The Buried Secret by Jen Talty

Trey

Trey leaned against the railing on the porch of Carter’s home and stared at Riesling as she played cornhole with a couple of her siblings. The evening had started out incredibly awkward when he’d found out he’d been invited to a family gathering, but he rolled with it because he had an agenda and he didn’t want to be rude.

So far, he’d learned that his house had belonged to Carter’s grandmother who passed away five years before Carter had divorced his wife and Carter’s parents had wanted to sell the place. However, Carter wouldn’t allow it and he rented it out until he needed it for himself.

What Trey didn’t understand was why Weezer and Carter didn’t live under the same roof. It was painfully obvious they were madly in love with each other and according to Ashling, who had less of a filter than Weezer, they spent almost every night in the same bed. Ashling just didn’t specify which one.

But she did have a lot to say about her great-grandparents who refused to talk to her grandpa because they were close-minded and mean, but not like her grandma who was just misunderstood.

Something told Trey the little girl was probably right.

Only, he’d been in Candlewood Falls a week and he hadn’t learned one damn thing about Doctor Allison or any illegal adoptions, especially his.

“How are you liking Candlewood Falls?” Merlot, one of Riesling’s brothers, asked. Merlot worked at the winery as second-in-command to Malbec and was the third oldest, just a few years older than Riesling.

Trey had learned that Merlot used to be a probation officer until a week ago. Interesting switch in jobs, but Trey found everything about this family intriguing.

“It’s different than living in New York City where people walk by with their gaze at their feet or on their phones, making sure they avoid eye contact.”

“There’s no hiding out in this town, especially if you’re on my mom’s radar.”

“I’m more worried about your niece. Ashling’s quite the little firecracker.”

Merlot chuckled. “She’s exactly like Riesling was at that age. Used to drive Malbec and Chablis crazy when we were kids.”

“How so?”

“Riesling’s a lot more reserved than she used to be and that’s because of her asshole ex-boyfriend.”

“Ashling’s father?”

“He’s not much of a father. I don’t think he’s seen Ashling in months. We try not to mention him around either of them. It honestly breaks my heart to see Riesling this way. Part of it is her relationship with our mom, but hopefully now that we’re moving back to Candlewood Falls that will change and she’ll be more like—can’t believe I’m going to say this—Ashling.” Merlot tipped his beer and took a long sip. “You think Ashling speaks her mind. Riesling was ten times worse. She once told Malbec his date needed to see a good dermatologist.”

“That’s mean.”

“It was true,” Merlot said. “The best part was she offered to give the girl a facial.”

“I’m glad her bedside manner has improved, but it would be nice to see some of that spunk her daughter has.” Trey couldn’t believe what was coming out of his mouth. Besides having no right to make any judgment about his employee, he didn’t know her all that well.

However, what he did know, he liked. Maybe too much and he wanted to know more about her, which made him feel guilty about using her and her family to find information.

“You and everyone else in this family,” Merlot said.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“I came across some information about a Doctor Robert Allison who used to rent a building or an office space from your winery. Do you know anything about him?”

“I vaguely recall a story about someone who rented space from us, but that was way before my time, or at least ended before I can remember it. My mom didn’t like having strangers on the property and I believe that deal ended about thirty something years ago.”

“What are we talking about?” Pinot Noir, who went by Noir, one of the twins, asked as he handed his older brother a cold beer and offered Trey one as well.

Trey accepted.

“That doctor that rented the building we use as overflow,” Merlot said.

“I wouldn’t know anything about that. You’d have to ask Mom or Dad. Maybe Malbec or Chablis might know, but we haven’t rented space out for at least thirty-two or thirty-three years.” Noir sat in one of the rocking chairs and crossed his ankles.

Trey was thirty-five and from his research, Doctor Allison would have been close to sixty-five when Trey had been born. Finding information on him was going to be like finding a needle in a haystack.

“Why do you want to know?” Noir asked.

“I was curious,” Trey said. “I found some old files with his name on it and the address was the winery. That struck me as odd.” He did his best to keep things as close to the truth as he could and he had found an old record, Ella’s file, with the winery stationery on it, so he could produce something if he had to in order to keep the focus off himself.

No one, especially Riesling, could know why he’d really taken this job.

“Have you brought it up with my sister?” Noir asked.

“I just found it today, so I haven’t had the chance.” He turned his gaze back to Riesling as she high-fived Malbec, successfully beating Chablis and Nebbiolo at what appeared to be a very competitive game of cornhole.

“She might have some knowledge, considering her fascination with all things medical in this town,” Noir said.

“You could also go look in the library. There are some local history books about the winery and local business. Doctor Allison might be in there,” Merlot offered.

All good ideas. “Thanks. When I have a few free moments I might do just that. But buying that practice with that house with everything in it, let me tell you, there’s a lot of stuff and when I say stuff—I mean—junk.”

Merlot laughed. “Riesling tried to clean that place for you.”

