Free Fall by Christa Roberts

Author:Christa Roberts
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780375890482
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2004-01-13T05:00:00+00:00

In order to immerse the agents in French Canadian culture, Agent Henry had announced that Friday night would be spent at a local vineyard for a premium wine tasting. That was why Sydney was dressed in the nicest outfit she'd brought, a sleeveless light blue dress that Francie always said made her eyes shine, and matching leather sandals, sitting in a cast-iron chair on the patio of the Lake de Luc Vineyard.

Paul and Stephanie were sitting next to each other under an umbrella-shaded table. Sydney had noticed that Stephanie had been avoiding him all day, so she was surprised to see them together now. Whatever the spat of the night before had been about had obviously been forgotten. They were nibbling cubes of cheese and clinking their glasses together.

Or maybe they've had a little too much wine, Sydney thought, smiling. Her roommate was glowing in a brightly patterned floral halter dress, a lightweight cardigan draped over her shoulders. And Paul was the picture of attentiveness, pulling out her chair and dabbing at her mouth with his napkin.

“Fine wine is grown and not made,” Pierre Comte, the vineyard's owner, proclaimed from behind an outdoor bar lined with full, round wineglasses for red wine, and tall, slender ones for white. He had just finished taking them on a tour of the property and was busily assembling a variety of wines for the agents to sample.

Sydney had been charmed by the lovely scenery as prearranged limousines had driven them to the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. She had grown up in California, but she'd never actually visited a vineyard. “If all the vineyards back home are as beautiful as this one, I'm going to book a trip immediately,” Sydney said now as Pierre handed out glasses one quarter filled with a deep red wine.

“On all those free weekends we have, right?” Maureen cracked from the seat next to her.

“Merlot,” Pierre announced as everyone took a drink of wine, murmuring appreciatively. A pinot grigio followed, then a zinfandel. Sydney was careful to take only small sips and made sure she sampled the crackers and cheese that were offered as well. She definitely did not need to have a headache.

She was tasting some Riesling when she noticed Paul slowly stand up, rubbing his temples. His face had turned a pasty white.

“Are you all right?” Pierre asked, his brow creasing with concern. “Perhaps you should have a bite to eat. Some bread or cheese.”

Paul smiled weakly. “Thanks, but I'm going to catch a cab back to the hotel,” he said, setting his barely touched wineglass on the table. “My head is killing me.”

Sydney glanced over at Stephanie. If they were indeed a couple and things were good, wouldn't she offer to go with him? But when she didn't, Sydney felt obligated to speak up. “Do you want one of us to come with you?”

“Nah, I don't want to spoil it for you guys. I'll be fine.” After Paul had said his good-byes, Pierre called a cab for him and minutes later he was gone.

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