Alejandro was able to arrange a wine tasting for Wednesday afternoon at Hummingbird Ridge Vineyard. It was short notice, but he was psyched when Olivia was able to herd and organize a group of fourteen who were interested in going. It was his wedding gift to the brides and grooms.
Alejandro had left the outing to the discretion of the wedding party, and the final group ended up being comprised of family—Mendozas and Fortune Robinsons. It was great, in theory. The problem was Olivia’s “we’re in love” plan seemed to be working, as Sophie seemed to have miraculously recovered from her “flu” and had happily agreed to join them. That meant they had to put on a convincing performance for Sophie’s benefit in front of key members of the family—Mason, Dana and Kieran; their fathers, Gerald Robinson and Orlando Mendoza; Orlando’s fiancée, Josephine Fortune; and their siblings, Rachel and Matteo; Zoe and Joaquin; and Cisco and his wife Delaney. Rachel and Zoe were in on the ruse, but his brothers and Delaney weren’t and they believed they were witnessing a romance unfolding right before their eyes.
As they had waited to board the small chartered bus that would take them to the winery, Dana’s friend Monica had flirted with him. But then Olivia had walked up and draped her arms around his neck and greeted him with a kiss that made his eyeballs roll back into his head. After that, Monica had kept her distance.
Normally, he would have been enticed by the challenge of a beautiful woman’s reserve—especially one who had shown interest in him. After all, it was the thrill of the chase, and it was one of his favorite games. But not only did Monica virtually disappear, his attention kept drifting back to Olivia, who was seated beside him on the bus.
He admired the way her long dark hair was swept back from her face, accentuating dark, soulful eyes, high cheekbones and full lips that begged him to kiss them again. His eyes followed the graceful slope of her neck to the place where her blouse ended in a vee at her breastbone and just a hint of cleavage winked at him. She looked sleek and polished in her snug-fitting beige pants and black tank.
She leaned in toward him. “Thanks for doing this.” Her voice was quiet and husky and made him think of sex, even though he wasn’t sure if she was expressing gratitude for the wine tasting trip or for going along with the ruse to draw her sister out of her prewedding funk.
“My pleasure.” He watched her intently, realizing that in its own way this game of subterfuge was at once erotic and frustrating as hell. The two of them acted like they couldn’t keep their hands off each other, like they were merely tolerating the others until they could finally sneak off to finish what they’d started.
Every single person here, with the exception of Rachel and Zoe, thought Olivia and he were sleeping together. The thought made his groin tighten even though the exact opposite was true. They were like the old back-lot Hollywood sets that looked real from the outside, but behind the scenes it was just prefabricated plywood braces and empty promises.
Even though he really could’ve used a cooldown, he put his hand on the back of her neck and caressed it. The gesture made her look up at him and when she did, he lowered his mouth to hers and planted a gentle kiss on her lips.
“Get a room, you two.” Sophie laughed. Olivia had strategically chosen the seats in front of Sophie and Mason to give her sister a front-row seat for the show.
They ended the kiss and feigned embarrassment as Sophie leaned forward and braced her forearms on the seatback.
“So, my big sister isn’t immune to love after all.” Her voice floated between them on a note of wonder. “You know, Alejandro, I called this relationship even before the two of you realized you were perfect for each other.”
“Yes, you did, Sophie,” Olivia said to her sister. She placed her hand on his leg and traced slow circles and she continued to gaze at Alejandro, as if she was so deeply in love she couldn’t bear to look away. “You nailed it. You did.”
Alejandro smiled. “What do you mean you called it?”
“That night at the Driskill bar,” Sophie explained, “I said to Olivia that the two of you were perfect for each other. Not just because you’re the last single Mendoza brother and she’s the last single Fortune Robinson sister, but because you’re perfect together. You’re made for each other.”
“We are perfect for each other,” Alejandro echoed as he gazed at Olivia.
“Well, it’s true,” Sophie said. “You are the only person in the world that could make my sister believe in love. You’re like King Arthur of Camelot, the only one who could pull Excalibur out of the stone.”
He raised an eyebrow at Olivia. Had she really never been in love? What was it that would cause her to take such a hardline stance? What would make her close herself off? Granted, love was a risky endeavor. The heart was uncertain by nature. He’d learned that firsthand after he’d lost Anna.
“See, Olivia? I told you that there was someone for you. I told you that Alejandro was your man.”
