Chapter Twenty-Three
Maddie heard male voices the minute she stepped through the door into the guesthouse.
“It’s something we have to consider,” David Leone insisted.
“I don’t agree. There’s no way Maddie can be involved. She was here, with me last night.”
“No way I can be involved in what, Wyatt?” She lifted a sleeping Jacob out of his car seat, laid him in the Pack ‘n Play, and walked into the kitchen area. Bella raced over and rolled onto her back at Maddie’s feet. She knelt and rubbed Bella’s belly. When she stood, Maddie found Wyatt glaring at his father. “What is it?”
David cleared his throat and tapped his foot on the tile floor, a tight expression on his face.
Wyatt dragged a hand through his hair. She recognized the gesture as a sign of his frustration. Something was definitely up. “Okay. Out with it. Tell me what’s going on. I deserve to know, especially if it involves me.” What had Wyatt said when she came through the door? Maddie was with me last night. Her brows furrowed. “Does this have anything to do with the fire?”
“Yes.” David leaned against the kitchen counter, crossed his arms over his chest, and eyed her warily.
What the hell was going on? And what had set David on edge, and made him uneasy? “And?”
Wyatt stared at her. Her heart kicked hard against her chest, and stole the breath from her. Crap, crap, crap. Whatever it was he had to tell her, it was bad.
“The inspector brought in a sniffer dog with him this morning.”
Jacob whimpered and fussed. She glanced at the portable crib. He probably needed a diaper change. She turned and was about to head into the great room when she caught a quick glimpse of David. Why hadn’t she noticed his pale complexion and the fatigue that seemed to radiate from him? Lord, he looked like a stiff wind might blow him over. All this stress couldn’t be good for his heart. He needed to sit before he fell, but Maddie doubted he would. Men. She understood Margret’s frustration. It was hard to watch someone you cared for… Oh, hell. Maddie drew in a breath. When had Wyatt’s parents come to mean so much to her? “Do you mind if we take this into the other room? I’d like to get off my feet. It’s been a long day.”
Wyatt mouthed a silent “thank you” as he headed to the couch. David grabbed the chair across from him. After tending to Jacob, Maddie placed him in his Superseat, clicked the toy bar in place, and sat in the other chair. “Okay. You were saying something about a sniffer dog?”
Wyatt nodded. “Yes, and he found a trail of fuel that led onto Scott Hill property.”
“Fuel?” What did that…? Oh my God! “You think I started the fire?” She almost doubled over. How could they believe her capable of such a thing?
“No.” Wyatt hurried to her side and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. His gaze bored into her soul willing her to believe him.
She wanted to, more than anything but…
“Which I told my father.”
Good grief, did David believe she would do something as reprehensible as burn his vineyard? Her stomach plummeted faster than a meteor rocketing through space.
“I don’t believe you had anything to do with setting the fire, Maddie.” David flashed a warm smile. “And I’ll be happy to take on anyone who accuses you. No one messes with my family and gets away with it.” He winked. “Remember that.”
David considered her part of his family. The bittersweet knowledge tore at her heart. If things with Wyatt didn’t work out... She shoved the thought aside.
“Whoever did this could have accessed Leone Estates through Scott Hill,” David said. “Can you tell us if any of your employees were in the area yesterday? He or she may have seen something.”
“I’ll have to check with Bryce. He’s been managing the vineyard operations since my accident.”
Wyatt’s gaze narrowed. “He won’t be any help. There’s a good chance Bryce started the damned fire.”
“No.” She shook her head. “It doesn’t add up.” Maddie wanted to scream, or throw something. Anything to ease the frustration gnawing at her insides. How many times were they going to go through this?
Wyatt stiffened. “I don’t trust him.”
Maddie glared at him. “I don’t trust him, either.”
“You—you don’t?” Wyatt gawked at her as if she’d grown another head. “But, you’ve been defending him all along.”
“Defending him? Are you crazy? I despise him. I’ve suspected he was up to something since the day he came here and showed me that paper my grandfather signed putting him in charge. I’m more convinced than ever after today.”
