by Sara Orwig
He stood at the top of the steps, his thoughts in turmoil over Lara’s appearance and Caroline and Grant being questioned. Once again, as he watched his sister and brother-in-law approach holding hands, he was reminded of the void in his own life. He missed Lara every second of every day.
As soon as Jillian and Seth joined him, his sister looked at him with curiosity in her green eyes. “Didn’t I see Lara drive away?”
“Yes, you did,” he said, holding the door for them and following them inside. “She heard about Mom and Grant.”
“I wasn’t certain whether it was her or not. She had on a big hat. I thought you said you weren’t going to see each other again.”
“She wasn’t here long,” he said, and Jillian turned away to talk to Cole and Dixie. “Mercedes will be here soon,” Jillian said.
Eli joined the others as they sat down, but in minutes he got up to pace the floor. He couldn’t keep his mind on their conversation. As he stood gazing out a window, Lucas joined him. “Stop worrying, Eli. The police don’t have any hard evidence, and they sure won’t have anything to tie your mother to it. Or Grant.”
“Except motive for Grant. Although, if it were based solely on motive, there would be a hundred other suspects. Spencer had enemies everywhere,” Eli said.
“Stop worrying, son,” Lucas said, and walked back to join the others.
Eli raked his fingers through his hair. In minutes he heard everyone greet Mercedes, and he turned to say hello to his sister. Her light-brown hair was fastened on top of her head and she wore chic yellow slacks and a striped yellow-and-white cotton blouse. She crossed the room to Eli.
“How’s Mom?”
“She’s fine, I guess. She was when she left with the detectives.”
“They can’t hold her. They don’t have any evidence to tie her to Spencer’s murder,” Mercedes said.
“There isn’t anything that we know about.”
“You know there’s nothing to tie Mom to Spencer’s murder. I spoke to Ridley. Cole told me he’s making phone calls to get you out of hot water. He said you smashed a camera.”
“The guy was right in Mom’s face.”
“I’m glad you did it, but I hope you don’t have to go to court over it. Or jail,” she added.
“Ridley will take care of the situation, and I’ll pay. I don’t think I’ll have to go to court, although at the rate the Ashtons have been making headlines, I may have to.”
“Thanks for getting here as quickly as you did,” Mercedes said. “I know Mom and Dad were glad to have you here. Grant, too. I’m sorry you couldn’t get hold of me. I left my phone in the car instead of my purse when I was running errands in Napa.”
“That’s okay.” He looked over her head. “That didn’t take long. Here’s Mom.”
“Eli, she looks as if she’s going to faint,” Mercedes said with a frown.
“Dammit,” Eli swore. Lucas was already past them as he strode forward to meet Caroline, who smiled. Her face was white, but she appeared fine, and Amos Detmer smiled at Lucas. “She’s been released,” he said as the family gathered around her and she hugged first one and then another of her children.
“Thank God,” Eli said, while Lucas turned to Caroline. Ridley Pollard patted her shoulder.
“You’re cleared now.” Riley turned to shake hands with the other attorney. “Amos, thank you.” As the two lawyers talked, Lucas took Caroline’s arm.
“Let’s get you out of here,” Lucas said.
“Seth and I can drive you home,” Jillian volunteered.
“You take them home,” Eli said. “I’ll stay to see about Grant.”
“We can stay with Eli,” Cole added while Mercedes said she would follow Jillian and Seth to go home with Lucas and Caroline.
One by one, the entire family thanked the lawyers before the men turned to go. Ridley shook hands with Eli. “I’ll get back to you. It may be tomorrow before I know whether there will be charges pressed against you or not.”
“Thanks, Ridley. I appreciate what you’re doing.”
“Try to get out of here without taking a swing at anyone,” he said, and turned to leave with Amos.
As soon as the family parted, Cole motioned toward the chairs. “This may take hours. We haven’t eaten. What about you, Eli?”
“Nope, but I’m not hungry. I’ll stay here. You and Dixie go get something. If anything changes, I can call you on your cell.”