“Yes, you did, Sophie.”
Something flickered in Olivia’s gaze. She blinked and looked away. But it felt more like she was pulling away. Maybe she was performing the same reality check Alejandro himself was right now. Despite the hot kissing, tender touching and cozy embracing, it was all for show. Every bit of it. He needed to remind himself of that now and again. Hell, if he knew what was good for him, he would write a stern reminder on a figurative sign and nail it to the forefront of his mind. Because he could already see it would be very tempting to lose himself in this game.
Olivia scooted away from him and turned around in her seat to talk to her sister.
“I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.” Her voice was low. “You had us all worried for a while.”
Alejandro didn’t turn around. Instead, he sat facing forward and he caught his father, who was seated at the front of the bus, slanting a glance over his shoulder in Alejandro’s direction. When the older man realized Alejandro had caught him looking, he pretended to be shifting so that he could more easily drop his arm around Josephine’s shoulder. But Alejandro hadn’t missed the curious look in his dad’s eyes.
He pondered the vague conundrum of what he was going to say to his father and Josephine once they had a chance to corner him. Orlando was bound to be full of questions, and rightfully so. He was his father, after all. A father who wanted nothing more than for all of his children to be as happy as he was.
There was a long stretch of time after Alejandro’s mother, Luz, died when he thought his father might never be happy again. Orlando had been so deeply in love with Luz that Alejandro and his siblings had feared that he might will himself into an early grave. That was so unlike the man who had always been so full of life.
When Luz died five years ago, Orlando had been bereft. Alejandro and his siblings had convinced him that he needed a change of scenery, that he needed to leave a lifetime of memories and the hustle and bustle of Miami for the more laidback pace of Horseback Hollow, Texas. That was when he met Josephine Fortune. Since then, Orlando had been like a new man.
Alejandro hated to lie to his dad. They’d always had a great relationship, but he’d promised Olivia he wouldn’t tell anyone what they were up to. They couldn’t risk anyone slipping up and tipping off Sophie. The more people who knew about the ruse, the greater the chance of someone spilling the beans.
Orlando was nothing if not understanding. As soon as the week was over and Sophie was happily off on her honeymoon, he would level with his dad. Orlando would understand.
Gerald Robinson, however, might be another matter.
Olivia’s father sat in the front seat across the aisle from Orlando and Josephine. He’d arrived only moments before the bus left so Alejandro hadn’t had an opportunity to introduce himself again. They’d met at his brothers’ weddings, but it had only been in passing.
Alejandro ignored the dread that reminded him that Gerald Robinson would probably wonder about this sudden relationship. Any father with a daughter like Olivia would be protective.
He’d done a fair amount of research on Gerald Robinson the mogul, the genius businessman. The guy was formidable. He had a reputation for ruthlessly eliminating competition and systematically taking down his opponents.
Alejandro blinked away a sudden vision of Gerald enlisting his henchmen to teach him a lesson about messing with his daughter. But then he dismissed the thought because he wasn’t messing with Olivia. He was helping her. Actually, he clarified to himself, he was messing around with Olivia to help Sophie.
This could get complicated in ways that he hadn’t even thought of before he’d agreed to this farce.
Alejandro’s hand instinctively found the tattoo on his forearm. He covered it with his palm, as if touching Anna’s name might provide answers. The tattoo was his touchstone, anchoring him in the past and grounding him in the present all at once. It was a reminder that he’d been fortunate enough to know true love once. Not everyone was lucky like that. Olivia didn’t even believe in love. He didn’t know if it was because she’d been hurt so badly that it had cauterized her heart.
He glanced at her as she and her sister had their heads together, whispering and laughing, making happy sounds that had him convinced that their Saturday-night fight, the one that had nearly turned Sophie into a runaway bride, was not only a thing of the past—it was erased from the annals of their sister history.
The bus rounded the corner, bringing Hummingbird Ridge Vineyard into view with its inviting lodge and its acres of weathered grapevines standing like rows of stooped and gnarled old men waiting for the rapture.
The midday sun beat down, casting a golden light on the scene, making it one of the most beautiful sights Alejandro had ever seen.
The blood rushed in his ears as his pulse picked up at the thought of how hard he’d worked to bring his plans to life. Soon, this would all be his. His kingdom.
“Is that Hummingbird Ridge?” Olivia asked.
He nodded.
