by Megan Ryder
Delaney arched an eyebrow. “Now you want to apologize? After embarrassing me with that article, dredging up the past that should have remained buried forever.”
Susan’s hands twisted in her lap, strangling the straps of her coach bag, eyes downcast. Silence lengthened, bird songs filling the air. So much better than the garbage trucks that she had grown accustomed to.
Finally, the hands stilled and Susan sighed, meeting Delaney’s gaze for the first time. “I know you don’t understand why I did it but I had to. It was time to let go of everything.”
“So, you had to do it publicly? Why can’t you go to therapy for five years like everyone else?”
“You made it clear we didn’t have the money for therapy.” Susan sighed again. “No, that’s not why. I needed to take control of my life. I’d been wallowing for years, dragging everyone down with me. Dragging you down.”
“That sounds like Aunt Trudy.”
Susan shrugged. “She did shake me out of the doldrums, pointing out how selfish I’d been acting.”
“So, you decided to air our dirty laundry again to make yourself feel better? How is that not selfish?” Anger burned in Delaney, anger that had built inside from five years of suppressing, of hiding, of doing what was needed to get through the days.
“I don’t expect you to understand, although I would have thought you would try. I shut down back then, letting our lawyers and your father do all the talking. I was the good, little supportive wife, standing by her man. That was my role. But your father didn’t hold up his end of the bargain.”
“He died. I don’t think he could control that.” The words kept coming and Delaney couldn’t stop them.
Her mother’s face twisted at the verbal blow, but she straightened in the chair, not running like she used to. “No, he couldn’t, but I abdicated my role as your mother, forcing you to step up, which you did wonderfully.” Her mother leaned forward and gripped Delaney’s hand. “But that was my job. And I failed.”
The anger drained out of Delaney at those words. She grasped her mother’s hand. “I understand, Mom. I really do. I just wish you hadn’t done the article. Nothing good can come of it.”
Susan shook her head. “That’s not the point. I needed to stand up for myself and take charge of my life finally. Did you actually read the article?”
Delaney shook her head. “God, no. I had to live it. The timing couldn’t have been worse.”
“I know and I’m sorry for that. But it’s over now.” Susan squared her shoulders. “I’m moving to Arizona. And I think you should come too.”
Delaney stared at her mother. “What?”
“Houston has too many memories for all of us. Trudy and I found a nice community in Arizona. You could move there too. Find a job that you really love.”
Delaney shook her head, still amazed that her mother was taking such a big step. “And where would I live, in a retirement community? I’m about thirty years too young for that. And I just my promotion.”
“Right. You are too young. But you’ve been acting like your life is over. Why don’t you talk to him?”
Delaney’s hands dropped to her lap. And the hits just kept on coming. For the past several years, she’d been wishing that someone would take the responsibilities away, wishing she didn’t have to worry about money for her mother’s care, their household expenses. Now, with those suddenly being taken away, what was left? Her life seemed so empty now, with everything taken away from her, even if she had prayed for this moment. And then to mention Ethan. The name was a sucker punch to her heart.
Susan reached out and lifted Delaney’s chin, like the mother she remembered from her youth. “You did good, Delaney. You kept us going and I’m grateful. But it’s time for you to live your life.”
Live her life? What was her life? It had been so long since she’d thought of herself. It was all about survival and her family. What did she want? She had her promotion and now her freedom. Why did she feel so empty?
Shortly after her mother left, leaving more questions than answers, the phone buzzed.
“Delaney? You have a visitor. Shall I send her to your office?”
Delaney agreed and stood, smoothing her dress, expecting Caroline, recently home from her honeymoon, to come storming through the door, demanding why she had broken up with Ethan. The door opened and a blond pixie stepped in the office.
Cami Spencer.
Now that was unexpected.
After a few pleasantries and awkward greetings, the women sat, Delaney behind her desk, needing the separation for strength. Cami took the chair opposite her, her hands twisting in her lap momentarily.
She caught Delaney’s gaze and laughed. “Sorry. I’m a little nervous.”
“Why should you be? The new girlfriend confronting the old one. I’m sure we’ll see more of each other at museum fund-raisers, with the Van Owen family as one of our most prominent supporters.”
Cami looked puzzled for a moment then relaxed. “I think you have the wrong impression. Ethan and I were never together, just a casual dating for events and family things.” She shrugged. “It was easier for both of us. Protected us both really. But it wasn’t working for either of us anymore. Especially not when he’s still in love with you.”
Delaney blinked but called on her years of society training to not show a reaction. “I think you’re mistaken,” she said smoothly. “Ethan and I are not together. That’s the past.”
“It didn’t look like it at Caroline’s wedding.” She leaned forward. “I hope I’m not presuming too much. We’re barely know each other.”
“We don’t know each other at all,” Delaney replied stiffly.
Cami pursed her lips. “True. But I love Ethan. As a friend. And he deserves to be happy. And I think he can only be happy with you.”
