Page 26 of The Wedding Toast (The Hamiltons #10)

Delaney laughed. “Either a fixed fee – which for you I would waive until you make that much and at least ten times more as a direct result of my work, or maybe a percentage – but you’d have to think about that carefully before you agree to it.

“Why?”

“Because with the way your work will sell if you let me run your brand, even a tiny percentage will amount to a fortune in a few years.”

“You’re that sure of yourself?”

Delaney laughed. “I am. That’s not unusual. What’s out of the ordinary is just how convinced I am that the way you’re underselling your work and your talent is almost criminal.”

Callie finally took hold of her hand and shook it. “Let’s talk – after the wedding. But I’m not making any promises. And I’m not signing anything.”

She stopped short when Elliott, one of Jacob’s pilots, appeared at her side.

He was a good guy. She’d had a laugh with him the few times she’d met him.

He was a big old flirt, but he wasn’t interested in her, nor she him.

Becca had told her about him losing his dad, and she felt for him.

They’d bonded a bit over losing people they loved – her oldest brother had been killed in Afghanistan.

Elliott just felt safe and more familiar than most of the wine people.

He put his hand on her shoulder and smiled. “How are we doing, ladies?”

Callie nodded. She’d bet that he’d come to make sure she was okay against this Delaney. “All good, thanks, El.”

~ ~ ~

Elliott had no clue what was going on between the two women, but he’d come over to make sure things were okay.

All he knew was that Callie looked agitated, and Delaney was …

well, he didn’t know what to make of Delaney.

When he and Trick had flown her in, she had to have been one of the most nervous passengers ever.

But as soon as they were back on the ground, she’d transformed into this …

businesswoman, all go-getter attitude and …

She met his gaze and stared at him coolly.

“Sorry,” she said to Callie. “I didn’t realize that the two of you were …

I won’t hold you up, but please.” She handed Callie a card.

“Think about it and give me a call.” Her features transformed when she smiled and added, “And please don’t think you need to avoid me for the wedding weekend – I won’t mention work again unless you do. ”

Callie took the card and examined it, and Elliott watched the whole exchange, wondering why Callie hadn’t set her straight.

If she wanted this Delaney woman to think that she had a boyfriend then he was all about being the stand-in if she needed one, but …

if he were honest, he was intrigued by Delaney, and her thinking that he was with Callie wouldn’t do him any favors.

Callie looked up again. First at Delaney, then at him, and smiled. “Thanks for the card, and Elliott’s just a friend. Do you two not know each other? Sorry. Delaney, this is Elliott. Elliott, meet Delaney.”

“We already met.”

“We did,” Elliott agreed and extended his hand anyway. The moment she placed her hand in his, a shiver ran down his spine.

Callie raised her eyebrows at him and made to step away, but he caught hold of her arm. It was crazy; he should let her go. But for some unknown reason he didn’t want to be left alone with Delaney.

The next thing he knew, Ollie was stepping between him and Callie, looking around at the three of them with a big smile that Elliott could see didn’t reach his eyes.

Callie tensed, and Delaney shot Elliott a knowing smile – although he wasn’t sure what exactly she thought she knew.

“Do you guys mind if I steal Callie away a minute?”

“Not in the least,” said Delaney.

Elliott checked in with Callie, and although her cheeks were pink, she nodded and gave him a small smile.

After they’d gone, Elliott raised his eyebrows at Delaney. “I wasn’t trying to exploit her if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Why would I think that?” he asked with a smirk.

She pursed her lips. “Never mind. I thought you were looking out for her.”

“I was. I am. But she doesn’t need defending against you. You wouldn’t try to exploit her, and she wouldn’t allow it if you did.”

She nodded. “You read the situation correctly then.”

He smiled. “I usually do.”

Her cool gaze traveled over him. “And how are you reading this situation?”

He laughed. “My assessment is that you’re interested in the pilot but don’t think you should be – you’re afraid of flying.”

Her eyes widened. “Who says …”

“That you’re afraid of flying?—I do,” he said with a wink.

She narrowed her eyes. “That I have any interest in the pilot?”

He chuckled. “The pilot does. If you want to prove me wrong, all you need to do is walk away and not look back.”

He wasn’t surprised in the least when she set down her glass, turned, and walked away.

He was, however, relieved that when she reached Chelsea and Grant and started to talk to them, she looked back at him.

He winked again and raised his glass to her, and chuckled when she gave him a small smile even as she shook her head.

~ ~ ~

Reaves shook Antonio’s hand. “This was great, thanks.”

Antonio grinned and pulled him into a hug. “It was wonderful. But soon you must come out when you guys can have a drink.”

“That’s okay. I’m not much of a drinker even when we’re not flying.”

Antonio shook his head. “Your poor father.”

Reaves just laughed. “I know, right – all he wanted was an heir to continue the legacy of the House of St. James, and he ended up with me.”

Antonio chuckled. “I’ve told him before; he can adopt me. If there’s any label in this valley that I love as much as DiGiovanni, it’s House of St. James. I know he’d never sell, but when …”

Reaves’s heart thudded to a halt, and Antonio’s smile vanished. “No! I didn’t say that – didn’t mean that. Charles will live forever.”

Reaves laughed it off – what else could he do? But Antonio had a point. His dad would never sell the winery. Small and boutique as it may be, it was still his life’s work. But to think about his dad’s life being over … that one day the winery would be all that was left of him…

He stepped back while Antonio said goodnight to Trick. They’d decided that while Elliott and Ollie seemed to want to stick around for a while, the two of them would head out together.