Wyatt burst out laughing.
Maddie let her anger fuel her. It was a hell of a lot better than giving into the tears that threatened.
He grinned, reached the short distance between them and hauled her into his arms. The heady scent of his cologne flooded her senses and her head swam. Still smiling, Wyatt grasped her face between his palms and looked deep into her eyes. His lips met hers and kissed her like… She meant everything to him. Like he couldn’t live without her. And she… Yeah, she kissed him back. Because right now he was everything she wanted and she couldn’t live without him. Maddie opened her mouth and deepened the kiss.
“Ahem.”
The deep rumbly sound had her jerking out of Wyatt’s arms. Heat crept up her neck and flooded, her cheeks as she faced David. Good grief, what was wrong with her? Wyatt didn’t trust her and here she was devouring him like a starving woman feasting at a buffet.
“If you don’t believe Bryce is responsible for setting the fire, then what do you think he’s up to?” David asked.
“He may have forged the letter giving him control of Scott Hill, for starters. I visited my grandfather after I signed the paperwork this morning for the additional tests his doctor wants to run.”
Wyatt frowned. “You went to the hospital this morning? I thought you were spending the day at Scott Hill.”
Maddie shook her head. Her heart squeezed as she recounted the conversation she’d had with Dr. Clayton this morning.
“Aw, sweetheart, I’m so sorry.”
Wyatt pulled her back into his arms and held her tight. Her traitorous body sank into the solid strength of him. She forced herself to move away.
“Anyway, not only did Gramps not remember giving him control, he kept insisting Bryce was trying to take his vineyard away.”
“Is it possible for Bryce to take Scott Hill from George?” David asked.
“I can’t see how. At least not legally. I went through Gramps’s files after I left the hospital, but I couldn’t find anything to substantiate his worry.”
Wyatt rubbed a hand over his scruffy chin, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Maybe he was having one of those delusional spells you just told us about?”
“I thought that at first, especially after he started ranting about my mother and my grandmother, but there was something in his voice that makes me believe there’s some merit to his concerns.” She shook her head. “I just don’t know.”
David let out a weary sigh and stood. “I’m going to head back to the main house now. I’m sure your mother is wondering what’s kept me.” David hugged Wyatt and then Maddie. “I can have my attorney take a look at the paperwork Bryce gave you, if you want.”
“Yes. That would be great.” She smiled and kissed David’s cheek. “Thank you.”
David’s cheeks flushed red. “It’s no trouble.”
“I’ll see you out.” Wyatt walked with David, and Maddie followed.
She opened the door. Zoe stood at the entry. Maddie saw red as an image of Zoe, naked in Wyatt’s arms flashed into her mind. Stop it right now. He didn’t want Zoe, did he? No, no, no. He wanted her, if that kiss a few minutes ago was anything to go by. He might not trust her, but Wyatt sure as hell wanted her.
“Zoe,” David coolly greeted as he stepped out.
“Hello, David.”
David walked to Margret’s car and disappeared inside.
“Hi, Maddie.” Zoe gave a hesitant smile.
“What are you doing here?”
Zoe gasped. Wyatt, too. Damn it, she hadn’t meant to sound accusing or bitter, but… The jealousy bug had burrowed deep under her skin.
“I, uh, wanted to talk to you.” Zoe’s gaze shifted from Maddie to Wyatt and back to Maddie again, and she gestured to both of them. “About Maddie’s accident.”
Wyatt stiffened and eyed Zoe warily. He studied her for long moments, then moved aside. “Then you should come in.”
Maddie drew in a swift intake of air. Holy shit! What had happened to make Wyatt have this change of heart? The naked picture of the two of them formed in her head again. Stop it. Now. Maddie wished she could hit the delete button and send the image to the recycle bin once and for all. Get a grip.
“Please, have a seat.” She gestured to the couch and chairs. “Do you want something to drink?”
“A glass of water would be great.” Zoe peered around. “This is a cute place.”
