CHAPTER ONE

 

“You got fired, Laney? You were only there for a week. How is that possible? Besides, you don’t get fired. You get bored and move on.” Her older sister, Savannah Carlisle Abbott, sounded more shocked than disappointed.

Delaney Carlisle gripped her cell phone as she paced the floor of her small luxury apartment in Upstate New York. She chewed on her thumbnail. It was a habit she frequently reminded her nearly eight-year-old daughter not to indulge in. Yet, despite being thirty-five, it was her immediate reaction to stress.

Laney had a perfect, if wildly varied, employment record. The thought of having to sit in an interview and explain that she’d been summarily dismissed and escorted off the premises after just four and a half days...

Well, it hurt her pride, to say the least.

“Sweetie, I’m not judging you, I’m just...worried. This doesn’t sound like you. I’m wondering if it has anything to do with Derrick showing up in your life again after all this time,” Savannah said gently. “I know you said you’re fine with it—”

“And I am fine with it.” Laney sucked her wounded digit, the coppery taste of blood filling her mouth. She’d nibbled her thumbnail to the quick at the mention of her ex, Derrick Holden, who also happened to be her daughter Harper’s father.

Until six months ago, Laney hadn’t seen or heard from Derrick Holden for nearly nine years. They’d been on the verge of getting engaged when she’d gotten pregnant. When she’d decided she wanted to keep the baby, the meticulous plans they’d made —to travel the world on a dime and volunteer with global organizations that mattered most to them —were shot to hell.

Derrick had been willing to risk dysentery, malaria and a host of tropical diseases to take care of needy children across the globe. He was far more risk-averse when it came to taking care of his own child.

On every other point of disagreement in their relationship, they’d compromised like two sensible adults. But there was no compromising on this. She wanted to keep and raise their child. Derrick didn’t.

It was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do, but Laney wished Derrick the absolute best and returned his promise ring. They’d made love one last time, both of their hearts broken. Then they’d parted ways. She hadn’t seen or heard from Derrick Holden since. Until six months ago.

Derrick messaged her through a social media app to say hello and to ask about their daughter.

Their daughter? Laney’s cheeks burned just thinking about it.

Harper wasn’t their daughter. She was Laney’s daughter. Laney’s life. Her entire world. Unless she’d somehow missed the part when Derrick was there for diaper changes, breastfeeding, potty training and the joys and challenges of raising a girl who was far too clever for her age.

After she’d gotten over the initial shock of hearing from her ex, Laney had decided to just ignore the message. But Derrick kept messaging her. And when he’d sent a pleading message that read, “Please, Laney. I just want to meet our brilliant, beautiful daughter,” Harper, who’d been playing a game on her phone, had seen it.

Once her daughter, who’d been asking about the identity of her father, had seen the message, Laney couldn’t very well keep Harper from her father without coming off as the Wicked Witch.

“You don’t sound fine, sweetie.” Savannah’s voice could barely be heard over the sound of her not quite two-year-old daughter, Remi, repeating the word “Da” in the background. “Ever since Derrick weaseled his way back into your lives, you’ve been distracted and on edge.”

“I’m not distracted, Vanna. I’ve been busy.” Laney relaxed her suddenly tense shoulders and tried to take the edge off her tone. “And that isn’t why I got fi—”

Laney inhaled deeply, unable to say the word without the tears starting all over again. “They let me go because I brought it to their attention that the way they treated their immigrant workers and their farm animals was negligent and practically criminal.”

“You did the right thing by speaking up. They sound like monsters,” Savannah reassured her. “I’m sorry this happened to you.”

“Their product was shitty anyway.” Laney rifled through her medicine cabinet for the triple antibiotic ointment.

“Then why did you take a job with them?”

“There aren’t a ton of enology jobs in the area.” Laney squeezed some of the ointment onto the thumb she’d bitten a chunk out of. “Besides, the worse the product, the more my work can create a demonstrable improvement.”

“That’s my little sis.” Savannah sighed. “Always looking for a scientific challenge.”

Laney ignored the comment. “My concern now is what to do about my apartment. It’s the final month of my lease. I’d planned to renew it, but without knowing where I’ll end up working...” Laney sank onto the sofa again.

“Can’t you do a month-to-month lease until you figure things out?” Savannah asked.

“The area is suddenly in high demand. The management company won’t accept anything less than a two-year lease.”

“You do realize that with the inheritance Grandad left you and the shares you own in King’s Finest, you don’t have to work if you don’t want to, right?”

