# Wed on His Terms: Million-Dollar Marriage Merger

Charlene Sands

Million-Dollar Marriage MergerWhen Tony Carlino marries his best friend’s widow, Rena Montgomery, it has everything to do with business… and nothing to do with the desire he feels for her. But calling beautiful Rena his wife is making resisting her more difficult than ever!Seduction on the CEO’s TermsTired of her boss Joe Carlino ignoring her, PA Ali Pendrake opts for a make-under – to prove she’s more than the sum of her highlights! But while he may have been able to resist his glossy PA before, Joe is now determined to take the real Ali to bed!The Billionaire’s Baby ArrangementA road crash has reunited Brooke with tycoon Nick Carlino, who broke her heart years ago. She’d rather walk away… but with no one else to ask, injured Brooke must ask Nick to help her care for her baby girl. And before long, old sparks begin to fly…

CHARLENE SANDS resides in Southern California with her husband, school sweetheart and best friend, Don. Proudly they boast that their children, Jason and Nikki, have earned their college degrees. The â€œempty nestersâ€ now enjoy spending time together on Pacific beaches, playing tennis and going to movies, when they are not busy at work, of course!

A proud member of Romance Writers of America, Charlene has written more than twenty-five romance novels and is the recipient of the 2006 National Readersâ€™ Choice Award, the 2007 Cataromance Reviewerâ€™s Choice Award and the Booksellers Best Award in 2008 and 2009.

## Wed on His Terms. Million-Dollar Marriage Merger. Seduction on The CEOâ€™s Terms. The Billionaireâ€™s Baby Arrangement

Charlene Sands

www.millsandboon.co.uk

## Table of Contents

Cover

About the Author

Title Page

Million-Dollar Marriage Merger

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Seduction on The CEOâ€™s Terms

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

The Billionaireâ€™s Baby Arrangement

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Copyright

## Million-Dollar Marriage Merger

Charlene Sands

To my husband, Don,

the man Iâ€™ve been sharing chardonnay with for all our years. A really good man, like a fine wine, only gets better with age.

## One

From the time Tony Carlino was six years old, heâ€™d been infatuated with cars, speed and danger. Back then, the hills of Napa that create award-winning merlot and pinot had been his playing field. Racing his dinged up scooter down the embankment, heâ€™d hit the dirt falling headfirst into a patch of fescue grass a hundred times over. But Tony never gave up when he wanted something. He hadnâ€™t been satisfied until heâ€™d mastered that hill with his scooter, his bicycle and finally his motorcycle. Heâ€™d graduated to stock car racing and had become a champion.

Newly retired from racing, his present fascination had nothing to do with cars and speed and everything to do with a different kind of danger.

Rena Fairfield Montgomery.

He glimpsed the blue-eyed widow from across the gravesite where dozens were gathered. Valley winds blew strands of raven hair from her face, revealing her heartbroken expression and ruffling her solemn black dress.

She hated him.

With good reason.

Soon heâ€™d walk into a land mine of emotion and nothing posed more danger to Tony than that. Especially when it came to Rena and all she represented.

Tony glanced beyond the gravesite to those hills and Carlino land, an abundance of crimson hues reflecting off foil covering the vines, keeping grape-eating birds from destroying the crop. The land he once resented, the vines that had fed his family for generations was his responsibility now. His father had passed on just months ago, leaving the Carlino brothers in charge of the huge empire.

Once again, Tony glanced at Rena and a face devoid of emotion, her tears spent. She walked up to the bronze coffin, staring blankly, as if to say she couldnâ€™t believe this. She couldnâ€™t believe that her beloved husband, David, was gone.

Tony winced. He held back tears of his own. David had been his best friend since those scooter days. Heâ€™d been there for Tony through thick and thin. Theyâ€™d kept their friendship ongoing, despite a bitter family rivalry.

Despite the fact that Rena had loved Tony first.

Rena held back a sob and bravely reached out to the blanket of fresh flowers draped along the coffin. She pulled her hand back just as her fingertip touched a rose petal. At that moment, she glanced at Tony, her sad eyes so round and blue that a piece of him unraveled.

He knew her secret.

But Tony didnâ€™t give that away. He stared at her, and for that one small moment, sympathy and the pain of losing David temporarily bonded them.

She blinked then turned around, stepping away from the gravesite, her legs weak as all eyes watched the beautiful grieving widow say her final farewell to her husband.

Nick and Joe, Tonyâ€™s younger brothers, stood by his side. Joe draped an arm around him. â€œWeâ€™re all going to miss him.â€

â€œHe was as good as they come,â€ Nick added.

Tony nodded and stared at the car as Rena drove away from the cemetery.

â€œRenaâ€™s all alone now,â€ Joe said, once Nick bid them farewell. â€œItâ€™ll be even more of a struggle for her to keep Purple Fields going.â€

Tony drew a deep breath, contemplating his next move. Theyâ€™d been rivals in business for years, but her winery had been failing and was barely holding on. â€œShe wonâ€™t have to.â€

Joe stiffened. â€œWhy, are you planning on buying her out? She wonâ€™t sell, bro. You know sheâ€™s stubborn. Sheâ€™s had offers before.â€

â€œNot like this one, Joe.â€

Joe turned his head to look him in the eye. â€œWhat, youâ€™re making her an offer she canâ€™t refuse?â€

â€œSomething like that. Iâ€™m going to marry her.â€

Rena got into her car alone, refusing her friendsâ€™ and neighborsâ€™ well-meaning gestures to drive her home, to sit with her, to memorialize David Montgomery. She never understood why people gathered after a funeral, had food catered in and specialty wines flowing. They filled their plates, chattered and laughed and most times forgot the real reason they had come. She couldnâ€™t do that to David. No, he was too young to die. Too vital. Heâ€™d been a good man, an excellent and loving husband. She couldnâ€™t celebrate his life; heâ€™d had so much more to live. So she spoke the words with sincerity to the guests at the funeral site, â€œI hope you understand that I need to be alone right now,â€ and had driven off.

She rode the lanes and narrow streets of the valley as numbness settled over her. She knew this land so well, had traveled every road, had grown up in Napa and had married here.

She wept silently. Tears that she thought were all dried up spilled down her cheeks. She found herself slowing her old Camry as she passed the Carlino estate, the vibrant vineyards sweeping across acres and acres.

She knew why sheâ€™d come here. Why she parked the car just outside the estate gates. She blamed Tony Carlino for Davidâ€™s death. She wanted to scream it from the hilltops and shout out the unfairness of it all.

A flashy silver sports car pulled up behind her, and she knew sheâ€™d made a mistake coming here. From the rearview mirror, she watched him step out of the car, his long legs making quick strides to the driverâ€™s side of her car.

â€œOh, no.â€ She grasped the steering wheel and rested her forehead there. Biting her lip, she took back her wish to scream out injustices. She didnâ€™t have the energy. Not here. Not now.

â€œRena?â€

The deep rich timbre of Tonyâ€™s voice came through the window of the car. Heâ€™d been her friend once. Heâ€™d been her world after that. But now all she saw was a drop-dead handsome stranger who should have never come back to the valley. â€œIâ€™m fine, Tony,â€ she said, lifting her head from the steering wheel.

â€œYouâ€™re not fine.â€

â€œI just buried my husband.â€ She peered straight ahead, refusing to look at him.

Tony opened the car door, and she glimpsed his hand reaching out to her. â€œTalk to me.â€

â€œNo â€¦ I canâ€™t,â€ she said with a shake of her head.

â€œThen letâ€™s take a walk.â€

When she continued to stare at his hand, he added, â€œYou came here for a reason.â€

She closed her eyes holding back everything in her heart, but her mind wouldnâ€™t let go of how David died. Spurred by renewed anger, she ignored Tonyâ€™s outstretched hand and bounded out of the car. She strode past him and walked along the narrow road lush with greenery. From atop the hill, the valley spread out before her, abundant with vines and homes, both big and small, a hollow of land where many families worked side by side to ensure a healthy crop.

She had promised David sheâ€™d hold on to Purple Fields, an odd request from his deathbed, yet one she couldnâ€™t refuse. She loved Purple Fields. It had been her parentâ€™s legacy, and now it was her home, her sanity and her refuge.

She marched purposely ahead of Tony, which was an accomplishment in itself, since heâ€™d always been quick on his feet. His footsteps slowed. Then he let go an exasperated sigh. â€œDamn it, Rena. David was my friend. I loved him, too.â€

Rena halted. Jamming her eyes closed momentarily, she whirled around. â€œYou loved him? How can you say that? Heâ€™s gone because of you!â€ Renaâ€™s anger flowed like the rush of a river. â€œYou should never have come home. David was happy until you showed up.â€

Lips pursed, Tony jutted his jaw out. Oh, how she remembered that stubborn look. â€œIâ€™m not responsible for his death, Rena.â€

â€œHe wouldnâ€™t have gotten behind the wheel of that race car if you hadnâ€™t come home. When you showed up, thatâ€™s all David talked about. Donâ€™t you see? You represented everything David wanted. You ran away from the vineyards. You raced. You won. You became a champion.â€

Tony shook his head. â€œIt was a freakish accident. Thatâ€™s all, Rena.â€

â€œYour return here brought it all back to him,â€ she said solemnly.

â€œMy father died two months ago. I came home to run the company.â€

Rena glared at him. â€œYour father,â€ she muttered. Santo Carlino had been a harsh, domineering man whoâ€™d wanted to build his empire no matter the cost. Heâ€™d tried to buy out every small winery in the area. And when the owners refused, heâ€™d managed to ruin their business somehow. Purple Fields had seen the brunt of the Carlino wrath for years. Yet her parents had fought him tooth and nail, keeping their small patch of life out of Carlino hands. â€œIâ€™ll not speak ill of the dead, but â€¦â€

â€œI know you despised him,â€ Tony stated.

Rena stuck to her promise and held her tongue about Santo Carlino, but she couldnâ€™t help how she felt and made no apologies for those feelings. â€œGo away, Tony.â€

Tonyâ€™s lips curved up, a sinful, sexy curl of the mouth that at one time had knocked her senseless. â€œThis is my land.â€

She slumped her shoulders. â€œRight.â€

Rena inhaled sharply, mentally chastising herself for driving up hereâ€”a bonehead move, as David would say. She was even more remorseful that sheâ€™d taken this short walk with Tony.

With hasty steps she brushed by him, but his reach was long and painfully tender when he caught her arm. â€œLet me help.â€

A lump formed in her throat. He didnâ€™t know what he was asking. Sheâ€™d never accept his help. She glanced into dark, piercing, patient eyes. That was something for the record booksâ€”a patient Tony Carlino. He hadnâ€™t become a national stock car champion from his ability to wait.

She shook her head briskly. â€œPlease donâ€™t touch me.â€

Tony glanced at his hand lying gently on her arm, then stroked the length of it, sliding his hand freely up and down. â€œI mean it, Rena. You need me.â€

â€œNo, Iâ€™ll never need you.â€ She jerked her arm free. â€œYou just want to ease your guilty conscience.â€

Tonyâ€™s eyes grew hard and sharp.

Good.

She didnâ€™t need his help or his pity. Sheâ€™d done without him for twelve years and didnâ€™t need anything he had to offer. All she wanted was to curl up in her bed and dream about the day when sheâ€™d hold her precious baby in her arms.

Tony rubbed his aching shoulder and stretched out his legs, closing the Carlino books for the day. His racing injuries had a way of coming back to haunt him whenever he sat at his fatherâ€™s desk. Maybe it was because Santo never wanted him to leave Napa. Heâ€™d chosen racing over the family business and had left it all behind twelve years ago.

Heâ€™d wanted more than grapes and vines and worrying about the weather, crops and competition. Of course, Santo Carlino hadnâ€™t taken it lightly. Heâ€™d cursed and complained and refused to speak to Tony when heâ€™d left.

Tony pursued his dream despite his fatherâ€™s tirades. Being the oldest of three sons Tony was expected to take over the business one day with his brothers by his side. But as it turned out none of the three sons had stayed home to run the Carlino empire.

Now with Santo gone, Tony had no choice but to return. His fatherâ€™s last will and testament made sure that each of his sons spent some time together running the company. Heâ€™d stipulated that in order for any of them to claim their inheritance, the land, the company, the Carlino empire, one of them had to agree to become the new CEO within six months.

It was just another way for his father to manipulate them. But Tony hadnâ€™t come back to Napa for the money. He had plenty of his own. Heâ€™d come back to lay his father to rest and to let his weary body recover from injuries garnered in a wreck at Bristol Raceway just months before.

Heâ€™d called his younger brothers home. Joe, the real brain in the family, had been living in New York, trying to develop the latest software phenomenon. And Nick, the youngest, had been creating havoc in Europe, earning a reputation as a gambler and ladiesâ€™ man.

Tony smiled at that. Little Nick had a wild streak that could lay shame to a young and virile Santo Carlino in his bachelor days. But if one thing could be said about his old man, it was that he was a loving and faithful husband. Tonyâ€™s mother, Josephina, had tempered him with love and adoration. Many thought her a saint for putting up with Santo, but only the family knew that Santo would have died for her.

â€œSo whenâ€™s the wedding?â€ Joe entered the office at Carlino Wines with his hands on his hips, his studious dark brown eyes visible behind a pair of glasses.

When Tony glanced at him in question, Joe continued, â€œYou told me you were getting married.â€

Tony shoved the ledger books away and leaned back in his chair. â€œYou need a willing bride for a wedding.â€

â€œWanna tell me why you chose Rena? Is it Purple Fields youâ€™re after? Or something else?â€

A sigh emerged from deep in Tonyâ€™s chest. He rubbed tension from his forehead. â€œMaybe I want it all.â€

â€œWant or need?â€

Tony narrowed his eyes and gave his brother a look.

Joe shrugged in an offhanded way. â€œYouâ€™ve never spoken of marriage before. And the last thing I thought Iâ€™d hear at Davidâ€™s funeral was that you intended to marry his widow. Even if it is Rena. We all know sheâ€™s not exactly your biggest fan.â€

Tony scoffed. How well he knew. â€œHardly that.â€

â€œSo, what is it? Do you love her?â€

Tonyâ€™s face crinkled up, despite his efforts to keep a blank expression. The truth was he had loved Rena when theyâ€™d been younger but heâ€™d loved racing more. He wound up breaking her heart by leaving her behind to pursue his dreams.

Now he had a chance to make it up to her and honor the pledge heâ€™d made David. At the time heâ€™d made that vow it was a no-brainer. David was on his last breaths, and heâ€™d implored Tony to take care of Rena and the child heâ€™d suspected she carried. Tony hadnâ€™t flinched when heâ€™d made that promise.

Did Tony want to marry Rena and raise a child that wasnâ€™t his? He simply didnâ€™t know. But it was what he planned to do.

â€œNo, I donâ€™t love her.â€ He stood and looked his brother straight in the eyes, lowering his voice. â€œThis goes no further.â€

Joe nodded.

â€œI made David a promise to take care of Rena, the winery and â€¦ and their unborn child.â€

Joe pressed a finger to the bridge of his glasses, securing them in place. He contemplated a moment staring back at Tony then gave an understanding nod. â€œGot it. Rena knows nothing about this I suppose.â€

â€œNothing.â€

â€œAre you seeing her?â€

Tony winced, thinking back on the excuses sheâ€™d given him. â€œIâ€™ve tried several times since the funeral.â€

â€œNot cooperating is she?â€

â€œNo.â€

â€œCanâ€™t imagine why she doesnâ€™t want to start up right where you left off twelve years ago,â€ Joe said, mockingly. â€œShe picked up the pieces after you left her. It was a hard fall, Tony. I remember hearing all about it. When she fell for David, everyone thought it was the right move. They were happy for her. Sorry, but your name was mud around here for a long time. Then you started winning races and people forgot about the pain you caused Rena. Except Rena. She never forgot. She really loved David, and now heâ€™s gone. You canâ€™t blame her for hard feelings. Sheâ€™s had it rough.â€

â€œI donâ€™t blame her. But I will honor my promise to David.â€

Joe grinned. â€œI respect your determination, Tony. How are you going to charm a woman who clearly â€¦â€

â€œHates me?â€ Tony huffed out a breath. Unfortunately, what he had in mind didnâ€™t require a multitude of charm. Just blackmail. He would give Rena what she wanted most in life. â€œI have a plan.â€

Joe shook his head. â€œYou always do.â€

â€œItâ€™s time I set that plan in action.â€

## Two

Rena looked in her closet as tears streamed down her face. It had been three weeks since the funeral, and Davidâ€™s clothesâ€”his shirts and pants, his jackets and sweatshirtsâ€”still hung just beside hers. She reached out to touch his favorite blue plaid shirt. Her fingers lingered a bit and an image appeared of sitting by a cozy fire cuddling up next to David and laying her head on the soft flannel, his arm wrapped around her shoulder. She smiled at the memory, even through her tears. â€œWhat now, David?â€ she asked in the solitude of her bedroom.

She was a thirty-one-year-old widow. She never would have believed it. Not when just weeks ago sheâ€™d planned on telling David her joyous news â€¦ that they were to become parents. Sheâ€™d had it all planned. Sheâ€™d silk-screened T-shirts that said, â€œIâ€™m the Daddyâ€ and another that said, â€œIâ€™m the Mommyâ€ and the third tiny T-shirt said, â€œAnd Iâ€™m the Boss.â€ Sheâ€™d planned on giving David the set of them over his favorite dinner.

She hadnâ€™t gone to the doctor yet, relying solely on the pregnancy test sheâ€™d taken. Sheâ€™d wanted David by her side when they heard the news officially. Now sheâ€™d be going to all of her appointments alone, facing an unknown future.

The only bright spot in all this sadness was the child she carried. She loved her baby with all of her heart and vowed to protect it, doing whatever it took to make a good life for him or her.

Rena closed the closet door unable to remove and discard Davidâ€™s clothes as sheâ€™d planned. â€œIâ€™m not ready to let go,â€ she whispered. She needed Davidâ€™s things around her, to feel his presence and warmth surround her. It gave her a sense of peace, odd as that might seem.

â€œDo you want me to help you with Davidâ€™s things, Rena?â€ Solena Melendezâ€™s voice broke into her thoughts. Rena turned to find her friend at the bedroom threshold, a concerned look on her face.

Rena smiled sadly. Since Davidâ€™s death, Solena made a point to check up on Rena every morning.

â€œSolena, no. But thank you.â€ Solena and Raymond Melendez worked at Purple Fieldsâ€”Solena in the wine-tasting room, Raymond overseeing the vineyards. Theyâ€™d been loyal employees since Rena and David took over the winery after her parentsâ€™ deaths.

â€œIt will take time, Rena.â€

Rena understood that. Sheâ€™d lost both of her parents. She knew the process of grieving. â€œI know.â€

â€œAnd when itâ€™s time, I will help you.â€

She smiled and wiped away her tears. â€œI appreciate that.â€ She reached for Solena, and they embraced. Their relationship had grown over the years, and now Rena thought of Solena and Raymond as more than employeesâ€”they were dear friends. Friends whose salaries she may not be able to pay if she didnâ€™t get this bank loan.

â€œWe have orders today,â€ Solena said, breaking their embrace. â€œIâ€™ll make sure they go out on time.â€

â€œOrders are good,â€ Rena acknowledged with a nod of her head. Thankfully, Solena reminded her daily that she had a winery to run. Purple Fields was small but well-respected, and theyâ€™d been holding their own until a slowing economy and bigger wineries started shoving them out. Smaller vintners werenâ€™t able to compete and sustain the same degree of losses as the more established ones.

â€œI have an appointment at the bank today.â€ Though Rena held out little hope, she had to try. She needed a loan to make her payroll this month and next. She was due a small amount from Davidâ€™s life insurance policy, and that money would pay for her doctor bills and whatever was left over would go in trust for her childâ€™s future. No one knew about the child she carried as yet, and sheâ€™d planned to keep it that way for the time being. Sheâ€™d not told a soul. Not even Solena.

â€œI will pray for good news,â€ Solena said.

â€œSo will I,â€ Rena said.

Rena lingered a bit after Solena left her room, putting a little makeup on a face that had seen too many tears. With dark circles beneath her eyes, no amount of makeup could hide her despair. Her grief would be evident, yet she had enough pride to want to appear in control of her emotions when she met Mr. Zelinski at the bank. Bankers were wary of desperation. Rena understood that and prepared herself with facts and figures she hoped would prove that Purple Fields was holding its own and worth the risk of a loan.

Rena walked down the stone hallway and made it to the living room when a knock sounded at her door. â€œWho could that be?â€ she muttered, taking up her purse and the file folder for her bank appointment and tucking it under her arm.

She opened the door to Tony Carlino. More than surprised, Rena blinked. â€œTony? What are you doing here?â€

He cast her a grim smile. â€œYou wouldnâ€™t return my phone calls.â€

â€œThereâ€™s a reason for that. I donâ€™t care to talk to you.â€

â€œMaybe not,â€ Tony said. â€œBut I have to talk to you.â€

Rena took in a steady breath and calmed her nerves. Just the sight of Tony brought bad memories. Sheâ€™d gotten over him once and had moved on with her life. She certainly didnâ€™t want anything to do with him now. â€œWhat could you possibly have to say to me?â€

Tony glanced inside her home. Heâ€™d been here before many years ago, but she certainly didnâ€™t want to invite him in. Sheâ€™d never minded that sheâ€™d come from humble beginnings and that her family home was cozy and rustic, where the Carlino mansion had four wings of stately elegance, two dozen rooms, Italian marble and ancestral artwork that went back a few generations.

