The pinot noir was extraordinary, and Adam Sasso could barely contain his excitement. The color was good––a deep, blood red, bordering on black. It had long legs, a vibrant nose, and a rich jammy fragrance that fell somewhere between black cherry and plum. And then there was the taste of it! It was lush and juicy in the mouth, rich with fruit flavors, just a hint of cedar and a long, satisfying finish. It was the first wine produced at Lupa e Cervo using only their own grapes. The first vintage whose production he’d overseen since taking over as head winemaker, as well as owner of the winery. The moment he’d tasted it, he knew it was something special. And he couldn’t wait to share it. So, he’d grabbed two bottles from the line and headed for the door.
He’d glanced at his watch as he hopped into one of the waiting jeeps. It was still a few minutes before noon, and he figured Sinead would be just getting ready to start lunch. Any guests lucky enough to be dining in at The Morning Glory Inn today were in for a real treat. But it was Sinead’s reaction he was eager for. After all, who better to share your triumphs with than the love of your life?
“What’s wrong?” the love of his life asked as she hurried into the dining room.
“Wrong?” Adam arched an eyebrow at her and smiled. “Nothing’s wrong. I have a surprise for you.”
*
A surprise? Sinead felt her mouth tighten. Gee. What a coincidence.
Adam glanced around the empty room. “Where is everyone? What happened to lunch?”
“Out,” she answered. “Box lunches or eating in town. We’re a bed and breakfast, you know, not a boarding house. Lunch was always just an add on.” And, at the moment, a really bad idea. When even thinking about the smell of food was enough to turn her stomach, how on earth was she supposed to get through the next few months? “So, what’s your surprise?”
Adam smiled and held up two bottles of wine. “The pinot noir is ready.”
“Wine?” She stared at the bottles doubtfully. She shouldn’t drink wine now, should she? But the question was moot, because just the thought of it was making her sick.
A slight frown creased Adam’s brow. “Tesoro, darling, piacere. Try and focus for a moment. I know you believe this inn is the center of the known universe, but there’s the little matter of this winery I’m attempting to run. Lupa e Cervo? Perhaps you’ve heard of it?”
“Very funny.” She crossed her arms and glared at him. “Wine,” she muttered in disgust. Jeez. At least he hadn’t brought her tequila.
“Yes, wine,” Adam answered, looking seriously disgruntled now. “Of course, wine. Is there something else we’re making around here that I should know about?”
Sinead blinked. Oh. My. God. Was there ever.
She stared at him for a moment, and then shook her head. “I can’t do this,” she muttered, as she fled for the kitchen—although God alone knew what she expected to do once she got there—not eat, that was for sure.
It wasn’t fair. She’d never wanted children. She’d always been so careful. And now–
Adam followed after her. “Sinead? Are you okay? Is something wrong?”
“No,” she insisted trying to keep the tremor out of her voice. “Nothing.” Everything. “But, I’m really not in the mood for wine right now, Adam. So, why don’t you just go back to work, all right? And I’ll see you tonight.”
He snorted derisively. “Like hell. I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on.”
Sinead frowned. Damn it, she should have figured. He was maddeningly persistent. But, if that’s what he wanted– She opened her mouth…and then closed it again, as close to panicked as she’d been in months. Oh, Jesus.
I can’t tell him.
Right now, it wasn’t real. Right now, she still had options. Once she spoke the words aloud, that would all change.
He has a right to know.
Yeah, but that was the problem, wasn’t it? Adam wanted children more than any man she’d ever known. How could she tell him now, when she wanted to keep her options open? And if she decided she couldn’t go through with the pregnancy? How could she tell him then, knowing what that would do to him?
No. Once she told him, the die would be cast. There’d be no way out, no turning back. She’d be trapped.
But…
She sighed, turning her head to stare out the window as tears filled her eyes. There was no way out for her, anyway, was there?
He’d been content to let his dream of having children die—for her sake. And in the year they’d been together, he’d never once attempted to pressure her to change her mind.
And now, when his dream was coming true and hers was dying, what option did she really think she had? Other than a fantasy one.
“Sinead,” Adam’s voice was a gentle caress. “Beloved, what’s wrong?”
Sinead sighed. Well, at least one of them would be happy. That was something, she supposed. She took a deep breath and turned back to face him. “Nothing’s wrong. It’s just– I’m pregnant.”
“You’re what?” The color drained from his face. He didn’t look happy, Sinead thought in dismay, he looked horrified. The wine bottles slipped from his hand to shatter on the stone tiled floor. They both jumped backwards to avoid being cut by the flying glass.
