Page 51 of Love, Lies, and Celtic Knots

Alex has been gone for several minutes now, and I scan the crowd for him, wondering where he’s run off to. Several people in the tasting group buy some bottles, and I check them out, giving them our standard marketing pitch on how to rate us on the internet and tag the winery on their social media posts.

When I glance back over, the judges are nowhere in sight. Luckily, though, we were the last winery to be judged so their decision should be posted any time now.

Thank god, because I don’t think my nerves can take this any longer.

Where the hell is Alex? I keep looking around for his dark hair.

“Hey, baby!” His shout behind me makes me jump and I throw him a glare. The man moves like a ghost sometimes and he takes a perverse pleasure in startling me. He’s waving a magazine in his hand, a huge smile on his gorgeous face.

“I have something here that you need to see.” He opens it to the middle and thrusts it at me. “Read this.”

I blink at the big centerfold picture of my father in his cellar. He’s leaning back in his favorite brown leather tasting chair, holding a glass of red wine to the light. The sight is so familiar to me I can practically smell the dank walls and aging wine.

But it’s the title that grabs me:The Garrett Family Legacy Continues.

What does that mean?

“Read it,” Alex urges, his face beaming. Even though he snuck up on me… again… it’s tough staying irritated at this man.

“Fine,” I answer with a sigh as I grab the magazine. “You take care of the booth.” I walk several paces away, trying to muster the courage to read what my father has said. His bitter criticism is the last thing I need to see today.

“All three of your children are skilled winemakers in their own right, but I’d like to talk about your youngest, Sophia…” the interviewer starts.

“This won’t go over well with my two boys, but Sophia has always had the natural Garrett family instincts when it comes to making wine. She reminds me a lot of my father, who founded this legacy, and I know she’ll be an amazing trendsetter in this industry for decades.”

My throat closes up, and my eyes begin to flood with unshed tears as I continue.

“Her latest releases are making waves. What do you think of them?” The interviewer asks.

“Innovative. Outstanding. Perfect balance. Excellent wines that will appeal to people across the wine spectrum. I’m very proud of her.”

The dam around my heart shatters, and tears stream down my cheeks. I’ve never heard my stoic father speak so highly of me. He’s never said those last five words to me in person and his words of praise are shocking.

And he’s right, I think with a giggle: my brothers are going to hate this article.

“It’s great, right?” Alex murmurs in my ear as his arms wrap around my waist.

I look up at him, at his happy and hopeful expression. I love this guy so much; I sometimes feel like my heart will burst.

“It’s incredible. He’s never said anything like this to me. It means the world that he’s even tasted our wines, not to mention that he is willing to put this in print.” I hold up the magazine to Alex.

Alex shrugs. “Sometimes it’s tough to be so candid when you’re face to face.”

He’s so positive and forgiving, and I love that the most about Alex.

“Attention! Attention, please! We’re ready to announce the winners for The Barrels & Bottles Wine Competition,” the emcee of the competition announces over the microphone.

The entire room, full of a few thousand people, goes silent, and all eyes swivel to the stage in the front. The emcee begins rattling off the bronze and silver medals in each category.

Strangely, my nerves are gone after reading that article, and I only nod as each winner is revealed, clapping in appreciation. They are all well deserved.

“And now for the gold medal in each category…”

I meet Alex’s eyes and smile as they begin revealing the victors, absently hearing the squeals from the winning wineries. At this point, I don’t care how we do anymore. I know our wines are the best here, and I don’t need more gold medals to prove it.

“The gold medal for the best rose´ blend goes to the Celtic Knot Winery.”

My eyes widen, heart thumping in my chest.

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