Free Finally by Miranda P. Charles

Jeff agreed, enjoying Sarah’s awed reaction as she stared at the sight ahead of her. He’d taken a detour and stopped on a particular hill where they could see a panoramic view of the Carmichael vineyards. Orderly rows of green sprinkled with yellow and red-orange were before them, the vine leaves changing colour with the onset of autumn.
    “That would be Magda’s Place, wouldn’t it?” Sarah asked, pointing to a group of one-level structures occupying a large area on the perimeter of their property.
    “Yup. That smaller building beside the main one is the pool house. The building next to it is the spa. Unfortunately, our massage and beauty therapists aren’t starting work until the reopening so you won’t be able to use their services yet.”
    “The garden’s huge,” Sarah gushed, then turned her gaze to the far left, to a building separated from Magda’s Place by the vast vineyard. “What’s that over there?”
    “That’s the winery.”
    “Oh, wow. Harvesting’s finished, isn’t it?”
    “Yes. The last grapes were picked in February since we had a really hot summer. But you’ll get to see some of the winemaking process.”
    “Yay,” Sarah said, doing little hops of excitement.
    He laughed, restraining himself from giving her a hug.
    “Oh, you’ll love it, Sarah,” Magda piped in with equal glee. “I’ll take you around myself. Tomorrow we could—”
    “No, not tomorrow, Magda,” Sarah interrupted.
    “Why not?”
    “You’re supposed to rest,” Sarah said, all serious now. “In fact, I can wait until Bec gets here then we can take turns looking after you while the other has a look around.”
    “But she won’t be here for another two weeks! You’ll miss seeing some of the process,” Magda complained.
    “It doesn’t matter,” Sarah said with a definitive shake of the head. “I’m here to make sure you get well and that you don’t overexert yourself, not for me to play tourist.”
    “We have one of those golf carts for travelling around the place. I’ll be okay,” Magda mumbled before having another coughing spell.
    “Let me be the judge of that,” Sarah said in a softer voice, rubbing Magda’s back gently.
    “I’ll take her, Gran,” Jeff said.
    “Okay.” Magda said with a resigned sigh. “I would love to go too, but I guess I should get better first. I do feel a little tired now. Let’s head to the hotel. I think I’ll have an afternoon nap.”
    “Thank you,” Jeff said in Sarah’s ear as they walked behind Magda back to the car. “She can be stubborn when she wants something.”
    “I know,” Sarah said with a smile.
    Unable to stop himself, he put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her to him, grateful that his grandmother couldn’t see. God, he missed touching her. Hell, he plain missed her.
    Sarah glanced up at him, her parted lips and the flare in her eyes telling him she wasn’t unaffected by his action.
    Good. Because, damn it, just her proximity affected him . If his grandmother weren’t around, he would have kissed her senseless.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    “T his is your suite, right next to Gran’s,” Jeff said, playing porter for Sarah. They’d just taken Magda to her room, and she’d promptly gone to bed to take her nap.
    “Do I really need a suite?” Sarah asked in a small voice, embarrassed, as she looked around the luxurious and spacious living area. Really, the Carmichaels were just too generous.
    “No one else is staying here, Sarah. When I leave on Wednesday, only you, Gran and the staff will be around. It’s not until next week that other people are arriving.”
    “Okay. But when your other guests arrive, I’m happy to move.”
    Jeff sighed and walked toward her. “Will you stop?” he asked softly, cupping her face. “You’ll only make Gran feel bad if you’re being so ungrateful about all this.”
    Her thrill at his touch was replaced by horror at his words. “I’m not feeling ungrateful! In fact, I’m beyond grateful. I just