Charlene Sands - Wed on His Terms - Million-Dollar Marriage Merger

He’d wanted more than grapes and vines and worrying about the weather, crops and competition. Of course, Santo Carlino hadn’t taken it lightly. He’d cursed and complained and refused to speak to Tony when he’d left.

Tony pursued his dream despite his father’s tirades. Being the oldest of three sons Tony was expected to take over the business one day with his brothers by his side. But as it turned out none of the three sons had stayed home to run the Carlino empire.

Now with Santo gone, Tony had no choice but to return. His father’s last will and testament made sure that each of his sons spent some time together running the company. He’d stipulated that in order for any of them to claim their inheritance, the land, the company, the Carlino empire, one of them had to agree to become the new CEO within six months.

It was just another way for his father to manipulate them. But Tony hadn’t come back to Napa for the money. He had plenty of his own. He’d come back to lay his father to rest and to let his weary body recover from injuries garnered in a wreck at Bristol Raceway just months before.

He’d called his younger brothers home. Joe, the real brain in the family, had been living in New York, trying to develop the latest software phenomenon. And Nick, the youngest, had been creating havoc in Europe, earning a reputation as a gambler and ladies’ man.

Tony smiled at that. Little Nick had a wild streak that could lay shame to a young and virile Santo Carlino in his bachelor days. But if one thing could be said about his old man, it was that he was a loving and faithful husband. Tony’s mother, Josephina, had tempered him with love and adoration. Many thought her a saint for putting up with Santo, but only the family knew that Santo would have died for her.

“So when’s the wedding?” Joe entered the office at Carlino Wines with his hands on his hips, his studious dark brown eyes visible behind a pair of glasses.

When Tony glanced at him in question, Joe continued, “You told me you were getting married.”

Tony shoved the ledger books away and leaned back in his chair. “You need a willing bride for a wedding.”

“Wanna tell me why you chose Rena? Is it Purple Fields you’re after? Or something else?”

A sigh emerged from deep in Tony’s chest. He rubbed tension from his forehead. “Maybe I want it all.”

“Want or need?”

Tony narrowed his eyes and gave his brother a look.

Joe shrugged in an offhanded way. “You’ve never spoken of marriage before. And the last thing I thought I’d hear at David’s funeral was that you intended to marry his widow. Even if it is Rena. We all know she’s not exactly your biggest fan.”

Tony scoffed. How well he knew. “Hardly that.”

“So, what is it? Do you love her?”

Tony’s face crinkled up, despite his efforts to keep a blank expression. The truth was he had loved Rena when they’d been younger but he’d loved racing more. He wound up breaking her heart by leaving her behind to pursue his dreams.

Now he had a chance to make it up to her and honor the pledge he’d made David. At the time he’d made that vow it was a no-brainer. David was on his last breaths, and he’d implored Tony to take care of Rena and the child he’d suspected she carried. Tony hadn’t flinched when he’d made that promise.

Did Tony want to marry Rena and raise a child that wasn’t his? He simply didn’t know. But it was what he planned to do.

“No, I don’t love her.” He stood and looked his brother straight in the eyes, lowering his voice. “This goes no further.”

Joe nodded.

“I made David a promise to take care of Rena, the winery and … and their unborn child.”

Joe pressed a finger to the bridge of his glasses, securing them in place. He contemplated a moment staring back at Tony then gave an understanding nod. “Got it. Rena knows nothing about this I suppose.”

“Nothing.”

“Are you seeing her?”

Tony winced, thinking back on the excuses she’d given him. “I’ve tried several times since the funeral.”

“Not cooperating is she?”

“No.”

“Can’t imagine why she doesn’t want to start up right where you left off twelve years ago,” Joe said, mockingly. “She picked up the pieces after you left her. It was a hard fall, Tony. I remember hearing all about it. When she fell for David, everyone thought it was the right move. They were happy for her. Sorry, but your name was mud around here for a long time. Then you started winning races and people forgot about the pain you caused Rena. Except Rena. She never forgot. She really loved David, and now he’s gone. You can’t blame her for hard feelings. She’s had it rough.”

“I don’t blame her. But I will honor my promise to David.”

Joe grinned. “I respect your determination, Tony. How are you going to charm a woman who clearly …”

“Hates me?” Tony huffed out a breath. Unfortunately, what he had in mind didn’t require a multitude of charm. Just blackmail. He would give Rena what she wanted most in life. “I have a plan.”

Joe shook his head. “You always do.”

“It’s time I set that plan in action.”

Rena looked in her closet as tears streamed down her face. It had been three weeks since the funeral, and David’s clothes—his shirts and pants, his jackets and sweatshirts—still hung just beside hers. She reached out to touch his favorite blue plaid shirt. Her fingers lingered a bit and an image appeared of sitting by a cozy fire cuddling up next to David and laying her head on the soft flannel, his arm wrapped around her shoulder. She smiled at the memory, even through her tears. “What now, David?” she asked in the solitude of her bedroom.

She was a thirty-one-year-old widow. She never would have believed it. Not when just weeks ago she’d planned on telling David her joyous news … that they were to become parents. She’d had it all planned. She’d silk-screened T-shirts that said, “I’m the Daddy” and another that said, “I’m the Mommy” and the third tiny T-shirt said, “And I’m the Boss.” She’d planned on giving David the set of them over his favorite dinner.

She hadn’t gone to the doctor yet, relying solely on the pregnancy test she’d taken. She’d wanted David by her side when they heard the news officially. Now she’d be going to all of her appointments alone, facing an unknown future.

The only bright spot in all this sadness was the child she carried. She loved her baby with all of her heart and vowed to protect it, doing whatever it took to make a good life for him or her.

Rena closed the closet door unable to remove and discard David’s clothes as she’d planned. “I’m not ready to let go,” she whispered. She needed David’s things around her, to feel his presence and warmth surround her. It gave her a sense of peace, odd as that might seem.

“Do you want me to help you with David’s things, Rena?” Solena Melendez’s voice broke into her thoughts. Rena turned to find her friend at the bedroom threshold, a concerned look on her face.

Rena smiled sadly. Since David’s death, Solena made a point to check up on Rena every morning.

“Solena, no. But thank you.” Solena and Raymond Melendez worked at Purple Fields—Solena in the wine-tasting room, Raymond overseeing the vineyards. They’d been loyal employees since Rena and David took over the winery after her parents’ deaths.