Grapes of Death Read Free Page A

is.”
    â€œWhat I am is the rightful owner of this vineyard!”
    â€œOh, please. This isn’t about River Bend. If Dad would have left it to you, you’d have sold it in a heartbeat for what you could get out of it. You’re nothing but a money-grubbing loser looking for a way to cash in on something others have built.”
    â€œRoss Alexander! That’s enough!” Laura grabbed his arm and pulled him back before things could escalate further. “Edmond, please don’t make this harder than it has to be.”
    â€œOh, I’ll go … for now. But this isn’t over, Laura, not by a long stretch. This proposal would have solved your problems and mine, and you know it. You’re gonna be sorry you didn’t play ball.” He looked around the foyer at the faces looking back. “You’re all going to pay. Big time.”
    With that, Edmond turned and came face to face with the foreman. They stared at each other for a good ten seconds. Silently observing, Elise held her breath, thinking they might come to blows. But then Neil stepped aside and her uncle stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
    An uncomfortable silence reigned for a few moments with nobody knowing what to say or do.
    â€œWell, that was fun,” Elise said, trying to defuse the tension. All she got for her efforts was a stern look from her mother.
    Then Ross spoke up in a quiet voice. “Someday somebody’s going to take him out, and no one will shed a tear.” A chill went down Elise’s spine.
    â€œRoss, you don’t mean that,” Laura said.
    Ross glanced up at his mother, and the look of resolve on his face gave Elise another chill. “Don’t I?” With that, he turned and went down the hall toward the kitchen.
    â€œI’ll go talk to him, try and calm him down,” Abigail said with a sigh and followed Ross.
    â€œI’ll help,” Madison said, hurrying after her.
    Jackson glanced at Elise. “I think I’m going to go out and make sure Edmond is gone before sitting down to dinner. I’ll be back in a minute. Come on, Carlos. You can help me.”
    Elise nodded absently as she watched the farm foreman cross to her mother. “You okay?”
    â€œYes, I’m fine, Neil. Thanks so much for coming over. I thought that whole thing might go sideways for a minute.”
    He chuckled. “Not a problem. You know anytime you need backup, I’m right over at the bunkhouse.”
    â€œHave you had your dinner?” When he shook his head, she nodded toward the kitchen. “Why don’t you stay and have dinner with us? Go on back with the others. I’ll be along in a few minutes.”
    When he’d gone, her mother turned to Elise with a look of tired concern. “Something is going to have to be done about Edmond. Ross is right. This can’t continue.”
    Elise went to her then and gave her a hug. “I know you didn’t want it to come to this, but he’s really left you no choice, Mom.”
    â€œI thought he would get tired of arguing and finally work with me on some kind of compromise, but clearly that’s not going to happen.”
    Elise frowned. “What did Uncle Edmond mean when he said his proposal would have solved your problems as well as his?”
    â€œOh, don’t worry about it. That’s just Edmond trying to start something.” Her mother waved a hand in the air and tried to laugh it off, but Elise got the distinct impression there was more to it then she was letting on—a whole lot more.
    â€œWhat are you going to do?”
    â€œLet’s not worry about that tonight, honey. We’ll have a family meeting tomorrow. That’s soon enough to make a decision. For now, let’s go have dinner.”
    At that moment the door opened and Jackson came back in without Carlos.
    â€œIs everything okay, Jackson?” Laura asked.
    â€œYes, ma’am. The coast is