When they were back out on the sidewalk, Trick grasped his shoulder. “Antonio didn’t mean anything, you know – he just engages his mouth before his brain sometimes.”

Reaves laughed at that. “I know. I’m not mad at him or anything. But … he kind of has a point; my dad’s not going to be around forever. And …” he sighed. “All he’s ever wanted is to know that he’ll leave a legacy – that the wines, the House of St. James will live on.”

Trick gave him a wry smile. “I think you’ll find that all he ever really wanted was for his son to be happy. He’s encouraged and supported your career, Reaves. If all he cared about were the wines …

“Shit, sorry. I know I shouldn’t say it that way. But what’s important to him …”

Trick cocked an eyebrow.

Reaves sighed. “You’re right. I’m important to him. He’s always supported me. It’s about time I started doing more to support him, isn’t it?”

Trick chuckled. “I didn’t say a word.”

“You didn’t need to. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Do you need a ride?”

“I’m parked on the next block.”

Trick pointed down a side street. “I’m down there.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“You will. Although probably not until the evening. I think the way the schedule worked out, we’ll be in the air whenever you’re on the ground.”

“Are you going to the rehearsal dinner?”

“We are.”

“We’ll see you there then.”

Reaves checked the fuel gauge as he approached the gas station near his apartment. He should stop and fill up now so that he wouldn’t have to do it for the rest of the weekend.

There was only one other vehicle at the pumps – a dusty white Suburban – and he pulled up alongside it. As he unhooked the nozzle from the pump, he heard a faint thumping sound and looked around, wondering if he was hearing things.

The next thing he knew, the rear passenger window lowered on the Suburban and a little head poked out and yelled, “Prince Daddy!”

He laughed when he recognized Zia. “Well, hey there, little buddy. What are you up to?” He frowned and checked his watch. It was late for the kid to be out and about.

She grinned and beckoned him over. “Mom had one of her headaches and no pills.”

Reaves looked around. “Is she okay?”

Zia nodded, looking a little more subdued. “She’ll be fine, she says. She just needs to take some pills to make it stop.”

Reaves felt bad. He didn’t know Alara yet – he hadn’t made the time to go down to the garage on the estate where she was working to introduce himself.

He did know that she was all by herself with Zia though.

She was working on the arch all day every day, and from what he understood, the two of them were living in a camper that Alara was towing on her way to Oregon.

He glanced toward the store. “Has she been in there a long time?”

Zia raised her shoulders all the way up to her ears before letting them fall. “I don’t know.”

“Wait there, okay? I’m going to go …”

He felt foolish when a woman came out of the store and eyed him suspiciously. She had to be Alara. She looked like Zia, only older and wiser. Her hair was lighter, but almost as curly. Some of it fell around her shoulders and some of it was pinned up. The overall effect was messy and … beautiful.

“Mommy!” Zia called. “Look, it’s Prince Daddy.”

Reaves cringed, imagining how that must sound to Alara – who was probably already wondering about the motives of the unknown man who was talking to her small daughter.

“Zia and I know each other from the Jacobs estate,” he explained hurriedly. “I work there. I’m Reaves.”

“Reaves Brandon St. James,” Zia announced from behind him – though he wasn’t sure if that would make matters better or worse.

He relaxed when Alara smiled. “You’re one of the pilots – her favorite.”

Reaves couldn’t help glancing back at Zia with a grin. The kid nodded at him. “Of course you are!”

He felt foolish again when he turned back to Alara to find her watching him with a smile. “You don’t mind her, do you?”

“No,” he said forcefully. “She’s awesome. But … are you okay? Zia said you have a headache?”

Alara held up a small strip of Tylenol. “Nothing that this won’t fix.”

“Oh, good.” He had to wonder why she only had the little strip. If she had to come out to get them this late at night, she couldn’t have any more at home – or in the camper.

He only considered it for a moment before turning to go to his SUV. He opened the glove compartment and took out the spare bottle of Tylenol he carried – luckily it was a fresh one.

He came back and held it out to her. “Here, you can have these. The bottle’s still sealed. I carry them … in case …” He’d acted before he’d given enough consideration to how she might interpret the gesture.

Relief washed over him when she smiled and stepped closer, taking the bottle from his hand in the way a wild animal might risk taking food – coming only as close as necessary before skittering back just out of reach.

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you.”

“I told you he’s kind,” Zia called from behind him.

When Alara smiled and held his gaze for a moment, he felt as though he grew two feet taller.

“Thank you – for being so kind to her. People often …” She shook her head. “Everyone at the Jacobs estate has been great.”

“They’re good people.”

“They are, and among all those good people, you’re my daughter’s favorite. Thank you again. We should go.”

He nodded, wanting to say something, to keep her around longer to talk. But he couldn’t think of a thing to say.

“How long are you around for?”

She’d taken a step toward the Suburban but stopped to look back at him. “Jacob and Becca have invited us to stay for the wedding and the brunch on Sunday.”

Reaves grinned. “Good. I hope we’ll get the chance to talk.”

Alara smiled. “That’d be nice. I’ll look forward to it.”

“I’ll bring Mom to find you,” Zia called.

Alara met his gaze for a moment and shrugged. “As I said – you’re her favorite.”

Reaves stood and watched as she climbed into her vehicle and waved back like an idiot when Zia’s little hand stuck out the window to wave at him. He stood there for a long few moments after the Suburban had disappeared around the corner, already looking forward to seeing them again.