Page 56 of Love, Lies, and Celtic Knots

This garden is my sanctuary. As I sift my fingers through the soil and tend to the flowers, I feel closer to my mother. She left me a special gift right here. The mostly sandy soil in Florida is difficult for growing plants and flowers. She perfected a blend over the years that allowed her precious sunflowers to thrive. Like their name suggests, they flourish in direct sunlight. The flowers she cultivated so long ago surround me now, standing tall and keeping watch—the happy daisy-like yellow swamp sunflower, the red Moulin Rouge, and my personal favorite, the Chianti, a vivid wine color.

It’s my mission to make sure the sunflowers never die. And that rich soil blend is the key to securing our future. For the past few years, I’ve been experimenting, growing a disease-resistant grape. I imported vines from some of the best vineyards in Tuscany and California and worked with the local university to create a hybrid crop that would thrive here, and I’ve beenslowly integrating it with the vines that have graced this land for generations. Six months ago, I hired Sophia Garrett, who comes from a long line of prestigious California winemakers. With her knowledge, and a drive to create special blends on her own out from under the shadow of her family, I believe we’re on our way to putting the Celtic Knot back on the map. Perhaps the best thing about these new wines is that I feel like my mother’s spirit is captured in every bottle.

According to Sophia, her latest creation is coming to fruition and should be ready for preview shortly. Soon, I should know if the first new blend is all I want it to be—correction—all I need it to be. If we can pull this off, it will confirm I’m on the right track. If not… Actually, there is no ‘if not.’ Failure is not an option.

A buzz emanating from my pocket alerts me to a call.

“Hey, Sis, what’s up?”

“Can you come by my office? I need to talk to you.”

What now?As if I don’t have enough to worry about. I sure as hell hope she’s not planning on nagging me again about finances. I’m painfully aware that things aren’t good, but I’ve poured my very soul into turning things around, repairing the damage done by my father. If everyone would just leave me alone, I’ll get there. “What’s wrong?”

“Just get here as soon as you can, okay?”

She hangs up, and I stare at my phone briefly as if it will give me answers.

For the longest time, my sister has been my sole source of support, both personally and as legal counsel for the winery. Even though she’s a pain in my ass sometimes, I’m so damn proud of her and all she’s accomplished. I wanted nothing more than to see her cross the stage to receive her law degree in New Jersey seven years ago, but that would have entailed leaving the winery in the hands of my crooked father for a few days, which wasn’t possible.

I used to think she was the only person in my life who had never lied to me. Based on some caginess on her part lately, though, I have a feeling that even my little sister is keeping some secrets from me.

Fifteen minutes later, I tap on Emma’s open office door. She looks up from her computer, stretching her head back and rubbing the back of her neck. She typically greets me with a smile and a hug, but today, she’s looking like the fierce attorney she is. She cuts straight to the chase, not mincing words.

“Tell me again why you fired Andre Pierson.”

“First, I want to know how you’re doing; then we can talk about Andre.”

As is typical of my sister, she tries to minimize anything she might be going through personally. “What are you talking about? I’m fine. Just fine.”

“I’m not buying that. It’s me, Em, not some random client. I need to know you’re okay.”

She takes a sip from the coffee cup on her desk before answering. “It’s only been a few days. Miles is helping me through it. Thank God he was there.”

“I’m damn glad he was there, too. I owe him a beer.”

“Okay, now that you’ve done your brotherly duty, back to Andre.” Like the great attorney she is, she has no trouble switching topics.

“I fired him because he’s a crook, lazy, and a liar.”

“Can you be more specific about Andre’s shortcomings? Give me details, examples.”

“According to Sophia, our equipment hasn’t been maintained properly for months. I caught her trying to fix the filtration system herself, which is obviously not her job. Not only that, Isabella figured out that he was falsifying maintenance reports and invoices, and Tony is complaining about missing equipmentand supplies. Money is tight, as you well know, and I can’t afford to write off employee theft.”

“You’ve got a solid paper trail?” She’s questioning me as if I’m on the witness stand for opposing counsel.

“Absolutely. Why?” My nerves are on high alert.

“The Celtic Knot has been hit with a wrongful termination lawsuit.”

As soon as I think I’ve put out one fire, up pops another one. “That slimy piece of shit! He should be counting his blessings I didn’t march him off the premises publicly and have him locked up for theft. Is it too late to do that?”

I plop down in the chair in front of her desk, stretching my long legs out in front of me. I close my eyes as if it will make this latest problem disappear.

“Maybe, maybe not. It can’t look like retaliation. Speaking of slimy, the attorney representing him is the dirtiest ambulance chaser I know. Plus, he recently lost his law license, so don’t worry. I’ll take care of this, now that I know it’s crap.”

I let out a long breath, relief coursing through me. “One less thing to worry about. Thanks, sis.”

“You’re welcome.”

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