“What she tried to do was enlist all of us to do it and we did the best we could, but no way in hell were we going to get rid of stuff. That was your decision to make.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but you could have tossed just about everything on the second floor. It’s crap. I’m not even sure Goodwill is going to take half of it.”

Riesling jogged up the steps with a sweet smile.

God, that smile was going to be the death of him if he wasn’t careful. He enjoyed her company way too much. Working with her was seamless. His nurse at his former practice didn’t understand the way he wanted to do things. All she comprehended was corporate policy and that he had fifteen minutes to see each patient. One minute more, and it put her in a tailspin.

Riesling understood all aspects from insurance responsibility to patient care and how to play the two. It was a fine line, but quality care always came first. The best part was he didn’t have to explain most things to her or guide her; she simply knew what to do next.

It was like she was a freaking mind reader or something.

But if Trey was being honest, he missed the city. He missed the hustle and bustle. The nightlife. The hordes of people passing by on the streets. This constant having to say hello and smile while walking Main Street and the fact that everyone knew each other’s business was a bit much to take. He preferred his privacy.

He missed his big practice. He missed not having to be on call every day. Sure, there were things to like about Candlewood Falls.

Namely Riesling and her adorable daughter.

And perhaps the rest of the River clan. Even Weezer was highly entertaining at times.

But this was a place you came to visit. You didn’t live here.

Well, he didn’t.

“If we’re talking about the furniture, they will take about half, but I’m telling you, if you put it on the street the day before garbage day, a lot of it will be gone. There are antique collectors that come through town and take shit all the time. If they think they can make it new again, they will. Otherwise, we can call waste management and they can, for a fee of course, come take what no one else will.” She took her brother’s beer and swigged.

“Hey. I was drinking that,” Noir said, shaking his head.

“Why don’t you go get two more?” She jerked out her hip and smiled. “You owe me anyway.” She arched a brow.

“I’ll go get another round if you say out loud what I owe you for.” Noir cocked his head and smiled like a two-year-old.

Having been an only child, Trey was more than slightly amused and he was dying to find out what the hell was going on.

She let out an exasperated sigh. “Never mind. I’ll go—”

“No. I want to hear this,” Trey said. “I’ll go get everyone a round if Noir tells me.”

“You’re acting like someone is paying,” Riesling said. “And you better keep your trap closed.” She waggled her finger.

“You set yourself up for this one.” Noir hopped to his feet and put an arm around Trey.

“You do this, I’m never speaking to you again,” Riesling said under her breath.

“Promises, promises.” Noir laughed as he tugged Trey toward the main door to the house. “You see, my sister confided in me that she’s going to the orchard with you tomorrow to go apple picking. I told our dearest mother she’s going on a date with you.”

“What did Weezer say?” Trey probably shouldn’t have asked the question. Dating his assistant was a really bad idea. The worst. And not just because he had to work with her day in and day out.

But because he was using her to find out about his illegal adoption without informing her of what he was doing.

Okay. He could remedy that by being truthful.

But when he did find out who his birth parents were and he had the answers he so desperately sought, he had no intentions of staying in this tiny little town. Nope. He planned on going back to the city where he belonged.

“You’re lucky, she approves,” Noir said. “Because if she didn’t, you wouldn’t have been invited to his little family gathering.”

“Yeah. I noticed I’m the only one who isn’t family. Carter told me he was having people over. I thought that meant more than blood relatives.”

Noir laughed. “Welcome to the Weezer version of Cupid. Though I’m surprised my father is playing in that sandbox.” He led Trey into the kitchen where he ducked his head into the fridge and pulled out a six-pack. “You seem like a nice guy.” He handed Trey a fresh beer.

“Thanks.” Trey cracked it open and sipped. “But why do I think I’m about to lectured by a man who’s I’m guessing about ten years younger than me.”

“You’re what, thirty-five?”

Trey nodded.

“Nine years then,” Noir said. “And I’m not going to lecture you. I’m going to give you some good advice, a few pointers, and say some things that others in this family might be too chicken to say.”

Trey tried to imagine what it would be like to have a sister. He supposed he’d be protective of her with any man that came near her, but Trey hadn’t even officially asked her out and that hadn’t been part of the plan.

Riesling shouldn’t be collateral damage.

“Okay.” He swallowed.

“If you like Riesling, she comes with baggage and I’m not talking her daughter, though that’s a package deal, as is this family.”

“We’re going apple picking. We’re not getting married,” Trey said tongue-in-cheek.

“Didn’t say you were. However, you need to know about her ex-boyfriend.”

“Theo. I’ve heard about him and he doesn’t sound like a nice guy, much less a good father.”

“He’s a shithead, and I’m being kind.” Noir set the six-pack on the table and pulled one out for himself. He took a long chug. “I was in college when all this went down, but I knew that asshole. He grew up outside of town and he happened to take one of my best friend’s parents’ savings and invested it in a Ponzi scheme. Well, half their savings, but it was a good chunk of money and they still haven’t recovered.” Noir ran a hand across the top of his head. “That old man you saved. One of the reasons he hasn’t put his daughter in a home is because he can’t afford to because of that prick, Theo.”

