Million-Dollar Marriage Merger

by Charlene Sands

  “Watch out for me,” she finished for him with a twist of her full lips.

  She tried his patience, but Tony held firm. He’d made up his mind about this and decided it was best for both of them. “We’ll be discreet. Purple Fields isn’t exactly bustling with crowds.”

  “Thanks for the reminder.”

  “Rena, listen. All I’m saying is that you don’t have a big staff that will spread gossip through the county. The place isn’t on the main highway. In fact, you’re in a remote location.”

  Rena’s voice held quiet concern, and she refused to look at him. “I didn’t think we’d live together.”

  Tony reached over to gently turn her chin his way. She lifted those incredible eyes to him. “You’re my wife. I’m your husband. We are married. We’ll keep the secret for a while, but make no mistake that I intend for us to live as man and wife. Now, if you’d rather move into the Carlino estate with me, we can—”

  “No!” She shook her head. “No, Tony. That makes no sense. I need to be at Purple Fields.”

  Tony wasn’t fooled. Rena’s hatred for his father was evident in her blatant refusal. After Tony had moved away, Santo Carlino had tried to ruin all the local vintners in the area, and Rudy Fairfield hadn’t been the exception. Once Tony was gone, his father had ignored Tony’s protests to leave Purple Fields alone. The Fairfields had suffered, but they’d never fully succumbed to his father’s ruthless business tactics.

  Rena hadn’t stepped foot in his house since. It seemed his new wife hated everything Carlino.

  “Well then, it’s settled. I’ll move into your house.”

  Rena swallowed and gave him a reluctant nod.

  He bounded out of the car and opened her door. She looked up and announced, “I’ll wait for you out here. It’s a nice day. I need the…fresh air.”

  Tony didn’t push her. He helped her out, making a mental note that his Porsche wasn’t a family car or comfortable for his pregnant wife. “I’ll be a few minutes.”

  She nodded and stretched out, raising her arms, shaking out the kinks, confirming that he’d been right about the car.

  Tony bounded up the steps and entered the arched wrought iron doors decorated with delicate metal vines that led to a breezeway. The house, set more like an Italian villa atop the hill, had four wings that met in the center by a large expansive living room and dining area overlooking the vineyards. Tony liked his privacy, and each of the Carlino men had lived in separate sections of the house once they’d grown up.

  “Hey, I thought I heard you come in. How are the newlyweds?” Joe asked, approaching him as he began his ascent up the stairs.

  Tony sighed. “Fine.”

  “That bad? I take it the wedding night didn’t go so smoothly.”

  Tony knew Joe meant well. He wasn’t prying; he was simply concerned. “She’s still grieving.”

  “Understandable. Where is she?”

  “Outside. She won’t come in. But I plan to rectify that soon. She’s not thrilled that I’m moving in with her.”

  “I wasn’t sure of your plans. I guess it makes sense for you to live there for a while.”

  “I’ll divide my time between here and there, Joe, but I’d appreciate it if you and Nick could hold down the fort for a few days without me.”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  “Thanks. You know,” he began with a slant of his head, “if you’d have told me six months ago I’d be married to Rena and raising a baby, I wouldn’t have believed it.”

  “Am I hearing a little bit of awe in your voice?”

  “Yeah, well, maybe I’m adjusting to the situation a little better than my wife is.”

  “She’ll come around. In fact, I think I’ll step outside and say hello to my new sister-in-law. Maybe put in a few good words for you.”

  “I can use all the help I can get. Rena thinks she married the devil.” He chuckled as he took the steps up to his bedroom. He’d been called even worse by some of the women he’d dated in the past.

  And it had all been true.

  “Tony?” Rena questioned him immediately when she realized where they were going. Tony hadn’t taken her directly back to Purple Fields after he’d picked up his clothes from his estate. Instead, he’d driven to the cemetery where David was buried.

  “Are you okay with this?” he asked.