â€œWhat I have to say canâ€™t be said on your doorstep, Rena.â€

Rena glanced at her watch. â€œIâ€™m on my way out. I donâ€™t have time to talk to you.â€

â€œThen have dinner with me tonight.â€

â€œDinner?â€ Rena had to focus hard not to wrinkle her face. â€œNo, I wonâ€™t have dinner with you.â€

Tony let go an exasperated sigh. â€œI donâ€™t remember you being so difficult.â€

She hadnâ€™t been when sheâ€™d first met Tony at the age of sixteen. Sheâ€™d taken one look at him and had fallen in love. Theyâ€™d been friends first, Rena keeping her secret that sheâ€™d fallen hard for a Carlino. Tony had a smile that lit up her heart, and when they laughed together, Rena thought sheâ€™d died and gone to heaven. It had been painful holding in her feelings, not letting on that she loved him. It didnâ€™t help matters that Santo Carlino was trying to run her parents out of business.

â€œYou donâ€™t know me anymore, Tony.â€ Rena lifted her chin. â€œIf this is about easing your conscience about David, youâ€™re wasting your time.â€

Tonyâ€™s face tightened. His dark eyes grew cold. He stared at her for a moment, then as if gathering all his patience, he took a deep breath. â€œI havenâ€™t got a guilty conscience, Rena. But what I have to say is about David.â€

Rena glanced at her watch again. It wouldnâ€™t do to be late for her appointment, yet heâ€™d caught her curiosity. â€œWhat about David?â€

â€œHave dinner with me and Iâ€™ll tell you.â€

Pressed for time and jittery about her bank appointment, Rena relented. â€œFine, Iâ€™ll have dinner with you.â€

â€œIâ€™ll pick you up at eight.â€

â€œOkay, now at the risk of being rude, I really have to leave.â€

With a quick nod of agreement, Tony left and Rena breathed a sigh of relief. She wouldnâ€™t think about seeing him later and breaking bread with him. Sheâ€™d seen the determined look on his face and knew he wouldnâ€™t take no for an answer. Frankly, she didnâ€™t have time to argue. The bank appointment was all she could focus on. â€œOne hurdle at a time.â€ She mumbled Davidâ€™s favorite words of encouragement every time theyâ€™d faced a challenge.

She had more important things to worry about than having dinner with Tony Carlino.

Tony drove out of the Purple Fields gates and turned right driving along the roads that would lead him to the Carlino estate. Vineyards on both sides of the highway spread across the valley rising up hills and down slopes, covering the land in a blanket of green.

Heâ€™d only been home about three months, and he still felt disoriented, unsure of his place here in Napa. Heâ€™d come home because his father had been ill. And now, as the oldest son, he had to assume responsibility for the business working alongside his two brothers. His father had expected as much from him.

The timing had been right for his return. Heâ€™d made his mark on NASCAR and had enjoyed every minute of his career until a crash and injury took him off the racing circuit. Perhaps it had been an omen to quit, but it wasnâ€™t until his fatherâ€™s passing that Tony realized heâ€™d had no choice but to leave the racing world behind.

Somewhat.

He still had endorsement deals with various companies, and that could be an advantage to Carlino Wines. The Carlino name meant success, and people identified with that. Yet Tonyâ€™s life had changed so drastically in such a short span of time, and now he planned on taking on a new responsibility with a wife and child.

Was he ready for that?

He questioned that reality now. His vow to David never far from his mind, Tony admitted, if only to himself, that Rena had been right about one thing. If he hadnâ€™t come home and rekindled their friendship, David would still be alive today.

Tony approached the Carlino estate and pressed the remote that opened the wide iron gates. He parked the car in front of the garage house and exited. He met up with Joe in the driveway, his brother ever the optimist wearing a smile and horn-rimmed glasses, slapped him on the back. â€œYou look like youâ€™ve seen a ghost.â€

He had, in a way. Visions of Davidâ€™s tragic death played in his head ever since heâ€™d driven away from Purple Fields.

It had been a glorious afternoon in Napa, the temperatures in the low seventies with fresh sunshine warm in the airâ€”a day that made you glad to be alive. Tony remembered thinking that, right before he witnessed Davidâ€™s crash.

Before he knew it, he was riding beside David in the ambulance.

â€œI think sheâ€™s pregnant,â€ David whispered, struggling to get the words out.

â€œShh. Hang on, David. Please. Save your strength.â€

Tonyâ€™s plea didnâ€™t register with David. He continued, his voice so low that Tony had to bend over to hear him.

â€œShe wonâ€™t drink,â€ heâ€™d confessed, and Tony immediately understood. Vintners drank wine like others drank water.

Davidâ€™s coherent pleas gave Tony hope, though he appeared so weak. So fragile.

â€œTony,â€ heâ€™d implored.

â€œIâ€™m here.â€ He knew whatever David had to say must be important.

â€œDonâ€™t leave her alone. She deserves a good life. Promise me youâ€™ll take care of her. And our baby.â€

â€œI promise, David. Iâ€™ll take care of Rena,â€ Tony whispered, looking deep into Davidâ€™s fading eyes.

â€œMarry her,â€ David said, grasping Tonyâ€™s hand. â€œPromise me that, too.â€

And Tony hadnâ€™t hesitated. He squeezed Davidâ€™s hand. â€œIâ€™ll marry her.â€

David gave the slightest tip of a nod and closed his eyes. â€œTell her I love her.â€

â€œHang on, David. Sheâ€™s coming. You can tell her yourself.â€

Frantic, Rena rushed up to David the minute theyâ€™d reached the hospital. Theyâ€™d had time together, spoke their last words and Tony hung back giving them privacy. When David let go, Rena cried out. Her deafening sobs for David shook Tony and reached deep into his soul. Heâ€™d never seen a woman fall apart like that.

Tony shifted back to the present and looked at his brother with a shake of his head. â€œI saw Rena today.â€

Joe wrinkled his nose and gave an understanding nod. â€œWhich explains the haunted look in your eyes. Thinking of David, too?â€ he asked with genuine concern.

â€œYeah, heâ€™s never far from my mind. Iâ€™m the race car driver. Iâ€™m the one taking risks, yet he was the one to die in a crash.â€

â€œPeople die every day in car accidents.â€ Then Joe caught himself. He didnâ€™t have a cruel bone in his body. â€œSorry, I didnâ€™t mean to sound callous, but you didnâ€™t encourage him to get behind the wheel. And it was an accident.â€

â€œI wish Rena felt that way. It would make what I have to do a whole lot easier.â€

â€œSo, it didnâ€™t go well today?â€

Tony shrugged. â€œShe blew me off, but not before I made a dinner date with her.â€

â€œThatâ€™s a start. It should get easier now.â€

Tony scratched his chin, the stubble grating his fingers. â€œDoubtful. Rena is as proud as she is stubborn.â€

â€œI hear you, Tony. Iâ€™ve learned my lesson with the opposite sex. No more relationships for me.â€

Tony looked his brother in the eye. â€œSheila really did a number on you, didnâ€™t she?â€

Joe lifted his shoulders in a nonchalant shrug. â€œIâ€™m over it.â€

Tony believed him, noting the firm set of his jaw and his cool air of confidence, despite his casual shrug. Joeâ€™s gorgeous New York assistant had played him, using her charms to snare him into an engagement. But the minute a wealthier man had shown interest in her, sheâ€™d dumped Joe for greener pastures and married a man who was twice her age. Joe had been burned, and he wasnâ€™t going near the fire any time soon.

â€œIâ€™m on my way to the downtown office,â€ he said, changing the subject. â€œGood luck with Rena tonight.â€

â€œThanks. And Joe, keep this quiet.â€ It wouldnâ€™t do for news to get out that Tony was dating his friendâ€™s new widow.

â€œIâ€™ve got your back, bro.â€

Rena parked her car outside her home, her hands frozen on the steering wheel as she looked with numbing silence at the house in desperate need of paint and a roof that had seen better days. Her garden had been neglected lately, the grounds and outer buildings werenâ€™t what they once were. But the vineyards beyond, whose budding grapes were the mainstay of her legacy, had the best terroir in the vicinity. Their merlot and cabernet wines won awards from the combination of good weather, soil and minerals. The vineyards had never let her down. â€œAll I have left are those vines,â€ she mumbled, her voice shaky. â€œWhat am I going to do?â€

The news from Mr. Zelinski wasnâ€™t good. She hadnâ€™t known the lengths David had gone to in order to keep them in business until sheâ€™d pressed the banker to be brutally honest. She saw regret in his eyes and sympathy cross his features and knew of his reluctance to tell her the ultimate truth. Both the Fairfield and Montgomery families were part of the tightly knit Napa community and had been personal friends of the banker. She assumed it was out of respect for her mourning that he hadnâ€™t been knocking at her door demanding his money.

The grim news she received shook what little hope she had left. Not only couldnâ€™t she qualify for a loan but David had taken out a home equity line of credit to keep them going these past few months. Until that loan was repaid and her credit restored, she couldnâ€™t even think about asking for additional help from the bank.

She owed more money than she originally thought.

Tears welled in her eyes as the hopelessness of her situation enveloped her. From across the driveway, out among the vines she spotted Raymond checking the leaves, making sure the grapes were healthy.

A sob escaped. She knew what she had to do, and it hurt to even think it. She couldnâ€™t pay Solena and Raymond. Sheâ€™d barely scraped up enough money to give them their last monthâ€™s salary. Sheâ€™d let her other employees go, but hoped she could keep her friends on. Now, it was clear she had to let them go as well.

Her heart breaking, Rena bounded out of the car and ran up the steps to her house, tears spilling down her cheeks. She couldnâ€™t face losing them, not after losing David so abruptly. Everything around her was changing too fast.

Yet she couldnâ€™t expect Solena and Raymond to stay. She knew theyâ€™d have no trouble finding employment at another vineyard. Both were efficient, dedicated and knew as much about winemaking as she did. Selfishly, she wanted to keep them close, to have them work the land and be here when she needed them. Rena had sad facts to face, and she didnâ€™t know if she was up to the challenge.

Slamming the door shut, she strode to her bedroom, wiping at tears that continued to fall. She tossed her files and purse aside, kicking off her shoes as she flopped down on her bed. She lay looking up at the ceiling, searching her mind for a way to keep her business afloat. What avenues had she missed? Who could she turn to for help? Finally, after a half hour of torturous thought, she came up with the only solution that made sense. She had no other option.

She had to sell Purple Fields.

## Three

Tony debated whether to bring Rena flowers, remembering that sheâ€™d always loved the tulips that grew in the Carlino garden. â€œI like the purple ones best,â€ sheâ€™d said when they were teens. â€œTheyâ€™re bright and happy, just waiting to put a smile on someoneâ€™s face.â€

But he knew giving Rena her favorite flowers wouldnâ€™t put a smile on her face now. Nothing he could doâ€”aside from vanishing off the face of the earthâ€”would do that. Heâ€™d opted to knock on her door empty-handed, hoping that she hadnâ€™t changed her mind about tonight.

Heâ€™d sort of bulldozed her into this dinner date. What other choice did he have? Heâ€™d waited a respectable amount of time to approach her, allowing her time to heal from the shock of losing her husband. Yet, with a baby on the way and a failing business, Rena was in trouble. Tony didnâ€™t think he could wait much longer.

Heâ€™d promised David.

He drove his Porsche through the Purple Fields gates for the second time today and parked in front of the gifts shop-wine-tasting room adjacent to the main house. The quaint shop attracted tourists during the late spring and summer months when the weather was mild and the scent of grapes flavored the air. Rena had worked there during high school, serving sandwiches and cheese and crackers to their customers.

Tony ran a hand down his face, bracing himself for Renaâ€™s wrath. She wouldnâ€™t agree to his terms lightly, if at all. He got out of the car and walked the distance to the house. Using the metal knocker on the door, he gave three firm raps and waited. When she didnâ€™t come, he knocked again, louder.

â€œRena,â€ he called out.

He gazed over the grounds as the last remnants of evening light faded. Focusing intently, he glanced around at the other buildings and through the vineyards. There was no sign of her. Tony tried the doorknob, and to his surprise it opened.

Sheâ€™d left the door unlocked.

He felt a surging sense of alarm. Rena lived alone now. It wasnâ€™t like her not to be cautious. Without hesitation, he walked inside the house. The entry that led to the living room was dark. As he took a few steps inside, it seemed the entire house was dark. â€œRena?â€

He made his way down the long hall and opened one door, peering inside to an empty room. He checked another room without success. When he got to the end of the hallway, he found the last door open. A small amount of moonlight illuminated the middle of the room where Rena slept on her bed.

Tony winced, seeing her sleeping soundly, her chest lifting and falling peacefully, her raven hair spread across the pillow. A few strands curled around her face and contrasted against her creamy complexion. She wore the same austere dress heâ€™d seen her in earlier today, but it couldnâ€™t conceal the feminine slope of her breasts or the luscious curve of her hips.

Tony had loved her once. Heâ€™d taken her virginity when she was eighteen. When sheâ€™d cried, overwhelmed by emotion, heâ€™d clung to her and assured her of his love. Rena had given herself to him one hundred percent and though heâ€™d tried to give her everything she needed from him, he couldnâ€™t. He had another great passionâ€”racing. It was in his blood. From the time he was a small boy, Tony needed to feel the wind at his back. He loved speed and thrilled at the danger of being wild and free. Later, heâ€™d learned to harness his passion. Heâ€™d learned that precision and accuracy as well as spirit made you a winner.

Heâ€™d achieved his goals without much struggle. Heâ€™d been born to race. But heâ€™d also disappointed his father by not working alongside him as was expected by the eldest son, and heâ€™d hurt the girl heâ€™d admired and loved most in the world.

Memories flashed again, of making love to Rena and how incredibly poignant and pure itâ€™d been. But Tonyâ€™s mission here wasnâ€™t to rehash the past but to move on to the future. Rena was Davidâ€™s widow now, and the strain of his death was evident on her beautiful face, even in sleep.

His first inclination was to quietly leave, locking the door behind him, but he found he couldnâ€™t move, couldnâ€™t lift his eyes away from her sad desolate face. So he stood at the threshold of her bedroom, watching her.

It wasnâ€™t long before she stirred, her movements lazy as she stretched out on the bed. Tonyâ€™s gaze moved to the point where her dress hiked up, exposing long beautiful legs and the hint of exquisite thighs.

His body quickened, and he ground his teeth fighting off lusty sexual thoughts. Yet, quick snippets of memory emerged of hot delicious nights making love to her all those years ago.

Rena opened her eyes and gasped when she spotted his figure in the doorway. Immediate fear and vulnerability entered her eyes. She sat straight up, and when she recognized him, anger replaced her fear. â€œWhat are you doing here?â€

â€œWe had a date.â€

â€œA date?â€ To her credit, she did appear hazily confused. Then the anger resurfaced. â€œHowâ€™d you get in?â€

â€œThe door was unlocked. Not a good habit, Rena. Anyone could have gotten into your house.â€

â€œAnyone did.â€

Tony chose to ignore the swipe.

Rena swung her legs around and set her bare feet on the floor. She rubbed her forehead with both hands and shook her head. â€œI guess I fell asleep. What time is it?â€

â€œEight-fifteen.â€

She looked up at him. â€œWere you standing there all that time?â€

â€œNo,â€ he lied. â€œI just got here. I was fashionably late.â€

She closed her eyes briefly. â€œI donâ€™t know what happened. I felt exhausted and fell into a deep sleep.â€

The baby, Tony thought. Heâ€™d had many a racing buddy speak about their wifeâ€™s exhaustion during their early pregnancy. â€œMaybe itâ€™s all catching up with you. Youâ€™ve been through a lot this past month.â€

â€œYou donâ€™t know what Iâ€™ve been through.â€ She was being deliberately argumentative, and Tony didnâ€™t take the bait.

â€œHow long before you can be ready?â€

Her brows furrowed. â€œReady?â€

â€œFor dinner.â€

â€œOh, I donâ€™t think so. Not tonight. Iâ€™m notâ€”â€ she began to put her hand to her flat stomach, then caught herself â€œâ€”feeling well.â€

â€œYouâ€™ll feel better once you eat. How long since youâ€™ve eaten?â€

â€œI donâ€™t knowâ€¦. I had a salad for lunch around noon.â€

â€œYou need to keep up your strength, Rena.â€

She opened her mouth to respond, then clamped it shut.

â€œIâ€™ll wait for you in the living room.â€

Tony turned and walked away, not really giving her a choice in the matter. There were many more things heâ€™d have to force upon her before the evening was through.

Rena got up from her bed, moving slowly as she replayed the events of the day in her mind. First, Tony had visited her this afternoon, a fact that still irked her. Yet he had something to say and he wouldnâ€™t leave until he got it off his chest. Thatâ€™s how Carlinos operated; they did what they darn well wanted, no matter how it affected other people. Bitter memories surfaced of her father standing up to Santo Carlino, but Rena shoved them out of her mind for the moment. She couldnâ€™t go there now.

Next came thoughts of her conversation with Mr. Zelinski at the bank. Heâ€™d been kind to her, confessing his hands were tied. She wouldnâ€™t be getting the loan she desperately needed. She wouldnâ€™t be able to pay her employees. Purple Fields was doomed.

Her head began to pound. She felt faint. Though her appetite had been destroyed today, she admitted that she really should eat something. For the babyâ€™s sake, if nothing else. She couldnâ€™t afford to sink into depression. It wouldnâ€™t be good for the unborn child she carried.

As quick as her body allowed, she got ready, cringing at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was drawn, her hair wild, her clothes rumpled. She washed her face, applied a light tint of blush to her cheeks, some lipstick to her lips and brushed her hair back into a clip at the base of her neckâ€”just to appear human again. She changed her clothes, throwing on a black pair of pants and a soft knit beige sweater that ruffled into a vee and looked stylish though comfortable. She slipped her feet into dark shoes and walked out of the room. Whatever Tony had in mind, she certainly wasnâ€™t going to dress up for him.

Tony closed the magazine he was reading and rose from the sofa when she strode in. She squirmed under his direct scrutiny. â€œYou look better.â€

She didnâ€™t comment yet noted genuine concern in his eyes. Why?

He strode to the door and opened it. â€œShall we go?â€

â€œWhere are you taking me?â€

Tonyâ€™s expression flattened. Heâ€™d caught her meaning. â€œIâ€™ve made arrangements, Rena. No one will see you with me.â€

If she werenâ€™t so upset about everything, her face might have flamed from his acknowledgment. She lifted her chin. â€œHowâ€™s that possible?â€

â€œWe own half of Albertoâ€™s. Itâ€™s closed to the public tonight.â€

â€œYou mean you had it closed for my benefit?â€

â€œYou havenâ€™t had any use for me since I returned. I didnâ€™t think youâ€™d like answering questions about being out with me tonight if anyone saw us.â€

Rena had almost forgotten that the Carlinos had their hands in other enterprises. They owned a few restaurants as well as the winery. They also owned stores in outlying areas that sold a line of products related to wine.

â€œThis isnâ€™t a date, Tony. Just so weâ€™re clear.â€

Tony nodded. â€œVery clear.â€

Rena strode past him and waited for him to exit her house before she locked the front door. She moved quickly, and once he beeped his car alarm, she didnâ€™t wait for him to open the car door. She climbed into his Porsche and adjusted the seat belt.

â€œReady?â€ he asked unnecessarily. Once they made eye contact, he roared the engine to life. â€œItâ€™s a nice night. Mind if I put the top down?â€

â€œNo, I could use a good dose of fresh air.â€

Itâ€™s how Tony liked to drive, with the top down, the air hitting his face, mastering the car and the road beneath.

He hit a button, and mechanically the car transformed. He drove the road to Napa surprisingly slowly, as if they were out for a Sunday drive. Every so often, he glanced her way. She couldnâ€™t deny his courtesy.

Or the fact that she thought him the most devastatingly handsome man sheâ€™d ever met. Sheâ€™d thought so since theyâ€™d first met the day he entered public school at the age of sixteen. Up until that point, the Carlinos had gone to an elite private school. But Tony hated the regimented lifestyle, the solitude and discipline of being in an academy. Finally, his father had relented, granting his sons the right to go through the public school system.

Tony had made a lasting impression on her, and theyâ€™d started out as friends. But the friendship had grown as theyâ€™d gotten closer, and Rena had become Tonyâ€™s steady girlfriend two years later.

Despite his obvious wealth and place in Napa society.

Despite the fact that Santo Carlino and her father had become bitter enemies.

Despite the fact that Rena never truly believed she could have a lasting relationship with Tony.

â€œCare for some music?â€ he asked, reaching for the CD player button.

