Page 57 of Marsala and Magnolias

“Pronto.”

“Antonio! It’s good to hear your voice, son. How are you?”

“I’m doing well, Dad. Very well. I’ll tell you about it soon. How are you and Mom?”

“We’re fine.” He didn’t sound fine.

“Really? What’s going on?”

“We’re worried about your brother.”

“Yeah. I am, too. What’s happening with him?”

“Caterina is giving him a hard time. I’m so glad they never had children. I can’t imagine …”

“No.” Antonio didn’t like Caterina. She was beautiful, but there was nothing soft about her. She was all hard edges and hard-nosed.

“Is she taking him to the cleaners?”

“No. You know how shrewd your brother is? Well, it turns out he had her sign a prenup. She’s trying everything she can to get out of it; she’s throwing all kinds of dirt at him. Part of me thinks it’d be easier for him to give her the money.”

Antonio sighed. “It might be, but I’m sure she wouldn’t be pleasant with him even then.”

“That’s true. It’s funny; we always worried about you with the ladies. We never thought it would be Marcos who’d have to go through this kind of hell.”

Antonio frowned. “What did you have to worry about with me? I didn’t get married.”

His dad chuckled. “No, but I always half expect to see kiss-and-tell pictures in the magazines, or hear about some woman who claims she’s the mother of my grandchild.”

Antonio laughed. “You should have a little more faith in me. I never got up in anything like that, and I’m not likely to now.”

“Why not?”

“I’ve met someone, Dad.”

“You have? I thought you met someone every week.”

“I used to, but not anymore. This is it. She’s the one.”

“My goodness. Who is she?”

“You’ve met her. She works with Cam; she’s his assistant. Mary Ellen.”

The line was quiet for a moment. “The blonde?”

“Yeah.”

“I see, and you think this is serious?”

“It is.”

“Well, I’m sorry, but your brother’s situation leaves me a little wary. Be careful, okay?”

“I will.” He’d hoped for a more enthusiastic reaction to his news, but the timing wasn’t great. He let it go—for now. There’d be plenty of time for him to tell them all about her, for them to get to know her. “What’s happening at the winery?”

“Chaos and mayhem, by the sounds of it. Are you going to come and help smooth things over? The business could use you here, and I think your brother might appreciate your support, too.”

Antonio frowned. “I could come.” He sighed. “Do you think he would appreciate it, or do you think it’d seem that I’m interfering?”

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