Expelled

by Claire Adams

  Luna turned to see me coming and waved me over. “We’ve found a snake.”

  I pulled her to the side. “Why don’t you and Kim take your tour of the vineyard? The police will be here for Harbor soon, and I’d rather not expose you and her to more of the drama. I have a feeling his mother is going to be upset.”

  Her eyes widened but she nodded as I spoke. “I would imagine so, and certainly. I was hoping to wait until it wasn’t so hot, but I think you’re right that we shouldn’t be around.”

  “Take the cart down. It’s on the port around the side of the house. But take your time.” The other thing I had to say was more to feel her out and I debated saying it. “Oh, and Mason has those papers drawn up when we’re ready for them. But I still think we should let the rest of this blow over first.”

  She took in a deep breath and her face, which had already been laced with concern, grew even darker. When I thought she’d tell me what I wanted to hear, she instead nodded. “That’s good to know, thanks.”

  “Found him!” shouted Kim. I looked up to see that Carl held a small garden snake by the tail, but it wasn’t dead.

  “Are you going to kill it?” Kim ducked back from the thing as if it would eat her, but Carl shook his head.

  “No, ma’am. This is a good snake for my garden. This kind keeps the pests away.”

  Luna’s eyes widened as she placed her hand over her heart. “Could you release it somewhere else, Carl?” I asked. “I don’t think these ladies want to make friends.”

  Luna stared at the little snake before regarding the old man with a smile. “Thanks, Carl.” Then she turned to me. “I’ll have my phone if you need me, but Kim and I are going to take that vineyard tour now.”

  As the ladies walked away, I watched Carl take the pest to the front to turn him loose. With any luck, he wouldn’t be the only little snake to be captured and released today.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Luna

  I hurried Kim out to the vineyard, hoping to get away from the main house before the police showed. I had no idea what the scene would be like, but if Sandra’s previous antics were any indication, I’d rather not expose my best friend to that drama.

  The rolling hills of the vineyard spread out in front of us as far as I could see. I kept us on the path in the little cart, and it was a gorgeous view the whole way as we headed to the winery.

  Kim held her hand up to shield the sun. “It looks like we have the whole place to ourselves.” She was referring to Emma’s Taste of Heaven headquarters, and I wondered if we’d be able to get inside the place.

  As we got closer, I saw a woman sitting out front waiting and she stood up to wave as we parked. “Hello, I’m Sylvie.” She shook our hands. “I’m to give you the official tour if you like, or you can have a look around at your leisure. Gabe told me to set you up with some tastings, so that’s ready whenever you like.”

  “Thank you, and it’s nice to meet you.” I looked at Kim, who was finishing her thank you to the woman as well, and we shrugged.

  “No need to do anything official, I suppose.” I hated to put the woman out, especially if she had the day off. I hoped that Gabe hadn’t called her in because of us.

  “No worries. You two look around and I’ll be hanging out if you have any questions. You can drive down into the valley if you like and don’t forget to look around the gift shop. Gabriel wanted you to have a special token of your day together on the house.” Kim’s eyes widened, but I had grown used to his generosity.

  “Thank you so much.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Grant.” The woman disappeared into the main office as I led Kim away into the next room. It took her a minute to close her mouth.

  But in true Kim form, it didn’t stay shut for long. “You are one lucky girl, Mrs. Grant.”

  I thought about what Gabriel had told me minutes earlier before we left the house. “I don’t know about that. Gabriel’s lawyer has drawn up the annulment papers.” I stopped and placed my hand on a railing to steady myself.

  “You okay?” Kim frowned at me, looking me up and down.

  “Yeah… I don’t know.”

  My best friend searched my face. “You’re in love.”

  “Maybe, but maybe it’s only lust. I haven’t ever been in love, but I wouldn’t think it would be this complicated.”

  “Ah, yeah it is. It’s a mess most of the time.” Her lips pulled tight and she placed her hand on my arm. “You don’t want the annulment, do you?”

