by Joni Folger
Jackson stared at her for a moment before a smile spread across his face. Soon he was laughing out loud and shaking his head. “Okay, now I’ve heard everything. And I think I’m going to have to see this movie you’re talking about.”
Madison smiled in return and then winced when she raised a trembling hand to the bruise beginning to show on the side of her face. “I’ve got it on DVD at home. You’re welcome to it anytime, but I warn you. It’s a screwball chick flick.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Meanwhile, let’s get out of here and get that bruise looked at. I also need to get statements from you two, and C.C.’s probably going a little crazy wondering what’s going on.” Jackson grinned at Elise. “I made her wait in the car.”
“Oh my,” Elise exclaimed. “She may never forgive you for making her miss all the excitement.”
As she started to walk away, he grabbed her arm and pulled her back into his embrace, holding her tight against his chest for a moment. Then he spoke softly into her ear.
“You gave me a helluva scare, pal. But that’s something we’re going to have to discuss later when my anxiety level returns to normal.”
“Thanks for coming for us, Jax. And I’ll be happy to have any conversation you want.” She reached up and kissed his cheek. “But right now … I just want to go home.”
twenty-six
The rest of the afternoon took forever, and Elise was exhausted by the time she and Maddy had each given their statements and were finally allowed to go home. There were still reports to complete, but Jim volunteered to finish up so Jackson could take her home. And after the harrowing events of the day, Elise was feeling the need to spend some quality time with those closest to her at River Bend.
Madison had rebounded with grace and speed, and after talking to Abigail on the phone, had invited Toby and Garrett back for an additional family dinner before they packed up and headed south in the morning. Elise was surprised at her sister’s resilience after their close brush with death and giggled at the re-telling of how Maddy had taken down Sam Raymond with help from a chick flick.
“Isn’t that just a hoot?” Abigail cackled and set a basket full of warm rolls on the table before taking a seat next to Garrett. “I’m telling you, my baby girls are nothin’ if not resourceful.”
“That’s all well and good, Mom, but I’d rather have them stay out of trouble in the first place,” Laura replied as she took her place at the head of the table. “I just can’t take the stress and worry.”
“I agree, Miss Laura. And don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for Maddy’s quick thinking today,” Jackson commented, raising an eyebrow in Elise’s direction. “But I would also prefer them not to get into these kinds of situations at all.”
“And like I told you in my statement,” Elise countered. “This time it wasn’t my fault. All I did was stop by to speak with Toby and see how he was holding up.”
“Careful, Pinocchio,” Jackson warned with a skeptical grin. “I think there was a tad more to it than just you and your Good Samaritan instincts.”
“Whatever. Anyway, how was I supposed to know his dad would go off the rails and target me?” Elise turned to Toby. “No offense.”
“Oh, none taken,” Toby assured her. “Sam did go a little crazy. Poor guy. I mean, I know what he did was wrong and all, but I can’t help feeling sorry for everything he lost.”
Madison put a hand over Toby’s. “It must have been so hard to watch your father being handcuffed and taken away like that.”
He nodded, turning his hand over and giving hers a squeeze. “I have some very conflicted feelings about the whole thing. On one hand, Sam’s really a stranger to me, someone I just met a few days ago. I was only four years old when my mom took me and left, so I have no recollection of him.” He shrugged. “On the other hand, he is my biological father, and I was really hoping to regain that relationship. However, it doesn’t negate the fact that he took not only my mother from me and Garrett,” he said with a glance at his step-father, “but he took Grace from me as well—and just when we’d reconnected. It’s hard to even think about what could have been, had Sam not found us when he did.”
Abigail gave Toby a sympathetic look and then turned to Garrett. “I know I’ve said it before, but my heart goes out to both of you. Though Divia and I had our differences, she didn’t deserve to die that way.”
“Thanks, Abby,” Garrett said with a sad smile. “Divia may not have been the easiest person to be around at times, and she didn’t always behave in the most appropriate manner, but that doesn’t justify what Sam Raymond did.” He sighed and glanced at his step-son. “Toby’s agreed to stay on at the winery, and we’re going to work at picking up the pieces of our lives and moving on when we get back home.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” Abigail replied. “And Toby, I’d only met Grace the one time, but she seemed like a lovely young woman. I’m so sorry for your loss. You, too, C.C., I know you and Grace were friends.” She patted C.C.’s hand. “It’s just such a waste of life in a short span of time.”
