Without a Hitch(83)

“And Tilly?”

“She’s a goddamn saint.”

His head turns to watch our women. “Why do you really want my winery, Lochlan?”

Revenge, retaliation, retribution all flash through my mind, but then Tilly’s smiling face freezes when she turns back to check on me, and some of the hatred I’ve been holding onto melts away with her warm expression.

“Are you okay?” she mouths, and all the fight leaves my body.

Yes, I’ll still avenge my past, but now there’s a new reason, a greater reason for making dreams come true. Tilly. My lip curls even as my breath stalls. I nod once, and she raises her brow, assessing my stance.

“I’m fine.” I silently mouth the lie with a smile before she finally believes me and turns back to her partner in crime. They’re three glasses of champagne in, and I love how carefree she is in this moment. Tilly settles the rage rotting my soul even from twenty yards away.

John clears his throat, and I snap my attention back to find him watching me closely. Then I remember his question. “Tilly doesn’t ask for anything. Not a damn thing, and she deserves more than I can give her.”

“Good women usually do.”

My shoulders droop to a neutral position as I give him my full attention. “It makes good business sense for my ten-year plan on all my boutique properties. I will rebrand some of the wine to fit each property, but the Ross name will remain.”

“But why do you want my property in particular?”

As I stand before this man, my reasons for wanting his winery splinter and become twofold.

“Your winery is one of the few remaining with a proven product whose event space still remains untouched, but you have the land for all types of events. Tilly needs to build something of her own, and I want to give her the opportunity.”

“You want the winery for Tilly?” He seems genuinely surprised.

“It’s not completely altruistic, no. I’m branding my boutique hotels into a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Food, wine, entertainment? They’re all part of that experience. You have a proven product. I want your wine in my hotels.”

“But,” he prods.

“More than anything, I want to give Tilly the world, even if she fights it every step of the way.”

“And your ex-wife?”

Bloody fucket. “Obviously, you know she’s with Paul Mercer. In business and life.” I force my tone to stay neutral, but sweat trickles down my spine at the effort of the nicety. “And I know they lease land on the northern piece of the property for their…endeavors.” It is not common knowledge that Paul has mortgaged his entire empire on the success of that venture, so I don’t offer it up. “I will not interfere with their ability to sell their product.”

“You won’t?”

“No. Quality control and vendors will need to go through proper channels for vetting, but I’ll have a team that handles…that particular piece of our deal.”

“You surprise me, Lochlan. Not many people do.” He claps me on the back, and we walk down the dock toward the girls. As soon as we’re close enough, I reach out to take Tilly’s hand in mine.

Ross pulls Doreen to his side and smiles fondly with a fatherly nod. “Do you two have dinner plans?”

Tilly tips her head back to stare at me in silent question. Do we? her eyes ask. She turns back to the Rosses with a smile that sparkles brighter than pixie dust. “I think we’re free, but you’ll have to forgive me if I pass on the wine. I think I’ve hit my limit today.” She giggles, and I tuck her into my side.

“We can go home,” I whisper, not caring if John finds me rude.

Tilly lifts up onto her tiptoes and kisses my cheek. “I’m okay. It’ll be fun.”

“It’s settled,” Doreen cheers happily. “You’ll come back to the winery with us. Our chef will prepare something casual, so no need to change.”

Words are exchanged, but they fly over my head. I’m caught up in the normalcy of the moment.

Tilly, so graceful and welcoming as she interacts with my colleague’s wife. And John Ross, welcoming us as friends.

Events were never this easy with Christine. She fought to stand out, to be the center of attention. I realize now it could be off-putting for most, and I turned a blind eye to her behavior.

Tilly, on the other hand, goes out of her way to make sure she blends in and that everyone around her is comfortable. She works hard to ensure everyone in her sphere is having fun, and all I can see is her. While she’s busy caring for everyone else, my only priority is…her.

“Ready?” Tilly asks with concern.

I’m concerned too, sweet Tilly. So fucking concerned that this is what love feels like, and there might not be a damn thing I can do about it.

“AUDRA TELLS us you’re extraordinary at what you do. She also says you helped her recently with a fundraiser she’s hosting. You’re very talented. Have you always wanted to go into event planning?”

Doreen asks over dinner.

That faraway look covers Tilly’s expression, and a warm smile hooks at the corners of my mouth, knowing she’s about to use the word magical.

“Gah! I’ve been planning weddings since I was ten years old. They’re just…they’re just the most magical day in someone’s life. The one day where you can shine so brightly, you can’t help but feel the love in every step you take. I can tell you what flowers are in season any time of the year. What songs get the guests dancing. How to keep one bridesmaid from hiding a shoe and thwarting another from dousing everyone in champagne while wearing the most uncomfortable dress that could rival any Halloween costume.”