Page 64 of A Thirst for Franc

“First order of business is the increased traffic to Vine Valley Vineyards.”

What?My head snapped up. Laurent was a dead man.

Craig continued. “And the concern for an increase of drinking and driving incidents.”

“Oh, this was not on my score card for tonight,” Lainey said, and I shot her a glare.

Laurent had to know, which is why he sent me instead of Chardonnay. Chardonnay would tear this place down while I was more of a mediator. He could have fucking warned me.

I stood up, adjusted the hem of my polo, and glanced around the room, meeting all the familiar faces, including Albert, the old bastard. I guarantee he was the one who brought this to the board. It didn’t matter how much business our winery brought to his farm stand, he still had to bitch and moan.

“I can assure everyone our staff is keenly aware of how much alcohol is being served to customers. If anyone appears to have had too much to drink, they are immediately cut off. If we don’t believe a designated driver is available, we call them a cab to get them to their location.”

“How can you possibly keep track with the massive crowds piling in this summer?” Albert asked, and my sinking suspicion was confirmed.

“How do you know how many ears of corn your farm is going to produce? Or how many gallons of water you’ll go through for the season?”

“What the hell does that have to do with drunk drivers?”

“My point is, we’ve been doing this long enough that we have it down to a science. Drunk people tend to make themselves known. We know the signs. We look for them. We also monitor the amount of sales we have to each person and group. Our bartenders are trained in handling problematic situations and know how to deescalate any occurrence that may put a person behind the wheel of a vehicle that should not be behind the wheel. We have protocols in place to prevent such happenings. We have been in business since 1973 and have never had such an incident. It is something we as a company pride ourselves on—something mygrandfatherprided himself on. So unless you have a specific incident you’d like to discuss, I believe this topic is closed.”

“That’s not your decision.”

“Oh Albert, let it go,” Odette said, and I wanted to kiss the older woman even if her smear of bright red lipstick would stain my face.

“Shut up, you old hag,” Albert said, tugging on his overall straps.

Odette gasped as if Albert hadn’t called her that a million times over.

A loud bang reverberated through the room, and Craig hit the gavel down for a second time. “Enough with the name calling. I swear the kids are better behaved.” The words were a mumble, but with the microphone close to him, we all heard.

Lainey giggled beside me.

“I have to agree with Franc,” Craig said. “If you want to complain about the increase of traffic, then you would also have to call into account the resort, the other winery, and the distillery.”

The other winery was our biggest competition, but we weren’t worried. They never showed up at a town hall meeting. They weren’t even from these parts. Transplants from California who thought they could come into our small town and dominate a market we controlled for over forty years.

And Brady would rather be caught dead than come to a town hall meeting. He came when he was trying to secure his licenses, but once he opened, his appearances stopped. Plus, I was pretty sure Albert was scared of Brady. He would not call him out.

“Fine,” Albert grumbled. “But you better be sure all of your training and rules are as good as you say, or the blood will be on your hands.”

“Always appreciate your dramatics, Albert. Tell you what. Come by the winery and have a glass on me. There’s even a place for you to park your tractor.”

He scoffed, but I knew damn well he’d show up for a free drink.

“Moving on then,” Craig said. “Next up is the ranking on the Vine Valley Attractions portion of the website.”

“Here we go!” Lainey exclaimed, and I kicked back to listen to the drama, grateful it ended quicker than I expected. Now, if the rest of the topics could go by as fast, I could be home with Gio and Quinn.

It was shameful the number of times I peered out the window, hoping to see headlights coming up the driveway. Every time all I was met with was the increasing darkness as the sun began its descent. Franc said late, but he didn’t specify how late. I assumed town hall meetings didn’t last that long, and I probably should have asked.

Gio was playing with Sally, showing her his new toy we bought. Not that he needed anymore, but he’d been behaving so well for the last few days. I’d already washed the dishes, put away dinner, made up a plate for Franc, and wiped all the counters. I was about to break out the mop when the driveway illuminated, and Laurent’s BMW pulled into the driveway.

With a giddiness that was borderline embarrassing, I hurried to the door. Franc shut the car door and, when he spotted me standing on the porch, picked up his pace. My stomach flipped at his eagerness, and I was glad I wasn’t the only one desperate to reunite.

My arms twitched to fling themselves around him, but I stopped them, glancing around to make sure no one would see us. It didn’t matter. He hurried up the steps, smiled, wrapped his arm around my waist and kissed me. It wasn’t a desperate, passion fueled kiss, but a chaste,I missed youkiss that still had desire and need swirling through me.

“Hi,” he said.

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