  Rena squeezed her eyes shut. Right after David died, she’d made daily trips to the cemetery to lay wildflowers by his grave. She’d come and sit on the grass just to feel close to him again. But after she’d learned about the promise he’d asked of Tony, she’d gotten so angry with him for his manipulation that she hadn’t come back since. Now she realized the folly in that. David had tried to protect her. Even in death, he’d tried to take care of her. Guilt assailed her for being so shortsighted and selfish. She should have come more often. She should have honored the man who’d loved her. “Yes, I’m okay with this.”

  Once out of the car, Tony met her on the lawn and put out his hand. She glanced down at it and then into his reassuring eyes. “We’ll do this together.”

  She slipped her hand into his, and silently they walked to the center of the Gracious Hill section of the cemetery. A new bronze headstone with David’s name and birth date embossed in gold stared up at them. Rena sank to her knees and said a prayer. She sat there for a minute, looking down, running her fingers over the headstone, touching David’s nameplate with infinite care.

  Tony helped her up, and taking her hand, he spoke with reverence as his gaze drifted down toward the grave. “She’s safe, David,” he whispered. “We’re married now. I’ll take good care of her.”

  Overwhelmed with emotion, Rena let out a sob. Tears she couldn’t hold back, spilled down her cheeks. The reality of the last few weeks came crashing down on her.

  “It’s okay, honey,” Tony said softly. He turned his body and encompassed her in his arms, cradling her as she cried into his chest. She sobbed deeply, the pain emanating from deep within. Guilt and sadness washed over her.

  Tony tightened his hold on her. “Let it out, Rena.”

  Cocooned in Tony’s strength and warmth, she cried and cried until she finally managed to control her emotions. She sniffed and gulped in oxygen and stopped crying after several minutes, yet she couldn’t let go of Tony. Wrapped up in his arms, she was grateful for the comfort, the gentle assuring words, the soft kisses to her forehead. She gave herself up to Tony allowing him to be strong for her. She needed this. She needed for once to let someone else take the brunt of her heartache.

  “He’s okay with this, Rena,” Tony whispered. “It’s what David wanted.”

  She knew that to be true. But she also realized she had just married a man who had hurt and betrayed her once—a man whom she blamed for her husband’s death, a man who’d felt obligated to marry her. How could she find comfort in that?

  “I was mad at David for asking this of you. Of me,” she whispered painfully. “I haven’t come here in weeks.”

  Tony stroked her back again and again, keeping her head pressed to his chest. “Don’t beat yourself up, Rena. You’re a strong woman, but you have a right to all your feelings.”

  “Even the ones that scream I shouldn’t have married you?”

  Tony looked down into her eyes. “Yeah, even those.”

  “I don’t intend on cutting you any slack,” she said quietly.

  “Planning on making my life miserable?”

  “Not deliberately, Tony. But yes. You may want to move out before the week is over.”

  “Doubtful. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Then he leaned down and kissed her softly, exquisitely on her lips, and for the first time, Rena came close to believing him.

  With arms folded, Rena watched Tony set his bags on the floor beside her bed. He faced her, his gaze direct and piercing. “I told you, I won’t tiptoe around you anymore. We’re going to live as man and wife.”

  Rena drew in a breath. Exhausted, she had no mo
re tears to shed. She’d used up her quota and then some at the cemetery. Though her insides quaked and her head ached, she knew she had no choice but to accept Tony in her home and in her bed. He had pride. He was virile and strong and extremely sexy. She suspected women had thrown themselves at him all the time. He was a race car champion, an appealing bachelor who was definitely easy on the eyes. He’d probably had women in every town he traveled.

  Though he’d been patient and kind to her the past few days she knew she’d pushed him pretty far. And soon, he’d start pushing back.

  He must have noted her fear, because his jaw clenched and he swore. “For God’s sake, Rena. I’m not about to force myself on you. But we will sleep in the same bed.”

  Rena glanced at the bed, then up at him. “I understand.”

  “Ah, hell.” He rolled his eyes at her robotic answer. “You’d think we’d never had sex before. Mind-blowing, earthmoving, do-it-until-we-can’t-breathe-anymore sex.”