“I’d be bored to death without a job.” Laney dragged a hand through her thick natural curls. “Besides, I promised Grandad I would follow my passion. And enology is it. It’s the perfect intersection of my love of biology and my fascination with winemaking. I just need to find a position with a winery small enough to need me but big enough to afford me.”

“Okay, Goldilocks. But while you’re looking for a position that’s just right, why don’t you spend the summer with us here in Magnolia Lake? We’d love to see you and Harper.”

“I agreed to let Harper spend two weeks in Seattle with her father.”

“What? You’re going to let...” Savannah paused, and Laney could swear her sister was counting. “All the more reason you should stay with me and Blake for the summer. That way, you won’t be alone and obsessing about whether Harper is okay.”

Her sister knew her well. That was exactly what she’d be doing while Harper was away.

“I would, but maybe you’ve forgotten that you’re all out of spare bedrooms,” Laney reminded her sister. “And I am not spending the entire summer on that pull-out sofa in the den slash playroom again,” she added before Savannah could suggest it.

Laney loved her young nephew. But being awakened early in the morning by little Davis demonstrating his skills on the mini drum set his uncle Cole had bought him definitely wasn’t her idea of a vacation.

“Fair enough. We’ll rent you a place for the summer.”

“Renting a furnished apartment for the summer is a great idea.” Laney stood, surveying her apartment. She was already making a list of the things she’d need to do: pack up her stuff, put her furniture into storage, book plane tickets. “But I’ll pay for it. I just need you to make the arrangements.”

Laney wrapped up her conversation with Savannah, then grabbed her purse, hurrying out to pick her daughter up from school. She couldn’t wait to tell Harper that they’d be spending the summer in Magnolia Lake.

***

Nolan Valentine eased onto a lounger on Duke and Iris Abbott’s patio. Sharing a meal with his family’s new-found relatives had become a regular thing in the eight months since his father—Abbott Raymond Valentine—had connected with them and purchased the local winery that had once been owned by the family of Nolan’s biological grandmother.

His family, owners of what was now Valentine Vineyards, was still coming to terms with the realization that their father had been adopted and that they were related to the Abbotts—owners of the world-renowned King’s Finest Distillery and various other entities. Like the King’s Finest Family Restaurant they’d opened several months earlier.

Nolan finished the last bite of the steak his cousin Blake had grilled to absolute perfection. It was melt-in-your-mouth delicious and so were all the sides that had gone with the meal, most of which were favorites on the menu of the Abbotts’ new family-style restaurant. He set his plate on the table beside him and hoped he wouldn’t crash with his mouth hanging open.

“Nolan, there’s something I want you to hear.” His father stood over him, voice lowered.

Nolan glanced over at the table where his sister, Chandra Valentine-Brandon, the CEO of their winery, sat with Blake’s wife, Savannah, and Nolan’s younger sister, Naya. Their heads were together, and they spoke quietly.

“Looks like a business meeting.” Nolan studied his father’s features, so much like his own. Same eyes, mouth and forehead. But his nose he’d gotten from his mother, who’d abandoned him and his three oldest siblings when he was just six years old. The twins had come along later from his dad’s second marriage. “You said we weren’t talking shop today. In fact, you insisted on it.”

“I know.” Ray Valentine shoved his hands into his pockets. “But Savannah came to me, and it’s too good an idea to pass up.”

Nolan hoisted himself from the lounger that felt like a warm hug and a night of good sleep. He followed his father to the table at the far corner of the patio and slid into the lone empty chair, situated between his dad and Chandra.

“All right. What’s this big news I need to hear?” Nolan shifted his gaze to Savannah.

“It’s more of a proposal,” Savannah said.

“And an opportunity for us.” Chandra rubbed her protruding belly. His sister was about six weeks away from giving birth. Her husband, Dr. Julian Brandon, the town GP, had been hovering over her all afternoon, as if he expected her to give birth at any moment.

It would be the first child for both of them, and it showed.

“So let’s hear about this opportunity and how much it’s going to cost us.” Nolan surveyed their faces, making it clear he knew why he was invited into this conversation.

Whatever Savannah was proposing was going to cost them quite a bit. As the CFO of Valentine Vineyards, they wanted his blessing. Not that they wouldn’t proceed without it. He’d been overruled by the family before. At least, the members of the family who ran the winery: his father, Chandra, Naya and him.

His brothers were otherwise occupied. Sebastian was the CEO of Valentine Textiles—the once family-owned firm they’d sold to a California conglomerate. Alonzo worked for an ad agency in New York. And Nyles was being... Nyles. Currently, he was a club promoter for some new spot in Miami Beach.

