AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Rosalba.” Dad rested his hand on my shoulder, pulling me out of my shock and thoughts. “I am sorry, my daughter.”
“Weare sorry,” Mum added, appearing at my side and dabbing a tear from the corner of her eye.
“Come here,” Dad said gruffly. “Please. Let us hold you.”
They pull me into an embrace. Maria joined us too, and then Anthea, and we cried and hugged together.
Then Tom’s hand rested on my shoulder, heat radiating through my pullover. Dad huffed and Team Zee released each other.
“Rosalba, we have much to talk about, and then—” Dad pointed at Tom—“we talk about you.”
Tom gulped but held his ground, and Dad’s stare, and nodded once.
Would the talk include my role in the winery’s future? If only my father would consider reading my five-year plan proposal for our family business.
Maria nudged my shoulder. “Let me take some heat off you.”
“What—”
She briefly smirked and then called out, “Hey, Mum. Dad. There’s something I need to tell you.”
I raised my eyebrows. What could Maria possibly have to say that could trump my drama of exes, illicitly studying wombats and sleeping with my neighbour?
“I’ve met someone.” Maria shot a quick glance my way and then held her head high. “A woman. She’s in love with me and I’m in love with her. I’m gay.”
Mum’s jaw fell open. Dad straightened, exhaling slowly. “But Maria,” he said slowly, choosing his words. “Is she a good Catholic girl?”
“No idea, Dad.” She caught my gaze, rolled her eyes and lowered her voice. “There’s always something with Dad. Remember that, okay? He loves us all. His standards are impossibly high for everyone.”
Maria gave my shoulder a squeeze before walking over to our parents, who began the barrage of questions. “But Maria, how can you not know if she is Catholic?”
Funnily enough, they’d never worried if Richard had been Catholic.
“Hey.” Tom stood at my side, eyeing me carefully. “You okay?”
“I’m good. Better than good. I’m great.” I had stood up for myself, Tom had backed me up, Richard was gone, and my parents were sorry. Life was feeling pretty good for a change.
“Didn’t get to talk to you after the muster, what with Ryan, Chooky and the rest of them around and dealing with the sheep and dogs.”
He toed the gravel drive, looking suddenly nervous.
“And I don’t want you to feel pressured or anything, but … can we talk, after you’ve spoken with your dad and family tonight? Maybe tomorrow?”
“Yes. I’d like that.” A nervous flutter filled my chest at the possibilities.
“Right, good.” He nodded again, briefly flashing a grin. I was about to head inside and rescue Maria from my parents’ inquisition when Tom called out. “And Rosie?”
“Yeah?” I called back.
“So, if a guy wants to marry you, do they need to convert?” he asked, that familiar smirk lighting up his face.
God, he was such a tease. Such a flirt. My stomach dipped.Boom, boom, bangwent the fireworks. “Why do you want to know?”
Tom’s signature smirk grew larger. “A man’s gotta plan for his future, Rosie.” He dipped his hat and swaggered away.
I huffed, trying to stifle a grin. The arrogance of that man. That smirk.
In the hut, he’d said he had never got over me. I’d thought he’d said it, in the moment, offering up the complete fantasy of being together.