Delaney sighed. “Maybe at one time. But not anymore. I’m leaving Houston.” The words surprised even her, the decision not given voice until that moment. A sense of rightness settled on her shoulders, freeing her as nothing else had ever done. She repeated the words more forcefully, owning them. “I’m leaving Houston.”
Cami looked surprised then pleased. “You’re going to Ethan?”
Delaney furrowed her brow. “No, he’s in Houston. I’m not sure where I’m going, maybe Arizona.”
Cami jumped up and leaned across the desk, grabbing Delaney’s hand and gripping it tightly. “No, you need to go to Hermitage Vines. Ethan left his father’s firm. He’s staying at the vineyard permanently. This is perfect!”
Delaney carefully extricated her hand, burying it in her lap, much as she buried the sudden leap of hope she felt at Cami’s words. “I don’t see how this is perfect. Ethan will never want to see me again. Trust me.”
Cami grinned broadly, not at all cowed by Delaney’s cool attitude. “You’re wrong. Even his father told him to come see you. Actually, Ethan wanted to come to see you, but he didn’t think he’d be welcome. So, he talked to me.” She perched on the edge of the seat, leaning on the desk. “At least talk to him before you leave. Give him that chance. You owe him that.”
Delaney refused to let her hope shine through, remaining cool and collected. After several minutes, Cami gathered her purse and left with one parting shot. “You broke his heart. At least let him have his final say.”
Like that would inspire her to drive to the vineyard, to hear Ethan vent his anger with her.
But the more she thought about her decision, and her options, the more the grapes called to her. Ethan called to her. She had to give them one final chance.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ethan finished consulting with his winemaker and his farm manager, scheduling the remaining harvest and the winter strategy. The two men left his office, leaving him to the quiet. He swiveled the chair and looked out over the grape fields, waiting for the sense of peace and rightness to settle on him. He’d been waiting more than two weeks for it, but it eluded him. Hermitage Vines had lulled him into a false sen
se of happiness when he first left Houston, but that had been purely a casting off his troubles from Houston. No, his current state had nothing to do with his past and everything to do with him and Delaney Winters, damn her.
His body tightened, remembering their last night together, the last time he felt whole. Even during their bridal party dance when he was furious with her and in pain, he wanted to hold her tight and never let her go and convince her to stay with him forever. But he didn’t always get what he wanted and she had slipped away sometime during the reception and he hadn’t seen her since.
Since returning to the vineyard, he had thrown himself into his work but, like in Houston, work wasn’t his salvation, not this time. He pushed away from the desk and headed out to the open barn area, once the center of his expansion plans. His father had promised funding, but Ethan refused. He would do it on his own, find his own way. It might take a little longer, but he could do it.
He sat on a stool next to the tasting bar and swiveled around, taking in the space. A noise from the barn door made him turn. The sun streamed in through the open door, outlining a slender figure.
His stomach clenched as recognition flooded.
Was she a mirage? What was she doing here?
Delaney second-guessed herself the whole drive down to Hermitage. Once her decision had been made, it all happened so fast. Her boss had accepted her notice, not thrilled, especially in light of her promotion, but he probably was relieved to not be in the middle between her and his board. Her Aunt Trudy was a whiz at organization and had their condo bagged, tagged, and cleared in no time. Much of their furniture had been sold, but some pieces were put in storage for whenever Delaney settled and sent for it. She had all her possessions in her car and she really hoped she wouldn’t have to turn around.
She walked into the barn, the place that had played a significant role in her daydreams over the past several weeks, options for events, how they could fix it up for a store, plans for the future. She had done research on what worked with vineyards. Stores were always popular, along with weekly events, wine tastings and social events like weddings. She grew up planning events and knew people would love that space once they cleaned it out and spruced it up a bit.
If Ethan allowed her to stay.
And the man himself sat on a bar stool watching her with an inscrutable expression.
Her body suddenly wouldn’t work, feet locked to the ground, planted like one of Ethan’s vines. She met his gaze firmly, dropped her bag on the ground, and said the first thing that came to mind.
“Is the opening for an event planner still available?”
He pushed off the bar and walked a few steps into the space, shielding his eyes from the sun. “That position has been temporarily suspended for the season.”
His cool tone struck ice into her heart, but she soldiered on. This time she would lay everything on the table and see what happened. “Sorry to hear that. I have a resume and references and everything.”
“You’ve been misled.”
She forced her feet to move and walked into the space, letting her eyes adjust to the darker space. His face was shadowed and not just by the dimly lit room. His face had the stubble of a blond beard, a few days’ growth that looked unbearably sexy on him. But his eyes caught her attention, ice blue and closed to her, freezing her out of any further shot at him.
“I noticed you’ve done a lot of harvesting.”
“One of our red varieties, the muscadine white. A new addition in the past couple of years. We’re hoping this will be the year to start bottling them. Most of the harvesting is actually done and we’re prepping for next year.” He cut his words off, as if regretting sharing as much as he did.
