THE STARLIGHT HILL COMPLETE COLLECTION: 1-8

by Bell, Heatherly

  “Okay. Here’s what we’re going to do. I believe we can count on him to be discreet, so no need to worry on that account. He’ll keep his mouth shut. Let me talk to him.”

  “Thank you. I can’t deal with a love sick gentleman caller, although it is kind of nice. But I have potatoes to whip and butter to melt. A turkey to baste. Marriage is not part of tonight’s agenda.” Eileen recited the items off while she threw occasional lustful glances in Giancarlo’s direction.

  Brooke took a deep breath and flew into crisis mode. She caught sight of Mom, seemingly under Pop’s spell. Laughing, even. That seemed under control for now.

  She moved to join Billy, still talking to Giancarlo, less that situation veer wildly off course. Surely Giancarlo would not think to confide in Eileen’s son, or ask for her hand in marriage. No, that would be highly irregular.

  Brooke sidled up next to Billy, and he threaded his fingers through hers without missing a beat. It didn’t take two seconds to realize the men were talking grapes. Thank heavens for that. She gazed up at Billy, amazed at how much he’d learned in the past two months.

  The past few late nights spread out in front of his fireplace tasting different vintages— encouraging him to develop a sophisticated palate— they were beginning to make a difference.

  “Who’s carving this year?” Wallace asked.

  “I probably should,” Giancarlo said and both Wallace and Billy looked at Giancarlo like he’d just said the world was flat.

  Brooke swallowed.

  Fortunately, the men ignored Giancarlo as if maybe he’d been overcome by a spell for a moment.

  “Odd years it’s Scott’s turn, and even years you and I toss a coin,” Billy said to Wallace.

  “Guess it’s coin tossing time,” Wallace said, pulling a quarter out of his pocket. “Heads or tails?”

  Brooke pulled Giancarlo aside while the coin tossing was going on. “How’ve you been?’

  Giancarlo pulled out a perfectly folded handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his brow. “I’m a little nervous.”

  Brooke played dumb. “Oh yeah? Why?”

  Giancarlo leaned in. “Between you and me, I’ve proposed to Eileen.”

  “So soon?”

  “When its right you know. I’ve waited a long time to find a woman good enough to replace my blessed late wife, but it’s finally time.”

  “Did she say yes?” Brooke turned to see Billy had won the coin toss. Some amount of ribbing seemed to be going on between the brothers.

  “Well, not exactly. She looked a little bit surprised and then she said she had to beat the potatoes.”

  Brooke cleared her throat. “I’m sure she didn’t expect it. Maybe you should take it a little slower. You had one date.”

  “Three dates now, actually. But we’re very compatible, believe me. And – what’s done is done. It’s my fault, really.”

  Brooke didn’t want to go there, but maybe speaking in euphemisms might work. “Nothing is done. You don’t have to buy the cow because you had some steak. Do you get me?”

  He smiled and narrowed his eyes. “Why are you talking about cows?”

  Brooke sighed. “I just think that Billy and his brothers might need a little time getting used to the idea. They don’t even know you two are dating. Can you imagine how a marriage would go over with them? They’re a protective bunch. Why not ease into it? Maybe first you could tell them you’re dating. Wait a few months, and then tell them you’re engaged.”

  The doorbell rang and out of the corner of her eye Brooke saw Billy open the door to Scott and his date. The brothers grabbed each other in a bear hug even if Brooke would swear they’d seen each other a few days ago at the vineyard when she caught Scott giving free tastings out of tank number ten and solved that particular mystery.

  Another thing Brooke would have to talk to Billy about regarding his family. Scott couldn’t keep bringing women around to sample the wine, family business or not.

  Yeah, she’d told him that when she’d caught him red-handed, but he’d only smiled with that trademark Turlock grin. Told her he preferred beer, but when in Rome ... He didn’t take her seriously, of course, and why would he? She wasn’t the owner.

  Tonight he was here with — no.

  When Billy’s big body was no longer blocking the way, Brooke noticed Fallon. Dressed casually in jeans tucked into the long Dominatrix boots that were like Brooke’s.

