Heard it Through the Grapevine

by Lizbeth Lipperman

  She heard him swear and knew he was close behind. Racing for the vineyard, she quickly unlocked the back door. When a final glance behind revealed David coming into the room, his face a portrait of homicidal rage, she screamed.

  The bullet barely missed her head as she ran into the vineyard, lit only by the faint glow of the mercury lights placed about every twenty rows. She prayed it was dark enough to protect her until help arrived, if help was really on the way.

  Crouched behind a row of vines, Lainey concentrated on slowing her breathing so David wouldn’t be able to pinpoint her location.

  A terrifying thought smacked her in the face, and she bit her lip to keep from crying out.

  David Rivera was going to kill her unless she outsmarted him.

  This way. Tessa appeared again, pointing. You can circle back to the front. When he comes looking for you, dart into the house and out the front door.

  Lainey hesitated.

  Hurry! Tessa commanded. He’s fucking crazy.

  Lainey followed her sister’s ghost and they snaked their way toward the front. The overwhelming feeling she was walking right into David’s trap wouldn’t leave her.

  “Lainey,” he called. “Come on out so we can talk about this like two reasonable people.”

  Like we’re believing this asshole is reasonable!

  “Come on, Lainey,” he coaxed. “We’ll tell Colt I had to shoot Carrie before she killed you. We can split the three million when we make the deal.” He paused. “Think what you could do with that kind of money. Hell, you could buy your very own television station.”

  Cover your mouth. You’re breathing too loud, Tessa cautioned.

  Lainey clamped her hand over her mouth as Tessa said and concentrated on breathing out of her nose. When she did, her eyes widened in terror. She was breathing more than air.

  God damn him! He set my vineyard on fire.

  _____

  Colt jumped from the car, debating whether to wait on backup. The distinct sound of a gunshot made the decision for him, and he bolted toward the front door.

  Lainey’s in there, he thought, praying he wasn’t too late. Drawing his weapon, he pushed the door, but it was locked. He raised his leg and kicked as hard as he could, but the door wouldn’t budge. Running to the window outside Jerry’s office, he paused for a second to look in. When he saw two people lying on the floor, his heart sank.

  Shattering the window with the butt of his gun, he kicked the glass in with his boot. Fortunately, the window was low enough for him to climb through.

  “Shit!” His hand shot up to his face as a shard of glass pierced his cheek. His fingers were already sticky with blood when he pulled his hand away, but he couldn’t waste time to see how bad it was.

  He said a quick thank you to the powers above when he realized the two bodies on the floor were Roxy and Carrie. One glance told him there was nothing he could do for either of them.

  He called Lainey’s name, searching the office. When he walked into Tessa’s apartment, the first thing he noticed was the blast of cold air coming from the wide-open back door. Halfway there he smelled the unmistakable odor of burning leaves.

  When he saw the vineyard, his hopes spiraled downward. The entire front half was in flames. With the swirling wind and dried leaves, it wouldn’t take long for the fire to consume the rest of it.

  Just as he covered his mouth to keep out the noxious smoke, he saw David Rivera step out from a row of vines about thirty feet in front of him, a gun in his hand.

  Colt raised his own weapon and shouted. “Drop the gun, David.”

  David coughed as the smoke circled around him. “I can’t find Lainey.”

  A sudden lump formed in Colt’s throat, and he swallowed hard. “Where is she?”

  “She killed Carrie and Roxy. Did you know that?” David choked out as he raised the gun.

  Colt fired a warning shot at his feet. “I don’t want to hurt you, David. Drop the gun and we’ll talk. Right now, I need to find Lainey.”

  David threw back his head and laughed. “You never give up, do you, Winslow? You couldn’t have Tessa, so now you’re hot after her sister.”

  “Lainey,” Colt shouted again, ignoring David. He pulled the front of his shirt over his nose and mouth as the black smoke increased. His collar was already soaked in blood from the gash on his cheek.

  “I’m here.”

