Josh de Lange stopped his pickup truck in front of wine lot 14a. Farm manager Tom Diaz walked toward him. As always, Tom was dressed in khaki shorts and shirt and strong work boots.
“Everything looking good?” Josh asked.
“All good. That powdery mildew that was plaguing the vines has all but disappeared. There’s lots of spiders and bees about, and that’s a good sign.”
Tom’s family had lived at Mountain Shadows almost as long as the de Langes had. And the two families, one brown, one white, were woven together through shared history. Tom was now in charge of the general running of the estate, and a knowledge and love of winemaking were in his bones. He was a large man only two years older than Josh, and the two of them had a history of friendship that had lasted since early childhood.
It was the end of a long, dry summer and the vines needed irrigation. Without it, the plants would suffer excess water stress and the result would be smaller berries and a higher sugar content. The sprinkler system was fed by a river that wound its way down through mountains and the valley. Today, the river was a steady stream and the sprinklers were in effect over many acres.
“I remember being out here with your dad, must have been four or five years ago. Back when our neighbors were damming the river higher up. You couldn’t have bathed a baby with what came out of that stream.”
Josh shook his head. Such behavior went against everything that the de Langes stood for. For generations, the farmers in the valley had cooperated and competed, intermarried and sometimes feuded. But they had always known they were interdependent on one another. In the Little Karoo, water was always a scarce, almost sacred resource. Rain was always a cause for celebration and because of its scarcity, the worst transgressions related to the misuses of water.
“My grandfather always used to say that taking a man’s water was worse than taking his wife!” Tom laughed.
“I’m glad those days are behind us,” said Josh. He was referring to the bitter acrimony that existed between Mountain Shadows Farm and Sun Valley Wines, their immediate neighbors.
“So am I,” said Tom. “But I still don’t like the fact that our main water source runs through their property. When the Martin family owned it, there was never a problem, but with this crowd, you just never know.” Tom shook his head.
Like the de Langes, the Martins were an old farming family, and like so many family farms, they had fallen on hard times. Heavily indebted, and unable to raise credit from the bank, the Martins had eventually sold their farm to a consortium. The farm had been renamed Sun Valley and the winery had become a ruthless commercial outfit.
“I remember every time they illegally dammed the water upstream, we would call the police, and when they arrived, the water was freely flowing. If you ask me, they must have had someone in our local police tipping them off.” Tom gave a heavy sigh. “What some people will do for money. Go against their own community.”
“I don’t think we have much to worry about anymore. Sun Valley has learned their lesson,” said Josh. He was referring to the costly legal battle that had taken place several years earlier. Mountain Shadows had won their case against copyright infringement. Sun Valley wines had imitated the Mountain Shadows award-winning Shiraz with almost identical labeling and a far inferior wine. But the stress had taken a toll on Josh’s father and mere weeks after the legal settlement, he had suffered a second and fatal heart attack.
“I wish I had been around in those days to help my dad. But there I was, chasing the big bucks up in corporate Johannesburg. Maybe if I had been here to help take some of the strain off his shoulders…” Josh’s expression was one of bitter regret.
“Come on, now,” said Tom. “You can’t blame yourself. Your dad was proud of you, he often said so, and he was happy for his kids to pursue their own dreams.”
“Well, I’m now committed to continue my father’s work. I aim to safeguard this beautiful place for the future. I won’t let everything that he worked and ultimately died for be in vain. Big Agri business is not getting its hands on Mountain Shadows.”
“The word in town is that a guy by the name of Hans Bekker is running the show at Sun Valley now. A nasty piece of work from what I hear. He and a few guys got into a fight at Bergman’s Bar. Apparently, he’s awful to work for but he pays well.”
Josh considered this new bit of information. “Well, as always, we’ll keep a close eye. I’m not too concerned with who runs that place so long as they keep their distance. You keen to join me for a drink at Syd’s after you knock off?” he asked.
“Love to but I can’t. Denise is hosting a dinner party tonight. It’s called a slow food evening or something.” Tom rolled his eyes and chuckled.
“No problem,” said Josh. He climbed into his truck, started the engine, and wondered, not for the first time that day, what Lucy Shepherd was up to.
