Coming Home

by Judith Keim

  “I know enough about growing grapes to understand you need to be a skilled farmer.”

  “Yes,” Cami agreed. “That’s what Ken Kurey always said. Ken is gone now, but his son is still the winemaker here. As soon as I can, I’m going to begin training under him, but first I need to become more familiar with the details and daily routines of managing the inn, so I can get it running smoothly.

  “Who’s handling the grapes?”

  “Sam Farley is in charge of the vines both here and at my grandfather’s property. He recently hired his nephew, Drew, to help him.”

  “Sounds like a big, happy family,” said Jamison.

  “We’ll see. We’re still trying to get over the loss of Nonnee. She was a wizard at knowing exactly what needed to be done and when.”

  “You’ll be fine,” said Jamison. She patted Cami’s shoulder and opened the car door, putting an end to the discussion.

  Cami hurried to get Jamison’s suitcase out of the back of the latest Lexus SUV that used to be Nonnee’s. In Europe, she’d grown used to small cars. This vehicle seemed enormous, but Cami wasn’t about to turn it in for something smaller or less comfortable.

  She led Jamison inside the main building, which was the original house and inn. Looking at it through fresh eyes, she saw that the old pine floors in the living area gleamed with care. The red Oriental rug was a perfect example of the high quality of furnishings in the house, including several comfortable leather couches and chairs. It looked, she thought, like the large home of a successful owner of an estate, which was more or less the truth.

  “Very nice,” commented Jamison, looking around. “This has a quiet, understated elegance that is missing in so many places. You say Jonathan wants to change this?”

  “Yes,” said Cami. “He wants to step it up a notch, make it more attractive to young couples with a more contemporary look and vibe. I told him Nonnee wouldn’t like that idea.”

  “And?” Jamison studied her.

  “And he said that this was an excellent time to make some changes, to re-position the inn to bring in a different clientele. I don’t agree with him. Anyway, we can’t do anything because of the lack of money.”

  “I understand,” said Jamison, smiling when Jonathan walked toward them.

  “Welcome to the Chandler Hill Inn,” he said. “I’m Jonathan Knight. And who, may I ask, are you?”

  “Jamison Barnes Winkler,” she said smoothly. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Ah, you’re the lawyer who’s going to help us sort things out. Well, Cami can show you to your room. I understand we’re meeting after lunch.” He gave her a little bow and left them.

  Jamison turned to Cami. “Your Mr. Knight knows how to put on the charm even as he nicely puts you in your place.”

  Cami narrowed her lips. “That’s why it’s so difficult for me. Other people see his charm and assume that I, a woman, would naturally be the one working for him.”

  “For now,” Jamison said sweetly. “Come along, and show me to my room.”

  “Oh, yes, sorry,” said Cami. “I’ve chosen one of the original rooms for you rather than one in the north wing. The original rooms are not only my favorite ones, they’re convenient to the kitchen and dining room. It’s nice enough today that I thought we’d eat our lunch outside on the porch.”

  “Sounds perfect,” said Jamison.

  Cami showed Jamison to a large bedroom with a wide view overlooking the rolling hills to the west. With its crown molding, small, gas fireplace, and four-poster, canopied bed, the room oozed charm. The modern bathroom and private deck made it that much nicer.

  Jamison clasped her hands and nodded her approval. “Lovely.” She walked to the window and looked out at the scenery. “The rows and rows of grapevines are lined up perfectly.”

  “Yes, and they’re all running north and south. That’s so the grapes will get equal sunlight east to west.”

  “Ah, so much to learn,” said Jamison.

  “It’s almost time to harvest,” said Cami. “Too bad you can’t stay to see it.”

  “Another time, perhaps. A school dance, first of the year, is an important event for my girls. I promised them I wouldn’t miss it.” Jamison chuckled. “I think they thought it was a threat.”

  Cami laughed with her. Nonnee had been like Jamison, making sure she didn’t miss any special event of Cami’s, even when the inn or vineyards needed her.