She tried another tact. “So, I heard you quit working with your father.”
“I was fired.” He took a deep breath. “Why are you here, Delaney?”
She stepped closer, inhaling his scent of dirt, musk and Ethan. “I was hoping I could apply for your open position. I’m currently unemployed.”
He didn’t move. “I only have openings for harvesters. I doubt you’d want something like that.”
He turned on his heel and started back toward his office. Her hand on his arm stopped him flat.
“Ethan, do you hate me that much?”
He whirled around, her hand falling to her side. “How could you walk away again? No, I’m not doing this again.” He held up his hands as if warding her off. “I can’t go through this again.”
“I made a mistake. Twice. I didn’t want to hurt you, but I thought I was doing the right thing for you.”
He stepped back and crossed his arms. “I know what my father told you. How could you believe him and not trust me?”
She turned and walked a few steps away. It was time to lay it all on the line, expose everything and hope she gained the reward. “I didn’t want to see you resent and hate me like so many other people. My name is poison in Houston. Even five years later, as that article proves.”
He laid a hand on her shoulder. “Only if you let them. You give them the power over you.”
Her heart warmed at his words. “I know. That’s why I’m leaving Houston. Everything is gone. I quit my job. My mom moved to Arizona. In fact, I’m supposed to drive over there in a few days.”
“So, what’s keeping you? You’re going in the wrong direction.” His voice was soft, but she thought she detected a hint of something in it. Of hope.
She turned back to him. “I had unfinished business here. I wanted to see if you’d give me a third chance.” She grabbed his arm when he would have walked away. “I know I don’t deserve it, but I made a mistake. I made two mistakes, and I’m sorry. I don’t know how to make it up to you.”
“How am I supposed to trust you anymore, wondering if today is the day you’ll walk out? Or tomorrow? I love you, Delaney, but I can’t live like that. I won’t live like that.”
And with those final words, her heart shattered forever. She blinked rapidly to fight back the tears that gathered in her eyes. She dropped her hand and stepped back, fumbling with her purse. Backing away, she also grabbed her bag on the ground. Not making eye contact, she mumbled, “I’m sorry, Ethan. I shouldn’t have come. I wish you all the best with your vineyard. Good-bye.”
She turned and stumbled out the door.
Ethan steeled himself against the urge to chase after her. This was for the best. Letting her go protected him from another final blow that he would never recover from. Love just wasn’t enough.
He walked to the door and stared out at the parking lot, at the Toyota Corolla packed to the gills with stuff. It was amazing that she hadn’t bottomed out driving up his dirt road, given how laden the car was. Delaney was fumbling with her keys at the car door, dropping them in the dirt. Her shoulders slumped and she dropped her head against the top of the car. Her shoulders shook with sobs and his heart twisted.
His father’s words came back to haunt him. “She left for you, because she loved you.”
Could it be true? Did she truly love him and thought she was only protecting him? Suddenly, he knew what he had to do. If he let her go, he was letting go of his last chance at true happiness. Maybe he was being stupid, but he had to take this chance. If she broke his heart again, well, that was a risk he’d have to take. She was his one true love and he would never be happy without her.
In seconds, before he even knew what he was doing, he was at her car, bending down and picking up the keys before she could grab them.
He palmed them and put them into his pocket.
She lifted her tear-stained face to his. “Ethan, give me my keys. Please.” Her voice shook as if she was on her last bit of strength.
He shook his head. “No.”
He stepped closer, crowding her against the car. “You asked if I had a position open for an event planner. Sorry, we’re not filling that position right now. But there is one position open.”
“As harvester. Yeah, you were pretty clear about that
.”
She looked everywhere but at him. He grabbed her chin with two fingers and tilted her head so she was forced to see him. “There is one other position. As my wife.”
He watched expressions chase across her face as his words sunk in. Sadness, disbelief, shock, then finally hope.
Her mouth dropped open and she stammered, “But I thought...”
He put his arms around her and pulled her close. “I was a fool, a stubborn, angry idiot. I can only be happy with you. Can you be happy living on a farm in the middle of Texas?”
She dropped her bags and wound her arms around his neck. “As long as you’re there, I can be happy anywhere.”
He pulled back slightly. “Even here?”
She gulped but nodded. “Especially here.”
He lowered his lips and kissed her. There it was. His world was now complete. He got the girl.
The End
If you enjoyed Something Old, don’t miss the next book in...
The Lone Star Match series
Three Bridesmaids. Three lost loves. One match-making bride. Can a matchmaking bride reunite her bridesmaids with the ones who got away in the week before her wedding?
Book 1: Something Old
Book 2: Something New
Book 3: Something Borrowed
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The Knights of Passion series
The Knights of Passion. A team of team of sexy, dedicated men and women who love baseball and are filled with the competitive fire to win on the field and off the field. These are men and women who have been tested by life. They have found a place that they can call home and people they can call family.
Book 1: Going All the Way
Book 2: Love From Left Field
Book 3: The Game Changer
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