The Truce (Butler Ranch Book 2)

by Heather Slade

  Maddox watched Gabe as he talked. He was agitated, but contrite. He was the oldest son in a proud, Hispanic family. Admitting to Alex that he mishandled things with Eli had to be very difficult.

  “It got to the point that if I was in the winery, he’d turn around and walk out. If I came in and he was there, he’d leave. We communicated through Joaquin or Mama, if at all.”

  Gabe stood and walked over to the window. “That’s when things at the winery started falling apart. I didn’t realize it at the time, but in hindsight…”

  “I saw you and Eli a couple weeks ago. Things didn’t seem strained then.”

  “Think back, Alex. It was.”

  He was right. Eli offered to go for a ride with her, and Gabe gave him the stink eye.

  “I may have been able to help Eli sort things out three months ago, when he realized there was a problem, but he was afraid to come to me.”

  “Two days ago you said Eli was overreacting.”

  “That’s because I didn’t know the extent of the problem until this morning.”

  “What happened this morning?”

  “We were raided by the Alcohol Tax Bureau.”

  “What did they find?” Maddox asked.

  “A lot more wine than I knew was there.”

  “How is this possible, Gabe? You weren’t aware of how much wine you were making?”

  “I wasn’t aware of how much wine we were storing. There’s a big difference, Alex.”

  “He’s right,” Maddox added. “Big difference. I don’t monitor it at Butler Ranch, Brodie does. He handles compliance.”

  “What did you do when Brodie was gone?” she asked.

  “I took over then, but if you aren’t the one doing it day in, day out, it’s hard to manage along with everything else.”

  “Who were you looking for this morning?” Alex asked Gabe.

  “I’ll get to that, but I want to backtrack a little.”

  Alex nodded.

  “Eli came to me two days ago, the same morning he visited you, and told me he’d been storing unmarked barrels in the caves on the Hess Estate. He heard about Kade leaving you the property, and was there the day you and Naughton discovered the barrels.”

  “That’s when he panicked.”

  “That’s right. He knew one of two things were going to happen. He’d either lose access to the caves, and thus lose the wine, or you’d start asking questions about who it belonged to.”

  “Lena Hess knew.”

  “Eli said she caught him there a few weeks ago. He promised he’d get the wine out of the caves, that he just needed a little time to rework the numbers, and get into compliance.

  “That day, when you and Naughton were in the caves, Eli said he heard Naughton say he figured the wine belonged to someone with a bond issue.”

  “It was one theory.”

  “Logical one.”

  “You think Naughton set this up.”

  “Someone hauled the wine to Los Cab. The same person called the ATB. Someone wants us to lose our bond.”

  Maddox would argue that Naughton wouldn’t have any reason to care, or the time to move the wine, but he still had questions only his brother could answer.

  “Butler Ranch has no quarrel with Los Caballeros,” Maddox said confidently. “Even when our families feuded, I know in my heart my father never would’ve done anything to jeopardize your bond or your business. The feud between our fathers was a matter of pride. It wasn’t about hatred or even competition.”

  “I agree, Gabe,” Alex spoke. “Papa and Laird could’ve been friends if it wasn’t for that stupid Zin medal.”

  Through the years, Maddox thought a lot about what Alex just said. It was a shame the two men hadn’t reconciled before Alfonso’s death.

  “How bad is it?” Alex asked.

  “I won’t know for several days. We’re facing fines and penalties for sure. It may get as bad as suspension or revocation.”

  “Why do you think it was Naughton who moved the wine and contacted the ATB?”

  “There was a witness.”

  “Who?” Alex gasped.

  “Rory Calder.”

  Alex grimaced. “Tell us what he told you.”

  “He showed up not long after the ATB arrived. Said that there’d been rumors about our bond, and about us storing wine in the caves on the Hess Estate. That’s when Eli told us about overhearing you and Naughton that day. Rory said he saw Naughton moving the barrels.”

  “Did he have proof?” Maddox asked.

  “With everything happening, I took him at his word.”

  “Gabe,” Alex began. “How well do you know Rory Calder?”

  “Not well. Just met him this morning, but I heard Calder Wines bought Tablas Creek a few weeks ago. Why?”

  Alex and Maddox told Gabe about their individual run-ins with Rory.

  “You think he’s the one behind this?” Gabe asked.

  “I had dinner with Noah Ridge a couple nights ago, and he mentioned that if we ever wanted to sell Los Cab, there’d be a number of interested parties. I can’t remember his exact words, but he gave me the impression Calder Wines would be a bidder.”

  “Why would we sell?”

  “Exactly, Gabe.”

  “You believe Calder somehow found out Eli was storing wine at Hess, and orchestrated this whole thing.”

  “We’d have to ask Lena, or the agent representing Hess when they had the remaining land on the market, but my guess is Calder was a potential buyer.”

  “When was it on the market?” Maddox asked Alex.

  “I’m not sure, but not very long ago. Ridge Winery was definitely interested, Noah said he toured the property before they made an offer.”

  “What else did Noah tell you?” Maddox asked, not trying very hard to hide his sneer.

