“And now you will realize her dream. I’m proud of you, Greer.”
She swirled her glass, inhaled the bouquet, and then sipped. “How about I get through the evening first. It could get ugly fast.”
“You will be fine.”
Greer shook her head. “Have you heard about the body the cops found on the edge of my property?”
He nodded. “A few details, not much.”
She swirled her wine and watched as it coated and then dripped down the inside of her glass. Winemakers called these drops tears, which was so appropriate now. “I knew him. From a long time ago.”
Surprise flashed in his gaze. “Before the accident?”
“Just after.” She studied the empty room soon to be full of guests. “I don’t think most people know the dead man and I were friends.”
“But his death, nonetheless, will cause more gossip.”
She sipped her wine and let it coat her mouth. “Gossip is what’s pulling people here tonight. I suppose the more the better.”
“I promise these people don’t have horns or third eyes. They put their pants on exactly like you.”
A small smile. “You might be right about the pants, but I’m not so sure about the horns. This is a tough crowd.”
“And you will woo them and make lots of money for the Crisis Center.”
“What can I say, I’m a multitasker.” Greer glanced beyond Dr. Stewart. “Is your wife coming tonight?”
“She’s promised to be here but she said she’ll be coming straight from work and may be late. Never know what last-minute problems come up in a pediatric practice.”
Dr. Stewart spoke often of his wife, clearly taking great pride in her work. More cars arrived and she spotted Dr. Granger getting out of a BMW.
Dr. Stewart smiled as he watched Dr. Granger get out of her car.
Jo had rotated off the board as Dr. Stewart was joining. Though Greer didn’t know the psychologist well, she liked her.
Jo’s auburn hair, pinned back with a dark clip, accentuated her pale skin and high cheekbones. Jo would never be described as stunning, but she possessed a quality that made her lovely and unforgettable. She wore a dark suit, white blouse, and sensible high heels suggesting she’d come straight from her office.
As the two women chatted, Dr. Stewart got Jo a glass of wine and then excused himself to meet more arrivals.
Jo smiled, not raising her glass to her lips until he’d ventured outside to meet an older woman dressed in blue silk. “Mrs. Vander Hal loves Dr. Stewart. He has a way of sweet-talking her. And from what I hear he’s charmed more than one or two donations out of the good citizens of Austin.”
Greer watched the old woman’s face light up as Dr. Stewart kissed her on the cheek. “Is your husband coming?”
“Yes.”
“He’s a Texas Ranger.”
“That he is.”
“I met a Texas Ranger the other day.”
“Did you?”
“Tec Bragg.”
“Ah. Bragg. A hard man to read or to be ignored.”
“You’ve met him.”
“Through my husband. He’s quiet. Not fond of crowds.”
“Very intense.”
Jo laughed. “An understatement. How did you meet Bragg?”
“They found a man dead on the edge of my property.”
The lightness in Jo’s gaze dimmed. “Really? What happened?”
“The man hanged himself.” Greer didn’t want to delve into the details.
Jo hesitated as if waiting for details but when Greer didn’t offer more, she didn’t push. “How awful.”
“Yes.”
Outside more guests arrived and parked out front. Anxiety crept up Greer’s spine. She did not want to face these people. She did not.
“You okay?” Jo said.
Greer summoned a smile. “I’m about to meet a lot of people I’ve not seen in years.”
Jo studied cars parking outside and the people exiting the vehicles. “They don’t look so scary to me.”
“No?”
Jo leaned forward so only Greer could hear. “Imagine they’re all naked.”
Greer laughed, despite her anxiety. “Okay.”
“Do you want me to hang around?”
“No.” Greer appreciated the offer. “Thanks. But this is something I have to do.” The first guest to arrive at the front door was Mrs. Mark Johnson. She had been a friend of her parents’ and had played doubles tennis with her mother over the years. “Excuse me?”
“Of course.”
Greer moistened her lips, and though she shifted her stance, she did not retreat. “Welcome.”
Mrs. Johnson’s black linen dress set off her tall lean frame, her silver jewelry, and her blond hair. Her ultrasmooth skin was a testimony to her favorite plastic surgeon. “Elizabeth?”
Greer extended her hand. “How are you, Mrs. Johnson?”
Mrs. Johnson studied Greer, boldly absorbing every detail. Cool fingers slipped around Greer’s callused palm. “It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, a long time.”
“When I saw your name on the invitation I just about fell over. Your mother led me to believe you’d moved to Europe.”
That didn’t surprise her. “No. I’ve been here all the time.”
“I called your mother, but she didn’t get back to me. She’s been traveling.”
Avoiding the questions. “No doubt.”
“I had to do a little digging to find out you’ve been here working with your aunt.”
“That’s right.” More guests were arriving out front and judging by the collection of cars the evening would be a crush. She teetered between cringing and celebrating.
Mrs. Johnson didn’t notice anyone but Greer. “I have so many questions for you. But let’s start with that dead man they found by your property. I heard he was David Edwards’s brother.”
Greer smiled, determined to be calm. Breathe. “So they say. Why don’t you come inside and have a glass of wine.”
A line of people formed behind Mrs. Johnson but again she didn’t notice. She caught the gaze of her neighbor Louis. He tossed her a warm grin, and she couldn’t help but relax a little.
Louis moved toward her, his long lean body accentuated by his dark trousers and dark shirt. “You look like you’re holding up well.”
“So far so good.” Not exactly a lie.
He grinned at several older ladies who were staring at her. They looked away. “Keep up the good work. I’m excited to introduce our wines tonight.”
Louis had purchased the property next to Bonneville but also owned other land in the Hill Country where he made the wine using Bonneville grapes. “They should be a huge hit.”
He squeezed her hand. “I’m headed in. Holler if you need me.”
Despite nerves chewing at her, she was determined to do this well. “Right.”
She remained at the door greeting guests for at least another hour. With the sound of each new car, she expected her mother, but she never came.
She fielded more questions than she wanted to about herself. I remember Jeff. Such a handsome man. How old would he be now? And Sydney, such a stunning girl. A perfect couple. You must miss him.
After a while, she found she could distance herself from the story, as if she were recounting another’s life. The wounds weren’t hers. The losses belonged to someone else. Later she imagined there’d be an emotional price to pay when it was quiet and the emotions rushed back over the barriers. But for now she was getting by and that was good enough.
The tasting room was all but filled by seven, the guests laughing and enjoying themselves. She could tell the wines were a hit, and judging by the caterer’s table, so was the food.
She slipped out the front door, needing to get away from subtle and not-so-subtle stares and whispers. She looks good. Reminds me of her brother more than ever. She was here the whole time? She must think of Jeffrey. Did you notice the scar on her arm? And those bracelets. I think they’re engraved with their names.
The heat, which still tipped the thermometer at ninety-nine, would allow only a quick respite, but a little break was better than none. The night air was fresh, not heavy, and the sky filled with stars. In the distance a coyote howled.