  “May I get you anything before I leave?” Cami asked. She’d already placed Jamison’s suitcase on a luggage stand and checked to make sure a fresh pitcher of iced water sat beside a plate holding one of the inn‘s signature hazelnut muffins. Cookies, cheese, and crackers would be served in the afternoon.

  “I’m fine, thank you,” said Jamison.

  “Okay, then I’ll meet you downstairs shortly after noon.” Cami smiled and made her exit. The afternoon promised to be exciting.

  ###

  At noon, Cami waited at the bottom of the stairs for Jamison, thinking how the kitchen and staff had grown through the years as the inn had been enlarged and become more sophisticated. Where once it had been difficult to hire staff, the valley’s growth made it easier to hire people who either lived in the region or were willing to move there.

  “Hello,” said Jamison, breaking into Cami’s thoughts. “It’s such a beautiful day, I took a quick nap outside in the sun.”

  “Nice. I love Indian Summer days like this. Shall we go have lunch?”

  They walked out to the porch behind the house. Over the years, it too had been expanded to accommodate the guests who came to the inn for the excellent food, wine, and views for which it had become known.

  Jonathan was already seated at the table Cami had reserved. Seeing them approach, he rose to his feet. “Great day for lunch on the porch.” He helped Jamison get seated while Cami sat nearby.

  It being a weekday, the tables on the porch were not full. Cami was glad. She wanted privacy for the conversation that was to follow.

  A young girl with a single long, brown braid came to serve them. Her glance kept going to Jonathan, who gave her a wink. Cheeks flushed, she turned to Cami. “Our specials today are butternut squash soup, served with an open-faced, toasted brie-and-apple sandwich or chicken pot pie. And of course, we have our regular items on the menu.”

  “Thank you, Chelsea,” Jonathan said, eying the waitress with obvious appreciation.

  Uncomfortable watching the interchange between them, Cami shifted in her seat. Jamison caught her attention, and Cami knew by her eyeroll she was as put off by Jonathan’s flirtatious behavior as she.

  They quickly placed their orders, and then Jonathan turned to Jamison. “I hope you understand the position I’m being put in with the return of Cami to the property. Lettie Chandler relied upon me to carry on without her, and I’ve done exactly that.”

  Jamison nodded agreeably. “Yes, I do understand how difficult it might be for someone like you to relinquish your authority to someone you don’t respect.”

  Jonathan’s eyes widened. “I ... I ... never said that.”

  “Of course not,” Jamison said pleasantly. “But your actions did and do. That’s something we’re all going to have to work on. Cooperation is the key. I trust you’re willing to give me that as I sort through some of the contracts and business agreements on behalf of my client.”

  “I’ve made no new contracts since we discovered that a large part of Lettie Chandler’s investments are now gone.” Jonathan’s voice held challenge.

  “So, I understand,” said Jamison, smiling at him. “Ah, here’s lunch. It looks delightful.”

  Cami and Jamison ate their soup while Jonathan dug into a salad. The quiet was broken when Chelsea came to the table. “Mr. Knight, you have an important phone call from one of the suppliers.”

  “Thank you.” Jonathan dabbed a napkin to his lips and rose. “Let me take this. I’ll be right back.”

  “Do you want me to come with you?” Cami asked, wondering
why a supplier would be calling them. The bills had all been paid, hadn’t they?

  Jonathan waved her back to her seat. “I’ve got this.”

  After he left, Jamison turned to her with a frown. “I can see why you’re concerned. But don’t worry, as we discussed earlier, we’re going to be in touch with all the suppliers. From this point forward, only you will be able to write checks or transfer funds. It will be annoying to Jonathan, but until we’re sure of his cooperation that’s how it’ll have to be.”

  “Good,” said Cami, happy she wouldn’t have to face Jonathan’s fury alone.

  Jonathan returned to the table a few minutes later. “Got that settled. Just a dispute on a bill.”

  “What supplier?” Cami asked.

  “Fresh Farm Foods,” Jonathan said. “Now, let’s get back to business.” He faced Jamison. “You can see how frustrating it is for me to have to explain everything. Lettie hardly looked at the reports I prepared for her.”