Cole and Dixie left, and Eli paced the room slowly, finally standing by a window. It was dark outside and streetlights had come on. He was thankful his mother had been released, but he had a growing dread over the lengthening time it was taking for Grant to be questioned. Grant had struck a chord with Eli, who liked him enormously. Grant had that same streak of kindness and generosity that Caroline did. Grant had raised his niece and nephew when their mother had run out on them and his grandparents died. Grant couldn’t be the murderer, yet he was a likely suspect.
Eli raked his fingers through his hair and thought about Lara. He was still surprised that she had come to help today. She must care about him to do that. He had to admit that he had fallen in love with her, but a lot of good it would do him. Still, Lara’s showing up this afternoon gave him pause about the future.
Cole and Dixie returned with sandwiches, but Eli’s appetite had diminished the day he’d met Lara and only grown less since then. He knew from taking his belt in that he was losing weight. Idly, he wondered whether he was losing more sleep or more weight over her. He hardly slept anymore, catching an hour or two and then waking and wanting her.
An hour later Eli paced the floor again. Cole stretched out his long legs and looked at his brother. “Eli, sit down. You’ll wear out the floor.”
“They’re taking too long.”
“Yes, they are,” Cole answered solemnly. “Ridley thinks Edgar Kent is the best possible lawyer we could get, so at least Grant is in excellent hands.”
Eli raked his fingers through his hair and sat down in a chair facing Cole and Dixie. “You two can go if you want, and I’ll stay.”
“We’re fine,” Cole said, glancing at Dixie, who nodded. He leaned closer to her, draping his arm around her shoulders. “Tell me if you want to go.”
A look passed between them, and Eli was reminded again of Lara. Every time they were together Cole and Dixie’s love for each other made Eli feel all the more cold and empty.
It was after nine before Grant and Edgar Kent reappeared. Eli, Dixie and Cole all went forward to him. As soon as Eli introduced Edgar Kent to Dixie and Cole, he turned to Grant. “How’d it go?” Eli asked, knowing from Grant’s scowling expression that the answer wouldn’t be what he wanted to hear.
Grant’s face flushed, and his eyes snapped with anger. “They’re not going to hold me here, but I can’t leave the area,” he announced gruffly. “I’m definitely their prime suspect.”
“They don’t have any solid evidence to tie you to the crime,” Edgar Kent reminded him. “If they want to question you again, just call me first. You know how to get me at any hour, day or night.”
Grant turned to the lawyer and extended his hand. “Thanks for being here tonight.”
“Glad to do it. I’ll see you in my office tomorrow morning,” Edgar Kent said and turned to tell the others goodbye.
“I’ll take you back with me, and Cole and Dixie can go home,” Eli said.
“You didn’t do it, Grant. The truth will come out.”
“Not if they stop searching for the real killer because they think they’ve found the murderer in me,” Grant said. He held his hand out to Cole. “Thank you and Dixie for coming tonight. It makes me feel better to know that this family supports me. I can’t tell all three of you how much that means to me.”
“You’re part of our family,” Eli said. “We’ll all stick together. And we know you’re innocent.”
“The reporters are probably still hanging around in back. Let’s get you out the front,” Cole said.
Cole nodded and the three of them went out the front. Eli strode to the back door, took a deep breath and stepped outside. When he dashed for his car, reporters closed in. Ignoring their questions, he pushed one aside at his car and slid in, locking his doors instantly.
With two cars speeding behind him, Eli raced out of the parking lot and down the street, accelerating up and down hills as he wound through San Francisco. When he decided he had lost everyone on his tail, he headed for Geary Street to pick up Grant.
Keeping an eye on the rearview mirror, Eli’s thoughts returned to Lara. He wanted to see her again. The realization that he was in love shocked him, but he had always known what he wanted and now he wanted Lara. It went beyond physical desire. He wanted her in his life, and maybe she was having second thoughts about not seeing him again, too.
He came to a decision about his future.
