Page 12 of Taken With You
“Amanda?” A woman’s voice. “Amanda Karlson?”
“Speaking.”
“Ah. I’m so glad I caught you. I’ve tried your phone a couple of times but no answer.”
“Harvest will do that.” She’d been over her head scrubbing a fermentation tank, but she couldn’t blame the fumes for her confusion. “And you are…?”
“Shelley. Shelley Weintraub. I’m head of marketing,” the woman explained, “for Kane Enterprises.”
“Yes, Garrick mentioned you.” But Amanda hadn’t been expecting a call. “What can I do for you?”
“Garrick didn’t tell you, did he?”
“Tell me…?”
“I’d like to think it’s because he’s got so much going on, but I suspect once he’s out of my sight, he spends all his time climbing cliffs.”
Amanda bit her lip, unwilling to rat Garrick out. She’d seen him this morning clinging to the cliff behind the cabin again. She’d used his absence to get settled in her new lodgings in the cabin. She’d peeked out the window at his progress while unpacking, her heart in her throat until she was sure he was out of mortal danger. She’d escaped the cabin before he’d returned. She wasn’t quite ready to bump into his sweaty, half-naked demigod-ness in the dim hallway between their bedrooms.
She said, “What’s this about, Shelley?”
“I’m calling to make your day.”
“O…kay.” She glanced up at a shirtless Miguel standing in his flatbed next to the cask he’d just hauled up, his head tilted in unspoken question. She could only answer him with a shrug. “I’m listening.”
“I’ve been talking up an editor from the California Winery Association for, like, two weeks. He has finally agreed to come to Cedar Ridge to interview Garrick and you in exchange for an exclusive on the identity reveal of the new owner of Cedar Ridge. He’ll be there at nine a.m. tomorrow.”
“Wow.” She knew the CWA. Their industry journal went out to every winery in the state. The website got six million hits a month. “Garrick should be thrilled.”
“Right? He should drop to his knees in thanks.”
She blinked at the image.
“Did you catch the part where I said the reporter wants to talk to you, too?”
“Oh. Me?”
“Youarethe master vintner.”
“Right.” Amanda nodded as Miguel swept past her, gesturing that he was off to fetch another empty barrel from the cave. “Of course.”
“Garrick should have given you a warning,” Shelley continued, “but he’s not thinking that a woman needs a manicure, a blowout, and an outfit—solid colors, I’d recommend—that’ll show you to your best advantage in photos.”
“I…see.” Worry nibbled at her as she scanned the crush pad. The area had been cleaned out in anticipation of the harvest—coming much sooner than she’d expected, based on the sugar readings she’d taken today—but there was still so much to do. No time for a manicure, that was for sure, but how could she refuse the opportunity? “I can make an appearance tomorrow, for fifteen minutes or so.”
“Excellent! I’m glad I called you cold.”
“Whatever helps the winery, I’m in.” Who needs sleep? She ignored Miguel’s curiosity as he returned from the cave, pushing another empty barrel. “No worries, Shelley.”
Shelley exhaled audibly. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am. Garrick has been up to his neck in responsibilities since his brother died, and it hasn’t helped that he’s taken up rock-climbing and BASE jumping as well.”
She stilled, not hearing anything pastsince his brother died.
“The bottom line,” Shelley said, “is that I’m going to need all hands on deck to help him pull off this winery launch.”
“I’ll…I’ll do what I can.”
“Fantastic. Welcome to the family of Kane Enterprises.”
