Wed on His Terms: Million-Dollar Marriage Merger

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“That bad?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“But I feel so … guilty.”

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

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

“But we both know why he did.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“He knows.”

“You resent him.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What about Ray?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She laughed. “I know what you mean.”

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

“All those numbers can make you crazy.”