“You okay?” Dulcie asked when he cracked the door open.
Monk ran a hand over his face and through his hair. “A bad memory. I’m good.”
Dulcie’s dark eyes studied him, then, either happy with what he saw or willing to let it go, he spoke. “There are two women who came through the gates of Bacco.”
Fog still clouded his mind, and it took him a few seconds to remember that while he’d changed the house security code, he hadn’t changed the one for the gate. Alessio and the field workers needed access, even during the month off, and leaving the gate as-is had seemed easier.
“Any idea who?” Another sign that his mind hadn’t cleared. How the hell would Dulcie know anyone from Napa other than those currently in the castle?
Dulcie shook his head. “One is an older woman, big black-rimmed glasses. Reminds me a little of Edna fromTheIncrediblesbut with white-blond hair.”
“That’s Gretchen,” Helia said, coming to stand behind him.
Dulcie’s gaze darted over his shoulder, more curious than surprised at her appearance.
“The business manager?” Monk asked, recalling the name he’d seen in the papers the lawyer had forwarded him.
Helia nodded. “The CEO, really, in all but name.”
Monk nodded. “What about the other?”
Dulcie tipped his head. “Younger woman, maybe early forties. Has hair like Helia’s.” Both men looked at her.
“Was she driving a Lexus SUV? Not the huge one, but the midsize one? Blue?” Dulcie nodded. “That’s Kelly Carter. The social media manager Greg mentioned the other day.”
The last thing he wanted to do after his little trip down PTSD alley was deal with Bacco business. Although maybe the wake-up call would do him good.
“Where’s Kendall?” he asked.
“Staying out of sight. She’s in her room with her headphones on. Said she had some schoolwork to finish. She’ll probably be done with college by New Year’s.”
Monk smiled at that. “Can you hold them off for five minutes?” Dulcie nodded and headed toward the stairs as Monk shut the door.
“Need anything?” Helia asked as he took a deep breath.
“A quick shower, a cup of coffee, and a chance to let my brain catch up?”
Smiling, she brushed her fingers through his hair again. “Can’t help with the first or the last, but I can make you a cup of coffee while you shower?”
An image of them showering together took hold, but he forced it away. “Thank you,” he said, “I’d appreciate it.” Her eyes held his, and he flexed his fingers to keep from reaching for her.
“Thank you,” he said again. Then, giving up the ghost, he slid his hands into her hair and kissed her forehead. The pull to stay connected to her, touching her, sank deep into his body, but his phone dinged with a security alert from one of the cameras. Reluctantly, he let her go and strode toward the shower, keeping his steps steady so as not to be tempted to return to her.
Seven minutes later, he stepped onto the porch to find Dulcie chatting with the two women. Two sets of curious eyes landed onhim. One, bright blue, rimmed by a pair of thick black glasses, assessed him. The other, a light brown pair, raked over his body with an interest he didn’t welcome.
“You don’t look like your father,” the older woman, Gretchen, said.
“Thank god. I’d hate to wake up every morning and see that face in the mirror.” The words might sound like a jest, but judging by the way Gretchen’s eyes narrowed, she knew it wasn’t. And she agreed. “Collin Wilde,” he said, holding out his hand.
“Gretchen Roan,” she replied, taking his. “Business manager at Bacco. I ran into Clyde at the memorial, and he said you were here. Thought I’d come introduce myself.” Clyde was his father’s lawyer, and Monk suspected she wanted more than to introduce herself.
“Why don’t you head into your office, and I’ll join you in a minute,” he replied.
She gave a curt nod, then passed Dulcie on her way in. With a nod to Monk, he turned and followed her. Keeping both women outside, especially with the temperatures hovering in the high thirties, might seem rude, but he wasn’t ready for people to start thinking they were welcome at the castle.
And he didn’t like the way Kelly eyed him and Dulcie. Especially not during what he assumed was a professional visit.
When the door closed behind his brother and Gretchen, she shifted her attention to him. She didn’t bother hiding her speculation or interest.
