Wed on His Terms: Million-Dollar Marriage Merger. Charlene Sands

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      Rena glanced at her watch again. It wouldn’t do to be late for her appointment, yet he’d caught her curiosity. “What about David?”

      â€œHave dinner with me and I’ll tell you.”

      Pressed for time and jittery about her bank appointment, Rena relented. “Fine, I’ll have dinner with you.”

      â€œI’ll pick you up at eight.”

      â€œOkay, now at the risk of being rude, I really have to leave.”

      With a quick nod of agreement, Tony left and Rena breathed a sigh of relief. She wouldn’t think about seeing him later and breaking bread with him. She’d seen the determined look on his face and knew he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Frankly, she didn’t have time to argue. The bank appointment was all she could focus on. “One hurdle at a time.” She mumbled David’s favorite words of encouragement every time they’d faced a challenge.

      She had more important things to worry about than having dinner with Tony Carlino.

      Tony drove out of the Purple Fields gates and turned right driving along the roads that would lead him to the Carlino estate. Vineyards on both sides of the highway spread across the valley rising up hills and down slopes, covering the land in a blanket of green.

      He’d only been home about three months, and he still felt disoriented, unsure of his place here in Napa. He’d come home because his father had been ill. And now, as the oldest son, he had to assume responsibility for the business working alongside his two brothers. His father had expected as much from him.

      The timing had been right for his return. He’d made his mark on NASCAR and had enjoyed every minute of his career until a crash and injury took him off the racing circuit. Perhaps it had been an omen to quit, but it wasn’t until his father’s passing that Tony realized he’d had no choice but to leave the racing world behind.

      Somewhat.

      He still had endorsement deals with various companies, and that could be an advantage to Carlino Wines. The Carlino name meant success, and people identified with that. Yet Tony’s life had changed so drastically in such a short span of time, and now he planned on taking on a new responsibility with a wife and child.

      Was he ready for that?

      He questioned that reality now. His vow to David never far from his mind, Tony admitted, if only to himself, that Rena had been right about one thing. If he hadn’t come home and rekindled their friendship, David would still be alive today.

      Tony approached the Carlino estate and pressed the remote that opened the wide iron gates. He parked the car in front of the garage house and exited. He met up with Joe in the driveway, his brother ever the optimist wearing a smile and horn-rimmed glasses, slapped him on the back. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

      He had, in a way. Visions of David’s tragic death played in his head ever since he’d driven away from Purple Fields.

      It had been a glorious afternoon in Napa, the temperatures in the low seventies with fresh sunshine warm in the air—a day that made you glad to be alive. Tony remembered thinking that, right before he witnessed David’s crash.

      Before he knew it, he was riding beside David in the ambulance.

       “I think she’s pregnant,” David whispered, struggling to get the words out.

       “Shh. Hang on, David. Please. Save your strength.”

       Tony’s plea didn’t register with David. He continued, his voice so low that Tony had to bend over to hear him.

       “She won’t drink,” he’d confessed, and Tony immediately understood. Vintners drank wine like others drank water.

       David’s coherent pleas gave Tony hope, though he appeared so weak. So fragile.

       “Tony,” he’d implored.

       “I’m here.” He knew whatever David had to say must be important.

       “Don’t leave her alone. She deserves a good life. Promise me you’ll take care of her. And our baby.”

       “I promise, David. I’ll take care of Rena,” Tony whispered, looking deep into David’s fading eyes.

       “Marry her,” David said, grasping Tony’s hand. “Promise me that, too.”

       And Tony hadn’t hesitated. He squeezed David’s hand. “I’ll marry her.”

       David gave the slightest tip of a nod and closed his eyes. “Tell her I love her.”

       “Hang on, David. She’s coming. You can tell her yourself.”

       Frantic, Rena rushed up to David the minute they’d reached the hospital. They’d had time together, spoke their last words and Tony hung back giving them privacy. When David let go, Rena cried out. Her deafening sobs for David shook Tony and reached deep into his soul. He’d never seen a woman fall apart like that.

      Tony shifted back to the present and looked at his brother with a shake of his head. “I saw Rena today.”

      Joe wrinkled his nose and gave an understanding nod. “Which explains the haunted look in your eyes. Thinking of David, too?” he asked with genuine concern.

      â€œYeah, he’s never far from my mind. I’m the race car driver. I’m the one taking risks, yet he was the one to die in a crash.”

      â€œPeople die every day in car accidents.” Then Joe caught himself. He didn’t have a cruel bone in his body. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound callous, but you didn’t encourage him to get behind the wheel. And it was an accident.”

      â€œI wish Rena felt that way. It would make what I have to do a whole lot easier.”

      â€œSo, it didn’t go well today?”

      Tony shrugged. “She blew me off, but not before I made a dinner date with her.”

      â€œThat’s a start. It should get easier now.”

      Tony scratched his chin, the stubble grating his fingers. “Doubtful. Rena is as proud as she is stubborn.”

      â€œI hear you, Tony. I’ve learned my lesson with the opposite sex. No more relationships for me.”

      Tony looked his brother in the eye. “Sheila really did a number on you, didn’t she?”

      Joe lifted his shoulders in a nonchalant shrug. “I’m over СКАЧАТЬ