Page 51 of Kisses Sweeter than Wine

“Hey, Dad.”

“What?”

“I know it’s just a name, but Talbot didn’t know about Grandma or your issues with her. I was in a mood the night I mentioned the name and she was trying to hold on to a piece of me.”

His father smiled. “I like it. And honestly, it’s kind of a fuck you to my mom and we both know she deserves it.”

Merlot laughed.

Corbin tossed the ball to his grandfather and then crossed the yard where Merlot had positioned himself on a log.

“Having a good time?” Merlot asked.

“Interesting group of people,” Corbin said.

“That is pretty much an understatement.”

“TJ told me his entire life story. Man, I thought what I just learned about my life was messed up.”

“That kid has been through the wringer, that’s for sure. But my sister and Toby have done an amazing job helping him adjust.”

“Dax said he’s quite the hockey player.” Corbin turned. “And holy shit. I grew up watching him play in the NHL. Now I understand why my mom got frustrated with my fascination for him.”

“I’m sure anything remotely related to Candlewood Falls would wig her out.”

“Can I ask you something?” Corbin sat cross-legged on the ground.

“Anything.” Merlot joined his son.

“Why didn’t you ever get married or have kids? I know why Mom never did. She was always busy with work and raising me. You had no idea I even existed. You had nothing tying you down.”

“It took me years to get over what I thought was the death of your mother and the truth is, I never put it behind me.”

“Why is that?”

“I’m not sure I have a logical answer.”

“But you had to have dated. Had other relationships.”

Merlot laughed. “Other than your mom, I have shit taste in women.”

“My mom is kind of the best.”

“You won’t hear me argue with that,” Merlot said. “I know this has been a lot for you to take in and my family has got to be overwhelming.”

“Are you kidding me? When I was a little kid, I pretended strangers coming into the hotel were my long-lost family. This is great. I know I can’t tell anyone. I’m used to that. I can’t tell my mom half the shit I do in the military. Even if I could, I wouldn’t. It would keep her up crying all night.”

Merlot tapped his chest. “I might have only known about you for a short time, but that statement right there will send me worrying for the rest of my life.”

“Wonderful.” Corbin rolled his eyes. “My point is—and I hope you won’t take this the wrong way—my mom was always enough for me. I might have always wanted to know who you were and why you didn’t want me.”

“Correction. If I had known about you, I would have fought like hell to keep you and your mom in my life.”

“Fair enough.” Corbin nodded. “I wanted to know you because that piece of the puzzle was missing for me, but not the same way as it was for my mom. The few times I saw her date, she was never really interested. She did it because Mama C and I pushed her into it. We thought her sense of sadness came from not having a partner. Not because she was missing all this.” Corbin waved his hand toward the house before tapping his finger in the center of Merlot’s chest. “And you. I thought some of her pain was because some man had broken her heart. Not some fucked-up situation that tore apart two people who obviously still love each other.”

“You are a wise young man.” The fact that Merlot had missed Corbin’s first twenty-one years no longer mattered. He’d find a way to stay in touch, no matter the future.

“I don’t know about that. My previous master sergeant thought I was a wise ass with a chip on my shoulder.”

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