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      “That’s great. Congratulations.” Lissa managed a smile. She couldn’t be happier, yet the excitement had an ambiguous edge.

      Last year, her sister had married the love of her life, a man who adored her. And having a baby had always been Eileen’s dream.

      Lissa’s too, she supposed. That’s what made the news so bittersweet.

      “You look surprised.”

      No, Lissa wasn’t actually bowled over by the announcement, but as usual, when her sister achieved one of those heart-touching milestones, Lissa felt a wee bit envious. “I just didn’t expect to hear it so soon. Or so early in the morning.”

      Eileen laughed. “You didn’t think I’d drive all the way out to the vineyard for breakfast, did you?”

      “No.” Lissa adored her younger sister, but Eileen wasn’t a morning person. Not like Lissa.

      In fact, the two young women weren’t anything alike, but there was a good reason for that. Seven months after Lissa had been adopted as an infant, her mother had given birth to Eileen.

      Lissa wasn’t sure when she’d begun to feel like an outsider. Maybe on the day her parents sat her down and told her about being special, about being chosen. About her being their very first baby girl.

      That’s when Lissa began to take a good hard look at the differences between her and her sister.

      Eileen was petite and vivacious, a strawberry blond, just like their mother. And Lissa was tall and introspective, with plain brown hair. God only knew who she resembled—certainly not anyone on the Cartwright family tree.

      Still Lissa had to give her mom and dad credit for trying to be fair. They were great parents. And they were good to her. She had no complaints.

      After all, how could they not love their real daughter more?

      Besides, Eileen was everything Lissa wasn’t. And their differences went beyond appearance—something Lissa had learned in the fall of first grade.

      One day after school, their mother had enrolled them in a dance school and bought them new black patent-leather tap shoes. Mom’s enthusiasm had been contagious, and both girls had been ecstatic and ready for their very first lesson.

      Before long, Eileen was dancing her little heart out—Shirley Temple style. All the while, Lissa clomped around like a pack mule in army boots.

      Fortunately, Ken and Donna Cartwright had done a good job of pretending to be equally proud of both girls. But the tap instructor hadn’t been quite as tactful.

      But who could blame her? Lissa had seen the proof played out loud and clear on the family home videos of the dance recitals.

      Yet that didn’t overshadow one important fact. The girls shared a genuine love for each other—and for their parents.

      “Have you told Mom and Dad?” Lissa asked.

      “Not yet. I will, as soon as they get in from their morning walk.”

      From her seat on the deck, Lissa scanned the rolling hillsides of Valencia Vineyards, where sturdy vines nourished premium grapes. She loved the fertile land and the bounty it produced. The vineyard was the one place where she actually belonged, where she could thrive and be herself.

      That’s why she started each day with breakfast on the backyard deck, under the protection of the overhang when it rained and out in the sunshine when it didn’t.

      She spotted her parents near the new, state-of-the art winery, walking hand-in-hand, their love for each other impossible to ignore.

      Maybe that’s what Lissa envied. The sense of truly belonging. Of loving and being loved.

      “Look.” Lissa pointed toward her parents. “They’re coming this way.”

      “Good. I can’t wait to tell them, especially Mom. You know how she is about babies.” Eileen rolled her eyes and laughed. “Remember how embarrassed we used to get? I’ve never known another woman to get so goofy whenever she spotted a little one at the mall or in the grocery store.”

      “I remember,” Lissa said. “And you’re right. Mom will be thrilled to have a grandchild.”

      Especially since Eileen’s baby would be a real grandchild.

      The old insecurities seemed to settle over Lissa, but she adored her sister. “I’m so happy for you. I know how much you love Dan.”

      Eileen reached across the glass tabletop and squeezed Lissa’s hand. “I really hope that you find a special man someday. Someone who appreciates you.”

      “Thanks,” Lissa said, although that wasn’t likely. Her shyness made her steer clear of serious relationships.

      And at this point, it seemed that life—and love—had passed her by. After all, how many twenty-seven-year-old virgins were still walking the face of the earth? Not many, she would wager.

      And since she rarely left the vineyard or winery, Lissa would probably go to her grave never having experienced a night of romance or passion—other than in those books her sister gave to her.

      Of course, she didn’t admit that to anyone. Not even Eileen.

      Instead, Lissa said, “There aren’t too many special guys who come around here.”

      “Well, you need to get out more. You’ve become a workaholic since I got married.”

      That was true. Lissa had poured her talents into running the vineyard—from farming to the business end. Deep down, she hoped to prove herself, although she wasn’t sure who she wanted to impress. Her parents? The world? The faceless biological parents who’d given her away? Or maybe just herself.

      Either way, she’d dedicated her life to the family vineyard and winery. And she was good at what she did. She had a head for business and had soaked in every bit of knowledge her dad shared with her as a vintner.

      A muted little bark sounded from the sliding door, and Lissa spotted her new puppy scratching at the glass, trying to get out.

      “Looks like Barney woke up and is raring to go.” Lissa glanced at her watch. “I hate to leave you on the deck alone, but I have to go to work.”

      “Don’t you want to be here when I tell Mom and Dad?” Eileen asked.

      Lissa gave her sister a kiss on the cheek. “I’ve got a business meeting in a few minutes, and I’ve got to look over a few files ahead of time. This is your special moment with Mom and Dad. You can tell me all about it later.”

      “Who are you meeting?” Eileen asked.

      “A business consultant.”

      “A man?” Her sister sat up straight, nearly knocking over her glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice.

      Lissa clicked her tongue. “Don’t get your hopes up. His name is Sullivan Grayson. Doesn’t that sound a bit old and stodgy? СКАЧАТЬ