â€œIf you donâ€™t mind, Iâ€™d like to be quiet.â€

She didnâ€™t want to rekindle memories of driving in Tonyâ€™s car with the top down and the music blasting. Of laughing and telling silly jokes, enjoying each otherâ€™s company.

â€œOkay,â€ he said amiably.

They drove in silence, Tony respecting her wishes. Shortly, he pulled into Albertoâ€™s back parking lot. â€œI usually donâ€™t resort to back alley entrance ways,â€ he said, with no hint of irritation. â€œAre you hungry?â€

â€œYes, actually quite hungry.â€

â€œGood, the food is waiting for us.â€

Before she managed to undo her seat belt, Tony was there, opening the car door for her. He reached his hand inside, and rather than appearing incredibly stubborn in his eyes, she slid her hand in his while he helped her out. The Porsche sat so low to the ground she would have fumbled like an idiot anyway, trying to come up smoothly to a standing position.

Sensations ripped through her instantly. The contact, the intimate way his large hand enveloped her smaller one, trampled any false feeling of ease sheâ€™d imagined. She fought the urge to whip her hand away. Instead, she came out of the car and stood fully erect before slipping her hand out of his. Composing herself, she thanked him quietly and followed him inside the restaurant.

â€œThis way,â€ he said and gestured to a corner booth lit by candlelight. True to his word, the entire restaurant was empty but for them. She sat down at one end of the circular booth, while he sat at the other.

The few times Rena had come here, sheâ€™d always felt as though sheâ€™d wandered in from the streets in Tuscany with its old world furnishings and stone fountains. Albertoâ€™s was one of finest restaurants in the county, serving gourmet fare and the best wines from Napa.

â€œI had the chef prepare a variety of food. I wasnâ€™t sure what you liked.â€

â€œYou forgot that I loved pepperoni pizza?â€

Tonyâ€™s mouth twisted. â€œNo one could inhale pizza like you, Rena. But I doubt itâ€™s on the menu tonight. Letâ€™s go into the kitchen and see what the chef conjured up for us.â€

Tony bounded up from the booth and waited. She rose and walked beside him until they reached the state-of-the-art kitchen. They found covered dishes on the immaculate steel counter along with fresh breads, salads and a variety of desserts sitting in the glass refrigerator.

Tony lifted one cover and announced. â€œVeal scaloppine, still hot.â€

Rena looked on with interest.

Tony lifted another cover. â€œLinguine arrabiatta, black tiger shrimps with bacon and garlic.â€

Steam rose up, and she leaned in closer. â€œHmm, smells good.â€

He lifted two more covers displaying filetto di bue, an oven roasted filet mignon, which smelled heavenly but was too heavy for Renaâ€™s tastes, and ravioli di zucca, which Tony explained was spinach ravioli with butternut and Amaretto filling. Since entering the aromatic kitchen, Renaâ€™s appetite had returned wholeheartedly.

â€œThe ravioli looks good,â€ she said. â€œAnd that salad.â€ She pointed to a salad with baby greens, avocado, tangerines and candied walnuts.

â€œGreat,â€ Tony said lifting the covered dish of her choice. And one for him. â€œIf you could grab that salad, weâ€™ll eat. Soon as I find us a bottle of wine.â€

â€œOh, no wine for me,â€ she announced. Tony glanced at her with a raised brow but didnâ€™t question her. â€œIâ€™ll have water.â€

â€œYour poison,â€ he said with a smile. He set the dishes down on the table and took off again, bringing back a bottle of Carlino Cabernet and a pitcher of water.

They settled in for the meal in silence, Rena polishing off the delicious salad within minutes and Tony sipping his wine, eyeing her every move. â€œQuit looking at me.â€

â€œYouâ€™re the best looking thing in this place.â€

She squeezed her eyes shut. â€œDonâ€™t, Tony.â€

He shrugged it off. â€œJust stating the obvious.â€

When he turned on the charm, he had enough for the entire Napa Valley and then some. â€œDo you mind telling me whatâ€™s so important that you couldnâ€™t tell me earlier this afternoon?â€

â€œAfter dinner, Rena.â€

With her water glass to her lips, she asked, â€œWhy?â€

â€œI want you to eat your meal.â€

She gathered her brows and shook her head. â€œBecause â€¦ what you have to say might destroy my appetite?â€

Tony inhaled sharply then blew out the breath. â€œBecause youâ€™re hungry and exhausted, thatâ€™s why.â€

â€œWhy the sudden concern about my well-being?â€

Tony softened his tone. â€œIâ€™ve always cared about you, Rena.â€

â€œNo, Tony. Weâ€™re not going there. Ever,â€ she emphasized. She wouldnâ€™t go down that mental path. She and Tony had way too much history, and she thought sheâ€™d never heal from the wounds heâ€™d inflicted.

â€œCanâ€™t you just forget for a few minutes who I am and who you are? Canâ€™t we break bread together quietly and enjoy a good meal?â€

Rena relented but still questioned Tonyâ€™s mysterious behavior. â€œFine. Iâ€™ll eat before the ravioli gets cold.â€

â€œThatâ€™s a girl.â€

She shot him a look.

He raised his hands up in surrender. â€œSorry.â€ Then he dug into his filet mignon with gusto and sipped wine until heâ€™d drained two goblets.

After finishing their entrÃ©es, Tony cleared the dishes himself, refusing Renaâ€™s help. He needed time to collect his thoughts and figure out how he was going to propose marriage to his best friendâ€™s new widow and not come off sounding callous and cruel. There was only one route to take and that was to tell her the truth.

Hell, he hadnâ€™t ever really thought about marriage to anyone but Rena Fairfield. As teenagers, theyâ€™d spent many a night daydreaming of the time when theyâ€™d marry. But then Renaâ€™s mother became ill, and Tony had been given a real opportunity to pursue his dream of racing stock cars. Leaving Rena behind to care for her ailing mother and help her father run Purple Fields had been the only black spot in an otherwise shining accomplishment. Begging her to join him served no purpose. She couldnâ€™t leave. She had family obligations. She loved making wine. She loved Purple Fields. She was born to live in Napa, where Tony had been born to race.

Heâ€™d hurt her. No, heâ€™d nearly destroyed her.

Each time heâ€™d called her from the racing circuit, sheâ€™d become more and more distant. Until one day, she asked him not to call anymore. Two years later, sheâ€™d married David. He hadnâ€™t been invited to the wedding.

Tony covered a tray with tiramisu, spumoni ice cream and chocolate-coated cannolis. He returned to Rena and answered her skepticism as she watched him place the food on the table. â€œWhat? Regardless of what you think, I wasnâ€™t born with a silver spoon. We had to do chores at the house. My father was a stickler for pulling your own weight.â€

â€œI would think youâ€™re one who is used to being served.â€

â€œI am. I wonâ€™t deny it. Life is good now. Iâ€™m wealthy and can affordâ€”â€

â€œShutting down a restaurant for the night to have a private dinner?â€

â€œYeah, among other things.â€

â€œI guess I should feel honored that you served me dinner. You must have a good reason.â€

â€œI do.â€ He glanced at the desserts on the table and moved a dish of spumoni her way. â€œYou love ice cream. Dig in.â€

Rena didnâ€™t hesitate. She picked up a spoon and dove into the creamy Italian fare.

Tony dipped into it as well, butting spoons with her. They made eye contact, and Rena turned away quickly. How often had they shared ice cream in the past?

After three spoonfuls of spumoni, Rena pushed the dish away. â€œOkay, Tony. Iâ€™ve had dinner with you. No one is around. So are you going to tell me why you needed to speak to me?â€

â€œI know you hate me, Rena.â€

She steered her gaze toward the fountain in the middle of the dining area. â€œHate is a strong word.â€

â€œSo, you donâ€™t hate me?â€ he asked, with a measure of hope.

She looked into his eyes again. â€œI didnâ€™t say that.â€

Tony didnâ€™t flinch. Heâ€™d prepared himself for this. â€œWhat did David say to you before he died?â€

She straightened in her seat, her agitated body language not to be missed. â€œThatâ€™s none of your business.â€

â€œFair enough. But I need to tell you what he asked of me, Rena. I need you to hear his last words to me as I rode beside him in the ambulance.â€

Tears welled in her eyes. Tony was a sucker for Renaâ€™s tears. He never could stand to see her cry.

For a moment, fear entered her eyes as if hearing Davidâ€™s words would cause her too much pain. But then, courageously, she nodded, opening her eyes wide. â€œOkay. Yes, I do want to hear what he said.â€

Tony spoke quietly, keeping his voice from cracking. â€œHe told me he loved you.â€ Rena inhaled a quick breath, and those tears threatened again. â€œAnd that you deserved a good life.â€

â€œHe was the kindest man,â€ she whispered.

â€œHis last thoughts were only of you.â€

A single tear fell from her eyes. â€œThank you, Tony. I needed to hear that.â€

â€œIâ€™m not through, Rena. Thereâ€™s more.â€

She sat back in her seat and leaned heavily against the back of the booth, bracing herself. â€œOkay.â€

â€œHe asked me to to watch out for you. Protect you. And I intend to do just that. Rena, I intend to marry you.â€

## Four

Tony might as well have said he was going to fly to the moon on a broomstick; his declaration was just as ridiculous. Still, Rena couldnâ€™t contain her shock. Her mouth dropped open. She couldnâ€™t find the words.

Her heart broke thinking that Davidâ€™s very last thoughts and concerns hadnâ€™t been for himself but for her. But at the same time, if what Tony had said was true, then a wave of anger built at her departed husband as well. How could he even suggest such a thing? Asking Tony to take care of her? To protect her? He was the last man on earth she trusted, and David knew that.

Didnâ€™t he?

â€œYou canâ€™t be serious,â€ she finally got out once a tumultuous array of emotions swept through her system.

â€œIâ€™m dead serious, Rena.â€ He pinned her with a sharp unrelenting look.

â€œItâ€™s ridiculous.â€

â€œMaybe. But itâ€™s Davidâ€™s last wishes.â€

â€œYouâ€™re saying he asked you to marry me?â€ Rena kept a tight reign on her rising blood pressure.

Tony nodded. â€œI promised him, Rena.â€

â€œNo, no, no, no, no, no.â€ She shook her head so hard that her hair slipped out of its clip.

Tony held steady peering into her eyes. â€œTell me what he said to you. His last words.â€

â€œHe said,â€ she began, her voice shaky, her expression crestfallen. â€œHe said he loved me. And that he wanted me to keep Purple Fields.â€ She looked down for a moment to compose herself. â€œHe knew how much it meant to me.â€

â€œAnd you promised him?â€

â€œI did. But Iâ€”â€ Flashes of her conversation with Mr. Zelinski earlier today came flooding back. There was no hope of saving the winery. As much as it hurt her, sheâ€™d resolved that she had no other option but to sell Purple Fields. Not only would her familyâ€™s legacy be lost but so would her livelihood. Yet she needed to provide for her baby. Thatâ€™s all that mattered now, and selling out meant that sheâ€™d have enough cash for a year or two if she were very careful. â€œI canâ€™t keep it. Iâ€™ve already decided â€¦ to sell.â€

Tony sat back in his seat, watching as Rena tried to compose herself. So many thoughts entered her mind all at once that her head began to ache. She put her head down and rubbed her temples, to alleviate the pain and to avoid Tonyâ€™s scrutiny.

â€œYou donâ€™t want to sell Purple Fields,â€ he said softly.

â€œNo, of course not.â€

â€œYou know what it would mean to Purple Fields if we marry? Youâ€™d have no more worry â€¦ Iâ€™d make sure of it.â€

She kept her head down. She didnâ€™t want to admit that marrying Tony would solve her immediate problems and sheâ€™d be able to keep her promise to David. But she also knew that her emotions would rule it out this time. She couldnâ€™t marry Tony Carlino.

Heâ€™d abandoned her when sheâ€™d needed him most.

Heâ€™d hurt her so deeply that it took a decent man like David to heal her and make her trust again. She had no faith in Tony, and marriage to anyone, much less him, was out of the question. Her wounds were still too raw and fresh.

Tony reached over and caressed her hand with his. Again, an instant current ran between them. â€œThink about it, Rena. Think about the promises we both made to David.â€

Twenty minutes later, as Tony drove her home, she still couldnâ€™t think of anything else. She wanted to save Purple Fields, to see it thrive and be successful again, but the cost was too great.

Tony walked her to the door. She slipped the key into the lock and turned to face him. â€œGood night, Tony.â€

Tonyâ€™s dark eyes gleamed for a moment. He glanced at her mouth, his gaze lingering there. Her heart pounded, and for an instant, she was that young smitten girl who banked on his every word. He leaned his body closer, his eyes on hers, and she remembered the chemistry between them, the joy of loving him and having him love her. Images that sheâ€™d thought had been destroyed came back in a flash. He slanted his head and she waited. But his kiss bypassed her lips and brushed her cheek. He grabbed the doorknob and shoved open her door. â€œIâ€™ll come by to see you tomorrow, Rena.â€

Rena stepped inside and leaned heavily on her door, her fingers tracing the cheek heâ€™d just kissed. She squeezed her eyes shut and prayed for a way out of her dilemma.

A way that didnâ€™t include marrying Tony Carlino.

The next day, Tony knocked on Renaâ€™s door at noon. When she didnâ€™t answer the knock, he walked toward the gift shop and peeked inside the window. Solena Melendez waved to him, and he walked inside the store. â€œGood afternoon.â€

â€œHello, Solena.â€ Tony had met her at Davidâ€™s funeral for the first time. Heâ€™d learned enough to know that Solena and Rena were good friends, Solena being just a few years older. She lived in a residential area of Napa with her husband, Raymond, and they worked for Purple Fields since Rena and David took over from her parents. A quick glance around told him that though Solena kept the quaint gift shop immaculate, the shelves were only scantily stocked with items for sale. â€œIâ€™m looking for Rena. Do you know where she is?â€

â€œIâ€™m right here.â€ Rena came out of the back room, her arms loaded down with a few cases of wine.

Tony had an instant inclination to lift those heavy boxes from her arms but restrained himself. Rena was a proud woman.

She set the boxes down on the front counter. â€œIâ€™ll help you with these bottles in a minute.â€ She smiled warmly at Solena and turned to Tony, her face transforming from warm to cold in a flash. â€œFollow me,â€ she said and walked outside the shop and down the steps.

The air was fresh and clear, the sky above as blue as Renaâ€™s eyes. She walked past her house to the vineyards, and once they were out of earshot she turned to him. â€œDo you plan on showing up here whenever you want?â€

Tony grinned. â€œAre you mad because I didnâ€™t call to make an appointment?â€

â€œNo. Yes.â€ Her brows furrowed. â€œIâ€™m busy, Tony. I donâ€™t welcome drop-by company unless they are paying customers.â€

â€œYouâ€™re working with a skeleton crew. And working too hard.â€

Rena rolled her eyes. â€œIâ€™ve been doing this work since I learned to walk, practically. Yes, I work hard, but I donâ€™t mind. Why are you here?â€

â€œI told you Iâ€™d come by today.â€

â€œChecking up on me?â€

â€œIf you want to look at it that way.â€

Renaâ€™s face twisted in disgust. â€œI can take care of myself. I hate that David made you promise to watch out for me.â€

â€œI know you do. But a promise is a promise.â€

â€œAnd you donâ€™t break your promises, do you? Except to young girls youâ€™ve pledged your heart to. Then you have no problem.â€

Rena turned away from him, but he couldnâ€™t let her get away with that. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, turning her around to face him. â€œI loved you, Rena. Make no mistake about that. Iâ€™ve apologized for hurting you a hundred times. But I couldnâ€™t stay here then, and you know it. And you couldnâ€™t leave with me, and you know that, too. We werenâ€™t destined to be together back then.â€

She yanked her arm free and hoisted her pretty chin. â€œWeâ€™re not destined to be together ever, so why donâ€™t you go away.â€

â€œIâ€™m not going anywhere. Not until I make myself clear. Iâ€™m offering you a business proposition, not a real marriage proposal. If you let go of some of your anger and pride, youâ€™d see that. Iâ€™m offering you a way to save Purple Fields.â€

She remained silent.

â€œHow long before you have to let Solena and her husband go? How long before youâ€™ll have to close the winery? You donâ€™t want to sell. Purple Fields is a big part of you. You love what you do.â€

â€œDonâ€™t,â€ she said, her eyes filling with moisture. â€œDonâ€™t, Tony.â€

â€œDonâ€™t what? Speak the truth? You know damn well marrying me is the best thing all the way around.â€

â€œDavidâ€™s been gone only a short time. And â€¦ and, I donâ€™t love you.â€ She pierced him with a direct look.

â€œI donâ€™t love you either,â€ he said, softly so as not to hurt her anymore. â€œBut, in all these years, Iâ€™ve never wanted to marry another woman. Iâ€™ve never even come close.â€

He put his arms around her waist and pulled her toward him. Without pause, he brushed his lips to hers softly at first. When she didnâ€™t pull away, he deepened the kiss, relishing the exquisite softness of her lips, enjoying the woman that Rena had become. Soft, lush and incredibly beautiful.

When he broke off the kiss, he gazed into Renaâ€™s stunned blue eyes. â€œWe may not have love anymore, but we have history and friendship.â€

She tilted her head stubbornly. â€œIâ€™m not your friend.â€

â€œDavid wants this for both of us.â€

â€œNo!â€ Rena pulled away at the mention of Davidâ€™s name. Confusion filled her expression, and she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, as if wiping away all that theyâ€™d once meant to each other. â€œI canâ€™t marry youâ€”no matter what you promised David. I still blame you for his death and, and â€¦â€

â€œAnd what, Rena? That kiss just proved we still have something between us. You can save your winery and honor Davidâ€™s last wish.â€

â€œYou donâ€™t understand.â€ Then Renaâ€™s eyes reflected dawning knowledge, as if a light had been turned on inside her head. She covered her flat stomach with her hand. â€œYour family prides itself on bloodlines. Itâ€™s instilled in your Italian heritage. Everything has to be perfect. Everything has to be pure from the wine you make to the babies you bring into this world. Well, Iâ€™m pregnant, Tony. With Davidâ€™s baby. Youâ€™d be raising Davidâ€™s child as your own.â€

Tony didnâ€™t flinch. He didnâ€™t turn away. He didnâ€™t move so much as a muscle in surprise. That was his mistake. Rena expected shock. She expected him to change his mind, to withdraw his marriage proposal. It irked him that she thought so little of him.

Rena backed away, gasping at his nonresponse. Her mouth dropped open, and when she spoke, her voice broke with accusation. â€œYou know. How? How do you know, Tony?â€ She pressed him for an answer.

â€œI didnâ€™t know for sure, until now.â€

Rena narrowed her eyes. â€œTell me.â€

Tony sighed. â€œIt was David. He suspected it.â€

Rena backed away, her hands clutching at her hair. Her shoulders slumped, color drained from her face. It was as if she relived his death all over again. She looked down at a patch of shriveled grape leaves on the ground. â€œHe knew about our baby.â€

â€œIâ€™m sorry, Rena.â€

Her eyes watered. â€œDavid wonâ€™t ever meet his child.â€

â€œNo, but he wanted to protect him and â€¦ you. Iâ€™m capable of doing that for you, Rena.â€

â€œBut I donâ€™t want to marry you,â€ she said softly.

Tony heard the resignation in her tone. She was considering her options. â€œI know.â€

She peered into his eyes. â€œHow would it look? Iâ€™m barely a widowâ€”and now Iâ€™m marrying my husbandâ€™s friend.â€

Tony made this decision to protect Rena days ago. â€œNo one has to know. Weâ€™ll keep it secret.â€

â€œSecret?â€ She looked at him, puzzled.

â€œFor a time, anyway.â€

She closed her eyes, contemplating. She battled with the idea of marrying him. Her facial expressions reflected her thoughts as they twisted to and fro.

He pressed his point. â€œYour winery needs help fast,â€ he said quietly, and then added, â€œbut more important, your child needs a father.â€

â€œMaybe thatâ€™s true.â€ Renaâ€™s eyes flooded with tears now, her voice filled with surrender. â€œBut I donâ€™t need you, Tony. Iâ€™ll never need you again.â€

That was the closest sheâ€™d come to a yes.

Tony made mental plans for their wedding day.

Rena cried herself to sleep for two nights, realizing the futility in denying the inevitable. She was cornered and had nowhere to run. Sheâ€™d been waging mental wars inside her head since Tonyâ€™s proposal for a secret marriage. She couldnâ€™t come up with any other viable solution to her dilemma. She was so heavily in debt she doubted sheâ€™d find anyone willing to take on such a big risk.

But how could she marry Tony?

How could she allow him to be a father to Davidâ€™s child?

It all seemed so unfair.

Rena stepped outside her house and squinted into the morning sunlight rising just above the hills. Golden hues cast beautiful color over the valley. This was her favorite time of day. When David was alive, sheâ€™d often wake early and come outside to tend her garden and open her mind to all possibilities. David would sit on the veranda to drink coffee and watch her. They would talk endlessly about little things and his presence would lend her peace and comfort.

But since his death, Rena had sorely neglected her garden. Today, she hoped sheâ€™d find solace working the soil and nurturing the lilies and roses. She needed this time to come to grips with what she had to do.

