Page 46 of Married to the Frenemy

“I like being around them.”

“I have to admit,” Grady continues, making his way back to his chair. “I was doubtful at first.”

“You were?” I sit opposite him, attempting to remain cool and genuinely curious.

“I thought maybe you only married her because of what I said.”

I feign surprise, despite my pulse steadily increasing over the prospect that he saw through our ruse, regardless of our best efforts.

Does this mean it’s all been for nothing? Is he about to tell me he has no plans to sell to me, like he did the man who just left?

“But I’ve been watching you these past several weeks.” A gentle smile tugs on his mouth, crinkling the lines around his eyes. “There’s been a change in you, Beckham. It’s obvious you love her and that little girl. Which is why I’m happy to tell you that I’ve decided to accept your offer.”

My eyes widen, his statement nearly stealing my breath. “You… You have?”

“Yes. As long as it’s still on the table.”

“It is. Definitely. You know how much I love this place.”

“I certainly do.”

“But are you sure, Grady? I overheard your conversation with that stiff suit.” I drop my voice. “I heard what he was offering. I can’t come remotely close to that.”

He waves me off. “I’m seventy-six years old. What would I possibly do with all that money this late in the game? I’d much rather know this land is taken care of.”

“You know it will be,” I assure him.

“Then as long as everything checks out, the vineyard will be yours at the end of the harvest.”

I blink repeatedly, his statement catching me off guard. “The harvest?”

“Call me a sentimental fool. This upcoming harvest will be my thirtieth on this land. I’d like to go out on an even number.”

“Of course. Sorry. I guess I’m just excited.”

“That’s understandable.” Grady pulls himself up to stand and I do the same, moving toward him as he wraps me in a hug. “I’m proud of you, son.” He gives my back a pat before pulling away and meeting my eyes. “Your dad would be proud of the man — the husband — you’ve become. You didn’t let your past mistakes dictate the rest of your life. Instead, you made something of yourself.”

“All thanks to you.” I swallow the ball of guilt building in my stomach.

This is what I wanted, why I married Haley. But now that the wheels are in motion, I can’t help but feel like shit for deceiving the man who’s been like a second father to me.

The man who took me under his wing and taught me all his winemaking secrets when no one else would hire me.

Worse, I’m not sure how Haley’s going to respond to the changed timeline. I told her we’d probably only need to stay married for nine months. Three months to give me enough time to convince Grady to sell and get all the paperwork in order, then six months after the sale goes through so he won’t become suspicious.

Harvest goes from late August through October. I’ll be asking her to stay married until next April.

While I can’t ignore the relief that fills me at the prospect of being able to come home to them every day through April, I worry how Haley will react.

Will she want to stay married that long?

Or will she want to cut bait now?

CHAPTER NINETEEN

HALEY

Maggie’s excited squeals echo as she swings back and forth on the playscape Beckham put in for her a few weeks ago. The sight of her auburn curls flying through the air and her chubby cheeks warms my heart. The happiness she exudes is everything I imagined for us that night I sat with my notepad, worried if I was going to find a place to live.

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