Chapter 3 #2
“Look, I hired a new employee and her contract is iron clad. I’m finished with you being able to toss people out of your organization as if they don’t mean anything.”
“I don’t need another new employee.”
“Yeah, you obviously do, but this one isn’t going to sweat in your fields. She’s going to help you get back on your feet. And you’re going to let her do it without question, Montgomery. And you’re not going to berate her or so help me God, I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”
I stared at Robert, my chest heaving. He’d never talked to me in this tone. “What the hell do you mean?”
“I mean that I’ve hired a temporary associate, which I hope will become a fulltime employee, to try and recoup the losses by instigating a new marketing campaign. She’s also going to be analyzing the reasons for our failure. We’re damn lucky to get her too. Her qualifications are exemplary.”
“Our?” I retorted. “You don’t have a financial stake in my business.”
He reared back, shaking his head, tension settling between us.
“You’re right. I don’t. What I do have is several years of experience in this industry.
You need to make a choice, Montgomery, and I mean right now.
Either you’re going to continue wallowing in your sorrow or you’re going to fight in order to bring back the glory of this estate and your winery before it’s taken from you.
The choice is up to you. However, you will not fuck with this girl.
Period. She will remain for the entire year or so help me God. ”
I’d never seen him this angry or with so much conviction.
He’d been by my side through the rough months, including dragging my inebriated ass back to the estate when necessary.
I valued his friendship, but this was going too far.
Still, he was right. Westfield was chomping at the bit, his ridiculous attempts at keeping me on edge actually fucking working.
“Fine. I’ll see if she has what it takes. ”
He lifted his arm, pointing a single finger.
“I’m going to say this one more time. You will not fuck with her.
You’ve run everyone off you really cared about, with the exception of Joshua and me.
I’ve only stayed because I’ve known how much pain you’ve been through, but my patience is finished.
Period. You’re going to help with rebuilding your corporation or I am out of here. Do you understand?”
I could tell he was serious. After a few seconds of glaring at him, I pulled the file closer. “Fine. I’ll do what I can to work with her.”
His expression didn’t change before he walked out of my office, slamming the door behind him.
I closed my eyes, rubbing my forehead before exhaling.
He’d been the only man to get through to me over the last couple of years, the demons threatening to take over more than once.
I had difficulty breathing, my chest heaving.
My head was aching like a son of a bitch from losing my temper, which occurred constantly.
“Fly like an eagle, son. Soar above the clouds to rid your mind of pain.”
My father’s words of wisdom no longer proved as comforting as they’d once been. If only he was here to try to give me advice. Snickering, I had a feeling Pops would kick my ass for surrendering to my sorrow. He never had.
I sat down in my chair, fingering the file.
The last thing I needed was some hotshot telling me how to run my business.
I almost laughed at the thought. My father had been a powerhouse in the world of making wine.
I’d done everything I could to follow in his footsteps.
A part of me felt like I’d betrayed him.
After a few seconds, I yanked the file closer, tugging it open.
Not a single part of me wanted to read the details, but I forced myself to do so.
The resume was just all right, at least in my mind.
What did a girl from Indianapolis know about decent wines?
Okay, so she’d created some award-winning marketing campaigns, but could she do it under pressure?
Shoving the file away, I closed my eyes.
Hell, maybe this would work, although I had my doubts.
However, Robert was correct. Things needed to change.
But in my mind, I knew that I no longer cared about the winery. It has once been my life’s dream, but I could barely stomach the work that was needed any longer.
Jerking up, I moved toward the window, slapping my hands on my hips as I stared at the expansive landscape. Everything was going to shit.
A deep roar erupted from the depths of my being as I raked my hand across the credenza in the corner of the room. As pictures and other items crashed to the floor, I took satisfaction in the sound of breaking glass.
Even the horrific noise had no way of competing with my anger.
Or my sadness.
Damn it.
* * *
Aspen
There were no words to describe the beauty of Napa Valley.
Pictures hadn’t been able to do the area justice.
