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the back of the car.
    “And some help you were too.” Dom shook his head. 
    His mobile phone vibrated in the back pocket of his jeans as he pulled the car to a stop outside his cottage. He glanced at the screen and let the call go to voice mail. The vultures had started circling as soon as Nick’s death announcement had appeared in the press. A couple of them had even approached him about a partnership whilst he’d been at the funeral trying to commend themselves to him.
    It had been partly why he’d been so angry with Lucy when she’d arrived late. At the time, not knowing the full story of her connection with Nick, he’d assumed she was yet another one of those waiting to pounce on the business. Mr Fullwood had hinted to him that Nick had left Lucy an interest in the vineyard. He hadn’t known it would be the entire fifty per cent of the holding. At the time he’d assumed it would be simply a couple of shares.
    He suspected that if he went into the office there would be a string of messages from companies and individuals all eager to acquire a slice of the vineyard. It wouldn’t take them long to start working on Lucy if word leaked out that she was now co-owner and they uncovered the terms of the will.
    He opened the tailgate to allow Mutley out of the car and tucked his phone back into his pocket. He had to convince Lucy to stay and then he could deal with the vultures. He’d poured too much of his heart and soul into the vineyard to let it go now. Not to mention that it would betray Nick and the dream they’d built together. 
    Tomorrow he’d do better; he’d make sure Lucy had a nice time looking around the shop and the restaurant. He had no worries about her meeting with the accountant or Mr Fullwood. The business was in good shape, and if Lucy were willing to learn the ropes, then maybe the partnership could work – at least until he could afford to buy her out.
    * * *
    Lucy surveyed the remnants of her wardrobe the next day and sighed. Rain beat against the window of her bedroom and Dominic was due to call and collect her in less than an hour. She had the black dress and jacket she’d worn for the funeral, a floral cotton sundress and a pair of cropped cream linen trousers and a couple of tee shirts. The only shoes she had left were the low, black spike-heeled pumps she’d travelled in. She selected the trousers and a matching cream top; she would definitely have to buy some more clothes at the weekend.
    Maggie had made her coffee and a plate of toast when she reached the kitchen.
    “You look nice.” Her aunt pushed the plate of toast towards her “I think I managed to get the stains out of your jeans.”
    Lucy took a slurp of coffee. “Thanks Maggie. I binned my sweater and my shoes. No one warned me about Dominic’s dog.” She liked animals but Mutley had been rather much for her yesterday.
    “Nick said Dominic rescued the dog from a pound. He wanted a big animal to act as a guard dog, but by all accounts that one is as daft as a brush. Are you feeling less sore today, love?”
    “I’m fine, Mags. It’s amazing what a hot bath and some painkillers can do. It was my own fault for walking so far in those stupid shoes. Today apparently we’re only going to be looking at the buildings.”
    Maggie raised an eyebrow. “Nick always said Dom lived to work. Don’t let him hustle you along too fast. You know my thoughts on what you should do about Nick’s bequest, but at the end of the day it’s up to you.”
    Lucy swallowed her bite of toast. “I know. I’ve appointments this afternoon with the accountant at Mr Fullwood’s office. I’ll have to make a decision soon; my flight back to Tenerife is booked for Monday.”
    Maggie didn’t comment but Lucy noticed the slight sag of her shoulders at the mention of Tenerife. She knew her aunt wanted her to stay and logically it would be the sensible thing to do. Unfortunately Lucy had never been very good at being sensible, or at knowing what she