“You can get there by boat.”
“Sam.”
He allowed himself a slight smile. “Monaco, Jason. They’re spending Christmas in Monaco.”
Jason slapped his large hands on Sam’s desk and grinned. “No shit.”
“I know.”
Just then they heard a familiar uneven step in the hallway.
Jason rose to his feet as Gabriel walked into the room. “Morning, sir,” he said, holding out the chair he’d just vacated.
“Jason.” Gabriel nodded. He glowered at Sam, then sank into the chair Jason offered.
“Hallway’s getting longer,” the old man grumbled. “It used to take me only a few steps to get to your office.”
“Morning, Gabriel,” Sam said, ignoring his grandfather’s complaints. He’d made the mistake of offering the use of a wheelchair once before and had nearly had his head chewed off.
“You’re out and about early,” he said instead.
“I’m looking for some information.” His grandfather stared at Jason. “Sit down. You’ll give me a crick in my neck if you just stand there.”
Jason winked at Gabriel. “Yes, sir.”
“My grandson works you too hard.”
“I think so.”
Gabriel muttered something under his breath and turned his attention back to Sam. “There’s a restaurant by the Four Seasons Hotel. Supposed to be a nice place. What do you know about it?”
Sam stared at his grandfather. “You’re eating out? You hate restaurants. Do you want to come stay with Kelly and me for a few days?”
As soon as he issued the invitation, he wanted to call it back. His need to be alone with Francesca grew exponentially every day. Having one more person in the house would only complicate an already difficult situation.
“I’m fine on my own,” Gabriel growled. “Why can’t a man go out to dinner once in a while?”
Jason made a choking sound. When Sam glanced at him, he seemed to be having some kind of spasm.
“You have a problem?” Gabriel snapped.
“No, sir.” Jason cleared his throat and straightened in his chair. “I’m familiar with that restaurant. It’s excellent. What kind of food does the lady like?”
Lady? Sam nearly fell out of his chair. “You have a date?” he asked his grandfather.
“I’m taking Mary-Margaret out for dinner, yes. Not that it’s any business of yours.”
Mary-Margaret? The pieces fell into place. “Grammy M?”
Gabriel glared at him. Sam would have sworn that the old man was blushing.
“She’s a fine figure of a woman,” Gabriel told him. “Been widowed for some time. She makes me laugh. No law against that.”
“None at all,” Sam agreed, more than a little impressed.
“I’m sure you’ll both be pleased by the restaurant,” Jason said.
“Good to know.” Gabriel pushed himself to his feet and leaned heavily on his cane. He headed for the door.
“You two get back to work,” he called over his shoulder.
Sam waited until his grandfather was out of earshot, then leaned back in his chair. “Who would have thought?”
Jason chuckled. “You should see the look on your face.”
“I don’t know what to think about my grandfather dating after all these years. On the other hand, I’m pleased to know the Reese family sports equipment works well into the golden years.”
16
Early Monday morning Francesca walked out of her apartment only to find Brenna leaning against her truck. She slowed her step as she studied her twin. For once Brenna actually had a dress on, and makeup.
“This is a surprise,” Francesca said when she reached her twin.
Brenna shrugged. “I thought you might want company.”
Considering how quickly news traveled through the family, Francesca found it amazing that no one had said a word about a long-lost brother for nearly thirty years.
“Mom and Dad called last night,” Francesca said. “When did you find out they’d asked me to get in touch with Joe?”
“About fifteen minutes after they hung up. I didn’t think you’d want to go on your own.”
Francesca hadn’t, but after the fight they’d had in the vineyard, she’d been uncomfortable calling Brenna.
“You might have been right,” she said by way of apology.
Brenna raised her eyebrows. “About what specifically?”
Francesca pushed her toward the front of the truck. “Get in and I’ll grovel all the way to San Diego.”
Fifteen minutes later they were on the freeway, heading south.
“Didn’t you have Kelly this week?” Brenna asked.
Francesca nodded. “I had to call Sam last night and explain I couldn’t pick her up from ballet today. He’s taking her to work with him when she’s finished with class, which is a good thing. They can hang out together and bond. I’ll have her the rest of the week.”
Brenna glanced at her. “I’m guessing you haven’t spilled the beans about the little one yet.”
“Friday. I wanted to get through this week first.”
“Scared?”
“Terrified.” She smiled. “Because you were right. I do care about him. And don’t ask me to define what care means. He matters. That’s all I know.”
“The details aren’t important.” Brenna leaned back in her seat and sighed. “I love being right. It’s a good way to start the day.”
Francesca laughed. “Fine. If you’re so smart, have you figured out what we’re going to say to our big brother?”
“I haven’t a clue. Although I’ve considered the fact that we don’t want to piss him off. Joe Larson is a Navy Seal. Doesn’t the military train those guys to be killing machines? He can probably take us out with a cocktail napkin.”
“Tell me about it.”
Two and a half hours later they entered San Diego County. Brenna shifted uneasily in her seat. “Maybe this was a bad idea. Me coming along, I mean. I don’t know if I want to meet this guy, although I’m sure he’s going to be thrilled at the possibility of inheriting millions.”
“You really think Grandpa Lorenzo will offer Joe the winery and he’ll say yes?”
“Wouldn’t you? Even if he’s not interested in it, he can sell it and pocket the cash.”
“Grandpa Lorenzo wouldn’t let that happen.”
“I’m not so sure. I think he’ll be blinded by the thrill of finally having a male heir. It’s been his dream since we were kids. Regardless of how or where he was raised, Joe is family. You know what that means in our house.”
Francesca couldn’t argue. Family was everything. She still wasn’t used to the idea of having a brother. What would he be like? Would he be angry about being given up for adoption?
They entered the city. Thirty minutes later they pulled up into the hotel parking lot. Her parents had used a lawyer to arrange the meeting in the lobby-level coffee shop.
“Here goes nothing,” Brenna said as they climbed out of the car. “If I start to go for his throat, hold me back.”
“If he has all the training you claim and you go for his throat, he’ll be able to take care of himself.”
“Good point.”
