‘I see.’ Just two syllables but they held a sombre gravity that told him she really did understand now, at least enough to back off for good. Her next words confirmed it. ‘You’ve already tried it.’
‘And it didn’t work out.’ How bland the words sounded, like he’d tried a new grape variety and hadn’t liked the taste. No words could describe the gut-cleaving pain of loving and losing. Of having a soul-mate and then, in one tragic moment, having the person who mattered most in your life torn away.
Aurelio had been lost, grieving and rudderless, for a long time. He hadn’t cared about anything, until his old friend Paolo had bullied him into work again. The unrelenting rhythm of hard labour had forced him to begin sleeping. Eventually the work of growing and making had driven him into a routine and from routine, into awareness and appreciation. Into life.
His family worried that he buried himself in his work. Just recently his brother Matteo, inviting him to one of his parties, had accused him of turning into a hermit. Aurelio hadn’t bothered to explain that the winery was his life now, for they all knew it. Even so, he’d found himself hinting to his little sister, Lia, that he might bring a friend to their brother Gennaro’s engagement party. He’d said it to get her off his back, since she’d been concerned about his withdrawal from the world. But her disappointment when he’d arrived alone had made him more determined to stand his ground.
‘Well, now we’ve sorted that out.’ Amber’s voice was brisk as she swung round. Instead of avoiding his gaze, she looked straight into his eyes, her own an unreadable grey that made him think of misty mornings in the mountains.
Whatever she’d once hoped, she was ready to bury the past and move on.
In that instant, a surge of admiration swamped Aurelio. He’d never met a woman like Amber, so strong and feisty, despite the warm, caring nature he’d been drawn to from the first. Even Valentina, who’d been his other half, hadn’t had Amber’s courage. But then she’d had him to protect her. Until that last day.
Pain scoured Aurelio’s gut, fast and savage as a mountain torrent.
‘I’d better move on.’ Amber’s words came to him through the rush of his blood. ‘I’ve got a lot to do and so have you, I’m sure.’ Her smile was perfunctory, almost scornful, and Aurelio knew he should be glad she’d accepted the way things were.
She turned, pulling her jacket closer, and began walking away.
There was something stoic about her, so determined and controlled. Yet lonely too. Aurelio had seen it in that earlier flash of hurt, and though he tried to tell himself he imagined it, it was there in the too-upright way she held herself now.
The sight tugged at something inside him. The need to lessen the bitter pill of his rejection. Guilt at his brutal treatment of her.
He settled for telling himself she was here to work and that work would go better if he followed through with his earlier decision.
‘Wait.’ She paused on his word but didn’t look back. ‘If you’ve got time I’d like to show you the vineyard.’
Amber was still so long he wondered if she’d heard. When she turned, lithe in slim fitting jeans and boots, her expression was guarded. ‘Paolo has already taken me on a tour.’
‘I know.’ He walked towards her, ignoring the delicate beauty of her features and instead focusing on those wary eyes. ‘But I’d like to show you whatIsee here.Myvision for the place.’
It was true. He wanted to share that with Amber. Aurelio told himself it was so she could understand his utter devotion to the place, to the exclusion of personal relationships.
‘It might help with the PR campaign.’
That persuaded her. Whatever she’d once hoped for, business took precedence for her now. Aurelio could relate to that.
The tightness around the back of his neck and shoulders eased as he turned up into the grapevines. Amber tramped beside him as slowly he began to talk about what he loved, the vines and the challenge of nurturing them and turning them into premium wines.
The sun rose higher and the aroma of honeysuckle and woman blended with the scents of earth and green, growing things. He found himself relaxing as they talked, not about personal matters, or even the new PR campaign, but the soil, the new growth, the potential for the future.
Amber was a good listener. Her questions revealed not only a quick mind but an appreciation for this world of his. It was one of the reasons he’d initially wanted her for the job. Now, her responses to him and her understanding of the challenges and opportunities here confirmed he’d been right to want her.
For the job.
As she surveyed the vineyard now spread below them, Aurelio looked down at her exquisite features.
His heart thundered against his ribs. The want hadn’t gone away.
If anything, it grew as his admiration grew.
All he could do was hope that familiarity really would breed contempt. Otherwise he was in big trouble.