Page 7 of Gone With the Wine

“But…”

I tense up again.

“Jake never filed the papers.”

“Oh my God. I can’t believe this.” I swipe a hand across my forehead. “This is a soap opera.”

Rosa flashes a tight smile. “I know, believe me. I thought the marriage had been annulled. I didn’t believe Jake when he said we were still married, but he kept insisting so I went to the Court House, to Public Records, and it’s true…there was no annulment ever filed.”

“Holy shit.” My heart is racing unevenly. “I think I’m having some kind of cardiac event.”

She eyes me with concern.

I suck air into my lungs. “So Jake shows up here and tells you you’re still married, and there’s still ‘chemistry…’” I make air quotes with my fingers. “So you move into together and…what? Doesn’t this seem like another impulsive move?”

“I know it might seem like that. But we love each other.” She drops her gaze to her twisted fingers. “I tried to forget him, but I didn’t. I never got over him. And he never met anyone else he was serious about either.”

I blink at her. I remember how heartbroken she was when he left. I had no idea that they’d actually gotten married. But I did know she really loved him. And honestly…I kind of loved Jake, too. He was a great guy. He was good to Rosa. And then I was pissed at him for how he treated her. “I’m having a hard time absorbing all this.”

“I know.” She swallows but meets my gaze steadily. “All that time apart because of Uncle Geno. He convinced me I’d failed the family by impetuously getting married. I felt like I had no choice but to do what he said. My foolish, impulsive actions had harmed my sisters, my grandmother, my family. I had to make it right. So I spent ten years trying to make it up to him. And by doing that, I hurt Jake.”

I see the anguish in her eyes, along with a pleading look for understanding

She still loves him.

Now I’m even more pissed at Uncle Geno. “Does Uncle Geno know Jake’s back? Of course he does.”

“Yeah. And he knows we’re still married. And he’s furious.”

My eyebrows tug down. “Why? What does it matter to him?”

“Why do you think?” She rolls her eyes. “He thinks Jake could take Caparelli from us.”

“Ohhhh. Of course.” I exhale a long breath.

“I set him straight.” She lifts her chin again.

“Good for you,” I murmur. Uncle Geno isn’t the easiest person to deal with, especially when he’s angry. “Why didn’t Jake file the annulment papers?”

“He says…” Her face softens. “He didn’t want an annulment. He says since he went to all that trouble to marry me, it seemed like a stupid idea to give up that quickly.”

My heart turns to custard. I may be a little cynical when it comes to our family, and when it comes to love I know I keep walls up, but seeing Rosa so in love and clearly happy melts those icy barriers. “I still have questions,” I croak. “But come here and give me a hug.”

I stand and she rushes over and we squeeze each other tightly for a long moment.

“I’m sorry,” I say eventually. “I’m sorry Uncle Geno did that to you. Made you stay here and give up your life for the family. And I’m sorry I didn’t know.”

Rosa’s an adult and the big sister who looked after Allegra and me. We were never “best friends,” but we’re sisters and I love her.

“It’s okay, Bee.” Rosa’s face lights up and her smile is soft. “We’re okay. Really.”

She looks…happy. Really happy. Glowing happy. “Sure. All right. Well. Wow.” I shake my head. “WhereisJake?”

Rosa waves a hand. “Out in the vineyard. They’re checking for downy mildew.”

Since he left Napa ten years ago, Jake’s apparently been traveling all over, working at different wineries. He’s now an experienced viticulturalist, and we needed someone to look after the vines if we want to be able to harvest grapes this year. His family used to own the winery next door to Caparelli and he always thought he’d work there, but they just recently had to sell the place, sadly.

“These two kids he hired are working out okay?”

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