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Chapter Eleven
Sam
I lay on the ground between the vines in the back of the estate, staring up into an endless sky. “Why, Pop? Why?” It’s as if I was granted an answer to all of my problems, then he placed it in a glass safe and threw away the key. Okay, he gave me the combination to the lock. But I’m so against this I can’t even find the best way to tackle turning the dial.
Up until now, my attempts at meeting a potential marital partner have come up short. I’ve tried striking up a casual conversation in a restaurant or bar, but they end up being the usual suspects… here for a good time, not a year’s time.
Then there was the debacle with the dating app. In a fit of sheer desperation, I’d considered the incident with Sydney a fluke and decided to give it one more try. That experiment ended in public humiliation within less than an hour when my “too good to be true match” turned out to be exactly that. Ainsley’s enraged, hulk of a husband stormed into the restaurant screaming about leaving her penniless and knocking the table over. At least his wrath was directed at her and not me.
Needless to say, I’m not trying that app again.
What’s with the women in this town? I suspect they’re unhappily married. Proves my point. It’s not a venture I’m seeking willingly.
It’s bad enough that I don’t have any interest in getting married. Then I keep getting real-life examples of what marriage does to people. Plus, there’s the fear my ability to have a healthy relationship is tainted by my DNA. Add in the fact that I’m marrying with an agenda, and this union is a recipe for disaster.
After the fiascos with Sydney and Ainsley, I’m resorting to finding women who are potential marriage material by using a matchmaking service. They are trained to find suitable partners, right? Yet even this is rife with problems. Regardless, this is where I find myself.
The matchmaker uses the information you provide to find a suitable partner. Yet, this is assuming you’re filling out the questionnaire truthfully. But how can you be honest about wanting a spouse so you can secure millions of dollars to save your family business? There’s no way I’d disclose this to some random female for fear all they’d see when they looked at me is dollar signs. Although that’s what it might come down to eventually. I mean, it’s my sole purpose for finding a spouse.
The difference is, all they’d lose is their portion of the agreed-upon sum. I could lose everything. My vineyard, my reputation, and my grandfather’s dreams—ones that were supposed to live on through me. All up in smoke.
As the sun sets, I decide to head back to the house to change before my next date. Okay, so it’s more like an audition, but whatever. After the last two dates, I’ve got nowhere to go but up.
I make quick work of showering and dressing. As I lift my Audemars Piguet Offshore watch off of the countertop, I stop. No need to draw any attention to this shiny symbol of the wealth I don’t actually have. I make up my mind to sell it to take care of the tasting room leak. Giving myself a mental pep talk with a nod in the mirror, I head for the car.
Despite the continued self-talk on the car ride here, I arrive at Ash & Olive as overwhelmed as I was the day I met with Aaron Sterling. At least I might get a good meal out of the evening. The place has a warm, welcoming vibe that offers an eclectic blend of French, Italian, Greek, and Spanish flavors. I tend to lean toward what they call their flame-to-table pizzas and small-plated appetizers. Running my fingertips over my jaw as I gaze about the crowded place, I consider whether they might eventually be willing to consider partnering with me for a night of wine tasting and appetizers.
I give Jason a wave as I find a leather chair in the corner of the restaurant. He’s always been loyal to Sutter Creek, trying to keep at least one of our wines on the menu. I’m more grateful than ever for the continued business. Even if it’s likely, I have Pop to thank for that.
“Hey, how’s it going, man?” Jason asks, carrying over a glass of my usual. A Sutter Creek Cabernet, of course.
I consider hiding it, but what’s the point. I’m sure the whole town must know the state of our affairs. “Things are tough, man. I had no idea how bad things had gotten when I took over the winery.”
“That’s too bad. But I have no doubt you’ll get things back as they were in Sutter Creek’s prime.”
I give him a genuine smile. Because his belief in me doesn’t feel fake. “Thank you. That really means a lot. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I hope once things start turning around, you’ll consider letting me partner with you for a wine tasting alongside your amazing food.”
“Definitely. You dining alone tonight?”
I grimace before I can stop myself. “No, I have a date.”
He chuckles. “That good, huh?”
I look past him to make sure no one is approaching. I should be fine, given I arrived early. “It’s a blind date.” I shrug. “You know how it goes.”
“Nope. Thankfully, I’ve been happily married for years.” He beams. And his words appear as sincere as his earlier statement. “I wouldn’t trade with you for a million bucks.”
Try fifty million.
“That’s great. I could only hope to find someone who makes me feel that way.”
He nods at my glass. “Well, cheers to that. Flag me down once you’re ready to order, okay?”
“Will do. Thanks.”
Resting my chin in my hand, I stare blankly into the wineglass sitting in front of me. My head is pounding, but that’s nothing compared to the slow-motion train wreck my life has become over the last few months. Please let this date be the answer so I can get off of this crazy train.
The meeting at Aaron Sterling’s law office was supposed to be a lifeline. An avenue to discover if a trust was even a possibility. But knowing the key to unlocking my grandfather’s emergency reserve for Sutter Creek is resting on this marriage clause is doing my head in.
