Risking the Vine (Romancing the Vine Book 1) by Gemma Brocato Read Free Book Online Page B

“I’m raring to go and show the other teams how to get things done. I’ll be taking charge and kicking ass today.”
    His friends groaned. Steve shot him a glare and whispered into DIG’s ear. Vehement head shaking ensued. Probably they were arguing about which one of them had to have FIG on their team.
    Jules held her palms out for silence. “We have two activities today. I think you’re going to love the first one, which is cork art. We’ll supply the corks and as teams, you’ll use them to create a work of art worthy of framing. We’ll stick to pictures because they’re easier than sculptures. If you’ve had a chance to visit our gift shop, you’ve probably seen some of our finer examples from past participants.”
    Belinda danced in her chair a little, her large breasts bouncing and straining the buttons on her hot pink shirt. “The one of wine splashing into a glass is gorgeous. Is it for sale?”
    Jules nodded and leaned against the table. “Yes, it is. As participants, you signed an agreement that anything you create here during your sessions is property of the vineyard with the option to be put up for sale in our gift shop or a local gallery. One hundred percent of the profits on anything sold we donate to the local boys and girls clubs in Santa Rosa. We’ve given the clubs a lot of money in the past two years thanks to our participants’ creativity.”
    Marcus paused in the act of pouring a cup of coffee. “Over fifty grand.”
    “What a great idea.” Jac leaned against her chair, marveling at the charitable tie-in. It wasn’t like anyone could take their oversized artwork home unless they drove. And, if working as a team, how did they decide who got to own it? It was a perfect solution for everyone.
    “Well, mark the picture on display to the right of the door as sold,” Belinda said. “I’m glad I brought my checkbook. That picture is going to look lovely hanging over my husband’s wine chiller.”
    Jules smiled graciously and nodded. “To continue, after lunch we have another painting project. Only this one is a little more physical. Since we are a working winery, there is always some kind of maintenance to be done. The cask room is in dire need of painting. You’ll be working as teams on a specific section of the room. The casks can’t be moved or dislodged in the process of painting behind them. You’ll have to work together to figure out the best way to accomplish the task while working in really tight spaces. This exercise will be useful when you are facing sticky situations back at the office. We’ll be focusing on creative problem solving.”
    FIG harrumphed loudly. “Sounds to me like you’re getting paid to use us as labor.”
    Jules’ eyes went flinty, but the rest of her expression remained pleasant. “Actually, I’m making double work for myself. Because once you’re done, I have trained painters ready to redo your handiwork. And because I know sometimes painting can get messy, I’m paying a cleaning crew to come in to sanitize the area, as specified by state health codes and industry standards for cleanliness.”
    Boom! Just like that Jules had put the man in his place, without even breaking a sweat. Jac grinned behind the rim of her coffee cup. Somehow, she’d never personally mastered the art of the velvet-gloved put-down. Well, not sober anyway. Maybe she could pay Jules to teach her the skill before she had to return to Medford to face Ted.
    Jules consulted her slender silver watch. “We’ll begin in twenty minutes in the big green barn at the bottom of the hill. There are golf carts parked in the lot for your transportation.” She accepted a to-go cup from Marcus and nodded toward the door. “See you down there.” She and Marcus strolled out of the dining room, their heads together, whispering.
    Jac addressed Luke. “I’m going to my room. You want to drive together?”
    “Sure. No checking email while you’re in the room. Don’t want to get