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When I turned around, the girl returned my license, her fingers furiously flying on the keyboard in front of her.
As she processed the paperwork, I glanced at the dazzling ring sparkling in the light of the atrium windows. The man had spared no expense in providing me with a glorious adornment and statement of our love.
I wanted to laugh. A man like Kendrick Gregory couldn’t fall in love with anyone. I had a feeling that it was forbidden in some rule book that was likely handed down through the generations, although what he’d said about his father’s love of his mother had been touching and genuine.
Still, he wasn’t my plus one for romance starlight gazing. I’d been so consumed by him that I’d yet to make a decent plan on how to demand I grab the operations position. I would need to play it by ear at this point. While that wasn’t like me, it would seem I was in the mood to try new things as of late.
Just who was Carlos Santia and what was his relationship to Kendrick? Another shiver skated down my spine thinking about what pain Kendrick must have endured. Why would a father do that to his son? The answer was easy. To turn him into a cold-blooded killer with no conscience. There was more to it though. I would certainly search the internet, which was something Kendrick knew I would do. Their bond was entirely different, something that was even stronger than family. I was certain of it.
“So glad to see you, Ms. Caffrey.”
The voice caught me off guard. I almost squealed when I saw the man who’d appeared in front of me “Jose. You didn’t retire.”
He grinned. “I doubt your father would allow me to retire.”
He’d aged so much in the last few years, his once dark wavy hair completely gray.
“Give me a hug. I mean if that’s allowed.” I moved behind the front desk before he objected. He’d always been a staunch man, so practiced and polished that as a kid, I’d called him Mr. Grouchy Pants. He’d looked out for me when I was here, always giving me a lollypop or two, something my mother had frowned on.
The memories were more startling than I thought they’d be.
“How are you?” he asked.
“I’m doing well.” I returned behind the counter, allowing him to breathe easier. He wasn’t the huggy type of man.
“Is your husband staying with you?”
“Come now, Jose. I’m certain my father has kept you up on the ever changing times in our family. I go by Warrington now.” I made the statement because I refused to use my married name any longer. Fuck my boss. Fuck the contract. “Caffrey was my married name from a looonggg time ago.” I elongated the single word on purpose. Maybe then I’d believe it once and for all. I was a free woman.
Uh-oh. Technically, I wasn’t.
“Ms. Warrington. I’ll make the change for you on the records. It’s been a long time.”
“I know, Jose. It has been. How is the family?”
“Doing very well. You are all set. There will be no charges. Your father made certain of that.” His eyes twinkled but I sensed he knew what I was about to say.
The fact my father couldn’t resist flaunting his wealth shouldn’t surprise me. “Jose,” I said as sweetly as I could. “I don’t take handouts no matter who my father is. Besides, my new fiancé is really paying for the entire glorious mini vacation we’re on.” I lifted my hand, showing off the ring. I knew it wouldn’t be but so long before Jose made a point of congratulating my father on his daughter getting hitched for a second time.
“Congratulations. I’m glad I’ve already sent a celebratory basket for your arrival. I will have another bottle of chilled champagne sent as well.”
“You are such a sweet man. I appreciate that. Yes, this is a celebration. Isn’t it? A new family member.” After following my gaze toward Kendrick, he accepted my credit card, but I could tell it was reluctantly.
“Yes, your brother seems happy. And your fiancé is a very lucky man. I hope he knows that.”
“Yes, he is, Jose, and he does.” The fact Kendrick was watching our interaction closely was surprisingly enticing. He hadn’t liked the fact that Jose had hugged me. I could tell in his eyes. I couldn’t remember a single time when Christian had expressed any concerns when another man had admired or talked with me.
I turned toward the open-air lobby, purposely ignoring Kendrick’s heated aura, admiring the view of the winery in the background. “How are the grapes doing?”
“Fortunately, this year has been much better. Thankfully, we were spared the fires last year but the winter before we had significant frost damage.”
“I heard what happened. I’m so glad things are better.” I’d read the information. The only person I’d talked to in the family up to this point was my sister. Even Serena had been guarded the last few months. I couldn’t blame her since she was still tethered to our parents given her college education and my father’s insistence that she remain living in the house she grew up in. I’d read about the destruction to my precious inn online like everyone else.
“Here are your keys and you’re set to go. Let me know if you need anything,” Jose told me.
“Thank you so much. Take care of yourself and consider retiring.”
He chuckled and shifted his eyes toward Kendrick once again. How long would it take until he’d picked up his cellphone, dialing my father’s private number?