“It’s beautiful,” Olivia said. “It looks like a postcard. Isn’t it sad that for as long as I’ve lived in Austin, I’ve never been to a Hill Country winery? So this is a real treat for so many reasons.”
“Never?” Alejandro asked. “Why not?”
“That’s a good question. I have no idea why not and I don’t really have any good excuses. I guess I just haven’t had time to venture out here. Or, actually, I’ve been so bogged down by the day-to-day grind that I haven’t made time.”
He wanted to ask her what she did for fun, if she even had fun. Or was she always all work and no play? He wanted to tell her that he could help her with that, if she’d let him. After all, he had made an art form out of having fun while working his way to success. But the bus was pulling into the winery’s parking lot. He made a mental note—right across the large sign in the forefront of his mind that reminded him their escapades were all for show—to help Olivia learn how to have fun this week. Right now, he had a winery to show off and a captive audience that was eager to learn more.
As the driver parked, Alejandro told her, “I’m going to go inside to make sure everything is ready for us. Will you corral everyone outside until I get back?”
“You bet.”
She already had her work face on, ready to take charge. It would be fun to see her spring into action organizing everyone.
“Thanks. Why don’t you take them for a walk around the grounds? There’s a sculpture garden around the back. I want to make sure everyone gets a chance to enjoy it. I’ll come and get you as soon as they’re ready for us.”
Without even thinking about it, he leaned in and kissed her. It felt natural. Maybe a little too natural. But she kissed him back. When she pulled away, they both seemed to have the same question in their eyes: Is this okay? And the same answer: It’s fine.
He stood and made his way to the front of the bus. Since it was a weekday the staff had agreed to close the tasting room for their private party. A sign was tacked to the large rough-hewn wooden door. It read: “Closed for private party from 1pm-3pm. Please come again.” Alejandro reached out and grabbed the brass handle and pulled the door. It creaked open, exposing an airy reception area with high vaulted ceilings with dark beams. A marble-topped tasting bar crowded with wineglasses and corked bottles graced the wall directly across from the front door. In the center of the room, someone had set a wooden trestle table for the tasting. They’d laid it with breads and cheeses and other appetizers to pair with the various wines.
The rusty squeak of the door sounded behind Alejandro and he turned to see Gerald Robinson walk in. The man stopped just inside the threshold, scowled and took his time looking around, taking in everything as if he were judging the place and finding it wanting. Even after his gaze skewered Alejandro, Gerald didn’t speak. He stood there silently, challenging him with his blank expression.
There he was—the Gerald Robinson. Creator of empires, eviscerator of men who got in his way... And of men who dated his daughter?
Obviously his brothers and Mason had battled the monster and lived to marry his daughters.
When Gerald agreed to join them today, Alejandro had known the mogul was bound to have a conversation with him about what Alejandro was doing with Olivia. What the hell was he supposed to say? Lying to Orlando was one thing—it wasn’t really lying because he would confide the truth later—but lying to Gerald by saying he was in love with his daughter was another. It was best to be proactive and take charge of the conversation.
“Mr. Robinson, welcome.” Alejandro walked over to Olivia’s father and extended his hand. “I’m Alejandro Mendoza. We’ve met before at Rachel’s and Zoe’s weddings.”
Gerald offered a perfunctory shake, but his grip was firm and commanding. “I know who you are. Olivia tells me you’re buying this place?”
“I am.”
Again, Gerald’s steely gaze pinned him to the spot. Alejandro steeled himself for the inevitable interrogation.
“Nice place,” Gerald said. Unsmiling, he broke eye contact and gave the room another once-over. “You’re from Miami. I take it you know something about wine.”
They weren’t questions. They were statements that proved the guy had already done some investigating. Hell, for all Alejandro knew the man might’ve hired a private detective to perform a full-scale inquiry.
It was fine if he had. Alejandro had nothing to hide. He made his living honestly.
“I know a lot about wine. Are you an oenophile?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Robinson said.
“An oenophile is a wine enthusiast,” Alejandro explained.
Gerald scowled at him. “Why didn’t you say that in the first place?”
It was a fair question. Gerald probably thought he was being pretentious, showing off. Maybe he was. But that wasn’t something he’d admit out loud.
“I don’t like wine,” Gerald said. “But I read something just the other day about how over the past few decades, Hill Country wineries have been growing steadily and Texas wine production has become a viable player in the industry. Fascinating. The article said that winemakers are forgoing the Napa Valley because it’s expensive and exclusive and basically out of their reach.”
