"She's excited. And planning a baby shower with the girls."
"That's either wonderful or terrifying."
"Both."
We unpack the rest of the bags—tiny clothes, impossibly small shoes, a stuffed manatee that Julie said was "necessary."
"This is really happening," Miles says, holding up a onesie.
"It really is."
"And people know now."
"Some people. The important people."
He sets down the onesie and pulls me against him. "How do you feel?"
"Lighter. Less terrified. Like maybe I can actually do this."
"You can definitely do this."
Miles holds up the "Daddy's Drinking Buddy" onesie again. "I'm definitely using this."
"I know."
"Our baby's first photo shoot."
"Absolutely not."
"Already planning it."
I laugh, and he pulls me close. The town still thinks I'm dying, but the people who matter know the truth.
That's enough for now.
Chapter 10
Miles
Brennen's practically bouncing as he shows me the vineyard plans spread across Celtic Knot's tasting room table. "This is happening because Emma believed in me! The expansion starts Monday!"
I scan the blueprints—the adjacent property, new fermentation equipment, expanded tasting room. Emma made the right call voting for growth instead of the corporate buyout.
"She really came through," Brennen continues, gesturing at the plans with his wine glass. "I know it wasn't an easy decision with everything else going on, but she chose family over the safe money. That means everything."
Sophie appears from the barrel room, wiping her hands on her apron. "I knew Emma would vote for growth. She's a builder, not a seller."
"We're thinking Malbec for the new section," Alex adds, looking up from his clipboard. "The terroir is perfect for it."
"Speaking of Emma," Sophie says carefully, "how is she? We know she's pregnant—we figured it out at the exhibition—but the town's still buzzing about her being sick."
I set down my wine glass. "You knew?"
"The pickles. The wine avoidance. The looking green." Sophie smiles. "We're not idiots. How far along?"
"Eight weeks."
"Congratulations!" Alex looks up from his clipboard, grinning. "That's wonderful news."
