Page 25 of Kisses Sweeter than Wine

“After the fire, your father made a big stink that he didn’t believe it was you and your mother who died. I had to pay off a few people at the morgue to ensure the autopsy proved it was. But even then, he cried conspiracy. If your mom hadn’t had me change her will to have your bodies cremated, he would have tried to exhume your bodies. I haven’t heard him rumble about it for a few years now, but he knew your mom was up to something that last month while I put all that together. He threatened me a few times and came at Merlot as well. If he took one look at you, it would start all over again and all it would take is a DNA sample to prove he was right.”

“We have to make sure that never happens.”

“Where’s your son now?”

“I’m not exactly sure. He’s in the Army and currently deployed. Last I heard from him, he’s not landing Stateside until next month,” she said.

“Does he know where you are?”

“Not yet and I wasn’t planning on telling him. We text through an app when he can.”

“Keep it that way.” Carter squeezed her forearm. “If you need anything or are concerned, call me. Or Weezer.”

“I will.”

Carter made his way to the front of the house. While he felt better about the situation, he knew his son, and he wasn’t going to take a brush-off from Talbot easily.

Talbot

Another tap at the door rattled Talbot’s nerves. She’d forgotten about how people in a small town dropped by unannounced. It drove her father nuts when she’d been a kid. He’d been a firm believer that people should call first.

But that had only been because he didn’t want anyone catching him beating the crap out of his wife.

Or daughter.

She scurried from the kitchen to the front of the house and pulled open the door.

Merlot.

He stood there with a big smile and her hat.

Well, she was happy about the latter because she wouldn’t have to go into town tomorrow for Claudia. While Talbot couldn’t help with the renovations, she could do all of Claudia’s errands. Usually, she’d be happy to do them, but the idea of running into anyone else who might recognize her made her skin crawl after she met with Carter.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“You left this at the winery yesterday.”

“It wasn’t necessary for you to drive out here and return it. I could have picked it up.” Like that was ever going to happen. She would have bought a new one.

“I wanted to talk to you,” he said. “May I come in?”

No time like the present to set the proper boundaries. She squared her shoulders. “Sure.”

He followed her back to the kitchen, where she offered him some lemonade. He made himself comfortable at the island.

She opted to keep her distance, leaning against the counter. “What’s on your mind?”

“You raced out so fast yesterday after my father barged in on us.”

“Yeah. That was a little embarrassing.” Her cheeks heated.

“But it was no reason for you to leave. I had been looking forward to spending the evening with you. And why haven’t you returned my call or responded to my texts?” He tapped her cell, which she’d left on the counter. “I feel like you’re avoiding me.”

“I’m sorry. I’m not. I’m just super busy. Claudia is tied up with the renovation, leaving me tasked with finding us employment for when that’s done.”

“I can’t help but wonder if my kissing you has offended you.”

It was time to learn how to lie like she never had before. But it wasn’t like she didn’t know how to blow off a man. She’d gotten good at it over the years. Coming up with excuses for why she couldn’t date had become second nature.

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