Page 45 of Reclaimed Dreams

“I’m sure it’s the same as the contracts for Million-Dollar Starter Home,” Dom argued.

Frankie muttered under her breath, “Yeah, and those contracts weren't a problem at all.” She turned to Jake. “I’m staying,”

Dom groaned. He recognized the set of her chin. He saw it in the mirror most mornings. The meeting just got at least an hour longer.

“Okay. Do you want to walk through the agreements?” Jake asked.

“No,” Dom said.

“Yes,” Frankie said at the same time.

Dom tried to head off the battle he could see coming, but Frankie had the bit between her teeth now. There’d be no turning her.

Frankie laid a hand on Dom’s shoulder. “Humor me. I haven’t heard it yet.”

Dom knew a losing battle when he saw one and gave in, and Jake set the contract in front of them.

“Basically, you all agree to participate in this six-part miniseries featuring the renovation of Valenti Vineyards. The network will assume…”

Dom’s attention began to wander to what the vineyard would look like when it was finished. He could picture Jo sitting out on the patio, a glass of her favorite red wine, this time made from their own vines. He’d sit beside her in their Adirondack chairs made from old wine barrels and look out over the acres at sunset. It was a good dream. This had to work. It just had to. He was out of options.

“No, we won't.”

Frankie’s sharp reply pulled him back into the conversation.

“Elaborate,” Jake said.

“Similar format, fine, but we will not stick to the current roles."

Frankie turned to him to plead her case.

"I’ve got ideas about how the property should be developed. I know what Ma would want, and I’m not giving up control to some suits." Whirling back to Jake to drive home her point, Frankie drilled her index finger into the desk. "Saving my parents’ marriage is more important than a silly show.”

“No one said you wouldn’t be involved. You’ll still do your thing.”

“My thing?” Frankie spat. “What exactly is my thing? The comic relief?”

Jake shrugged, and Dom cringed. One did not simply shrug at a Valenti woman. The man had a lot to learn.

Frankie moved to sit on Dom's desk, turning her back on Jake. “Dad, listen. I want this project. Sofia can help me with the details around what I’ve already laid out. But with all the babies coming, no one else is going to have time for this. Plus, what better way to prove that I can handle taking my place in the business than by running this project by myself?”

Dom smiled at the thought of grandchildren, and his mind started to wander to all the ways he’d spoil them rotten. Having little ones running wild around the property once again was just what they needed. He couldn’t wait. “Imagine, me getting to be a grandpa to three babies all at once. The only thing that would make it better would be a trifecta.” Dom lowered his chin and sent a heavy glance Frankie’s way. He loved to tease her.

“Dad, please. I'm not even dating anyone. Besides, right now I want this company with Adrian. Let me prove I can do it. Go play with babies and fix things with Ma. Let me be the head contractor on this job. Please, Dad?”

Anyone would think Frankie was wrapping him around her finger, but he knew exactly what he was doing. He trusted his daughter, but she was still largely untested. He knew the only way to prove herself was experience, but there was so much riding on this build that he had to be careful.

“This is a big job,” Jake interjected, trying to get them back on track. “I’m not sure this is the time—”

“I know exactly how big it is. I’ve got schematics and timelines already figured out,” Frankie tossed back. She turned back to her father and stared him down. “If not now, when? I’m twenty-six, I got the degree you said I should have, and I’ve been working with you on job sites since I could walk. Don’t you trust me, Dad?”

Dom mulled it over. She made excellent points, but she was still his little girl in so many ways. Giving up control was not something he did easily, and ceding it to his youngest daughter stuck in his throat. He was sure Jo would give him shit for that, but he’d spent too many years planning to give the company to Gabe and Seth to pivot easily.

But like him, Frankie never backed down from a challenge, and she pulled out her final stop in her argument, the one she knew he couldn’t refute.

“Dad, listen. I’m going to run this company because I promised Gabe I’d look after it while he was gone.” She paused to swallow hard. “No one expected him to be gone forever, but a Valenti keeps her promises. You taught me that. I’m not going to let him down. Consider this a dry run. If I can handle running our largest renovation to date, not only will you have proof you can trust me, but you and Ma can have that dream retirement she’s been planning.”

Jake cut off her monologue. "What if you fail?”

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