St. Helena Vineyard Series: Plumb Crazy About You

by Pamela Gibson

  “So I’m leaving you two in charge and heading off to give my bride of twenty odd years an anniversary trip she well deserves.”

  She squeezed Mac’s shoulder. “It’s a trip you’ve both earned. Have a wonderful time and don’t worry about a thing. I’ve got everything under control.”

  He scooped up his mail and opened the door.

  “Mac.” Nick’s voice rang out. “Which of us is in charge?”

  Cassie held her breath.

  “You’ve got more experience, Nick, so I guess it would be you. But I expect you two to work together and arrive at decisions after talking through any opposing points of view. This is engineering, not architecture. It’s science, not art. I have faith in both of you. Have a good evening.”

  He waved as he closed the door and his footsteps echoed on the sidewalk outside.

  Cassie eyed Nick and tried hard to hide her hostility. She’d assumed she’d be the one in charge.

  “I guess you’ll be using Mac’s desk and computer while you’re here. I’d show you around the office, but there’s not much more than you can see from where you’re sitting.” She bit back her anger. If this was some kind of a test, she didn’t want Mac to find out she’d been juvenile.

  Breathe, Cassie. Just breathe. Get yourself under control.

  She ambled over to a cabinet. “Supplies in here. Client files against the wall. Map file next to the bathroom. Equipment in the small storage room on the other side of the kitchen alcove.” Vanna White, pointing out Wheel of Fortune prizes, couldn’t have done better.

  He nodded. “What software are you using?”

  “We’ve got the latest version of AutoCAD and the usual office-type software. Mac uses a local accounting firm to do his billing and payroll. He buys locally whenever he can and has a charge account at St. Helena Hardware and Refurbish Rescue. It’s a couple blocks over if you didn’t notice it when you drove into town.”

  “You don’t use Geopak or Microstation?”

  “I saw those and a few other software design packages demonstrated in San Francisco at a trade show, but no. Mac is kind of old-fashioned. But I guess you already know that.”

  “I do.” He glanced at the large clock over the front door. “I think I’ll go get settled in. Can I drop you anywhere? Like a garage?”

  She shook her head. “Nope. My apartment is nearby and the battery I need is in a store down the street. I’m going to stick around and get some work done on the survey I did today.”

  “Can I bring you anything? You’ve got to eat.”

  “I won’t be that long.” She probably sounded snippy, but this unsettled feeling would not go away. “Thanks.”

  “If you change your mind, call me. I’ll be staying at Mac’s house.”

  She stiffened. “What did you say?”

  “I’m staying at Mac’s...er…housesitting.”

  The lump in her stomach grew into a boulder. “You weren’t kidding. You do know him pretty well.”

  He grinned. “See you tomorrow.”

  He let himself out.

  Cassie lowered herself into her desk chair and put her head in her hands. This cannot be happening. Not when she’d worked so hard. She shook off her bad mood and stuck her Sim card into the computer.

  She was letting herself lapse into paranoia. Nick was a contract engineer. He knew Mac. He had years more experience than she had. Perfectly logical for Mac to put him in charge. It didn’t mean he was a rival for the business.

  If only buying out Mac didn’t mean so much to her.

  She booted up the computer and went to work.

  ***

  Nick arrived at Mac and Maddie’s fifties-style rancher as they were leaving. He’d spent many summers with his godparents in St. Helena as a kid and knew the layout of the house as well as his own.

  Maddie handed him detailed instructions, but added a few more on her way out to the car. The squash and tomatoes were ripe and had to be picked daily. Gather the zucchinis when they were small. They were too seedy if they grew too big…same with the cucumbers. Bathe the dog on Sunday. Water the roses every three days.

  He gave her a bear-sized hug. “Will do. Now go enjoy your vacation.”

  He waved, pocketed the key, stowed his gear in the guest room and changed into shorts and a tee shirt. After grabbing a beer from the well-stocked refrigerator he wandered outside. Jax, their yellow Labrador retriever, led him through the garden, stopping every so often to let Nick pet him.

