“What about all the decisions you were trying to make?”
She sighed heavily, her fork toying through the rich dessert. “I wish I could tell you that my mind was made up.” Giving her head a shake, she added, “I just don’t understand what’s wrong with me, Maggie. I’m usually so decisive.”
“Yes, but when suffering from burnout, it can make you feel many things, including indecisiveness.”
“I always expected to go back to the ER, and that would make sense. Good money. Good benefits. Crappy hours, though. And the stress…”
“You know I watch too much TV,” Maggie said, laying her fork down and pushing her plate back. “Those hospital dramas on TV make it look like ERs are always full, always busy, lots happening all at one time, and you have to deal with some of the horrendous accidents, gunshot wounds, gang fight results, and God knows what else. Do the TV shows have it right?”
She lowered her brow, pushing her plate away, as well, no longer interested in the cheesecake. Nodding slowly, she said, “For the most part, yeah. But I’d have to say that some nights, they can’t even begin to show what it’s truly like.”
“Then no wonder you have burnout, my dear. My advice would be to take as much time as you need before going back. Maybe even explore doing something else.”
Jeannie continued to nod, taking Maggie’s words in deep. Looking up, she saw the concern etched onto Maggie’s face and pursed her lips. “Okay, no more depressing talk. I’ll clean the kitchen—”
“No need,” Maggie said, pushing herself to a stand as she reached for the plates. “Penny will take care of it.”
“Penny?”
“Yes, that’s the lovely housekeeper that Cheryl has coming to me.” Maggie grinned and said, “But I’d love to take a drive. I feel the need to get out of the house.”
“Sounds good. I can show you where I got lost earlier!”
For the next thirty minutes, they drove down the same lanes that Jeannie had taken to get in. She pointed toward the hills and said, “That’s the road I took earlier when I was trying to find the guesthouse.”
Maggie twisted her head and looked out the window. “I’ve never been that way. Whenever I come to visit Cheryl, I’m usually at the mansion. The first time I came after she and Vincent married, I was given a tour of the public area of their winery. And, of course, this time I’m in the guesthouse since it’s only one floor. From what I understand, the entire estate is as big as Alonzo’s.”
As soon as they pulled onto the main road, Jeannie breathed easier but had no explanation as to why. The winery was beautiful, and yet there was something that weighed on her, just like when she was on the Mexican estate. Must be Maggie’s concerns about where the money came from… that must be it. Driving along the coastal roads, Maggie kept up a running dialogue of funny anecdotes, and it didn’t take long for them to eventually circle back to the estate. Assisting Maggie from her car, Jeannie had barely stepped inside the guesthouse when a young woman popped her head through the bedroom door.
“You’re back!”
Jeannie observed the very young, blonde woman enter the room. Dressed in black pants that were a size too small and a white blouse that was almost two sizes too tight, the pretty blonde smiled widely.
Maggie turned around, her eyes wide as she smiled in return. Waving, she greeted the woman. “Yes, I’m back.” Turning to Jeannie, she said, “This is my delightful housekeeper, Penny. And this is my friend, Jeannie.”
Masking her surprise, Jeannie thought the young woman didn’t look like any of the other demure housekeepers she’d seen on the Mexican winery estate. Penny wiggled her fingers toward Jeannie, popping her gum in greeting. Turning back to Maggie, Penny asked, “Are you ready for me to do the laundry?”
“Oh, no. You don’t need to do that,” Maggie said, shaking her head, still smiling.
“Then I’ll just finish the dusting and let you visit.”
Maggie turned toward Jeannie and smiled. “Penny comes by every day. She’s made herself quite indispensable.”
Jeannie returned her smile, but her suspicious nature inexplicitly crept forward. Wincing, she inwardly chastised herself, not having any reason to distrust Penny. Perhaps she’s just friendly. And young. Very young. But Cheryl must trust her.
Maggie continued to chatter. “She drops by most mornings to have tea with me.”
Her job lets her have mornings off to have tea with Maggie? Maybe she’s more of a hired companion. Grimacing, she pushed her uncharitable thoughts to the side as Penny walked back into the room, her gaze moving between the two women.
Walking over, Jeannie pulled Maggie into a hug. “I’ll say goodbye for now. Perhaps we can have another visit again soon.”
“Oh, my dear, I would love that. You can’t imagine how much your friendship has come to mean to me.”
With final goodbyes to both Maggie and Penny, she climbed back into her car. As she pulled away, she looked into her rearview mirror to see Penny staring out at her departure through Maggie’s window, and her Spidey-Senses alarmed again. When did I become so cynical? Turning on the radio to drown out her thoughts, she headed for home.
6
Penny giggled, having no idea the man on the other end of the phone rolled his eyes in disgust. “I’ve already told you, Juan, there’s nothing going on. Your step-grand-aunt isn’t doing anything out of the ordinary.”
“She is not my fuckin’ step-grand-aunt! Use her name.”
“Well, she’s your stepmother’s aunt! That makes her your—”
“Shut up and answer my questions. Has she had any visitors?”
“Just the woman that was her nurse in Mexico. Ginny. Or Jean. Something like that.”
A heavy sigh met her ears along with curse words, some in English and some in Spanish. Not bothered, she smiled, twirling her hair around her finger. She was certain that she had the wealthy Juan hooked. He’d set her up with the job of housekeeper to the older woman. Gave her money to keep an eye on Maggie. And when she was in the mood to party, he provided the blow and his cock. Addicted to both, she was sure he was addicted to her, as well.
“Jeannie? Jeannie Carnes?” he asked, his voice like gravel.
“Yeah, yeah! That’s it. She seemed nice but didn’t stay long.”
“Did she and Maggie talk about their trip to Mexico or the winery?”
Shaking her head even though he couldn’t see her, she replied, “No. She didn’t stay very long although Maggie talked about her a lot after she left. Sounds like they got along great, and it seems like they’re close friends now. Maggie said she’d like to take Jeannie to the winery sometime for a tour since she had a chance to see part of it today.”
Silence met her ears, and she wondered if he was still there. Just when she was about to ask, he jumped in.
“Do you still have what’s in the bottle that I gave to you?”
“Of course, I do, silly. You said to hang onto it and keep it safe until you told me to use it. I’ve kept it in my purse. Do you want it back?”
“Dios! Estúpida! It’s time to use it. The next time you’re with Maggie, pour a little bit in her tea. Not all of it. Just about half, and that’ll do the trick.”