United, they stood stronger, in family and in business. The Ashton name and Kindred Vineyards would be a force to be reckoned with.
But this time, a positive force, Trace resolved.
“Hey, you.” Becca came up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist. “It’s almost midnight.”
Smiling, he pulled her close. She’d come back to Napa with him on Christmas day and stayed, made the decision to move her studio to Napa. They’d set their wedding date for June, but not a day, not an hour, went by he didn’t wish it was already here.
He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “How ’bout we go somewhere private to start the new year? It’s too crowded here.”
“Better get used to it.” Becca smiled. “It’s your family.”
His family. Trace glanced around the room again, still trying to absorb the enormity of it all, then looked down at Becca. That she was here, by his side, where she belonged, was the most amazing thing of all.
“Come on.” He took her arm and pulled her out onto the veranda.
“Trace, we can’t—”
Outside, he dropped his mouth over hers to smother her protest and kissed her deeply, until she finally sighed and melted against him.
“I have something for you,” he murmured, then pulled a slender, black velvet box from his jacket pocket.
“Trace, you shouldn’t—oh, my God.” Her eyes widened when he opened the lid. “Trace.”
Diamonds surrounded the ruby pendant, sparkled under the soft lights.
“I was going to wait until later.” He lifted the necklace from the box. “But I want you to wear it now. Turn around.”
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered breathlessly when he secured the clasp, then turned back to face him. “But you shouldn’t have.”
That’s something you better get used to,” he said, grinning. “I want to give you everything.”
Tears filled her eyes as she touched his cheek. “Don’t you know you already have?”
He bent to kiss her again, but his lips had barely touched hers when he heard a man clearing his voice.
“Sorry to bother you.” Grant and Anna stood in the doorway, each of them carrying two glasses of champagne. “It’s almost midnight. We all thought you’d like to make a toast.”
Trace looked from Grant to Anna, wondered if he and Becca looked as sloppy in love as these two newlyweds.
Yeah, I guess we do, he thought, surprised he didn’t mind at all.
They joined the others and when midnight struck, there were cheers and kisses throughout the room. Holding Becca’s hand, Trance stepped to the center of the room.
He lifted his glass. “To family.”
“To family,” they replied, then clinked glasses and drank.
He had no idea what the new year would bring, but one thing was certain, he thought as he pulled Becca close and glanced around the room.
It wouldn’t be boring.
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