showy interior had been completely transformed. He’d replaced the huge chandelier in the hall with recessed lighting and low lamps. The flagged floor, previously covered by rugs, had been washed and left bare, and the austere white walls were now painted a warm bone color. A cavernous fireplace was stacked with logs, and a new addition of an antique French tapestry covered the opposite wall.

“It’s wonderful,” Bella breathed, eyes widening. “I never dreamed the château could look like this. The room is so inviting.”

“Merci.” Warmth flooded Etienne at her obvious approval. He’d changed her grandfather’s home so much he’d expected dismay.

Instead, her eyes shone.

Etienne rested his palm on the curve of her spine, feeling her body’s warmth through the fabric. “Come and see the rest.” They walked into the large salon where once again he had stripped back the expensive touches which, in his eyes, spoiled the plain elegance of the old building.

“Oh, this is lovely too.”

The way her smile tilted the corners of her expressive mouth was enchanting.

“The château looks as it did when my grandparents were alive, before my father made improvements.” Her nose wrinkled and her mouth turned down at the corners. “I visited often in my childhood, and the house was so warm and cozy.” She touched his arm. “I love it.”

Golden flecks accented the green of her eyes. Electricity raced up Etienne’s arm at her touch.

Bella’s gaze flickered to his lips.

As he watched her lips part slightly in provocative invitation, Etienne’s heart beat faster. He breathed in the scent of roses. If he leaned forward, he could brush his lips over hers. As though aware of his thoughts, her irises expanded.

Her chin tilted up.

He shouldn’t kiss her. The urge to surrender to the compulsion was strong, but the last thing he needed was a romantic entanglement. Etienne’s mouth twisted. He’d learned the hard way women weren’t to be trusted, when the woman he thought loved him had transferred her affections to his older brother, Vincent.