  Nick settled into a lawn chair with a view of the vineyard next door. “It’s you and me kid for the next two weeks.” Jax rolled onto his back and Nick scratched his belly. “Going to be a little lonely here. But your Mom and Dad will be back before you know it. And I’ll bet they’ll bring doggie treats from Hawaii.”

  At least he’d have company.

  He might have brought Ally with him if she hadn’t left a wedding magazine on his coffee table. She had a couple of weeks’ vacation coming and he knew she loved the whole wine country scene. Who wouldn’t with its world-class restaurants, lush scenery, and high-end resorts? But Ally wasn’t the one and he’d been careful not to get too close.

  He’d always tried to choose women who had career ambitions and no time for permanent relationships. It wasn’t that he didn’t respect the institution of marriage. It hadn’t worked for his parents, but he knew plenty of people who had found a true soul mate. Look at Mac and Maddie.

  He and Jonah always said they wouldn’t settle down until they were forty. Their parents had married young and over the years their mother had grown distant and self-absorbed. After the divorce they lived with their father. They visited Mother every other Christmas and one month every summer. They’d always insisted on going together so they never had to feel lonely if the nanny she hired for them was a ding-a-ling.

  Instead of getting smaller, the hole in his life seemed to widen every time he thought of his brother. Dad never stopped talking about him and he just wanted him to shut up sometimes. Let him work through his grief in his own way.

  And don’t force me to become Jonah.

  He took a long swallow of his beer and looked out at the vibrant green vineyard next door. The purple grape clusters hung below the drip irrigation line, ready for picking. When harvest ended the leaves would change color and fall to the ground creating a golden carpet amid bare canes. And in spring buds would form and the cycle would begin again.

  Maybe like grapes, grief had to grow until its cycle ended. Like leaves dropping at the end of the season, pain would eventually fall away.

  He couldn’t heal and begin again until that happened. And he sure as hell couldn’t do it as vice president of his father’s conglomerate where every desk, wall, and light fixture reminded him of his brother.

  For now he would concentrate on the project he and Cassie would be working on and learn first hand what it was like to operate a small firm in a small town. He’d whooped with glee the first time he heard the name…Plumb Crazy? Really? He’d been ten at the time and thought it was the best name ever. Every business around here had a name that seemed to be full of fun and town history—human or otherwise—so he’d keep it and try to fit in.

  Jax came up and dropped a ball in front of him.

  “Want to play, huh?” He threw it down the driveway, watching the dog chase it.

  He liked being in the country. He liked Cassie, too. Her comments told him she had a keen intellect and a solid grasp of engineering principles. She seemed totally unpretentious and he instantly gravitated toward people who displayed loyalty…in her case to Mac and that hopeless waste of metal she called Bomber. He didn’t know much of her history, but he hoped she’d stay on when she found out he was to be her new boss.

  A feeling like an invisible shadow crept over him. He hated subterfuge. He and Mac had argued about when to tell Cassie.

  Mac insisted that Cassie was special and he didn’t want her hurt. Not only a talented engineer, she could breeze into a local sto
re and in ten minutes have a half dozen people talking to her. She was one of those people who listened to understand, rather than respond. It was a gift and people loved her for it. But she wasn’t ready to handle the business on her own. She didn’t have the kind of experience Nick had. His father had sent him all over the world, working on a variety of projects from planning to completion. Cassie had only worked for Mac, straight out of engineering school.

  “Let her get to know you first,” he’d said. “She respects competence. If anyone can win her regard, you can.” He’d slapped him on the back and tried to hide a sly smile. “And if that doesn’t work, use your charm.”

  He’d given in, but the feeling wasn’t comfortable. He liked people to be straight with him and he assumed Cassie did, too.

  Mac had promised to tell her the minute he got back.

  He didn’t envy him.

  And he didn’t like hiding the inevitable for the next two weeks.

  Chapter Three

  Cassie showered and dressed in her usual jeans and tank top with a long-sleeved flannel over-shirt that buttoned down the front. Fall was here and fieldwork was chilly until you’d climbed a few hills and worked up a sweat.

