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Lorenzo pushed to his feet "To lass

Darcy instantly looked at Joe, who hesitated before picking up his glass Darcy picked up hers as well, knowing that while she wasn’t part of the Marcellis, she was happy to wish them the best They had been more than kind to her

As soon as the toast was over, Tessa ordered everyone to "Eat Eat before it gets cold"

Serving dishes circled the table Darcy took s out, she’d ht to ht to wear But it was hard to care about that when she was having such a good ti scared and angry It was as if she’d been nothing but sharp edges, and now she was all rounded corners and curves

"What do you think of life on a winery, Darcy?" Katie asked "It must be different for you"

"It is I really like it"

"Did you see her designs?" Tessa asked "So beautiful"

"I’m thrilled to finally have neine labels," Brenna said "So please accepton the labels And it was n business"

"Good for you," Katie said "Is that what you studied at college?"

"Actually I was an art --oils raphic design and "

Grahtful"

"Thank you I tried, but I didn’t have the talent"

"You have plenty of talent," Lorenzo intoned "You should have seen the labels Brenna has brought oats on wine bottles?"

Brenna shook her head "They weren’t goats"

"Animals then"

"Stop it, you two," Katie said mildly "They’re always like that, but I’m sure you’re used to it by now"

"Pretty h

"It orse before," Francesca said "When Brenna ether, , did she and Grandpa Lorenzo go at it"

"I had to be sure," the old man said "Sure that she wanted to devote herself to the winery Now she has, and all will be well"

"We’re a living, breathing soap opera," Colleen said "We should be on daytime television"

"But you hate daytime TV," Marco said

"Oh, I wouldn’t watch," Colleen told hihed and everyone joined in Darcy glanced around the table, then spotted Katie watching her

"Sorry," Katie said "I know everyone else is used to you being here, but I’hter sitting in the dining roorew up Until now the closest I’ve ever coazines"

"Occupational hazard," Darcy said

"I guess It would be so strange People thinking they know you when they don’t Of course I think I know you because of what everyone has told rinned "Oh, yeah, I know about that, too"

"Katie!" Colleen said, scolding her daughter "Leave Darcy alone"

"It’s okay," Darcy said, fighting a blush and having a bad feeling she was losing

"It’s not her fault," Francesca said "Please don’t take this the wrong way, Darcy, but we’re all much more interested in Joe’s part in this than yours We assu brother has never dated No one knew about his ex-wife until recently Intellectually we know there must be dozens of women, but we’ve never seen him with one before So we’re all curious about how this is working"

"I’irlfriends before"

Conversation ceased Darcy didn’tto say either Girlfriends? As in women in relationships? As in, she was one of theot all warm and squishy Was it true? And if it was, did it uy He handed out cruotten past his e herself?

Joe shifted uncomfortably in the silence Brenna opened herfunny but potentially e Fortunately just then Valerie spilled her milk and Eric threw carrots at his sister Shrieks and tears erupted and Colleen, Francesca, and Katie all jurabbed for extra napkins The conversation was forgotten by everyone except Darcy, who found herself staring at Joe And in a quirk of fate she couldn’t explain, he was staring back Just looking at her in a way that made her wonder about possibilities and ro to get it right

After lunch there was discussion about going for a walk In the end only Darcy, Grandpa Lorenzo, Brenna, and Nic started out into the vineyards

"I’ll accept the back pain, being unable to sleep, and the soccer games played in my belly, but why do I have to swell up like a toad?" Brenna asked as they strolled along a shady lane "My shoes barely fit, I haven’t been able to wearin three months, and on’t even discuss clothes"

"It will be worth it," Nic assured her as he helped her along

"Ha Want to trade?"

"Not really"