Page 98 of Spilling the Tea

“I don’t love her.”

“Poppycock. The reason why I haven’t taken you to task for doing something I explicitly told you not to do—mainly to not get involved with Zoey—is because I realized you had fallen for her. And she’s right. There is something about that necklace that I should have told her. I’m getting dressed. Come pick me up.”

“And take you where?”

“To the cabin to meet with her.”

***

Alex Maxwell read the last of his final report. One thing he knew never to do was second-guess Mama Laverne’s gut instincts about anything. He couldn’t believe everything he had uncovered. There was one more piece of the puzzle he needed solved, and was waiting for a call from a friend he’d worked with years ago as an FBI agent, Joe Alum.

His phone rang and he quickly picked it up. “What do you have for me, Joe?”

***

Zoey awakened early that morning and went to the barn to make wine, intent on staying busy. She had tried callingChance, but he wasn’t taking her calls, and she couldn’t blame him for not doing so. She had read a lot of Arabella’s diary, which revealed a number of things, including how her grandmother Arabella became the owner of the necklace Waylon had given Victoria.

Zoey had just finished weighing the grapes when she heard a truck pull up and knew it was Chance. Placing the grapes aside, she walked to the open barn door to see Chance and Ms. Felicia. The smile on the older woman’s face gave Zoey hope. The deep frown on Chance’s did not.

“Good morning,” she greeted both.

“Good morning,” Felicia Laverne said, reaching out to hug her. A scowling Chance said nothing. He stood with his legs braced apart, and arms folded over his chest.

“I think we should talk, dear,” Ms. Felicia said. She then turned to Chance. “Leave us, Chancellor. Come back in an hour.”

Zoey watched as Chance hesitated momentarily, and his scowl deepened before getting into his truck to leave.

“We can go inside the cabin to talk,” Zoey suggested.

“No, I don’t want to interrupt whatever you were doing in the barn.”

“I was making wine. Chance showed me how and set up a small area with the equipment for me.”

“That was kind of him.”

“Yes, it was.” She offered Ms. Felicia her arm and they walked to the barn and went inside. Zoey offered her a seat at one of the portable tables, then she asked, “Do you want anything to drink? I have bottled water in that mini fridge.”

“Yes, bottled water would be nice,” Felicia Laverne said.

Zoey got one for her and grabbed one for herself. After taking a swallow, Felicia Laverne said, “You are right, dear. There is something about your necklace that I should have told you. I spent a lot of time wondering how and when I would. Therewas a time I thought I wouldn’t have to, but I’ve discovered I was wrong, and I hope you will forgive me for that.” She paused for a moment and then said, “The most important thing you should know is that Waylon Satterfield was honorable. At no time was he unfaithful to Deedra, although he did love Victoria until the day he died.”

Zoey reached across the table and took Ms. Felicia’s hand in hers. “I know that now. I read Arabella’s diary last night and—”

Suddenly, the barn door slammed shut. Zoey stood, certain it couldn’t have been the wind. “That’s odd.” Walking to the door to reopen it, she discovered it was locked from the other side. “What in the world?”

“What is it, dear?” Ms. Felicia asked.

“Someone locked us in here.” Sniffing the air, she said, “And I smell kerosene.”

***

Jake Madaris picked up on the second ring. “Hello, Alex? What’s going on?”

“I was trying to reach Mama Laverne, but she’s not answering her phone.”

“She isn’t here. Chance dropped her off at Trevor’s cabin to meet with Zoey. You know how bad the reception is out there at times.”

“Jake, listen carefully. There’s a chance your mother’s and Zoey’s lives might be in danger.”

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