  And as much as Brooke would try to enjoy The Holidays this year, throwing her lover’s gorgeous ex into the mix might be a little more than she could handle stone cold sober.

  She tried to ignore the pang of hot red angry jealousy churning through her gut when Fallon and Billy hugged. Fallon lingering a little too long, and whispering something into Billy’s ear.

  “Wine?” Giancarlo handed her a glass which she couldn’t accept fast enough.

  Fruity and nutty. Way too sweet for a red wine so obviously a port of some kind. Mirassu didn’t do port. “Who bottles it?”

  “From my collection. Aged since 1960, a very good year for me. I brought it since tonight is such a special occasion. Thanksgiving, and the day I proposed to Eileen.”

  Brooke swallowed hard, and Giancarlo walked away, an idiotic smile on his face.

  “Hey Brooke,” Fallon said as she strutted over. “Like my boots? I know you do.”

  “Nice touch, wearing those tonight. Are you hoping someone here will notice and want to collect fifty dollars?”

  Scott joined them, a beer in each hand, and handed one to Fallon. “You two getting reacquainted?”

  Fallon smiled and Brooke tried to paste one on her frozen face.

  “Brooke’s the general manager at Billy and Pop’s vineyard. She’s the bomb,” Scott said with a grin.

  “Oh, so that’s why you’re here. I wondered,” Fallon said.

  Right. It couldn’t be because she and Billy meant anything to each other. Fallon was going to go ahead and pretend she didn’t realize it was Brooke in that photo with Billy kissing the breath out of him.

  And why had Scott brought her here tonight anyway? Was he being passive-aggressive about the tank sampling? The Holidays were right in line with making Brooke feel small, insignificant and alone. And Mom hadn’t even had anything to do with it. Yet.

  She scanned the room for signs of Mom, but didn’t see her. All she could see was Billy, coming toward her. Brooke’s heart sped up a little bit, like it did when she’d had a shot of espresso. Was this what Ivey felt like when she saw Jeff?

  The feeling was a bit like a shot of adrenaline coursing through her body. Like she’d just run long enough to get a runner’s high.

  Oh, she didn’t like this feeling one bit. It could get addicting.

  “Can I get you anything, babe?”

  Brooke hadn’t expected this at all. Hadn’t expected him to be so— obvious.

  Fallon squealed her surprise. She was one horrible actress. “Oh, so you two are— together? Wow. This is something. Do you remember how much you hated each other back in high school?”

  Scott laughed. “My brother never hated anyone in his life. Well, except for reporters.”

  Fallon tossed her hair and one hand on her hip, turned to Brooke. “You hated Billy. And all jocks. Don’t try to deny it now.”

  “I won’t. But I’ve recently discovered that jocks have many ... redeeming qualities.” She threw Billy a significant look. “Like stamina.”

  Scott laughed again.

  Dang, she felt mean right now. She was definitely going to hell.

  Billy grinned, kissed her neck and lingered. “I’m not done showing you all my redeeming qualities, either.”

  His fingers trailed down her arm and then curled around her hand, squeezing it tight. Brooke could have sworn she felt her womb contract.

  “You two need to get a room,” Scott said, taking a pull from his beer. “Huh, Fallon? What do you say?”

  Fallon appeared speechless. Brooke had seen that particular look
in someone’s eyes before. Specifically her own. Raw and unbridled envy. Pure and simple.

  “Everyone! Dinner is served,” Eileen announced. “First, I have an announcement. Some unexpected but fantastic news.”

  For the first time, Brooke noticed Giancarlo standing next to Eileen, proud as a peacock. Oh. No.

  “We’re getting married!” She beamed at Giancarlo.

  Billy stiffened beside her, and let go of her hand. Both he and Scott said at once, “What?”

  “Are you out of your mind?” Pop shouted from the other side of the room. “You’re too old to get married. And we have real problems now. Melinda helped me find the secret recipe, and that sonofabitch stiffed me again. From beyond the grave!”

  Super. The Holidays would be awesome this year. They were already off to a great start.

