Deadly Offer by Vicki Doudera Page A

of gum and popping it into his mouth. The scent of spearmint wafted on the late morning air. “What did Carlos mean when he said Selena picked Vivian?” He frowned. “You’ve got to wonder whether the poor thing was in her right mind, making such important decisions. One could argue that she wasn’t mentally capable.”
    Darby remained silent, fighting the urge to punch Harrison Wainfield in his pompous nose.
    He continued, blissfully unaware of her strong feelings. “Between you and me, the Contentos will pay just about anything to get this vineyard, and they’ve got the resources to do it.” He frowned, fishing in his pocket. “Did I give you my business card?”
    “I don’t need it.”
    His eyebrows shot up in surprise.
    “The Gomez brothers have asked me to handle the sale of Carson Creek. We’ll be working out the details of Selena’s estate, and then contacting the buyers. You might want to advise the Contentos to make their best offer at that time.” She whirled and left Harrison Wainfield standing in the dust, his business card in his hand.
    ———
    Dan Stewart was standing by a battered yellow tractor in the old barn. Darby took one look at his wild expression and her anger at Harrison Wainfield melted away.
    “What’s up?” The post-and-beam structure smelled of hay mingled with lavender. “You look homicidal.”
    “That’s because I am, and it all has to do with that daughter of mine. I tell you, Darby, raising teenagers is murder.” He held up a bottle of wine. “I found this in here, hidden over in the corner. I went and picked up Sophie and asked her point blank if she put it there. She did!”
    Darby couldn’t help but smile. “At least she’s got good taste, right? She’s sticking with the Carson Creek label.”
    Dan managed a weak grin. “It’s one of our best pinots, to tell you the truth. Selena’s pride and joy.” He frowned. “The other day Sophie tried to wear this ridiculously short skirt to school, and now this. These are the times I absolutely hate being a single parent.”
    “I imagine it’s tough, for both you and Sophie.”
    “Yeah.” He sighed. “When Natalie died, I decided to put all my energy into raising our daughter. And that’s what I’ve done. There hasn’t been time for much else, between running vineyards and keeping an eye on her.” He looked at the bottle of wine again. “I’m starting to think that I did it all wrong. Maybe I should have concentrated on finding her a mother instead.”
    Darby watched him leave the old barn, the bottle gripped in one hand. Dan Stewart had his hands full with the harvest, Selena’s death, and an impending sale. Now he had to worry about underage drinking as well.
    She turned to leave, her eyes falling on an old scythe leaning against the barn wall. It was a beautiful hand-crafted tool, with a wooden handle smooth from years of use.
    Her gaze swept the floor of the barn, noticing a small piece of paper just a few feet from the scythe. Curious, she knelt and picked it up. It was a crumpled receipt from a store. Darby scrutinized the address. Save-All Pharmacy, St. Adina, California , she read. She shrugged and, without bothering to study it further, put it in her pocket.
    The air outside the barn felt fresh and clean against Darby’s face. Wishing to give ET and Carlos some space, she found herself wandering into the fields among the straight rows of vines. She marveled that the russet earth and dry air were able to produce such bounty. It’s so different from Maine , she thought, remembering the lush greens, tall pines, and dark brown soil of the island on which she’d been raised.
    At the far edge of one field was a small shelter, barely more than a lean-to, and Darby marched toward it. She was about to continue past the structure when she heard a sighing sound.
    Startled, she peered inside the shelter.
    Sophie Stewart was sitting on the wooden floor, her chin on her denim-covered knees.
    “Hey, you