Page 16 of Kisses Sweeter than Wine

“Enjoy a vacation,” Claudia said. “Relax a little. Read a book. Check out the town. Once I list this house, our money problems will all be over.”

“You know I hate sitting idle, especially since Corbin joined the Army and is now deployed more than he is Stateside. Besides, we need to figure out what’s next. I need employment. I don’t have a ton of money saved.”

“I’m going do everything my aunt put in that damn will and ensure we come out on top. I’ll sell this place and we’ll move on to the next job. We can start looking. If you find something, I won’t be insulted.”

The last thing Talbot wanted to do was hang around this town and do nothing. Merlot had texted her twice since he’d been at her house two days ago, asking if she was free for dinner or drinks. He wanted to be neighborly, but she’d told him she would be too busy to do anything but help Claudia with the remodel.

“Trust me, I’m just as frustrated about this as you are,” Claudia said. “But if I want to sell this place, I have to play by the rules Aunt Georgette laid out in her will.”

“I wouldn’t want you to jeopardize that.” Talbot lowered her glasses. Silas had aged over the years but was still as handsome as ever. He’d always been kind to her and her mother. However, he had a reputation for being an odd duck. That had been given to him by people who didn’t know him well. He was similar to Weezer in that sense. “I’m here to support you in any way I can, even if that means sitting on the sidelines.”

“Carter River invited me to some private event at the winery. He mentioned that his son had invited you. I won’t be able to go, but you should. I think it would be good for you to do some socializing. You’ve always been so dedicated to me and to work. Take this time to enjoy yourself.”

Shit. If only Claudia knew the truth, she wouldn’t be saying that.

“It sounded like a family thing. I’d feel weird going.”

“Nonsense.” Claudia lifted her cell. “If you don’t accept the invite, I’ll text Carter for you.”

“Don’t you dare.”

Claudia tilted her head. “Come on. When did you last go to a party or go out on a date?”

Talbot let out a dry laugh. “Seriously. The last man I was involved with turned out to be an asshole.”

Claudia cringed. “Okay. You have me there. But I want you to go. Maybe you can gain some insight into Silas and what I need to do to ensure I finish in three weeks.”

If Talbot said no, she’d have to give a valid reason and she couldn’t come up with one. “Fine. I’ll go.”

“Good.” Claudia smiled. “Promise me you’ll try to enjoy yourself.”

“I’m not going to approach this as a party, but as a business meeting.”

“Nope,” Claudia said. “Your job is to drape your arm on Carter’s son, smile, and listen. Learn what you can about the people of this town and how I can use it to get a leg up over that man over there.”

The one thing Talbot had learned in the last few days had been that not much had changed in Candlewood Falls. Not the vibe of the town and not the people. She didn’t have to attend Merlot’s wine tasting to give Claudia inside information. But she did have to play along and that’s exactly what she’d do.

At least she knew that no one knew who she was, including Carter and Weezer, and they were the only ones who knew that Daisy didn’t perish in that house fire.

“I’ll do what I can.” Talbot owed so much to Claudia and she wouldn’t let her down.

Claudia glanced at her watch. “I hate to do this to you, but I’ve got a million and one things to do.”

Talbot rose and gave Claudia a big hug. “Call me if you need anything at all.”

“You do the same.”

Talbot strolled around the side of the mansion, taking in the property. She’d seen the inside and had no idea how Claudia would pull off the renovation by herself. It felt like a lose-lose situation. Talbot needed to do whatever she could to help her friend. Both Claudia and Talbot needed to beat Silas. They needed to win the mansion, sell it, get the money, and move on. Without it, they would both be in financial trouble.

She climbed into her vehicle, tossing her purse to the passenger seat. She dug into it and pulled out her cell, staring at the last message from Merlot asking her if she’d changed her mind. She hadn’t responded to it and contemplated whether it would be wise to stop by the winery.

So far, she’d only had a close run-in with Merlot’s parents and the twins. She’d seen Chablis and Dax on her first day, but luckily, she’d been able to keep a low profile. However, the pull to see the rest of his family had been strong. “I’m going because I want a bottle of wine.” She pressed the start button and backed out of the long driveway. Her heart beat so fast she almost turned around and headed back to her rental, but the pull to see Merlot again was stronger than all her fears.

Merlot

Merlot climbed the staircase from the gift shop up toward his mother’s office, which his little sister, Zinny, currently occupied.

He loved almost every aspect of being back at the winery working side by side with all of his siblings, except Riesling. She’d was the only one who had never had a desire to work at the winery. She’d always wanted to be in the medical field, where she’d stay. The twins had recently quit their jobs with the liquor company to manage the distribution of wines for the family. Things were precisely where his mother had wanted them all along. She had all her kids back living in Candlewood Falls. She had grandchildren.

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