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She didn’t want him here, period. ‘Why did you wait until now to tell me?’
Her grandfather shrugged, sagging into his wheelchair and suddenly looking ten years older. ‘It never came up, lovey, not when you were small. It was a detail that didn’t seem important back then, not when we had more important things on our minds. And I guess, in time, it was a detail that just got missed.’
‘But you must have remembered, after Franco called. You must have realised. But you said nothing.’
Moisture sheened her grandfather’s eyes and she could feel an answering dampness welling up in her own. ‘I wanted you to make up your own mind. This is your business as much as it is mine, Holly. In fact, you’re the future of Purman Wines and I should probably butt out.’
‘No!’
He put a hand up to stop her. ‘Just hear me out. I should probably butt out, but I can’t. I think this deal is a good one for not only the money but for the prestige it could bring, and I know we disagree on that. But before you make your final decision, I wanted you to know why I am so in favour of this deal. Your mum and dad were married in the Chatsfield Sydney, Holly. It was a perfect day, and they were so, so happy. And they’d be so proud knowing Chatsfield had singled Purman Wines out for this honour. They’d be so proud of you and what you’ve achieved.’
Unfair.
‘Oh, Pop.’ She bit her lips tight between her teeth, trying to hold herself together. No wonder he’d been so keen all along. No wonder he’d seen the Chatsfield name as some kind of Holy Grail when her parents’ wedding there must have seemed like a fairytale. But he was holding on to some kind of vision of Chatsfield’s as it was, back in the glory days.
‘I’m sorry, Holly. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything at all.’
She dragged in a breath before she could speak as she shook her head. ‘No. It’s okay.’ But it wasn’t okay. Because while her reasons for denying Chatsfield a deal with Purman Wines hadn’t changed, what she knew it meant to Gus had.
It wasn’t just the deal of a lifetime to him. It was a link to a time when his son—and her father—was alive. It was a name he associated with one of the happiest times in his life.
Was it any wonder he wanted to go with the deal?
But where did that leave her?
Across the table, Franco saw his opportunity. It had been there, hovering in the back of his mind ever since the old man had returned, but it had been only a shadow of an idea then, a mere wisp of ‘what if?’ But now that shadow of an idea had grown and found form and substance and, best of all, weight.
The old man was already in his pocket courtesy of an emotional attachment to the hotels. Here was a gold-plated opportunity to screw the granddaughter down and lock this contract well and truly up.
It would take time, of course, more time than he’d initially allowed. But it would be time well spent if it guaranteed the funding to Nikki’s Ward.
‘I thank you for sharing that, Gus, and I appreciate the fact you’ve given me a good hearing today. But your granddaughter has good reason for being wary of this deal.’ Gus looked up, surprised. Holly looked suspicious. ‘She wants what’s best for Purman Wines, I understand that. I respect her for it.’
‘What are you saying?’ Gus said, looking crestfallen. ‘You’re not withdrawing your offer?’
He smiled. ‘No. I’m offering you a better one.’
‘It’s not just about the money,’ Holly said. ‘I told you that.’
He nodded. ‘You did. You also told me that I wasn’t the kind of person you wanted to do business with.’ He paused, letting that sink in. ‘Let me prove to you that I am.’
Gus seemed intrigued as he looked from their visitor to his granddaughter, a frown tugging his shaggy brows together. He’d missed that part of the conversation. ‘And how do you intend to do that?’
‘You’re down a worker. You need someone to help you prune. I’m volunteering for the job.’
CHAPTER FOUR
THE BREATH HOLLY had been holding burst free on a laugh. To think she’d almost been worried for a moment! ‘That’s good,’ she said, pausing for air. ‘That’s funny!’
Gus wheeled himself closer. ‘Hear him out, Holly. Listen to what the man has to say.’ And to Franco, ‘Now, what exactly are you proposing?’
‘Oh, come on, Pop. The man knows nothing about vineyards. I doubt he’s ever had to work a day in his life. Sorry, Chatsfield, I’m afraid I’m not looking for a work experience student.’