That was exactly why Alejandro had chosen to buy a place in Texas. When he’d discovered it was a viable option it had almost seemed meant to be, since most of his immediate family had relocated to the Lone Star State. In fact, if he’d believed in fate, he might have thought it’d had a hand in aligning the stars and moon to make this possible. It just seemed to make sense that this was where he would invest the money his mother, Luz, had left him when she passed away.
In typical Luz fashion, she’d made arrangements to take care of her children even after she’d left this earth. She’d taken out a small life insurance policy, leaving equal sums to each of her five kids. She’d left each of them a handwritten note telling them how much she loved them, that it had been a privilege to be their mother and that she hoped the money she was leaving each of them would help make their dreams come true.
Alejandro had invested the gift from his mother and, while it wasn’t enough to allow him to buy Hummingbird Ridge free and clear, that investment, along with the money he’d saved, was the seed money he needed to interest his cousins, Rodrigo and Stefan, and a couple of investors who would be silent partners. Together they had the buying power to make the deal. They were almost there. The last hurdle was to clear due diligence and inspections and they’d be home free.
“That’s exactly why I chose Texas,” Alejandro said. “Most of my family has relocated to Texas. I’ve had my eye on wineries here. I’ve made several scouting trips, during which I became friendly with Jack and Margaret Daily—the couple that owns Hummingbird Ridge. They wanted to sell and I wanted to buy. It just seemed like a good fit.”
Gerald grunted as he stood there with his arms crossed. Alejandro couldn’t tell if he was boring him or if the sound indicated contemplative interest.
“Hummingbird Ridge has been in Margaret’s family for several generations,” Alejandro explained. “She inherited it and wanted to pass it on to their daughter, but the daughter’s not interested. She’s a surgeon and doesn’t have the time or the inclination to take over the family business. I asked them if they wanted to adopt me, but they said they’d cut me a deal instead,” he joked, but Gerald didn’t laugh.
“If I would’ve known it was for sale, I would’ve bought it.”
“Really?” This was unexpected coming from a guy who professed to not like wine. “You’re interested in getting involved in the wine industry?”
Gerald shrugged. “To diversify.”
“If you find a vineyard and you do decide to invest, make sure you’ve got a good crew. Even though this is becoming one of the top wine production states, it still has its challenges. It has distinct regions that are different enough to the point of being incompatible in terms of vine selection. Depending on the area, the microclimatic and geographic factors can vary considerably, but that’s what I find so appealing about it.”
Gerald didn’t say anything. Alejandro could tell from the man’s body language that it was time to stop talking. So he just stood there. The faint whir of the air conditioner was the only sound in the room.
“Well,” Gerald finally said, “thanks for arranging this tasting. And if you hurt my daughter, you’ll answer to me and there will be hell to pay.”
The older man’s forced smile reminded Alejandro of a great white shark as Gerald turned around and let himself out of the tasting room.
“Alejandro, welcome. We’re excited that you could be here today.”
Alejandro turned to see Margaret stepping out of the office, which was located down a hallway to the right of the wine bar.
“Hi, Margaret. Everything looks great. Thanks for going the extra mile to make today special for my guests.”
“My pleasure. Will they be arriving soon?”
“They’re already here.” He motioned to the door. “They’re enjoying the grounds until you’re ready for them.”
“We’re ready when you are,” Margaret said. “Shall we invite them in?”
As Alejandro and Margaret set off to find the party, she told him that Jack was sorry to miss him, but he had some business in Dallas he had to take care of.
Alejandro’s phone rang, interrupting the conversation. His cousin Stefan’s name flashed on the screen. “Excuse me, Margaret. I need to take this call.”
“That’s fine, honey. I’ll find everyone and bring them inside.”
“Stefan, my man,” Alejandro said. “You must have been picking up the good vibe. I’m standing here in the Hummingbird Ridge tasting room. What’s going on?”
Stefan didn’t speak right away and for a moment Alejandro thought they’d lost the connection.
“Stef, are you there?”
“I am. I don’t have good news. Masterson is pulling out of the Hummingbird Ridge deal.”
Alejandro’s gut contracted. “Bad joke, bro.”
“I wish it was a joke. It’s not. We’re not going to have the money we need to buy the place. We’re going to be short by a third.”