retires.
I’ll be mistress of Steel Vineyards.
Still seems unreal yet very real, if that makes any sense at all.
This is a wonderful day.
And tonight…we celebrate.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Dale
They didn’t feed us today.
Did they forget?
More likely they’re trying some new kind of torture.
Donny and I have been in this room for a week now. At least I think it’s a week. There are no windows, so I don’t really know how much time has passed.
We’ve gotten three meals a day up until now. Usually bread and water, but sometimes some meat or eggs. No vegetables, which is fine with Donny. He hates everything green.
They’ve smacked us around a lot. Donny has a black eye, and I’ve got bruises everywhere.
That’s all they’ve done.
But I know what’s coming.
My little brother doesn’t. He’s only seven, and he doesn’t know what awaits us.
I do.
I’ve heard about child molestation. Child rape.
Yeah, it can happen to boys too.
It won’t happen to Donny, though. Not on my watch.
Willow and Dennis are getting along great with everyone in my family, just like Ashley when she first showed up. Brock, of course, turns on the charm and flirts audaciously with the newly married Willow.
The man has no shame. She’s old enough to be his very young mother.
I’m not sure Brock knows how not to flirt.
“Thanks a lot for inviting us to your wedding,” Donny says sarcastically, flanked by Diana and Brianna.
I move my gaze from Brock to my three siblings. “It was spur of the moment.”
“Apparently.” Donny claps me on the back. “I’m happy for you, bro. Though I should have been there to give you away.” He chuckles.
“You’d have been the best man,” Bree laughs. “Dee and I could give him away.”
“Hey,” I say to Donny, “I wasn’t thinking.”
“I’d say you were thinking clearly for the first time in a long time,” he says.
“I mean, about the best man. You should have been there.”
“We’d have all loved to have been there,” he says, “but Dale, none of us wanted you to end up alone.”
“Ashley’s great,” Dee says. “I’m so happy for both of you.”
“Thanks, sis.”
“You love her, right?” Dee hedges.
“What the hell kind of question is that?”
“She’s been through some stuff.” Dee bites her lower lip.
And I haven’t?
I don’t say that, because Dee doesn’t know.
Donny does, though, and his eyes take on a haunted look.
Every once in a while, he remembers. He thinks about it.
Not nearly as much as I do, though. I’d hate it if he did.
“I love her,” I say with conviction.
It’s true. No matter what else sits in my way, loving Ashley isn’t part of it.
“I have to say,” Donny says, “she isn’t the type of woman I ever thought you’d go for.”
“True!” Bree agrees. “I figured Dale would go for a strong and silent type.”
“Then they’d never talk!” Donny laughs at his own joke.
My sisters and brother continue to talk as they always do, while I nod and add a word or two here and there.
Until—
Shit. A tall redhead catches my eye. Brendan Murphy is here.
And he’s talking to Ashley.
For God’s sake, Dale. She’s your wife. There’s nothing to worry about.
Still, I excuse myself and stalk toward them.
“Hey, there’s my hubby!” Ashley grabs my arm, linking hers through it.
“Congratulations, Dale.” Brendan holds out his hand.
“Thanks.”
“Thank you for inviting me to the reception.”
“I didn’t.”
“Well, somebody did.” He winks at Ashley.
“You invited Brendan?”
“I didn’t invite anyone. Your mother did, silly.”
“Right.”
“My mom and dad are on their way,” he says. “Hey, is Ava here yet?”
“Her pink head is probably bobbing around here somewhere,” I say. “She always brings the baked goods.”
“Awesome. I’ll do some mingling, then.” Brendan smiles. “You lovebirds behave yourself.”
Ashley squeezes my upper arm after Brendan takes off. “Hey, there’s something I want to ask you.”
“Yeah?”
“Your dad whispered something in your ear when he hugged you last night after we got home.”
Don’t let the past rule you. Be happy, son.
“He did. He told me to be happy.” I deliberately leave out the part about my past. I have to tell her eventually, but our wedding reception certainly isn’t the time or place.
“That’s all I want,” Ashley says. “For us both to be happy.”
I trail my index finger over her soft cheek. “Me too. I love you, Ash.”
“I love you too, babe.” She smiles mischievously. “You ready to party?”
“You should know by now I’m no partier. But you have fun.”
“We’ll both have fun.” She pulls me toward the crowd of people gathered outside in the yard and around the pool area.
“Ash…”
“They’re all here for us. We have to make the