Publisher : HQN Books; Original edition (February 9, 2021)
Step into the vineyard with Susan Mallery’s most irresistible novel yet, as one woman searches for the perfect blend of love, family and wine.
Mackenzie Dienes seems to have it all—a beautiful home, close friends and a successful career as an elite winemaker with the family winery. There’s just one problem—it’s not her family, it’s her husband’s. In fact, everything in her life is tied to him—his mother is the closest thing to a mom that she’s ever had, their home is on the family compound, his sister is her best friend. So when she and her husband admit their marriage is over, her pain goes beyond heartbreak. She’s on the brink of losing everything. Her job, her home, her friends and, worst of all, her family.
Staying is an option. She can continue to work at the winery, be friends with her mother-in-law, hug her nieces and nephews—but as an employee, nothing more. Or she can surrender every piece of her heart in order to build a legacy of her own. If she can dare to let go of the life she thought she wanted, she might discover something even more beautiful waiting for her beneath a painted moon.
Excerpt
She waved her hand as she spoke, her new engagement ring catching the light. Mackenzie leaned forward and touched her hand.
“I didn’t get to see your ring up close, at the party. It’s lovely.”
Barbara splayed her fingers. “I’m still getting used to it, but yes, it is fabulous. Giorgio chose well.”
“In his choice of bride as well as his choice of jewelry,” Rhys said with a grin.
Stephanie glared at him. “Suck-up.”
Barbara sighed. “Children, please.”
“Have you decided on any wedding particulars?” Mackenzie asked.
“Something with the family over the holidays,” Barbara told her. “I’m not sure. I was thinking small, but now I’m leaning toward ostentatious.”
“You should,” Mackenzie told her. “You’re so very much in love. Everyone can see it.”
Barbara’s expression softened. “What a lovely thing to say. Thank you.”
Lori walked in with five folders in her hand. Mackenzie didn’t bother waiting for Barbara’s pointed look. She rose and excused herself.
“I’ll be home right after,” Rhys said, taking the folder from his sister and opening it.
She nodded and waited to see if he would look up from the family’s monthly financial report, but he didn’t.
“Close the door behind you, Mackenzie,” Barbara called.
She did as requested, then retraced her steps to the first floor. As she stepped outside, she calculated how many of those meetings had taken place since she and Rhys had gotten married.
And it was just family. Mackenzie had never attended a single meeting, nor had Jaguar, Four’s husband. Nor Kyle, when he and Stephanie had been married.
She selected a golf cart and drove past the tasting room and onto the private road that led to the compound. Vineyards stretched out for as far as the eye could see. The sight of clusters of hard green fruit filled her with anticipation. In a few short months, the grapes would turn color and ripen, and then they would be harvested. An intoxicating scent would linger over the area, sweet with promise of what was to be.
As she approached the compound of four houses in a loose circle, she paused to collect the mail, then drove toward the house she shared with Rhys. In the distance, she saw Jaguar outside playing with his kids.
Overhead the sky was a perfect blue. The temperature had hit ninety, but it would cool off at night. She hit a button on her key chain, and a golf-cart-size garage door rose slowly, allowing her to zip inside.
The house was still and cool. After taking a glass from a cupboard, she filled it with water and ice, then opened the refrigerator to check what was for dinner.
A baking dish held chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts. Next to that was a salad. On the counter she found a three-by-five card with heating instructions and a peach pie.
The four families shared the services of a professional chef. Chef Betsy came in five days a week. Dinners were left daily, along with the next day’s lunch.
Mackenzie turned over the card and saw the next day she would be eating a shaved roast beef and arugula wrap with asiago cheese and a horseradish dressing for lunch. She put the card on the counter and took her water with her as she headed upstairs.
Like many of those who worked outside, she showered at the end of the day. As she tossed her clothes into the hamper and pinned up her hair to avoid the spray, she told herself she was really lucky. She had a pretty amazing life. A husband, a beautiful house, family and friends, a job she loved. Even someone else to do most of the cooking. She was truly blessed, in every way possible. As for those times when she found herself wondering if maybe there was something else out there—well, she should just suck it up and get over herself. Nothing could be better than what she had.
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