Casey’s headache medication does the job, but she’d barely touched her dinner, and her stomach is now rumbling. An inspection of the meager contents of her refrigerator reveals only a carton of Greek yogurt and a block of moldy Manchego cheese. Takeout is her best option, but is anything open on Magnolia Avenue on Sunday night? She changes into walking shoes and ventures out.
As she strolls up the avenue, she contemplates the colossal shit show Daniel has put into motion. Charles removed himself from the situation, and Sheldon, because his allegiance is now to Ollie and Foxtail Farm, will probably do the same. Which will leave Casey to battle it out with Hugh alone. Daniel failed to establish rules of engagement, and Hugh will undoubtedly play dirty. The potential for danger is real.
Casey admires a white halter dress on a mannequin in the window at Faith’s Fashions, a new women’s boutique. She’s imagining herself onstage at the Fourth of July party, accepting her new role as vineyard head, when she senses someone behind her.
She cranes her neck to find Luke smiling down at her.
She returns her attention to the dress. “What’re you doing here?”
“Looking for you. I assumed you needed the weekend to consider my proposal.” He rakes his hands through his sandy cropped hair. “It’s been a long couple of days, and I couldn’t wait any longer. I need to know where things stand with us.”
Casey turns toward him. “I spent the three years prior to coming to Lovely nursing my dying mother. You have no idea what it’s like to watch your only parent, your only relative, wither away from cancer, knowing you’ll be all alone in the world when she’s gone. But it turns out I’m not alone. I discovered a father and siblings and a job I love in Virginia. How can you ask me to choose between that new life and you?”
“Because you’re my person. We’re meant to be together. Couples make sacrifices for each other. That’s part of being in a relationship.”
“I have more at stake than you. Why don’t you make the sacrifice and turn down the job offer?”
His silence is his answer.
“That’s what I thought.” Casey leaves him standing in front of the window and goes to sit down on a nearby park bench.
Seconds later, he slides onto the bench beside her. “I don’t want to lose you, Casey. I’m certain we can make a long-distance relationship work.”
What if she breaks up with him and Daniel appoints Hugh to take over the vineyard? As bad as things have been these past months, she doesn’t think she can work for Hugh. “Everything is way more complicated now than it was when you proposed.” She tells him about Daniel’s competition to find a new head for the vineyard.
“Whoa,” Luke says, sagging against the park bench. “I can’t believe Daniel would do that to his own children. He’s clearly not thinking straight. Is it possible he’s having residual confusion from the stroke?”
Casey shakes her head. “Not at all. He appeared calm and confident. He knows exactly what he’s doing.”
Luke crosses his legs, resting one arm on the back of the bench. “So, Charles is out. If Sheldon bails, you’ll be competing against Hugh, a man with no scruples. He’ll eat your lunch, Casey. And he has a head start against you.”
Casey jerks her neck back to look at him. “What’s that?”
“He was raised at Love-Struck. The land is in his blood.”
His words strike a nerve with Casey. She’s all too aware of her siblings’ lifelong association with the vineyard. “If anything, Daniel’s trying to get rid of Hugh. He’s tolerating him, because Hugh helped him through his recovery. But Daniel doesn’t approve of the way he’s been handling the vineyard.”
“So he says. Did you ever think maybe Daniel’s trying to let you down easy?”
Casey jumps to her feet. “Whose side are you on here?”
Luke stands to face her. “Yours, of course. But you need to be aware of what you’re up against. I only want what’s best for you.”
“Correction. You want what’s best for you.” She digs her finger into his chest. “I’m disappointed, Luke. I never knew you were so self-absorbed. Better that I’m finding out now before it’s too late.” She whirls around and storms off, calling over her shoulder, “Go live your life in DC. But stay the hell out of mine.”
When she hears his footsteps approaching from behind, Casey increases her pace and beats him back to her building in time to lock the door on him. She takes the elevator to the third floor and collapses on her sofa, inhaling and exhaling gulps of air until her breath steadies.
But she can’t shake the nagging feeling of impending doom. Does her lack of history with the family’s vineyard put her at a disadvantage? Is she giving up a life with the man she loves for a chance at a job she’ll never get?
* * *
After a restless night’s sleep, Casey arrives at Foxtail Farm early to find Sheldon on the porch, feeding the baby breast milk from a bottle.
“Where’s Ollie?” Casey asks, running her hand over the top of the baby’s soft head.
“I insisted she sleep in. She and the baby had a rough night.”
She lets out a sigh. “That makes three of us. I need some caffeine. Do you mind if I grab some coffee?”
“Not at all. Help yourself.”
