Wed on His Terms: Million-Dollar Marriage Merger

“And you promised him?”

“I did. But I—” 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, she’d resolved that she had no other option but to sell Purple Fields. Not only would her family’s legacy be lost but so would her livelihood. Yet she needed to provide for her baby. That’s all that mattered now, and selling out meant that she’d have enough cash for a year or two if she were very careful. “I can’t keep it. I’ve already decided … to sell.”

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 Tony’s scrutiny.

“You don’t want to sell Purple Fields,” he said softly.

“No, of course not.”

“You know what it would mean to Purple Fields if we marry? You’d have no more worry … I’d make sure of it.”

She kept her head down. She didn’t want to admit that marrying Tony would solve her immediate problems and she’d be able to keep her promise to David. But she also knew that her emotions would rule it out this time. She couldn’t marry Tony Carlino.

He’d abandoned her when she’d needed him most.

He’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. “Think about it, Rena. Think about the promises we both made to David.”

Twenty minutes later, as Tony drove her home, she still couldn’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. “Good night, Tony.”

Tony’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 she’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. “I’ll come by to see you tomorrow, Rena.”

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

A way that didn’t include marrying Tony Carlino.

The next day, Tony knocked on Rena’s door at noon. When she didn’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. “Good afternoon.”

“Hello, Solena.” Tony had met her at David’s funeral for the first time. He’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. “I’m looking for Rena. Do you know where she is?”

“I’m right here.” 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. “I’ll help you with these bottles in a minute.” She smiled warmly at Solena and turned to Tony, her face transforming from warm to cold in a flash. “Follow me,” she said and walked outside the shop and down the steps.

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

Tony grinned. “Are you mad because I didn’t call to make an appointment?”

“No. Yes.” Her brows furrowed. “I’m busy, Tony. I don’t welcome drop-by company unless they are paying customers.”

“You’re working with a skeleton crew. And working too hard.”

Rena rolled her eyes. “I’ve been doing this work since I learned to walk, practically. Yes, I work hard, but I don’t mind. Why are you here?”

“I told you I’d come by today.”

“Checking up on me?”

“If you want to look at it that way.”

Rena’s face twisted in disgust. “I can take care of myself. I hate that David made you promise to watch out for me.”

“I know you do. But a promise is a promise.”

“And you don’t break your promises, do you? Except to young girls you’ve pledged your heart to. Then you have no problem.”

Rena turned away from him, but he couldn’t let her get away with that. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, turning her around to face him. “I loved you, Rena. Make no mistake about that. I’ve apologized for hurting you a hundred times. But I couldn’t stay here then, and you know it. And you couldn’t leave with me, and you know that, too. We weren’t destined to be together back then.”

She yanked her arm free and hoisted her pretty chin. “We’re not destined to be together ever, so why don’t you go away.”

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

She remained silent.

“How long before you have to let Solena and her husband go? How long before you’ll have to close the winery? You don’t want to sell. Purple Fields is a big part of you. You love what you do.”

“Don’t,” she said, her eyes filling with moisture. “Don’t, Tony.”

“Don’t what? Speak the truth? You know damn well marrying me is the best thing all the way around.”

“David’s been gone only a short time. And … and, I don’t love you.” She pierced him with a direct look.

“I don’t love you either,” he said, softly so as not to hurt her anymore. “But, in all these years, I’ve never wanted to marry another woman. I’ve never even come close.”

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 didn’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 Rena’s stunned blue eyes. “We may not have love anymore, but we have history and friendship.”

She tilted her head stubbornly. “I’m not your friend.”

“David wants this for both of us.”

“No!” Rena pulled away at the mention of David’s name. Confusion filled her expression, and she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, as if wiping away all that they’d once meant to each other. “I can’t marry you—no matter what you promised David. I still blame you for his death and, and …”

“And what, Rena? That kiss just proved we still have something between us. You can save your winery and honor David’s last wish.”

“You don’t understand.” Then Rena’s eyes reflected dawning knowledge, as if a light had been turned on inside her head. She covered her flat stomach with her hand. “Your family prides itself on bloodlines. It’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, I’m pregnant, Tony. With David’s baby. You’d be raising David’s child as your own.”

Tony didn’t flinch. He didn’t turn away. He didn’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. “You know. How? How do you know, Tony?” She pressed him for an answer.

“I didn’t know for sure, until now.”