  I threw my head back and stared at the overhead beams, which were as nice as anything else in the room. “I don’t know. I guess it doesn’t matter. Gabriel regrets the marriage as much as I do.”

  “Which, from what I can see, is not that much.” She winced. “You have it bad, friend.”

  She was right, I did, but what could I do about it? Gabriel and I had been closer, that was for sure, but was it us getting used to each other in this new way, or was it developing into more? Even if we started dating, an annulment would make sense.

  “Maybe the sex is confusing your emotions. It happens to the best of us.”

  “We haven’t done it since that first time, and I’m not sure he’s going to go there again.” I had slept beside him for nights and nothing much had happened other than cuddling.

  “Maybe you shouldn’t let that be for him to instigate. You are allowed to make a move on the man, too.” She glanced around the room and lowered her voice. “That woman called you Mrs. Grant, so that means he probably told her you’re his wife.”

  “I’m sure he did. He told all of the staff at the house that, as well, but only because we don’t want the annulment to make headlines. It wouldn’t look good.” I thought of Mason and how he must have been pleased that the papers were already ordered. I didn’t think Gabriel would have done that already. It seemed much too early.

  “What’s the matter?” Kim leaned in as if the other woman could hear everything we said.

  “His lawyer and I got into a fight back in Vegas. I denounced my part to Gabe’s money and even offered to sign a contract. Gabriel seemed so against it at the time, but he’s already ordered the annulment papers, so there goes that hope.” I wished it was easier to talk to him.

  “You can’t denounce it. I think you’d have to sign something.” She glanced around the room. “To think you own half of this is quite amazing.”

  “Shh. I don’t. I never will. It’s not about the money. I think I’d want him no matter where he lived or what his bank account held. He’s a good man.”

  Kim placed her hand over her heart. “See, there are those love feelings again. You can’t deny it. I think you’d better figure out a way to keep him.”

  “What if I can’t?” I didn’t know anything about landing a man, much less keeping one. Apparently, my skills were lost to the alcohol fog, and it wasn’t like I could ask Gabriel what my magic trick to landing him was.

  “If you can’t, you have nothing to lose. But don’t tell me this,” she waved her hand around regarding the room, “is not worth a damned shot. I’ve seen the man, too. He’s gorgeous.”

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, thinking of how willing I was to try, but before I could say anything else, Sylvie came out of the room, her pale-blue eyes seeking us out.

  “Let’s get some wine and see what Emma’s Taste of Heaven is all about.” Kim nudged my arm and pulled me across the room to where the woman had set up a private table for us.

  There was wine and glasses for both of us, and also some fresh grapes and cheeses. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”

  “You’ll be all right; I promise not to marry you.” Leave it to Kim to make me laugh when I wanted to cry. That’s what friends were for: to see you through the bad times.

  At the end of our tour and tasting, we went to the gift shop like Gabriel had suggested and picked out our gifts. Before we left, Sylvie hooked us up with some wine and our own collector’s glasses. It felt strange taking tokens fro
m our day, so I gifted my take to Kim for an awesome day to remember.

  Both of us were starving despite the wine and cheeses, and I wasn’t sure if it was a good time to go back to the house, but it wasn’t like I could take her anywhere else. I drove us back to the main house, and we parked the little cart on the back port and went in the side entrance that led into the kitchen. Judy was sitting across the room reading a magazine, and from her nonchalant greeting, I figured that Harbor had not yet been taken for questioning.

  “Can I get you something?” she asked, placing her magazine face down on the table.

  “We’ve experienced the wine tasting, but now we’re hungry. Did we miss lunch?”

  “I haven’t served yet. Gabriel said it should wait a bit, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you wanted to have a bite. We’re having shrimp po’ boys and slaw.”

  “That sounds amazing.” Kim’s eyes lit up; knowing how much she loved shrimp and seafood, I figured she wouldn’t want to wait.