  Alex rolled her eyes. “A couple things I found interesting. First, that ‘the family’ took it off the market. Second, that anyone interested in looking at it had to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they were permitted access.”

  “Why?”

  “He didn’t say. He only said that he told me more than he should’ve.”

  “Back up a minute,” said Gabe. “Tell me about Lena’s involvement.”

  Maddox looked at Alex, who shook her head.

  “I don’t think she played a significant role, but she’d know who looked at the property.” Maddox thought for a minute. “If we’re able to reach Lena, and she tells us Calder was behind moving the wine and calling the ATB, we’d still have to prove it. Even if we did all that, it wouldn’t help your bond issue. All it would do is tell us who was behind turning you in.”

  Gabe nodded. “I’d still like to know.”

  “Me, too,” mumbled Maddox, who caught a glimpse of Alex grimacing. “What’s wrong?”

  “Pain meds are wearing off.”

  “Do you want me to call the nurse?”

  “Yeah, I think you better.”

  “Hey, Gabe, would you take a walk with me?”

  Gabe nodded.

  “We’ll be right back, Al.” Maddox leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Whoa, you’re burnin’ up.”

  “Yeah, I don’t feel so good.”

  Gabe followed Maddox to the nurses’ station. “Listen, I want to talk to you, but Alex—”

  “Can I help you?” a nurse asked.

  “Alex Avila, in room four-twelve. She said she’s in some pain. She’s also burning up.”

  “I was just on my way to check her vitals.”

  Maddox and Gabe followed her, but when they got back to the room, the nurse asked them to wait outside.

  “As long as we have a minute alone, I want you to know, whatever Butler Ranch can do to help, we will.”

  “I appreciate the offer. I’m not entirely sure what to expect.”

  Maddox wouldn’t know what to expect either. They’d never had a bond issue, and couldn’t imagine being in Gabe’s shoes.

  “Have you given any thought t
o what you’ll do?”

  “I’ve played out every scenario, including revocation. I don’t believe it’ll go that far. We’ve never been out of compliance before, and we’ve been making wine for decades. There has to be some leeway for a first-time offender.”

  Maddox nodded his head. He agreed. “If necessary, I’d be willing to underwrite your bond.”

  “What did you say?”

  “You heard me.”

  “You’d do that?”

  “Yes, I would.”

  “You know how much money we’re talking?”

  “Very well aware.”

  “Why?”

  “As I told someone the other night―as a matter of fact, it was Rory Calder. Anyway, what I said was, when a member of the collaborative is in trouble, we come together to help privately, not publicly. I know once word gets out to the other members, mine won’t be the only offer of help.”

  “There’s more to it, isn’t there?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You and Alex.”

  “My offer to help would’ve come whether Alex and I were together or not. However, since I hope one day soon we’ll be family, I’m extending it now. Whatever you need, Gabe.”

  “Maddox, I don’t know what to say. You’re a good man, just like your father.”

  The nurse opened the door to Alex’s room. “She’s okay. You guys can go back in.”

  “What about the fever?” asked Maddox.

  “She’s warm, but only a couple degrees above normal. It’s to be expected, but we’ll keep an eye on her through the night.”

  “I’ll be here too.”

  The nurse looked Maddox up and down, and fanned her face. “Lucy told us about you.”

  “Stay away from him, he’s mine,” Alex shouted. “By the way, would someone mind getting me another piece of my pizza?”

  “See? She’s gonna be fine.” The nurse patted Maddox’s arm and walked away.

  Maddox got Alex’s plate, and gave her the biggest slice of the pie. “Gabe, would you like some pizza, or any other junk food known to man?”

  “You know, I was about to decline, but I don’t remember when I last ate, and for the first time in a long while, I’m hungry.”

  Maddox dished two slices for Gabe, and one for himself.

  “Uh, anywhere I can use a restroom and get some coffee?”

  “Down the hall to the left you can find both,” Maddox told him.

  Maddox bent over to kiss Alex once Gabe left, and she put her palm on his cheek. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Making Gabe feel better.”

  Had he? He wasn’t sure. Los Caballeros still faced a tough battle, and the outcome was hard to predict.

  “What else are you worried about?” she asked.

  Lena’s sudden departure weighed heavy on his mind. He couldn’t help but wonder if Los Cab’s bond, the wine hidden in the caves, and the ATB had anything to do with it. There was also the question of Naughton’s odd behavior. Did the three relate somehow?

  Maddox’s phone pinged.

  “What is it?”

  “A text from Lena, but from an unknown number, asking if I can meet her tonight.” Maddox looked up at Alex.

  “You’re kidding?”

  “Nope.”

  “What?” Gabe asked, coming back in with his coffee. “You two look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “More like a devil,” Alex muttered.

  “Huh?” her brother asked.

  “You know the expression ‘speak of the devil’? The devil just spoke.”

  Gabe looked at Maddox. “What’s she talking about?”

  “I just got a text from Lena Hess asking if I could meet her tonight.”

  “What are you going to do?” asked Alex.

  Maddox shrugged.

  “If you’re worried about me, you don’t need to be. I’m in a hospital. If anything goes wrong, there are plenty of people to take care of me.”

  “It isn’t just that.”

