Page 99 of Love, Lies, and Celtic Knots

He raises an eyebrow but says nothing, waiting for me to continue.

“There was a baby. She lost it,” I say, the words heavier than I expected. “And there was a crash—she can’t have kids. She blames me. My father. All of us.”

Dawson exhales slowly as I extend my hand and pull him to his feet. He watches me with a steady gaze. “That explains a lot.”

“Like what?”

“Like why she’s been so relentless about taking this place. She’s not just angry, Ryan. She’s hurt. And if you don’t figure out how to deal with that, she’s going to burn this place to the ground—figuratively or literally.”

I nod, my jaw tightening. “I know. But I don’t even know where to start.”

“You start by being honest,” he says simply. “With her. With yourself. Stop playing the superhero and start being human… and not just with Candace but with Brennen and Emma as well.”

His words sting because they’re true, and I hate him a little for it. But I also know he’s right. Candace deserves more than half-measures, more than the controlled, calculated moves I’ve been making.

“I’ll figure something out,” I say, my voice firm.

“You’d better,” Dawson replies, his tone serious. “Because you’re not the only one with something to lose.”

I glance back toward the house, the lights glowing softly in the distance, and feel the weight of everything pressing down on me.

I will figure it out. I have to. Candace might be willing to burn this place to the ground, but I’m not letting her do it.

The entire revelation settles heavily on my shoulders as Dawson and I walk back toward the house. The vineyard is quiet now, the rain reduced to a mist that clings to everything. The air feels charged, like the storm outside is still echoing in my veins. I’m about to head inside when the door swings open, and Brennen steps out onto the porch. His face is shadowed, but I can see the tension in his posture.

“You’re still out here?” he asks, his voice low. He glances at Dawson, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Something going on I should know about?”

Dawson raises his hands. “That’s my cue. I’ll leave you two to it.” He turns to me, giving a small nod. “I’ll be with your sister.”

He laughs at the evil eye I shoot his way.

I watch him walk away, then turn back to Brennen. “Did you know about this? About them?”

Brennen nods. “He’s good for her.” He crosses his arms, leaning against the porch railing. “You look like hell, Ryan.”

I let out a dry laugh. “Yeah, well, it’s been that kind of day.”

Brennen studies me for a moment, then gestures toward the steps. “Sit. Talk to me.”

For a second, I consider brushing him off, but something in his tone gives me pause. I sit heavily on the porch step, running a hand through my damp hair. He joins me, sitting just far enough away to give me space but close enough that I can feel the unspoken concern between us.

“I figured out why Candace is so angry,” I say finally, my voice rough. “Why she wants to take the vineyard, why she wants to destroy everything tied to us.”

Brennen’s brow furrows, but he stays silent, waiting.

“Apparently, she was pregnant when I left. That bastard who sired us did something. I’m not sure what yet—but something—and she lost the baby,” I continue, each word like a stone in my chest. “There was a crash. And the injuries… she can’t have kids. Ever.”

A soundless whistle escapes Brennen’s lips, and he shakes his head slowly. “Jesus, Ryan. That explains… a lot.”

“Yeah,” I say bitterly. “Everything. She blames me. Blames Dad. And she’s not wrong. I left her. I didn’t know she was pregnant, but it doesn’t change the fact that I wasn’t there when she needed me.”

Brennen leans back, his hands gripping the edge of the step. “Our father had a way of ruining everything he touched, didn’t he?”

The words hang between us, heavy with truth. I glance over at him, surprised by the quiet venom in his tone.

“I’m sorry,” Brennen says suddenly, his voice breaking the silence. “For the way I acted. For pushing you away when you first came back. I was… I don’t know. Angry, I guess. Jealous, maybe.”

I shake my head, the tightness in my chest easing just slightly. “You don’t need to apologize. I get it. I wasn’t exactly a model brother, leaving you to deal with everything while I ran off to… I don’t even know what. Fix myself? Escape?”

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