Anne laughed at their antics as she peered out the window. She couldn’t get enough of the beautiful view. The recent barrage of rain in California had turned its hills and valleys lush and green, and an abundance of grapevines dotted the land in satisfyingly neat rows and columns.
And the weather gods had smiled upon them this weekend because there wasn’t a single rain cloud in sight. But honestly, she agreed with Bethany and Tessa—a glass of wine would be the perfect accompaniment to this trip.
“You’re quiet. Well, more quiet than usual.” Her sister leaned close to her. “Something on your mind?”
“Oh, this and that.” Withthisbeing Frederick andthatalso being Frederick.
Anne hadn’t seen him, or heard from him, since Christmas night. He obviously hadn’t sought her out. She ignored the unreasonable disappointment sinking her stomach. It made sensethat he hadn’t reached out to her. Why would he? She hadn’t reached out to him either.
But she thought about himoften, her heart breaking every time his words echoed through her mind.Youwreckedme when you left me.Years of his life left in shambles because of her. She would give anything for a chance to make it up to him.
She couldn’t help but remember how he’d enveloped her in his arms, pressing her against the wall of his chest, and how his husky voice had caressed her name later. Her hand rose to her throat as a shiver ran down her spine, a rush of restless desire sweeping through her.
It didn’t mean anything. All she’d done was give Frederick the closure he needed. And closure meant the end, not a new beginning… The best she could hope for was that her confession would thaw his icy anger toward her and make being around each other—which was unavoidable, thanks to Coraline and Joe’s wedding—a little less harrowing. But no matter how much she told herself this, her heart had other, more wildly hopeful, ideas.
At any rate, she couldn’t tell her little sister any of that, so she settled for murmuring, “I’m just distracted by this view.”
“Mm-hmm.” Tessa nodded, her mind already elsewhere.
Anne brushed aside her disappointment that her sister didn’t really care what was on her mind. She sighed, impatient with herself. It washerjob to care for her younger sister, not the other way around.It wouldn’t hurt to be cared for in return, a small voice said inside her.
She ignored the voice and asked, “How’s everything going with you?”
Tessa’s shoulders sagged, her expression suddenly haggard. “My advisor doesn’t like any of my dissertation ideas. She’s being so picky.”
“It can’t be all that bad.” Anne squeezed her sister’s hand.“Professor Peterson has always been so supportive of you. She probably wants to make sure you succeed.”
“Yeah, I know.” Tessa squeezed Anne’s hand back. “It’s stressful now, but it’ll all be worth it in the end.”
“Attagirl.” Anne wrapped her arm around Tessa, and she dropped her head on her shoulder. “You’re not my smarty-pants sister for nothing.”
“Thank you.” Her sister snuggled closer to her. “I don’t know how I managed all these years without you. It’s so good to have you home, Unni.”
“I’m happy to be home, kiddo.” Anne kissed the top of Tessa’s head.
Leaving Frederick was the biggest mistake of her life, but she’d made the right choice in accepting that role in Korea. Anne had taken care of her baby sister just as she’d promised her mom. She probably wouldn’t have been able to forgive herself if she’d stood by and done nothing while their family home was repossessed. She and her sisters had grown up in that house. It was the last place her mom had lived. She couldn’t regret protecting those memories.
And maybe moving on from the past wouldn’t be such a terrible thing. She loved Frederick and would always love him, but he’d made it clear he didn’t want her back. She had to respect his wishes.
Hadn’t she already done enough damage?You wrecked me.She blew out a shaky breath. Anne would never be whole without him, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t find happiness in other ways. That didn’t mean she would always have to be alone.
“Ladies,” Bethany said, “I think we’re here.”
“We sure are,” Anne breathed, staring at the stunning sight outside.
The hacienda was even more gorgeous than it had been in the pictures. The afternoon sun warmed its smooth white wallsand stained its tiled roof a golden red, giving the villa an otherworldly air. And the beautiful vineyards stretching past the hacienda added to its boundless charm.
The four of them rushed out of the car to get a better look at the two-story hacienda and the vineyards surrounding it. They were all speechless for a moment, gaping at their home away from home. An incredulous giggle bubbled out of Tessa, breaking the shocked silence.
“Holy shit.” Coraline covered her mouth with her hands. “You went all out. Anne, how much…”
“Please don’t worry about that.” Anne squeezed her cousin’s arm.
“But—”
“Zip it, Cora.” The maid of honor stepped in, frowning menacingly at the cringing bride. “Stop worrying, okay? Everyone pitched in. No one’s going bankrupt. And this isn’t just for you and Joe. We’re all going to enjoy this trip.”
“Damn straight.” Tessa bumped her fist against Bethany’s, then they bumped hips for good measure. “Luxury and debauchery shall be ours.”