“Oh, my God,” Sinead moaned. She clapped her hand to her mouth. “It’s an omen. A curse. I knew it. We’re doomed.”
“What?” Adam repeated, staring as if she’d lost her mind. “A curse? What are you talking about? How could it be–”
“The wine,” she said, pointing to the floor. “Look at all that broken glass—that’s seven years bad luck. At least.”
“Oh, gods,” Adam shook his head in exasperation. “What are you thinking? That’s mirrors. Breaking wine bottles is good luck. People do it all the time when they christen ships.”
“This isn’t a ship we’re talking about,” she gritted between clenched teeth. “It’s a baby!”
“I know that,” he said. He stared at her, distractedly. “But...Sinead? Are you certain? You’re really––?”
She nodded, feeling miserable. This was even worse than she’d imagined it would be. He hadn’t said one word about being happy. Or about how wonderful she was for doing this for him. Even if it hadn’t been on purpose.
“But, you, we, I– I mean…” He seemed to be having a hard time getting the words out, but if he thought she was going to help him with that, he could think again. It had been hard enough saying it once, she was damned if she was going to repeat it.
She glared at him angrily. And why was he looking so shell shocked, anyway? He should be ecstatic. This was what he wanted, wasn’t it? What the hell was wrong with him?
“How did this happen?” he asked at last, faintly.
How did it happen? Sinead’s temper flared. Of all the stupid questions. “You know damn well how it happened, Adam. What are you–” she broke off as another thought occurred to her. Oh, no. No fucking way. She scowled at him furiously. “Don’t even think about trying to pretend it’s not yours.”
His mouth dropped open. “Not mine? Are you insane? Why on earth would I want to do that?” He fixed her with an angry frown of his own. “Now, listen, if you have any ideas about leaving my name off the birth certificate, you can just forget it. This is the most incredible thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’m not gonna let you–”
But Sinead didn’t wait to hear any more. She launched herself at him with an angry cry, nearly slipping in the spilled wine, to pummel him in the chest. Tears streaked down her face as she yelled at him. “Nothing’s happened to you, damn it. It’s happening to me!”
“Sinead, stop it.” Wrapping his arms around her, he held her close. “You’re getting too worked up. You’re going to hurt yourself. You’re going to hurt our baby.”
Our baby. Oh, God. As quickly as that, her anger dissolved. She collapsed against him, sobbing inconsolably. “I thought you’d be at least a little bit happy.” It would sure be nice if one of them was.
“What?” Adam said, once again, sounding even more confused than before.
Sinead wept harder. What, what, what; was that the only thing he knew how to say? Dear lord, how was it possible she’d never noticed before now, what a limited vocabulary he had? She just hoped that their child didn’t inherit his brains.
“Sinead—I am happy.” He pulled back far enough to look her in the face. “Of course I’m happy. Darling, I’m thrilled and– And you’re wonderful. And I love you. And, and– what can I do for you? Tell me. What do you need? Is there anything? Anything at all? Just tell me what it is, and I’ll get it. Or do it. Or buy it. Or– Anything you want. Just name it.”
Sinead just shook her head wearily. There was only one thing she wanted him to do—wave a magic wand and turn back time. Make this all go away. But that would never happen. And even if it could, even if Adam were a sorcerer who could work that kind of miracle, she could never ask him for something like that, anyway.
Touch Of A Vanished Hand
Oberon Book 5.0
Sinead Quinn has always been something of a drifter. But now, with her ex-husband trying to blackmail her, and her ex-boyfriend's widow trying to put her in jail, she has no choice but to go to ground. What better place to hide than with your family? After all, what are sisters for? Especially when you're a twin.
But the first rule of hiding out, is to keep a low profile. And that does not mean kissing your sister's boyfriend (even if he can't tell the two of you apart); rescuing a troubled teen; or taking a highly visible job as hostess of Oberon's most celebrated new inn.
Adam Sasso has always dreamed big. But big dreams beget big complications. First, his goal to turn the vineyard he inherited from his grandfather into a world-class winery is threatened by a mysterious saboteur. Next, his plan to run the finest bed & breakfast Oberon has ever seen, is broadsided by a hostess who wants to run him. Finally, it seems his fondest wish, of finding love-everlasting with the soul mate of his dreams, is about to go up in smoke when he can't convince her that they're destined to be together.
This summer, it's going to take all the wizardry in Oberon to craft a happy ending for the drifter and the dreamer.
