Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)

Ryan joined them and kissed Dellina’s cheek. “Thanks for all this,” he said. “I can’t believe you got an engagement party together so quickly.”


“It’s what I do. I’m glad the engagement is official.”

“Me, too,” Fayrene said, her expression impish. “It took me long enough to come to my senses and realize I had to ask for what I wanted.”

Ryan took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. “We’re together now, my sweet. That’s what matters.”

Dellina smiled, happy for both of them. She glanced past them and saw several guests arriving.

“Go mingle,” she said, shooing the young couple toward the front doors of the winery. “Accept congratulations and drink champagne. I have a designated driver for you, so not to worry.”

Fayrene hugged her sister again. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For everything. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Dellina watched them go. Although she still had a million things to do, she gave herself a second to revel in her sisters’ happiness. They were both settled. Happy, successful and in love. When her parents had died, Dellina had been overwhelmed by the sudden responsibility of two younger siblings. They’d all gotten through it together. They’d stayed close and connected. She had a feeling her parents would be proud of all three of them.

She turned toward the kitchen, prepared to tell Ana Raquel that the guests had started arriving, but her sister and Greg were already walking toward the buffet with large serving dishes. Dellina sighed. She loved it when a plan came together. When she had to—

The back of her neck prickled. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Sam had arrived. In the few seconds before he saw her, she took in the sight of him. Her stomach did a little shimmy, her girl parts quivered in anticipation and her heart... Well, her heart was overflowing with love. Maybe falling for him was a mistake. Maybe she would regret it later. But right now loving Sam was the best part of her world.

* * *

SAM HADN’T BEEN to the Condor Valley Winery before. He liked the use of wood and high ceilings in the tasting room and looked forward to trying the wine.

He still had trouble believing that only a couple of days ago Fayrene had been waffling about telling Ryan her true feelings, and now they were engaged and there was a party to celebrate the happy couple. Things moved fast in this town. Obviously Fayrene had come clean about wanting to move up the wedding. Sam wasn’t surprised Ryan had been enthused about getting engaged. He obviously loved Fayrene. But pulling a party together this fast?

That was Dellina’s doing, he thought as he searched for her in a crowd. She knew how to make the magic happen.

He spotted her talking to Josh Golden and his wife. Charity? Sam wasn’t sure. He knew she was the city planner and that they had a couple of kids.

He let his gaze linger on Dellina. She was smiling as she talked. Moving her hands. She always listened intently, as if whoever was speaking was the most interesting person in the world. She had a way with people. And a way with him.

He liked her. He liked being around her. Taryn and Jack hadn’t been subtle in their advice. It was just a matter of time until Kenny took him on. It wasn’t that he didn’t want a happy ending with a beautiful, funny, sexy, caring woman like Dellina. It was that he didn’t think it was possible. Their relationship was going to end badly. The trick was putting off that end as long as possible.

He walked over to the wine bar, then moved to the edge of the room to watch what was going on. As he studied the growing crowd, he realized he knew most of them by name. Pia and Raoul. He’d met Heidi at the ranch a few weeks before. Heidi of the goats. The guy with her was her husband and his name was Rafe.

“Are you being antisocial?” Taryn asked as she walked over to him.

“Observing. There’s a difference.”

“Maybe on the inside, but on the outside, they look the same.” She linked arms with him and drew him toward the center of the room. “Angel is back so my world is restored,” she told him. “You see before you a happy woman.”

“I’m glad.”

“He won’t say what he was doing, which is a little annoying.”

“I’m sure you have ways of making him talk.”

“I do, as a matter of fact.” She smiled.

Mayor Marsha walked up to them. “How are you two?”

“Great,” Taryn said with a sigh. “Did you have something to do with Angel and Ford disappearing?”

Sam expected the older woman to be confused by the question. Instead she nodded.

“Yes, they were helping me. A young woman was in trouble and they went to make sure she was safe.”

Taryn’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”

“Of course. Her name is Shelby and she was trapped at home with an abusive father. He’s been arrested and charged with multiple crimes. Shelby will be receiving some counseling to deal with the trauma of all she’s been through. Even worse, her mother is dying of cancer.”