The Italian's Unexpected Heir

She shook her head. “No. I m

ean sell this place.”

This time it was his turn to glance away. “I’m certain.”

“But just months ago you were determined to beat both of your sisters and win ownership of the villa, the vineyard—the entire estate. How can you change your mind so quickly?”

His brows gathered in a firm line and when his gaze landed on her, it was dark and stormy. “Because this isn’t the place it used to be. It’s broken and tarnished. It’s best for me and my sisters to put it in our rearview mirrors and keep moving forward.”

Ouch! She had no idea he was harboring such hostilities regarding his childhood home. But something told her selling the estate wouldn’t resolve the turmoil going on inside him. It went far deeper than grapevines and a place to lay his head at night.

“But what will you do?” she asked. “Where will you go?”

“I don’t know. Maybe back to Paris. I have a standing invitation to go work at a prestigious vineyard there.”

“But it won’t be your vineyard.” She’d seen the pride he took in the grapes at the Barto Vineyard. Even though it was an enormous vineyard with many employees, Enzo made sure to take part in all facets of the operation. “It won’t have your family name on the wine.”

His dark gaze was unreadable in that moment. “Maybe that’s for the best. After everything that happened here this year, it is best to close the door on all of this.”

It was then that Sylvie realized how big of a challenge she’d set for herself in changing his mind about remaining here. But she wasn’t a quitter. She was a fighter. It was one of the last things her mother told her.

Never give up on life. Keep fighting for what’s most important.

And right now Enzo’s heritage was at stake as well as her business. She was as certain as she was standing here that he would regret parting with this land as much as she would regret not fighting to keep her home and occupation.

“I have to go,” he said. “We’ll talk more about this later.”

Sylvie tried to think of a reason for him to stay. She glanced down at her desktop and her gaze landed on her calendar. “Wait.” When he paused at the doorway and turned back to her, she said, “We need to talk about the sale. I need to know what weddings to work on relocating to a new venue.”

He frowned. “I don’t know. Nothing is official. The buyer is flying in two weeks from now to take a tour of the grounds.”

“He’s buying a place he’s never seen?” Who did such a thing?

“He’s been here for a wedding. And he’s enjoyed the wine for many years. He says he’s getting older now and is ready to settle down.”

“How is running a vineyard settling down?”

Enzo shrugged. He worked from sunrise until sunset and always had more than he could get done in one day. “Not my problem.”

“Can we go over my calendar?” she asked.

Enzo checked his wristwatch. “Not now. I have to meet up with Vito. We’re having problems locating a replacement part for one of our tanks. Maybe later.”

He already had one foot out the door when she thought of how she could gain more of his time. “How about dinner?”

He paused once more. “I can’t eat until late.”

“No problem. It’ll give me a chance to throw something together.” She wasn’t sure what it would be but suddenly her appetite was starting to come back.

“Okay. If you’re sure.”

“I’m positive.”

When he was gone, Sylvie worked to finish up the last of her urgent admin. The rest could wait until later. Right now she had something important on her mind—saving the estate. She had two weeks to convince Enzo that this was where he was meant to be. But how could she do it?

CHAPTER THREE

INSTEAD OF THINGS getting better, they were getting worse.