“Oh—thank you very much.” It surprised him that without hesitation she climbed in the other side with her backpack.
He started driving at a slow pace. “How was your first day?”
A fetching smile broke out on her flushed face. “You don’t want to hear about it.”
Her comment made him laugh. “It had to be a change from preparing prescriptions for people.”
“Working here with the vines is another existence. No matter how sore I am, it makes you part of this world of living greenery.” She had a unique way of putting things that seemed to confirm his suspicions that she could be a writer. She darted him a smile. “How was your day?”
Was she trying to get information from him? “You’d be bored to tears.” In truth he’d accomplished less than usual and it was all because of the beautiful woman sitting next to him.
“I’m sure that’s not true. For my part, I already feel a camaraderie with some of the other workers. The Lopez family next to me is so cheerful.”
Dominic remembered interviewing them after she’d left the tent. “It doesn’t sound like you’re ready to quit yet.”
“Oh, no. I’m in for the count.”
“Why?” More than ever he wanted an answer to that question.
“I learned as a child that way back when one of your ancestors was titled and given this land. Not very many people can claim a heritage like yours. It made fascinating reading.”
All her answers sounded truthful. “Why fascinating?”
“When I was a little girl, I grew up on fairy tales. Your chateau is the embodiment of those painted on the covers of the books I loved. The thought of working in your vineyard sounded intriguing. Is it true your grandfather holds the title of Duc?”
“It’s a defunct title.” Maybe she was writing an historical account for a publisher and wanted information from the CEO himself. Did she hope for permission from Dominic?
“Even so, it adds a certain mystique from the past that makes you and your family seem out of the ordinary. When I was at the Guinguet, I noticed several paintings of the chateau and sculptured gardens hanging on the walls. It’s very cool.”
Minute by minute she was enamoring him. Eventually they reached the park. “Where is your mobile home?”
“It’s the third one in the second row.”
He kept driving and pulled up behind a blue car. Now that he knew where to find her, he didn’t want to let her go. She had a vitality that intrigued him. Much as he wanted to take her to dinner this evening, he knew she was exhausted after her first day.
“Voilà, mademoiselle. Home in one piece.”
“Bed is going to feel good tonight.”
He could imagine. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thank you more than you know.”
She got out of the car and he watched her until she waved to him and let herself inside the mobile home. When he was convinced she was safely inside, he backed up and left the park. Tomorrow he had plans for the two of them.
CHAPTER THREE
TUESDAY MORNING NATHALIE woke up at 5:00 a.m. with new aches and pains. Picking grapes was a killer, but she was determined to see this through. Whether he was Alain’s father or not, the hope of seeing Dominic again was all she could think about. The man had already captivated her. He had a polish that attracted her to him like mad.
After showering, she hurriedly dressed and tied her hair back, covering herself in sunscreen. After eating breakfast, she packed a sandwich, fruit and water in her backpack, where she’d left the knee pads and scissors. Then she stole from the house.
Right now Alain was still sound asleep. So was her mom, who wouldn’t open the pharmacy until eight. She’d hired Denis Volant, another pharmacist from Nice, to help run things while she was undercover at the vineyard. Minerve, the woman who tended Alain, was scheduled to arrive at the house at 7:30 a.m.
Already the air was warm and once again it seemed that it would prove to be a hot day. Nathalie drove along the road to the mobile home and parked her car around the side. After freshening up inside, she left and started walking toward the workers’ tent at the vineyard to wait for the truck.
But that meant Paul would be there. Having no desire to encourage him, she changed her mind. As she started out for the terroir on foot, she was surprised when a familiar sleek black Renault sedan drove past her.
She glanced at the driver. The sight of Dominic Fontesquieu caused her heart to leap. Everything about him spoke of sophistication and a privileged life most people would never know anything about. It was there in his manner and speech.