  She planned to load up Bomber with Nick and their gear and drive the perimeter of the new project, get the lay of the land, and mark any features not on the map. Valley oaks and pines grew on the property along with a small stand of eucalyptus. Boulders and streams sometimes proved to be design impediments. Not a problem if you knew where they were.

  Nick was already clicking away on a keyboard when she came in.

  “Hey. I stopped by the bakery and picked up a couple of sweet rolls if you want one.” He gestured toward the alcove and continued typing.

  “Thanks.” She put vanilla creamer in the bottom of her cup, poured coffee over the top, and swirled it. Aromas of cinnamon and maple wafted toward her nose. He’d brought half a dozen sweets, all very tempting. She put one on a napkin, and then put it back. While she’d like to think her shirt had shrunk in the dryer, she knew better. Buttons strained across her chest when she took a deep breath. No need to add to the problem.

  Will power, Cassie.

  She picked up her coffee and headed back to her desk. “I thought we’d go out and walk the perimeter first. There’s a spot on one of the higher hills that should give us a good view of any areas we should examine more closely.”

  He stopped typing and frowned. “You’re not eating today?”

  She opened her file drawer and lifted out a folder of papers. “No.”

  “Didn’t you like my choices?”

  Was he actually going to make her admit she was trying to shed a few pounds? Sheesh. She faced him, gave him her brightest smile and lied through her teeth. “Actually, I’m more of a health food nut. A lot of sugar and flour isn’t good for you.” She let her eyes drift over his body. “You seem very fit. I’m surprised you eat it.”

  Priscilla and Lexi’s baked goods were to-die-for delicious and she’d been making regular stops there on her way into the office for the past year. But Mr. Warrior Body didn’t need to know that.

  He grinned. “I guess that’s why there’s a refrigerator full of non-diet soft drinks in there…super healthy, right.”

  Damn he got her. Heat crept up her cheeks and she turned and busied herself with the contents of her file drawer…the one on the other side, facing away from him.

  “I like your idea, but I think we should sit down with the map today, develop a plan and a figure out a timetable.” The printer rumbled to life. “I’ve put together a few ideas I’d like you to look over.”

  He pulled sheets out of the printer and dropped one on her desk. He looked down at her coffee. “Is that white stuff in your cup healthy? I thought non-dairy creamer had lots of artificial junk in it.”

  She bristled, but didn’t respond. Instead she took a big swig, set it down with a thwack and picked up the papers. Her juvenile side was pleased to see a big coffee stain on the top of his plan.

  If they started out sniping at one another, this arrangement definitely wouldn’t work. Mac expected a major part of the project to be done when he returned. If it wasn’t, her chances of winning out over old friend would be history, if indeed old friend was a competitor for the business.

  Why don’t you just ask him?

  Something held her back. Inherent shyness? A lifetime of playing second fiddle to her beautiful, accomplished younger sister? Not wanting to know if she was, in reality, playing second fiddle again? This time she would take the high road.

  “Look, we can disagree on how to approach the project, but Mac said we had to work together, so let’s compromise. I’ll look at your ideas. Then we’ll go out and walk the perimeter. It will tell us if your preliminary plan is feasible and if your timeline has to be altered.” She took a sip of her coffee. “Of course, you’re the boss.”

  He was still there, standing over her, peering into her now half-full coffee cup.

  “Sounds like a good idea.” He picked up his papers and headed for the copier. “I’ll make you a clean copy and meet you at the table.”

  Her stomach growled. She smelled those pastries clear across the room. Maybe while his back was turned she’d refill her coffee and sneak a small bite. She sauntered over to the counter, sliced off a piece of cinnamon roll and shoved it into her mouth. Oh God, it was so good. She closed her eyes and savored as she chewed.

  The scent of almond soap teased her nose behind her. His scent.

  “Busted.” He said it close to her ear, his warm breath almost a caress. She opened her eyes, forcing herself not to smile, and pushed her way past him to the conference table.