  Rena nearly tripped over her own feet backing up, his statement stunning her. Her face heated, and her body shook a little. Speechless, she lowered her lashes, fighting off memories of their lovemaking. He’d been blunt but accurate in his description. “That’s when…” she began, almost unable to get the words out. “When we were in love.”

  “Right.” Tony tossed his overnight bag on the bed. He pulled out aftershave lotion, deodorant, razors and a hairbrush. “You have a place I can put these?”

  She pointed to the master bathroom. “It’s small, but you should find some room on the counter.”

  She’d taken David’s things out of the bedroom, unwilling to have that daily reminder of his absence. But she’d yet to remove his clothes from the closet. She’d be forced to now. Tony would need the room, and unlike his home with massive walk-in closet space, her closets were barely big enough for two people.

  She held out hope that he’d get disgusted with her small three-bedroom house and move back to the estate where he’d be ensconced in luxury.

  Rena opened her closet and began gathering up David’s clothes to make room for Tony’s. Before she knew it, Tony stood beside her and placed a stopping hand on hers. “You don’t have to do it now. You’re exhausted.”

  “It needs doing. I just never could fa—”

  “If it makes you feel better, I’ll do it.”

  “No,” she said with a shake of her head. “I should do it.”

  Tony grabbed both of her hands while they were still on the hangers. He stood close. So close that she noted the golden flecks in his dark eyes. “Okay but not today. It can wait. Agreed?”

  She nodded, breathing in his subtle, musky scent. A lump formed in her throat thinking of his stirring kiss before. She didn’t want to be attracted to Tony. She’d gotten over him a long time ago, yet when he touched her or looked deep into her eyes or kissed her, emotions rolled around inside. And made her nervous. “I’ll make dinner.”

  “Thank you.”

  She strode out of the room, confused by what she was feeling and angry for feeling anything at all.

  Rena stirred the spaghetti sauce, watching as little bubbles broke on the surface sending a pungent, garlic scent into the air.

  “Smells great.” Tony came up behind her, his body close again, surprising her in how quietly he appeared in her kitchen. He reached for the wooden spoon. “May I?”

  She handed it to him. “I hope you don’t mind pasta tonight.”

  “Are you kidding? I’m Italian. You know I love pasta.” He stirred the sauce, then lifted the spoon to his mouth, tasting it.

  “What do you think?”

  “Needs a little salt,” he said, then grabbed the salt shaker and added a few shakes. “There.”

  “You like to cook, don’t you?”

  He shrugged. “I get by. When a bachelor wants to eat, he’s got to know more than how to boil water.”

  “I didn’t think you’d ever have to cook a meal for yourself.”

  Tony continued stirring the sauce. “When my gourmet chef was off, I had three other servants waiting on me hand and foot.” He turned to her and grinned. “You’re teasing.”

  “Yeah, I’m teasing.” Then he set the wooden spoon down and stared at her. “I’m not going to apologize for how I live. I’ve earned it. Racing has afforded me a good life. But there were sixteen-hour work days, long lonely times on the road. Times when I had to cook for myself when I longed for a home cooked meal. Eating out is overrated.”

  “There must have been plenty of women happy to cook for you. Never mind,” Rena said, catching herself. She didn’t really want to know. “Forget I said that.”

  Tony’s expression changed, and he gave her a quick shake of the head. “Your image of me is way off.”

  Rena pursed her lips. “It really doesn’t matter.”

  Tony grabbed her arms gently as steam rose up from the sauce and bathed them in heat. “Yes, it does matter. I’m your husband. I care what you think of me.”

  Rena stared into his eyes, unable to answer. She had mixed emotions when it came to Tony Carlino, but for the most part, she didn’t want to see any good in him. She wanted to keep him a safe distance away in her mind and heart.

  When he realized she wouldn’t respond, he let her go and she went about filling a big pot of water for the pasta noodles.

  Tony watched her work at the stove for a long while before he spoke again. “What can I do to help?”

  Grateful to give him something to do, she barked orders. “Take out the romaine and tomatoes from the refrigerator. I think there’s a cucumber in there, too—and anything else you can find for a salad.”

  She heard him going to work, and much to her surprise, he fixed a delicious salad, and, adding black olives and herbs, he made his own olive oil-based dressing.