***
Lucy heard the car only on its final approach. She was devising a lesson plan on spiders for some of her older students. Thunk. A car door slammed. She looked toward the window but saw nothing. Lena had left ten minutes ago, so she was alone at the school. She heard the sound of heavy boots on gravel and quickly closed her computer and fumbled for a key. The bottom desk drawer was the only one that she kept locked. From under the money tin, she withdrew a Taser gun and crept toward the door. Heavy footsteps were getting closer and she decided against calling out and announcing her presence. Who on earth would be at the school at five o’clock? A hand then found the door handle from outside and hastily opened. Lucy raised the Taser and then stopped abruptly.
“Lucy?” Josh jerked his head backward. His gaze fell on the Taser and his face slowly broke into a friendly grin.
“Is that what teachers use for discipline these days?” he said, pointing at the mean-looking stun gun. “Kind of a case of overkill, isn’t it?”
Lucy lowered the Taser and was sure that Josh could see her blushing with embarrassment.
“Don’t you knock?” she said and immediately regretted the super-aggressive tone. Josh had caught her unaware and now she felt foolish.
“I didn’t think anyone was here,” he said. “Your car isn’t here, so I just assumed…” Josh put one hand on Lucy’s shoulder.
“Lucy,” he said. All traces of amusement had now vanished. “You’re shaking.” His soulful brown eyes met hers. With his hand on her and his face full of compassion, Lucy felt precariously close to breaking down, telling this man her fears and allowing herself the luxury of falling into those strong arms. She didn’t.
“Just feeling a little jumpy,” she said. The truth was that ever since she had fled from Chicago, jumpy was how she felt all the time. Jumpy and alone.
“Well, I came with shelves,” Josh said plainly. “You mentioned shelving the other night at dinner. You said that you were piling the children’s books on the floor as you were short of storage.”
Indeed, she had. “Thanks, Josh,” she stammered, moving slowly away from him. She put the Taser back into the drawer and locked it.
“I wasn’t suggesting the other night at dinner that I expected you to do it. I’m sure you have more important things to attend to. And besides, I am actually quite capable of putting up shelves myself.”
“I’m sure you are, Ms. Shepherd, but as a matter of fact, I rather like DIY. I find it relaxing.” Josh went to the car and returned with a toolbox. “Any chance you could give me a hand with those shelves?”
Lucy and Josh fetched the shelves and brackets from the back of his truck.
“These are perfect,” she said admiringly. “Just the right length.” The pair were now at the back of the class and Lucy quickly took down a few posters and indicated where she wanted the shelves hung.
“About here?” Josh asked as he made marks with a pencil. For the next half an hour, Josh and Lucy worked together. Lucy passed him tools as he asked for them and impressed the hell out of Josh as she volunteered to drill the screws into the wall. It all felt rather familiar.
“I feel a bit like I’m working in my dad’s shop again,” Lucy said happily.
“I like a woman who knows her drills,” Josh said playfully.
Lucy noted the careful way he worked and found it reassuring. In half an hour, the shelves were neatly fitted.
“Well, not too bad.” Josh stepped back from their joint handiwork. “A pretty good job if I say so myself.”
“My dad always says if a job’s worth doing then it’s worth doing properly.” Lucy smiled.
“Well, your dad sounds like my kind of man,” Josh said and looked at Lucy.
And you’re just the kind of man my Dad would like, she thought. She couldn’t help but remember how awkward Jason had seemed the one and only time he’d set foot in her father’s auto-shop.
“Mr. Shepherd, a nice place you’ve got here” he’d enthused. “Small business is the backbone of the economy,” he’d said.
Lucy remembered how he had wiped the sofa before sitting down. He’d probably been afraid of grease stains on his expensive pants. In hindsight, she thought of how patronizing he was. Since when had Jason or his family given a shit about small business?
“Lucy?” Josh was looking at her.
His voice brought her back to the present. “Sorry, I was lost in thought.”
“You seemed far away there.”
“I was just thinking about home,” she said, “I miss it, especially my dad and my brother.”
“The schools have two weeks off over Easter. Will you go home for a visit?”
