Page 48 of Kisses Sweeter than Wine

Merlot was done hanging on to the past. He was over all the pain and the anger. It served no purpose. He had no idea if becoming a father to a grown man had instantly changed him or if he was just tired of it all.

Or both.

It didn’t matter.

What did matter was that he had a family to protect and by damn, he wasn’t going to lose them twice.

He stood and sauntered across the kitchen. He took Talbot into his arms. “You’re a fantastic mother and you did an amazing job with our son.”

She buried her face in his chest and sobbed.

“Shit. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He kissed her forehead. “Talbot, I mean it. Those aren’t empty words.”

“I know.” She glanced up. “It just means everything to hear you say them.”

“Don’t slap me.”

“Why would I do that?’

“Because I’m going to kiss the hell out of you.” He took her mouth in a hot, wild kiss that shouldn’t have occurred in the kitchen, but he didn’t care. For the first time in a long while, his life made sense. He didn’t know what the future held, or if they even had one.

But they had this moment and he’d cherish it for the rest of his life.

“Oh my God. It’s one thing to know I have a father. It’s another thing to witness that in the same day,” Corbin mumbled. “Is there a room for me, or am I couching it? And is this guy going to be staying over all the time?”

“There’s a bedroom all set up for you down the hall,” Talbot said with rosy cheeks. “And your father and I haven’t gotten that far yet.”

“Jesus, Mom. Too much information. Way too much.” Corbin snagged his bag. “Not to be an ingrate or anything, but I’m starving. What are we all doing for dinner?”

“Well, since I’d like to get to know you better, but being seen out isn’t necessarily smart, we could order a pizza,” Merlot said.

“Why can’t the two of you date? Like she’s not from your past and I’m just the duchy kid who randomly showed up.” Corbin arched a brow.

For effect, Merlot gave him the same look.

“Yeah. I get your point.” Corbin nodded. “Pizza it is.”

“He’s a funny kid,” Merlot said.

“He takes after me.” Talbot smiled.

“I don’t know about that. I see a lot of River in that man.”

10

TALBOT

Talbot handed the salad bowl to Corbin. “Are you ready for this?” She glanced up at the big house on The River Winery. This had always been her happy place. Her safe harbor. And now she got to share it with her son. Something she thought would never happen.

“Absolutely not.” Corbin squared his shoulders. “I always wished for a big family, but I never honestly believed I’d get one, especially like this.”

“The Rivers are good people.”

“So you keep telling me.” Corbin sighed. “I’m sorry for what happened to you as a kid.”

“You’ve got to stop apologizing for something that isn’t your fault.”

“How come Merlot didn’t spend the night yesterday?” Corbin stopped short of the porch. “It’s painfully obvious the two of you have so many unresolved feelings for each other and don’t tell me it’s complicated.”

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