With clouds of fog hovering over the ground the next morning, Eli drove through the Ashton Estate gate and watched it close behind him. Thanks to Charlotte Ashton, he could get in the private entrance. He thought about his phone conversation with her, setting up a visit to Ashton Estate. He wanted to see Lara and he suspected if he called her, she would refuse.
Eli followed Charlotte’s directions and drove around the house to park near the winery. Alexandre said he would be there to pick him up with one of the estate carts and take him to the greenhouse on the east.
Eli stepped out of the car and strode toward the front of the winery where he was to meet Alexandre. Eli knew he would have to do something to show his gratitude to Charlotte and Alexandre for setting up this rendezvous.
Eli remembered meeting Alexandre at a wine tasting event in Yountville, and he had liked the winemaker immediately. They shared a love of wine making, and Eli was impressed with Alexandre’s reputation and expertise. Alexandre was obviously deeply in love with Charlotte Ashton, and Eli was glad because he suspected Spencer may have given her a hard time.
As Eli walked, he lifted his face and inhaled. The air smelled damp, but he loved the fog because he knew how great it was for the grapevines. It would also keep him from being seen by anyone in the house. Charlotte had told him that Lilah would be ensconced in the mansion, talking on the telephone to her friends. Trace would be in his office. Walker would not even be at the estate so Eli should be able to safely come and go without interference from the family. Charlotte also promised to get Lara to the greenhouse. Then Eli was on his own.
A twig snapped under his feet. He inhaled again, enjoying the damp air that lifted his spirits in spite of the grayness. The late-morning sun soon would burn off the fog, yet it kept the ground cool and moist in the early part of the day.
Eli’s gaze ran over the buildings. He glanced over his shoulder at the magnificent mansion shrouded in fog. Bitterness knotted his stomach. He intended to talk to Mom and Dad again about the will. Spencer shouldn’t have inherited it, and Ashton Estate was too much to toss aside with a shrug. Eli knew that part of his motive was revenge against Spencer even though he would never know anyway.
Eli’s nerves were raw. He missed Lara more with each passing day, and he prayed that her appearance last night meant she still cared about him.
As he turned a corner, he almost collided with Lilah Ashton.
“You!” she gasped. “What are you doing on our land?” Her eyes widened. To his horror she screamed, a loud, terrified cry that shattered the quiet morning.
Ten
“T race, help! Trace!”
“Mrs. Ashton,” Eli began, intending to explain that he was there to see Alexandre—a story they had decided on earlier if Eli ran into any of the other Ashtons.
Trace burst out of the winery and sprinted toward them. His face was flushed and his fists clenched. “You damn bastard!” he yelled. “Leave my mother alone! I told you to stay away from here.”
“You’re here to spy on us,” Lilah accused. Barely listening to her, Eli braced his feet apart.
“Trace, I’m here—” Eli began, wondering if either mother or son would listen to an explanation.
Trace never slowed. He swung his fist, connecting with Eli’s jaw. Eli staggered, and lights danced before his eyes.
His temper snapped and he waded in. His fist shot out in a right to the jaw. With a crack of bone on bone, Eli sent Trace sprawling.
“Call the police! Call the police!” Lilah Ashton screamed as Trace sprang up to lunge at Eli, tackling him. Both men toppled and rolled across the ground.
“Mrs. Ashton!” Lara cried, running up to join them. Eli heard her voice and wanted to shake Trace off him. He didn’t want Lara to take any blame for his being at the estate.
He rolled over on top of Trace, broke away and stood.
“Call the police!” Lilah Ashton still screamed while Lara stood in front of her.
“Ms. Ashton, don’t call the police,” Lara commanded forcefully enough to startle Lilah Ashton into silence.
“Eli Ashton is here because—” Lara started, but was interrupted by a deep male voice.
Alexandre approached them, stepping between Trace and Eli as Trace got to his feet. Trace’s lip was cut while Eli’s cheek was bleeding. Both men had smaller cuts. Eli’s sleeve was torn, and Trace’s shirt was ripped with blood oozing from a scratch on his shoulder.
