Brennen sinks back into his chair. "But she's okay? Like, not sick-sick?"
"She's fine," I say firmly. Which is also true. Pregnant isn't sick. "She's just going through something and needs space to process it all."
"Space," Ryan repeats, not buying it.
"Yes. Space. Which means not interrogating her husband in a winery."
Sophie steps in, bless her. "Miles is right. Emma will talk to you when she's ready. Pressuring her won't help."
"But the vote—" Brennen starts.
"Will happen when it happens," Alex finishes. "Trust your sister. She'll make the right decision."
Ryan and Brennen exchange a look—some silent brother communication I'm not privy to. Finally, Ryan nods.
"Fine," Ryan says. "But if something's seriously wrong?—"
"I'll tell you," I promise. "When it's time."
Ryan claps me on the shoulder. "Take care of her."
"Always."
They finally disperse—Brennen to check the fermentation tanks, Ryan to take a business call. I'm left with Sophie and Alex, who both look at me with knowing expressions.
"So," Sophie says carefully. "How far along is she?"
I nearly drop my wine glass. "What?"
"Emma. How far along?"
"I don't—she hasn't—" I stop, realizing denial is pointless with Sophie. "How did you know?"
"I’m a girl. We know things. Besides, I caught her eating pickles behind my ficus earlier. While avoiding wine tasting. At a wine exhibition." Sophie smiles. "Plus, she's been dumping wine in my plants for weeks. That poor ficus is going to be drunk."
"Does anyone else know?"
"Not that I'm aware of. But the 'Emma is sick' rumor started yesterday in town. Half of Pelican Point saw her looking green at the exhibition."
I run a hand through my hair. This is actually good. Better for people to think Emma's sick than pregnant. At least until she's ready to tell her brothers.
"She hasn't told me officially," I say. "So, I can't confirm or deny anything."
"But you know."
"I know."
"And she knows you know?"
"She doesn't know I know."
Sophie blinks. "That seems complicated."
"It's very complicated."
"Does she know that you know that she doesn't know you know?"
"Sophie."
