My phone buzzed again. I turned it over.
"It's my mother." Deciding I didn't want to deal with her right now, I rejected the call. I could guess what she'd say anyway—that she hadn't realized just how bad Garrett was, even though I'd tried to tell her a hundred times. She would apologize, and I'd tell her it was fine so we could move on. That would keep until tomorrow.
"Your mother is taken care of," Nate said. "Scott dealt with the photographs last night. She's got nothing to worry about."
"How?"
"I prefer not to ask Scott what his methods are."
Doing his job as well as he did, I was sure Scott skirted around legalities on a frequent basis, and I guessed I was better off not knowing how he dealt with issues
"Thank him for me, when you talk to him next."
"I will." Nate stood and held his hand out to me. "Walk with me."
I glanced at my hands, covered in dirt from digging in the herb garden.
"I'm all dirty."
Nate rolled his eyes. "I'll cope."
Taking his hand, I let him lead me down the slope toward the vines. The path was dry and uneven under my boots. Nate walked at a slower pace than usual, enjoying our surroundings.
The winery was busy when we reached it. Two of the full-time crews were moving barrels in the yard while others loaded boxes onto a truck.
Ramon appeared from inside, wiping his hands on a cloth.
"Heard the news about Kane," he said without preamble. He really didn't do small talk.
"Good news travels fast," Nate said.
Ramon tucked the cloth into his belt. One of the crew called something from inside, and he half turned to yell something in Spanish that sounded like a curse.
"Does this mean there'll be no more strangers hanging around?" Ramon asked.
"Hopefully," Nate replied, "but Juliet's presence here might attract the occasional photographer."
Ramon looked at me. "So you're staying?"
"Yes. Eileen and I will be going full steam ahead with our supper club, so I'm relying on you to recommend the best wines to pair with the food."
"I can do that."
"Why don't you come for dinner tonight?" I suggested. "I'll be doing a brisket, slow cooked."
Ramon nodded. "There's a reserve cabernet I could bring."
"Perfect."
As he walked away, Nate looked at me with a questioning expression. "You sure you want to cook tonight?"
"Yes, I do. I know there's a long way to go before Garrett gets what he deserves, but the ball is rolling now, and I want to celebrate with the people I love."
Nate raised his eyebrows. "You love Ramon?"
"Well I'm very fond of him, and he's practically family. And he'd be good company for Eileen."
"You're trying to set him up with Eileen?"