As the taxi dropped me off, placing my bags on the aggregate sidewalk in front of the most magnificent-looking building on the entire estate, my breath was taken away.
All I could do was gawk at the incredible surroundings, marveling how green everything was.
I suddenly felt so inadequate, unable to comprehend what I was getting myself into.
Everything was simply far too picturesque. Swallowing hard, I rubbed my hands down the front of my jeans, feeling woefully underdressed. I’d been told very little after accepting the job, merely given a letter of hire as well as details on my plane flight.
Which had left seventy-two hours after I’d accepted.
Seventy-two. I’d barely been able to get my affairs in order, not that I’d had but so much to do.
My parents would sublet my apartment, including what limited furniture I had.
I’d managed to pack up most of my personal things, storing the boxes in their garage. Quitting my job had been the best part.
The look on Scott’s face had been priceless.
I pressed my shaking hand across my mouth before turning to face the majestic castle in front of me.
The massive structure had been built from stone, the various turret and pinnacles straight out of a history book.
I couldn’t believe anything like this existed in California.
I stared at the ornate wooden double doors, swallowing hard.
“What did you get yourself into?” I whispered before finding the courage to grab my bags, moving closer to the entrance.
Within seconds, both doors were opened, Robert Blakely grinning as he walked toward me. “You made it.”
While he held out his hand, waiting for me to accept the gracious welcome, my hand was sweating. After dropping one of the bags, I rubbed my fingers across my jeans again before advancing, accepting the gesture. “This is incredible.”
His smile was genuine. “I’m glad you approve. Everyone has worked hard over the years to make the winery something to be proud of.”
I heard a car’s engine, noticing he shifted his gaze toward the approaching vehicle.
He slipped his hand into his pocket, pulling out a set of keys as well as a small map of some kind.
“I ordinarily wouldn’t do this to a new arrival, but I have an important meeting that I can’t miss.
If you’ll look over your shoulder, that is your vehicle for the upcoming year.
I made certain there’s a full tank of gas. ”
I glanced over my shoulder at the rugged-looking red Jeep. From what I could tell, the vehicle was brand new. There wasn’t a speck of dust anywhere to be seen. Another shiver coursed through me, a little glee threatening to escape. “Thank you. I expected some old truck maybe.”
He laughed. “Nonsense. I told you there would be perks with the job.”
“Yes, you did.”
“I’ve taken the liberty of providing you with a map of the property, the villa where you’ll be staying indicated by the red dot.
I assure you it’s not hard to find. Just keep on the same road, making a turn on the second one to the right.
I’ve also made certain the refrigerator and freezer are stocked, even though I wasn’t certain what you’d like.
Of course, you have plenty of wine to drink.
I do hope you like wine.” He laughed, the sound genuine.
“I adore wine.”
“Thank God. Anyway, we have a meeting at eight in the morning sharp in this building. That will leave you to enjoy the rest of the day exploring as well as getting settled.”
While I continued to feel somewhat overwhelmed, accepting the keys meant there was no going back. “I appreciate your confidence in me, Mr. Blakely. I won’t let you down.”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “Don’t worry, Ms. Porter. I have a feeling you’re going to stir the pot, which is exactly what has been needed around here for a long time.” Although he started to walk away, he stopped short, shifting back in my direction. “One word of advice.”
“Of course. Anything.” Why was there an entire storm of clouds hovering over him all of a sudden?
“Don’t allow Montgomery Wolfe to get under your skin. Forgive the ridiculous analogy, but he’s all bark and no bite. However, he is formidable. Just something for you to keep in mind.”
When he chuckled after issuing the words, I was torn between asking him what he meant and simply keeping my mouth shut.
So what if the owner was formidable? I still needed to work with him.
I’d worked with a number of assholes in my time.
A rich, good-looking man wasn’t going to throw me in the least.
Or so I hoped.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
His returning smile was almost like a smirk, as if the man was goading me. He obviously didn’t know what I was made of.