Free The Passion Price by Miranda Lee

slipped through a side-gate just past Reception that led into a private courtyard attached to the manager’s quarters, a spacious two-bedroomed unit with an en suite to the main.
    She and Alex had moved in there two years ago after Angelina had started doing night shifts at the reception desk. The excuse she’d used for the move was that the old farmhouse where they’d been living, and where she’d been born and brought up, was a couple of hundred metres away, far too long a walk for her at night. Or so she had told her father. Papa had not been happy with their move at first, but he’d got used to it. Besides, when Alex came home on holiday, he’d often stayed with his grandfather in his old room.
    Angelina rarely ventured back there, the house not having all that many good memories for her. She’d been a lonely child living there, and an even lonelier single mother. She much preferred her memoryless apartment with its fresh cream walls, cream floor coverings and all mod cons. She liked the modern furniture too, having never been fond of the heavy and ornate furniture her father had preferred. Now that her father was gone, Arnold was living in the old farmhouse, free accommodation being part of his contract as Ambrosia’s wine-maker.
    Of course, Alex hadn’t liked that at all, having someone else living in his grandfather’s house. But that was just too bad.
    Another sigh escaped Angelina’s lips as she let herself in the front door. What a day it had been so far. And it wasn’t over yet.
    She moved straight across the cream carpet to theside-table where she kept the phone, sitting down on the green and cream checked sofa and calling Alex on his cellphone. He should have finished playing cricket by now.
    â€˜Yes, Mum,’ he answered after the second ring.
    â€˜You lost,’ she said, knowing that tone of voice.
    â€˜I don’t want to talk about it,’ he grumped.
    â€˜Never mind. You’ll wallop them at the swimming carnival.’
    â€˜We’d better. They’ll be insufferable if they win that, too.’
    Alex had a killer competitive instinct. He was the one who would be insufferable.
    â€˜So how’s things up there?’ he asked.
    â€˜Everything’s fine. Arnold sold his place today.’ And your father showed up out of the blue.
    Alex groaned. ‘Does that mean we’re stuck with him forever?’
    â€˜Alex, I’m not sure what your problem is with Arnold. He’s a really nice man. You could learn a lot from him. Your grandfather said he was brilliant with whites. You know Papa was not at his best with whites. He was more of a red man. But no, we’re not stuck with him forever. He said he’s going to buy a little place over in Port Stephens with what he gets for his place, with enough left over for his retirement. He’s well aware how keen you are to take over and is more than willing to stand aside when you feel ready to take on the job of wine-maker.’
    â€˜Good. Because I intend to do just that as soon as I finish my higher-school certificate.’
    A prickle ran down Angelina’s spine. He sounded like Jake had today. So strong and so determined.
    â€˜I won’t stand in your way, Alex,’ she said. ‘This place is your inheritance, and the job of wine-maker is your right.’
    â€˜And I’m going to find my father, too. Not in November. I can’t wait that long. I’m going to start next holidays. At Easter.’
    Angelina grimaced. Easter! That was only a few weeks away. Still, maybe it was for the best. She couldn’t stand the tension of such a long wait herself.
    â€˜All right, Alex. You’ll get no further argument from me on that score. Come Easter, we’ll go find your father.’
    â€˜Honest?’ Alex sounded amazed. ‘You’re not going to make a fuss?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜Cool. You’re the best,