The Italian's Unexpected Heir

“What? Of course it is. It’s always kept up for vineyard tours and wine-tasting parties.”

“Not anymore. I’ve started taking things down and packing up the place for the new owner.”

It was then that she glanced around at the bare walls. She moved to the doorway of the large wine-tasting room. There was nothing left on the walls or shelves. The room was bare except for the furniture because he had yet to find someone willing to buy it.

All the vineyard’s rich history was now boxed up and put in storage. He didn’t know what to do with it all. He was going to talk to his sisters about the wall hangings and plaques as well as the photos. It was a lot to go through.

“It shouldn’t take long to put it all back up,” Sylvie said with a hopeful note in her voice.

“When is this reporter supposed to be here?”

“Thursday.”

“As in five days from now?”

Sylvie nodded. “See. Plenty of time.”

At last, he had his out without hurting her feelings. “Not enough time with just one person to do it all and look after the vineyard.”

“One person?” Her fine brows drew together. “But what about Vito and the others?”

“Vito is off on holiday. So are a couple of other guys. They needed a break before harvest. And the other guys are busy clearing a new field to be planted for next season. The new owner wants to expand the vineyard.”

“Oh. Okay.” Sylvie paused as she processed this information. “We can still do this. I’ll help you.”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so. It’s not your job.”

“But I told them you’d do it and I didn’t get their number so I can’t call them back.”

“It’s a magazine. I’m sure you can call the office and they’ll put you through to the reporter.”

“I didn’t catch their name.”

He frowned at her. He had a feeling no matter what he said she’d counter it with an answer. He knew where she was going with this. She was hoping this interview and media coverage would change his mind about selling the estate. It wouldn’t.

But she was so intent on him doing this that he felt as though he owed it to her after he’d ended her wedding business. “Okay.”

Her eyes widened. “Okay, what?”

“We’ll do it.”

“You’ll do the interview and let them tour the estate?”

He didn’t want to; he really didn’t. Selling this estate wasn’t easy for him, and reminding himself of everything he was about to turn his back on wouldn’t help matters. But all the good memories were interlaced with all the bad memories—things he wanted to forget.

Still, when Sylvie looked at him with hope in her eyes, how could he turn her down? Right now he felt if she asked him for the stars and the moon, he’d climb the tallest ladder and gather them for her.

But he also remembered what Vito said about Sylvie doing anything she could to change his mind about selling the estate. He couldn’t allow her to get her hopes up that he would reverse his decision and then have her crushed once more.

He cleared his throat. “Sylvie, I’ll do the interview and tour, but you need to realize that I’m not going to change my mind about selling the estate. It’s going to be sold.”

Emotion flashed in her eyes, but in a blink it was gone before he could make it out. “I understand. Thank you for agreeing to do this. It’ll make a really nice memory for you and your sisters.”

He didn’t know about that. Still, he kept putting one foot in front of the other as he marched toward the estate sale. He’d made the decision to turn his back on this place and it had seemed right at the time. So then why was he starting to get the feeling it was the worst decision he’d ever made?

CHAPTER SEVEN

WOULD THIS WORK?