  I didn’t want to wait, either, but I wasn’t sure about eating on the patio or in the dining room for that matter. “Do you think we could eat in here?”

  Judy’s eyes lit in surprise as she shrugged, moving her magazine off the small table. “You two can sit in my breakfast nook. It has a perfect view of the vineyard.”

  “We don’t want to put you out.” I felt the need to apologize, and she reassured me by waving her hand.

  “You’re fine. Some company would be nice for a change. Other than Carl and Sandra, there hasn’t been anyone else stopping into the kitchen, and between the three of us, Sandra isn’t much company today.” I found it shocking that she had been sober enough for a visit, but I decided voicing that opinion wouldn’t be a good idea. I had no idea how much Judy cared for the woman. “Have a seat and I’ll fix you up.”

  Kim and I thanked her as we took our seats in the breakfast nook that was big enough to seat six and located in the rounded nook of the kitchen. Judy hadn’t been wrong, and the view of the vineyard was breathtaking from the spot. I wondered how many acres it was, and was sure it was in one of our pamphlets from the gift shop.

  Kim kept her loot on the table and was careful not to shake it around too much with the wine and glasses that were wrapped up inside it. “Next time you come to my house, we’re popping this cork.” She had loved most every one of the wines she’d tasted, but that bottle had been her favorite variety.

  “It’s a date.” I’d thought we’d be tipsy before it was all over, but instead I felt wonderful, aside from being a bit hungry.

  Judy made quick work to solve that problem and in minutes had our sandwiches in front of us. My eyes widened over the size and Judy sat at the table and waited for us to taste them. “Tell me what you think,” she said, looking at us with anticipation.

  I took a bite and savored the flavor of the shrimp and slaw. “This is amazing. Thank you.”

  Judy squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “It won a blue ribbon in the yearly cook-off.”

  Kim was too busy eating to speak, but she closed her eyes and nodded as she gave Judy a thumbs up. But that was when there was a knock on the front door.

  Judy walked out to the entrance, which was right through the door, and when I heard it open, I could hear the police. Kim could, too, and her eyes flashed with concern. “It’s okay.”

  She nodded and we kept eating as they asked for Harbor Grant. I didn’t dare move. If Harbor saw me, he’d think I had something to do with it. He’d know it.

  A slow burn ached in my heart as Gabriel’s voice told his nephew it would be all right, and just to cooperate. Mason was in there, too, promising to follow Harbor down to the station. Harbor didn’t speak at all, but then I heard Sandra, and my heart sank.

  “What are you doing with my son!” she screamed. Gabriel’s voice assured her it would be okay, and if I knew him, he’d be holding her back.

  “He’s going in for questioning,” said a male voice I was unfamiliar with. It must have been the officer.

  “Is he being arrested?” Sandra was one tough cookie, and I’d hate to have to tangle with her.

  “We’re going to ask him some questions is all, ma’am. He can have a lawyer present.”

  “I’m going with him, Sandra. It will all be okay; I promise.” Mason was making the big promises, but she wasn’t buying it.

  “If you harm one hair on his head… Mason, you better take care of him.” Her voice rose as if they were walking away from her and the sound of the door closing was subtle, but still quite recognizable.

  I looked up at Kim, whose eyes were as wide as saucers. As glass shattered on the other side of the door, Sandra lost it.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Gabriel

  Sandra had gone off the deep end when she figured out the police were there for her baby boy and not me. I’d hoped that Luna and her friend would stay at the vineyard until it was over, but the police, as usual, had taken their sweet time.

  As they left with Harbor, I had to hold Sandra back. I waited until I saw them drive away before I turned her loose. The alcohol on her breath wouldn’t do her any favors if she tried to go after them, and I’d been around her long enough to know that she’d try.

  As soon as I loosened my grip, she elbowed me and darted away, bumping into the sofa table. A vase was knocked off balance and the top-heavy thing decided to crash to the tile floor a moment later.

