Love in the Vineyard (Tavonesi #7)(85)

She needed her work. Wanted to get her hands into soil. When she was working with her plants, her mind calmed and she could think.

And she had to speak to Enrique. But she had no idea if he was still in the country. He would run, she was sure of it. She had five hundred dollars saved up and she wanted to get it to him. And she’d make a strong plea to Adrian on Enrique’s behalf. She should’ve done it while Adrian was standing in her kitchen, but her heart had jumbled her mind so that she couldn’t think.

She grabbed her keys, double-locked the apartment and headed to work.

Casa del Sole buzzed with activity. For the past two weeks the number of people requesting tours and classes had doubled. Adrian’s dream was becoming a reality. Well, good for him.

She stormed up the path to the greenhouse. Tammy was watering a tray of young salvia starts.

“Natasha. I was told you were taking a sick day.” She took a long look at Natasha. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“C’mon, do I look stupid? I like to think I don’t look stupid. What’s eating you?”

“I had an early meeting.”

She wasn’t in any mood to discuss Eddie, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to make a total fool of herself and spill her guts about her heartbreak over Adrian. But she did need information. Natasha schooled her features and tried for a tactful smile. “Do you know where Enrique is?”

“He hasn’t been down here yet today.” Tammy turned off the hose. “Why?”

“I need to talk to him. I need to—”

Enrique walked in smiling.

“My heroine,” Enrique said as he hurried over and gave Natasha a friendly hug.

Embarrassed by the surprising show of affection, Natasha wriggled out of his arms. “I need to talk to you.”

“And I should get back to the kitchen,” Tammy said, eyeing Enrique. “The two of you probably have a lot to discuss.”

“I’ll be up after I finish my work down here,” he said, turning and catching Tammy’s hand.

“You do that. I’ll save you a scone. Blueberry today.”

His life was on the line and he was arranging to have a blueberry scone? Natasha held her words until Tammy was out of earshot.

“What did she mean about us having a lot to discuss?”

“Adrian came to my place. Met my grandmother. He’s going to let me pay back the money over time. And he’s giving me a raise. I’ll be doing the accounts for you. And the orders.”

She stood stunned.

“He didn’t tell you?”

“He’s been busy.” Why hadn’t he told her?

“The best part is he’s going to put my grandmother on the gift shop staff and on the Casa health policy. And he’s going to cover the costs of her treatments—anything the plan won’t cover.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m going to make good on this, Natasha. I’m going to be the best employee he’s ever had. The best you’ve ever had. This business of yours is going to rock.”

“It’s not my business,” she said. She was still sorting through reasons why Adrian hadn’t told her.

“You want an engraved plaque or something?” Enrique beamed a broad smile. “Four newspaper articles isn’t enough? Of course it’s yours. I mean you’re the boss and all. And you’re the best.” He glanced at his watch. “We gotta get going. The tour group’s all set.”

“Tour group?”

“The master gardeners’ tour. You’re leading it. They’re waiting up in the west vineyard.” He drew his brows together. “You okay?”

“I forgot about the tour. Could you show them around?”

“They want you, Natasha, so I’m glad you came in. I would’ve been worse than second best. You’ve become a celebrity among the bee-friendly crowd in Sonoma. I’ll walk you over.” He crooked his arm and smiled. “We don’t want to keep master gardeners waiting. And Tammy will roast us in oil if they’re late for the lunch she’s set up for them. She’s making lavender soufflés for dessert.”

Blueberry scones and lavender soufflés. She’d fallen into never-never land and was surrounded by munchkins or fairies or whatever creatures lived in the regions of the absurd.

She pasted on a smile and let Enrique lead her out of the greenhouse. His happiness and Adrian’s generosity should’ve lifted her, but they only made her feel more depressed. Why hadn’t he told her about helping Enrique?

How she’d be cheery and informative leading a tour for the next hour and a half, she had no idea.

They climbed the knoll overlooking the closest vineyards and the barn and paddock.

Enrique squeezed her hand against his arm. “I want to thank you for what you did, going to bat for me.”

“I didn’t go to bat for you, Enrique. I would have, but Mr. Tavonesi did what he did on his own.”

“He’s a good man. He might be taken advantage of because he sees only the good, but I’ll have his back. He saved two lives. My grandmother’s knitting him a scarf. I hope he likes orange with green stripes.”

She couldn’t help but smile at the image of Adrian in a hand-knit scarf. It would clash with everything he owned. And Adrian might’ve saved two lives, but he’d sliced a dagger under her ribs, right up against her heart. He’d do the same for any employee, he’d said. Evidently that much was true. Hard not to love a guy like that. And that was her problem.