"Yeah well, Garth is all I have left, hence my panic the other day when he had an asthma attack. I have to make sure he gets all the opportunities he can. I kinda wish he would go back and finish school but he doesn't seem to like the idea very much." She glanced at Mason before tipping the glass to her lips finishing her wine.
"He could always take a TAFE course. There is one in town and there are plenty of courses he could take if that is what he wants to do."
"Yeah, I guess. I'll have to pin him down and see what he wants to do." Sami held up her empty glass. "Please."
"Sure." Mason went to get the bottle off the ice and topped up her glass. When he walked out she was sitting with her eyes closed and a smile on her face. She was absolutely beautiful and he was at risk of being well and truly smitten. So different from any girl he had known, her freshness appealed to him. Plus her stubborn attitude and determination to hang onto the farm at all costs. He loved that she had a passion which might match his own.
It wouldn't be ideal planting down on the bottom flats but if it was the only choice he had, he would run with it. Far better to have a relationship that could last the ages with a stunningly different woman, than have the land he wanted but risk being alone.
Mason handed Sami the glass and she relaxed against the seat where his hand once again made contact with the back of her neck. They sat in comfortable silence people-watching and drinking.
As the sun set in the sky, Garth wandered over and dropped onto the grass in front of Sami and Mason.
"What time are we heading for home?" He looked up at her and she tried to form the words in her brain before opening her mouth.
"Um, blurk, I need a glass of water." She thrust her empty wine glass at Mason and stood up. "Whoa, I feel strange."
Mason stood and put a hand around her shoulders, smiling down into her eyes.
"I think it's time for home now by the look of your sister Garth."
Sami put her hands up to protest and closed her eyes, swaying on her feet. "I...I'll be fine in a minute."
"Told you, two pot screamer." Garth was looking over her head at Mason, a laugh coming from behind his hand.
"Yes, well I think I'll help you with her to the car and you can get her home to bed."
Sami turned in his arms and gave him a wicked smile. "You could help me there, couldn't you? Being as how you want to be the nice neighbour and all." She laughed loudly, smacking him on the shoulder, obviously amused at her own joke.
"I don't think that is a good idea. But I will hold you to our date tomorrow afternoon if you still want to ride with me."
"Yeah, I still want to ride with you." Sami snuggled into his arms and nipped at the dark shadow on his chin. "Night neighbour, thanks for a great day."
Garth swung his arm through hers and grinned over his shoulder at Mason. "I can cope with her. Catch you later, thanks for everything." He pulled her toward the car park, calling out goodbyes as he went.
Mason stood and watched, shaking his head as Sami stumbled and giggled her way to the car.
"What is the silly grin for?"
His mother was walking toward him looking relaxed and a little tired.
"Nothing. How are you faring? Looks like you've been and seen and talked to everyone here, maybe you should get Dad to take you home for an early night."
His mother tucked her arm through his and looked around. "Not yet, your father is still talking to Tibby. Now, tell me more about the young lady you spent a better part of the afternoon with. I think I should meet her again, you seem rather taken if I'm correct."
Mason stopped walking and ran his free hand through his hair looking in the direction of Sami's retreating car. "I don't understand it. She is nothing like I'm used to at all. So determined and with the worst potty mouth you will hear, but I'm drawn to her."
His mother patted his arm. "Well it's about time you found someone natural and not all primped and false like the usual crowd you used to hang out with. I for one would like to see you with a no-frills lady friend. Tibby seems quite taken with her."
"Yes, I can understand why too." He kicked at the loose gravel.
"Are you going to try to convince her to sell the front block to you?" His mother looked up at him with the same dark brown eyes he saw in the mirror every morning.
"No. I don't think I should. The deal I had with the old man has nothing to do with her and I honestly don't see the point in pursuing it. I asked, she declined and it's her choice. Her brother thinks she may change her mind but I don't think I have the time to wait. I need to get the posts in before the rootlings arrive and it all takes time. James wants to start putting in the posts this week."
She patted his arm soothingly. "Well, if this is your decision, make sure you stick to it. Don't let your father interfere. This is your winery. You need to run it the way you see fit. Now I really think I should go home, I'm bushed."
Chapter 16
Sami woke the next morning with a groan. Her eyelids didn't want to open and the dull throb of pain in the back of her skull made her want to weep. She pulled the blankets over her head and whimpered.
The squeak of the bedroom door opening hurt her head and she gritted her teeth.