“We like it.” Wyatt strode by Zoe and grabbed a seat on the couch. He folded his arms across his chest as Zoe sat across from him.
Maddie grabbed three bottles of water from the fridge and joined them.
“Thank you.” Wyatt kissed her cheek, opened his water bottle and handed it to her, then opened the second for himself.
Maddie swallowed a mouthful of water, her throat suddenly parched. “What did you want to talk about, Zoe?”
“I didn’t try to hurt you, Maddie, and contrary to what you might believe, Wyatt, I wouldn’t try to hurt you either. I’m a lot of things, but I’m not the kind of person who’d run someone off the road on purpose.”
Wyatt remained silent, and she couldn’t blame him. There were still a lot of hard feelings on his part, but she was grateful he was willing to hear Zoe out. The police had questioned Zoe in depth, but hadn’t turned up any more leads yet. Maybe talking together could turn up something more.
Maddie sighed. “I never believed you were responsible.”
Zoe sagged against the chair, relief evident in her expression.
“I saw you that morning at the market, remember? It would have been almost impossible for you to cause my accident, switch cars and then return.”
“Thank you for believing me. It means a lot. The police weren’t as convinced even after I explained what happened.”
“What did happen?” Wyatt drummed his fingers against the water bottle, and leaned back against the soft cushion. “Officer Cowell told me the paint chips found on your car matched my truck. If you weren’t driving your car, who was?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t even know it was missing until I got home from the hospital that day, and my father told me the mechanic came to pick it up.”
Maddie frowned. “You called for service on your car?”
Zoe shook her head. “That’s just it.”
Wyatt held up a hand. “Wait. You have someone come to your house to repair your car?”
“No, but Daddy does enough business with Cavanaugh’s that Andy always sends one of his guys to pick up whichever vehicle needs maintenance.”
“So, you called Cavanaugh’s—”
“No. I didn’t. Daddy had the Acura serviced after I left for New York, and I haven’t driven it since.”
“What have you been driving since you came home?”
Zoe’s cheeks flamed bright red. “My Porsche Boxster. I got it as part of my divorce settlement.”
Wyatt placed his water bottle on the side table and steepled his fingers. “If you didn’t call Cavanaugh’s then why did Andy send—?”
“He didn’t.” Zoe held up a hand to stop Wyatt from saying anything more. “I understand you’re confused. Let me start over. Someone arrived at my house the day before Maddie’s accident. He said he was from Cavanaugh’s. I wasn’t home, but my father was and assumed I’d called for service. He gave the guy my keys, and the man drove off.”
“Are you kidding me?” Wyatt dragged a hand through his hair. “Your father gave some stranger the keys to your car?”
Zoe shrugged. “As I said, Andy always sends someone. The man who arrived wore a pair of Cavanaugh coveralls. Dad assumed he was a new employee.”
“Did Arthur give a description of the man to the police?” Maddie asked.
“He told them what he remembered, but he wasn’t paying attention.”
“For crying out loud.” Wyatt rolled his eyes. “Who hands over the keys to his car without paying attention to who he’s giving them to?”
Zoe glared at Wyatt. “I’m sorry, but Daddy assumed the man was legitimate. Why would he have believed otherwise?”
Wyatt sighed. “Okay. What did the man look like?”
“Early twenties. Tall and on the thin side.”
“What about his face?”
“Daddy didn’t see. The guy wore a beat up Yankees ball cap that covered most of it, but he did have curly brown hair.”
Wyatt rubbed at his temples. “All right. At least the police have something to go on.”
“This guy had to know Andy was in the habit of sending someone to the house to pick up your cars, otherwise he would never have gotten away with what he did.”
Zoe nodded. “You’re right, Maddie. The police indicated as much. They’ve asked Andy for the names of other clients who he provides the service to, and they’ll see if anything pops. I can’t imagine there’ll be too many people on the list. Andy only does this for customers who have a number of cars, like us. There aren’t too many folks in Glengrove that fit the bill.”
No there weren’t. Maddie could only think of one other family.
The Beaumonts.