The Perfect Someday (A standalone novel ~ Book three in The Mathews Family) (33 page)

She
had wondered so many times why he never called, why she wasn’t interested in dating, and why she turned down the perfect job in New York, the job she thought she wanted so badly. Standing at the front door of the castle on the hill, she knew in every fiber of her being, this was where she was supposed to be.

The heels of her pumps clicked
on the stone beneath her feet, keeping rhythm with her heart. She texted Vincent earlier that day asking him to meet her at seven o’clock. Tracy opted to wear her heather-grey pencil skirt and V-neck black knit sweater. Though, he had never said it was his favorite, Tracy knew it was. The man couldn’t peel his eyes from her ass every time she wore it.

The iron key felt heavy in her hand.
She inspected a slight repair to the cross shape at the end of the key. The sound of tires coming up the drive captured her attention. Tracy could feel her smile glowing hot on her cheeks. He parked and stepped from the car. The sun was setting behind him, silhouetting his tall lean figure.

As he approached, she could see his eyes glued to her as if she were a magnet.
Her knees wobbled and she reached for the door for support. Holy shit. He was wearing a suit, black, with baby blue shirt.

“Hey.” She heard herself say
incoherently, right before his arms came around, plucking her feet from the ground.

Vincent
lowered his mouth and her arms wrapped around his neck. His kiss hot and urgent. She tasted her favorite earthy bouquet of wine dancing on his tongue, tangling with hers until she was breathless.

Breaki
ng the kiss, he nuzzled into her hair. “I have waited all day. You smell so good.”

Her toes pointed
, searching for the ground as he lowered her feet. Tracy casually dropped her hands to the small of her back, palm fisted around the key.

“You look beautiful,” he said.

“Thank you. You look…heavenly.”

Face averted, he blessed her with the
white of his handsome smile. Vincent coasted his hand down her arm, encircling his fingers around the small of her wrist, starting for the back door. The entrance they had used so many times before. She suspected he thought they were sneaking into the fortress for an intimate date.

Tracy didn’t move.
She lifted the key, traces of oxidation left on her sweaty palm from decades of time.

H
is head tilted quizzically. “What do you have there?”

“I was thinking
…maybe we should start using the front door.”

His brows pulled snug
shooting a perplexed glance from the key to the door and back again. He took the key, inspecting it with blank confusion. “Where did you find this?”

“It’s mine, well, ours.
I found a solution. Well, it’s more than a solution, it’s where I want to be. It’s where I want both of us to be.” She pursed her lips, attempting to contain the rushed babble. Her pulse sputtered helplessly as if she’d had three shots of espresso.

“Easy, b
ella. Just relax and tell me what’s going on.”

Tracy took a deep breath.
“I’m buying this place, to be your partner. I don’t need to stand here and ramble off a list of possibilities and odds, you already know the benefits that will come by joining this property with Castlello Giovanni.”

“Can we back up just
a little.” He held up his fingers with an inch between. “You’re buying this place?”

“Yes. I am. If that’s alright with you.
I know making a Super Wine isn’t your favorite option, but if you want to continue making the wine you’ve been handed down for generations…Super Wine is your only option. This gives you, us, the opportunity to do both, plus exporting. It’s a win win for everyone.”

He grasped her shoulders, stroking lightly, as if he were easing the pain of bad news. “Bella, you can’t just buy a vineyard. It’s millions of—“

“Actually,
it’s three million two hundred thousand to be exact. Not including renovations, clearing and planting, new equipment and everything else. I have a list. And, yes I can. I have a bit of a nest egg, Vincent. Almost eight hundred thousand eggs. It’s everything my father left for me and some hefty gifting from my mom and stepdad.”

A long deafening silence.

“My parents and the Levi’s have agreed to back me. Us. Strictly business of course.”

“Strictly business?” He asked in an ache of a whisper.

“
Yes, their involvement would be strictly professional. This fortress will be the crown—“

His
stone-hard stare burned onto the key in his palm captured her attention. Tracy slipped her arms inside his jacket, the silk lining warm from the rising heat of his body.

“It’s more than a key, Vincent. This represents new beginnings, a lifetime full of
possibilities.”

“Shhh, wait uno min
uti.” Vincent laid the soft pad of his finger to her lips. “Before you go any further, I have something for you.”

Her e
yes fluttered, pleading to let her continue. She needed to get the words out of her mouth before she burst.

“Please,” he added.
“I’m just in a little bit of shock. Out of everything I expected to happen tonight, this was not on the list.” His eyes caressed her with a small smile as he retrieved an envelope from the inside pocket of his jacket. “Open it.”

Vincent handed her the card. His name was scrolled on the front. It was the fake doctor’s excuse
she had given to him. Tracy took the card from the envelope reading the note she made for him.

I am hereby released for

A lifetimes worth of

Ravishing

&

Lovemaking

Your supervision is required

Vincent
pinched the paper between his fingers and flipped it to the backside. Her heart stilled.

I enjoy most styles of music, but jazz is my favorite

I prefer books over movies

My favorite sport is chasing you

I gladly accept the lifetime position of ravishing & lovemaking

I promise to love you forever

Marry me

Vincent

Her gaze lifted from the parchment, searching for his face through a slick of tears. Waves of silky dark hair loomed at her waist. Vincent was on one knee. He gazed up at her, cradling her hand in his. A gorgeous round cut diamond hovering near the tip of her finger.