“Riesling didn’t tell me that.” The air in Trey’s lungs flew out like a flock of birds on a mission south. He and Riesling had a long conversation about what to do with Koontz and his daughter. They’d also discussed her ex and the money. She never lumped the two together. “I mean, she told me that Theo had taken people’s money, but she didn’t tell me Koontz was one of them.”

Noir tilted his head. His lips parted. “I’m a little surprised she told you that much. Riesling is about as stubborn as our mom and she doesn’t like to be wrong. When she left town with Theo, she was six months pregnant, and she knew she was making the biggest mistake of her life, but she did it to spite our mother. Just like Malbec did when he took off for California, or Merlot when he dropped out of viticulture school and became a parole officer, and even Chablis when she never used her degree and moved two towns over to become a firefighter.”

“But you, your twin, and Zinfandel, you all stayed and became wine sellers.”

Noir laughed. “We’re younger and didn’t have some of the same pressure. By the time they all left, my mom was doing everything she could to bring everyone home, short of telling Malbec the horrible secret, which was that Eliza Jane’s family was actually the rightful owners of the winery.”

“Wait, what?”

“Long story and it’s all worked out, especially now that Malbec and Eliza Jane are getting married New Year’s Eve, but we’re getting sidetracked here.” Noir took another long draw from his beverage. “We want Theo out of Riesling’s life. More importantly, out of Ashling’s life.”

“That’s not really your place.”

“Maybe not, but you don’t see what happens every time that man comes back. He waltzes in with his hand stretched out for money. He gets Ashling believing he might actually stick around, but we all know that’s not going to happen. If he gets money, he leaves. If he doesn’t, he still leaves, and when he does, he doesn’t communicate with her at all, leaving that poor little girl wondering why her father doesn’t love her enough.”

“That’s a shitty thing to do, but why are you telling me this?”

“Because my father got word this morning from Harry, Theo’s dad, that Theo booked a flight next week from Tulsa, where he’s been living lately, to New Jersey. Now, he doesn’t speak much to his parents, so he won’t be staying with them in town, but it means he could be coming for a visit.”

“Still not sure what this has to do with me?” The last thing Trey wanted to do was get in the middle of a domestic situation.

Besides, he’d been kept from his birth parents. Regardless of the fact that his father had told him that he’d been given up, that they hadn’t wanted him. How was he supposed to know the truth?

“We’re going to be doing our best to run interference in hopes that Ashling never sees him. My father plans on paying him off and having him sign over his parental rights. Whatever it takes. I’m asking you as a new friend of Riesling’s to let us know if you see this man anywhere.” He pulled out his cell and held up a picture.

“I can do that.” Trey might do a little digging on his own first. Not that he didn’t believe Noir and his family. But Trey had been lied to his entire life. Sure, he knew he’d been adopted, but it had been illegal. Just because his father was told that his birth parents had given him up willingly didn’t make it true. Before Trey could be part of separating a child from their father in a forever kind of way, he needed to know all the facts.

Though, this Theo person sounded like a real asshole.

“I appreciate that.” Noir tucked his cell into his back pocket. “So, that was the part that my family would be too chicken shit to say. Now, here’s a piece of advice for you when it comes to dating my sister.”

“We’re not dating.”

“Good answer.” Noir laughed. “She likes to be in control, but at the same time, she’s never been with someone who’s swept her off her feet. The few men she dated before Theo were all rebels without a cause. She tended to choose guys that would piss off our folks. And since she had Ashling, she hasn’t trusted herself so she doesn’t go out much. There was this one guy who was nice, but he couldn’t handle all of us.”

“What you’re saying is you scared him away.” Trey should really nip this conversation right now. Unfortunately, he was enjoying it too much and he couldn’t understand why.

“It’s a thing, really. We believe if you can’t handle us, then why would you want to be in a relationship?”

“Makes sense.” And Trey had to admit it really did. That was the biggest problem with Dani, outside of the money issue. There was so much conflict with his parents, not to mention her family didn’t like him much either. It added for too much stress on a marriage.

“My sister is trying to work things out with my mom, but they are so much alike it’s painful.”

“I can see that,” Trey said.

“You seem like a stand-up guy who doesn’t take shit from anyone. My advice is not to lay it on thick, but to keep doing things like showing up today once you knew it was a family gathering.”

“I didn’t know that until I got here.”

“But you could have left right after dinner, which was two hours ago. Instead, you’ve stuck around.”

Trey shrugged. Guilt filled his gut. It wasn’t just about Riesling. Though, if he were being honest, she did have something to do with it, but it had more to do with finding out about Doctor Allison. “I don’t know anyone else in town and I didn’t feel like cleaning out the residence until I know when my new furniture I ordered online is being shipped.”

“Fair enough.” Noir grinned. “One more thing. I might be one of the younger brothers. But if you hurt my sister, or my niece, I’ll come for you and it won’t be pretty.” Noir lifted the six-pack that now only had four beers and strolled out of the kitchen, leaving Trey standing there wondering if he’d been run over by a train.