She put on her gardening gloves and took to the soil, yanking out pesky weeds, and with each firm tug, thoughts of what David asked from her in his death plagued her mind. He hadnâ€™t given her what she needed mostâ€”time to grieve. Time to try to figure out a way to save Purple Fields on her own. Instead, heâ€™d hidden the facts from her and shielded her from bad news. David had always been a man she could count on, but he hadnâ€™t realized the toll his dying request would take on her.

She tugged at a stubborn weed, bracing her feet and pulling with all of her might. Emotions roiled in the pit of her stomach. Feelings sheâ€™d held in for a long time finally came forth as she felt the weed break with the ground. â€œIâ€™m so mad at you, David, I could spit.â€

The weed released, easing from the soil slowly and Rena held it in her hands, staring at the roots that had once been secured in the earth. â€œYou died and left me with this mess.â€

And when she thought tears would fall again, instead simmering anger rose up with full force. She was angry, truly angry with David. She was angry with herself. But most of all, she was angry with Tony Carlino. Her anger knew no rationality at the moment. And for the first time since Davidâ€™s death, Rena felt strong in that anger. She felt powerful. She refused to let guilt or fear wash away her innermost feelings. David had let her down. Tony had blackmailed her.

But she didnâ€™t have to take it without a fight. She didnâ€™t have to lose control of everything she loved, just because fate had stepped in and knocked her down. New strength born of distress and determination lifted her. She still had a say in what happened in her life. Her primary obligation was to protect her unborn child and secure his future legacy.

Rena whipped off her gloves and stood up, arching her back and straightening out as a plan formed in her mind. With new resolve, she headed back into the house. She had a call to make. She needed expert legal advice and knew that Mark Winters, Davidâ€™s longtime friend, would help her.

She may be down temporarily, but she wasnâ€™t out.

For the first time in a long time, Rena felt as though she had some control about her destiny.

And it felt darn good.

Tony glanced at his watch, his patience wearing thin as he sat in a booth by the window at the Cab CafÃ©. Rena was ten minutes late. Had she backed out of this meeting at the last moment?

This morning, heâ€™d been happy to hear Renaâ€™s voice on the phone. Sheâ€™d called early, just as he was leaving for work and sheâ€™d sounded adamant that he meet with her today. She wouldnâ€™t give him a hint as to what the meeting was about, but since heâ€™d proposed to her last week, he figured sheâ€™d come to realize that marrying him was inevitable. Not one to ever look a gift horse in the mouth, heâ€™d cleared his schedule and shown up here five minutes early.

The boisterous teenage hangout held a good deal of memories for them both, and he wondered why sheâ€™d picked this particular place. At one time the Cabernet CafÃ© was a wine-tasting room but when that failed, the owner had changed the cafÃ©'s focus and now it thrived as a burger-and-fries joint.

A waitress wearing an apron designed with a cluster of purple grapes approached and Tony ordered coffee to pass the time. He decided to wait until heâ€™d finished his first cup before calling Rena to see what the delay was.

Less than five minutes later, just as he was pulling out his cell phone, Rena stepped into the cafÃ©. He rose from his seat and she spotted him. He gave her a little wave, which she ignored.

As she approached, Tony noticed she had shadows under eyes that were haunted and sad, but even that couldnâ€™t mask her genuine beauty. Her hair was pulled back from her face in a ponytail and she wore jeans and a blue sweater that brought out the sparkling hue of her eyes. Her purse sat on her shoulder but she also carried a manila folder in one hand. He waited until she reached the table and sat across from him before he took his seat.

â€œI was just about to call you. Thought you might have changed your mind.â€

She glanced at him and shook her head. â€œNo, Iâ€™m sorry Iâ€™m late. I had an appointment this morning that ran a little long.â€

â€œWhat kind of appointment?â€ he asked, wondering what was so important to keep him waiting.

She glanced out the window, hesitating, and then turned back to him. â€œI had my first checkup today for the baby.â€

Tony leaned back against the vinyl booth and stared at her. â€œHow did it go? Is everything okay?â€

Rena couldnâ€™t seem to keep her joy from showing. She granted him a smile and her voice lifted when she spoke. â€œYes, the baby is healthy. Iâ€™m due in October.â€

â€œThatâ€™s good news, Rena.â€ But the news also brought home the reality of what he was about to do. He would take responsibility for a child he didnâ€™t father. He would marry a woman who didnâ€™t love him. All of it hit him hard between the eyes. This was really happening.

Heâ€™d loved David as a friend, but he also knew that if it had been any woman other than Rena, he wouldnâ€™t have agreed to Davidâ€™s request. He wouldnâ€™t be doing this for a stranger. Though Rena would deny it, they had a connection. Their lives had been entwined for years. Marrying her wasnâ€™t as much a hardship for him as it was for her. â€œWhat else did the doctor say?â€

She breathed out quietly. â€œHe told me to try to stay calm. Not to let stress get me down.â€

â€œThatâ€™s good advice, Rena. Youâ€™ve had a lot to deal with lately and you should try to relax forâ€”â€

â€œI donâ€™t need a lecture, Tony.â€

Her abrupt behavior had him gritting his teeth. Pregnant women were temperamental at times, at least thatâ€™s what heâ€™d heard from his married friends, but it was more than that with Rena. His proposal to her was nothing more than sugarcoated blackmail. Hell, he hated to add to her stress. But he owed David this and he had to see it through.

She looked at him and inhaled a deep breath. â€œIâ€™m sorry. This isnâ€™t easy for me. Believe me, I have the babyâ€™s well-being in mind every second of the day. Thatâ€™s why itâ€™s been such a tug of war.â€

Tony had thicker skin than to be offended, but most women wouldnâ€™t consider a proposal from him a terrible thing.

The waitress walked up to the table again. â€œHi, what can I get for you?â€

Rena faced her without opening the menu. â€œI should have the California cafÃ© salad.â€

â€œOne California cafÃ© salad, got it. And for you sir?â€

â€œBut,â€ Rena interrupted and the waitress turned back to her, â€œIâ€™m craving a chili cheeseburger with extra pickles.â€

The waitress grinned. â€œThatâ€™s our specialty. Got it. And Iâ€™ll make sure you get those pickles.â€

â€œThank you. Iâ€™ll have a lemonade too.â€

Tony ordered the same thing, and after the waitress left, he glanced at Rena. â€œYouâ€™re having cravings? I wondered why you wanted to meet me here.â€

She lifted a shoulder and shrugged. â€œItâ€™s been a long time and this morning when I got up, I couldnâ€™t stop thinking about having a chili cheeseburger.â€

â€œWe sure ate our share of them when we were kids. We used to close down this place, remember?â€

â€œYeah, I do.â€

And for a moment, Renaâ€™s face softened. Tony remembered what it was like being with her back then. The fun times theyâ€™d had together. Theyâ€™d been so close and so much in love.

Rena stared at the manila folder sheâ€™d set down on the table and her expression changed.

â€œWhatâ€™s going on?â€ Tony asked, glancing at the folder. â€œWhatâ€™s in there?â€

â€œItâ€™s something I want from you.â€

Surprised, Tony looked at her, arching a brow. â€œOkay, so why donâ€™t you tell me?â€

She slid the folder toward him. â€œItâ€™s a prenuptial agreement.â€ Her eyes met his directly.

Tony hid his surprise well. He didnâ€™t react, though a dozen thoughts popped into his head all at once. He decided to hear her out and not jump to conclusions.

â€œIf I marry you, I want Purple Fields to remain in my name. I want full ownership of the winery and vineyard. I want to have the final say in every decision having to do with it. My child will own Purple Fields one day, no questions asked. Have your attorney look it over. Itâ€™s legal and there shouldnâ€™t be any problem.â€

Tony sighed heavily. â€œRena, you do see the irony in this, donâ€™t you?â€

Rena searched his eyes. â€œHow so?â€

â€œFirst of all, I donâ€™t want Purple Fields. Marrying me has nothing to do with me getting my hands on your winery. The fact is, Iâ€™m worth tens of millions, Rena. Everything I own will be yours. Iâ€™m not asking for a prenuptial agreement from you.â€

â€œIf you want one, Iâ€™d sign it.â€

â€œI donâ€™t want one, damn it! Iâ€™m not entering into this marriage lightly. If we marry, itâ€™ll be for keeps. Weâ€™ll have a child and weâ€™ll be a family. Do you understand what Iâ€™m saying?â€

â€œYes, of course. But youâ€™ve made promises to me before that youâ€™ve broken, and now I have no choice in the matter. I want some control. You should understand that, being a Carlino.â€

Tonyâ€™s lips tightened. He didnâ€™t want an argument, so he chose his words carefully. â€œThis time itâ€™s different. This time, Iâ€™m not going to break any promises I make to you.â€

â€œIâ€™d sleep better at night if I believed you.â€

Tony let go a curse.

Rena continued to explain. â€œIâ€™m only protecting whatâ€™s mine. Can you blame me? Itâ€™s all I have left and I donâ€™t want to lose it.â€

Angry now, Tony didnâ€™t bother reading the agreement first. â€œFine. Iâ€™ll sign it.â€

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen. Then he slid the papers out and gave them only a cursory glance before signing his name at the bottom.

â€œDonâ€™t you want your attorney to look it over?â€ Rena asked, her expression incredulous, watching him slide the papers back into the folder.

He shook his head. â€œI know you well enough to know thereâ€™s nothing in this agreement that Iâ€™d find questionable. I trust you.â€

Rena sat back against the booth, her chin bravely raised. â€œI wonâ€™t let you make me feel guilty about this.â€

â€œIâ€™m not trying to make you feel guilty,â€ Tony remarked gruffly. Then when he saw Rena holding back tears, he softened his tone. â€œI signed the papers. Youâ€™re getting what you wantâ€”at least as far as Purple Fields is concerned. I never intended on taking that away from you.â€ Then he braced his arms on the table and leaned in. Their gazes locked. â€œWe have to make this work, Rena. If for nothing else but that child youâ€™re carrying.â€

Rena closed her eyes briefly. Her silence irritated him, as if she were trying to believe and trust in him. He wasnâ€™t like his ruthless father, but would Rena ever acknowledge that? â€œI know,â€ she said finally.

Tony settled back in his seat. What was done, was done. He didnâ€™t want to rehash the past. It was time to look toward the future.

And live in the present.

Tony changed the subject as soon as the food was delivered. He wanted Rena to enjoy the meal sheâ€™d craved. Lord knew she needed to build her strength. She also needed some calm in her life and wondered if he could ever provide her that.

Without Rena actually saying so, the existence of the prenuptial agreement heâ€™d just signed was an acceptance to his proposal.

Tony resigned himself to the fact that soon heâ€™d be a husband to a pregnant and reluctant bride.

One week later, Rena stood beside Solena, Tony beside his brother Joe as they spoke vows before a Catholic priest in a little church just outside of San Francisco. Renaâ€™s mind spun during the entire mass thinking this was some kind of a bad joke. She couldnâ€™t believe she was actually marrying Tony Carlino, the boy sheâ€™d once loved beyond reason. The boy sheâ€™d dreamed of marrying with every breath that sheâ€™d taken. Now that dream seemed more like a nightmare.

As the priest blessed their union, Rena reminded herself of the reasons sheâ€™d made this decision.

Marrying Tony meant saving her winery from ruin.

It meant that she could honor Davidâ€™s last wishes.

It meant that her baby would never want for anything, much less a roof over his head or a meal on his plate.

They were good solid reasons. No sacrifice was too great for her child.

Father Charles finished the ceremony. â€œYou may kiss the bride.â€

She hardly felt like a bride. She wore a pale yellow dress suit. Tony had provided her with a small calla lily bouquet and had placed a simple platinum band on her finger during the service. Out of reverence to David, he hadnâ€™t given her a diamondâ€”sheâ€™d only just last week removed her wedding ring from her finger and tucked it away safely in her jewelry case. It had been excruciatingly hard letting go.

Tonyâ€™s lips brushed hers softly. He smiled when he looked into her eyes. She granted him a small smile in return.

Joe and Solena congratulated them, their mood solemn. If Father Charles noticed the austere atmosphere at the altar, he didnâ€™t mention it. In fact, he pumped Tonyâ€™s hand hard and embraced Rena.

Raymond approached with a handshake to Tony and a hug for her. Nick approached her with arms open and a big smile. â€œWelcome to the family. Iâ€™ve always wanted a sister. But Iâ€™ll let you in on a little secret. I had a big crush on you in high school.â€

Rena chuckled and flowed into his arms. â€œNo, you didnâ€™t.â€

â€œI did. But you were my big brotherâ€™s girl.â€ They broke their embrace and Nick stepped away, turning to Tony and slapping him on the back. â€œHeâ€™s a lucky man. Be good to her or I might steal her away.â€

Tony glanced at her. â€œIâ€™d like to see you try.â€

Rena bit her lip, holding back a smile. Sheâ€™d seen the Carlino boysâ€™ teasing banter, and at times she had been a part of it. If anyone could make her laugh, it was Nick. Heâ€™d always been too clever for his own good. All the Carlino boys had their own brand of charm and sheâ€™d learned early on that each in his own way was a ladykiller.

The six of them dined in an out-of-the-way restaurant on the outskirts of San Francisco, and everyone sipped champagne when Nick proposed a toast. Rena pretended to sip hers, letting the bubbly liquid touch her mouth before she set her glass down. She was among her closest friends here, and though sheâ€™d explained to Solena and Raymond her reasons for this sudden secret marriage to Tony, she hadnâ€™t confessed about the baby yet. She needed time to come to grips with all that had changed in her life.

When the dinner was over, Rena walked outside with Solena, bidding her farewell. â€œI hope Iâ€™m not making a mistake.â€

Solena took her hand and squeezed gently. â€œRemember, David wanted this for you.â€ She glanced at Tony who stood beside Raymond and his brothers. â€œGive him a chance,â€ she whispered. â€œYou loved him once.â€

â€œItâ€™s different now, Solena. Thereâ€™s so much hurt between us.â€

â€œI know. But if you find forgiveness, your heart will open.â€

Rena doubted it. She didnâ€™t know if she was capable of forgiving Tony. Heâ€™d destroyed her life not once but twice. Was she supposed to forget all that? Emotions jumbled up inside her, and she fought to control them. â€œI canâ€™t believe I married him.â€

Solena reached out to hug her tight. â€œIt will work out as itâ€™s meant to. Be patient. And remember, I am always here if you need me.â€

Rena faced her and gratitude filled her heart. â€œI know you are.â€ She reminded herself that if she hadnâ€™t married Tony, she wouldnâ€™t be able to employ her dear friends, and that was enough consolation for now.

Tony approached and put a hand to her back. â€œAre you ready to leave?â€

She nodded to him and bid farewell to her friend, squeezing her hand tight. â€œIâ€™ll see you tomorrow, Solena.â€

â€œYes.â€ Solena glanced at Tony. â€œCongratulations.â€

â€œThank you.â€

Once Raymond and Solena left, Tony took Renaâ€™s hand and guided her to his car. â€œYouâ€™re not going to your own execution, you know.â€

â€œDid I say anything?â€ she quipped, slipping her hand away.

â€œNot in words.â€

She shrugged. â€œItâ€™s all so strange.â€

But before Tony could respond to that, Joe and Nick walked up. Nick smiled. â€œYou did it, you two. Finally.â€

Joe cleared his throat. â€œLetâ€™s leave them alone, Nick.â€

â€œJust wishing them well,â€ he said. â€œI guess weâ€™ll see you at the house later.â€

Tony shook his head. â€œIâ€™m not going back to the house tonight.â€

â€œYouâ€™re not?â€ Renaâ€™s nerves jumped. She hadnâ€™t discussed with him what theyâ€™d do after they married. Sheâ€™d only assumed that since the marriage was secret, heâ€™d stay at his house and sheâ€™d stay at hers.

â€œNo.â€ He turned to her. â€œIâ€™ve booked a suite at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco.â€

Joe grabbed Nickâ€™s shoulder and gave a little shove. â€œLetâ€™s go.â€

â€œI guess Iâ€™m going,â€ Nick said with a cocky smile. â€œCongrats again, Rena. Big brother.â€

Rena watched them both get in the car and leave. She turned to Tony, dumbfounded. â€œWhy did you get us a room at a hotel?â€

â€œItâ€™s our wedding night.â€

She closed her eyes, praying for strength. â€œSurely, you donâ€™t expectâ€”â€

â€œYouâ€™re my wife now, Rena. Did you expect me to remain celibate the rest of my life?â€

## Five

Rena sat stonily silent in the car all the way to the hotel, her expression grim and her pretty mouth deep in a frown. She said nothing as he checked in or on the ride in the elevator to the Presidential Suite.

A private servant opened the door and showed them inside. In awe, Rena gasped when she entered the suite.

Rich furnishings, stately artwork and a Steinway grand piano filled the living room. Tony put a hand to her back and guided her inside. The servant showed them around the suite, walking them through French doors to the master bedroom with an amazing view of San Francisco Bay, the master bathroom highlighted by a sunken whirlpool bath filled with scented flower petals, a second bedroom and an elegant dining room with seating for eight.

Once back in the living room, Tony dismissed him. â€œWe wonâ€™t need your services for the rest of the evening.â€

â€œYes, sir,â€ he said, and once he left the suite, Tony opened the French doors to the terrace.

â€œItâ€™s massive,â€ Rena said, stepping outside and taking a deep breath of air. The sun began a slow descent on the horizon. â€œYou could fit two of my gift shops in the terrace alone.â€ Then she turned to him. â€œWhy did you do this?â€

â€œYou deserve it, Rena.â€

Before she could respond, he turned her shoulders and pointed out toward the ocean. â€œLook, thereâ€™s Alcatraz.â€

Rena focused on the island that had once been a notorious prison. â€œThe view is amazing. All of this is amazing.â€

Tony kept his hands on her shoulders for a few seconds, caressing her lightly. The air fresh and clear, he breathed in and caught the subtle scent of her exotic perfume. Sheâ€™d put her hair up for the wedding ceremony, giving him access to her throat. He took in another breath before he felt her stiffen. He backed away, giving her space and time to adjust to the situation and pulled out a white iron patio chair. â€œSit down and enjoy the fresh air.â€

She did and he sat facing her. â€œIâ€™m not the big bad wolf, Rena. I know this is difficult for you.â€

â€œDifficult doesnâ€™t begin to describe it. I never thought Iâ€™d see this day.â€ Her eyes appeared strained. Her body slumped with fatigue.

â€œWhat day?â€ he asked.

â€œThe day that Iâ€™d be your wife.â€

â€œIâ€™m not the villain here. Iâ€™m trying to do right by you and David. Iâ€™m going to save your business, take care of you and raise â€¦ our child.â€

Rena flinched, and regret filled her eyes. â€œYouâ€™re trying to ease your conscience and fulfill an obligation.â€

Tony shook his head. â€œYou wonâ€™t cut me any slack, will you?â€

â€œIâ€™m sorry Iâ€™m not the doting wife youâ€™d imagined. I canâ€™t be â€¦ this is all so unfair.â€

â€œI wish to hell David was alive, too. He was my best friend, damn it.â€ Tony rose and paced the terrace. He hadnâ€™t planned on any of this. But he was trying to make the best out of a bad situation. Heâ€™d been patient with Rena, though she still blamed him for Davidâ€™s death. Heâ€™d tried to please her. Heâ€™d tried being the nice guy, yet she wanted no part of it.

Okay, the gloves were coming off.

â€œYouâ€™re exhausted. Why donâ€™t you take a bath? Itâ€™s waiting for you. Then get into bed.â€

Rena hoisted her chin. â€œIâ€™m not sleeping with you tonight, Tony.â€

â€œWrong,â€ he said pointing a finger at her. â€œIâ€™m not sleeping with you, but Iâ€™m your husband whether you like it or not.â€

â€œWhat does that mean?â€ She asked with real fear in her voice.

Tony was too annoyed with her to care. â€œIt means that I donâ€™t plan to tiptoe around you anymore, Rena.â€

He left her on the terrace and strode over to the wet bar, pouring himself three fingers of scotch. He hated that Rena had it right this time. He had married her out of obligation and a sense of duty to David. But he hadnâ€™t expected her resentment to irk him so much.

Hell, heâ€™d never had to beg a woman for sex in his life. And he wasnâ€™t about to start now.

Rena had never stayed in a hotel as extravagant as this one and decided to take advantage of her surroundings. True to Tonyâ€™s word, the bathtub was steaming and waiting for her. Her body craved the warmth and tranquility a nice hot soak in a tub would provide. She closed the bathroom door and lit the candles that were strategically placed around the tub, sink and dressing area. The Ritz-Carlton knew how to pamper and she wasnâ€™t going to deny herself this pleasure. She kicked off her shoes, then stripped out of her clothes folding them neatly and setting them on the marble counter. She turned on the large LCD screen on the wall, finding a music station that played soulful jazz. All lights were turned down but for the flashing abstract images on the flat screen and the candles that burned with a vanilla scent.

Naked and relishing her impending bath, Rena stuck her toe in the water. â€œPerfect,â€ she hummed, sinking the rest of her body into the exquisite warmth. For the first time in days, she relaxed.

