Once Robinson took Nikki’s statement, he turned personal. “I shouldn’t have asked you to get involved in this.” He put a friendly arm around her and gave her a noogy on the top of her head. “You get yourself in deep shit every time so there better not be a next time, Sands.”
“I’m fine, and I’m glad that you did ask me to help out. I’m starting to believe that everything happens for a reason, like Alan Sansi says.”
“Oh, yeah? What do you think the reason is behind all of this?” He shoved his hands into his jeans and rocked back onto his cowboy-booted heels.
She shrugged. “Well, for starters, you would never have met Alyssa if this hadn’t happened. I mean I didn’t think I’d see you again after what happened last year. You know, I figured that was just one of those things. Then you were back at your job and I was at mine.”
“Which job would that be? Vineyard employee or amateur sleuth?”
“Funny. No, I do not plan to go into detecting full-time. I like managing the winery and I have plans for the future.” She sighed.
“Sounds heavy.”
“Kind of. But I’ll fill you in if we’re going to be seeing you more often around here, which from the look of it, is the case.”
His cheeks reddened a little as he glanced down at his hands and nodded.
“Are you blushing, Robinson?”
“No. Hey, where’s the kid?”
“Petie? He’s still sleeping.”
Nikki showed him to the back room, where Petie was just waking up. She picked him up and he said, “Mommy.”
Oh, that twang in her heart!
“Want Mommy.” He grew a little louder.
“I can take him up to her.” Robinson reached out for Petie.
“You don’t have to do that,” she replied.
“I know. I want to. I want to ask her out to dinner.” He smiled widely. “I think we could have some fun together.”
She patted him on the shoulder and handed Petie, who didn’t fuss, over to the detective. “I think so, too.” Petie leaned his head on Robinson’s shoulder. “Would you look at that? Guess you two bonded the other night.”
“I think so.” He stroked Petie’s hair.
He looked like a dad, and a good one, too. It made Nikki think of Derek.
She walked Robinson out the door and helped him get Petie in the car. Robinson went to the trunk and took out a car seat from the back.
“You always carry a car seat?” Nikki asked.
“Always.”
“Oh.” She had the feeling that the seat had belonged to his son, but she didn’t ask.
“In my line of work you never know when it might come in handy.”
“Right.” She buckled Petie into his seat.
Robinson flashed another movie star smile at her and slipped his shades on. “You’re real good, Sands. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again-real good.”
She watched Robinson drive up the hill to the hotel. She’d have to head up there herself, have a tall glass of cold water, and take a minute to breathe. Nikki wanted to be there when the Sansi family returned from their lunch so she could tell them what had happened. It was not something she looked forward to, but it was better they hear it from her.
The Sansi family took the news somewhat in stride. At least Alan remained his usual self and didn’t get too excited or angry or anything. He just put an arm around his daughter and said, “I’m so sorry, honey.”
Hayden didn’t remain as calm as her father. She lost it. “You’re kidding? How? What! This is impossible!” Tears rolled down her cheeks and in between sobs she continued to question everything that Nikki told them. She explained it all a few times before Hayden collapsed into her mother’s arms, finally accepting this horrible news. Lulu stroked her hair. Alan wrapped his arms around his wife and daughter and spoke in hushed tones. Nikki knew that this was one of those blows that would take a long time to heal. Luckily the woman had a supportive, loving family to help her get through it.
Sierra hugged her sister, too.
After some time they pulled apart. Alan and Lulu escorted Hayden to the car.
Sierra and Jen came over to Nikki. Sierra shook her head. “My poor sister. She doesn’t deserve this. I could kill that guy for doing this to her.” She brought a hand to her mouth, realizing the faux pas she’d made. “I mean I could do him some serious damage.” She frowned and stretched out her hand to Nikki. “Thank you for everything. You’ve been wonderful, and I’m sure this hasn’t exactly been easy. I can’t believe Rich would do such a thing. I thought he was a jerk, but a killer? I had no idea,” Sierra said.
“It’s good that you two are figuring things out after what you’ve been through, as well. You belong together.”
They smiled. “We think so, too,” Jen said.
Despite what had transpired, Sierra did look amazingly well. Only days earlier, Nikki had pegged her for a bit of a lush, or at least a lost soul. The benefits of true love had helped heal her. Now she was sobered up and had a glow coming from her.
Alan settled Lulu and Hayden in the car and came back to let Nikki know that he’d be in touch with Derek in the next week to take care of the negotiations about the licensing agreement with the spa products and wine. With Lulu caring for Hayden, Alan walked Nikki back down to her place.
“I’ll call the other members personally and let them know what has happened.”
“Thanks,” Nikki said.
Alan gave her a hug. “Life is good, Nikki Sands. You will get all that you wish for. I can guarantee it. Good comes to those who do good.”
She nodded. “Yeah. I think so, too.”
She closed the door behind her, walked straight to her bed, and lay down for a long nap with Ollie alongside her.
Thirty-seven
DEREK made it home right before dinner and immediately smothered Nikki with care. He made a bubble bath, poured her a glass of wine, and cooked her a homemade meal of his famous chicken-fried steak, cheesy biscuits and gravy, and green beans drenched in butter.
“I do most of the cooking around here because if I eat like this very often, I’d have to either give in and grow large or run a lot more often, and frankly, I don’t want to run more often.”
“It’s good, though, right?” He winked at her.
“Oh, my God. Do you have to ask?” She rolled her eyes and smiled. It was wonderful to have him home. “Do you see anything left on my plate?”
Over dinner they talked about what had happened while he was gone. She found out from him that the reason his notes on the meeting had included a mention of Iwao’s VisionScope was because Derek had been thinking about doing a book on his belief in organic farming and how they go about it at the winery. Alan had suggested talking to Iwao about it, knowing that Inspiritus didn’t do any type of horticulture books.
As the evening wound down, Derek took her hand in his while they plopped down on the sofa together.
She leaned her head against his chest and let out a sigh worthy of the stress she’d endured over the week-now all gone. Almost. There was that thing-the baby thing that the doctor suggested she talk to Derek about.
“You know,” he said, “you really have to stop putting yourself in danger the way you do.” He kissed the top of her head. “If I’d been here, this wouldn’t have happened. I could kill that guy for hurting you. To think I could have lost you. No more troublemaking.” He squeezed her hand. Robinson had pretty much told her the same thing. “Because I’m never leaving you alone again.”
“I don’t go looking for trouble.”
“I know. It somehow finds you.”
They chuckled, knowing it was true.
“I’ll try to avoid it from now on,” she replied. “Really, I will.”
“You will because, like I said, I’m going to be right here with you.”
Ollie sidled up to the couch and nudged her hand. She scratched the top of his head. As soon as she’d stop, he’d nudge again. Now this was perfect.