Sheldon accepts Ollie’s call as he makes his way outside to the back terrace. Her voice is tight with worry. “Sheldon! Thank goodness! Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, sweetheart. I’m at The Nest with Dad and Casey.”
“What on earth happened over there? I saw the flashing lights and heard the sirens from here.”
“Miranda overdosed, and Hugh was arrested, as were the two men who attacked me. It’s a long story. I’ll tell you the rest later.”
Ollie’s breath hitches. “That’s awful. Is Miranda going to be okay?”
“I’m not sure. Gray rode with her in the ambulance to the hospital. I’m so sorry, Ollie. I—”
“I’m the one who should apologize. Your devotion to your family is one thing I love most about you. I was unfair to make you choose between them and me.”
“There is no them and me, Ollie. Only us. You all own a piece of my heart.”
“I know that. I guess I’m still a little freaked out about the attack.”
“Understandably so. But I’m fine. And we’ll soon be able to put all this behind us.”
Sheldon’s line beeps with an incoming call. “This is Gray. Let me grab it. I’ll let you know what he says. I love you, Ollie.”
“And I love you, Sheldon.”
Sheldon clicks over to Gray’s call. He can hear a loudspeaker in the background, paging a doctor to the emergency room stat. “How’s Miranda?”
“I can’t believe it, Sheldon. She died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.”
Sheldon falls back against the side of the house. He’s at a loss for words. He never cared for Miranda, but he didn’t wish her dead. “I don’t know what to say, man. I’m so sorry.”
“It sucks, but these things happen when you live on the edge like she was doing. I hate to ask you, but can I take you up on the offer of a ride?”
“Absolutely. I’m still at The Nest. Let me see if I can borrow a car. If not, I’ll have to run home and get mine.”
“Take your time. The doctors are still doing paperwork.”
“I’ll text you my ETA.”
Sheldon ends the call and returns to his father’s study. “I have bad news. Miranda didn’t make it.”
Casey gasps and Daniel says, “This could be devastating for Hugh.”
His father’s comment strikes him as insensitive. A woman has died, and his son is partially responsible. Who knows? Maybe Sheldon would react the same way in Daniel’s shoes. He makes a silent vow to be a better father to Henry than Daniel was to his sons.
“Can I borrow one of your cars? I need to pick Gray up from the hospital.”
Daniel fishes his keys out of his pocket and hands them to Sheldon. “You can take mine.” He snatches them back. “On second thought, no, you can’t. My car’s at the bistro. In all the confusion, I forgot about poor Millie. They’ve probably finished eating by now. I should check on her. I’m sure she’s ready to go home.”
“Take mine.” Casey jumps up. “I’ll go get my key from upstairs.” She darts out of the room and is back in a flash with her car key.
The threesome migrates from the study to the courtyard where law enforcement officers are still roaming around.
“Do you want to ride with me?” Sheldon asks Casey as he unlocks her car doors.
“I don’t think so. One of us should stay here until the chaos dies down.”
“Right. Be sure to tell Kathy and Evan about Miranda.” Sheldon motions his father to the passenger side. “Get in. I’ll drop you off at the bistro on my way past.”
After adjusting the driver’s seat, Sheldon heads off toward the winery.
Daniel says, “I love you, son. Our family has been through a lot these past couple of years. Now that everything is out in the open with Hugh and Charles, I hope we’ll have the opportunity to heal.”
“I hope so too, Dad. Despite what’s happened with Hugh, we have much to be thankful for.”
After dropping his father at the Vino Bistro, Sheldon watches his slumped figure in the rearview mirror as he drives away. He can’t imagine what his dad must feel right now, knowing his son’s crimes might send him to prison for the rest of his life. He vows to carve out more time for his dad in the months ahead.
Gray is waiting in front of the emergency room. When he gets in the car, he covers his eyes with his hands. “I can’t believe she’s gone. Despite everything, I still loved her. Somehow, I knew her risky behavior would one day catch up with her. I have to call her parents. How do I break this kind of news?”
“I don’t know, Gray. I wish I had some advice to offer. Just be honest, I guess. Tell them she was struggling with some problems.”
“They already know.”
“Maybe that will soften the blow.”
After a minute of awkward silence, Gray removes his hand from his eyes, draws in a deep breath, and holds his head high. “The vineyard is yours. We’ll revert to the original asking price before Hugh entered the picture.”
Sheldon glances over at him. “Are you sure about that?”
“Positive. I’m sorry Miranda was jerking you around. But that’s not my style. If you can find a place for me, I would love to stay on.”
“If Ollie agrees, I’d like to offer you the position of vineyard manager.”
Gray’s face lights up. “Seriously? That’d be awesome.”
Sheldon grins. “Awesome for everyone involved. We’re going to need extra help. Between you and me, Ollie has her heart set on having another baby.”
“That’s exciting, man. I’m truly happy for you.”
“Fingers crossed,” he says, ecstatic about the possibility of another baby. Maybe two. Another boy and a little girl who looks just like Ollie.
Sheldon loves working the land at Foxtail, but now that Hugh is no longer involved, the possibility of returning to Love-Struck intrigues him. He and Casey would make a good team. But is it too much of a commitment?
His mind drifts to thoughts of Hugh. When it comes to his oldest brother, he feels no guilt and no sorrow. Only sadness for the people who love Hugh. Even if he weasels his way out of these charges, Hugh will never again work at their family’s vineyard. The rotten apple has been removed from the orchard. Now maybe the remaining fruit trees will thrive.