“You should have let me come, Maggie. I would’ve helped.”
“Oh, you’ve done so much for me. I have Penny.”
She grimaced at the idea of clueless Penny trying to care for anyone who was ill, especially Maggie. “Yes, but I’m a nurse.”
“Yes… um… yes.”
Maggie’s voice took on a definite hesitation, and Jeannie was uncertain if someone else was in the room. “So, is there anything I can do for you now?”
“I know you’re not supposed to go back to work yet, so I thought perhaps you could come to visit,” Maggie requested.
Not liking the fake tone of Maggie’s voice and not about to turn down the offer, Jeannie jumped on it. She could hear Carson in the back of her head telling her to stay out of the situation, but she pushed that thought down. This time, I’m going in the daylight and with a specific invitation! “I’d love to visit,” she assured.
“Oh, thank you, my dear!”
This time, Jeannie was sure she wasn’t imagining Maggie’s relief. Settling on a time, she disconnected. She had no idea what was going on with Maggie, real or imagined, but was determined to see for herself how she was doing. Carson said he’d check on her, but I’m the nurse. I’ll leave him to his own investigation into the Garzas, but Maggie is mine.
Two hours later, Jeannie parked outside the guesthouse, having no problem with the guard nor remembering which directions to take. The last thing she’d wanted to do was get lost on the estate again, not wanting to run into any of the Garzas. Last night, she’d been so thrown by the events, she hadn’t spent any time wondering why the winery was being looked at so carefully. But, combined with Maggie’s concerns over her son-in-law’s financial status, she couldn’t help but think it might have something to do with where he got his money besides producing and selling wine.
The door opened and Maggie appeared, waving, her smile wide, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Climbing out of her car, Jeannie hurried up the front walk and greeted Maggie with exuberance. Their arms wound tightly around each other, and Jeannie let out a sigh of relief at seeing her friend looking tired but well. As they separated, she was sure she heard Maggie sigh, also. Holding her at arm’s length, her gaze roamed over Maggie’s face. Before she had a chance to ask how she was, Maggie ushered her inside.
“Come in, come in! This is my special day with all my visitors.”
Jeannie’s gaze darted to the living room, quickly covering her surprise at seeing Maria.
“I’ve fixed a pot of tea for all of us,” Maggie said, her fake smile wavering.
“Tea is lovely,” Jeannie assured, walking with Maggie into the living room. “Maria, how nice to see you again.”
“And you, too,” Maria replied, her words dripping in sugar. “I hated that Maggie didn’t have company, so I thought I’d drop by.”
Jeannie pressed her lips together at the other woman’s attempt at a pleasant greeting. “So, is all the family back from Mexico?”
Maria’s eyes flashed. “Just me, for now. I had business to attend to.”
“Yes, I talked to Cheryl last night,” Maggie interjected. “She’ll be home tomorrow.”
“You should be ready to return to your hospital duties soon, shouldn’t you?” Maria asked, her brow arched.
“I still have time off to visit friends,” Jeannie replied, keeping her answer vague.
Maria’s mouth pursed. “How fortunate for you. Some of us rarely get days off.”
“Yes, I’m sure being in the family business is difficult,” Jeannie countered, her smile just as fake.
Maria opened her mouth, but her phone vibrated, and her gaze dropped to the screen. With her lips still pinched together, she stood. “I’m so sorry, but I need to take this.”
She left the room and Maggie’s shoulders relaxed as she mouthed, “Sorry, she just stopped by. She’s never done that before.”
Mouthing in reply, “It’s okay,” they made small talk until Maria came back into the room, a sour expression on her face.
“I hate to run when we were just having a chance to chat, but I’m afraid something’s come up that needs my immediate attention,” Maria said. She bent to air-kiss Maggie before turning her sharp gaze toward Jeannie. “I’m sorry we didn’t have more time, but I’ll be sure to keep an eye on Maggie when you return to work.” With that, she sailed out of the guesthouse, leaving Maggie and Jeannie staring in her wake.
Just as Jeannie opened her mouth, Maggie stood and said, “Let’s have another cup of tea.”
She hated for Maggie to rush around but was just as glad it was only the two of them. With fresh teacups steaming on the table, they sat in the kitchen. When Jeannie sat down, she expected Maggie to sit across from her and was surprised when Maggie sat in the chair next to her, leaning close.
“I’ve got some pictures from Mexico to show you,” Maggie said with excitement. She reached for her phone and began scrolling, finding one of the many pictures she’d taken when they were in Mexico. With her phone on the table, she leaned forward with her head bowed and pointed. “Look, do you remember this one?”
Unable to see clearly, Jeannie leaned forward as well, peering down. Just as she was about to acknowledge the picture, Maggie raggedly whispered, “Keep looking down.”
A jolt of unease slithered through Jeannie. Continuing to look down at the phone, she said in a normal tone, “Yes, I do remember that.”
Maggie scrolled through another picture, whispering, “I think I’m being watched.”
The slithering unease roared to life, now slashing straight through Jeannie’s gut. “By who?” More loudly, she added, “I’m not sure about that one. Where was it taken?”
“I’m pretty sure that one was taken right after we met.” Lowering her voice, Maggie added, “Penny, I think. But when Maria showed up today, I’m not sure if she is the one. What I can’t figure out is why.”
“Did you get one of us together?” Jeannie bent lower over the phone as Maggie’s finger flipped through more photographs before she whispered, “Are you in danger?”
“No, no. I’m Cheryl’s aunt, after all. But Penny went from friendly to suspicious of my movements. Especially when she heard you were coming.” Louder, she said, “Yes, look here. I think this was taken the day before we came back to the States.”
“Oh, that’s a good one! Will you send that to me?” Jeannie pulled her phone out, still leaning over to assist Maggie in sending the picture to her. “I want to help, Maggie. What should I do?”
“Just keep checking on me. Cheryl and Vincent will be home tomorrow.” Smiling widely, Maggie looked up. “If I come across any more that I think you’d like, I’ll send those as well.”
They continued to visit, keeping their comments simple and bland, and all the while, Jeannie’s thoughts raced. When she got ready to leave, Maggie walked her to her car before pulling her in for a tight hug. Jeannie whispered, “Call or text every day so I know you’re okay, and I’ll plan on coming back in a couple of days.”