Ronan shrugged innocently, “I’m still workingon it. It’ll come to me.” She wanted to flick that adorable grinoff his face. Sometimes she missed his surly self; at least hewasn’t walking stupidly into danger when he was cranky all thetime. Although, confidence looked damn sexy on him.
Alain stood from the table and startedclearing plates. “I agree, he is watching at a minimum. Listening,perhaps.”
Ronan nodded as he stepped back to the tableand drained the last of his coffee. “I’m counting on it.” Hecarried his and Payson’s empty plates to the kitchen.
Nicolas grabbed the remaining dishes andwalked toward the kitchen. “Ronan, let’s you and I have a chat.Payson, why don’t you and Alain do what you came here for? He hassome truly spectacular pieces to show you.”
Alain nodded, “Excellent, are you ready?”
Ronan followed Nicolas out of the kitchen,leaving Payson with Alain.
“Hang on, I have to use the restroom first.”She was peeing constantly; this was not convenient.
After quickly relieving her tiny bladder, shefollowed Alain through a covered walkway to a stone outbuilding.His gaze was sharp, observing their surroundings as they walked. Nolonger the warm and friendly host, he was in full soldier modewhile they were out in the open.
The walkway led them to an incredible stoneoutbuilding that must be older than the house. Huge timber beamsheld up a wooden roof. The stone floors were almost slippery, theywere so smooth from years of use. There were several sturdy oldtables with items in wooden crates for her to view. The buildingwas somehow cool, light, and airy despite the lack of windows.
As Alain searched the room for signs ofintrusion, he told her about the building. “Years ago, my familyused this room for preparation of bottling supplies, until the lastfew decades when we modernized a bit, but Nicolas keeps our methodsas traditional as we can.” Relaxing again, safe in the windowlessoutbuilding, Alain pulled the canvas drapes off the crates.
“I hope you find some pieces you like. Theseare some of my favorites that I pulled from our personal familystores, as well as some from my recent travels.” Alain hadearmarked a number of amazing pieces, varying from his great-greatgrandmother’s jewelry to vintage lace, a few small furniture items,trinkets.
“These are amazing,” Payson remarked as sheviewed each piece, taking her time to admire the craftsmanship, tryto estimate the period each was from. “Are you sure you want tosell these? This is a truly spectacular collection of familyheirlooms.”
Sadly, Alain responded, “It is only meremaining. Nicolas and I have no children, and I am the last of myfamily line. I am hopeful that you can find loving homes for theseitems. This is why I have asked you to come here to choose from myfavorite pieces. I know that you will tell your customers abouteach piece, so the history will be remembered.”
Payson was touched by his generosity. Shesold each piece with great care, and it was gratifying to know thelove she poured into her work was acknowledged and appreciated. “Ofcourse. I would like to add written descriptions as well, so thestory can stay with each item.”
Alain beamed. “I can take care of that.Before shipping them over to you, I will add an artful writtendescription for each.”
He took the time to describe the many piecesshe had selected, which was more than she had anticipated. He toldher the details about a silver jewelry box that was hisgrandmothers. Payson eyed it and decided she would have to set itaside for Maddy for her birthday.
She stopped at a ring with a central greengem set in a simple, yet intricate pattern of interwoven leaves.“This is beautiful, can you tell me about this one?”
Walking closer, he stood at her side, hischiseled face warming with an open smile. “One of my favorites. Mygreat-grandfather brought it back from England for mygreat-grandmother when he returned from the first World War. Hepurchased it from the closest jeweler to the docks before he setsail back to France. Didn’t want to come home empty-handed, yousee, as he had proposed spontaneously the night before he left.
“It was quite the scandal. She was Englishherself and had run away to France to get an education. Her fatherhad frowned upon her un-ladylike ambitions and insisted she marryone of his aristocratic friends. She met my great-grandfather inParis, and it was love at first sight. Not wanting to lose sight ofher dreams, she fought their budding romance at first. Once sherealized that he would do anything in his power to support hergoals, she agreed to marry him.”
“Was she able to pursue her education?”Payson liked her already.
Alain smiled, “Yes, she did. She used herknowledge in botany to improve our crops. Ensured the regionproduced sustainably. Quite the scientist, she was truly one of akind.”
~
In the low light of the winery office,Nicolas sketched out the layout of the vineyard. He flipped somemusic on to muffle their conversation to any potential listeners.Adding details to the map, he pointed out the high ground,outbuildings, paths.
“Potentially, he could hide in many of theoutbuildings, and not be found for some time. He cannot have beenhere more than 24 hours, so he may not yet know which are the leasttravelled. If it were me, I would want eyes and ears on the mainhouse. There is an old watchtower here, about 500 meters from thehouse.” He sketched out its position, why it would beadvantageous.
Ronan nodded, studying the detailedhand-drawn map, “From there, he could see and hear with the rightequipment, be protected from the weather. Unlikely to bewell-traveled, in the middle of the fields and in disrepair.”
Nicolas smiled, clearly enjoying using histraining again. “Too far for even a powerful rifle to hit a targetinside the house with the stormy weather we’ve been having, so he’dhave to leave to make a move. Still, this is the spot I wouldchoose, were I him, and my goal were surveillance only. Secluded.From here he can see the entire property. The original watchtowerfor the area.”
Ronan considered, studying the location ofthe outbuildings around the house. “You’re sure Payson and Alainare safe?”
Nicolas pointed out the stone outbuilding onthe map. “They won’t need to go far from the house, and there isonly one entrance into the storeroom. Alain will be on alert andwill ensure they don’t linger in any open areas.”
Considering every potential hiding place,outcomes of any interventions, eliminating any possibility forerror, he formed a plan. “I’ll make my move at night. Looks to bestormy again tonight, poor visibility.”
Nicolas nodded, delineating a path along themap, “If you come from this angle, it will be a bit of a hike, butthen you can drop in from behind undetected. The window from thatdirection is inaccessible, so he won’t see you coming.”
