Wed on His Terms: Million-Dollar Marriage Merger

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Damn it, what did she expect? She was his wife. He would raise her child as his own. They’d both agreed to honor David’s last wishes. That meant living as man and wife and sleeping together. He blinked away anger and guilt then rose abruptly, mindless of his state of undress. “I’ll grab a shower, then I want to go over your accounts.”

Rena glanced at him for an instant, bit down on her lip then focused her attention out the window. “I’ll make breakfast.”

“I’m not hungry,” he said. “Coffee will do. Meet me in the office once you’re dressed.”

Rena nodded without looking at him.

Tony showered quickly and dressed with clothes he’d taken from his bag. He put on a pair of faded jeans and a black T-shirt then shoved his feet into a pair of seasoned white Nike shoes.

He heard kitchen sounds as he walked down the hallway, the aroma of hot coffee brewing, whetting his taste buds. But instead of greeting his new wife in the kitchen, he strode outside and closed the door. The northern California air was crisp and fresh, the brilliant sky laced with white puffy clouds.

He filled his lungs several times, breathing in and out slowly, enjoying the pristine air. The vineyards were far removed from the city, elevated to some degree, the vistas spread out before him, glorious. Funny, as a young boy, he’d had no appreciation for the land or its beauty and solitude. He’d never seen this country as his father had seen it.

Now he’d make a life here. The irony that his father was getting what he wanted in death, rather than in life, was never far from his mind.

Tony entered the office adjacent to the gift shop with the key Rena had left for him on her dresser. He glanced around, noting two tall file cabinets, an outdated computer, a desk that had seen better days and shelves displaying certificates, wine awards and pictures of Rena and David. He walked over and picked one up that was encased in a walnut frame. He looked at the image of the couple standing among the vines ripe with cabernet grapes.

“It was a good year for cabernet. Our fifth anniversary.” Rena walked into the office with a cup of coffee and set it down on the desk.

Tony stared at the photo. “You look happy.”

“David made me dinner that night. He set up twinkling lights out on the patio. We danced in the moonlight.”

Tony put the frame back, deciding not to comment. What could he say to that? “Thanks for the coffee.”

She shrugged. “Well, this is the office. Our accounts for the past ten years are in those file cabinets.”

Tony picked up the coffee cup and sipped. The liquid went down hot and delicious, just what he needed. “I’ll start with the past year and work my way backward.”

“Okay, I’ll get those for you.”

“Are they all paper files? Do you have anything loaded into the computer?”

Rena glanced at the machine. “We have our inventory computerized now. And David had started to enter the paper files. But he didn’t get very far, I’m afraid.”

Tony sat down at the desk and signed on. “Want to show me where everything is?”

Rena came close, her hair still slightly damp from her shower. She bent over the computer, clicking keys. Her clean scent wafted in the air. “What is that?” he asked.

She looked at him in question. “What?”

“You smell great.”

She smiled softly. “It’s citrus shampoo.”

Tony met her eyes, then took her hand gently. “Rena … listen, about this morning.”

She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. “Don’t, Tony. I can’t help how I feel.”

“How do you feel?”

She hesitated for a moment, but Tony fixed his gaze on her and wouldn’t back down. She sighed quietly. “Like I sold my soul.”

“To the devil?”

Her lips tightened as if holding back a comment.

Tony leaned in his chair, releasing her hand. “Physically, are you okay?”

“Yes,” she said. “I’m fine. I see the doctor next week, but I’m healthy.”

She continued clicking on keys, showing him where the files were kept and how to access them. Then she came upon a document and lingered, her gaze drawn to the words on the screen: Vine by Vine. “Don’t worry about this,” she said, her finger on the delete button.

“Wait.” Tony stopped her. “What is it?”

“It’s nothing.” Rena said, but he wouldn’t let it go. Something in her eyes told him, whatever it was, it was important to her.

“I need to see everything, Rena. If I’m going to help you.”

“It’s got nothing to do with the accounts, Tony. Trust me.”

“So why won’t you let me see it?” Determined, he pressed her.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” Rena straightened, her eyes sparkling like blue diamonds. “It’s just a story I was writing.”

“A story?“ That sparked his curiosity. “What’s it about?”

“It’s about a girl growing up in the wine country.”

“It’s about you?”

“No, it’s a novel. It’s fiction, but yes, I guess some of it is about what I know and how I feel about living here. It’s sort of a wine guide but told from a different perspective. It’s an analogy of how a girl grows to womanhood—”

“And you relate that to how a vine grows? Sort of like, how you need to be cared for and loved and nourished.”

“Yeah,” she said, her expression softening. “Something like that.”

“You’re not finished with it?”

She made a self-deprecating sound. “No, I’d forgotten about it. There’s too much to do around here.” She shrugged it off. “I never found the time.”

“Maybe someday you’ll have time to finish it.”

Rena stared deeply into his eyes. “Right now, I’m more interested in saving my winery.”

Tony glanced at the computer screen, satisfied that she’d removed her finger from the delete button. “Agreed. That’s the first order of business. We have to find a way to keep Purple Fields afloat.”

Rena walked into the gift shop through a door adjacent to the office, leaving Tony to work his magic on their books. She’d given him all the files, answered his questions and left once he was neck-deep in the accounts, unaware of her presence any longer.

