“I’ll take a rain check. Listen, thanks for . . . well, you know.”
She nodded, knowing exactly what he was thanking her for—finding the real killer.
“I’m going to get on the horn and see about opening Bernadette Debussey’s case again. I’m thinking I can get Trevor to admit to the guesthouse fire and get the poor woman out of jail.”
“Good. Thank you.”
Jonah stood. “Be good. ’Cause I’m still gonna be watching you.”
“Something tells me that you will.”
“Well . . .” Robinson stood up and stretched. “I got work to do.” He pointed at her and winked. “Catch you on the down low.”
Nikki chuckled as she watched Robinson leave, then looked at Derek sitting by Renee’s side. She thought about Andrés. Nope. She did not need any more guy troubles.
Chapter 28
The next day, Nikki watched Derek and Renee leave the vineyard in his Range Rover. After they left, she made a phone call to personnel and left a message for the gal who hired the pourers in the tasting room, asking her to phone Alyssa on Monday about the position and highly recommending her. After that she called Alyssa, who was ecstatic over the job and thanked her a dozen times.
Nikki then took a walk and found Ollie next to the old oak tree that stood near what used to be her cottage. “Hey, you do miss me. Don’t you?”
Ollie stretched out and rolled over for her. “Sure, you’ll lick Renee’s hand, but all I’m good for is a stroke on the tummy. Some loyalty.” She rubbed his belly for a few minutes.
Marco and Simon approached. “We saw you with the doggie,” Simon said. “You know my brother asked us to take care of him while he was gone. Good thing I’m taking my allergy pills.”
Nikki knew Simon was allergic to dogs. When she’d first come to the vineyard, Simon wouldn’t go near Ollie . . . or her, for that matter. Funny how at the time she’d pretty much decided that the two men in front of her were her enemies. One thing to always count on—life changed on a daily basis.
“I love you guys,” she said.
“We love you, too. We have news.”
“You do?” she asked.
Simon nodded. “We are going to Europe next month. Sansibaba will be in Italy doing a special, weeklong, intensive seminar on confronting your fears.”
“We want to address our nudophobia,” Marco interjected. “You were right when you told me I was a hypocrite for telling you to live a life of passion when I hide behind my own fears.”
“I didn’t call you a hypocrite,” Nikki replied.
“But it is implied and you are right.”
“We will be hanging by the chandeliers, Goldilocks,” Simon said. “You want to join us?”
Marco clapped. “Sí, Bellisima, come to Italy. I will show you around and we will go to the vineyards and drink vino and face our fears under the teaching of Sansibaba.”
She laughed. “I have no fears.”
Her friends looked at her and then at each other. “Goldilocks, please.”
She kissed them each on the cheek. “I’ll be fine. You two will have a wonderful time in Italy. I’m proud of you. Be good.” She turned around and headed back to her room. Ollie remained with the boys, as Simon took over rubbing the dog’s belly. Typical dog—loyal to the tummy rubber, no matter who he or she may be.
In her room the basket with the information about Spain was still there on the coffee table. She’d put the roses in a vase and they had blossomed. Their heady scent spread throughout the room.
She picked up the letter Andrés had written her and read it again.
Nikki,
I want you to know that you are the one. You are my magic and I am in love with you. I want to be with you. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I want children with you, a family, a life. Come to Spain with me. I’ll give you the world if you’ll let me.
Love,
Andrés
She looked at the airline ticket. The flight would be leaving in a little less than four hours. She closed her eyes. He loved her. He really loved her. She could make it to the airport in an hour. She could make the plane.
She noticed the blinking light on her answering machine. It had to be Andrés. She went over and played it.
“Nikki, it’s me, Derek. I, well, I, God, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I, dammit, I love you, Nik. Not like a friend, but, well you know, I do, I just do, okay? And, I told Renee that nothing was going to happen between her and me, and now I’m here at the airport with a plane ready to go to Australia and . . . Ah hell. Come with me, Nikki. Let’s go together and see if we can’t figure this thing out, get to the bottom of what’s between us.”
Nikki pressed rewind and played the message again. Still holding the letter and ticket Andrés had left, she read it once more.
She smiled, grabbed her purse, locked the door to her room, got behind the wheel of her Camry, and headed to the airport.
Author ’s Note
It has been a lot of fun to watch Nikki and her friends change and grow from when she first moved to Napa Valley. If you have followed the Wine Lover’s Mysteries, then you know that the triangle between Nikki, Derek, and Andrés has evolved, and now you may be frustrated with me for leaving you hanging. Not to fear, I assure you that Nikki will either wind up in Australia with Derek for book four, or in Europe with Andrés. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be a “happily ever after,” especially when there is murder and mayhem involved. As the author of the Wine Lover’s Mysteries, I would love to hear from you as to who you think is the best man for Nikki, or who you would like to see her with in the next book. If you’re interested in putting in your two cents, then please go to my website at www.michelescott.com and click on the poll. The results will be kept secret until book four where you will find out who the majority of you want Nikki to be tasting wine with as the sun sets in either the Australian wine country or the Spanish wine country.
RECIPE INDEX
Pissaladiere with Clos du Bois Shiraz
Beef Daube with Porcini and Orange with St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon
Pampering and Sofia Rosé
Ceviche and Thai Chicken Wraps with Orogeny Pinot Noir
Sautéed Diver Scallops with Cauliflower, Capers, and Almonds with Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Grigio
Marinated Yellowfin Tuna with Roasted Beets, Radish, and Lemon Oil with Robert Sinskey Vin Gris of Pinot Noir
Huevos Rancheros and Caramelized Grapefruit with Schramsberg’s Blanc de Blancs
Salmon with Black Bean Sauce with Beaulieu Carneros Chardonnay
Mussels in Ancho Chile Butter Sauce with Château de la Ragotiere Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Cuvee M
Margherita Pizza with Serra de Estrela Spanish Wine
Silenced By Syrah Page 22