In the kitchen, Casey pops a Nantucket Blend K-cup in his Keurig, waits for it to brew, and adds a splash of almond milk from the fridge. Returning to the porch, she sits down in the chair next to Sheldon and blows on her coffee. “Daniel’s big announcement was unsettling.”
“That’s putting it mildly. I thought I was done with Love-Struck. But now I’m not so sure,” Sheldon says, his expression grim.
“Really? I figured you’d hightail it out of there as fast as possible.”
Sheldon stares down at the baby in his arms. “My perspective on life has changed since Henry was born. If I walk away, I’ll be giving up my son’s birthright. On the other hand, I’m not sure I want to go back to Love-Struck. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. The work I do at Foxtail is more hands-on. I enjoy being outdoors, and I certainly don’t miss the family drama.”
“Sounds like you’ve made your choice.”
“Not yet. I promised Ollie I’d talk to you first. Are you prepared to duke it out with Hugh?”
“Bring it on! I’m not afraid of Hugh,” Casey says with more conviction than she feels. “Luke is the problem. He finally proposed, but he wants me to move to DC with him.” She tells him about Luke’s new job in Washington. “Luke thinks we can make a long-distance relationship work, but I’m not so sure. He’s being a real jerk. I’m thinking about taking a break.”
“There’s nothing wrong with clearing your head while you sort out your professional life.”
“I feel selfish putting my career before Luke.”
Sheldon cuts his eyes at her. “Why? He’s doing the same thing to you.”
“True. But that doesn’t make it right.” Casey stares down at her lap. “I refuse to work for Hugh if he gets the head job. I could potentially lose my career and the man I love.”
“Then don’t let Hugh win. Daniel will appoint you as head, and Luke will come running back with his tail between his legs when he realizes he can’t live without you.”
“This isn’t a romance novel, Sheldon. Not everyone gets their happily ever afters.”
“Maybe not, but I’m confident you will,” Sheldon says with a genuine smile.
The baby makes a loud sucking noise when all the milk is gone from the bottle. “Can I hold him?”
“Sure! But he needs to burp.” Sheldon drapes a cloth diaper over Casey’s shoulder and shows her how to rub the baby’s back until he burps.
Reclaiming his chair, Sheldon says, “You realize Dad is letting us do his dirty work?”
“By getting rid of Hugh,” she says, gently patting Henry’s back.
“Dad knew Charles was on his way out. And he senses I am too. He asked me not to make any major decisions without talking to him first.”
“Right. He said the same thing to me.” When the baby burps, Casey wipes his rosebud mouth and cradles him in her arms.
“You’re a natural,” Sheldon says.
Casey smiles down at the baby. “I used to babysit a lot. When the time is right, I can’t wait to have children.”
Sheldon hunches a shoulder. “Who knows? Maybe your children will grow up in The Nest.”
“The Nest is your childhood home, Sheldon. Do you honestly have no aspirations of living there?”
“None. I have some happy memories from my youth. But because of my parents’ tumultuous marriage, I have plenty of bad ones too. This family needs fresh blood, and you’re it.” Sheldon smiles softly at her. “I can totally see you at the helm. You’ve come into your own these past few months. You’re poised and assertive and you interact well with the public.”
“Thanks for your vote of confidence.” A thought strikes Casey. “Hey! Why don’t you and I join forces against Hugh? I would love to have you on my team.”
“I’m not sure Dad would go for it, but we can certainly ask him. I’m talking to him later this morning.”
“Me too. I have serval questions for him. What would that mean for your expansion plans if you came back to Love-Struck?”
“We’ve temporarily put those on hold,” Sheldon says. “An anonymous person has offered a considerably higher price for Valley View. Ollie and I are deciding whether to counter.”
Casey lets out a humph. “I’ll bet a month’s salary the anonymous person is Hugh.”
“I’m not touching that bet.” The baby fusses, and Sheldon takes him from her.
Casey stands. “I need to get to work.”
Sheldon walks her to the porch door. “Why don’t you come back for dinner? We can compare notes about our conversations with Dad.”
“As long as I can bring takeout. I’d hate to make extra work for Ollie.”
Sheldon kisses her cheek. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll throw something on the grill. I promise we’ll keep it simple.”
“Sounds good,” Casey says and heads off to her car.
Sheldon calls out after her, “Watch your back today. You’re in enemy territory now.”
Sheldon’s words ring in her ears on the drive over to Love-Struck. If anyone is in enemy territory, it’s Hugh. Casey’s mother kept her from her father for twenty-seven years, denying Casey her birthright. But she’s as much Daniel Love’s child as Hugh and Sheldon. She may not have grown up at Love-Struck, but the vineyard is now a vital part of her life. She has a right to be president. And she will fight tooth and nail to win the position.