"I didn't really know it myself until now." He grimaced and shook his head. "Don't worry about it, I'll catch up with her later on. Let me get you a glass of wine and you can tell me what you said to Dad."
"Well, he got a little bit annoyed I have to say but I think it will be okay." She followed him out to the bar and tapped her finger on her lip while she thought. "A glass of your Verdelho I think, Mason. It should go well with the incredible pork roasting outside. It smells delicious."
He handed her a glass and she was quickly lost in the hordes of people coming in to sample his wines.
* * *
"A moment if you will, Samantha." She was hurrying outside after the kiss with Mason when a hand reached out and stopped her. Looking up she met Rupert's gaze.
"Let go of my arm."
He gave a bitter laugh. "I was hardly hurting you Samantha. You and I need to talk. If you would be kind enough to give me a couple of minutes it will be to your advantage, I assure you."
"I've already told Mason no. How many times do I have to spell it out to you?" She glared at him, her anger quickly rising to the surface.
"I think there are some things you should know. Now if you don't want the whole town to hear your family’s sordid details you had better follow me." He turned on his heel and walked down the side of the building.
With little choice, Sami followed, intent on giving him a piece of her mind once and for all. Rupert was leaning on a fence post overlooking the vines that bordered her property. He looked at her with disdain and she balled her hands into fists ready for whatever he threw at her.
"Your mother, Samantha, how much do you really know about her early life?" A sneer curved his lips and a sharp pain ripped at her stomach.
"You leave my mother out of this. This is about you wanting to get your grubby hands on my farm. Let me tell you once and for all, it's not going to happen. I like it here and this is where I shall stay."
"Oh, if only you knew the real truth child. Your saintly mother was my lover until your dead loss of a father came along." He laughed as she sucked in a breath. "Oh yes my dear, it's true, lovers, not quite the thing in those days, but true just the same. And what's more, your grandfather approved." Rupert looked down at his hands, running his fingertips over the face of his watch before looking back at her.
"I was almost ready to propose to her. Your grandfather and I had it all planned. He wanted us to announce it on his birthday in front of guests. A match made in heaven you see. My family name and your grandfather’s money."
"You lying bastard. My mother was special and would never fall for someone as low as you." Her insides were churning and she was afraid she would be ill.
"Well, call it what you will but it's the truth. For marrying her, your grandfather would change his will so the farm fell into my hands when he passed on. Thanks to your loser of a father it was all thrown up in the air." He folded his arms and raised a finger to his chin as if thinking. "So, the way I see it, you have a chance to change things. My son wants your land and I think he should have it. After all, it was your father who basically cheated me out of it in the first place. Simple to fix I would have thought."
"You have to be fucking kidding me? My parents loved each other and nothing you say will change my mind. If Dad hadn't died when he did they would still be together, so forgive me if I don't take what you say for gospel." She walked closer to him. "The land is mine and that is final. Nothing you say or do will change it. And if you continue to slander my mother I will set you on your arse." She poked a finger into his chest. "Got it, mate?"
"I don't give up that easily, Samantha. You would hardly want your mother's name sullied around town now, would you?" He watched her soak up his words and then spoke again. "Perhaps it might be in your best interests to sell us the whole farm before you run it into the ground. Let's face it, girly, this is not the kind of thing you are used to. We would pay you fair market price and you can go along your merry way and find something, shall we say, a little bit more suitable."
"I'm sure your son and wife would love to hear you slandering my mother around town as much as I would. If you want to cause them all kinds of hurt go ahead. I don't know anyone in this town so I really don't give a damn. Your call. As for running the farm into the ground, I think not buddy. I know more than you think. Now excuse me, I have people to catch up with."
Chapter 15
Sami turned on her heel and with shaky movements retraced her steps back to the front of the cellar looking for Garth and Eliza. All she wanted to do now was go home but if she did she would raise eyebrows and upset her brother.
Mason lifted a hand when she passed him amongst a group of people and she gave him a wobbly smile but didn't stop. Finally she found Garth and let him introduce her to the group of older teens he was hanging out with.
Eventually she was introduced to some other locals including Eliza's parents.
"It