  14

  Billy couldn’t have heard right. Mom getting married? To Giancarlo? Since when had they even been dating? Before he realized what he’d done, he’d dropped Brooke’s hand and moved towards Mom and Giancarlo. An explanation would be nice. Mom could do what she wanted with her life, but why spring marriage on the family at Thanksgiving dinner?

  “What do you mean you’re getting married?” Wallace asked in his pissed off tone.

  That’s when Billy realized that both of his brothers flanked him on either side. Which couldn’t be good for Giancarlo. He almost felt sorry for the man for a nanosecond.

  “Look, just because I’m a woman of a certain age doesn’t mean I can’t be happy and in love again. It’s my second chance, boys.”

  Giancarlo, who had to be a good decade younger that Mom, had a sappy look on his face. “Mine too.”

  “Well, hell. Congrats. Welcome to the family.” Scott put down his beer bottle and embraced their mom. He shook Giancarlo’s hand.

  “Mom, just a few weeks ago you were asking me about online dating. You’re moving a little too fast,” Billy said.

  Mom laughed. “I didn’t need online dating. Thanks to Brooke, I’ve met the man of my dreams. I have to admit, I was a little shocked when he asked but somewhere between whipping the potatoes and stuffing the pie shell, I knew. I just knew.”

  Billy froze. What did Brooke have to do with this? He’d asked her to talk to his mom about the menu, not fix her up. “Brooke introduced you?”

  “Wasn’t she just here?” Mom asked, scanning the room.

  Billy turned to where he’d just left Brooke. She’d moved and now stood behind the eight foot Ficus fern he’d given to Mom last Mother’s Day.

  “Here she is,” Fallon said, pointing in the general direction of the potted plant.

  Brooke emerged from behind the fern, scowling at Fallon. It couldn’t feel great to have every eye in the room on you, yet Brooke handled it, which made his chest pinch oddly.

  “It’s true, I fixed them up. Dinner. I arranged for them to have dinner. I, for one, think they make a great couple.”

  There was a ringing silence in the room. Brooke stood alone, chin tilted up slightly, and again an odd feeling pinched his chest. He had the sudden incomprehensible urge to wrap his arms around her. He’d never been consciously aware of the desire to hug a woman before. A strange feeling. He’d wanted to touch Brooke a lot in the past few weeks, but not once had he thought about how much he wanted to hug her. Right now, she looked like she needed one.

  Even if she’d lied to him. But if he was honest, he felt relief flood through him as he realized what she’d kept from him. It could have been worse.

  Still, he didn’t like it. Brooke should have cleared this with him first.

  “I think that’s such a loving thing to do.” Brooke’s mother stepped forward, and put her arm around her daughter.

  “Yeah, it’s great. Now does anyone at all care about my problem?” Pop asked. He still stood waving around an index card.

  “Let’s talk about that later,” Billy said.

  “I agree,” Wallace piped up and turned to Giancarlo. “Seems like you two are rushing into things.”

  “Listen to my boys, talking to me about rushing into things,” Eileen laughed. “Each one of you never listened to me when I told you to slow down with a decision. Because you always realized when a choice was right for you. Now please, give me the same respect.”

  “Sorry to say, gentlemen, but your mother has a point. This is her business. Her decision.” Melinda said.

  “Thank you, Melinda!” Mom said.

  Had his mother taken leave of her senses? Getting married again, at her age? After Dad left, she’d never even dated anyone else. Now one date and she was engaged. How was he supposed to be okay with this? Or fine with the fact that Brooke had arranged it all? Without telling him?

  “Maybe we should eat and talk about this later?” Brooke asked.

  “Good idea, but there’s not much to talk about. There’s lots of planning, though. A wedding! At our age.” Mom smiled next to Giancarlo, and strangely she looked excited and not at all in need of Prozac.

  Billy shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. A wedding.

  “Does anyone want to hear about my problem now?” Pop asked. “If you’re done prying into your mother’s personal life?”

  “Yeah, Pop, what is it?” Billy asked.

