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Her heart, which felt so light after so long, sank right back down like a jagged rock, deep in her belly. “I’ll think about it.”

Later that night, as Alana smoked next to her open bedroom window, it dawned on her that Sophie didn’t ask whether she still had their mother’s ring. Another small blessing from her sweet younger sister, who despite everything they had all been through, still glowed bright like the damn sun.

5

She started at six o’clock the following morning. They hadn’t agreed on a time to get started on the Chardonnay, but she knew after the past few days that Leo started working around eight. If she got a head start, she could have most of the plot finished by the time he made his way over. All of the vines were important, but the Chardonnay was vital. They only used it to make sparkling wine, which meant a higher price tag overall.

Alana was over halfway through the field when Leo found his way to her, his tall frame blocking the sun. “Seriously?”

She blew a strand of hair from her forehead. “Seriously what?”

“You started without me?”

“We never said we were going to start together.” She shrugged. “It’s not my fault you wake up late.”

“I don’t wake up—” He let out a sharp exhale, catching himself.

She smirked in response and continued working.

“Get up,” he demanded.

She screwed up her face and glowered. “No.”

“Yes. We need to talk.”

“About what?”

“I’m not having this conversation while you’re on your knees.”

She choked a laugh, then covered her mouth with her forearm.

“I didn’t mean it like—” He sighed again and rubbed his temples. “Will you please stand up so we can talk like adults?”

She peeled off her gloves and wiped her hands on her jeans, then stood up. “What do you need to discuss?”

“The fact that you don’t want me here.”

Alana scoffed. “I never said that.”

“It doesn’t make any sense,” Leo went on, following his train of thought. “Why would you want me to leave so badly if you’ve made it clear to Otto that you may not be staying?”

She blinked twice. “You spoke to my father?”

“Of course I did.” He crossed his arms, and Alana kept her eyes firmly on his pupils and not his tanned, flexed biceps. The man was attractive, sure. But the biceps were downright distracting. “I needed to know how much of my job was going to change. You’ve been so active in the fields this week, I wasn’t sure if that meant I would be packing up soon.”

Alana bit back the smirk that dared to curl up her cheek. “Feeling obsolete?”

“No, but I am feeling frustrated.” His French accent was rather pronounced now that he was speaking quickly, and openly. “I took this job to be a head winemaker, not an assistant.”

“Again, no one’s stopping you from leaving.”

“I think your father might, actually.”

She frowned. Leo was right. Otto clearly cared about this man, and he seemed determined to keep him around.

Leo exhaled and ran a hand through his hair, the bottom hem of his shirt lifting to reveal a set of toned abs. Alana rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her soft belly.

“Look,” he started. “I don’t know what your plan is, and from what I hear, neither does anyone else. I need you to know that I take my job very seriously. I’ve created a life here that I like, and I don’t plan on leaving. I’m dedicated to this vineyard, and to your father.” Leo slipped his hands in his jean pockets. “He has done a great deal for me, and I want to continue to earn his respect.”