“Don’t be a tightwad, Nolan.” Naya sifted her fingers through her blond box braids and tugged them over one shoulder. “You haven’t even heard the proposal yet.”

Savannah’s hazel eyes twinkled in the sunlight. “You really do remind me of Parker,” she said, referring to her husband Blake’s brother.

Nolan’s father and sisters, who’d also noted the similarities between him and Parker, chuckled.

So maybe he did have a very analytical brain that required detailed explanations and an ordered universe and he wasn’t much of a people person. But he hadn’t quite risen to the level of Parkerhood in those regards. Still, it seemed pointless to make note of those differences.

“I asked if you all have ever considered bringing on an enologist,” Savannah continued.

“An enologist?” Nolan frowned.

“That’s a scientist who oversees the production of the winemaking process from beginning to end and supports their recommendations with careful data analysis.”

“I know what an enologist is.” Nolan kept his voice even, not wanting to seem impolite. “And I can see the value of adding one to our team. Valentine Vineyards is certainly more profitable than it was when we acquired it eight months ago, but not profitable enough to justify the salary of a good enologist.” Nolan pulled a soft cloth from his pocket and cleaned his smudged glasses.

His father put a hand on his shoulder. “You know how much I appreciate your thoughtful, analytical opinion, Nolan.”

Code for: But I’m not going to take your recommendation.

“You make a very valid point, and I realize that is traditional corporate thinking. But I’m no spring chicken, son. If I want to see this vineyard thrive in my lifetime, we need to take a more aggressive approach to growing the business,” his father said. “Is taking on a considerable salary risky? Yes. But with the sale of the textile firm, I can afford to take that risk.”

“I realize you can afford it, Dad. But those are your personal funds. We shouldn’t be siphoning money from your personal account to hire a new employee, especially when we can’t even be sure that hiring them will have any real impact on our bottom line,” Nolan said calmly. “I understand how much the winery means to you and how important it is to you that it becomes a success. But Valentine Vineyards needs to be self-sufficient. Not slowly draining your personal finances.” Nolan settled his glasses evenly on the bridge of his nose.

His father, Chandra and Naya all looked disappointed, but no one countered his point. It was an argument that even his sisters couldn’t disagree with.

When Chandra agreed to join Nolan and Naya at the winery, the three of them spoke privately. They would give this winery their all. Try to make it everything their father wanted it to be. But they wouldn’t allow Valentine Vineyards to drain their father mentally, emotionally or financially.

Yes, the old man was sitting on a considerable mint after the sale of their textile firm. But no matter how large a filled bucket was, a hole in the bottom would eventually drain it dry.

Savannah’s hazel eyes danced, and her lips curved in a smug smile. “What if I could get you a temporary summer contract with an outstanding enologist? That would give you a chance to kick the tires without making a huge investment or a long-term commitment.”

“That would be perfect.” Nolan’s father clapped his large hands together.

“I love the idea of trying this out short-term. You evidently have someone in mind.” Chandra shifted in her seat and rubbed her belly again. “So who is it?”

“My younger sister, Delaney Carlisle.”

Nolan’s brows furrowed with an involuntary frown.

Someone going this hard to get their younger sibling a job... It never worked out well, in his experience. The few times he’d fallen for it, he’d later been forced to fire the younger sibling, which inevitably damaged his relationship with the person who’d recommended them.

“Look, Savannah, I can appreciate that you want to help your sister,” Nolan said.

“I do want to help my sister, and I’d love it if she relocated here to Magnolia Lake. I don’t apologize for that. But I’d also really like to help you. You have a history with this winery, just like my family had history with the operation that eventually became King’s Finest Distillery. So I get how important this is to you, Ray. What you’re doing with the winery is amazing. And I know that Laney...my sister...could help you achieve the aggressive goals you’ve set for yourselves.”

Savannah leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “I understand how it feels to be an outsider in this family. To feel the need to measure up to what Joe, Duke, Blake and his siblings have achieved. At least talk to Laney. She’ll be here for the summer anyway. And if you choose not to work with her, I promise not to take it personally.” Savannah raised her right hand.

Nolan’s father and sisters grinned as they shifted their gaze to him. Game. Set. Match.

Nolan sighed. “Fine. I don’t see the harm in talking to her. Unless she’s as persuasive as you are, Savannah.”

Everyone at the table laughed, and Nolan couldn’t help chuckling himself.

He’d talk to this woman. See if she was as brilliant as he’d heard. But even if she was, Nolan couldn’t imagine committing to more than one summer with Delaney Carlisle.