  Both Colt and Rivera turned as Lainey stumbled out of the thick smoke, coughing uncontrollably before she bent over and gagged. When David pointed the gun at her, Colt shot him in the back, not caring that he fell right into the burning vines.

  He rushed to Lainey’s side, pulling her close to his body to protect her from the shooting flames. When she winced, he repositioned his arms away from her shoulder and led her toward the building just as Flanagan and Rogers burst through the back door.

  “The fire department’s on the way,” Flanagan said. “They’re sending an ambulance, but it’s too late for the two inside. How bad is Lainey hurt?”

  “She’s got a lot of smoke in her lungs. I hope to hell they hurry.” Colt released her long enough to take his jacket off and drape it over her shoulders.

  When the emergency vehicles arrived, the paramedics insisted Lainey lie down on the stretcher in the truck while they administered oxygen.

  Noticing the cut on Colt’s cheek, one of the paramedics tried to talk him into letting him take a look at it, but Colt refused. There was no way he was leaving Lainey’s side.

  He’d even delegated Flanagan as the lead in the investigation. He’d never done that before, not in his six-year career, but he had to make sure Lainey was no longer in danger. His track record for keeping her safe pretty much sucked so far, and he vowed to make sure that changed.

  As he pushed back a stray lock of her hair stuck in the oxygen mask, he knew he was in love for the first time in his life. It didn’t matter that Lainey might already be in love with another man or that she would most likely be out of his life soon. Admitting that he loved her was a huge step for him. He never thought there’d be room in his heart for anyone but Gracie.

  When he glanced down at Lainey, she tried to smile to reassure him, but the mask covered most of her face.

  It was in that moment he made a promise to himself.

  No matter what it took, he would find a way to make this woman stay in Vineyard.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  LAINEY GLANCED AT HER family sitting around the table, and her heart melted. She’d missed this all those years because of a stupid rift between her and Tessa. She wondered how her sisters would react when she told them she wasn’t going back to Savannah, wondered if Colt would care.

  “Want me to top that off?”

  She glanced up at Colt standing beside her holding the coffee pot. Since last night, he’d hovered over her like a rescue helicopter, waiting to swoop down and whisk her away from some unknown danger.

  “Yes or no?” He pointed to the coffee pot when she glanced up.

  She shook her head. “No thanks. After Deena’s lasagna and Maddy’s chocolate cake, I’m ready to pop.”

  “You can’t kid a kidder, Lainey. I know how you like to eat. You’re dying for another piece of cake,” Colt teased.

  “Holy crap! This guy’s got your number already,” Kate said with a chuckle. “Live a little, sis. You had one helluva scare last night.”

  Lainey pursed her lips then held out her dessert plate. “Just a sliver, Maddy.”

  “If you bring her just a sliver, she’ll slit your throat,” Colt said, causing more chuckles around the table.

  When the light moment ended, all sat in silence. They hadn’t really discussed what happened last night. Since Colt got back from the station a few hours ago, perhaps it seemed like if they ignored it, it hadn’t really happened.

  “Did they ever find David’s body?” Deena asked, finally breaking the ice.

  Colt sat down and sipped his coffee. “Yeah. It wasn’t a pretty sight.”<
br />
  “What happened to David, Colt?” Kate asked. “Everyone thought he was headed for the mayor’s office.”

  “I know.” Colt’s voice held a hint of regret. “I guess all that money was too hard to resist. I never realized how much David hated Tessa and me until Lainey told me what Carrie said.”

  “You never told us any of this, Lainey. What’d she say?”

  Lainey shivered remembering how manipulative David had been, remembering the way he’d trailed the gun down her chest. “David knew Carrie had been jealous of Tessa all her life. He used that to make her think they were having an affair.”

  “Is that why she killed Tessa?”

  “Yes, but I still can’t figure out why he wanted her dead after all these years,” Colt said. “It doesn’t make sense for him to risk everything for revenge.”

  “It wasn’t revenge,” Lainey said.

  Colt turned to her. “Did he tell you that?”