  “What else?”

  “It’s gonna sound crazy.”

  “Just tell us, Mad.”

  “I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

  “I can go with you,” offered Gabe.

  “What do you think, Al?”

  “Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, either don’t go, or don’t go alone. Did she say where she wanted to meet?”

  “At the house.”

  “Whose house?”

  “The one on the hilltop.”

  “You mean our house.” Alex smiled.

  22

  “You sure you don’t mind going along?” Maddox asked Gabe on their way to the parking structure.

  Gabe took so long to answer, Maddox was beginning to think Gabe hadn’t heard him.

  “I want to go with you, for a lot of reasons.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Maybe Lena knows who really moved the wine from the caves and brought the barrels to Los Cab. But that isn’t all.”

  “I can drive, unless you want to meet there,” Maddox offered when they got to his truck.

  “Nah, I’m good. I only live a couple blocks from here, and if you’re coming back…”

  “I am.” Maddox unlocked the doors.

  They’d been on the road a couple minutes when Maddox asked Gabe his other reasons for wanting to go along. “I’m just curious,” Maddox added.

  They were almost to the highway when Gabe finally spoke.

  “Your family has done so much for our family. We can never repay your kindness. You and your father saved us after my father died. And now? Less than a half an hour ago, you offered to underwrite our bond. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but I know that if it does, you’re a man of your word, and you wouldn’t make the offer if you didn’t intend to follow through.”

  “You’re right about that. If you need help, I’ll help.”

  “Why do you think Lena wants to meet you?”

  Maddox scrubbed over his face with his hand. “It’s really complicated, but…shit…”

  Gabe held up a hand. “If it’s none of my business…”

  “It isn’t that. It’s just…Lena is Kade’s ex-wife.”

  “What?”

  “I know. I only found out yesterday.”

  “I thought her last name was Hess.”

  “Yeah, don’t know about that. Guess she changed it back, or never changed it to Butler in the first place. Obviously their marriage was a secret.”

  “Why?”

  “Like I said, I only found out about it yesterday.”

  Gabe shook his head. “Wow.”

  “I know. Uh, listen, you need to keep this quiet for a bit. My brothers and I haven’t had a chance to talk to our parents or sisters yet.”

  “No problem. I get it.” Gabe laughed.

  “What?”

  “Sorry. This is big, I get that. I just laughed because I never get around to telling my family much of anything. I’m sure I drive them crazy. Our father was the same way.”

  “I hear that.”

  “I think I’m doing the right thing, but then it comes back to bite me in the ass.”

  “I told Alex that I struggle with being the oldest brother, and she suggested that my siblings might not want me to feel as though I have to step into any perceived role.”

  “Like I have?”

  “I always believed Kade took care of us in his own way, or maybe that’s just what we wanted to think. He was certainly there for me when I needed to run stuff by him, but if I believed he felt pressured to carry the burden of our family’s problems, I never would’ve let him.”

  “What was Alex’s advice?”

  “To talk to my brothers and sisters, and tell them how I was feeling.”

  “How’s that going for you?”

  “Haven’t tried it out yet.”

  “Think you will?”

  “Not a chance in hell.”

  “This place is a
mazing,” Gabe said, getting out of truck.

  Maddox pointed out the three buildings. “That was the main winery. The one next to it was left unfinished, but Naughton and I think it was meant to be a tasting room. The far building is the house. That’s where we’re meeting Lena.”

  “Is she here?”

  “I don’t think so. I didn’t see her car when we drove by the house near the front gate, and it isn’t here.”

  Maddox opened the door to the winery building, and let Gabe stick his head in. “I’ll show you more later.”

  Gabe nodded and followed Maddox to the house.

  “All of it is pretty incredible, but this is far and away the best part.”

  Maddox opened the massive door, and walked into the foyer. “It’ll be dark soon, and I’ve never been in here at night. I’m not even sure if there’s electricity.”

  “There is.” Lena came around the corner from the kitchen, and hit a switch that illuminated the entire space.

  “Jesus, you scared the crap out of me.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t want anyone to know I was here. Who’s this?” Lena approached Gabe.

  “Gabe Avila, Alex’s brother. He runs Los Cab.”

  “I see.”

  “I can wait in the truck,” Gabe offered.

  “No, this concerns you too, so you might as well stay.”

  “What’s goin’ on Lena?”

  “We should sit.” She walked back into the kitchen, switching on lights as they went. “It’s pretty difficult to see this side of the house, but I closed the drapes anyway.”

  “Who are you hiding from?”

  She poured a glass of wine from a bottle sitting on the table. “Help yourselves,” she said before she took a swig from her glass.

  “You were right when you thought I knew who put the wine in the caves. I knew it was Eli, and I knew why.”

  “Did you—”

  Lena held up her hand. “Before you ask, no, I didn’t call the ATB. I told Eli he could store the wine in the caves as long as he needed to. It only became a problem when I put the other three hundred acres on the market.”

  She looked up at Maddox. “I took it off the market before Peter contacted your parents.”

  Maddox nodded. “So what happened?”

  “The caves weren’t on land that was for sale, and no one should’ve been in them.”