“
I spent nearly two years of my life away from you and that is something I never want to experience again. Not even for one day.” Translucent threads of grey brimming with wetness. “I came here with a well-rehearsed speech. It seems as if we’re on the same page, but I need to say this to you. I realize that I’m asking you to give up some of your dreams, career opportunities that you’ve worked hard to achieve through years of schooling. But I hope you will find me worthy of taking a leap of faith. Marry me, Tracy.”

She swiped the corner of
her eye with the hook of her finger, shedding the tear so she could see his handsome face. “Vincent, I’m not giving up any of my dreams. I’m right where I’m supposed to be. You are my perfect someday.”

He
glanced at her finger and back at her, smiling, waiting to hear the words.

“
Yes. Yes, of course I’ll marry you.”

He slid
the platinum ring on her finger, immediately standing to take her into his arms. Vincent brought her forehead to his, breathing, taking in the moment. Tracy was lost in the clouds of greys. He kissed her with surprising tenderness, salty mixed with sweet, her back rested against the castle door.

Tracy folded her fingers into the fine fabric of his suit, glimpsing happily at the
shiny diamond. “It’s beautiful.”

“Did you
by chance talk to my mamma today?” His eyes searched hers. “Does she know about your purchase?”

“Maybe.” Her eyes widened
. A blush of embarrassment dusted her cheeks. “Why?”

“Ah…that explains why she was so happy
when I stopped by to see her.”

“There
is the slight possibility, just maybe, that I might have used the word grandchild. I’m fairly certain she was already crying when I clarified someday. I don’t know if she was crying so hard she didn’t hear me or if she was ignoring me.”

A roar of laugher erupted in his chest.

“What?” Tracy gave a frivolous shrug. “I couldn’t help it. She’s very convincing.”

He made a tsk tsk tsk sound.
“She had you right where she wanted you. You are too far gullible. We’ll have to toughen you up a bit, otherwise she’ll guilt you into ten grandbabies.”

“Not ten.” Tracy
shook her head in doubt. “But two or three might be nice. Someday.”

“Someday.” He agreed.

Vincent fished the key from his pocket. He shoved the key into the t-shaped opening set into the door frame.

“Together?” she asked.

“Si`. Together, Amore Mio.”

EPILOG
UE

Vincent and Tracy parked along the road taking in the lush summer hillside of their estate. Row after row of thriving crops, stretching beyond the gorgeous new entrance to the vineyard and winery. Two tall pillars covered in ledge stone bordered the drive and a large steel beam spanning across the top adorning a new sign with their new logo.

Castello Giovanni Vineyards

&

Amore Mio ~ Winery and Inn

“The sign turned out magnifico.” Admiration laced his tone.

“And?” Tracy added, hunting for a compliment.

“And you were right. We needed a new sign.” He leaned over the center console, placing a sweet kiss to the sensitive slope near her ear. “Two of my most intimate treasures now live beyond these impenetrable walls. My woman and my wine.”

A smile
flushed her cheeks. “I love it when you call me that.”

“
My
woman.” His lips brushed against her neck, pulling a shaky gasp from her throat. Vincent sunk his teeth into her shoulder and growled, “
My
love.”

She nuzzled into the warmth of his neck
, inhaling his sunny scent as she caressed the side of his face. “Let’s go home, Vincent.”

“Si`,” he simmered, throwing the car into drive. “Let’s go home.
I’m taking you to bed.”

They had
been in Colorado for two weeks boxing up her belongings. It had been the busiest months of their lives and it was just the beginning. Renovations were already in full swing, starting with the commons areas in both properties.

Castello Giovanni
would remain the backbone of production and facilitate the up and coming changes for the creation of their new Super Wine. Visitors would soon be able to visit and learn the essence of making wine on a personal level. However, Amore Mio Winery would act as the crown jewel, hosting lavish weddings on the terrace, intimate jazz nights under the stars, superb culinary classes, and so much more.

After freshening up after the long flight,
Tracy sauntered down the grand hallway wearing a pair of jaguar print pumps. The knotted bow detail on the t-strap of her heels was her only adornment. She didn’t have to call out for him, Tracy knew exactly where Vincent would be. The wine cellar. Renovations had been completed when they were in Colorado.

Quietly m
aking her way down the steps cut from thick slabs of stone, Tracy was hit with an array of earthy scents lingering in the enclosed stairwell. She carefully held to the handrail as her eyes drifted shut, drawing in the smoky bouquet of charred oak, mixed with hints of vanilla, roasted nuts and caramel. The familiar traces swathed over her like a plush blanket of comfort.

Reaching the bottom step,
Tracy peeked around the corner searching for Vincent in the shadows of the dimly lit cellar. She slipped into the room, quietly making her way past several rows of oak barrels.

C
atching sight of Vincent’s tall form meandering out from the racks of wine, Tracy came to a halt beneath the center of the arched ceiling, watching as he made his way to the tasting area.

A smile pricked he
r lips, watching the worry ease from his shoulders as he stood at the bar opening a bottle of wine. He’d been in a hurry to get back to Italy, wanting to see the finishing touches of the room he now considered his pride and joy. Tracy had given him free reign on design of the wine cellar, with a few delicate suggestions and nudges when it came to décor.

Quietly, s
he continued, sneaking up behind him in a stealth-like manner. Her heart was pounding so hard, she thought for sure he would hear her coming. Standing directly behind him, Tracy jut her one foot off to his side, pointing the toe of her jaguar print pump.