  The kitchen door flew open and Luna, with Kim tight on her heels, came out wide-eyed and clutching her chest. Before I could tell her to get back in the other room, they stepped around me to go upstairs.

  Judy retreated to the kitchen and left the Sandra and I glowering at each other.

  “What did they want with him?” She pointed to the door as if Harbor and the police were still standing there.

  “It’s about the murders. They have reason to believe that Harbor was in Las Vegas during the time they happened.” I stood on guard, waiting for her to make another irrational move.

  “How dare you involve my son in your bullshit!” She came at me, her arms swinging like a boxer’s, and made contact as I blocked her. “You know that’s a damned lie. He was here with me the whole time. No one can say otherwise.”

  Her protective instincts were outweighing her common sense, and I wondered if I should spare the breath to try and explain. I’d have to be careful not to let her know I was the one who tipped them off. She didn’t need to know that.

  “They wouldn’t have come and picked him up if they didn’t have proof. You said yourself that he’d been missing for days, so don’t pretend to know where he was.”

  She stepped away, her hands still bunched tight, and seemed to catch her breath. “Promise me you won’t let them lock him up, Gabe.” Her rage subsided as tears ran down her cheeks and she held herself up against the sofa. Her knees were weak, and I stepped closer to offer her support, seeing them try to buckle beneath her.

  “I will do everything within my power to help him. I promise.” I hoped the rage was over, but then as another wave of energy hit, it returned.

  “This is your fault. All of it!” She glared over my shoulder, and her piercing eyes narrowed. “You’re trying to replace us with that gold-digging bitch!”

  I glanced around and found Luna at the bottom of the stairs, concern in her eyes glistened with tears, but she wasn’t about to fall apart; no, that softness was only on the surface. From what I knew of her and from what I could see boiling underneath, she was on the verge of lashing out, too.

  “Luna, please go back upstairs.” I held Sandra at arm’s length, gripping her shoulder.

  Sandra regarded her mockingly, “Yes, Luna, go back upstairs and count his money. Nothing to see down here, just the remnants of the last lives he destroyed.” She postured around me to scream the vile words directly at her.

  “That’s enough. Stop this drunken rant or I’ll-”

  “Or you’ll what? Kill me? Like you did those women? Like you
did your brother, my husband? I don’t care. I want to be dead. Then your little bitch can have it all.” The words got her attention as she uttered them, but then her eyes widened. “It should have been you. It should have been you instead of him. You sent him down there to that job. You knew the kind of place it was. I wish it had been you.”

  I hadn’t known that Robert would be a victim that day, but I had known the crime in that particular area had been horrible, which was why the company needed help. He’d walked right in on the robbery and didn’t have a chance. They shot him in the doorway and stepped over his body to make their getaway.

  I’d lived with that, trying my damnedest to make it up to her and Harbor, but I was tired. My brother was long dead and I’d been putting up with her drunken tirades ever since.

  “I bet you do. Then you’d have had all my money to squander like you did my brother’s.

  “Don’t you dare criticize Luna when all these years you’ve been living off of my money. You’re not my responsibility, Sandra. You never were, and everything I’ve done for you is solely out of charity to honor my brother. Harbor is part of Robert, so I intend to take care of him, but you better pick yourself up and get sober, because no one is going to hire a useless drunk. And you’re going to need to find a job, because I’m cutting you off.”

  She glared deep into my eyes as laughter filled my ears. “You won’t do it. You’ve threatened before, and here I am.” She kicked the glass at her feet and I turned to see Judy had come back into the room with a broom and dustpan sometime during our rant.

  When I turned to look at Sandra, she was walking away toward her room. Luna crossed the room and stood beside me as Judy swept up the glass. “I’m sorry, Judy.” The woman had endured too much of our drama. I sometimes wondered if she wished she’d never met any of us.

  “You think no more of it, Gabe.” She kept her head down and swept the floor as she continued. “You’ve done more than your fair share for that ungrateful woman.” The last words were mumbled, but I heard them loud and clear.