Keely pulled herself up. What was she thinking? She couldn’t expect Euan to extend his hospitality for much longer, although both Euan and Flynn had seemed happy for her to stay, at least until the Divine Wine and Dine weekend. She stood and made her way back to the house. The other night her mother had grilled her for several minutes on the Levallier men. It was when she’d started questioning their motives that Keely had become annoyed and made an excuse to end the call. She understood why her mother was worried but she wasn’t going to have the comfortable comradery she felt with Euan spoiled. She wasn’t ready to include Flynn in that statement but at least he was being civil most of the time.
She glanced up. The weather was looking as if a shower was imminent so she put her head down and quickened her steps.
Flynn appeared from between the rows just in front of her. He was looking the other way, inspecting one of the rose bushes that grew at the start of alternate rows of vines. She briefly toyed with the idea of ducking into another row to avoid him then decided she needed to be more confident where Flynn was concerned. She straightened her shoulders and strode on.
The rose bush was covered in young blooms and, as she came up behind him, Flynn stooped to sniff one.
“They’re beautiful, aren’t they,” she said.
He jerked back as if he’d been pricked by a thorn. “A beautiful nuisance.”
“Oh…” Keely’s resolve flooded away and she felt awkward with him again.
“Lucy planted them.”
“Out here?”
“The roses supposedly foretell what is going to happen to the vines,” he said.
Keely looked from Flynn to the rose bush, totally lost for words now.
“Euan says they are the first to show water loss and bug infestation.”
“Are they?”
“I’d rather rely on checking the vines themselves,” he said. “The roses just get in the way.”
Keely looked down at her feet. Perhaps that’s what he was thinking about her. He’d only accepted her presence because Euan had asked him to.
“I’d better get going. Hugh needs some help replacing a pipe.”
He strode past her down the track. Keely resisted the urge to turn and watch him. She didn’t know how to take Flynn. He was as prickly as the roses. She glanced at the threatening sky. Strange, it looked as if it might rain but the air was so warm. Another conundrum like Flynn.
By the time she reached the back door, she was walking briskly and replaying their brief conversation in her head, wondering if there was a hidden message in his words. She slid back the door with some force, only to be met by the startled faces of Euan and two guests seated at the table.
“Oh…I’m sorry.” She lowered her head to let the protective veil of hair fall across her face. “I’ll come back later.”
“Keely, wait.” Euan stood up and beckoned her in. “This is Pam and Connor, good friends of mine.”
Keely glanced at the newcomers, who both studied her with interest. They looked to be in their forties and both were dressed in jeans and plain shirts.
“Hello, Keely.” Connor reached out to shake her hand. “I’m glad he can still call us friends.”
“We’re not letting that mug next door come between us,” Euan said grimly.
Keely let her hand be clamped in Connor’s firm shake. His expression was unreadable.
“Come on you two, you’ll be scaring Keely.” Pam’s smile was warm. “It’s nice to meet you. Euan’s been telling us about the rough start to your holiday. I hope you’re on the mend.”
“I’m much better now. Thanks to Euan’s hospitality.”
“So you can add healer to your repertoire of talents,” Pam said.
“It’s the peace and the river that have done the trick,” Euan said.
“It’s certainly a beautiful spot just here.” Pam’s look was wistful as she glanced towards the window.
“Pam and Connor used to own the land next door,” Euan said.
“Oh, it must have been hard to move away,” Keely said.
“We didn’t actually live on the property. Just planted the vines there.” Pam gave a rueful glance in Euan’s direction. “We live in town.”
“Has Euan got you out on that surfboard yet?” Conner changed the subject.
“No…”
“If he tries to convince you it’s safe as houses, don’t listen to him. He nearly killed me and I’ve got the scars to prove it.”
Connor started to pull up his shirt and Pam put a restraining hand on him. “I think it’s a bit early to be showing Keely your war wounds, darling.”
Keely looked at their empty cups and made a move to the kitchen. “Can I make anyone another coffee?”
“I’ll do it,” Euan said.
“We really have to go.” Pam stood up.
Connor draped a casual arm over his wife’s shoulder. “We wanted to call in and say hello, once we heard on the grapevine that you were back.”
He chuckled, and Pam shook her head. They were a friendly couple. Keely already felt relaxed with them in the short time she’d known them.
“We thought we might have a barbecue this weekend. Can you come?” Pam asked. “All of you, of course.” She nodded at Keely.
“That’s a great idea,” Euan said. “But why don’t we have it here? Keely hasn’t met many of the locals yet and it’s Flynn’s birthday. I’d better organise something to mark his thirty-three years. How about Sunday night?”
Keely walked with Euan to see them off. Perhaps when she spoke to her mum next she could tell her about Jack and Pam and Connor. It would give them something else to focus on and make a change from questions about the Levalliers and possible work as a relief teacher. The latter only made her feel anxious.
Connor tooted the horn. Keely smiled and waved. She was determined to stay and enjoy the carefree days at Levallier Dell, just a little longer.