  “It’s not instructions to grow the perfect vine. It’s advice for a happy marriage. The stupid man thought he was a poet. He’s likened a marriage to a healthy vine that produces good fruit. Respect each other, put each other first, and never go to bed angry, blah blah blah. Nothing we can use!” Pop said.

  “Maybe we could,” Giancarlo piped up, with a longing look towards Mom. Blech.

  Melinda now stood next to Pop, rubbing his back. “There, there. It will all work out.”

  Before long, they were all seated around the table, watching Giancarlo carve the turkey. Strange to see his mother, a man by her side. Not that Giancarlo didn’t seem like a perfectly harmless man, even if Billy hadn’t had him checked out yet. He would have already accomplished that, had Brooke thought to share that bit of information with him.

  She sat next to him, still not saying much. Despite his confusion, Billy grabbed her hand under the table and squeezed. She had plenty of time to explain all of this to him later, and explain she would.

  Scott was another one who had some explaining to do. He was the brother who always brought home strays, but this was over the top. Billy didn’t need one of his high school exes sitting next to him, where she’d made sure to find a place. She kept leaning a little closer than necessary to pass him a dish. Accidentally brushing her leg against his. Laughing a little too loudly at everything he said. That sense of desperation was no more attractive to him now than it had been in high school.

  “Can we have the wedding at the vineyard?” Mom asked.

  “Sure,” Billy answered.

  “That sounds so romantic,” Fallon said from next to him, brushing up his leg again. “Don’t you think?”

  Billy didn’t answer, since he wasn’t the best person to decide on the romantic virtues of a wedding in a vineyard. But if his mother wanted to get married there, she would. After he’d put Giancarlo through a proper background check.

  “Are you thinking of a summer wedding? In June the vines are full and it’s beautiful.” Brooke spoke up.

  “Summer? I wasn’t thinking we’d wait that long,” Mom said, batting her eyelashes at Giancarlo.

  Billy froze. He was close enough to feel Brooke’s thigh tense next to his. Turns out all along he’d inched his way closer to her, and away from Fallon.

  “But Eileen, you need time to plan the wedding. We’re going to have our grand opening in a few days. June would be great,” Brooke said, and Billy thought he heard a little desperation in her voice.

  There was every possibility that this turn of events had shocked her as much as it had everyone else.

  “When you put it that way,” Mom said. “Let’s do it up right.”

  “Makes sense.” Giancarlo nodded
.

  Billy relaxed, grabbed Brooke’s hand and squeezed again. This time she squeezed back.

  Fallon put her hand on his thigh and rubbed it. “It’s so awesome that you can give your mother the wedding of her dreams.”

  Carefully, he dislodged Fallon’s hand from his thigh. “Yeah. Awesome.”

  Later, after everyone had their fill of turkey and then some, and the guests began to trickle out, Billy waited until he saw Giancarlo leave. Satisfied that the love sick man wasn’t going to be staying the night, he and Brooke left last, dropping off Melinda at the farm.

  Finally, they had a moment alone in the car.

  “I’m exhausted,” Brooke said, throwing her head back on the headrest of the passenger seat. “How will I get through Christmas?”

  He reached for her, putting his hand on her knee. “I don’t know what you’re complaining about. Your mother was great.”

  “For once. But The Holidays seem to bring the craziness out of people. Billy, I didn’t know your mother would want to get married to the man.” She glanced at him, and though he only took his eyes off the road for a moment, he swore her eyes were watery.

  Which couldn’t be true. Brooke, to his knowledge, didn’t cry.

  He spoke softly. “Why didn’t you tell me you’d fixed them up?”

  “I meant to, but then I thought ...”

  “That I wouldn’t like it?”

  “And I don’t like this, either. I arranged dinner for the two, not a lifetime together.”

  “Kids these days.” Billy laughed, and tried to make light of it.

  It was easier to laugh than to take the love sick expression on Mom’s face seriously. He wanted that for himself, but not so much for his mother. Selfish, okay, but damn.

  “It’s not funny. We have less than seven months. Maybe they’ll change their minds. But what if they actually go through with this?”

  “Then we’ll have a wedding.” They’d reached the manor house, and he shut off the car. “As long as the background check clears.”