“No,” Lucy answered carefully. “It’s too soon, I’m just getting settled in here and besides, it’s expensive.”
Josh accepted her explanations even if it seemed like he didn’t really believe them. “Do you always carry a Taser? Is there something in particular you’re worried about, or are you just naturally jumpy?”
Lucy was unsure of how to answer. It wasn’t in her nature to lie but she reasoned that the de Langes wouldn’t want to be drawn into the sordid details of her past. Teaching, after all, was a profession in which character and reputation mattered. She was lucky to have found this wonderful school and be able to start afresh. The last thing she wanted was for her past to intrude on her new start.
“I come from the big city, remember? I grew up in a tough neighborhood,” she said truthfully. “And let’s face it, it is rather isolated out here.”
Josh nodded, “Sure thing,” he said, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
Lucy was relieved that he didn’t push her for more explanation. Maybe one day she would tell him about the Palmers and the mess she had left behind. But for now, she stuck to standard answers.
“A drink? A few snacks?” he asked.
“Here?” Her gaze darted around the classroom.
Josh rose and quickly went to his truck. When he returned, he had a small picnic basket.
“Do you always travel with a picnic?” Lucy asked.
“I thought maybe I could talk you into some wine and a few snacks. Seeing as you didn’t respond to my dinner invitation,” he said.
“I thought you said that you didn’t know I was here.”
“I figured that you probably had walked to work, and your place looked shut-up.” His eyes twinkled.
Josh put two children’s desks together and whipped out a tablecloth. He took out two glasses and held up a bottle of Mountain Shadows Shiraz. “Can I entice you to try just one glass, madame?”
Together, they sat on chairs designed for eight-year-olds and clinked their glasses. Josh laid out crackers with some fine cheeses and preserves. If this was a date, then it was one of the oddest of her life, Lucy reckoned.
“Tell me about your dad,” Lucy said.
“He was strong,” Josh said and seemed to think for a while. “He believed in tradition, in upholding old values. But in his own way, he was very forward-thinking. My dad could spot an opportunity a mile away. In my grandfather’s time, the de Lange family owned only this farm, but my father diversified his business interests. He went into wine-making machinery. We own a business that makes oak barrels for distilling, fermentation tanks, labeling equipment, you name it.”
“So why did you choose to live in Johannesburg and not here?” Lucy asked, swirling her wine glass.
“My dad was running things here, he didn’t need me. So, I began a career working for a Hudson and Hawk—it’s a company that makes industrial machinery. Initially, I was a lowly sales rep, but I worked like a dog. Last year, I was offered the position of national operations manager.”
“Wow,” said Lucy. “You’re pretty young to get such a huge title.”
Josh ran a hand through his thick hair. “Felt like I was thirty-three going on sixty. It was a great job with great perks but shitloads of stress.”
“So, you’re also a big city person, aren’t you?” Lucy said.
“Yeah, to tell the truth, like you, I’m also still adjusting to the pace of life here.
“Did you thrive on the stress of your old job?” she asked.
“This life is just as stressful, maybe more so,” he said. “There’s so much as a wine farmer that’s out of your control. Rain, sunshine, even the direction of the wind can affect the vines.” He looked serious for a moment and seemed to choose his words carefully.
She studied his face and noted the subtle signs of worry.
“I wasn’t prepared at all for my father’s passing, and to tell you the truth, I think the stress of wine farming played a role in his death. It was a massive heart attack,” he said by way of explanation. “He’d had a very stressful harvest and there was constant aggravation from a rival farming outfit. He collapsed one night at dinner. He was airlifted to Port Elizabeth, but it was too late. His heart was too damaged to be saved.
“Loss of someone you love never really goes away. You just somehow manage to live without their presence even though at first it seems impossible.”
Josh let out a deep sigh. “My strategy is to run this farm as effectively as possible, keeping in mind the welfare of everyone who depends on Mountain Shadows, and that even includes the children at the school. It’s just…”
He seemed to struggle to find the right words. “It’s been hard on my mother. She and my dad had been together since she was eighteen. My dad always looked after the business side of things. She never involved herself in the day-to-day running of the farm.”
