Page 90 of Cru's Crush
Beau rubbed my shoulder. “Trust me, Daph. He does. He’s just too stubborn to do anything about it.”
My mum walked over and stood beside my dad. “If we thought for one minute you’d be happy here, we’dbe thrilled for you to stay. But you won’t be. Follow your dreams, sweetheart. Better put, return to them.”
I looked around the room and stopped when my eyes met Tryst’s.
“The path is right in front of you, Daphne. All you have to do is take it.”
I closed my eyes and nodded, remembering the day he’d brought me to the temple at his ranch. As I was walking in, he’d said those same words to me.
I turned to my father. “What about Cullen House?”
“I intend to return to work as soon as the doctors clear me. And NC will be taking over as vice president.”
I glanced at my cousin, then at my mother, then back at my father. Again, I was irritated that I hadn’t been informed of any of this, but had I left California and returned to Perth to take over my parents’ business? No. I came because my dad had a stroke. The only reason I’d gotten involved at all was because I inadvertently learned about Steve Dorian when he called to demand I meet with him and the board after likely learning I held my father’s power of attorney.
That set forth a chain of events that could only be described as a trainwreck.
“May I have some privacy to speak with my parents?” I asked, looking around the room.
“Come with me,” said Beau, ushering the men into another part of the house. For the first time since I laid eyes on him today, I was grateful he was here. Beau and I had history, and we were friends—good ones. Later, after I’d spoken to my mum and dad, I’d apologize and thank him for being here. His only agenda was to help, and in doing so, he’d left Sam in the States. I felt horrible for the way I’d treated him.
I motioned to the table, and the three of us took a seat. “Dad, are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“If you mean going back to work, then yes. As far as NC is concerned…” He sighed and rested his chin on his hand. “Daphne, this isn’t where you belong. Your mum and I love you so much, and we miss you an equal amount, but neither of us can stand by and watch you throw away your chance at happiness for something none of us ever intended.”
“But—”
My mother put her hand on mine. “Let him finish,sweetheart.”
“I’ve known for years that you had no interest in running Cullen House, and it never bothered me. Your mother and I just want you to be happy.”
Tears ran down my cheeks, and my mother squeezed my fingers. “For the last several months, your dad and I have talked about selling so we could retire and spend more time in California. Now might not be the time to do so, given whatever damage Dorian may have done; however, it’s still an idea. In the meantime, NC will handle most of the day-to-day things your father looked over. He’s never once asked us for anything, by the way. In fact, your father wasn’t aware he’d applied for a job until HR contacted him and said they’d received an application from someone with his same name.”
“He’s earned this, darling,” my dad added.
I nodded.
“Your dream is to live and work in the vines,” he continued. “It always has been. As you reminded me every morning, you do have a master’s degree in both viticulture and enology.”
I chuckled. “And you reminded me I wasn’t cut out for running the business.”
He smiled. “This is about more than your dream of making wine, sweetheart. It’s about a life with the man you love. I cannot sit by and let you turn your back on what makes everything we do worthwhile.” He reached across the table and rested his hand on top of my mum’s and mine. “Love, Daphne, and family. It’s all that matters. Now,go home.”
“Okay. I’ll go.”
“Excellent. Now, hurry and pack,” Beau said from behind me.
“Eavesdropper,” I muttered.
“Listen, if we don’t leave in the next two hours, we won’t be there in time for the Wicked Winemakers bachelor auction,” he said.
“I thought you were engaged or married or something. Are you really going to make Sam bid on you?”
“I’m not the bachelor, Daph. Cru is.”
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