  If this was how the first day started, what would the rest of the day bring…the rest of the week?

  I hope we’re not in for a war.

  A few skirmishes, maybe, but she could handle them.

  Last night she’d caught up on old episodes of Game of Thrones—hiding her eyes during the gorier scenes—and formulated a plan. Thinking about it now, she wondered why she’d allowed herself to be angry over Mac’s decision to put Nick in charge.

  Two weeks would fly by and then she’d sit down with Mac and lay out her intentions. The price he asked was more than she could afford, but Mac would let her make payments and business promised to be good next year. Several people had projects coming up and she expected to bid on the engineering work. Jack Tanner would give her proposals careful consideration. He liked working with locals. If rumors about a new hotel in the works were true, she’d have work the following year, too.

  She’d calculate her costs and hire part time people when she needed them.

  Maybe Nick would be available.

  She hid her smile behind her open palm and fiddled with the papers in front of her. Nick looked up and grinned, like he knew exactly what she’d been thinking.

  He didn’t, of course.

  “Ready to get started?”

  She met him at the table.

  ***

  Cassie was a handful, but he was enjoying himself. Most of the women in his life were sophisticated, impeccably dressed, and gorgeous. Cassie was cute, sassy, and genuine. She was what he’d call the real deal. No makeup, no artifice, no fawning. In some ways she reminded him of Maddie.

  They’d gone over the plan and she’d agreed to his suggestions. Try to find a newer map of the property. Research easements. Get the recent map of the DeLuca vineyard on the north border. Now they were bouncing along in her dented, dilapidated forty-year-old Jeep, the one with the new battery. She’d vetoed his car because the only road on the site was a firebreak. Her four-wheel drive handled the ruts and rocks a lot better than his Beemer would have.

  Note to self: Time to trade in the Beemer for a truck.

  The rugged site wasn’t developed, but a wide, flat area centered the acreage. Vineyards would be planted there and next to the fenced DeLuca property. Nick envied the smooth road on the other side of the fence. The rut
s on this side weren’t too deep and old Bomber seemed to handle them just fine as they climbed to the firebreak on the highest hill.

  He was surprised when Cassie compromised without an argument. Reconnaissance was a preliminary step and an important one. They’d only need camera and notebooks today, but they’d both strap on tool belts with nails, small hammer, tape, flashlight and compass. Nick had also spotted a shovel in the storeroom and had thrown it in the back.

  Cassie stopped at the crest of a gentle slope where thick brush had been scraped clean by a bulldozer. Today they’d check for obstructions, locate the old well marked on the map, and find good places to set up the instruments for the survey.

  “I’ll handle the camera.” She dug it out of her backpack, threw him a bottle of water, and strapped on her tool belt. It hung at an angle like a Wild West gunslinger, emphasizing a firm, nicely rounded butt in a pair of fitted jeans. “You can bring the shovel in case we need to dig up property corners.”

  He propped it on his shoulder and they took off, stopping to take a few notes and to mark a couple of tree stumps. The DeLuca vineyard had thin wood lath with fluttering neon pink plastic tape at its two corners, which made their job easier. The far side of the property wasn’t marked, but digging at a spot noted on the map unearthed what might have been the remains of a rock wall.

  “How did you know the old wall was there?” Nick took a swig of his water and offered it to Cassie.

  “I didn’t, but I’ve done enough surveys with Mac to know about how deep to dig to find remnants of buildings and lot line pins. See the tall, skinny palm tree down on the flat portion? The lone palm tells me there was a house around here once. At the turn of the century farm properties with houses often had walls made of fitted stones.”

  He studied her serious face as she took out a pencil and made a note. Mac said she was knowledgeable, a real asset he’d want to keep around. He also said she was vulnerable. Something to do with her family.

  Another thing for my to do list: find out more about Cassie.

  They finished flagging the property corners and wandered toward the middle of the site to check on the condition of the well. A ramshackle wooden well house covered it and an old concrete tank stood nearby.