  “My grandmother was dying,” Cami reminded him.

  “Yes, but she knew I could handle things,” Jonathan shot back.

  “As we talked about, I’ll review all purchasing specifications, contracts, and procedures,” said Jamison in a calming voice. “It’s common to do that whenever there’s a change in ownership.”

  “Did you know Lettie promised me part of the business?” Jonathan said, glancing at Cami and then focusing on Jamison.

  “No, I wasn’t aware of that.” Jamison turned to Cami. “Were you?”

  Shocked, Cami shook her head. “No, I wasn’t.”Nonnee certainly would have told her about that, wouldn’t she?

  Jonathan shifted in his chair. An intriguing blush crept up his cheeks. “Lettie was hoping that Cami and I would ...”

  Cami raised a hand. “Don’t even say it.”

  She and Jonathan scowled at each other.

  “A grandmother’s hopeful wish, nothing more,” said Jamison, cooling the heated tension at the table. “The point is that you two have to work together, at least until Jonathan decides whether he wants to continue working here.”

  Both Cami and Jonathan stared at Jamison with surprise.

  “That’s the real issue. Right?” Jamison said.

  Silent, Cami and Jonathan each nodded.

  Still surprised by the idea Nonnee had thought they might get along, Cami glanced at Jonathan. She didn’t like him, nor did she trust him. Why had Nonnee given him the job at the inn? It hit her then. Jonathan resembled a picture she’d seen of a young Rex Chandler. Maybe, as some had hinted, Nonnee was truly failing at the end. The thought made her sad.

  They finished lunch and headed into Cami’s office.

  Jamison turned to Jonathan. “I’ll need your computer for a couple of hours. Cami can accompany you to your office to get it.”

  “What in hell is going on?” Jonathan said. “Are you accusing me of something?”

  “Not at all,” Jamison said calmly. “It’s all part of the review we talked about earlier. If things are in order, it shouldn’t take that long. I understand Cami already has access to a lot of the files.”

  Cami reluctantly followed Jonathan out of the office. He looked like he wanted to slap her.

  After he entered his office, he slammed the door behind them. “Go ahead. Try to find something wrong. You won’t.”

  “I’m simply trying to understand our present situation,” Cami said. “If I’m to take over for my grandmother, I need to understand everything about the operation. You know that.”

  “Yeah? Just so you are aware, that phone call wasn’t from a supplier. I made that up. It was about a new job offer I have. And if any more of this shit goes on, I’m going to take it.”

  Hiding her anger, Cami picked up the computer from his desk. “I’ll tell Jamison.”

  “You think it’s easy to run a hotel like this? You’re going to fail, Cami. You might be Lettie Chandler’s granddaughter, but you’re nothing like her.”

  His words, like needles in her heart, made her stumble as she headed for the door. She straightened and turned back to him. “You’d be surprised. You’re not going to quit because as of this moment, you’re fired.”

  She went back to the desk and lifted the phone to call Jamison. As soon as Cami told Jamison what had happened, Jamison said, “Get one of the male staff members up here as soon as you can. We need to remove Jonathan from the property.”

  Cami called down to the barn. Drew Farley answered the phone.

  “Can you come to the manager’s office right away? I need your help,” she said, stifling a tremor to her voice.

  “I’m on my way,” he replied.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Cami stood in the office looking out the window at the figure walking toward the inn at a brisk pace. She’d met Drew Farley at the funeral service for Nonnee, but in her emotional blur she couldn’t remember what he looked like beyond a tall, healthy male.

  Watching his long strides, she wondered what lay behind the story she’d been told about him. His uncle, Sam Farley, who’d taken over from her great-grandfather, Jose Lopez, as the tractor man for Chandler Hill, had raised Drew single handedly. No mother, no aunt to do the job. She’d always liked Sam, who was a quiet, kind man.

  Cami hurried to the office door to let Drew inside.

  Tawny-colored eyes met hers when she greeted him.

  “Glad you’re here,” she said quietly to Drew, glancing at Jonathan out of the corner of her eye as Jamison joined him in the hall. “We need you to escort Jonathan Knight off the property,” she said quietly. “He announced he’s taking another job, and before he could quit, I fired him.”

