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side of the bed this morning.”
    â€œNo, I’m sorry.” Ross gave her a sheepish grin. “Caroline and I fought last night. We both went to bed angry, which is something we swore we’d never do.”
    â€œOh, Ross.” Elise rubbed his shoulder. “You guys talked it out though, right?”
    Ross shook his head. “Didn’t have a chance. She’s covering for Gram and Madison at the shop during the meeting and was up and out the door before I got out of the shower.”
    â€œSancia’s at the house with the boys?” Elise asked. Sancia Madera and her husband, Carlos, both worked for the vineyard and she was happy to watch Ross’s sons when needed.
    At her brother’s nod, Elise continued. “Then the minute this meeting is over, you high-tail your sad self down to the shop and straighten things out.”
    Ross laughed at that. “Yes, ma’am.”
    â€œLet’s get this meeting started,” Laura announced as she breezed into the room. “I’ve got a full schedule today, and it’s already quarter after, so I can’t waste any time.”
    â€œWhat’s on the agenda?” Abigail asked as she set out two plates of scones and poured a pot of tea to steep. “I’m assuming Edmond and his nonsense is one topic.”
    Laura nodded. “Yes, I need to make a decision about that, and I want everyone’s input.”
    â€œYou know where I stand,” Ross spoke up. “I say put the restraining order that Jackson mentioned into place. And that’s just for starters. Uncle Edmond has threatened to take legal steps, and even though that will get him nowhere, perhaps we should fire the first shot.”
    Surprised at his venomous reaction, Elise glanced over at her brother. “Wow. When did you become so hateful toward Uncle Edmond? I mean, he’s been a pain lately, but he’s still family, Ross.”
    Ross threw her an angry look. “You wouldn’t know it by his actions. He’s made it clear he has no use for this family.” He shrugged and continued with a bit more calm. “I simply have no use for him. Let him live with his choices.”
    â€œSadly, I’ve begun to feel the same way,” Laura put in. “I’ve tried to be reasonable and fair with Edmond and told him on many occasions we would welcome him moving onto the vineyard and working with us. I would gladly share everything with him in that way. But he’s refused the offer each time it’s been extended.”
    â€œI love Uncle Edmond,” Madison offered. “I mean, like you said, El, he is family.” She glanced up from the doodling she’d been doing in her event planner and smoothed her French braid with a free hand. When her sister was creating an event at Lodge Merlot, Elise knew she hated for anything to disturb her focus. And her next sentence emphasized that irritation. “With the Adams-Wilkinson wedding coming up, his behavior is unacceptable. It could affect our bookings at the lodge and spoil the whole affair for our client.”
    Laura nodded. “That’s a real possibility. The mayor could have gone to half a dozen other places, but she chose Lodge Merlot for her daughter’s big day. We need to make sure it goes off without a hitch; Edmond could be a very big hitch.”
    â€œSo, what does Uncle Edmond want?” Madison asked.
    â€œHe wants everything handed to him on a silver platter,” Ross spat.
    â€œRoss, you’re not helping,” Laura admonished and then turned to Madison. “He made a new proposal last night that is as unacceptable as all his schemes have been in the past.”
    â€œAnd that is …?” Abigail asked.
    â€œIt started out basically the same as the others. He wanted me to deed him six hundred acres—half of the vineyard—free and clear. Which of course, he would then sell.”
    Ross barked out a laugh. “What a