  She blew out a breath. “Tessa went to him about a month before she was killed. Jerry was going behind her back to sell the winery to some real estate company out of New Jersey. They were trying to broker the deal for some foreign investors who planned to turn it into a concrete jungle of some kind. She thought David would align with her to stop him.”

  “How do you know that?” Colt asked. “Did Prescott talk to you about it?”

  “What did Tessa’s lawyer have to do with it?” Lainey asked, confused.

  “When I pulled him into the office and questioned him about his connection to Jerry, he confessed he was also looking to score the finder’s fee if Jerry sold.”

  That double-dealing piece of shit!

  Lainey didn’t even flinch when she glanced sideways to find Tessa standing behind Kate’s chair.

  “Now I get it,” Colt said. “The last thing David wanted was for someone to put the skids on the deal. Knowing how forceful Tessa could be, he tricked Carrie into thinking he was still in love with her. Then when you inherited Tessa’s share, he pretended you and he had a thing.” He shook his head.

  Jackass! I feel so stupid for going to him.

  “Hello, Tessa,” Lainey said, finally acknowledging her. “I knew this family was missing something. Now, it’s complete.”

  Lainey watched as Tessa’s eyes opened wide in surprise before filling with tears.

  “What are you talking about, Lainey?” Colt demanded. “You didn’t hit your head last night, did you?”

  Maddy laughed. “Brace yourself, Colt. We have something to tell you.”

  Lainey grabbed his hands. “Before you start thinking I’m seeing ghosts, let me put your mind at ease.” She giggled. “I am seeing ghosts.”

  He jumped from his chair. “That’s not funny, Lainey.”

  Au, contraire! My sister’s finally developed a sense of humor. She gave Lainey a thumbs up. Good one.

  “Tessa’s spirit showed up at the funeral home,” Deena explained. “Only Lainey can see her.”

  Colt’s eyes moved from sister to sister, clearly searching for a sane one in the bunch.

  “How do you think we knew stuff about the night she was murdered before you even got lab results?” Kate asked. “I didn’t believe it myself, at first.”

  “She led me away from David last night.” Lainey turned to Tessa. “I owe you my life.”

  I’ll be glad to trade with you anytime, Tessa deadpanned before she got serious again. Guess you could say that was payback.

  Lainey nodded, her eyes brimming with tears.

  “You don’t have to do this to prove how much you loved your sister.” The concern in Colt’s eyes was apparent.

  “She asked us to find her killer. That’s why I couldn’t quit, even when I made you so angry you threatened to throw me in jail.” Lainey playfully bopped him on the head.

  “I can’t believe you threatened my sister with jail, Colton Winslow!” Maddy exclaimed.

  Colt smiled. “I did, and I would have followed through if that’s what it took to save her pretty ass.”

  There’s that pretty ass thing again.

  “Let’s talk about something else,” Colt suggested. “All this ghost stuff is freaking me out.”

  Ask him about the real reason he stayed in Vineyard after his dad was killed.

  Lainey tilted his chin toward her. “Tessa wants you to tell me why you never went back to A & M after your dad died.”

  He stared at her for a moment then jerked his head out of her hand. “Everyone knows it’s because my mom fell and broke her hip.”

  Not everyone knows she fell because she was groggy from an overdose of sleeping pills. Or that you called your friend, Phil Romano, who was a rookie officer at the time, to cover it up so no one would find out how depressed she was.

  The tears slid down Lainey’s cheeks. Even though Colt might believe her if she repeated what Tessa had said, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. The pain on his face at just the mention of that awful time in his life was hard enough to witness.

  “You know, don’t you?” he said, almost inaudibly.

  Lainey nodded.

  “If you’re really talking to your dead sister, ask her about the e-mail she sent me a few weeks ago.”

  “I don’t need to ask. I already know.”

  He choked back a sob.

  Tell him, Lainey. I can’t bear to see him in that much pain.

  Lainey turned to her sisters. “Dinner was great, and I love you guys, but now I need time alone with Colt.”

