Passionate Harvest by Nell Dixon Read Free Book Online Page A

need to know about this side of the business as well as the distribution, marketing and sales side.”
    Lucy grasped Maggie’s umbrella ready for the dash across the courtyard to the shop and restaurant. “I guess so, it’s going to be a steep learning curve though.”
    She kept the umbrella over them both as they splashed through the puddles to the restaurant. If the rain didn’t let up soon her black shoes would be going the way of her canvas wedges. Already her feet were squishing in her shoes where the water had seeped in through the scoop tops and trickled down to settle round her toes.
    The restaurant was quiet with only a few couples drinking tea and eating lunch. It was a small room with walls the colour of clotted cream, decorated with pink and purple bunches of dried flowers along the beams. A pretty blonde girl wearing a black top, jeans, blue striped butchers apron and an expression of avid curiosity stood behind the counter next to a tempting display of cakes.
    “Isabelle, this is Lucy, Nick’s god-daughter. Isabelle is the cook and manageress of the café.” Dominic performed the introductions.
    “Oh, Dominic said you might be taking over from Nick.” Isabelle flushed and shook hands with Lucy. “What can I get you both?”
    Lucy ordered a latte and a blueberry muffin while Dominic chose an espresso and a Danish pastry.
    “I suppose the rain has put people off today?” Lucy asked, looking around the quiet room.
    “We’ve only been up and running for a few months, so it only takes one wet day for numbers to fall,” Isabelle said.
    Lucy asked her questions about the menu and had a quick look around the small kitchen behind the servery before joining Dominic at a table by the window.
    Lucy smiled her thanks at Isabelle as she delivered their drinks and food. “What advertising do you do for the café?”
    Dominic shrugged. “I think Nick did quite a lot at the start but you’d need to ask Jo in the office about specifics. That was all Nick’s side of the business.”
    “And is that the part where you think I could fit in?” She poked at the milky foam on the top of her coffee with a spoon.
    “Maybe.” He took a bite of his pastry.
    His offhand tone stung. 
    “I know I don’t have much experience of working in a winery but I’ve worked in a lot of other different places and jobs. I’m sure I can bring something to the business.”
    His expression suggested he wasn’t convinced.
    Lucy knew he didn’t want her as a business partner but he was about to be stuck with her for twelve months whether he liked it or not. Even as the thought flashed through her mind she knew that unless the accountant and Mr Fullwood revealed something unexpected to her later, her decision was made. She intended to stay and take on both Oakdale and Dominic.

Chapter Four

    After a tour of the small but well-stocked shop, Dominic took her through a door marked ‘private’ and up the stairs to the offices. This proved to be a large airy open-plan room with three modern glass and chrome desks and a selection of filing cabinets. A tall, slender brunette woman immaculately dressed in a short fitted navy skirt and crisp white shirt was seated at one of the desks.
    “This is Jo, she deals with all the admin for the company.” Dominic performed the introductions and Lucy wondered if she’d imagined the brief look of cool dislike that the other woman gave her.
    “It’s nice to meet you.” Lucy didn’t recall seeing Jo at Nick’s funeral, but then again, quite a few people had already left by the time she arrived.
    “Lucy may be coming to work in the company.” Dominic appeared oblivious to the stiffening of Jo’s shoulders.
    “Really?” The other woman definitely didn’t sound happy.
    “Yes, really.” Lucy answered mildly.
    “Jo will be able to show you where everything is and help you to go through Nick’s files.” Dominic picked up a pile of messages and flicked through them as he spoke. The