Page 17 of Kisses Sweeter than Wine

Best of all, his dad was back living in the family home and talking about remarrying his mom.

Life was good.

However, Merlot still felt unsettled. It wasn’t because he hadn’t mastered winemaking and his skill set was still lacking. He’d get there and he was fine to take things slowly. Understanding the process from grape growing, to putting a bottle of wine into a customer’s hand was important. However, it wasn’t going to be his purpose in the family business. He needed to know it because he’d be the man overseeing everything. But Merlot wanted more than a career.

He wanted a family to share it with, and meeting Talbot had reminded him how much his heart ached for a partner.

Leaning against the doorjamb, he tapped his knuckles against the wood. “Hey, Zinny.”

She glanced over her shoulder. “What’s going on?” She lifted her ginger ale and sipped from the straw.

He handed Zinny a stack of papers he’d tucked under his arm. “I finished the inventory of the gift shop. I thought you’d like it before the end of the day.”

“Thanks.” She placed it on the desk before taking a cracker and plopping it into her mouth. “My sisters and Eliza Jane warned me morning sickness could be a bitch, but I didn’t expect it to be all damn day.”

“I thought that was only supposed to last the first three months. Aren’t you like five months now?”

“Closer to six. But the doctor said it could last the entire pregnancy with some women, and Mom told me she was always sick with the twins.”

“I remember that.” Merlot nodded. “She was an absolute bear, but she wasn’t any better with you.”

“That doesn’t make me feel better.”

“Just don’t lose sight of the fact that you and Toby will have a beautiful little baby in a few months. It’s all going to be worth it.”

Zinny waggled her finger. “No uterus. No opinion.”

Merlot laughed. “Toby mentioned this morning you’ve been more ornery than usual.”

“I forgot you had breakfast with my husband.”

“Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo joined us.”

“Those two are making me crazy,” Zinny said. “They don’t get that we do things differently from the way the company we used to work for did. I’ve tried explaining it to them, but they constantly give me attitude.”

“It’s been adjustment for them. We’re a small winery and they’re used to a large distributor.”

Zinny rested her hand on her baby bump. “They’re making my job incredibly difficult.”

“I’ll speak to them before I head home this afternoon.”

“I’d really appreciate that because Mom won’t do it and they won’t listen to me.” Zinny rubbed her stomach.

“Maybe we should both do it since Mom has it in her head that you and I are going to manage this winery when she retires.”

“Doesn’t it bother you that you’re bouncing around with no real job title and you were always groomed to make wine with Malbec and Chablis?”

Merlot closed the gap and leaned against the desk. “Not at all. First, my degree is in criminal justice. I lost touch with winemaking a long time ago. Besides, I think you and I work well together and the more we expand, the more we will need to rely on each other. The twins will always be salesmen and they’re good at it. I have no desire to do that job and I don’t think you want it anymore.”

“God, no.”

“But you did it for a couple of years and understand it where I have more than a working knowledge of growing grapes and what goes into making blends. This way, we can manage all aspects and leave a legacy for the next generation.”

“Would you like to feel your little niece or nephew kicking?” She reached for his hand and placed it over her stomach.

“Holy crap. That’s one healthy little kid.” Merlot had felt a baby kick before and it had always amazed him. But he couldn’t believe his baby sister, who was all of twenty-six, was having a kid. He knew without any doubt she’d make for a great mom. She’d already proven that when she’d taken on her husband’s teenaged son and adopted TJ.

Zinny had their mother’s personality, both good and bad, but mostly all the great parts.

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