Page 35 of Kisses Sweeter than Wine

“I saw a new house there.”

Merlot nodded. “He rents it out. But he makes his presence known here in Candlewood Falls, and every once in while he shows up with his conspiracy theories. If he were to see me with a woman who resembles his daughter, he’d dig and it—”

She bolted from the bed, shoving him aside, and raced across the room. She knocked over the lamp on the end table in the process.

The door to the bathroom slammed shut.

He sighed. Thankfully, the light didn’t break. He picked it up and slowly made his way across the small cottage. He shouldn’t have been so blunt. It had physically hurt him to say the words, but it had to be done.

There was no way he could be with Talbot.

It didn’t matter that there was love in his heart. Everything he felt belonged to someone who needed to stay buried. Not just for her sake, but for his. It was a selfish move on his part, but if he didn’t do it, he’d end up even more broken.

He heard the sound of the toilet flushing and then the water running.

She stepped from the bathroom. Her face was as white as a ghost. “I used your toothbrush.”

“Good to know.” He pursed his lips.

“Don’t give me that look. We’ve been intimate. What difference does it make?”

“Come on.” He guided her to the bed. “I’ve got some clothes you can sleep in.”

“I should go home.”

“You’re not going anywhere tonight.” He helped her out of her dress and put her in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, ignoring the overwhelming pull to climb into his bed and hold her all night.

Fuck it.

She needed a little comfort in her life. It was the least he could do.

He climbed in next to her and wrapped his arms around her body.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered between sobs. “I never meant to hurt you.”

“The truth is, you didn’t. Life did.” He pressed his lips against her forehead. “Get some sleep.” It was going to be one hell of a long night.

7

CARTER

Carter sat at the kitchen table, staring at the computer screen. He'd questioned many things in his past, but none weighed heavier on his heart than the night he sent Talbot away. Tentatively, he reached out and touched the screen. Tears burned his dry eyes.

“What are you looking at?” Weezer strolled into the kitchen. She snagged a mug and poured some coffee before refilling his cup.

He turned the computer. “This is our grandson, Corbin.”

“Oh, my. He looks a lot like Merlot. Although, I can see some of Talbot in him.”

“He has the shape of her face, but those eyes and that smile is all our son.” Carter sighed. “He’s going to be twenty-one in a week.”

“That’s hard to believe.” Weezer traced the image with her forefinger. “That’s our first grandchild.”

“And he doesn’t even know we exist.” Carter leaned back. He didn’t resent Talbot. Not one bit. She did exactly what she’d been told to do. What she needed to do to survive. He was proud of her for what she’d done with her life. From all accounts, she’d raised a fine young man. He couldn’t fault Talbot for anything.

But he could blame himself for one more secret this family had to bear.

“I wish we could meet him.” Weezer squeezed his thigh.

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