  Surprised to see Drew and Jamison enter the office, Jonathan frowned. “What’s going on?” he said, trying to play it cool.

  “My client has terminated your employment here,” said Jamison. “Mr. Farley is going to escort you off the property. You can make arrangements with Cami to come back at a suitable time to pick up your personal belongings from the office, or we’ll be happy to pack them up and have them delivered to your apartment in town.”

  “You can’t do this,” cried Jonathan, giving her a look so full of venom that Cami shuddered.

  “We can, we will, and we are,” said Jamison in a firm voice. “Grab your coat and go with Mr. Farley now.”

  “It’s all your doing,” Jonathan snarled at Cami. “Without me, you’re going to bring this place down.”

  Drew stepped in front of her, forming a protective barrier. “Enough,” he said in a deep bass voice that meant business.

  Jamison handed Jonathan his blazer.

  Jonathan stormed out of the room. Drew caught up to him, and they disappeared down the hallway toward the kitchen together.

  Trembling, Cami lowered herself into a chair and drew several deep breaths.

  “It’s upsetting, I know, but this will prevent Jonathan from taking any confidential or proprietary information with him and give us a better opportunity to find out what, if anything, he might have done in an underhanded way.”

  Drew returned a few moments later and stood in front of her chair. “He’s gone for now.”

  “Now, we need to warn the staff that he’s not to be allowed back on property without an escort, ” said Jamison.

  Drew gave Cami a worried look. “He was pretty upset and said all kinds of threatening things about you. I’ll go ahead and write it all down for you. Just in case you need it someday.”

  Cami looked up at him, seeing him clearly. His tawny-colored eyes matched what she would call hair the color of butterscotch—a warm, golden brown. His features were pleasing—straight nose, strong chin, and very kissable lips. Suddenly realizing she’d been staring, Cami blurted, “I’m really glad you were here to help us. Jonathan has resented me ever since I came home.”

  “Yeah, well if he bothers you again, let me know.” He tipped his head and strode out of the room.

  Jamison and Cami exchanged looks of admiration.

  �
��Now that one,” said Jamison, “is definitely not like your French friend.”

  Cami felt her lips curve. Maybe, with friends like this, she could succeed as the owner of this enterprise. In the meantime, she was definitely intrigued by Mr. Wonderful.

  Thoughts of any man were dismissed as Cami and Jamison worked together to review all contracts with suppliers and their purchase specification, invoice, and statement files.

  “I’m not sure what some of these surcharges are,” said Jamison thoughtfully. She lifted the phone to call their meat supplier.

  Cami continued to make a list of people to notify of the change in management. She’d make personal phone calls, followed up by emails. That way, no one could misunderstand that Jonathan was no longer able to conduct any business for Chandler Hill.

  When Jamison got off the phone, she turned to Cami, working beside her. “That was interesting. Those surcharges were part of a kickback scheme Jonathan was using to benefit himself and a worker at the supplier who’s already been fired. It’s petty stuff, but very dishonest. We’ll use it against the two of them if we have to. But I have a feeling we’re not going to hear much from Mr. Knight when he realizes we know what’s been going on. Let’s see what else we can find. In the meantime, I suggest you start making phone calls to all the suppliers. And double-check with the bank to make sure Jonathan’s name is off everything.”

  “What about the surcharges?” Cami asked.

  Jamison smiled. “I’ve arranged for you to have a nice credit on the account.”

  Cami returned her smile and then grew serious. “Thanks. I’m calling the others now.”

  Cami’s first call was to the bank. The vice-president to whom she was directed listened intently and then quietly said, “I’m glad you called, Ms. Chandler. I was about to get in touch with you. We’ve recently noticed a few irregularities on the account. Three different checks for fourteen hundred ninety-eight dollars and eighty-eight cents have been made out to a purveyor by the name of Paxton Fresh Foods. Ordinarily, we wouldn’t think anything of it. But three different exact payments caught our eye, and when we looked up the name, we couldn’t find such a business in the area.