Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
I didn’t know what to say to that, but then he asked, “So, who am I about to meet, besides your grandfather and your great uncle Charles?”
“Well, they’re both widowers, but my uncle has girlfriends from time to time. He recently started dating someone new, but I’m not sure if she’ll be around this week. Then there’s my brother Fallon and his wife and two kids. By the way, she’s an event planner, he works as a corporate lawyer, and they live in Sacramento. I don’t think I told you that.
“My dad was an only child, and Charles has three daughters. The oldest has been married for thirty years, but one of her sisters is on her third marriage, and the other was recently married for a fourth time. They have several kids and step-kids, and some of them are starting families of their own now. Some years, we might have ten people here for Christmas. Other years, it can be closer to thirty. I’m not sure who’ll be here this time.”
“I hope I can remember who’s who.” He sounded nervous.
“I know meeting a lot of people all at once can be overwhelming. If you forget names, please don’t worry. I’ll be right by your side throughout all of this, and I can help.”
He nodded before turning his head and looking out the window. The private road we were on meandered uphill, through acres of vineyards that were dormant in winter. “It’s pretty here,” he murmured.
“It is. I really love it here, no matter the time of year. Now, in winter, I think there’s a stark beauty to the vines in their tidy rows. Then, in the springtime, it all turns into a sea of green. The blooms don’t look like much, but for a week or two, there’s this subtle, sweet smell in the air. Then all summer, you can watch the grapes changing from tiny green pearls to these big clusters of deep purple. Harvest season in the early fall has its own unique scent.”
“Does your great uncle actually make wine?”
“He produces a small quantity of a nice Pinot Noir, just enough for himself and to give to family and friends. He doesn’t sell it.”
With that, we pulled into the circular drive. I hopped out of the car and unloaded our luggage at the front entrance, and then I drove to a gravel area to the left of the driveway and parked. Six cars were lined up beside mine, which told me it was going to be a pretty full house this year.
Embry climbed out of the car and took the dog to a grassy area while I stretched my stiff back. Suddenly, my brother burst out the front door and made a beeline for me. He was in a foul mood. I could spot it even at a distance.
Fallon and I looked a lot alike. Or we would have, if I worked out, wore contacts, spent hundreds of dollars on my haircuts, and had any interest in expensive clothes. He was wearing a bespoke three-piece suit, which was overkill for a family get-together, and his scowl carved a deep line between his brows. He came to a stop five feet away and growled, “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Nice to see you too, Fallon.”
“Cut the crap. I heard you got married two weeks ago—to a man! First of all, you’re not gay. Everyone knows that. But also, do you expect me to believe you just happened to meet someone and get married, right before your deadline? I call bullshit!”
He was right to be suspicious, obviously, but I left it at, “It’s funny how life works out sometimes.”
“You’re so full of shit! I’m going to make sure our grandfather sees this for the sham that it is.”
“What do you care? You got your inheritance five years ago.”
He snapped, “Yeah, and most of it’ll be going to my soon-to-be ex-wife, by the time her lawyers finish with me.”
“You and Julia split up?”
“She left me and took the kids. They’re staying with her parents in Southern California.”
“I’m sorry, Fallon.”
His scowl deepened. “Yeah, I’m sure you’re really torn up about it.”
“I am. I always liked Julia. Can I ask what happened?”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “It doesn’t matter.”
She’d suspected he was cheating on her in the past, and I wondered if she’d finally found proof. Asking about that would just make him angrier though, so instead I said, “So, if you convince Granddad my marriage isn’t real, do you think he’ll give my inheritance to you instead?”
“That’s exactly what should happen. I’m going to need it after Julia bleeds me dry, and you don’t deserve it, since you failed to meet the terms of your agreement.”
Embry appeared at my side and took my hand, looking angrier than I’d ever seen him. Even his good-natured dog seemed mildly pissed off. “No, he didn’t,” Embry snapped, “and just FYI, greed isn’t a good look on anyone, especially you.”