Page 29 of Kisses Sweeter than Wine

“You know, the twins say the same thing about you. They didn’t appreciate you telling them how to do their job. Although, I will admit, that girl who has you all hot and bothered has some interesting ideas.”

Merlot burst out laughing. “Maybe if Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo got their collective heads out of their ass and realized that we’re a small family winery and not a big distributor, they could see that they needed a new approach.” He raised his finger. “And I never told them how to do their job. I merely made a suggestion. It’s mine and Zinny’s job to make sure this place runs smoothly. Yours, Malbec’s, and Eliza Jane’s is to make the wine and curate the grapes. The twins’ job is to sell it. Things are that simple.”

“Why are we biting each other’s heads off?” Chablis shook her head. “And why the hell did Mom do this? Because I know she did. I saw her scurry her funny little ass out of here with a guilty expression.”

“I can’t answer the latter, but I can take a stab at the former.”

“I’m all ears, little brother.”

“You’re annoyed with me because I’m enamored with Talbot, who reminds all of us of Daisy, which is unnerving to say the least. You’re making me crazy because you’re pregnant again and don’t want to share the news yet.” He arched a brow. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

She sighed. “I wasn’t trying to get pregnant. It’s too soon. I just had River. What am I? Fertile Myrtle? It’s like Dax looks at me and he knocks me up. He’s got some serious super sperm.”

“That’s a little too much information, even for me,” Merlot said. “How does Dax feel about this?”

“He’s freaked out a little too. We were happy with having one child. I’m freaking forty.”

“That’s not too old to have a baby.”

“It feels like it is and I had so many complications with my delivery of River. And now Zinny could go into early labor. It’s just a lot to take in.”

“Breathe, big sister. Just breathe,” Merlot said.

“Easy for you to say. You don’t have a uterus.”

“That’s what Zinny told me.” Merlot shoved another basket aside. They only had a handful left to do, and then he could go find Talbot and enjoy the rest of the evening.

“Did Talbot arrive yet?” Chablis asked.

“She’s hanging out with Dad. I don’t know if that’s good or bad.”

“It’s better than if she were with Mom.”

“That is true.”

“And for the record, I’m not angry with you about Talbot. I want to see you find the right girl. If you believe she’s it, I’m all for it.”

“I don’t know.” Merlot pushed the last basket aside. “There’s something mesmerizing about her and I can’t stop thinking about her, but there’s a fundamental problem with that.”

“Okay. I’m listening.”

“You have to promise not to tell anyone and you can’t make any judgments. I don’t want lectures. I just want my big sister.”

“I can do that.” She waved her hands. “Promise.”

“I got past the fact she looked like Daisy. But when I kissed her, it was like I was kissing my past. It was the weirdest sensation ever. Talk about a freak-out.”

“Maybe it’s because you put that thought in your head.”

“It could be,” he admitted. “It’s just that she kissed just like Daisy. I know that’s strange to say. I was only seventeen and—”

“Stop with the only seventeen part. I fell in love with Dax when I was sixteen. I’ve loved that man my entire life. It doesn’t matter that we spent many years apart. It doesn’t change the facts.”

“But Talbot isn’t Daisy. It’s unfair of me to compare Talbot to a dead girl.”

“You’re right. It is.” Chablis reached across the table. “Your brain and your heart are confusing the past and the present. You and I have always been our own worst enemies. We analyze everything and that gets us in trouble. We sometimes react to things when we should let things happen. Why don’t you do your best to enjoy Talbot for the woman she is instead of worrying about why she reminds you of things from the past.”

“I feel like I’m being cruel.”

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