Page 49 of Kisses Sweeter than Wine

“But it is,” she said. “And in all honesty, we can’t be together unless my father is put away. It wouldn’t be safe for any of us.”

“I hear you, and I get what he did was horrible, but you’re not a kid anymore. Neither is Merlot.”

“I don’t want to keep having this argument with you.”

“I went to sniper school. And it’s not like Merlot isn’t good with a weapon.”

“Oh my God. Stop. I’ve told you before, he won’t come at us like that. I saw the way he destroyed people. We won’t know what hit us. Let Carter work his magic.”

“Mom, I only want to see you happy.” Corbin smiled. “And Merlot is growing on me.”

“Enough to call him Dad?”

“Not there, yet.” Corbin laughed. “But at least I know I will be good-looking when I get old.”

“Wait until you see his father.”

“Ew, Mom. Why do you always have to make things weird?”

She gave her son a nudge toward the steps. “Let’s go meet your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.”

“Now I have heartburn.”

Weezer opened the door. She clasped her hands together and rubbed them. “Oh my goodness,” she exclaimed. “You must be Corbin. Come here and let me get a good look at you.”

He leaned closer to Talbot. “Is she going to squeeze my cheeks?”

“She might, but get her talking and you’ll hear all sorts of good stories about your dad.”

“That could be fun,” Corbin said. “Hi. I take it you’re my grandma.”

“You can call me that here, but I'm Weezer when we do the three-legged race. That’s what everyone in town calls me.” Weezer took the salad bowl from his hands and shoved it right back into Talbot’s. “My Lord, you look exactly like Merlot.” She grabbed his cheeks and tugged.

“Um, Weezer. He’s not going to the picnic.”

“Oh, yes, he is.” Weezer looped her hand around Corbin’s waist and pushed him right through the door. “We’ll put a baseball cap on his head and keep him in sunglasses. No one will be the wiser.”

“Just keep him from always saying Jesus,” Talbot mumbled. “And don’t let him stand anywhere near Merlot. They have the same swagger.”

“Richard is long gone. No one else in this town will balk at the fact you have a son. They won’t make the connection.” Weezer kept her gaze on Corbin.

“They will make a big deal about you doing the race with him.” Carter appeared in the foyer and took the salad bowl. “We’ve been trying to talk her out of this idea all day. But she believes it’s the best way to win.” Carter leaned closer. “She’s heard Silas is going to cheat and she figures this is the best way to beat him at his own game.”

“Claudia is entered with Silas.” Talbot swallowed. “This isn’t a good idea.”

“Richard is bogged down with so much bullshit right now, he might not even make a bid for the governor. We have him by the balls.” Merlot strolled across the room. He gave Corbin a manly slap on the back before leaning in and gently kissing Talbot.

It was short and sweet, but it did the trick.

“Are you on board with this dumb idea?” she whispered.

“Absolutely not,” Merlot said. “I’m just trying to look on the bright side. But you know my mom. Sometimes there’s no reasoning with her and she’s petrified she will lose to Mrs. Cummings.”

“Who’s that?” Corbin asked.

“A crazy woman,” Weezer said. “Come on. Everyone is outside. Let’s go introduce you to the family.”

Corbin glanced over his shoulder. “Mom, help.”

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