Page 3 of Love, Lies, and Celtic Knots

He raises an eyebrow. “Both? That’s ambitious.”

“I know,” I admit. “But with the winery in Pelican Point and your company in Houston, it makes sense to do them simultaneously. I want to be able to work seamlessly between both companies.”

He nods thoughtfully. “Makes sense. You’ve always been one to cover all your bases.”

“Plus, I love a good challenge,” I add with a grin.

He chuckles. “That you do, but I want to talk to you about working for me. Don’t say anything to Dad or Brennen about it. They don’t need to know, and it will help you keep the peace at home. Okay?”

I watch the emotions quickly dance across Ryan’s face. Ever since he left the winery after our mother died, Dad and my other brother Brennen have not spoken to him, and I’ve been stuck in the middle. I refuse to take sides, but I also refuse to cause any more heartache.

I nod. “That’s probably best considering the circumstances. Your secret is safe with me.”

The rest of the flight passes comfortably, filled with laughter and reminiscence. Before long, we begin our descent into Pelican Point. The sight of the blue ocean meeting the sandy beaches fills me with a sense of peace I didn’t realize I’d missed while studying in New Jersey the last few years.

As we disembark, the warm and humid Florida air wraps around us like a familiar embrace. Even in the beginning of autumn, it’s still warm here. Parked near the hangar is a sleek red sports car with a big silver bow on the hood.

I stop in my tracks. “What’s that?”

Ryan slips an arm around my shoulders. “Consider it a graduation gift.”

“Ryan, you can’t be serious.”

“Dead serious,” he says, handing me a set of keys. “You can’t drive around town in that old clunker you had in college. Besides, a successful attorney needs a car that matches her ambition."

I stare at the key fob he’s holding in front of me, then at the car. It's a thing of beauty—sleek lines, pristine paint, the kind of car that turns heads.

“I don’t know what to say,” I whisper.

“Say you love it,” he suggests. “And that you’ll visit me in Houston once in a while.”

I throw my arms around him. “Thank you. This is… incredible.”

He hugs me back tightly, his voice choking ever so slightly when he speaks. “You deserve it, Emma. I’m proud of you.”

We pull apart, and he checks his watch, clearing his throat. “I have to get back to Houston. I’ve got meetings in the morning.”

“Of course,” I say, trying to hide my disappointment. We don’t see a lot of each other, and I miss my oldest brother. “Have a safe flight.”

He squeezes my hand. “Call me if you need anything. And good luck with studying. Not that you need it.”

“I might take you up on that offer to go to Houston,” I reply with a smile.

I watch as he boards the jet, waving one last time before the door closes. As the plane taxis away, I turn back to the car. My car.

Running my fingers over the glossy surface, I can’t help but grin. This is a fresh start—a new chapter. The beginning of the rest of my life.

After pulling the giant bow off the car and stuffing it into the trunk, I slide into the driver’s seat and push the start button and the engine purrs to life. The interior smells of new leather and possibilities. I adjust the mirrors and take a deep breath.

“All right, Emma,” I say to myself. “Time to get to work.”

Chapter 2

Emma Present Day

Present Day

Thursdays are supposed to be a smooth glide toward the weekend but today has been anything but easy. My office phone has rung off the hook all day, emails have piled up faster than I can read them, and I’ve had to put out more fires than a rookie firefighter. By the time five o’clock rolls around, my head is throbbing, and I’m more than ready to call it a day.

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