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“Tell me more about the Pikes,” Ashley says.
“They’re a big family, like we are,” I say, “though their operation is a lot younger.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Their vines have only been producing for about five years. They bought the old Shane property.”
The Shane farm. Boy, I haven’t thought about that name in forever.
Anna Shane was a former girlfriend of Uncle Ryan’s. That’s all I know about her.
“The Shane property?”
“Yeah. We bought it out from under the Shanes a long time ago but then sold it back to them. It’s a complicated story that I don’t know the details of. Anyway, Frank and Maureen Pike bought it about twenty years ago, when I was a teenager. They do a little beef farming, but they wanted to get into the wine business. It took some time, but they made their dream come true.” I sigh. “And now it’s gone.”
Ashley smiles. “They can get it back.”
I nod. “They can. I’m sure they’re insured. Still…”
She squeezes my hand. “I know.”
“Anyway, Jesse’s their oldest. Then comes Aurora, called Rory. Then Caroline—Callie—who’s Henry’s age. And then the baby, Madeline, who goes by Maddie.”
“Big family.”
“Like I said, almost as big as ours. Frank’s sister Lena lives on the property with her husband, Scott Ramsey. They have three grown children—Cage, Jordan, and Rachel.”
“Wow. Is wine their biggest business?”
“They were hoping it would be eventually. Now they’re back to square one.”
“Nothing survived?”
I shake my head. “Nothing of consequence.”
“Man.” Ashley squeezes my hand again. “I wish there were something we could do.”
“We’re doing what we can. Henry and Brad have gotten the foundation involved, as you know. With grants and loans, they’ll be able to purchase grapes.”
“This late in the season?”
I shake my head. “No. But next year, and on and on until their vineyards are producing again.”
“Totally sucks,” she says.
I sigh.
She’s right.
We got lucky as shit, even losing half my Syrah.
Ashley’s good for me.
She makes me see beauty where before I saw only ugliness.
The problem is, I’ll never be able to do the same for her.
I’ll always be a thorn in her side.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Ashley
Jesse Pike’s band rocks!
He’s good-looking, too, with long hair like Dale’s, except it’s dark instead of blond. Bree is especially mesmerized by him. Her gaze hasn’t left him since the band began playing.
Looks like a schoolgirl crush.
Of course I can’t get Dale to dance with me, until the band starts to play something slow.
Jesse comes to the mic. “Let’s get both sets of newlyweds out here for a dance.”
Oddly, I don’t have to drag Dale to the floor. I guess he knows he’s stuck. He pulls me into his arms and holds me close as we melt together to the music.
Mom and Dennis come to the floor as well, smiling adoringly at each other.
They do seem happy.
I’m happy for them.
But I’m happiest most of all for Dale and me.
This is my dream come true.
When the song is over, we leave the floor to more thunderous applause, and Jesse and his band get back to business. Hard rock with the occasional headbanger.
Good stuff.
Dale excuses himself. “I need to talk to my dad. You okay?”
“I’m fine. I’ll catch up some more with Dee.”
He kisses me quickly on the lips and heads into the main house.
“Hey, you!” I say to Dee. “Tell me. Is Bree totally in love with Jesse Pike?”
“Bree is totally in love with whoever is giving her attention at the current time.” Dee laughs. “But Jesse Pike is a hottie.”
“He is that,” I agree. “Tell me more about the Pikes.”
“Uh…you’re married to my brother, Ash.”
“I’m not interested in dating them. I just feel bad for what they’ve been through. Plus, I guess they’re my neighbors now.”
“They’re good people,” Dee says. “We all went to school together. Jesse and Donny played on the football team together.”
“So they were friends?”
“More like rivals. Donny was a wide receiver, and Jesse was the quarterback. They were equally talented, and when Donny got MVP senior year, Jesse was sure it was because the Steels financed the team that year.”
“Oh.”
“There might be some truth to it,” Dee goes on, “but our family never does anything for the glory.”
“I know that. That’s what Dale says, anyway.”
“Dale’s right. Our family takes care of the town. We’re happy to do it.”
“Dee,” I say, “since I’m part of the family now, I guess I can ask. Just how rich are you?”
She laughs. “Don’t you mean, ‘just how rich are we?’”
My eyes pop into circles.
“My God. I don’t think it hit me until right this minute. I honestly didn’t marry your brother for his money.”
“I know that. If I thought you had, we’d be arguing right now.”
I pick my jaw off the floor, while Dee continues.
“The Steels are worth billions. Really only Uncle Joe and Uncle Bryce know at any time how much. Uncle Bryce is the chief financial officer, and Uncle Joe is the CEO. Dad and Uncle Ry stay out of the money end.”
