life to bring into this world. Oh Rena, my dear friend, I couldn’t be happier for you.”
She glanced at the office door and lowered her voice, speaking from the heart. “David should raise his child, not Tony.”
Solena’s eyes softened with understanding. “But that can’t be. Your feeling bad isn’t going to change that. It takes a remarkable man to raise another man’s child. Tony knows?”
“He knows.”
“You resent him.”
“Yes, I do. I resent him for so many reasons. I’m so afraid.”
“Afraid?” Solena met her gaze directly. “You’re afraid of Tony?”
She shook her head. “No, not of him. Of me. I’m afraid I’ll forgive him. I don’t want to forget the hurt and pain he caused me. I don’t want to ever forgive him.”
Tony spent the morning loading the Purple Fields files into a new database program. His first order of business was to update the computer. He wasn’t a genius at business like his brother Joe, but he knew the value of state-of-the-art equipment. Rena needed a new computer, but for now he’d do what he could and download everything to a flash drive.
Rena walked into the office holding a plate of food. “It’s after one, and you haven’t eaten lunch.”
Tony glanced at his watch, then leaned back in his seat. “I didn’t realize the time.”
She set the plate down onto the desk. “Ham and cheese. I have chicken salad made if you’d prefer that instead?”
Tony grabbed the sandwich and took a bite. “This is fine,” he said, his stomach acknowledging the late hour. “Did you eat?”
“Solena and I had a bite earlier. Since David’s death, she’s been babysitting me. She thinks I don’t know it, but it’s sweet. We usually have lunch together.”
“What about Ray?”
“He eats a huge breakfast at home and skips lunch.”
“Do you have time to sit down?” he asked. “I could use the company.”
He rose from his chair, offering it to her. He waited until she took the seat before he sat on the edge of the desk, stretching his legs out. He wasn’t used to poring over a computer screen for hours. He wasn’t used to being holed up behind a desk in a small office either.
He gobbled his sandwich and began working on the apple she’d cut into wedges. “How’s your day going?”
“Good,” she said. “I gave a wine tour at eleven, and we sold a few cases today. Want something to drink?”
“I’ll have a beer later. I’ll need it.”
She tilted her head, her pretty blue eyes marked with question. “Too many numbers?”
“Yeah. I’m inputting files. Setting up a database. My eyes are crossing.”
She laughed. “I know what you mean.”
Tony liked the sound of her laughter. He stared at a smile that lit the room. “You do?”
“All those numbers can make you crazy.”
He grinned. “I think I’m there now.” He gobbled up the apple wedges. “Thanks for lunch.”
Rena watched him carefully. “You’re welcome.”
“You need a new computer and some stuff for the office. This thing is outdated. We’ll work out a time to do that.”
Rena’s eyes widened. “A new computer? I, uh, we never could afford—”
“I know,” Tony said softly. “But now we can.”
“And you need me for that?”
“Yes, I need your input. Look, we can drive into the next town if you’d feel more comfortable, but—”
“I would.” She offered without hesitation.
Tony’s ego took a nosedive. He’d promised her a secret marriage and he’d stick to it, but he wasn’t accustomed to women not wanting to be seen with him. Usually, it was just the opposite—women enjoyed being seen around town with him.
Irritated now, he agreed. “Fine.”
“So what are your plans?” She stood and picked up his empty plate.
“I loaded the info to a flash drive. I’m going to have Joe take a look at everything. Though I have my suspicions, I need his opinion.”
“You’re going home tonight?”
Her hope-filled voice only irritated him some more. With legs spread, he reached out and pulled her between them, the plate separating their bodies. “Yeah, but I’ll be back.” He kissed her soundly on the lips reminding her of the steamy way they’d made love early this morning. He nuzzled her neck, and the devil in him added with a low rasp, “I have more inputting to do.”
Rena’s eyes snapped up to his.
He smiled and then released her.
He’d told her no more tiptoeing around and he’d meant it.
Eight
Tony entered the Carlino offices, a two-story building set in the heart of Napa Valley. The older outer structure gave way to a modern, innovative inner office filled with leather and