“Oh, believe me, Max, those can wait,” Gracie assured him. “I’ll be right here when you and Helen get back.”
He seemed puzzled by the response. “You would not mind?”
“Of course not. Take your time. I should have thought to have the Bordeaux here myself.”
“But this is such a short visit and we have so much to discuss,” he repeated worriedly.
Even so, she noticed, his gaze kept straying to Helen.
“I’ll be here when you get back,” Gracie assured him. “Our business won’t take all that long.”
“You could call Kevin,” Helen suggested slyly. “We could make it a party.”
At the mention of Kevin, Max’s lips thinned. “Yes, do. I would like to see this man for myself.”
Gracie wouldn’t have drawn Kevin into this little gathering for a million bucks, but rather than say that, she just nodded, hoping that an indication of acquiescence would keep Helen from calling him herself.
“We’ll be back in no time,” Helen promised, dashing down the walk with Max in tow.
That had been easy, almost too easy. Either Helen was awfully eager to be alone with Max or she simply wanted him away from Gracie to protect her cousin’s interests. Whatever her motivation, it suited Gracie just fine. She watched them go, and carefully covered a smile of pure delight.
When they were out of sight, she went back inside, hid all the Bordeaux she’d bought in anticipation of Max’s arrival, poured herself a glass of inexpensive chardonnay that would have appalled Max and headed for a rocker on the porch. It promised to be a long evening, and with any luck she wanted her nerves dulled for most of it.
She offered up a silent toast to Helen, thanking the gods for her timely appearance. So far, keeping Max occupied had been disgustingly easy. If his visit were short enough and luck was with her, she might never spend a single second of it alone with him.
14
The call was so hushed that Kevin thought at first it was from some sort of blackmailer. It wouldn’t have been the first time one cousin or another had been targeted by someone hoping for easy money.
“Whatever you want, I’m not in the mood,” he snapped, and hung up when he couldn’t understand the hissed, urgent message. He almost tossed the portable phone across the yard, but instinct told him it would be ringing again. Sure enough, it rang again, almost at once. Somebody adept at speed-dialing, obviously.
“Kevin, don’t you dare hang up,” Helen whispered, this time more distinctly.
“Helen?”
“Yes, you idiot. It’s me.”
“Why all the cloak-and-dagger stuff?”
“Because I’m with Max Devereaux.”
“Who?”
“Gracie’s friend. I’ve abducted him. We’re at the liquor store.”
“Robbing the place?” Kevin inquired hopefully. Seeing Max locked away for a good long time in a windowless cell would cheer him up considerably.
“Heavens, no. We’re searching for the perfect Bordeaux,” she explained. “He finds the choices appallingly lacking in sophistication.”
The comment confirmed his worst suspicions about the man. “He would,” he said dryly. “How did you manage to get hooked up with him? Where’s Gracie?”
“At home, and it’s a long story. I suggested she call you, but something told me she wouldn’t. I think dropping in about now would be a very smart idea.”
“What for?”
“To protect your interests, of course.”
“You’re assuming I have any interests to protect.”
“Kevin, stop arguing and get over there. I have to go.”
She clicked off her cell phone and went back to whatever undercover operation she assumed she was masterminding. Thinking about it, he couldn’t help grinning. Helen was as fierce as a doberman and clever as a cat burglar when it came to protecting those she cared about. Obviously he was to be the beneficiary of her latest scheme. The woman had had way too much time on her hands since Henry’s death. If she wanted to keep Max occupied during his visit, who was Kevin to argue.
That didn’t mean he was going to race straight over to Gracie’s. He settled back in the hammock and set it to swaying. He closed his eyes…and envisioned Gracie in the arms of another man.
Two seconds later he was on his feet and heading for his car. Driving by wouldn’t be the same as dropping in. He could survey the situation from a distance, maybe catch a glimpse of this man who was so all-fired determined to steal Gracie away from Virginia. Gracie wouldn’t even have to know he’d been in the neighborhood.
Naturally, though, that would have been too easy. She spotted him right off from her perch in a rocker on her front porch. She was all alone and a little tipsy, judging from the rather vague wave she sent in his direction. Kevin braked to a stop in front of the house. He sighed and cut the engine. He didn’t like the implications of Gracie’s drunkenness one little bit.
“Hey, Kevin!” she called out as if she were actually delighted to see him.
He walked slowly toward her, pausing at the foot of the steps.
“Did I invite you over?” she asked, regarding him intently.
“Nope.”
“Didn’t think so.”
“Gracie, are you drunk?”
Her eyes widened at the accusation. “No way. I don’t drink.”
“What’s in the glass?”
“Just a little wine. Can’t make me drunk.”
“I beg to differ. Maybe we should try walking it off.”
She shook her head at that, then clutched it as if the motion had made it spin. “Whoa,” she murmured.
Kevin beckoned to her. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“Can’t,” she insisted.
“Why not?”
“Legs don’t work.”
“They will,” Kevin said grimly and helped her out of the chair. “Put your arm around my waist.”
“Okay,” she said, and snuggled against him. “Nice.”
Kevin’s heartbeat took off like a 727 on a rapid climb. He gritted his teeth and concentrated on keeping her upright.
“Why are you drinking, Gracie? Does Max’s visit have you that upset?”
“Haven’t seen Max,” she said, not unhappily. “Not for hours and hours. He left with Helen.” She nodded. “Nice woman, Helen. Like her a lot.”
“I
