“I’m alright. It was a bit stuffy in the kitchen, that’s all.”

He glanced at her again then set off. She had trouble keeping up with his long strides until he stopped abruptly beside a deep green LandCruiser with Levallier Dell Wines emblazoned on the side in gold and black.

Keely looked from the gleaming car to Flynn’s smiling face.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

“It’s very nice.” She knew little about cars. She was simply thankful it wasn’t the bike. He looked relieved. She couldn’t imagine why Flynn would be the slightest bit interested in what she thought about his car. “I didn’t realise you had a car.”

“It’s new.” He opened the door for her. “I’ve only had it a month. It’s been in having the signage painted. Euan’s car is old, we’ve got work utes and I prefer my bike but we don’t have anything decent for guests and customers to travel in.”

Keely sank into the comfy seat. The new-car smell enveloped her then she recalled her first arrival at the gates of Levallier Dell and the gleaming sign, along with Euan’s reaction to it. This was a very nice car but if Flynn had only had it for a month, Euan probably didn’t know about it. From the way Flynn was acting, she suspected it was going to cause more angst between the two Levallier men.

Keely fastened her seat belt. She might be wrong but somehow she thought the road ahead was looking bumpy again, in more ways than one.

* * *

“Pappou, I’m not sure that I’m the right person for the job.” Kat and her grandfather were in his office. Papers and plans were spread across the desk in front of them.

“What do you mean, Katerina? You have a university degree, your mother has told me what you have been doing for her little winery and besides, you are my granddaughter. So, you see, you are exactly the right person for the job.”

“But one of the boys could…”

“Bah!” He clicked his fingers. “None of them have the flair for it. Besides, they are already busy with other jobs. A business this size does not work without people managing many things. It is not like that little place in the Yarra Valley your parents call a winery. There is work at River and Ocean Dynasty for everyone.” He opened his arms wide and beamed at her.

“Pappou, I’d love to…”

He threw his arms around her and hugged her tightly. “I knew you’d do it.”

She struggled out of his embrace. The time had come to confess. WA was not her future, in fact her future was probably not anywhere in Australia. “I’m not accepting. It’s a wonderful opportunity…” She faltered under his expectant gaze.