She closed her eyes and obliterated all negative thoughts. Instead, she thought of the baby growing inside her. She wondered if it was a boy or a girl. She hoped it would have Davidâ€™s kindness and intelligence and maybe her blue eyes. She hoped for so many things, but mostly she hoped her child would be happy.

A smile surfaced on her face as she pictured a sandy blond-haired little boy or a raven-haired little girl. Or perhaps a boy would have her coloring and a girl would have her fatherâ€™s. Either way, Rena would love that child beyond belief.

The door to the bathroom opened and Tony strode in. She gasped and sunk farther down into the tub. â€œWhat are you doing in here?â€

Tony unbuttoned his shirt and dropped it onto the floor. He looked her over, his gaze following the valley between her breasts. â€œIâ€™m taking a shower.â€

Her heart rate sped. â€œIn here?â€

â€œThis is the master bathroom, right?â€

Rena narrowed in on him. â€œHow much have you had to drink?â€

He cocked her a smile and shook his head. â€œNot enough, honey.â€

His shoes were off in a flash, and when he reached for his belt, she closed her eyes. She heard him stepping out of his clothes, open the glass shower door, then close it. The shower rained to life, and steam heated the room.

Rena opened her eyes slowly. Tony was deep into his shower, soaping himself up. She took a swallow and watched, unable to tear her gaze away. At one time, Tony Carlino was everything she wanted in life. Those old feelings surfaced, and she tried to shove them away, but it was darn hard to do. Not when he was built like a Greek god, stunningly masculine and boldly beautiful. He moved with grace and confidence, comfortable in his own skin. And so she watched him lather his body, wash his hair and let the water pelt down in streams over his broad shoulders, down the curve of his spine and into the steam that hid the rest of him from view. He turned abruptly and caught her staring. His brows elevated into his forehead, and the corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.

Rena turned away then, afraid that if he read her expression, heâ€™d know what she was thinking. Heâ€™d know that some feelings canâ€™t be destroyed. Some feelings just simply â€¦ stay, no matter how hard you try to abolish them. They hide under the anger and pain, waiting.

When the shower spigot turned and the water shut off, Rena tensed. She didnâ€™t know what Tony expected. His comment about not tiptoeing around her had her perplexed. The shower door opened, and Tony stepped out, naked. Rena refused to let him intimidate her. She didnâ€™t look straight at him, but she didnâ€™t look away either. Instead she focused on a point beyond his head.

After wiping down his body, he wrapped the towel around his waist and glanced at her. â€œYou should get out. Youâ€™re getting cold.â€

His gaze lingered on her chest. No longer covered with flower petals and bubbles, her nipples were now visible beneath the water. She covered up and nodded. â€œI will, as soon as youâ€™re through in here.â€

Tony scrubbed the stubble on his face, contemplating. â€œI guess Iâ€™ll shave tomorrow. You can get out now.â€ He reached over and handed her a plush chocolate-colored towel.

She grabbed it and hoisted it to her chin. â€œWell?â€

â€œIâ€™ll be sleeping in the second bedroom. Get some rest, Rena.â€ He bent over and kissed her on the cheek then cast her a rather odd look.

â€œWhat?â€ she asked, curious.

â€œWhen we were together, neither one of us would have imagined our wedding night to be anything like us.â€

She sighed. â€œNo, not back then.â€

He nodded and left the room, leaving her with poignant and erotic memories of making love to him years ago when theyâ€™d been hot and wild for each other.

Rena slept heavily, her body needing the rest. When she woke, she snuggled into the pillow recalling her dream. Sheâ€™d been out in the vineyards, the grapes ripe and ready to be picked, the air flavored with their pungently sweet aroma. She turned and David was beside her, his smile wide as he looked at the vines, then at her. â€œWeâ€™ll have a good year.â€ But then, Davidâ€™s face became Tonyâ€™s. Somehow, within the eerie images of her mind, it had always been Tony out in the vineyard with her.

Disoriented, she popped her eyes open and gazed out the window as the San Francisco Bay came into view. She clung to cotton one-thousand-thread-count sheets and sat up in bed, looking around the master suite of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. It all came back to her now. David was dead, and sheâ€™d married Tony Carlino yesterday.

â€œOh, God,â€ she whispered.

â€œI see youâ€™re up.â€ Tony stepped out of the bathroom, his face covered with shaving cream, his chest bare, wearing just a pair of black slacks.

Rena blinked, trying not to stare at his tanned, broad chest or the way he casually strode into the bedroom as if theyâ€™d been married for twenty years. â€œDid you sleep well?â€

â€œLike a babâ€” Um, very well.â€

â€œYou look rested,â€ he said, then turned around and entered the bathroom again. She craned her neck to find him stroking a razor over his face. â€œBreakfast is ready if youâ€™re hungry,â€ he called out.

She was famished. Sheâ€™d discovered the first trimester meant eating for two. Finally, her appetite kicked in full force and that was good for the baby. Her child needed the nourishment and so did she. Sheâ€™d been so terribly strained lately, with Davidâ€™s death, the failure of Purple Fields and her financial situation, that sheâ€™d lost her appetite. Sheâ€™d had to force herself to eat. It was so much easier when she actually felt like eating.

â€œIâ€™ll get out of here in a sec,â€ Tony said. â€œGive you time to dress. Iâ€™ll wait for you in the dining room.â€

â€œOkay,â€ she found herself saying.

Rena entered the bathroom shortly after Tony finished his shave. She splashed water on her face and combed her hair. While sheâ€™d often stay in her bathrobe during her morning breakfast routine, she found that too intimate to do with Tony. She dressed in a pair of slacks and a thin knit sweater that Solena had picked out of her wardrobe when Tony had secretly asked her friend to pack a bag for their stay here at the hotel.

Rena suspected Tony hadnâ€™t mentioned their wedding night at the Ritz to her, knowing sheâ€™d refuse. But yesterday after the wedding dinner, heâ€™d just sprung it on her, catching her off guard. Just one more reason she didnâ€™t trust him. While others might see it as a romantic gesture, Rena felt as though sheâ€™d been deceived.

She entered the dining room and found Tony relaxing at the head of the table, reading the newspaper and sipping coffee.

He stood when she entered the room. â€œMorning again.â€

She managed a small smile then glanced at the antique sideboard filled with platters of food. â€œWhere did all this come from?â€

Tony shrugged. â€œItâ€™s the Presidential Suite.â€

â€œAnd that makes food magically appear?â€

He laughed. â€œYeah, I guess so.â€

â€œYou might be used to being treated like this, but this is â€¦ overwhelming to me.â€

Tony walked over to stand before her. He searched her eyes. â€œI donâ€™t live like this, Rena. But itâ€™s a special occasion. I thought you deserved a little pampering.â€ He stroked her cheek, his finger sliding along her jaw line tenderly. It had been so long since sheâ€™d been touched like this. So long since sheâ€™d had any real tenderness. She was nine weeks pregnant, and though sheâ€™d tried to be strong when David died, there were times when she just needed some gentle contact.

She looked into Tonyâ€™s dark beautiful eyes, then lowered her gaze to his mouth. It was all the encouragement he needed. He took her carefully in his arms and bent his head, bringing their lips together in a soft kiss.

Rena relished his lips on hers, the gentle way he held her, the warmth and comfort he lent. It wasnâ€™t a sensual kiss but one of understanding and patience.

He surprised her with his compassion, and that made her wary. She couldnâ€™t put her faith in Tonyâ€”heâ€™d destroyed that years ago. If sheâ€™d had any other way out of her dilemma she wouldnâ€™t have married him, despite gentle kisses and kind overtures.

â€œRena, donâ€™t back off,â€ he said.

â€œI have to. You offered me a business proposal. Your own words were, â€˜this isnâ€™t a real marriage.â€™ And now, now â€¦ youâ€™re expecting me to fall into the role as your wife.â€ She shook her head, and her emotions spilled out. â€œDonâ€™t you understand? At one time, I would have trusted you with my life, but now thereâ€™s not much you could say or do to make me trust you. My heart is empty where youâ€™re concerned. I was forced to marry you â€¦ otherwise I wouldnâ€™t be here. Iâ€™m protecting myself, and my baby.â€

â€œThatâ€™s what I intend to do, Rena. Protect you and the baby.â€

â€œNo, youâ€™re going to help build my company back up. Period. I canâ€™t let you get too close to my child. I canâ€™t let you hurt my baby, the way you hurt me.â€

â€œHow could I ever hurt your child?â€

â€œThe same way you hurt me. By walking out. By leaving. By finding something more exciting than being a husband and father. While Iâ€™ve recovered from you leaving, it would be devastating to a child to be abandoned that way. My son or daughter may never get over it.â€

Anger flashed in his eyes. His jaw tightened, and his body went rigid. â€œI donâ€™t intend on abandoning either of you.â€

â€œWhat if you get the racing bug again? What if youâ€™re called back? Itâ€™s in your blood, Tony. You love racing.â€

â€œThat part of my life is over. I did what I set out to do. Iâ€™m not going back, ever.â€

Rena shook her head, refusing to believe him.

â€œYou have my promise on that,â€ he said. Then he spoke more firmly. â€œDid you hear me, Rena? Iâ€™ll never leave you or the baby. Itâ€™s a promise.â€

Tony stared at her for a long moment, and when she thought he was so angry heâ€™d walk out of the room, he handed her a plate. â€œEat up,â€ he said. â€œWeâ€™re going to have some fun today.â€

Rena glanced at him. â€œWe are?â€

â€œYeah, even if it kills me.â€

Rena chuckled, despite the tension in the room just seconds earlier. She had to hand it to Tony for lightening the mood. â€œThatâ€™s not my intention.â€

â€œCan I bank on that?â€

She shrugged as she filled up her plate. â€œSure,â€ she offered. â€œYou can bank on that.â€

They exited the hotel, and because it was a glorious day, they decided to walk the crowded streets. A few times, Rena and Tony got separated in the onslaught of foot traffic, so he grabbed her hand and they strolled along that way, browsing through shops. When Rena took a lingering look at a ruby necklace, her birthstone with a setting that was beautifully unusual, Tony dragged her into the store and purchased it for her. â€œYou donâ€™t have to do this,â€ she said.

â€œConsider it a wedding gift, since I didnâ€™t get you a diamond ring.â€

â€œI know, but I donâ€™t need this. What I need is for my vineyard to thrive and be solvent again.â€

â€œThatâ€™ll happen too, Rena. You donâ€™t have to give up one to get the other.â€

Rena sighed inwardly. Sheâ€™d been doing that most of her life, sacrificing her own needs and wants in order to assure Purple Fieldsâ€™ survival. It had been years since sheâ€™d known what it was like to simply have something she wanted without guilt.

Next they took the trolley to Fishermanâ€™s Wharf and ate clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls, then stopped at an ice cream parlor and ate sundaes until Rena thought her belly would expand out of her pants. â€œOh, Iâ€™m so full.â€

â€œMe, too,â€ Tony said, looking at her empty dish. â€œI guess you never get over loving hot fudge over strawberry ice cream.â€

â€œWith nuts on top.â€

â€œHmm and whipped cream. Remember the whipped cream fight we had?â€ Tony asked.

Rena remembered how theyâ€™d each taken out a can of Reddi-wip from Tonyâ€™s refrigerator. No one was home and theyâ€™d just finished eating sundaes. â€œYeah and you cheated!â€

â€œI did not. I fight fair. I couldnâ€™t help it that your nozzle got stuck.â€

â€œYou took advantage then and squirted me until I was covered with it. That stuff even got in my hair.â€

â€œYou were sweet from head to toe,â€ Tony said with a nostalgic smile.

The memory popped into her head of Tony kissing it off her until kissing wasnâ€™t enough. Heâ€™d taken her to his bedroom then, stripped her down and licked every bit of the whipped cream off. Theyâ€™d made love in the shower, deciding that strawberry sundaes were their favorite dessert.

â€œI never have whipped cream without thinking of you,â€ Tony said, his eyes fixed on hers.

Her cheeks heated and she inhaled sharply. â€œThat was a long time ago.â€ What she didnâ€™t add is that the same held true for her.

â€œBut a good memory.â€

â€œI donâ€™t think about the past anymore,â€ she fibbed.

He watched her intently. â€œMaybe you should. We had something special.â€

â€œ'Hadâ€™ being the key word.â€ She refused to let Tony get to her.

Tony leaned over and kissed her on the lips. â€œLetâ€™s go,â€ he said abruptly, taking her hand again. They rode the trolley back and checked out of the hotel. Rena took one last look around, feeling oddly sentimental. She blamed it on her fickle hormones.

When Rena thought theyâ€™d head back to Napa, Tony drove her to a four-story shopping mall and parked the car. â€œWhat are we doing here?â€

He grinned. â€œWeâ€™re getting baby things.â€

â€œBaby things?â€

â€œI promised you a fun day, and I figured a new mother-to-be would enjoy picking out furniture and clothes and whatever else the baby might need.â€

â€œReally?â€ Tempted by such an elaborate offer, Renaâ€™s heart raced with excitement. Offhand, she could think of dozens of items sheâ€™d need for the babyâ€™s arrival, and quite frankly, she didnâ€™t know how sheâ€™d manage to pay for all of it. Other than shopping at thrift stores, she was truly at a loss.

â€œI havenâ€™t a clue what a baby needs,â€ Tony said, getting out of the car and opening the door for her.

â€œIâ€™m on new ground here, too.â€ She took his outstretched hand. â€œWeâ€™d always talked about having children, butâ€”â€ Rena stopped and slipped her hand from his, her heart in her throat. How could she do this? How could she look at cribs and bassinets and baby swings when this was a dream she and David shared together? Theyâ€™d always wanted a family. The time had never been right. She refused to think of the life growing inside her as an accident, but they hadnâ€™t really planned on this baby.

Rena ached inside thinking that David would never know his child. Heâ€™d never change a diaper, kiss its face or watch it take its first step. Heâ€™d never go to a ballet recital or little league game. Heâ€™d never know the joy of seeing his child develop into a smart-alecky teen or fall in love one day. David would have been there for his child. Heâ€™d have seen his son or daughter through the good times and the bad, because David was loyal and devoted. He would have made a wonderful father.

Renaâ€™s legs went weak suddenly. Her body trembled, and she knew she couldnâ€™t do this. She glanced at Tony, her voice a quiet plea. â€œIâ€™m sorry. I donâ€™t think Iâ€™m ready for this.â€

Tony drew in a breath. â€œRight.â€ He closed his eyes briefly, and Rena noted genuine pain there. â€œOkay, weâ€™ll do this another time. When youâ€™re ready.â€

She sighed with relief. â€œItâ€™s not that I donâ€™t appreciateâ€”â€

â€œI get it, Rena. Iâ€™m not the babyâ€™s father. Enough said.â€

Tony got back into his car and revved the engine, waiting for her to climb inside. She bit her lip and held back tears as she sank into the car. They drove to Napa in silence, Rena glancing at Tonyâ€™s stony expression every once in a while.

She knew in her head that David was gone. He was her past, while this angry man sitting beside her was her future.

The irony struck her anew.

How many times had she hoped to be Tony Carlinoâ€™s wife? Only to find now she should have been more careful what sheâ€™d wished for.

## Six

Tony drove to Napa, a debate going on in his head. On one hand, he knew Rena still grieved, but on the other hand, heâ€™d taken responsibility for her. She was his wife now. He couldnâ€™t let her dictate the terms of their relationship, not if he planned to really honor Davidâ€™s dying wish. So he drove past Purple Fields and down the highway leading to his home.

â€œWhere are we going?â€ she asked.

â€œTo my house.â€

Rena slanted him a dubious look. â€œWhy?â€

â€œJust stopping by to pick up some of my clothes to bring to Purple Fields.â€

Rena blinked before realizing his intent. â€œThis was supposed to be a secret marriage, Tony. We canâ€™t live together.â€

Tony expected this argument. He pulled to the side of the road and stopped the car. Immediately, Renaâ€™s shoulders stiffened. She sat up straighter in the seat and faced him. Before he spoke, he searched her face for a long moment, reining in his anger. â€œRena, weâ€™re not announcing to the public weâ€™re married. But I canâ€™t possibly work with you at Purple Fields andâ€”â€

â€œWatch out for me,â€ she finished for him with a twist of her full lips.

She tried his patience, but Tony held firm. Heâ€™d made up his mind about this and decided it was best for both of them. â€œWeâ€™ll be discreet. Purple Fields isnâ€™t exactly bustling with crowds.â€

â€œThanks for the reminder.â€ â€œRena, listen. All Iâ€™m saying is that you donâ€™t have a big staff that will spread gossip through the county. The place isnâ€™t on the main highway. In fact, youâ€™re in a remote location.â€

Renaâ€™s voice held quiet concern, and she refused to look at him. â€œI didnâ€™t think weâ€™d live together.â€

Tony reached over to gently turn her chin his way. She lifted those incredible eyes to him. â€œYouâ€™re my wife. Iâ€™m your husband. We are married. Weâ€™ll keep the secret for a while, but make no mistake that I intend for us to live as man and wife. Now, if youâ€™d rather move into the Carlino estate with me, we canâ€”â€

â€œNo!â€ She shook her head. â€œNo, Tony. That makes no sense. I need to be at Purple Fields.â€

Tony wasnâ€™t fooled. Renaâ€™s hatred for his father was evident in her blatant refusal. After Tony had moved away, Santo Carlino had tried to ruin all the local vintners in the area, and Rudy Fairfield hadnâ€™t been the exception. Once Tony was gone, his father had ignored Tonyâ€™s protests to leave Purple Fields alone. The Fairfields had suffered, but theyâ€™d never fully succumbed to his fatherâ€™s ruthless business tactics.

Rena hadnâ€™t stepped foot in his house since. It seemed his new wife hated everything Carlino.

â€œWell then, itâ€™s settled. Iâ€™ll move into your house.â€

Rena swallowed and gave him a reluctant nod.

He bounded out of the car and opened her door. She looked up and announced, â€œIâ€™ll wait for you out here. Itâ€™s a nice day. I need the â€¦ fresh air.â€

Tony didnâ€™t push her. He helped her out, making a mental note that his Porsche wasnâ€™t a family car or comfortable for his pregnant wife. â€œIâ€™ll be a few minutes.â€

She nodded and stretched out, raising her arms, shaking out the kinks, confirming that heâ€™d been right about the car.

Tony bounded up the steps and entered the arched wrought iron doors decorated with delicate metal vines that led to a breezeway. The house, set more like an Italian villa atop the hill, had four wings that met in the center by a large expansive living room and dining area overlooking the vineyards. Tony liked his privacy, and each of the Carlino men had lived in separate sections of the house once theyâ€™d grown up.

â€œHey, I thought I heard you come in. How are the newlyweds?â€ Joe asked, approaching him as he began his ascent up the stairs.

Tony sighed. â€œFine.â€

â€œThat bad? I take it the wedding night didnâ€™t go so smoothly.â€

Tony knew Joe meant well. He wasnâ€™t prying; he was simply concerned. â€œSheâ€™s still grieving.â€

â€œUnderstandable. Where is she?â€

â€œOutside. She wonâ€™t come in. But I plan to rectify that soon. Sheâ€™s not thrilled that Iâ€™m moving in with her.â€

â€œI wasnâ€™t sure of your plans. I guess it makes sense for you to live there for a while.â€

â€œIâ€™ll divide my time between here and there, Joe, but Iâ€™d appreciate it if you and Nick could hold down the fort for a few days without me.â€

â€œSure, no problem.â€

â€œThanks. You know,â€ he began with a slant of his head, â€œif youâ€™d have told me six months ago Iâ€™d be married to Rena and raising a baby, I wouldnâ€™t have believed it.â€

â€œAm I hearing a little bit of awe in your voice?â€

â€œYeah, well, maybe Iâ€™m adjusting to the situation a little better than my wife is.â€

â€œSheâ€™ll come around. In fact, I think Iâ€™ll step outside and say hello to my new sister-in-law. Maybe put in a few good words for you.â€

â€œI can use all the help I can get. Rena thinks she married the devil.â€ He chuckled as he took the steps up to his bedroom. Heâ€™d been called even worse by some of the women heâ€™d dated in the past.

And it had all been true.

â€œTony?â€ Rena questioned him immediately when she realized where they were going. Tony hadnâ€™t taken her directly back to Purple Fields after heâ€™d picked up his clothes from his estate. Instead, heâ€™d driven to the cemetery where David was buried.

â€œAre you okay with this?â€ he asked.

Rena squeezed her eyes shut. Right after David died, sheâ€™d made daily trips to the cemetery to lay wildflowers by his grave. Sheâ€™d come and sit on the grass just to feel close to him again. But after sheâ€™d learned about the promise heâ€™d asked of Tony, sheâ€™d gotten so angry with him for his manipulation that she hadnâ€™t come back since. Now she realized the folly in that. David had tried to protect her. Even in death, heâ€™d tried to take care of her. Guilt assailed her for being so shortsighted and selfish. She should have come more often. She should have honored the man whoâ€™d loved her. â€œYes, Iâ€™m okay with this.â€

Once out of the car, Tony met her on the lawn and put out his hand. She glanced down at it and then into his reassuring eyes. â€œWeâ€™ll do this together.â€

She slipped her hand into his, and silently they walked to the center of the Gracious Hill section of the cemetery. A new bronze headstone with Davidâ€™s name and birth date embossed in gold stared up at them. Rena sank to her knees and said a prayer. She sat there for a minute, looking down, running her fingers over the headstone, touching Davidâ€™s nameplate with infinite care.