  The love shining back at Lainey from all three of them gave her the courage to do what had to be done. After they gathered their dishes and Maddy lifted her sleeping daughter out of Gracie’s bed, they left.

  For several minutes, Colt stared at the table, his face unreadable.

  Lainey walked behind him and put her hand on his shoulders. “I have to tell you something about Gracie.”

  He twisted around to face her. “I already know I’m not her father, if that’s what you mean.”

  “There’s more.”

  As Lainey repeated Tessa’s story, she watched Colt swallowing in rapid succession to keep from breaking down. She wanted to stop, to put her arms around him, to reassure him everything would be all right, but she couldn’t.

  When she finished, he sniffed, then put his head in his hands. “She really isn’t mine?”

  When Lainey shook her head, he continued. “I’d held out the hope this was only Tessa’s way of getting back at me for not agreeing to joint custody.” He forced a laugh. “So, I’m the only guy in town who never slept with your sister?”

  At another time, this would be funny, but she had to keep going to make him understand. “You were the only real friend Tessa had when she found herself in trouble. She knew the best thing she could ever do for her unborn child was to make you a part of its life.” She massaged his shoulders. “You were the only person she trusted.”

  “Stop,” he commanded. “I don’t want to hear any more of her bullshit reasons.”

  Lainey couldn’t watch him hurt like this. “You’re the only solid thing in Gracie’s life. You are her father and always have been. As angry as you are right now at my sister, think about it this way. She gave you the most precious thing in your life. She gave you Gracie, knowing you were far better at parenting than she could ever hope to be.”

  “God damn it, Tessa, I don’t need you to tell me I’m not Gracie’s dad. I know I am. I learned a long time ago that sperm doesn’t make you a father, but dammit, I trusted you.”

  Tessa hung her head. I know. Then she looked back up. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

  “She said—”

  “I heard her.” Colt shook his heard. “Honest to God, I heard her, but I can’t see her.”

  Lainey turned to her sister when she noticed her walking toward the door. “I love you, Tessa,” she called out.

  Tessa turned, the smile breaking through her tears. Me too, little sister.

  For a while, neither Lainey or Colt sp
oke. A lot had happened in the past week. A lot had happened tonight, and it would take a lot more time for it to sink in.

  Lainey stood and walked to the sink to start the dishwasher, suddenly exhausted.

  “Lainey?”

  She whirled around to face Colt who had come up behind her. Without a word, he kissed her—not the I-want-to-rip-your-clothes-off kind of kiss, but a gentle sensuous one that carried no less of a punch.

  When he pulled his lips from hers, he held her at arm’s length. “I know you’re leaving for Georgia soon, but I can’t let you go without telling you I’ve fallen in love with you.”

  “You what?”

  His eyes darkened with dashed hopes. “I don’t expect you to do anything with that, but I couldn’t let you leave without admitting it.”

  “You love me?”

  He smiled. “Why’s that so hard to believe?”

  She pulled his face to hers and smothered him with tiny kisses all over. “Colton Winslow, I’ve been in love with you since I was fifteen. I’ve been waiting all my life for you to notice.”

  He cocked one eyebrow. “Seriously?”

  She laughed. “There were times I thought if only you could see into my heart, you’d know, even though I knew you could never love me back. I figured I would always be Tessa’s little sister to you.”

  He picked her up and swung her around. “You didn’t look like Tessa’s little sister in that hot outfit the night you tried to seduce Porter,” he teased.

  “I did not try to seduce that man,” she protested, laughing. “So you noticed me that night?”

  He huffed. “Everyone noticed you that night. Your legs looked like they went all the way up to your neck.”

  He put her back on level ground, the smile fading. “So what now? I’m not sure how a long-distance relationship works.”

  She giggled. “Good thing you won’t have to find out.” When he looked dejected, she added. “I’m staying in Vineyard.”

  If she wasn’t sure before, the joy in his eyes told her she had made the right decision. It would take several years for the replanted vines to bear fruit, but she was positive she wanted to be the one to see her sister’s dream continue.