“Eli Ashton is here to see me,” Alexandre announced. “We share a passion for France, and I have maps and pictures for him. Sorry if this caused an upset.”
“Next time, Alexandre, tell someone.” Trace clamped his jaw closed and turned to stride away.
Frowning, Lilah Ashton blinked and rubbed her forehead. “Very well,” she said, turning to hurry after her son. “Trace, wait,” she called.
Eli turned to Alexandre. “Thanks for stepping in and saving the situation,” he said quietly and offered his hand to Alexandre.
“Glad to. I can take both of you to the greenhouse where you can talk in private.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Lara said. “But thank you, anyway, Alexandre.”
He smiled at her, nodded and left them alone.
Taking out his handkerchief to wipe his bleeding cheek, Eli turned to her. “I wanted to see you. Charlotte and Alexandre helped me set up a meeting. Charlotte was going to call you to come to the greenhouse.”
“She just did. That’s where I was headed when I heard Lilah scream. Then I saw you and Trace. Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to see me?”
“I figured you’d refuse.”
She frowned at him. “Come with me and we’ll wash your cuts.”
“I’m all right.”
Her fingers closed around his arm. “You come with me,” she said, and he fell into step beside her. She led him upstairs to her tiny quarters on the third floor where she closed the door behind them.
Eli glanced around the room that was yellow and white with bright, primary colored pillows and a rocker. Circus prints were hung on one wall and plants were scattered around the room. She had a twin bed that she motioned to.
“Sit there,” she said and disappeared back into the hall. He looked around the bedroom/sitting room and thought it was cheerful and cozy and looked like Lara.
She returned to hand him gauze and bandages, antiseptic and a towel. She had a wet washcloth that she dabbed against his cut cheek.
“This is where I live. This floor is for the staff. We have a bathroom down the hall.”
“This room looks like you. It’s cozy. I like it.”
She frowned at him. “It’s tiny, Eli,” she protested. “You live in that wonderful suite. This is a shoe box.”
“It’s livable, while the rest of this house looks like a museum—the parlor, the library, the dining room all create a feeling of look, don’t touc
h. Besides, this room is yours, so that makes it special,” he said and she shifted her attention to his cut. He noticed that her cheeks were flushed.
Since she was not on duty, she was dressed in a bright-blue cotton shirt and blue cotton slacks and her hair was tied behind her head with a matching blue ribbon. She had sandals on her feet. His mouth went dry as he mentally stripped away the clothes and remembered how she had looked naked in his arms.
In seconds she stood between his legs so she could treat his injured face. When he rested his hands on her hips, she frowned, but then went back to dabbing at the cut on his cheek.
“I think you gave worse than you got,” she remarked.
“I grew up wrestling with Cole. Trace only has sisters. He doesn’t have my experience,” Eli replied dryly. “Walker’s enough older than Trace that Trace probably didn’t tangle with him much.” Eli took a deep breath. “Lara, I want to see you again.”
“Eli, you know I can’t. I—”
“Charlotte said you’re off duty this morning. Is that right?”
She glared at him. “Yes, it is, but that doesn’t matter.”
“It matters to me,” he said, standing and taking her hand. “You’re not in uniform, so you must be off duty. Come on. We’re going where we can talk.”
“I’m not—”
He turned to her. “Lara, please. I want to talk to you,” he said in a tone that made Lara’s heart melt. As she inhaled deeply, he took her hand and turned to go.
They hurried through the house, and he was glad they didn’t encounter any of the Ashtons. At his car he held open the door for her.
“How did you even get through the gate this morning?” Lara asked as she slid into the seat.
“Charlotte and Alexandre,” he replied.
Eli strode around the car to sit behind the wheel. “Charlotte saw you leave with me for our family party. You said she was friendly to you and I’ve met and talked to Alexandre before, so I called Charlotte and told her I wanted to see you. I told her that for the past week, when I’ve called you, you’ve simply hung up the phone.”
