Seduce Me Sweetly (Heron's Landing Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

River’s Bend sat on bluffs overlooking the river, and the trees were emerald green with summer foliage. The vines themselves didn’t look like they had much on them yet, but she knew nothing about running a vineyard or how to grow grapes.
    Eventually, Adam said gruffly, “I guess I’ll start with my granddad buying this piece of land.”
    He seemed…uncomfortable. Like he’d never done this before, which was odd, considering he was the owner and Kerry had mentioned he often did the tours. Shrugging inwardly, Joy pulled out her notebook to scribble down quotes and any useful information she could use writing the piece. He may not like journalists—or her being one—but that wasn’t going to stop her from writing what she wanted. First Amendment and all that.
    He glanced at her as she wrote down things, explaining the history of River’s Bend and how the vineyard was started. Seventy years ago, Thaddeus Danvers had purchased this land for a dime an acre, and soon discovered it would be an ideal place for a vineyard. His first crops hadn’t yielded much in the way of drinkable wine, but after trying various types of grapes, he ended up making the first batch of red wine that was sold at the World’s Fair.
    “Soon, River’s Bend was attracting all kinds of people, including the governor of Missouri at the time. Most people don’t think of the Midwest as ideal wine-making country, but the climate actually works fairly well for grape crops. Soon after River’s Bend, other vineyards were started across the state.”
    Joy took notes, nodding every so often. They’d wandered down the paths through the vines, and she didn’t even realize he’d stopped talking until she heard him clear his throat.
    “Can I ask what you’re taking notes for?”
    She stopped. Looked up. Did he really need to ask? “I want to do a story about this place,” she explained. “And usually when you interview someone, you take notes.”
    Adam grimaced at the word “story,” like she’d just told him she was planning on peeing on his plants in front of guests. “I’m sure that’s all well and good, but River’s Bend doesn’t need a story written about it.”
    “Why do you say that like I’m going to write a National Inquirer- esque story, like ‘Vineyard Owner Keeps Twenty Secret Wives in the Basement!’ or something? You realize not all journalists are creeps, right?”
    “Not in my experience.”
    Okay, now he was just being a dick. Again. Stuffing her notepad into her shorts pocket, Joy crossed her arms, tapping her foot against the dark soil. “So I’m a creep? Is that what you think from knowing me for less than a day and having a grand total of thirty-minutes worth of conversation with me?”
    His eyes widened, like he was surprised she’d fight back. Well, maybe the women in Heron’s Landing didn’t, but Joy McGuire never backed down from a fight. It was one of her better qualities, she thought.
    “Look, I own and run this place. I realize I can’t stop you from writing what you want, but I’d ask you not to write a story about River’s Bend,” he said.
    “Sure, but only if you tell me why.”
    That got a reaction. It was still subtle—the man didn’t seem like he was capable of gobs of intense emotion—but she still noticed it. It was a little tick in his jaw, and a narrowing of the eyes. It made him look dark and brooding, and even though she still wanted to stomp on his foot, she also found herself intrigued despite herself.
    “I don’t have to explain myself to you,” he replied in clipped tones. “Now, do you want to finish this tour, or should we head back?”
    Joy almost pulled her notepad out just to spite him, but based on his thunderous expression, she decided not to push her luck. He could very well throw her over his shoulder and carry her to his lair for that kind of a stunt. Which, really, sounded kind of amazing for a story.
    “Show me the way, sir,” she said with a flourish. He