Chapter Four
Wyatt pulled into Leone Estates, slammed the truck into park, and jumped out. He stalked to the barn where this whole mess started more than twenty years ago and stood in front of the massive building.
They’d rebuilt the structure after the explosion. A new modern design. Twice the size of the original with clean, modern lines, and a distinct, uncommon style. The hothouse had been moved to a different part of the property, and the fertilizer they used to nourish the vines… He shuddered. Now it was stored in a separate noncombustible building equipped with a fire sprinkler system.
The sun beat on him, and he wiped the sweat from his brow, fingers brushing the puckered skin on the right side of his face. He glanced down at his forearm. The scar ran from his elbow to the palm of his hand. Another ran the length of his foot and lower calf, but the worst rested on the lower half of his torso, hips, and back.
The inferno burnt the entire right side of his body. The surgeons had repaired most of the damage with skin grafts over the years, but some scars couldn’t be fixed. The nightmares still plagued him from time to time. He’d wake up screaming, sweating as if the all-consuming flames had scorched his body once again.
He shook his head to cast off the morose thoughts. There were more important matters to consider right now. Hell, how was he going to fix this mess?
George Scott hated Wyatt with an unwholesome passion. Blamed him for the death of his beloved daughter and son-in-law.
Yes, Wyatt had been responsible for Maddie’s parents coming to Leone Estates that evening. He’d run away, angry with the unfair punishment his father doled out for fighting with his brother, Dante. Maddie’s parents found him on their way into town and brought him home. They’d been standing with his Grandpa Johnny in front of the barn when the structure blew. But Wyatt hadn’t started the fire that caused the explosion. Johnny dropped his cigarette butt on the ground, and paid for the careless mistake with his life. And Maddie’s parents’ lives too.
Wyatt raked a hand through his hair. What a cluster fuck they had on their hands.
“Hey, Wyatt.”
He turned toward the melodious female voice. His sister, India, hurried toward him, her short crop of raven curls glinting in the late afternoon sun.
“Why are you standing here staring at the barn?” She shuddered.
He understood her unease. Only a few short days ago her psycho ex-boyfriend drugged her, dragged her inside and tried to strangle her. Thank God Lucas Morgan arrived in time to stop him. “Just thinking. What’s up?”
“Mom and Dad are home from the cardiologist. They cleared Dad to go back to work a few hours a day. He wants to sit down with you and get caught up.”
“Okay. I’ll head over to the house in a few minutes.”
India nodded, whirled away, and then turned back. “One more thing. Keep the fourth open.”
“Of next month?”
She nodded.
“Why?” It was almost four weeks away.
India flashed a mile-wide smile. “Lucas and I are getting married here at the vineyard.”
His eyes rounded. “You’re going to marry Lucas Morgan? In less than a month?”
“Hell yes. I’d marry him next week if I could. I can’t wait until we’re husband and wife.”
“Are you insane?”
India gave him a big bear hug. “Not in the least.”
“But, you haven’t known each other long. Only a couple of months.”
Her eyes danced with joy. “Who cares? I never believed I’d find someone who’d love me as much as I love him. Lucas does, and I don’t want to wait to start our lives together.”
India deserved a little happiness after what she’d been through over the past few years, especially the last couple of months. Hell, what did he know about love anyway? A big fat zilch, that’s what. He’d never experienced it—not the kind of bliss India seemed to have found with Lucas—never would either.
An image of Maddie popped into his head, her beautiful face smiling at him. His breath hitched. Shit. What the hell was wrong with him today? He dismissed the thought.
Hand on hip, India arched a brow. “You can wipe that scowl off your face, brother dear. Regardless of what you may think, I love Lucas. We’re getting married here next month. With or without you.”
He grinned, and held up his hands in mock surrender. “I wouldn’t dream of trying to stop you. I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
“Good.” She kissed his cheek. “First Sophia and Dante, now Lucas and me. What do you think? Will we make it three weddings this year?”
Maddie’s beautiful face surfaced again. He’d been happy with her. Happier than he’d believed possible. Doesn’t matter. Their relationship would have ended sooner or later. They always did. “Not a snowball’s chance in hell.”
India threw back her head and laughed. “Too bad for you.”
Not at all. He didn’t do the serious relationship thing. Didn’t want to. What mattered now was being a father to his son.