Love in the Vineyard (Tavonesi #7)(38)

“Why do I have the feeling that I’m going to regret saying yes?”

“You have no idea the effect you have on women; I don’t think you have a vain cell in your body. It’s another thing I love about you. But give her some space, Adrian. I can only imagine the shock she must be feeling. She’s likely to be unmoored by finding out the extent of your wealth.”

“If you thought that, then why didn’t you talk me out of taking her to the ballet?”

“I thought she’d really love it. And besides, I didn’t say unmoored was a bad thing. Natasha was going to find out who you are one way or another. And last I checked, the boat has to leave the dock to get the journey started.” She poked him in the ribs. “Just go slow. And follow your heart.” She poked him again, harder. “And get Matt and Alex to agree to pose.”

He put his hands to her shoulders. “Ah, you’re back. I was afraid the forces of life had replaced you with a woman with integrity. I see I have nothing to worry about on that front.”

But he had plenty to worry about on every other. He shouldn’t have dangled the lure to the boy. As he’d opened his mouth to extend the invitation, he’d known it was a devious tactic. He wouldn’t be surprised if Natasha decided to never speak to him again. But it was his best shot. Maybe his only shot.





Natasha pulled up in front of the brick mansion where the Exeters lived. The broad street was lined with other houses just like it. Big, impressive and old. According to Mary, these were the homes the wealthy owners of poultry farms had built at the turn of the twentieth century. Now they housed software moguls and people Mary referred to as “Silicon Valley escapees.”

Brandon dashed out of the house toward Natasha’s car, looking every inch like an escapee on the loose.

“Brandon Exeter!” Monica yelled as she followed him at a reserved pace. “No running.”

Brandon pulled up to a fast walk. When he reached the car, he threw his gear bag into the back seat and hopped in after it, slamming the door as if to keep his mother from spoiling any more of his fun. Natasha could only imagine the arguments he’d had to make to gain permission to go on the outing with her and Tyler.

Monica came around to Natasha’s window.

“Happy weekend,” Monica said with an uncharacteristically warm smile. “I still can’t believe the players are making time for our boys on a day when they have a night game. You’re so wonderful for inviting Brandon.”

Natasha’s defenses went on high alert. Monica had never been so cheery toward her before.

“Henry and I had a romantic brunch planned and then our sitter canceled. You are my new savior. It’s rare that Henry’s in town for a full weekend.” She peered into the back seat. “Please mind Mrs. Raley, Brandon.” She turned back to Natasha. “We’d like to have Tyler over tonight for a sleepover if you’ll let him. Henry rented the Ken Burns Baseball series and since there’s no school tomorrow because of the teacher in-service day, the boys have a marathon viewing session planned.”

Natasha took in a breath. All she needed right then was Monica Exeter mixed up in her life.

“Ken Burns!” Tyler’s excited voice had her shoving down her misgivings.

“I’ll have the boys back here around three.”

“I know this is last minute,” Monica said. “Tyler can borrow PJs from Brandon, and I have a stash of new toothbrushes.”

“You’re sure about this?” Natasha looked at Monica. Saw the lines etched in her face that had softened when she smiled. She’d never really looked at Monica before. She’d always seen what Monica represented—wealth and the prejudices that went along with it. Natasha began to wonder what else her own prejudices had prevented her from seeing.

“They’ll have fun.” Monica sounded like she meant it. Maybe she wasn’t the dragon lady her reputation made her out to be.

“I’ll pick him up at eight thirty tomorrow,” Natasha heard herself say.

The boys cheered their approval, and Monica practically ran back into her house. Maybe a day without a child around was a rare chance for Monica to have a romantic connection with her husband. Imagining Monica and erotic energy in the same sentence had Natasha smiling. The world was a mysterious place sometimes. Lately, too darned much of the time.

Luckily for her, Brandon and Tyler yammered about baseball stats and players and team standings as they passed through the rolling hills leading out to the coast.

Her thoughts turned to the meeting ahead and to the carefully rehearsed speech she’d prepared for Adrian. He’d invited them by leaving a phone message, or she would’ve given him a piece of her mind over the phone. But he deserved face to face even though she wasn’t sure she could trust herself to deliver her speech with any conviction.

Part of her wished she were less of a realist and could ignore the facts—just enjoy the man and the moment. That part of her made it hard to string her thoughts and arguments together and make them sound convincing. But she needed her job. And any further romantic involvement with her boss could jeopardize that. Laws or no laws, she couldn’t work at Casa del Sole if she dreaded seeing him. Okay, so maybe he and Blair really were just friends. But there’d be more gorgeous, wealthy women coming through the place. On his arm. In his bed.