CHAPTER 15
The phone rang in the kitchen. Keely pushed back the covers, shivered and pulled on the jacket she had been using as a dressing gown. She was getting used to the early mornings. In South Australia, they would have changed the clocks to daylight saving hours by now, but Western Australians still kept the same hours regardless of how early the sun rose. Here it was seven o’clock, and she was still in bed. Euan and Flynn got up at six, so she didn’t join them for breakfast. The early mornings were still cool but this morning was particularly chilly and not as light as usual. Maybe the murkiness of the day before was still about.
The phone stopped ringing and she heard the murmur of a voice. Euan or Flynn must still be inside. She pulled back the curtain and looked down the slope to the river. The day was very grey and she could barely see the trees. She closed her eyes, breathed deeply then turned and looked at the wall hanging. There was certainly something therapeutic about this place. She could almost feel herself healing. She hummed as she crossed the room to the bathroom. She wasn’t going to let the grey spoil her day. It was full of promise.
When she finally stepped out into the family room, she was surprised to see Flynn sitting at the table. Lined up in front of him were three bottles of wine and his head was bent over a pad of paper. Outside, she could see the roses blowing in the wind and a light shower of rain dampened the path.
“Good morning,” Keely said.
Flynn glanced up, a momentary look of surprise on his face. “Oh, hello,” he said, and then looked back at his paper.
Nice to see you too, Keely thought. He really could be the rudest man. She was determined not to let the weather or Flynn spoil her good mood. “Have you had breakfast? Would you like me to get you something?”
He was silent for a moment, staring at the page. He looked up just as she gave up and moved towards the kitchen.
“What? Oh, no…thanks. I’ve eaten.”
Keely boiled the kettle and put some bread in the toaster. Flynn continued to worry over his paper and she took her breakfast to the other end of the t
able. Just as she sat down he leaned back and threw down his pen.
“Bugger it,” he muttered. He looked like a man who’d had little sleep, his eyes were red and the wispy ends of his hair fluffed out around his head.
“Is there a problem?”
“Only for me.” Flynn grimaced and stood up. “I have good ideas but sometimes I bite off more than I can chew. I need to clone myself.” He went to the kitchen and made himself a coffee.
“Can I help?”
“Not really.” He came back to the table. “Oh, that was Mary on the phone earlier. She said to ask you if you’d like to join her jewellery group tomorrow night. Evidently there are a few keen women who get together and share their talents. You’re welcome to use one of our vehicles or I could run you in if you’re not up to driving.”
Keely stared at Flynn. He was looking back at his paper again, coffee cup in hand. She really couldn’t make him out. He was almost rude when she first came in and now he was bending over backwards to be helpful.
“Thanks, I’m not sure. I’ll see…” Her voice trailed away. She liked Mary but she wasn’t certain she’d enjoy the jewellery group.
Flynn chewed on his pen and looked at her. “What’s an easy food to prepare and serve in large numbers?”
Keely was taken aback by his question.
He stood up and paced the room. “Sorry. It’s not your problem. I’m just thinking out loud really. Mary was also ringing to remind me that I have to organise the menu for the Divine Wine and Dine program. Euan gets angry every time I mention it but I’ve committed us to it and it will be good for business. We have to go ahead now.”
“If I understood what you were trying to do, I might be able to help.”
Flynn stopped pacing and looked at her as if he was seeing her for the first time. “You’re good with food, aren’t you? The meals you’ve cooked have been great.”
I’ll take that as a compliment, she thought. “What is it you are trying to do, Flynn?”
“I need to come up with a menu that matches our wines.” He tapped each of the bottles in front of him.
“Why?”
“OK, so, to take part in the Divine Wine and Dine weekend people have to buy a passport. That entitles them to visit a number of wineries including Levallier Dell. They may call in just to taste the wines but I’ve also put us down for lunches on Saturday and Sunday.”
“How many people would you expect?”
“I don’t know. Could be hundreds.”
“Really?” Keely grimaced. No wonder Euan wasn’t happy about it.
“We’ll have a bit of an idea closer to the weekend. People tend to book once they’ve decided on their route for the day, some will just come for the tastings but we could get others making last-minute decisions to eat.”
Keely could understand he was under pressure. Who could possibly manage such a thing?
“Kat says they’re running their full restaurant menu at River Dynasty. That will give us some opposition.”
“Where were you planning to feed these people?” Keely thought perhaps they must have had some kind of kitchen facility at the sheds.
“Out the side in the old cellar-door area. When the house was built my mother insisted on including a bar and undercover area that could be used as a place for tastings and sales. We haven’t used it much.”
He paused, the muscle in his jaw twitched. She’d noticed Euan did the same when he was tense.
“Anyway, it needs a good clean-up but it should be fine.”
“What did you think you would feed them?”
Flynn turned and she looked down quickly. His look was intense – when he studied her it was as if he could see right inside her. A chair scraped and she peeked up. Flynn was sitting at the table again, his head in his hands.
“We need something with fish or chicken for the chardonnay, maybe a red meat for the cab sauv and finish with something sweet for the semillon.”
There was silence for a moment, as they both digested what he was saying.