Tony helped her up, and taking her hand, he spoke with reverence as his gaze drifted down toward the grave. â€œSheâ€™s safe, David,â€ he whispered. â€œWeâ€™re married now. Iâ€™ll take good care of her.â€

Overwhelmed with emotion, Rena let out a sob. Tears she couldnâ€™t hold back, spilled down her cheeks. The reality of the last few weeks came crashing down on her.

â€œItâ€™s okay, honey,â€ Tony said softly. He turned his body and encompassed her in his arms, cradling her as she cried into his chest. She sobbed deeply, the pain emanating from deep within. Guilt and sadness washed over her.

Tony tightened his hold on her. â€œLet it out, Rena.â€

Cocooned in Tonyâ€™s strength and warmth, she cried and cried until she finally managed to control her emotions. She sniffed and gulped in oxygen and stopped crying after several minutes, yet she couldnâ€™t let go of Tony. Wrapped up in his arms, she was grateful for the comfort, the gentle assuring words, the soft kisses to her forehead. She gave herself up to Tony allowing him to be strong for her. She needed this. She needed for once to let someone else take the brunt of her heartache.

â€œHeâ€™s okay with this, Rena,â€ Tony whispered. â€œItâ€™s what David wanted.â€

She knew that to be true. But she also realized she had just married a man who had hurt and betrayed her onceâ€”a man whom she blamed for her husbandâ€™s death, a man whoâ€™d felt obligated to marry her. How could she find comfort in that?

â€œI was mad at David for asking this of you. Of me,â€ she whispered painfully. â€œI havenâ€™t come here in weeks.â€

Tony stroked her back again and again, keeping her head pressed to his chest. â€œDonâ€™t beat yourself up, Rena. Youâ€™re a strong woman, but you have a right to all your feelings.â€

â€œEven the ones that scream I shouldnâ€™t have married you?â€

Tony looked down into her eyes. â€œYeah, even those.â€

â€œI donâ€™t intend on cutting you any slack,â€ she said quietly.

â€œPlanning on making my life miserable?â€

â€œNot deliberately, Tony. But yes. You may want to move out before the week is over.â€

â€œDoubtful. Iâ€™m not going anywhere.â€

Then he leaned down and kissed her softly, exquisitely on her lips, and for the first time, Rena came close to believing him.

With arms folded, Rena watched Tony set his bags on the floor beside her bed. He faced her, his gaze direct and piercing. â€œI told you, I wonâ€™t tiptoe around you anymore. Weâ€™re going to live as man and wife.â€

Rena drew in a breath. Exhausted, she had no more tears to shed. Sheâ€™d used up her quota and then some at the cemetery. Though her insides quaked and her head ached, she knew she had no choice but to accept Tony in her home and in her bed. He had pride. He was virile and strong and extremely sexy. She suspected women had thrown themselves at him all the time. He was a race car champion, an appealing bachelor who was definitely easy on the eyes. Heâ€™d probably had women in every town he traveled.

Though heâ€™d been patient and kind to her the past few days she knew sheâ€™d pushed him pretty far. And soon, heâ€™d start pushing back.

He must have noted her fear, because his jaw clenched and he swore. â€œFor Godâ€™s sake, Rena. Iâ€™m not about to force myself on you. But we will sleep in the same bed.â€

Rena glanced at the bed, then up at him. â€œI understand.â€

â€œAh, hell.â€ He rolled his eyes at her robotic answer. â€œYouâ€™d think weâ€™d never had sex before. Mind-blowing, earthmoving, do-it-until-we-canâ€™t-breathe-anymore sex.â€

Rena nearly tripped over her own feet backing up, his statement stunning her. Her face heated, and her body shook a little. Speechless, she lowered her lashes, fighting off memories of their lovemaking. Heâ€™d been blunt but accurate in his description. â€œThatâ€™s when â€¦â€ she began, almost unable to get the words out. â€œWhen we were in love.â€

â€œRight.â€ Tony tossed his overnight bag on the bed. He pulled out aftershave lotion, deodorant, razors and a hairbrush. â€œYou have a place I can put these?â€

She pointed to the master bathroom. â€œItâ€™s small, but you should find some room on the counter.â€

Sheâ€™d taken Davidâ€™s things out of the bedroom, unwilling to have that daily reminder of his absence. But sheâ€™d yet to remove his clothes from the closet. Sheâ€™d be forced to now. Tony would need the room, and unlike his home with massive walk-in closet space, her closets were barely big enough for two people.

She held out hope that heâ€™d get disgusted with her small three-bedroom house and move back to the estate where heâ€™d be ensconced in luxury.

Rena opened her closet and began gathering up Davidâ€™s clothes to make room for Tonyâ€™s. Before she knew it, Tony stood beside her and placed a stopping hand on hers. â€œYou donâ€™t have to do it now. Youâ€™re exhausted.â€

â€œIt needs doing. I just never could faâ€”â€

â€œIf it makes you feel better, Iâ€™ll do it.â€

â€œNo,â€ she said with a shake of her head. â€œI should do it.â€

Tony grabbed both of her hands while they were still on the hangers. He stood close. So close that she noted the golden flecks in his dark eyes. â€œOkay but not today. It can wait. Agreed?â€

She nodded, breathing in his subtle, musky scent. A lump formed in her throat thinking of his stirring kiss before. She didnâ€™t want to be attracted to Tony. Sheâ€™d gotten over him a long time ago, yet when he touched her or looked deep into her eyes or kissed her, emotions rolled around inside. And made her nervous. â€œIâ€™ll make dinner.â€

â€œThank you.â€

She strode out of the room, confused by what she was feeling and angry for feeling anything at all.

Rena stirred the spaghetti sauce, watching as little bubbles broke on the surface sending a pungent, garlic scent into the air.

â€œSmells great.â€ Tony came up behind her, his body close again, surprising her in how quietly he appeared in her kitchen. He reached for the wooden spoon. â€œMay I?â€

She handed it to him. â€œI hope you donâ€™t mind pasta tonight.â€

â€œAre you kidding? Iâ€™m Italian. You know I love pasta.â€ He stirred the sauce, then lifted the spoon to his mouth, tasting it.

â€œWhat do you think?â€

â€œNeeds a little salt,â€ he said, then grabbed the salt shaker and added a few shakes. â€œThere.â€

â€œYou like to cook, donâ€™t you?â€

He shrugged. â€œI get by. When a bachelor wants to eat, heâ€™s got to know more than how to boil water.â€

â€œI didnâ€™t think youâ€™d ever have to cook a meal for yourself.â€

Tony continued stirring the sauce. â€œWhen my gourmet chef was off, I had three other servants waiting on me hand and foot.â€ He turned to her and grinned.

â€œYouâ€™re teasing.â€

â€œYeah, Iâ€™m teasing.â€ Then he set the wooden spoon down and stared at her. â€œIâ€™m not going to apologize for how I live. Iâ€™ve earned it. Racing has afforded me a good life. But there were sixteen-hour work days, long lonely times on the road. Times when I had to cook for myself when I longed for a home cooked meal. Eating out is overrated.â€

â€œThere must have been plenty of women happy to cook for you. Never mind,â€ Rena said, catching herself. She didnâ€™t really want to know. â€œForget I said that.â€

Tonyâ€™s expression changed, and he gave her a quick shake of the head. â€œYour image of me is way off.â€

Rena pursed her lips. â€œIt really doesnâ€™t matter.â€

Tony grabbed her arms gently as steam rose up from the sauce and bathed them in heat. â€œYes, it does matter. Iâ€™m your husband. I care what you think of me.â€

Rena stared into his eyes, unable to answer. She had mixed emotions when it came to Tony Carlino, but for the most part, she didnâ€™t want to see any good in him. She wanted to keep him a safe distance away in her mind and heart.

When he realized she wouldnâ€™t respond, he let her go and she went about filling a big pot of water for the pasta noodles.

Tony watched her work at the stove for a long while before he spoke again. â€œWhat can I do to help?â€

Grateful to give him something to do, she barked orders. â€œTake out the romaine and tomatoes from the refrigerator. I think thereâ€™s a cucumber in there, tooâ€”and anything else you can find for a salad.â€

She heard him going to work, and much to her surprise, he fixed a delicious salad, and, adding black olives and herbs, he made his own olive oil-based dressing.

When she walked over to taste it, she cast him a nod of approval. â€œYummy.â€

â€œMy motherâ€™s. One of a few recipes I learned from her before she died.â€

Tonyâ€™s mother died when he was fifteen. Rena hadnâ€™t known her, but sheâ€™d heard she was a saint among women. Sheâ€™d have to be in order to be married to Santo Carlino. Rumor had it sheâ€™d kept him in line. When she died, Santo poured himself into building his business taking no prisoners along the way.

â€œAnd you remembered it,â€ Rena said. â€œItâ€™s funny the things we remember about the ones we love.â€

â€œWhat do you remember about your mother?â€ he asked.

Rena smiled wide, recalling her motherâ€™s favorite pastime. â€œThatâ€™s easy. She had a morning and nightly ritual of walking three miles. No matter how tired she was, no matter the weather. Sheâ€™d get into her walking clothes, put on these beat-up old shoes and go for a walk. She said it cleared the mind, cleansed the soul and kept the weight off.â€ Rena grinned, confessing. â€œMy mama liked to eat.â€

Tony chuckled. â€œThatâ€™s a good way to remember her. Walking, I mean. Not eating.â€

â€œHmm, yeah.â€ Rena blinked herself back to reality. Even with all her exercise, her mother still contracted a deadly disease. Sheâ€™d lingered for years, missing her daily walks and everything else that required a bit of effort. It was a brutal reminder of the unfairness in life.

Once the meal was ready, they sat down to eat at her country oak kitchen table. She wondered what Tony thought about this rustic house. To her it was home, and she wasnâ€™t ashamed of it. Through the years, sheâ€™d put personal touches throughout, cheerful curtains, comfy sofas with throw pillows sheâ€™d sewn, refinished tables, armoires and cabinets. When she looked around her home, she saw bits and pieces of her parentsâ€™ life here as well as her life with David.

Facing Tony at her kitchen table reminded her once again how it had all changed so quickly.

Tony ate up heartily. There would be no salad-only dinners for him. He was a well-built man who enjoyed a good meal. He was halfway through a large dish of pasta when he lifted his head. â€œI want to see your accounts tomorrow. I hope to get through them by the end of the week. Then Iâ€™ll know better how we can get your winery back on track.â€

Grateful that heâ€™d taken the first step, Rena discussed with him her conversation she had with the banker. Tony hadnâ€™t even blinked when she told him her financial situation and how much money she owed.

â€œIâ€™ll take care of it,â€ he said, without pause. â€œYouâ€™ll make your payroll, and any other debts you have will be dealt with.â€

â€œThank you.â€ Humbled by his generosity, she put her head down.

â€œRena?â€ She looked up into his dark eyes. â€œWeâ€™re in this together from now on. You donâ€™t have to worry about the winery.â€

â€œI know. I appreciate everything, really. I just canâ€™t help feeling like a failure. I tried. David tried. We had some bad luck, equipment that needed replacing, problems with distributors and well, the bigger wineries tried to shove us out.â€

Tony covered her hand, and the instant spark jolted her. â€œCarlino Wines being one of them. Thatâ€™s not going to happen anymore.â€

She tried to ignore sensations rippling through her. â€œThe Fairfields have always taken pride in their livelihood. I have a lot of pride. I feel like I let my parents down. I had to remarry to save the business.â€

Tony stroked her hand, his fingers caressing hers. It felt goodâ€”too goodâ€”to pull her hand away. Lord help her, she needed to feel his touch.

â€œI wonâ€™t take offense to that,â€ he said. â€œI know Iâ€™m the last person on earth youâ€™d want as a husband.â€

She watched as his fingers slid over her knuckles so gently. â€œAt one time, I wanted nothing more.â€

â€œAnd now?â€

She gazed deeply into his eyes and lifted a shoulder in confusion. â€œNow, I donâ€™t know, Tony. I really donâ€™t know. Iâ€™m just so tired.â€

Tony rose from the table with concern in his eyes. â€œGo. Iâ€™ll take care of this.â€ He took up their plates and headed toward the dishwasher. â€œYou need to rest. Itâ€™s been a long day.â€

Rena got up, ready to argue, but Tony had already rinsed their dishes and began loading them into the dishwasher. With his back to her, she noted his broad shoulders tapering down along his back and slim waistline. His slacks fit perfectly over his buttocks, and she recalled the quick flash of excitement she felt when heâ€™d stepped out of the shower yesterday, buck naked. Sheâ€™d only caught a glimpse, but oh, that image wouldnâ€™t leave her anytime soon.

â€œI, uh, thanks. Iâ€™ll take a quick shower and go to bed. What will youâ€”â€

He turned sharply and met her gaze. â€œIâ€™ll come to bed later, Rena.â€

She gave him a clipped nod, turned around and strode out of the room. Her exhaustion catching up with her, she was too tired to think of the implications of sleeping with her new, extremely sexy secret husband.

## Seven

Rena snuggled deeper into her bed, rebelling against thin rays of dawn creeping into the room. She closed her eyes tighter, rolling away from the light and into familiar warmth. Cocooned in the heat now, she relaxed and let out a stress-relieving sigh.

Her eyelids blessedly shut, she breathed in a pleasing musky scent and smiled. A warm breath brushed her cheek, then another and another. She popped her eyes open. Tony was there, inches from her face, his eyes dark and dusky. He lay stretched out on his side, apparently watching her sleep. â€œMorning, beautiful.â€

Alarm bells rang out in her head. She couldnâ€™t believe she was in bed with Tony. And enjoying it. His warmth surrounded her. She focused on the firm set of his sculpted jaw, then opened her mouth to speak, but Tony placed his finger to her lips, stopping her words. â€œShh. Donâ€™t overthink this, Rena.â€ He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her closer.

She remembered putting on her most unappealing nightshirt last night, a soft, brushed cotton garment with tiny cap sleeves just in case Tony held true to his word to sleep with her. But Rena liked to feel feminine in bed, so the least suggestive nightgown she owned was still a far cry from head-to-toe flannel.

â€œDonâ€™t overthink what?â€

â€œThis,â€ he said, moving closer and touching his lips to hers. The heat of his mouth and the intimate contact should have caused her to panic. Yet, she didnâ€™t resist, her body and mind not fully operational at the moment. He pulled away long enough to search her eyes and must have been satisfied with what he saw in them.

Tony knew how to kiss a woman, and he held nothing back with the next kiss. He drew her in with expert finesse, coaxing a reaction from her. His hand on her waist, she felt his strength through the thin cotton fabric of the nightgown. He squeezed her gently, and immediate tingles coursed through her body. She sighed aloud, a throaty little sound that emanated from deep within. Tony moved his hand up, stroking her side slowly up and down, his fingers brushing the underside of her breast.

Oh God, it felt good to have him caress her, teasing her breast until she ached for his touch.

Rena loved the physical act of making love. She loved the intimacy, the joy of having her body succumb to infinite pleasure. Tony had taught her that. Heâ€™d taken her virginity and taught her to enjoy sexual intercourse. Of course, back then theyâ€™d been so much in love that holding back wasnâ€™t an option. Sheâ€™d given herself fully to him, surrendering her heart and her body. Sheâ€™d only been with two men in her life, and each in their own way had taught her about loving a man. Where David had been sweet, patient and dependable, Tony had been irresistible, hot-blooded and sexy.

Tonyâ€™s passionate kisses unnerved her. His touch drew her like a magnet. She moved closer, arching toward him, her breaths heavier now. He nibbled on her lips, whispering how beautiful she was, how much he wanted to touch her.

She gave him permission with a sigh.

His hand came up and cupped her breast over the fabric of her cotton nightie. He flicked a finger over the tip, rubbing back and forth, sending shock waves through her body. Intense heat swamped her, and she longed for more.

She knew the instant Tonyâ€™s body went taut. His breaths deepened, and his kisses became more demanding as he parted her lips. His tongue beckoned hers, and she met him halfway. They sparred in an endless search for satisfaction.

While her body craved the physical release, her heart and mind screamed no. Torn by indecision, she stilled, forcing herself to think this through.

â€œYouâ€™re overthinking again, Rena,â€ Tony said in a low rasp. He continued to stroke her breast, unraveling her mind.

She mustered her willpower and covered his hand with hers, stopping him. â€œOne of us has to.â€

â€œI told you I donâ€™t plan on being celibate in this marriage,â€ he said quietly. â€œIf I thought you werenâ€™t ready, Iâ€™d back off. But the woman I was just kissing wasnâ€™t protesting at all. You were enjoying having my hands on you. In another second I would have taken off your nightgown, and we would have been skin to skin. I want that, and I know you want that, too.â€

Renaâ€™s heart pumped hard. He was right, but she had to voice her innermost thoughts. â€œWanting and having are two different things.â€

â€œRenaâ€™s rules, not mine.â€

Rena drew oxygen in. â€œI canâ€™t forget who you are. I canâ€™t ignore what you did to me. My heart is empty where youâ€™re concerned.â€

â€œSo youâ€™ve said.â€ Tony flopped onto his back and looked at the ceiling. â€œWhatâ€™s done is done, Rena. I canâ€™t change that.â€

â€œI know. And I canâ€™t change how I feel. I may want you physically, but youâ€™ll never really have me. I canâ€™t love you again. I wonâ€™t. Youâ€™ll never own my heart.â€

â€œAs long as youâ€™re faithful to me, thatâ€™s all Iâ€™ll ask for now.â€

Stunned by the statement, Rena lifted her head off the pillow. â€œYou know me, Tony. Iâ€™d never even considerâ€”â€

He turned onto his side again to face her. â€œWhat you donâ€™t know about me is that Iâ€™d never consider it, either. But Iâ€™m a man with physical needs, and since weâ€™re married and compatible in bed, thereâ€™s no reason not to make love.â€

â€œYou mean, have sex? Because without love, itâ€™s just sex,â€ Rena pointed out.

He lifted a strand of her hair, eyeing it as he let it fall from his fingers. â€œJust sex?â€ Tony cocked her a playful grin. â€œEven better.â€

Rena shook her head in bewilderment.

â€œCâ€™mon, Rena. Weâ€™ve cleared the air. I get it. You donâ€™t love me, but you crave my body.â€

â€œI never said that!â€

â€œOh, no?â€ he said innocently. He was such a tease. He crushed his mouth to hers and kissed her passionately. Sheâ€™d hardly come up for air when he grabbed her hand and set it on his chest. â€œTouch me.â€

Crisp scattered hairs filled her palm and underneath muscles rippled. She wove her hand up along his sculpted shoulders then down to tease his flattened nipple. His intake of air let her know he enjoyed her flicking her finger over him, the way he had to her.

Laying her hand against his torso, she inched her way down, tempted by a perfect body and powered by the sounds of Tonyâ€™s quick jagged breaths. Okay, so maybe she did crave his body. She had memories that wouldnâ€™t go away. Sexual flashes that entered her mind at the most inopportune times. Sheâ€™d remembered how heâ€™d made her feel, how potent his lovemaking was, how satisfied sheâ€™d been afterward. If anything, Tony had matured into a stunning male specimen. He knew how to give pleasure, and he knew how to take it. Heâ€™d always made Rena feel special and cherished, no matter what act they performed.

She slid her hand farther down, slipping below Tonyâ€™s waistline. When she reached the elastic band of his boxers, she hesitated, tentative in her approach. Myriad thoughts flitted through her mind one right after the other, but Tony interrupted that train of thought. â€œJust let go, Rena,â€ he whispered. â€œWe both need this.â€

Rena touched him then, her hand gliding over silken skin. His arousal shocked her, though she didnâ€™t know why it should. He was a virile man, and they were in bed together, ready to consummate their marriage.

â€œI want you.â€ Tonyâ€™s low tone held no room for doubt. He cupped her chin and brought her lips to his. There was a sense of urgency to his kiss, yet he remained gentle and patient, waiting for her to respond. She stroked him with trebling fingers, bringing him to a fuller state of arousal.

â€œThis is notâ€”â€ Rena began, but Tony kissed her again, his mouth generous and giving, coaxing her to fulfill their destiny. Torn by indecision, she shoved all thoughts of the past years aside and tried to focus on the future.

â€œWeâ€™ll have a life together, Rena.â€ Tonyâ€™s words mirrored her own. Her life included him now, whether planned or not, whether she liked it or not. She had no other option now.

â€œI know,â€ she said, finally resigning to her fate.

Tony removed his boxers then placed her hand back on him, skin to skin, and her insides turned to jelly. There was life to Tony, a vitality sheâ€™d missed during these past months. He filled the void, the hollowness that beseeched her since sheâ€™d become a widow. She had her precious child, yes, but this intimacy fulfilled her need to feel alive again.

