Page 111

I stand near the edge of the pavilion, smiling proudly as I take it all in. Across the lawn, Sam, Seth, Gavin, and Old Man Morris are gathered in a tight circle, roaring with laughter. Several Sutter Creek employees surround them, adjusting their collars and sharing jokes as a professional photographer flashes a camera, capturing the moment.

Nearby, another photographer is taking photos of billionaire William Sly. He’s posing charismatically while holding up a glass of our rich, ruby-red Cabernet Franc to the sunlight.

Sam breaks away from the group and walks over to me, slipping his arm tightly around my waist.

He rests his chin on my shoulder, his warm breath fanning across my neck.

“Broadie just confirmed it,” Sam murmurs, satisfaction lacing his voice.

“Broadie Weston? Lilly’s dad?”

“The very one. He told Sebastian that William Sly is ordering our reserve wine to stock his newest boutique hotel opening in Chicago. And Wine Lovers Magazine is featuring him on the cover next month.” Sam nods in William Sly’s direction. “Holding a glass of our Cabernet Franc.”

I turn my head, kissing his jawline. “Sam, that’s incredible.”

“Man, Lex. I can only imagine Pops looking down right now.” Sam has a tender look in his eyes as he glances up at the blue sky. “He’d be saying, I told you it would happen one day, kid.” He chuckles.

“I’m so incredibly proud of you. You’ve worked so hard to make both of your dreams a reality.” I push up on my tiptoes to kiss him.

Sam pushes his fingers through my hair, seamlessly managing to deposit a twig of wildflowers over my left ear. “Pretty.”

I start to become all misty-eyed until I catch sight of Dr. Lewis and his wife standing at the tent of one of the other Hanover wineries. They’re quietly accepting a tasting, doing their absolute best to keep a low profile and avoid making eye contact with anyone here. Their previous pompous attitude got a thorough dressing-down after their son was arrested for arson.

“Look who’s here,” I whisper to Sam, tipping my chin in their direction.

Sam turns his head slightly, a dark glint of satisfaction passing through his eyes before he looks back at me. “I’m surprised they’d set foot on this land after what Chad pulled.”

“I agree,” I admit, lacing my fingers through his.

To this day, I still don’t fully understand what possessed Chad to do it. Was it purely his hatred for Sam? It seems so far-fetched to believe he’d go to such lengths. My husband is of the belief his mother was somehow behind it. That she was paying Chad to get intel and when that didn’t work, they upped their game. Sam suspects she promised him a portion of the income she’d make at the sale to the developers.

Sheriff Dean assures us he is continuing to investigate every angle, but my gut tells me she’ll manage to slither away unpunished. Yet, my husband’s counseling must be having a profound impact on his outlook on life. He’s such a positive person now. He says he will stay focused on all he has to be grateful for and let karma deal with her.

Life at Hanover Urology has been much better since Chad’s arrest and his father’s decision to take an early retirement. Without their toxic presence hanging over the clinic, the entire atmosphere has completely shifted. Dr. Howell has remained at the practice. But after the shakeup with both Lewises leaving, and the addition of some stellar new hires, he seems smart enough to read the room. Let’s just say he’s been a lot quieter lately, doing his job and keeping to himself.

Fine by me.

With Parker Hamilton fully settled in and thriving in his new role, the practice finally feels like a place I can be proud of. And for the first time in years, I can leave work at the end of the day knowing everything at the clinic will be just fine.

That’s not the only change that has occurred at Hanover Urology. After all of the years of service she has devoted, Bunny has finally turned in her notice. She says she’s looking forward to managing her busy social calendar instead of the overbooked appointment book.

Bunny and my grandpa have officially moved in together. Watching them navigate living under one roof in their seventies is nothing short of entertaining. Bunny said she’d always wanted to shack up with a silver fox.

Last week, Gramps was showing off the plans for the new sunroom addition they’re building. It will house Bunny’s extensive collection of vintage teacups alongside his beloved antique clocks.

I nearly lost it when Sam asked them if they were planning to tie the knot before Bunny got knocked up. Bunny let out a full belly laugh.

“Good heavens,” she’d declared, waving a hand in the air. “We had a long, serious talk and decided we aren’t having any more kids. You young people are too stressful. And have terrible timing. I mean, what if we want to whip up a little Sunday lovin’ in the kitchen, and you drop by looking for someone to watch your babies? No, sir. You’re on your own. We’ve raised our kids. It’s our time to spice it up a little.”

Ugh. Don’t remind me.

Gramps nods in agreement, taking a sip from his wineglass. “We felt at our age, raising teenagers would really interfere with our 8:00 p.m. bedtime and morning crossword routine. Besides, we’re far too selfish with the remote control.”

Sam and I burst out laughing. But seeing the contented sparkle in Grandpa’s eyes as he reaches over to pat Bunny’s hand says it all. They’ve built a hilariously spunky and romantic little world of their own. I can’t imagine what might have happened if these two had continued to live life all alone.

Across the field, I catch sight of Brandy sauntering through the crowd in a scandalously tight dress. She’s unabashedly flirting it up with every attractive man in attendance.

Shep saunters over, nudging Sam in the ribs with an elbow. “Looks like your favorite saleswoman from the Naked Grape is in attendance.” He chuckles. “Guess she’s having to badger the other wineries in town for business. Given we’ve had one good year after another lately.”