Loving Your Lies by Piper Shelly Page B

of being badgered with a piece
of wood made me grimace. “Hair is fine.”
    My gaze followed the outlines of his naked
shoulders and firm biceps. Strong pecs twitched underneath smooth,
suntanned skin when Julian planted his elbows on his squatted
knees. I could have watched him like that for hours.
    “We’re supposed to go out in a bit. If you’d
like to have breakfast first, Marie would be happy to see you in
the kitchen.”
    “Eat again?” I cringed. My stomach was still
stuffed from the luxurious meal we’d had yesterday evening. “But
aren’t you going to have breakfast with them?”
    “I don’t usually eat breakfast.” He rose to
his full height, smoothing his blue jeans over his thighs. “So, are
you getting up now or do I need to go looking for a stick after
all?”
    I tilted my head up to look at his face.
“Please, no weapons. I’m coming of my own free will.”
    His sanguine expression changed to devious.
“I’m trusting in that.”
    Neck stretched, I watched his taut butt as
he walked to his room.

 
     
     
    8
     
    TEAMWORK
     
     
    THE VERY SAME moment I reached the bottom of
the stairs, my mother emerged from her room, her bony body wrapped
in a purple house dress. Stupefied for a moment, I trudged outside
instead of into the kitchen and found a seat on a wooden bench on
the stone patio. Better skip breakfast today.
    Lou-Lou lay curled up under the bench and
lifted her head to acknowledge me with a tired growl. I folded my
legs underneath me—no need to take unnecessary risks with the
black-eyed monster.
    The morning sun warmed my face and bare
arms. Marie appeared through the front door and approached the
table with lazy steps. “Are you not hungry, chérie ? I
can make you a cup of tea or coffee if you like.”
    “No, thanks.” I patted my still bursting
stomach. “The yummy dinner last night should keep me going for a
day or two.”
    The corners of her lips almost lifted as far
as her ears. Oh my God. This woman definitely touched a nerve if I
just had made a complement about her cooking.
    “All right then, shall we go?” she
cheered.
    I leaned sideways to peek around her. So far
it was only the two of us. Wouldn’t Albert and Julian come,
too?
    She tracked my gaze and then confronted me
with a frown. “Are you expecting someone?”
    “Where are the others? Are we going
alone?”
    “Oh, nó .” She waved a hand, then
grabbed mine gently, and pulled me up. “Your uncle and Julian are
in the field already. Albert can hardly wait until the cock crows
before he leaves the house to tend to his beloved vine.”
    They left? How strange that Julian didn’t
take care of my mother before he went to work outside. Or maybe
he’d popped into her room while I was getting washed and dressed.
After all, I had taken nearly ten minutes to choose a pair of khaki
pants and another dark T-shirt from Marie’s donated stack of
clothes.
    Initially, I intended to wear my own
clothes. But they might get dirty out on the field. I wanted them
in nice shape for my escape tonight. Well, in as good condition as
possible, overlooking the hole in the knee of my jeans and tattered
hem of my sweater.
    Marie tugged on my arm and started for the
vineyard. “ Allez , Lou-Lou,” she ordered over her
shoulder.
    With a yawn, the giant dog emerged from
under the bench to trot along beside me. I inched closer to Marie,
but she assured me the Saint Bernard meant no harm. “In fact, a
squirrel was the biggest thing she ever dared to get involved
with.”
    A squirrel? Lou-Lou’s back stood even with
my hip as we walked along the footpath. I croaked out a hoarse
laugh.
    Her moist muzzle bumped into my hand. When
she shoved her big head under my fingers, I figured she wanted me
to pet her. Nervously, I skimmed my fingers through the soft curls
on her meaty nape. It felt all right. Her head not twisting to bite
off my hand seemed like a good sign.
    The closer we got to the entrance of the
yard, the more fidgety I