Blame It on the Champagne by Nina Harrington

Hah! As if.’
    â€˜You tell them,’ Kate replied. ‘Your standards are much higher.
Sort of. Well, they would be if you ever actually dated, but you know what I
mean. Higher. Who wants a tall, dark and handsome hunk on her arm anyhow? Oh no.
Or should that be yes?’
    â€˜Well, thanks. You are a lot of help.’
    â€˜You don’t need help. You have never needed help,’ Kate
laughed. ‘So, just for once, go with the flow and see where it takes you! How
about that for an idea? Oh—must go. My client has arrived and this jacket is
still missing a pocket. Bye!’
    â€˜Bye,’ Saskia replied, but Kate had already gone. Busy as
always. Which was great. Kate had worked hard to make her fashion design
business a success. But it didn’t stop her from worrying about Elwood House, no
matter how wonderful the diversion.
    Saskia sat back in her comfy bedroom chair and stared out of
the square wooden window at the stunning view of Mont Blanc set against a bright
blue sky. It was so perfect that it could have been a framed photograph instead
of a real, huge, snow-covered mountain.
    When they’d driven into Chamonix the previous evening the sun
was starting to set behind Mont Blanc and the whole peak and the glacier that
streamed down into their valley had been touched with a strange pink glow which
she had never seen before. It was almost as if the mountains were blushing.
    Well, she knew all about that. She hadn’t been joking about the
good-natured teasing Rick had received from the locals and restaurant staff
about his new lady friend—her! Introducing her as a business colleague had made
them laugh even louder. If she picked up the accent correctly, it was very rare
for Rick to bring anyone but fellow professional sportsmen to his chalet, and
never a woman, so she was a definite first.
    In Chamonix, Rick was very much a man’s man.
    Perhaps that was why he was so keen to say goodnight as soon as
they’d got back to the chalet?
    Not that she was complaining. Far from it. She had been treated
to a delicious meal with local wine and was feeling a lot mellower when she
walked through the door into the warm and cosy log cabin.
    It simply would have been nice to talk about his plans for his
programme of vineyard visits without an audience within earshot of everything
that they were saying. She had so many questions. And so few answers.
    Starting with the wedding she had been invited to today.
    It was a lovely idea, but they didn’t have time to go to his
friends’ wedding. She needed to get back to work on her plans for Elwood House
and go through the vineyard production forecasts Rick had promised he would
provide, rather than wedding plans. But he had refused to take no for an
answer.
    All Rick would say was that it was one of the ten couples whose
wine they would be selling, and that was it! No details at all.
    Rick Burgess seriously needed to work on his communication
skills.
    Time to help him with that. Starting right now!
    Saskia stood up and checked her side and front view in the
mirror. The wedding was not until that afternoon so she could be smart casual
for a few hours. Fitted three-quarter length black trousers and black medium
heels. High-neck ivory silk shirt. Hair sleeked back. Discreet make-up. Simple
jewellery. Yes. That would do for any impromptu business meetings he might have
set up to surprise her.
    Because, one way or another, she needed to get this business
trip back on track and focused on the work. Even if she was enjoying herself far
more than she was prepared to admit.
    She lifted her chin and saluted her reflection with a grin. All
present and correct. Ready to face the world.
    She marched over and flung open the bedroom door. And stood
there. Frozen.
    Because Rick was standing next to the dining room table,
surrounded by what looked to her like the entire contents of a camping store.
With extras. He was wearing black ski wear which clung