Toby gave another nod. “You’re right, Miss Abby. I just wish I would’ve told Elise who Sam was when she asked me about him yesterday. Maybe we could have at least avoided that frightening scene at the fairgrounds this afternoon if I had.”
Elise dismissed his comment with a wave of her hand. “I’d actually made a mental note of his license plate before he left, intending to give the information to Jax later. If I’d have followed through with that—” Jackson interrupted her by clearing his throat and giving her a meaningful look. “And told him about the threatening note that had been left on my windshield,” she continued with a roll of her eyes, “maybe we would’ve snapped to Sam’s involvement sooner.”
Jackson closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. “Woman, you try my patience at every turn. There is no we, darlin’. Like I keep telling you, leave the investigations to the professionals and keep your pretty little nose out of it.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she said and then leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’ll try to remember that, Deputy.”
He gave her a doubtful glance. “You’ll excuse me if I don’t hold my breath on that, as I know what an exercise in futility that’s gonna be for you.”
“Hardy-har-har. You’re so funny.”
“Don’t worry, Jax. We have several events planned at Lodge Merlot that Elise has promised to help me with,” Madison stated with a smug smile. “I’ll keep her busy for sure.”
“Yeah, and with the Delphine Opera House restoration finished,” Ross added, “she won’t have a whole lot of time for nosing around your investigations.”
“Oh right, and look who’s talking, Mr. ‘Let’s-Keep-Gram-Out-of-Trouble’. You were right there with me when we started asking questions—though you have no talent for it whatsoever—so zip it.”
“Yes,” Carolyn spoke up in a stern tone. “Mr. Beckett and I have recently had that conversation. His sleuthing days are definitely over. Right, my love?”
Ross didn’t even grumble but backed off and clammed up immediately. Elise would have dearly loved to hear how that discussion went. She was pretty sure her sister-in-law had made fast work of her brother, and the look on his face spoke volumes.
“So, what’s the deal with the opera house?” Toby asked Elise with a curious look. “I love live theater.”
“David Marchant and his partner Robert Taylor are friends of mine from Dallas,” Elise told him. “They bought the old building in hopes of restoring it to its previous glory. I’ve donated some time and a bit of money to help them with the project. They intend to get it up and running before moving back to David’s hometown in Oregon.”
Ross poured himself some sweet tea from the pitcher on the table. “With the renovation done, they’ve asked El to sit on the board for the first year.”
“Their debut production is schedul
ed to open in a couple months,” Madison said with excitement. “I can’t wait to get tickets. I may even get to help with concessions.”
“I told David that I’d work the box office for him on several nights,” C.C. put in. “I think it’s really going to perk up Delphine.”
Garrett Larson took some mashed potatoes from the bowl Abigail handed him before passing it on to Toby. “What are they presenting for their first production? I enjoy live theater from time to time as well. Maybe Toby and I could drive up for opening weekend.”
“That would be such fun,” Abigail agreed. “We could all go together. But I’m not sure what they’re performing. Elise, do you know?”
Elise looked around the table at the expectant faces and was hesitant to tell them. “Yes. Unfortunately, I do.” Shooting a glance at Jackson, she grinned. “It’s called A Very Country Murder.”
There was a few seconds of silence followed by uproarious laughter.
“Oh my Lord!” Abigail shouted after a moment. “Isn’t that just as fitting as it can be?”
“For crying out loud, Mom,” Laura said with a shake of her head. “You don’t have to sound so gleeful about it. I, for one, have had just about all I can take of real-life murder mysteries.”
“Oh, phooey,” Abigail replied with a snort and a wave of her hand. “Where’s your sense of humor?”
Elise took Jackson’s hand and smiled. “And just so you know, I had nothing to do with the choice of material.”
Jackson continued to chuckle. “Well, I don’t mind a good murder mystery. As long as it’s performed by actors and is confined to the stage.”
“From your mouth to God’s ears, darlin’,” she replied. “From your mouth to God’s ears.”
the end
about the author
Joni Folger (Tillamook, OR) worked on an airline for twenty-two years. When she’s not spending quality time with the characters she creates, Joni enjoys gardening, crafting, and working in local theater. Visit her blog at http://JGSauer.wordpress.com.
Author photo by Janet Hanson-Haight.