  When she walked over to taste it, she cast him a nod of approval. “Yummy.”

  “My mother’s. One of a few recipes I learned from her before she died.”

  Tony’s mother died when he was fifteen. Rena hadn’t known her, but she’d heard she was a saint among women. She’d have to be in order to be married to Santo Carlino. Rumor had it she’d kept him in line. When she died, Santo poured himself into building his business taking no prisoners along the way.

  “And you remembered it,” Rena said. “It’s funny the things we remember about the ones we love.”

  “What do you remember about your mother?” he asked.

  Rena smiled wide, recalling her mother’s favorite pastime. “That’s easy. She had a morning and nightly ritual of walking three miles. No matter how tired she was, no matter the weather. She’d get into her walking clothes, put on these beat-up old shoes and go for a walk. She said it cleared the mind, cleansed the soul and kept the weight off.” Rena grinned, confessing. “My mama liked to eat.”

  Tony chuckled. “That’s a good way to remember her. Walking, I mean. Not eating.”

  “Hmm, yeah.” Rena blinked herself back to reality. Even with all her exercise, her mother still contracted a deadly disease. She’d lingered for years, missing her daily walks and everything else that required a bit of effort. It was a brutal reminder of the unfairness in life.

  Once the meal was ready, they sat down to eat at her country oak kitchen table. She wondered what Tony thought about this rustic house. To her it was home, and she wasn’t ashamed of it. Through the years, she’d put personal touches throughout, cheerful curtains, comfy sofas with throw pillows she’d sewn, refinished tables, armoires and cabinets. When she looked around her home, she saw bits and pieces of her parents’ life here as well as her life with David.

  Facing Tony at her kitchen table reminded her once again how it had all changed so quickly.

  Tony ate up heartily. There would be no salad-only dinners for him. He was a well-built man who enjoyed a good meal. He was halfway through a large dish of pasta when he lifted his head. “I want to see your accounts tomorrow. I hope to get through them by the end of the week. Then I’ll
know better how we can get your winery back on track.”

  Grateful that he’d taken the first step, Rena discussed with him her conversation she had with the banker. Tony hadn’t even blinked when she told him her financial situation and how much money she owed.

  “I’ll take care of it,” he said, without pause. “You’ll make your payroll, and any other debts you have will be dealt with.”

  “Thank you.” Humbled by his generosity, she put her head down.

  “Rena?” She looked up into his dark eyes. “We’re in this together from now on. You don’t have to worry about the winery.”

  “I know. I appreciate everything, really. I just can’t help feeling like a failure. I tried. David tried. We had some bad luck, equipment that needed replacing, problems with distributors and well, the bigger wineries tried to shove us out.”

  Tony covered her hand, and the instant spark jolted her. “Carlino Wines being one of them. That’s not going to happen anymore.”

  She tried to ignore sensations rippling through her. “The Fairfields have always taken pride in their livelihood. I have a lot of pride. I feel like I let my parents down. I had to remarry to save the business.”

  Tony stroked her hand, his fingers caressing hers. It felt good—too good—to pull her hand away. Lord help her, she needed to feel his touch.

  “I won’t take offense to that,” he said. “I know I’m the last person on earth you’d want as a husband.”

  She watched as his fingers slid over her knuckles so gently. “At one time, I wanted nothing more.”

  “And now?”

  She gazed deeply into his eyes and lifted a shoulder in confusion. “Now, I don’t know, Tony. I really don’t know. I’m just so tired.”

  Tony rose from the table with concern in his eyes.

  “Go. I’ll take care of this.” He took up their plates and headed toward the dishwasher. “You need to rest. It’s been a long day.”

  Rena got up, ready to argue, but Tony had already rinsed their dishes and began loading them into the dishwasher. With his back to her, she noted his broad shoulders tapering down along his back and slim waistline. His slacks fit perfectly over his buttocks, and she recalled the quick flash of excitement she felt when he’d stepped out of the shower yesterday, buck naked. She’d only caught a glimpse, but oh, that image wouldn’t leave her anytime soon.