Free Passionate Harvest by Nell Dixon Page A

wondered what tasks Dominic would have waiting for her on her first ‘proper’ day in her new role as part-owner. Fortunately she had a couple of days to get her former life in Tenerife sorted out before she found out.
    “You’ll be fine. Dom’s bark is worse than his bite. Everyone here is pretty nice. Even Jo is really, it’s just that she can be a little proprietary where Dom is concerned.”
    “Are they dating?” Lucy wondered if Dominic was involved with anyone and was surprised at how dismayed she felt by the thought.
    Isabelle shook her head. “No, although Jo keeps hinting at him, I don’t think he sees her in that way if you know what I mean. Come to think of it I’ve never known him get involved with anyone since he’s been here. I think occasionally he’s taken someone out for dinner or drinks but then nothing. He never talks about his private life at all; maybe he’s been burned in the past.”
    “He does seem very private.” A prickle of guilt tickled at her conscience that she was talking about her work partner like this with an employee.
    “Hmm, I suppose he is.”
    Lucy drained the last of her coffee and stood. “I’ll go and tidy up in the back, stay there and finish your break. Call me if anyone else comes in and needs serving.”
    She left Isabelle finishing her drink and went into the compact but nicely fitted kitchen that served the tea room.
    She’d barely started cleaning down the counters when she heard a woman’s voice. “Sitting down on the job, Izzy? Better not let the new boss see you.”
    Lucy paused in her task of stacking the dirty tea cups in the dishwasher acutely aware of Maggie’s adage that ’eavesdroppers never hear any good of themselves’.
    She didn’t catch Isabelle’s reply before the other woman’s clear confident voice continued. “Not that we’re likely to see much of her. I can’t see her wanting to play at winemaking for long. What was she before? A children’s nanny or something for a holiday company. It’ll be Hi-Di-Hi campers and a crèche in here next.” The woman laughed heartily at her own joke.
    Lucy felt for Isabelle who had to be acutely embarrassed knowing that Lucy was in earshot in the kitchen. She toyed with the idea of going out into the tea room to silence the unknown woman but thought that might make things even more awkward.
    “I think you have the wrong impression of Lucy.” Isabelle’s reply reached her this time.
    “Oh well, time will tell I suppose. Although I’m not very happy that Dom took my car back to give to her. He seems quite taken with her for some reason, although it may be her inheritance that’s the main attraction.”
    Lucy’s heart bumped as she realised the unknown speaker must be Jo.
    “It was only ever a temporary loan till your car was fixed, and Lucy’s a very pretty girl,” Isabelle responded.
    There was a rustling of paper and the sound of the till drawer opening. “Whose side are you on Izzy?”
    “Don’t be silly, I’m not on anyone’s side. I think you should give Lucy a chance though. I’ve met her a couple of times now and she’s really nice.”
    Lucy could imagine how awkward this was for her, defending her new employer and unlike Jo, knowing that Lucy could probably hear every word.
    “Well we’ll see. Time will tell if she’s going to stick around.”
    The sound of voices died away and Lucy sagged back against the work top hoping that Jo had gone.
    “I’m so sorry. I take it you heard all that.” Isabelle appeared in the doorway looking flushed and awkward as she twisted her hands in her apron.
    “Well, you know what they say about eavesdroppers. Anyway, you did warn me about Jo. It wasn’t your fault.” She patted Isabelle’s arm. “Really, it’s okay. Come on we’ll be able to close up soon so we may as well make a start on cleaning up.”
    * * *
    Who was he trying to kid? Dominic wondered as he clipped Mutley’s lead onto his collar ready to walk out in the