“I heard you took over your grandfather’s vineyard. I never pictured you a farmer.”
“Me neither.” He shrugged. “I find it suits me, though, better than financial stuff ever did. Though don’t tell my father. He’s pushing for me to take over the business now that the vineyard has started to turn a profit. Surely you’ve heard about this. It hasn’t been a secret.”
“I haven’t exactly been privy to a lot of insider information.” Her lips twisted on the last words, bitter on her tongue.
He nodded. “I guess not.” The plane angled to the right and began its descent. “Make sure you’re buckled in. Landing might get bumpy.”
“No more than this first meeting,” she murmured and bit her lower lip.
Hopefully, the rest of her homecoming would be easier, but she somehow doubted it.
* * *
Ethan swung the crates out of the plane and onto the rental truck. Few cars were allowed on the island, only for the residents, and a shuttle ran for tourists, but Caroline had arranged for a rental truck for his delivery. Delaney sat in the passenger side of the truck, looking small and lost. He resisted the protective urge to comfort her. He had already weakened on the flight, his resolve tested, and he failed in the first few minutes of being around her. But even he wasn’t that big of an asshole to push her when she was trapped and relying on him for safety. She had enough issues with trust, not knowing if he’d help her, protect her if she needed it, especially after the one man who should have performed that duty bailed on the job, going to jail, then dying, leaving her to pick up the pieces. Not that her father had any control over his death.
He shook his head sharply, clearing the thoughts from his mind. He needed to gain back some semblance of control and figure out where it had all gone wrong. Refocus on his plan to stand firm against her and not let her draw him into her spider web again. But first, he had to know why she’d broken up with him. He’d thought he’d never cared about the answer to that question, but the flight taught him one thing. He needed it. Once he knew that, he could deal with it and move on with his life. Closure. That was what he needed and desperately wanted. The question was, would he get it or lose himself in the process again?
He made quick work of the crates and tossed their luggage in the truck bed, noting the cheap wheeled suitcase with a tag that clearly had a different name than Delaney Winters. No more Louis Vuitton for her. He slid into the cab and paused before starting the engine. Delaney looked small and lost in the seat next to him, lost in thoughts, lost in the past. He hated to interrupt, but he thought she might be grateful for it.
He put the key in the ignition but let his hand drop. He shifted in his seat and tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention. She looked at him, eyebrows raised.
“Before we go any further, I think we need to talk.”
She sucked in her lower lip, but nodded. “We should clear things up so we can enjoy the week. We don’t want to distract from the wedding.”
He grimaced. Enjoy wasn’t exactly what he thought of when he thought of this week. Awkward. Uncomfortable. Stressful. Those were more like it.
“I know things were difficult back then, and I never quite understood why you walked away. I could have made everything easier for you. But I just wanted you to know that it’s in the past and I’ve moved on.”
“Are you seeing someone else?” She held up her hand. “Wait, I don’t want to know. I don’t need to know. I’m really sorry how I ended everything, but it was for the best.”
“For what it’s worth, no, I’m not seeing anyone seriously. The vineyard takes all my time right now. Everything worked out for the best.”
She laid a hand on his arm, the cool touch sending tingles up his arm. “I’m glad you’re happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
He turned away and started the truck. “Well, then, we’re good. Let’s get Matthew and Caroline married.”
He pulled out of the parking lot from the small airfield and tried not to remember how right her touch felt. His arm burned from her fingers, a fiery reminder that when it came to Delaney Winters, he feared they would never be over.