Finally Keely spoke. “Let me see if I understand this. You want to supply a possible hundred or more people with a lunch, under that pergola area, without any kitchen facilities but a sink.”
Flynn’s face was full of anguish. He pushed back his chair. “I’ll ring Mary and tell her we can’t do lunch. I don’t know why I ever thought it could be done.” He strode towards the phone. Keely felt an urge to help. He certainly didn’t do things by halves but his passion was infectious.
“Wait, Flynn. Can you give me the morning to get my head around this, before you cancel?”
He spun around. “Have you got an idea?” There was that spark back in his eyes and, once again, Keely had to look away.
“Maybe. I need a while to think it through.”
“Take all day.” Flynn grabbed her hands. “Keely, I’d be forever in your debt if you came up with a good idea.”
She pulled from his grip as the familiar warmth spread over her cheeks and down her neck. “I’m not making any promises. Anyway, you might not like what I come up with.”
He picked up his beanie and smiled. “I’ll be back about lunchtime.” He pushed the sliding door open, then turned back. “Thanks, Keely.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” she said as he closed the door. Well, Keely Mitchell. What have you got yourself in for now? Keely shook herself. It was as if her mother was right there. She must remember to ring her later, before the police got called out again, although, with the task in front of her, perhaps she did need to be carted away. Not by the police but by those who cared for the mentally unstable.
She sat down and picked up the wine bottles, one at a time. They each had the distinctive green label with Levallier Dell emblazoned in gold and black lettering. She read the description of the different types of wine and sat back.
On the far wall was a huge bookcase and during her stay she’d spent some time looking at the titles there. Among them were quite a few books on winemaking and tasting and an assortment of magazines. She smiled. It might be cold and wet outside but no longer did she have the niggling pain where her appendix wound was healing; it had been replaced by a general tingle of anticipation.
* * *
“Thanks, Anna.” Kat accepted the take-away coffee.
“What are you up to today?” Anna walked around the counter and followed her to the door.
“I was being a tourist, but it’s not much fun on your own in this weather.” They both looked out at the grey day. The rain had gone but the wind still flapped the umbrellas in Anna’s front yard.
“Where’s Flynn? He should be showing you the sights.”
“I guess he’s working. I haven’t seen him for a few days.”
“He’s been running the place alone while Euan’s been away. He should take a break.”
Kat nodded. She liked Flynn. He was an easy companion, no strings, and at least he understood her dilemma. She wouldn’t pressure him to go with her on her exploration mission. Anyway, it had probably been better she went alone. No one knew who she was, so they treated her like any other tourist, which suited her purpose.
“We’ve had a bit of time together.” She stepped off the verandah as a bike roared down the street. The shape of the rider was familiar and she couldn’t help but smile. “He does take time out every now and then.”
The bike slowed and stopped beside them.
“Hello, Flynn,” Anna called.
He pulled off his helmet and raised a hand in a wave.
“What are you up to?” he asked Kat.
“Being a tourist.”
“Do you want to come for a ride? You can have my helmet.”
“She will not, Flynn Levallier. Apart from the danger, you’ve already been fined for riding without a helmet once. Kat can borrow Sean’s.”
Anna bustled inside before Flynn could argue. Kat took the lid from her coffee and blew gently over its surface.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked.
“I have a special project on the go. I think you’ll be interested.” He grinned and put his finger to his lips.
Kat only managed a few sips of her coffee before Anna was back with the helmet. She gave Anna the cup. “Sorry. Can you get rid of this?”
“Of course.”
Kat strapped on the helmet and straddled the bike behind Flynn. She put her arms around him. He was deliciously warm. She closed her eyes and imagined he was Mal.
They both waved as Flynn pulled away from the curb. He was focused ahead but Kat felt a pang of guilt as she noticed the smug look on Anna’s face.
* * *
It was Euan who came back later in the day to discover Keely with books and magazines spread across the table. He looked windswept and bleary eyed, a bit like Flynn had that morning. She glanced up at the clock. It was after two. She’d become totally absorbed in the book she was reading. It was all about growing and making Australian wines.
“I’ve made some sandwiches if you’re hungry.”
“Thanks, Keely. I’ve got a couple of phone calls to make and I’ll be back.”
“Is Flynn coming in?” Keely was keen to talk over her menu suggestions and see what he thought.
“He went off to the Haystack Block earlier. Chasing another of his wild ideas. We could have done with his help. Hugh and I have been moving barrels on our own.” Euan frowned. “I don’t like the look of this weather.”
Keely glanced out at the clearing sky. There had been several heavy showers during the morning but the rain had passed and the leaves had stopped flapping on the vines outside. She wasn’t sure what it was he didn’t like the look of.
He disappeared into the front of the house. She assumed Hugh must be one of the workers. Perhaps he was the man who had passed her the day before, down at the studio. Something was bothering Euan. She looked at the spread of papers and books on the table. It was probably best if he didn’t see all this, in his current frame of mind. She packed up, her thoughts drifting to Flynn. She wondered where the Haystack Block was. She hadn’t heard it mentioned before.
Something in the Wine Page 13