“So, she’s a little at sea, now that your dad’s gone?”
“You could say so. My mom is more of a community person. The school was her idea and she’s heavily involved in a number of community projects. People, not wine, are her passion.”
“Your mom is awesome.”
“She sure is,” he said, pouring himself another glass. “What was your mom like?”
Lucy took a moment to answer. It wasn’t often that she was asked about her mother. “She was smart and capable, helped my dad build his business. She could be a bit brusque sometimes, but her eyes…” She shook her head. “They were always kind.”
“Well, I suppose we all have our worries, don’t we?” said Lucy. “Life can be treacherous. You never know what kind of trouble is waiting for you.”
“I take it that you’ve had your fair share then?” His brown eyes locked on to hers until she looked away.
For months, she’d kept her secret locked away, pushing forward always and hoping with every step that the Palmers would lose interest in her. As she was alone on the other side of the world, the vigilance and the isolation were getting to her.
Today, sitting in her classroom with this man, she didn’t feel alone anymore. His very presence both soothed and thrilled her at the same time. She could sense his patience, the way he didn’t pry into her affairs but merely let her know that when she was ready to confide, he would be ready to listen.
“I’m starting to feel like Gulliver,” he said, standing up from his tiny chair. He took her hand and led her to stand.
“Let’s undo this,” he said, both tender and playful as he undid the clip holding her hair in a prim ponytail. He ran his hands through her hair. Thick and lustrous, it seemed to hold all the colors of a sunset. He lifted her chin, his eyes searching hers.
“You really are a mystery, Lucy Shepherd.”
Lucy closed her eyes in anticipation of a kiss, but instead, she found herself lifted onto the desk.
“Put me down!” she demanded through giggles. Seconds later, she landed sitting straight on her desk.
“Well, this is quite the fantasy,” Josh murmured, “beautiful teacher on her desk.”
His mouth teased her earlobe and then sought out the tender skin of her neck. Lucy sighed in pleasure, butterflies in her stomach. His breath on her skin ignited a desire in her that she knew she was incapable of denying. Dammit! For months, she’d managed to ward off this moment, but liquid-gold warmth spread throughout her, radiating from her tender center.
He touched his mouth to hers and her hands found their way to the small of his back. The months of loneliness fueled her desire. The dam wall so carefully built was cracking, and as his hands moved beneath her skirt, she opened her legs involuntarily. Leaning back on her desk, Lucy caught her breath, her eyes drowsy with desire. Slowly, she unbuttoned her blouse, took Josh’s hand, and tenderly placed it on a firm breast. She arched her back as his mouth found the taut nipple and sucked hard.
“Are you sure?” His voice was raspy. “I can wait if you…”
But they both knew there would be no waiting. Josh whisked off her panties and his hands moved up her tender inner thigh and then found her. Head back and mouth parted, Lucy felt arousal so potent that she could barely stay upright. His fingers gently teased her soft center and then parted her lips. One, then two fingers entered her.
The dam wall broke and she lay back in complete surrender as she let out a deep and primal moan. In seconds, shoes were discarded and Josh ripped off his jeans. Lucy tore at his shirt and soon he was naked. She wanted to gasp at his body. He was strong and toned, his skin a rich olive tan. His erection was magnificent, and it throbbed under her touch. She lay back and invited him, her desire pure and strong. She was at the perfect height for him as she stood in front of her.
“Now!” she demanded, opening her legs to afford him entry. He prodded her entrance and when she felt she could stand it no longer, he drove his length into her. She gasped at the depth and width of him, grateful she was wet in response to his caresses. Closing her eyes, she rode the oceanic waves of pleasure that rocked her body. As the waves rose higher, she begged him, “Harder!” She needed more of him.
Josh’s breathing was ragged, and she dug her hands into his back. Soon, she was completely engulfed in a seismic wave of pleasure. Seconds later, he threw his head back and cried out in his own release.
Both spent, they were loath to uncouple from each other. Lucy lay back, flushed as the room, the children’s artworks, charts, and books came back into focus. The very last rays of the afternoon sun slanted into the classroom, lighting everything in the golden tones of sundown as Josh leaned over her and gently laid a kiss on her lips.