She stroked him until his pleasure heightened. Instincts, or perhaps recollection, told her that heâ€™d reached his limit. He flipped her onto her back, and in one quick sweep, he removed her nightgown, pulling it up and over her head. His kisses burned her through and through, and his hands roamed over her, touching, tormenting, caressing and teasing every inch of her skin. His voice was low and consumed with passion. â€œYouâ€™re as beautiful as I remember.â€

He brought his mouth down to suckle her breast, his tongue wetting her with long swipes. After laving each nipple, he blew on them, and every ounce of her body prickled with need. Her pulse raced with exquisite excitement. Unmindful of any repercussions, she relished the thrill of the moment.

Tony praised her body with quiet expletives and cherished every limb before moving on to touch her at the apex of her legs. His palm covered her, and she arched up.

â€œYouâ€™re ready for me, sweetheart,â€ he acknowledged. Without hesitation, he rose over her. She gazed up at him, and images of their past, of doing this very thing with nothing but love in their hearts, played out in her mind. Sheâ€™d relished their joining, eager to show the man she loved how much he meant to her. It had been perfect. Blissful. Exciting.

Tony stared into her eyes in the dawn light, and she witnessed that same spark. The memories had come back to him, as well. His lips lifted and his eyelids lowered. Then he gripped her hips and she squeezed her eyes shut, ready for him to take her.

â€œLook at me,â€ he commanded.

â€œTony,â€ she murmured, popping her eyes open. It was clear what he wanted. No memories of any other man. No memories of David.

He nodded when their eyes met, apparently satisfied, then he moved inside her with extreme care. Rena adjusted to his size and accommodated him with her body. It wasnâ€™t long before his thrusts magnified, their bodies sizzled hot and the burn sheâ€™d remembered from long ago returned fiercely.

Infinitely careful and recklessly wild, Tony made love to her, seeing to her needs, giving as much as taking, gentle at times and feral at others. He was the perfect loverâ€”that much hadnâ€™t changed. And all the while, Rena gave up her body to him but held firmly onto her emotions.

It was just sex.

And as Tony brought her to the peak of enjoyment, her skin damp, her body throbbing for the release that would complete her, she wrapped her arms around his neck and arched up, her bones melting but her heart firmly intact.

Tony wrapped Rena in his arms. They lay quietly together on the bed after making love, each deep in thought. It had been months since heâ€™d had sex, and his release had come with powerful force. Rena had responded to him as she always had, with wild abandon. At least her body had reacted as heâ€™d hoped. He knew what she liked and how to please her. Sheâ€™d been his first love, too, and a man doesnâ€™t easily forget how to please the woman he loves.

Theyâ€™d been so young back then, full of dreams and plans for the future. But Tony had been a rebel. Heâ€™d hated being under his fatherâ€™s thumb. He hadnâ€™t wanted any part of the family business, not when racing cars meant so much to him. Heâ€™d never planned on leaving Rena behind. It just happened. While his professional life had been great, his personal life had suffered.

Once heâ€™d become a champion, he had women knocking at his door at all hours of the night. They followed him from race to race. Theyâ€™d called him, showed up when he least expected it. Beautiful, sexy, outrageous women. Heâ€™d never fallen in love with any of them. Heâ€™d had flings and a few casual relationships that never lasted more than a couple of months.

Heâ€™d held hope for Rena in the early years, but he hadnâ€™t blamed her for giving up on him. He hadnâ€™t known what the future held for him other than racing cars. He was on the road a great deal of time, thrilled by his success but heartbroken about Rena.

His gaze fell to Renaâ€™s face, her expression glum, her eyes filled with regret. Hardly the loving wife in the aftermath of lovemaking.

Hell, he felt like crap himself, guilt eating at him. He wanted to do right by David, but he couldnâ€™t forget that a few months ago, his friend was alive and well and living with the woman he loved. He was to become a father, something that David always wanted.

Tony had suspected David had feelings for Rena early on. They had been good friends in school, yet all three understood in an unspoken agreement that Rena and Tony were meant for each other. When Tony left town, David stayed behind to pick up the pieces of Renaâ€™s shattered heart. Heâ€™d loved her that much to forego a chance to enter the racing circuit with Tony. To Renaâ€™s way of thinking, David was her white knight coming to her rescue, where Tony was the villain whoâ€™d abandoned her.

Now theyâ€™d consummated a loveless marriage.

Her remorse irritated him more than it should. Was it ego on his part? Theyâ€™d just made incredible love, and now Rena looked so darn miserable.

Damn it, what did she expect? She was his wife. He would raise her child as his own. Theyâ€™d both agreed to honor Davidâ€™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. â€œIâ€™ll grab a shower, then I want to go over your accounts.â€

Rena glanced at him for an instant, bit down on her lip then focused her attention out the window. â€œIâ€™ll make breakfast.â€

â€œIâ€™m not hungry,â€ he said. â€œCoffee will do. Meet me in the office once youâ€™re dressed.â€

Rena nodded without looking at him.

Tony showered quickly and dressed with clothes heâ€™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, heâ€™d had no appreciation for the land or its beauty and solitude. Heâ€™d never seen this country as his father had seen it.

Now heâ€™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.

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

Tony stared at the photo. â€œYou look happy.â€

â€œDavid made me dinner that night. He set up twinkling lights out on the patio. We danced in the moonlight.â€

Tony put the frame back, deciding not to comment. What could he say to that? â€œThanks for the coffee.â€

She shrugged. â€œWell, this is the office. Our accounts for the past ten years are in those file cabinets.â€

Tony picked up the coffee cup and sipped. The liquid went down hot and delicious, just what he needed. â€œIâ€™ll start with the past year and work my way backward.â€

â€œOkay, Iâ€™ll get those for you.â€

â€œAre they all paper files? Do you have anything loaded into the computer?â€

Rena glanced at the machine. â€œWe have our inventory computerized now. And David had started to enter the paper files. But he didnâ€™t get very far, Iâ€™m afraid.â€

Tony sat down at the desk and signed on. â€œWant to show me where everything is?â€

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. â€œWhat is that?â€ he asked.

She looked at him in question. â€œWhat?â€

â€œYou smell great.â€

She smiled softly. â€œItâ€™s citrus shampoo.â€

Tony met her eyes, then took her hand gently. â€œRena â€¦ listen, about this morning.â€

She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. â€œDonâ€™t, Tony. I canâ€™t help how I feel.â€

â€œHow do you feel?â€

She hesitated for a moment, but Tony fixed his gaze on her and wouldnâ€™t back down. She sighed quietly. â€œLike I sold my soul.â€

â€œTo the devil?â€

Her lips tightened as if holding back a comment.

Tony leaned in his chair, releasing her hand. â€œPhysically, are you okay?â€

â€œYes,â€ she said. â€œIâ€™m fine. I see the doctor next week, but Iâ€™m healthy.â€

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. â€œDonâ€™t worry about this,â€ she said, her finger on the delete button.

â€œWait.â€ Tony stopped her. â€œWhat is it?â€

â€œItâ€™s nothing.â€ Rena said, but he wouldnâ€™t let it go. Something in her eyes told him, whatever it was, it was important to her.

â€œI need to see everything, Rena. If Iâ€™m going to help you.â€

â€œItâ€™s got nothing to do with the accounts, Tony. Trust me.â€

â€œSo why wonâ€™t you let me see it?â€ Determined, he pressed her.

â€œOh, for heavenâ€™s sake!â€ Rena straightened, her eyes sparkling like blue diamonds. â€œItâ€™s just a story I was writing.â€

â€œA story?â€œ That sparked his curiosity. â€œWhatâ€™s it about?â€

â€œItâ€™s about a girl growing up in the wine country.â€

â€œItâ€™s about you?â€

â€œNo, itâ€™s a novel. Itâ€™s fiction, but yes, I guess some of it is about what I know and how I feel about living here. Itâ€™s sort of a wine guide but told from a different perspective. Itâ€™s an analogy of how a girl grows to womanhoodâ€”â€

â€œAnd you relate that to how a vine grows? Sort of like, how you need to be cared for and loved and nourished.â€

â€œYeah,â€ she said, her expression softening. â€œSomething like that.â€

â€œYouâ€™re not finished with it?â€

She made a self-deprecating sound. â€œNo, Iâ€™d forgotten about it. Thereâ€™s too much to do around here.â€ She shrugged it off. â€œI never found the time.â€

â€œMaybe someday youâ€™ll have time to finish it.â€

Rena stared deeply into his eyes. â€œRight now, Iâ€™m more interested in saving my winery.â€

Tony glanced at the computer screen, satisfied that sheâ€™d removed her finger from the delete button. â€œAgreed. Thatâ€™s the first order of business. We have to find a way to keep Purple Fields afloat.â€

Rena walked into the gift shop through a door adjacent to the office, leaving Tony to work his magic on their books. Sheâ€™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 sheâ€™d had the burden of saving Purple Fields on her shoulders, and the weight had become unbearably heavy. Now she knew that with Tonyâ€™s assets backing her up she had salvaged the future of Purple Fields, thus insuring her babyâ€™s future as well. She could only feel good about that.

But saving the winery had come at a high price. If it werenâ€™t for the promise she made to David, she wondered if sheâ€™d be standing here right now. Sheâ€™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 didnâ€™t want to enjoy being in his arms this morning. She didnâ€™t want to admit that having sex with him made her world spin upside down. She hated that sheâ€™d liked it. That sheâ€™d responded to him the way she always had. Tony wasnâ€™t a man easily forgotten, but sheâ€™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. â€œHey, youâ€™re up and out early this morning.â€

Rena smiled at her friend, happy to see her. â€œItâ€™s just another workday.â€

Solena eyed her carefully. â€œIs it? I thought you got married two days ago.â€

â€œSeems longer,â€ Rena said, lifting her lips at her little joke.

â€œThat bad?â€

Rena glanced at the door leading to the office. â€œI shouldnâ€™t complain. Heâ€™s in there right now, going over all our files and accounts. Heâ€™s owning up to his end of the bargain.â€

Solena walked behind the counter and spoke with concern and sympathy. â€œAre you doing the same, my friend?â€

Rena lowered her lashes. â€œIâ€™m trying. Iâ€™m really trying. I never thought weâ€™d live together like this. We, uhâ€”â€ Heat reached her cheeks, and she realized sheâ€™d blushed, something she rarely did.

Solena spoke with understanding. â€œTonyâ€™s a very handsome, appealing man, Rena.â€

â€œSo was David.â€ Tears welled in her eyes.

Solena leaned over the counter to take her hands. Rena absorbed some of her strength through the solid contact. â€œDavid is the past, Rena. As hard as that is to hear, itâ€™s true. You have to look forward, not back.â€

â€œBut I feel so â€¦ guilty.â€

Solena held firm. â€œRemind yourself that David wanted this.â€

â€œThere are times when I really hate Tony,â€ she whispered. â€œAnd Iâ€™m ashamed that Iâ€™m not too thrilled with David for making me do this.â€

â€œBut we both know why he did.â€

Rena tilted her head to one side. â€œThereâ€™s more. I should have told you sooner.â€

â€œWhat?â€ Solenaâ€™s dark eyes narrowed with concern.

Rena hesitated, staring at her friend. Finally she blurted, â€œIâ€™m pregnant.â€

Solena drew in a big breath then let it go in relief. â€œOh! You had me scared for a second there, imagining the worst.â€ Quickly, she walked around the counter to give Rena a hug. â€œThis is good news â€¦ really good news.â€

â€œYes, it is. I know.â€ A tear dropped down her cheek. Sheâ€™d already fallen in love with her baby. â€œIâ€™m happy about the baby, but now do you see why Iâ€™m so, soâ€”â€

â€œYouâ€™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 couldnâ€™t be happier for you.â€

She glanced at the office door and lowered her voice, speaking from the heart. â€œDavid should raise his child, not Tony.â€

Solenaâ€™s eyes softened with understanding. â€œBut that canâ€™t be. Your feeling bad isnâ€™t going to change that. It takes a remarkable man to raise another manâ€™s child. Tony knows?â€

â€œHe knows.â€

â€œYou resent him.â€

â€œYes, I do. I resent him for so many reasons. Iâ€™m so afraid.â€

â€œAfraid?â€ Solena met her gaze directly. â€œYouâ€™re afraid of Tony?â€

She shook her head. â€œNo, not of him. Of me. Iâ€™m afraid Iâ€™ll forgive him. I donâ€™t want to forget the hurt and pain he caused me. I donâ€™t want to ever forgive him.â€

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 wasnâ€™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 heâ€™d do what he could and download everything to a flash drive.

Rena walked into the office holding a plate of food. â€œItâ€™s after one, and you havenâ€™t eaten lunch.â€

Tony glanced at his watch, then leaned back in his seat. â€œI didnâ€™t realize the time.â€

She set the plate down onto the desk. â€œHam and cheese. I have chicken salad made if youâ€™d prefer that instead?â€

Tony grabbed the sandwich and took a bite. â€œThis is fine,â€ he said, his stomach acknowledging the late hour. â€œDid you eat?â€

â€œSolena and I had a bite earlier. Since Davidâ€™s death, sheâ€™s been babysitting me. She thinks I donâ€™t know it, but itâ€™s sweet. We usually have lunch together.â€

â€œWhat about Ray?â€

â€œHe eats a huge breakfast at home and skips lunch.â€

â€œDo you have time to sit down?â€ he asked. â€œI could use the company.â€

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 wasnâ€™t used to poring over a computer screen for hours. He wasnâ€™t used to being holed up behind a desk in a small office either.

He gobbled his sandwich and began working on the apple sheâ€™d cut into wedges. â€œHowâ€™s your day going?â€

â€œGood,â€ she said. â€œI gave a wine tour at eleven, and we sold a few cases today. Want something to drink?â€

â€œIâ€™ll have a beer later. Iâ€™ll need it.â€

She tilted her head, her pretty blue eyes marked with question. â€œToo many numbers?â€

â€œYeah. Iâ€™m inputting files. Setting up a database. My eyes are crossing.â€

She laughed. â€œI know what you mean.â€

Tony liked the sound of her laughter. He stared at a smile that lit the room. â€œYou do?â€

â€œAll those numbers can make you crazy.â€

He grinned. â€œI think Iâ€™m there now.â€ He gobbled up the apple wedges. â€œThanks for lunch.â€

Rena watched him carefully. â€œYouâ€™re welcome.â€

â€œYou need a new computer and some stuff for the office. This thing is outdated. Weâ€™ll work out a time to do that.â€

Renaâ€™s eyes widened. â€œA new computer? I, uh, we never could affordâ€”â€

â€œI know,â€ Tony said softly. â€œBut now we can.â€

â€œAnd you need me for that?â€

â€œYes, I need your input. Look, we can drive into the next town if youâ€™d feel more comfortable, butâ€”â€

â€œI would.â€ She offered without hesitation.

Tonyâ€™s ego took a nosedive. Heâ€™d promised her a secret marriage and heâ€™d stick to it, but he wasnâ€™t accustomed to women not wanting to be seen with him. Usually, it was just the oppositeâ€”women enjoyed being seen around town with him.

Irritated now, he agreed. â€œFine.â€

â€œSo what are your plans?â€ She stood and picked up his empty plate.

â€œI loaded the info to a flash drive. Iâ€™m going to have Joe take a look at everything. Though I have my suspicions, I need his opinion.â€

â€œYouâ€™re going home tonight?â€

Her hope-filled voice only irritated him some more. With legs spread, he reached out and pulled her between them, the plate separating their bodies. â€œYeah, but Iâ€™ll be back.â€ He kissed her soundly on the lips reminding her of the steamy way theyâ€™d made love early this morning. He nuzzled her neck, and the devil in him added with a low rasp, â€œI have more inputting to do.â€

Renaâ€™s eyes snapped up to his.

He smiled and then released her.

Heâ€™d told her no more tiptoeing around and heâ€™d meant it.

## Eight

Tony entered the Carlino offices, a two-story building set in the heart of Napa Valley. The older outer structure gave way to a modern, innovative inner office filled with leather and marble. The mortar and stone building had been classified as a ghost winery, once owned by an aging retired sea captain who had run the place in the 1890s until Prohibition put him out of business, along with nearly seven hundred other wineries in the area. While some wineries had been turned into estates and restaurants, some held true to their original destiny, haunted not by ghostly spirits but by the passage of time and ruin.

The place had lain dormant and in a state of wreckage until Santo Carlino purchased the property then renovated it into their office space.

Tony walked into the reception area and was greeted by a stunningly gorgeous redhead. â€œHi, you must be Tony Carlino.â€ The womanâ€”her cleavage nearly spilling out of her topâ€”lifted up from her desk to shake his hand. â€œJoe said youâ€™d be stopping by. Iâ€™m Alicia Pendrake, but you can call me Ali.â€

â€œHi, Ali.â€ He grasped her hand and shook.

â€œIâ€™m Joeâ€™s new personal assistant. Todayâ€™s my second day on the job.â€

â€œNice to meet you,â€ Tony said, curious why Joe didnâ€™t mention hiring anyone new when they spoke, especially one who looked like an overly buxom supermodel, with rich auburn curls draping over her shoulders, wearing a sleek outfit and knee-high boots.

She pointed to the main office door. â€œHeâ€™s inside, crunching numbers, what else?â€

Tony chuckled. The woman was a spitfire. â€œOkay, thanks.â€

â€œNice meeting you, Mr. Carlino.â€

â€œItâ€™s Tony.â€

â€œOkay, Tony.â€ She granted him a pleased smile that sent his male antenna up.

He found Joe seated behind his desk, staring at the computer screen. He made sure to close the door behind him. â€œWhoa â€¦ where did you find her?â€

â€œFind who?â€ Joe said, his attention focused on the computer.

â€œAlicia â€¦ Ali. Your new PA.â€

Joeâ€™s brows furrowed and he took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes. â€œI met her in New York last year. Sheâ€™s efficient and capable.â€

â€œI bet. What happened to Maggie?â€

â€œI had to let her go. She wasnâ€™t doing her job. This place was in chaos when I got here. I remembered Ali, and I called her. Offered to pay her way out here, gave her an advance on her salary to get set up. I didnâ€™t think sheâ€™d take the job.â€

â€œBut she did. Just like that?â€

â€œYeah, I got lucky.â€

â€œYou got lucky? Joe, the woman is beyond gorgeous. Havenâ€™t you noticed?â€

Joe rubbed his jaw. â€œSheâ€™s attractive, I suppose.â€

â€œYou suppose? Maybe you need better glasses.â€

â€œMy glasses are fine. Iâ€™m not interested, Tone. You know that Iâ€™ve sworn off women. After what happened with Sheila, Iâ€™m basically immune to beautiful women â€¦ to all women actually. Ali is smart. Sheâ€™s dedicated, and she does her work without complaint. Sheâ€™s very organized. You know how I am about organization.â€

Tonyâ€™s lips twitched. â€œOkay, if you say so.â€

â€œSo, whatâ€™s up? You said you needed a favor?â€

Tony tossed the flash drive onto the desk. â€œI need you to compare these accounts from Purple Fields with ours, for the same dates. Iâ€™ve been going over Renaâ€™s books. I just need your expert opinion.â€

â€œHow soon?â€

â€œToday?â€

â€œI can do that.â€ Joe inserted the flash drive into his computer. â€œIâ€™ll upload the files and let you know what I find out.â€

â€œGreat, oh and can you burn them to a CD for me? Thereâ€™s something else I want to check on.â€

â€œSure thing. Iâ€™ll do that first.â€ While Joe burned the information to a disk, Tony walked around the office, noting the subtle changes Joe had made to Santo Carlinoâ€™s office. Joe had secured even more high tech equipment than his father had used and updated the phone system. He was determined to make the company paperless, sooner rather than later.

It would seem that the only thing left from the older generation of the winery were the vast acres of vineyardsâ€”six hundred in allâ€”the grapes that couldnâ€™t be digitalized into growing faster and the wine itself.

After a few minutes, Joe handed him a CD of Renaâ€™s accounts. â€œHere you go.â€

Tony tapped the CD against his palm. â€œThanks.â€

â€œSo howâ€™s married life?â€

Tony shrugged, wishing he knew the answer to that question. â€œToo soon to tell. Iâ€™ll be back later. You donâ€™t have plans tonight, do you?â€

Joe shook his head. â€œJust work.â€

â€œOkay, Iâ€™ll see you around six.â€

Tony walked out of the office after bidding farewell to Ali, who was as intent on her computer screen as Joe had been. He drove out of town and up the hills to the Carlino estate, waving a quick hello to Nick as he drove off the property with a pretty woman in his car. Tony only shook his head at his happy-go-lucky brother, thinking â€œbeen there, done that.â€

Tony entered the house and grabbed a beer out of the refrigerator. Taking a big swig from the bottle, he walked upstairs to his quadrant of the house, entered his private office and sat down at his desk. He logged onto his computer and inserted the CD into the slot.

He stopped for one moment, contemplating what he was about to do. Taking another gulp of beer, he sighed with indecision, but his curiosity got the better of him. He searched the files and finally found what heâ€™d been looking for. The screen popped up with the title Vine by Vine by Rena Fairfield Montgomery.

Tony began reading the first chapter.

