Page 1 of Kisses Sweeter than Wine

PROLOGUE

CARTER

Twenty-One Years Ago…

Carter River glanced around the bus terminal three towns west of Candlewood Falls, still concerned they could be recognized. He handed a thick envelope to Heather. “This should be enough to get you started.”

“I don’t know how to repay you.” Heather swiped the tears from her cheeks.

“Make a good life for you and Daisy. That’s all I could ever ask for.” Carter squeezed her biceps.

She glanced over her shoulder. “I’m scared. What if Richard finds out what we did?”

“He won’t.”

“But he’s got friends in high places,” Heather said.

“So do I and from this moment forward, you and Daisy are dead,” Carter whispered. “Follow the directions I’ve given you. Once you meet your contact, you’ll be given new identities. Everything will be okay.”

Heather blew out a puff of air and squared her shoulders.

Carter had known her most of her life. She’d been a staple in the Candlewoods Falls community. How Richard had destroyed this woman’s resolve had been more than a crime. It tortured Carter’s soul that his son’s girlfriend had experienced such horror at the hands of her father. If Carter had known sooner, maybe he could have done more.

But Heather and Daisy kept their shame hidden well.

“I wish Daisy could have said goodbye to Merlot. I know they’re just kids, but she loves him so much. It will be so hard for her to get over him.”

“He loves her too.” Carter understood young love better than most. He’d been in love with Weezer his entire life. Their relationship didn’t make sense to anyone but them and their family. He didn’t care that people whispered behind their backs or poked fun at his wife. She was the glue that held his family together and would ensure that Merlot got through this trying time. “You better get on that bus.”

“Thank you, Carter. From the bottom of my heart.” Heather kissed his cheek. She turned, grabbed her bag and her daughter, and boarded the bus.

Carter had purchased a one-way ticket to get them to Chicago, where they’d meet someone he’d been in touch with in the underground to help them build their new life.

One far away from the abuse of Richard Berkin.

“You did the only thing you could.” Weezer slipped her arm around his waist as the bus pulled out of the station. “They will be better off.”

“But will our son?”

Merlot

Merlot River waited patiently for everyone to leave the gravesite before approaching the casket. He could feel his parents’ gaze tear into his backside. They’d said all the right things. They’d been loving and kind, like parents were supposed to be. They’d always supported his relationship with Daisy. They never belittled it or told him she wasn’t good enough or the wrong girl for him.

Not like they had done with his other siblings and those they dated.

Daisy was different. Special. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that she’d beenthe one.

But that didn’t change the fact that Daisy was dead and he wouldn’t get to spend the rest of his life loving her. They wouldn’t get to go to college together or return to Candlewood Falls and build a small house on the winery. They wouldn’t work for the family business until it was time for them to have a family.

They had it all planned out and her father wouldn’t stop them.

However, a tragedy changed everything.

The fire had been ruled an accident. The investigator stated it had been started in the kitchen—something about a faulty pilot on the stove.

Merlot struggled to believe it.

He placed the single tulip on the casket. Her favorite flower. Everyone thought she liked daisies because of her name, but she didn’t. Tulips all the way. She used to joke her mom should have named her Tulip or Talulah. Staring at the casket, he conjured up their last time together. It had been the night before the fire. He’d told her he loved her and would always protect her.

---