Love in the Vineyard (The Tavonesi Series Book 7) Read Free Page B

approached. As they neared, he recognized Coco and Amber riding Zoe’s polo ponies.
    “Taking a day off?” Coco asked with a wry smile as she and Amber flanked him.
    “Assessing the acreage for the new vineyard.” It was partially true.
    “Had you said yes, I’m sure the planet would’ve stopped revolving,” Coco said in a chiding tone.
    “You look troubled,” Amber said.
    Coco peered at him. “Where were you last night? We missed you at dinner.”
    “I had feathers to smooth. Some of the local growers aren’t keen on the precedent I’m setting with having employees of the vineyard own shares in the business.”
    “Too egalitarian?”
    “No, it’s not that. For the most part, the local owners I’ve met are fair and community minded, not snobs. But involving workers in the profit of the business… That makes them nervous. Even Dante isn’t so sure about profit-sharing.”
    Their brother Dante had returned from his tour of Australian wineries full of ideas and plans. But profit-sharing with employees hadn’t been one of them.
    “And what does Papa think?” Amber asked.
    “He has his usual wait-and-see attitude. Cautious. He insisted on two-year contracts with employees to start. If what we’re trying isn’t viable, we’ll pay out the shares and start over. But I know it’ll work. People always rise to a challenge and do their best when you trust in them.”
    He caught Amber’s quick glance at Coco.
    “What?”
    “You always see the positive,” Amber said. “It’s times like this that I know I’m adopted. Doubting blood runs in my veins.”
    He had doubts—he just didn’t want to admit to them. “This from a woman who risks her life to protect livelihoods in the villages of Uzbekistan? From what Dante tells me, you should be up for sainthood.”
    “I just show them how to collect wild herbs in a sustainable way. But my efforts would be better spent if I could instruct them on ways to protect themselves from thieves.”
    “It’s still hard for me to believe that licorice is a cash crop anyone would kill to get their hands on.”
    “Licorice is used in nearly every Chinese medicinal formula, and China can’t get enough. That makes it the equivalent of herbal gold. And therefore dangerous.”
    “You’ll never get me near it. I never liked licorice.”
    Coco leaned out of her saddle and tapped his arm. “When you’re finished surveying the realm, come down to the studio.”
    “You are not getting me to pose for your calendar project, Coco. Never.”
    “Just for the prototype?” She shot him her most irresistible youngest-sister smile. “I need the practice.”
    “And then join us for lunch,” Amber added. “I’m headed to Bulgaria tomorrow. I’d like to spend time with you before I go.”
    “They grow licorice in Bulgaria?”
    “Chamomile.”
    “I can’t believe that chamomile is endangered.”
    “Wild chamomile is. I’ll fill you in over lunch. After you strip down and pose for Coco.” Amber winked at Coco. “Race you.”
    “I’m not posing. You’ll have to find a more willing subject than me,” he said into the dust kicked up when his sisters thundered down the hill.
    He worried about each of his eight sisters, perhaps more than he should. But there was no way he was going to pose for Coco’s calendar, no matter how much money it might make for the women’s shelter Coco supported. The thought of posing half-naked for all the world to see made his skin crawl. His sisters had wild ideas and wilder dreams. But there were limits to sibling loyalty.
     

     
    After checking on the progress of the shelving in the Casa’s new gift shop, Adrian headed up the path along the stream to the building that housed Coco’s studio and the apartments for her and Anastasia. A young man lugging full firefighting regalia was just exiting as Adrian reached the stairs to the porch. The man was all smiles. Evidently some men liked taking their clothes off in public.
    The door to the