Roots.

In order to make great wine, you need good terroir, meaning the soil, climate and topography of a region that uniquely influence the grapes. A wine with a certain terroir cannot be reproduced in close resemblance of another, because the terroir is not exactly the same. Much like the DNA of a person each wine has a one-of-a-kind profile.

I guess I came from good terroir. That is to say, my parents were solid grounded people, rich, not by monetary standards but by life and vitality and a grand love of winemaking. My roots run deep and strong. I come from healthy stock. Iâ€™ve always been thankful for that. Iâ€™ve had the love of the best two people on earth. A child canâ€™t ask for more than that.

My parents, like the trellis system of a vine, show you the way yet cannot dictate the path you will ultimately choose. As I grew I felt their protection, but as I look back I also see the strength they instilled in me. After all, a new vine needs to weather a vicious storm now and again. It needs to withstand blasting winds, bending by its might but not breaking.

I remember a time when I was in grammar school â€¦

Tony read the chapter, smiling often as Rena portrayed anecdotes from her childhood, relating them to the ever-growing vines, taking shape, readying for the fruit it would bear.

He skimmed the next few chapters until he came upon a chapter called â€œCrush and Maceration.â€

The crush in vintnerâ€™s terminology is when the grapes are harvested, broken from the vine by gentle hands. The crush happens each year between August and October, depending on the kind of grapes that are growing in your vineyard. For me, the crush happened only once. Itâ€™s that time in your life when you break off from the ones that graciously and lovingly nourished you to become your own person. I was sixteen when that happened. I grew from an adolescent girl to womanhood the autumn of my sophomore year. The day I met my first love, Rod Barrington.

I had a big crush on Rod from the moment I laid eyes on him. He was new to our school, but his family was well known in the area. Everyone knew of the wealthy Barringtons, they owned more property in our valley than anyone else.

While my friendship with Rod grew, I fell more and more in love with him. For a young girl, the pain of being his friend nearly brought me to my knees. I couldnâ€™t bear seeing him tease and joke with other girls, but I kept my innermost feelings hidden, hoping one day heâ€™d realize that his good friend, Joanie Adams might just be the girl for him.

Tony read a few more passages, skimming the words on the page quickly, absorbing each instance that Rena relayed in the story, vaguely recalling the circumstances much like Rena had written. It was clearly obvious that though Rena had changed the names, Rena had written about his relationship with her, reminding him of the love they once shared. As he read on, the smile disappeared from his face, Renaâ€™s emotions so bold and honest on the page. He knew heâ€™d hurt her but just how much he hadnâ€™t known until this very moment.

In winemaking once the grapes are gently crushed from the skins, seeds and stems, allowing the juices to flow, maceration occurs. The clear juice deepens in color the longer itâ€™s allowed to steep with its counterparts, being in direct contact with stems and seeds and skins. Time blends the wine and determines the hue and flavor, intensifying its effect.

And thatâ€™s how I felt about Rod. The longer I was with him, the more direct contact I had with him, the more I loved him. He colored my every thought and desire. I knew Iâ€™d met the man of my dreams. We blended in every way.

Tony skimmed more pages, his stomach taut with regret and pain. He stopped when he came to a chapter titled â€œCorked.â€

He knew what that meant. He forced himself to read on.

Wine that is â€œcorkedâ€ has been contaminated by its cork stopper, causing a distinctly unpleasant aroma. The wine is ruined for life. Itâ€™s spoiled and will never be the same. Fortunately for wine lovers, only seven percent of all wine is considered corked or tainted. A sad fact if youâ€™d invested time and energy with that bottle.

Wine shouldnâ€™t let you down. And neither should someone you love.

Tony ran his hands down his face, unable to read any more. But a voice inside told him he had to know the extent of Renaâ€™s feelings. He had to find out what happened to her after heâ€™d left her. He continued to read, sitting stiffly in the chair, woodenly reading words that would haunt him.

â€œRod called today, after his first big sale. It killed me to talk to him, I felt selfish for wishing heâ€™d flop in his high-powered position in New York. I was dealing with my motherâ€™s terminal cancer, needing him so badly.â€

After reading Renaâ€™s story, which ended abruptly when Renaâ€™s mother died, Tony slumped in the seat. Drained, hollowed out by what heâ€™d learned, he simply sat there, reliving the scenarios in his mind.

Eventually Tony logged off of his computer, leaving the disk behind, but Renaâ€™s emotions and her silent suffering while he was winning races and pursuing his dreams would stay with him forever.

He met Joe at the office at six oâ€™clock as planned, his disposition in the dumps. â€œDid you find anything unusual?â€ he asked his brother.

â€œNo, not unusual. Dad did screw a lot of people over, but Iâ€™ve never seen it so clearly as now.â€

Tony groaned, his mood going from gray to black in a heartbeat. â€œI was hoping I was wrong.â€

â€œNo, youâ€™re not wrong. Your instincts are dead-on.â€ Joe shuffled papers around, comparing notes heâ€™d written.

â€œLooked to me like Dad deliberately undersold cabernet and merlot to the retailers to drive Purple Fields out of business. We make five kinds of wine, but he chose the two Purple Fields are famous for to undercut them. From what Iâ€™ve found, he sold for a slight loss for at least ten years. He knew he could sustain those losses without a problem, while Purple Fields couldnâ€™t compete.â€

Tony winced, hearing the truth aloud. â€œIâ€™d asked Dad to leave Purple Fields alone. To let them make a living. But Iâ€™m betting he did it to spite me.â€

Joeâ€™s brows rose. â€œYou think he singled them out because you chose a different career?â€

â€œHeâ€™d never approved of my choices. He didnâ€™t want me to succeed. He wanted to dictate the course of my life, and it pissed him off that I wouldnâ€™t listen to him. I chose racing over him.â€

â€œYeah, Dad was angry when you took off. He wanted to hand down his business to his firstborn son. Hell, he wasnâ€™t too fond of me not sticking around either. Iâ€™ve got a head for business, not grape growing.â€

Tonyâ€™s lips curved halfway up. â€œYouâ€™re a computer geek, Joe.â€

â€œAnd proud of it,â€ Joe added, then focused his attention back on the subject at hand. â€œDad was an all-around brute. I bet he used the same tactics on half a dozen other small wineries to drive them out of business.â€

â€œDoesnâ€™t make it right. Hell, he made millions. He didnâ€™t need to shut down his competition.â€

â€œApparently, he didnâ€™t see it that way.â€

Tony let go a frustrated sigh. â€œAt least thereâ€™s something I can do about it. Iâ€™m going to renegotiate those contracts. Weâ€™ll sell our wine at a fair price, but we wonâ€™t undercut anyone, especially Purple Fields.â€

Joe nodded and leaned back in his chair. â€œThat should make Rena happy.â€

â€œYeah, but it wonâ€™t make up for all the past pain this family put her through.â€

â€œYouâ€™re not just talking about Dad now, are you?â€

Tony took a steadying breath and shook his head. â€œNo. But I plan to make it up to Rena. Whether she likes it or not.â€

â€œThose sound like fighting words, Tone.â€

Tony rose from his seat. â€œThey are.â€

â€œOh, before I forget, someone called for you today.â€ Joe shifted through a pile of notes, coming up with one. â€œSomething about your racing contracts. Theyâ€™ve been calling the house and couldnâ€™t reach you.â€

He handed Tony the note, and when he glanced at the name, he cursed under his breath. He didnâ€™t need this right now. â€œOkay,â€ he said, stuffing the note in his pocket. â€œThanks. Iâ€™ll take care of it.â€

Now he had three things to deal with, the note he tucked away being the least of his worries. At least he knew now how to save Purple Fields, but after reading Vine by Vine, Tony wasnâ€™t sure how he could repair the damage heâ€™d done to Rena.

The promise he made to David far from his mind, Tony wanted to save his hasty marriage for more selfish reasons. He couldnâ€™t deny that reliving the past in these last few hours made him realize how much Rena had once meant to him.

He got in his car and drove off, speeding out of town, needing the rush of adrenaline to ward off his emotions and plaguing thoughts that he was falling in love with Rena again.

Tony entered the house, and a pleasing aroma led him straight to the kitchen. He found Rena standing at the stove top stirring the meal, her hair beautifully messy and her face pink from puffs of steam rising up. She didnâ€™t acknowledge his presence initially until he wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her against him. He kissed her throat, breathing in her citrus scent. â€œLooking good.â€

â€œItâ€™s just stew.â€

â€œI meant you,â€ Tony said, stealing another quick kiss. Coming home to this domestic scene, something grabbed his insides and twisted when he saw her. â€œYouâ€™re beautiful behind the stove. I want to come home to you every night.â€

She frowned and moved slightly away. â€œDonâ€™t say those things.â€

â€œWhy?â€ he asked softly. â€œBecause Iâ€™ve said them before and now you donâ€™t believe me?â€

Rena kept stirring the stew. â€œYouâ€™re astute.â€

â€œAnd youâ€™re being stubborn.â€

She shrugged, moving away from the stove to grab two plates from the cabinet. Tony took out cutlery from a drawer and set two glasses on the table.

So now they were resorting to name-calling? This certainly wasnâ€™t the scene Tony pictured in his mind when he first entered the house.

â€œDid you find out anything from Joe?â€ Rena asked.

â€œYeah, I did. But letâ€™s eat first.â€

â€œWhenever someone says that to me, I know the news is not good.â€

â€œThereâ€™s bad news and thereâ€™s good news. I think we should eat first before discussing it.â€

Rena brought the dishes to the stove top and filled their plates, adding two biscuits to Tonyâ€™s plate. She served him and sat down to eat. Her long hair fell forward as she nibbled on her food. She wore jeans and a soft baby-blue knit blouse that brought out the vivid color of her eyes. She hardly looked pregnant, except for a hint of added roundness to her belly.

Sweeping emotions stirred in his gut. He wanted to protect Rena. He wanted to possess her. He wanted to make love to her until all the pain and anger disappeared from her life. So much had happened to her in her short thirty-one years from losing her mother and father, to losing David, but it had all started with him. And Tony determined it would all end with him as well.

After the meal, Rena started cleaning up. Tony rose and then took her hand. â€œLeave this. Weâ€™ll take care of it later. We need to talk.â€

She nodded and followed him into the living room. Oak beams, a stone fireplace stacked with logs and two comfortable sofas lent to the warmth of the room. Tony waited for her to sit, then took a place next to her.

They sat in silence for a minute, then Tony began. â€œWhat I have to say isnâ€™t easy. Joe and I went through the records and have proof now of how my father manipulated sales in the region.â€

â€œYou mean, my father was right? Santo set out to destroy us?â€

Tony winced and drew a breath. â€œI canâ€™t sugarcoat it, Rena. My father undercut Purple Fields, even at a loss to his own company to drive you out of business. Joeâ€™s guess is that it wasnâ€™t personal. Heâ€™d been doing the same to other small businesses for years.â€

Rena closed her eyes, absorbing the information. â€œMy father knew. He didnâ€™t have proof. His customers wouldnâ€™t talk about it, except to say that theyâ€™d found better deals elsewhere. Theyâ€™d praised our wine over and over but wouldnâ€™t buy it.â€

â€œMy father probably strong-armed them into silence,â€ Tony said.

Rena opened her eyes and stared at him. He couldnâ€™t tell what was going on in her head, but he suspected it wasnâ€™t good.

She rose from her seat and paced the floor. â€œMy mother was worried and anxious all the time. She loved Purple Fields. She and my father poured everything they had into the winery. They worked hard to make ends meet. She held most of it in, putting up a brave front, but I could tell she wasnâ€™t the same. My father noticed it, too. Heâ€™d stare at her with concern in his eyes. And that all started around the time when we broke up and you left town.â€

Tony stood to face her. He owed Rena the full truth or at least the truth as he saw it. His voice broke when he made the confession, â€œI think he targeted Purple Fields after I left.â€

She stiffened and her mouth twisted. â€œMy God,â€ she whispered, closing her eyes in agony. â€œDonâ€™t you see? The stress might have triggered my motherâ€™s illness.â€

Tony approached her. â€œRena, no.â€

She began nodding her head. â€œOh, yes. Yes. My mother was healthy. There was no history of that disease in our family. Mom was fine. Fine, until the winery started going downhill. She worried herself sick. The doctors even suggested that stress could be a factor.â€

Renaâ€™s face reddened as her pain turned to anger. She announced with a rasp in her voice, â€œI need some air.â€

Tony watched her walk out of the house, slamming the door behind her. He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration rising. â€œDamn it. Damn it.â€

Heâ€™d never hated being a Carlino more than now. He could see it in Renaâ€™s eyesâ€”the blame, the hatred and the injury. When sheâ€™d looked at him that way, he understood all of her resentment. He knew sheâ€™d react to the truth with some degree of anger, but heâ€™d never considered that sheâ€™d blame his family for her motherâ€™s illness.

Could it be true?

Tony couldnâ€™t change the past. All he could do now was to convince her heâ€™d make things right. He gave her a few minutes of solitude before exiting the house. He had to find his wife and comfort her.

Even though in her eyes, he was the enemy.

## Nine

Rena ran into the fields. The setting sun cast golden hues onto the vines, helping to light her way. She ran until her heart raced too fast and her breaths surged too heavy. Yet she couldnâ€™t outrace the burning ache in her belly or the plaguing thoughts in her mind. She stopped abruptly in the middle of the cabernet vines, fully winded, unable to run another step. Putting her head in her hands, tears spilled down her cheeks. Grief struck her anew. It was as if she was losing her mother all over again. Pretty, vivacious Belinda Fairfield had died before her time. Her sweet, brave mother hadnâ€™t deserved to suffer so. She hadnâ€™t deserved to relinquish her life in small increments until she was too weak to get out of bed.

Renaâ€™s sobs were absorbed in the vines, her cries swallowed up by the solitude surrounding her. Her body shook, the release of anguish exhausting her.

Two strong arms wrapped around her, supporting her sagging body. â€œShh, Rena,â€ Tony said gently. â€œDonâ€™t cry, sweetheart. Let me make it right. Iâ€™ll make it all right.â€

â€œYou â€¦ canâ€™t,â€ she whispered between sobs. Yet Tonyâ€™s strength gave her immeasurable comfort.

â€œI can. I will. Weâ€™ll do it together.â€

Before Rena could formulate a response, Tony lifted her up, one arm bracing her legs and the other supporting her shoulders. â€œHold on to me,â€ he said softly, â€œand try to calm down.â€

Rena circled one arm around his neck and closed her eyes, stifling her sobs, every ounce of her strength spent.

Tony walked through the vineyard, holding her carefully. In the still of the night all that she heard was the occasional crunch of shriveled leaves under Tonyâ€™s feet as he moved along.

When he pushed through the door to her house, her eyes snapped open. He strode with purpose to the bedroom and lay her down with care, then came down next to her, cradling her into his arms once again. â€œIâ€™m going to stay with you until you fall asleep.â€

Rena stared into his eyes and whispered softly, â€œI hate you, Tony.â€

He brushed strands of hair from her forehead with tenderness then kissed her brow. â€œI know.â€

The sweetness of his kiss sliced through her, denting her well-honed defenses.

He took off her shoes and then his own. Next he undressed her, removing her knit top over her head and unzipping her jeans. She helped pull them off with a little tug, ready to give up her mind and body to sleep.

Tony covered them both with a quilted throw and tucked her in close. She reveled in his warmth and breathed in his musky scent despite herself. â€œJust for the record, sweetheart,â€ he began, â€œIâ€™m not here just because of the promise I made to David. It goes much deeper than that. And I think you know it.â€

Rena flinched inwardly, confusion marring her good judgment. She should pull away from Tony, refusing his warmth and comfort. She couldnâ€™t deal with his pronouncement. She couldnâ€™t wrap her mind around what heâ€™d just implied. Yet at the same time, she needed his arms around her. She needed to be held and cradled and reassured.

Was she that weak?

Or just human?

â€œGood night, Rena.â€ Tony kissed her lips lightly, putting finality to the night. â€œSleep well.â€

Rena slept soundly for the better part of the night but roused at 3:00 a.m. to find Tony gone from bed. Curious, she slipped on her robe and padded down the hallway. She found him sprawled out on the living room sofa with his eyes closed. He made an enticing sight, his chest bare, his long lean, incredible body and handsome face more than any woman could ever hope to have in a mate.

Rena shivered from the coolness in the room. She grabbed an afghan from the chair and gently covered Tony, making sure not to wake him. She lingered for just one moment then turned to leave.

â€œDonâ€™t go,â€ he whispered.

Surprised, Rena spun around to meet Tonyâ€™s penetrating gaze. â€œI thought you were asleep.â€

â€œI wasâ€”on and off.â€ Tony sat up, planting his feet on the ground and leaning forward to spread his fingers through his hair.

â€œSorry if I disturbed your sleep.â€

Tony chuckled without humor. â€œYou did. You do.â€

Stunned by his blunt honesty, Rena blinked.

â€œSleeping next to you isnâ€™t easy, Rena.â€ Tony shook his head as if shaking out cobwebs. â€œSorry, I wish I could be more honorable, but youâ€™re a handful of temptation.â€

Renaâ€™s mouth formed an â€œoh.â€

Tony stared at her. â€œYou shouldnâ€™t find it shocking that I want to sleep with you. You remember how we were together.â€

Renaâ€™s spine stiffened. â€œMaybe you should sleep in another room.â€

â€œI have a better idea.â€ He took her wrist and tugged her down. She landed on his lap. Immediately, he stretched out on the sofa, taking her with him. â€œMaybe I should make love to my wife.â€

A gasp escaped from her due to his sudden move. â€œOh.â€

He untied the belt on her robe, his tone dead serious. â€œI want you.â€

His hands came up to push the robe off her shoulders, revealing the bra and panties sheâ€™d slept in. His appreciative gaze heated the blood in her veins. â€œYou canâ€™t blame me for that.â€

â€œNo. But for so many other things,â€ she said quietly.

â€œI get it, sweetheart. I understand.â€ Tony pulled the robe free, exposing her fully.

Positioned provocatively, feeling his hard length pressing against her, excitement zipped through her system. Her breathing rough, she barely managed to utter the question. â€œDo you?â€

â€œYes, I do. And I want to make it up to you. Let me do that,â€ Tony said, cupping his hand around her head and bringing her mouth to his. He kissed her softly. â€œLet me wipe away the pain.â€ Again his lips met hers. â€œLet me help you heal, sweet Rena. Youâ€™ve been through so much.â€

His sincerity, his tone, the breathtaking way he looked at her softened the hardness around her heart. She wanted to heal, to release her defenses, to feel whole again.

â€œTony,â€ she breathed out, unsure of her next move.

â€œItâ€™s your call, sweetheart,â€ he said, stroking her back in a loving way that created tingles along her spine. Another notch of her defenses fell.

Images flashed of the good times sheâ€™d had with Tony. The fun, the laughter and the earth-shattering lovemaking theyâ€™d shared. As much as she wanted to forget, the good memories came back every time he touched her. â€œI want the pain to go away,â€ she whispered with honesty. Even if it was only for a short time tonight.

â€œThen let me take you there.â€

She closed her eyes, nodding in relief, surrendering herself to the moment. â€œYes.â€

Rena touched his chest, her fingers probing, searching, tantalizing and teasing. He felt incredibly good. Strong. Powerful. She itched to touch him all over.

Bringing her head down to his, she claimed his mouth in a lingering kiss. She took it slow, pushing aside her misgivings. His body seemed in tune with hers. Every little action she took brought his sexy reaction. Every moan she uttered, he answered with a groan. She liked being in control. It was the first time sheâ€™d ever taken the reins so fully, and Tony seemed to understand what she needed. He encouraged her with a gleam in his eyes and a willing body.

â€œIâ€™m all yours,â€ he whispered.

Her breath caught. She knew he meant it sexually, but Rena seized on the reality of that statement. He was all hers. But what she didnâ€™t know was, could she ever be all his?

â€œYouâ€™re thinking again,â€ Tony scolded with a smile.

â€œGuilty as charged.â€ Rena reached around to unhook her bra, freeing her breasts. Letting her bra drop, she freed her mind as well, pushing all thoughts away but the immediate here and now.

Tony reached for her then, his touch an exquisite caress of tenderness and caring. He kissed her lovingly, cherishing every morsel of her body with his lips and hands until his unexpected compassion seeped into her soul.

Their lovemaking was sedate and measured, careful and unflappable one moment, then crazy and wild, fierce and fiery the next. They moved in ups and downs, from highs to lows, they learned and taught, giving joy and pleasure to one another. The night knew no bounds. And when it came time to release their pent-up tension, Rena rose above Tony, straddling his legs. He held on to her hips and guided her. Taking him in felt natural, familiar and so right. She enjoyed every ounce of pleasure derived from their joining. She moved with restless yearning, her body flaming, all rational thought discarded.

Tony watched her, his eyes never wavering, his body meeting her every demand. He was the man sheâ€™d always wanted, the man sheâ€™d been destined to love. Heâ€™d pushed his way back into her life, but Rena couldnâ€™t trust in him, not fully, not yet. But each time they came together, her resolve slipped just a little, and her heartache slowly ebbed.