Free Risking the Vine (Romancing the Vine Book 1) by Gemma Brocato

You only have ninety minutes left.” Jules rested a hand on Luke’s arm. “It certainly is. I’m not planning on giving him his money back. Company policy. The contract reads no refunds once the course starts, which happened at last night’s dinner. Even if a participant has to leave early. As far as I’m concerned, Jacqui can stay and complete the course, unless Ted insists otherwise. I’ll try to convince him to let her stay.” She faced Jac, an expression in her eyes that looked suspiciously like sympathy. “Anything you learn here will still benefit your company because it seems you are the unofficial leader. They’ll need the skills you perfect as they make the transition. And I’ll be sure to tell Ted that when I call him back.”
    “Would you mind meeting with me sometime this week to talk about how to spin this course to my benefit in a job interview?” Jac hated to voice the question, but felt compelled to do so, nonetheless.
    Jules nodded. A broad, approving smile tugged the corners of her lips. “Absolutely. The skills you achieve here will be attractive to any employer lucky enough to hire you.”
    “I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet.” Jac told her. “I’m pretty sure I don’t want stay at MedServices. Even if Ted changes his mind and promotes me instead, he’s shown his true colors. I’m not family and there’s really nowhere to go with this organization.”
    Luke dropped his hands to his sides and rested his butt on the edge of the table. “Maybe you should ask Jules for an extra week here and learn everything you can about farming.”
    Jac shot him a reproving glare. “Luke.”
    Sharing a glance between them, Jules said, “I’m intrigued. You want to learn about running a farm?”
    “It’s just a pipe dream. My family owns land in central Oregon and no one is doing anything to make it pay. I teased Luke earlier about running away and raising chickens.”
    “Seriously?” Jules’ tone held incredulity.
    Laughing, Jac replied, “Well, maybe not chickens. My grandparents used to run a spice and herb farm. It’s lain dormant . . . no, fallow, for a few years but I think I could bring it back. It would certainly be a simpler lifestyle than my city life.”
    “Country girl, huh?” Jules toyed with the corks laid out, ready to be added to the art project.
    “Yep.” Jac remained outwardly positive, while inside she held a running debate. She knew nothing about farming, which didn’t lessen the appeal. “God, it feels like I’m going off the deep end. Just like the character from the show my grandpa used to watch. Green Acres .”
    Luke barked out a laugh. “At least you’ll be a little less clueless than Oliver and Lisa.”
    Jules dropped the cork she’d played with and dusted her hands together. “Tell you what . . . let’s talk tomorrow evening after our daily projects. I’ll have time to pull together some resource material for you. I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I never even talked to the gardeners on my mom’s property. I kind of went through the same thing when I bought the vineyard. I’m happy to share what I know.”
    The unease gurgling heavily in Jac’s stomach lightened. “Deal.”
    “Now, get back to work.” Jules leaned in confidingly and gestured to the board on the table. “I don’t want the other teams to beat you at this. Your picture is going to be great and make a lot of money for our charity.”
    As she sauntered away toward the lawyers’ table, Jac stared after her. “I’d have never guessed she didn’t grow up on this property. She seems bred for it.”
    “Can’t judge a book—” Luke started.
    “I know, by its cover.” Wonderful, now they were completing each other’s sentences. “Come on, let’s finish our picture. Jules really put the pressure on. We don’t want to disappoint.”
    Luke gestured to the growing pile of cut pieces. “Hey, I’ve been working while you were gabbing.”
    “Well, leadership does have