Between the Vines

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Book: Read Between the Vines for Free Online
Authors: Tricia Stringer
Coonawarra.”
    She tapped her bottle against the neck of his. They both took a swig. She looked out across the vines illuminated in the moonlight. The glistening dark rows spread as far as she could see.
    â€œYour parents aren’t here?”
    His lack of response drew her attention back to him.
    After a pause he said, “They died.”
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    The blue of his eyes darkened. This time it was Ed who looked away. “It was several years ago. Light plane crash, no survivors.”
    â€œThat must have been tough.”
    â€œWe get by.”
    â€œYou and your brother?”
    â€œPeter. He makes the wine and I sell it.” He took another deep draught of his beer then turned his gaze on her. “What about you? Family?”
    â€œMy parents are doctors. They spend most of the year working overseas. They’re in Cambodia at the moment. I have a sister. We both travelled a lot. She met an Irishman and has gone to live with him. We’re a bit fractured really.” Taylor tried to imagine her parents dead like Ed’s. She used to miss them so much when they first started working overseas. Now they’d been absent from her life so often, they were more like good friends than parents. She berated herself inwardly for her lack of emotion. If she was honest she still missed them. She’d simply grown used to their absence from her life.
    â€œAnother beer, or would you like something else?”
    Ed’s question snapped her back to the present. Here she was alone with the most gorgeous guy she’d met in a while and she was being melancholy.
    â€œI’d like some of that Wriggly Creek wine if you have any.”
    â€œComing right up.” He almost leapt from the couch.
    Taylor cut herself some cheese. She could get used to this attention.
    He poured two glasses.
    She took a sip. She’d never thought much about the wine she drank before but she really did enjoy the crisp fruity taste.
    â€œSo this won a medal?” She took another mouthful.
    â€œTwo. Peter’s pedantic about his wine. It pays off.”
    â€œAnd you’re not so fussed?”
    â€œIt’s not that. It’s good wine. I’m just not as in love with the process as he is. You plant vines, you grow grapes, you turn them into wine, you sell the wine, you make money. If you don’t make money there’s no point in making the wine.”
    â€œThere speaks a businessman.” Taylor chuckled. “My sister couldnever understand why my parents wouldn’t stay home long enough to make some decent money from their profession.”
    â€œSome people are dreamers.”
    Taylor took in the rigid set of his jaw. “A few dreams are good.”
    â€œCan’t live on dreams. Cold hard cash is what makes the world go round.”
    â€œYes. I’m often suffering from the lack of it. In fact I’m not sure how much longer my courier job will last.”
    â€œMaybe you need to get a job that suits your qualifications.”
    â€œManaging a business?”
    â€œDidn’t you say you worked for a charity?”
    â€œYes, but it was just a job to me.”
    â€œWhat about starting your own?”
    â€œCharity?” She grinned at him.
    He returned the smile. “I was thinking more a business.”
    Taylor turned the idea over. It wasn’t as if she’d never thought about it before but nothing grabbed her. “There’s absolutely nothing I can imagine I’d like to do.”
    â€œPlenty of businesses need managers.”
    â€œLocked in an office all day.” She tipped her head to one side. “Would I enjoy it?”
    â€œIt would pay better, if money’s what you want.”
    Taylor looked at her glass then drained the last of it. Was he judging her?
    â€œI’m planning an overseas trip soon,” he said.
    â€œThat’s exciting.” Taylor held out her glass as he refilled it. “Where are you

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