Her small little haven of trinkets and boutique items always perked up her spirits. She loved setting up the displays, making each unique object stand out and look desirable to the customer. They made very little profit on the shop, but it complimented the wine-tasting room and made the whole area look appealing.

Rena sighed with relief rather than anguish this time. For so long she’d had the burden of saving Purple Fields on her shoulders, and the weight had become unbearably heavy. Now she knew that with Tony’s assets backing her up she had salvaged the future of Purple Fields, thus insuring her baby’s future as well. She could only feel good about that.

But saving the winery had come at a high price. If it weren’t for the promise she made to David, she wondered if she’d be standing here right now. She’d been set to sell Purple Fields and move away, making a fresh start with her child. Now she was tied to Tony Carlino, and the notion prickled her nerves.

She didn’t want to enjoy being in his arms this morning. She didn’t want to admit that having sex with him made her world spin upside down. She hated that she’d liked it. That she’d responded to him the way she always had. Tony wasn’t a man easily forgotten, but she’d managed it for twelve years. Now he was back in her life and planned to stay.

Solena entered the gift shop, thankfully interrupting her thoughts. “Hey, you’re up and out early this morning.”

Rena smiled at her friend, happy to see her. “It’s just another workday.”

Solena eyed her carefully. “Is it? I thought you got married two days ago.”

“Seems longer,” Rena said, lifting her lips at her little joke.

“That bad?”

Rena glanced at the door leading to the office. “I shouldn’t complain. He’s in there right now, going over all our files and accounts. He’s owning up to his end of the bargain.”

Solena walked behind the counter and spoke with concern and sympathy. “Are you doing the same, my friend?”

Rena lowered her lashes. “I’m trying. I’m really trying. I never thought we’d live together like this. We, uh—” Heat reached her cheeks, and she realized she’d blushed, something she rarely did.

Solena spoke with understanding. “Tony’s a very handsome, appealing man, Rena.”

“So was David.” Tears welled in her eyes.

Solena leaned over the counter to take her hands. Rena absorbed some of her strength through the solid contact. “David is the past, Rena. As hard as that is to hear, it’s true. You have to look forward, not back.”

“But I feel so … guilty.”

Solena held firm. “Remind yourself that David wanted this.”

“There are times when I really hate Tony,” she whispered. “And I’m ashamed that I’m not too thrilled with David for making me do this.”

“But we both know why he did.”

Rena tilted her head to one side. “There’s more. I should have told you sooner.”

“What?” Solena’s dark eyes narrowed with concern.

Rena hesitated, staring at her friend. Finally she blurted, “I’m pregnant.”

Solena drew in a big breath then let it go in relief. “Oh! You had me scared for a second there, imagining the worst.” Quickly, she walked around the counter to give Rena a hug. “This is good news … really good news.”

“Yes, it is. I know.” A tear dropped down her cheek. She’d already fallen in love with her baby. “I’m happy about the baby, but now do you see why I’m so, so—”

“You’re torn up inside. I can see that. But you have hope and a new life to bring into this world. Oh Rena, my dear friend, I couldn’t be happier for you.”

She glanced at the office door and lowered her voice, speaking from the heart. “David should raise his child, not Tony.”

Solena’s eyes softened with understanding. “But that can’t be. Your feeling bad isn’t going to change that. It takes a remarkable man to raise another man’s child. Tony knows?”

“He knows.”

“You resent him.”

“Yes, I do. I resent him for so many reasons. I’m so afraid.”

“Afraid?” Solena met her gaze directly. “You’re afraid of Tony?”

She shook her head. “No, not of him. Of me. I’m afraid I’ll forgive him. I don’t want to forget the hurt and pain he caused me. I don’t want to ever forgive him.”

Tony spent the morning loading the Purple Fields files into a new database program. His first order of business was to update the computer. He wasn’t a genius at business like his brother Joe, but he knew the value of state-of-the-art equipment. Rena needed a new computer, but for now he’d do what he could and download everything to a flash drive.

Rena walked into the office holding a plate of food. “It’s after one, and you haven’t eaten lunch.”

Tony glanced at his watch, then leaned back in his seat. “I didn’t realize the time.”

She set the plate down onto the desk. “Ham and cheese. I have chicken salad made if you’d prefer that instead?”

Tony grabbed the sandwich and took a bite. “This is fine,” he said, his stomach acknowledging the late hour. “Did you eat?”

“Solena and I had a bite earlier. Since David’s death, she’s been babysitting me. She thinks I don’t know it, but it’s sweet. We usually have lunch together.”

“What about Ray?”

“He eats a huge breakfast at home and skips lunch.”

“Do you have time to sit down?” he asked. “I could use the company.”

He rose from his chair, offering it to her. He waited until she took the seat before he sat on the edge of the desk, stretching his legs out. He wasn’t used to poring over a computer screen for hours. He wasn’t used to being holed up behind a desk in a small office either.

He gobbled his sandwich and began working on the apple she’d cut into wedges. “How’s your day going?”

“Good,” she said. “I gave a wine tour at eleven, and we sold a few cases today. Want something to drink?”

“I’ll have a beer later. I’ll need it.”

She tilted her head, her pretty blue eyes marked with question. “Too many numbers?”

“Yeah. I’m inputting files. Setting up a database. My eyes are crossing.”

She laughed. “I know what you mean.”

Tony liked the sound of her laughter. He stared at a smile that lit the room. “You do?”

“All those numbers can make you crazy.”