Page 60 of Lochlan

Fiona sweeps the glass off the counter and slips off the stool, making her way to the door.

I rap my knuckles on the counter. “Thank you,” I say to Connell and Geordie. Connell turns away to place glasses into a rack to begin the cleanup. Geordie is capping the open bottles, his features molded in concern. There will be another conversation with him later. I stride to the door in time to open it for Fiona.

Fiona flaunts into my office as if she's the lady of a manor, drifting toward the window. She gazes out briefly, then takes a sip of wine. “It was nice of you to arrange a tour for me. Did you also plan to have Connell conduct the tour?”

“That was all Geordie's idea. I only asked him to have a cart brought around.”

“No matter how it happened, I enjoyed it. Thank you.”

I slip into my seat behind the desk. She frowns her disappointment. “Must you be so far away while we talk?”

“I invited you here for a meeting. I think it's best for us to conduct it in a businesslike manner.”

She moves around the room, her gaze quickly inspecting her surroundings. There's very little in the room, nothing personal, so her assessment should be short. I sit back and wait for her to settle. She takes another sip, then lowers the glass when she spies my credenza. “What's this?” She motions to the covered painting.

“Have you ever heard of Logan Haxton?”

She shakes her head and draws closer to the painting.

“Logan is a painter, a very successful artist who I met during the first months I moved here. We became friends after he did a small private showing in one of the tasting rooms. He's about to open a new exhibition in a few weeks. He painted this and thought I might like it.”

Fiona sets her wineglass down on my desk and turns back toward the painting. She gently lifts the red cloth with a tentative flourish. She’s still clutching the plaid as she examines the work.

“This is perfect, Lochlan. She's perfect.”

When I gaze at the painting, I'm in awe all over again. “Aye, it's a beautiful piece.”

“I meant to say that this will be the perfect representation for Catriona.”

I sit back, considering. I think she's right. Kenzie, captured in this moment, is the embodiment of Catriona.

“This is the symbol we've been looking for,” she says, turning to me. “When we present to the investors in the next meeting, we'll have this painting in the background. Ian gave you access to the MacTavish marketing department in Scotland, asked them to research firms that you can work with locally. Not only will this be our logo, but it will also give us merchandising opportunities. When they think of Catriona, they will think of this image.”

“I'll have to speak to Logan before I proceed. I'm not sure if this is a gift.”

“Pay him whatever he asks. We can advertise that he's the artist behind this portrait. A successful project like Catriona will only add to his fame. Offer him a piece of the merchandising, if he's hesitant to agree.”

I don't have a release from Kenzie to use her image. Just because she decided not to destroy the photos from our session, I can't just use her image without her permission. I'll have to find a way to talk to her and get a signed consent. If she's angry with me, this might be difficult.

“Let's not reveal this painting in conjunction with our project until I'm sure I have everyone's consent.”

Fiona leaves the plaid beside the painting. She takes a seat in front of my desk. Her back is to Kenzie's portrait, but I can see it from here. While we talk, I'm still captured by Kenzie's beauty.

“Did Granda talk to you about your report?” I ask.

She recaptures her glass of wine and I'm regretting that we did a tasting at the end of the tour. I need Fiona alert so we can plan the next phase.

“Ian did. He supports my assessment, but he would like to see firm commitments within two months. I think we can have enough investors on board within a few weeks. This time, a professional marketing firm should help with the presentation, and I think you and I should present at the next meeting. Potential investors should be comforted if they know that a member of the MacTavish family and an employee that is higher up in the organization will be there to represent the team that will manage Catriona.”

I frown at her, knowing this is a dig towards Kenzie. She registers my displeasure.

“Lochlan,” she huffs, “I was going to wait until we established a solid working relationship, but I know we only have a wee amount of time before Ian's patience runs out with his support. You have your duties at the winery; let me handle the project from here. We can schedule regular meetings to update you on the progress. I'll just need someone to assist me to run errands and schedule meetings. Do you think Kenzie would be interested?”

I'll not tell Fiona that Kenzie and I are not together. Even if we were still maintaining our fake relationship, the last thing I would want is Fiona managing Kenzie. The two women barely tolerated each other during the weekend. I'm afraid she would abuse Kenzie for the sin of being with me.

“No, she has other duties and works part-time in the tasting room. I'll ask Layla, the head of our HR, if she can spare anyone to help you.”

“Can you arrange office space, or maybe I can park in here?”

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