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"Now, you probably know I'm going to ask this question. Do you have the rights to the entire property sewed up? I mean the whole frigging shebang."
"Uh, well..."
"That's not really encouraging, son."
"It's a little complicated. But with you on board, I am ready to pull the trigger. It can be wrapped up in a week. Two, tops."
There is silence as Ray considers my words.
"That could work. We'd have to close the deal and cement it shut, though. I don't want any uncertainty. That's not how I do business."
"No, sir." I feel beads of sweat across my brow. "I completely understand that."
He chuckles. "Well, all right. If you get bogged down with the seller talking about numbers, you can call me. I'm open to a lot of options. Just as long as we get the rights free and clear."
"Understood. I will reach out to the seller immediately." My eyes travel to the flimsy partition. The woman I love is sleeping on the other side, not knowing that I'm right here in her trailer, making a deal that will sell her down the river.
God, I am a worthless, trash human being. I feel like the lowest of the low.
"All right, River. Let's stay in touch about this. I'd like a daily update until we get a contract in place."
"You got it. Thanks for reaching out, Mr. Kendrick."
"It's like I said before. Call me Ray. And have a good day, River. Give my best to your dad."
The line beeps and goes dead. I sag against the counter.
Fuckkkkk. I really have to talk to Delta and make her an offer now. God willing, she trusts me enough that we can execute the deal without a lot of fuss.
Pearl will be blindsided, though. There's no avoiding that.
Pearl hasn't even known me for six months. And she's not my fiancée, either. In real life, she doesn't have to forgive me when I tell her about selling her inheritance.
She may very well never speak to me again once I tell her. But
Walking back to the bedroom, I slip into bed beside her. Pearl murmurs something, rustling in her sleep, and resettles herself with her hand on my heart and her leg thrown across mine.
I turn my head, burying my nose against her scalp. I take long, deep lungfuls of air. As if I can get enough of Pearl just by breathing her scent in.
Pearl's eyelids flutter open. "River? Are you okay?"
Her voice is sleepy. I gulp. "I don't know," I whisper.
"Shhh. It's just a dream." She lays her head on my shoulder, her eyes drifting closed. "Go to sleep, baby."
Thirty-Six
Pearl
When I step out of the helicopter, my eyes are wide as I clutch my sunhat to my head and take in the scene.
Just a two-hour drive from home is this amazing estate, with rolling green hills, shadowy vales, and rows upon rows of grape vines as far as I can see. To our immediate right is a winding white gravel path that rises to a majestic fairytale castle straight out of childhood storybooks. There is a white-uniformed driver waiting for us beside a golf cart.
I turn my wide-eyed gaze to River and he grins, spreading his hands. "What do you think?"
"It's incredible. Is this the surprise you promised?"
The winery itself is great, but of course I'm not drinking because I'm trying to get knocked up. So I'm a little confused as to why River would bring me here.
