Truth Is Found (6 page)

For the first time, in a long time, he was able to feel.

Emotions he kept locked up were being set free, and he enjoyed it. The wave of need was pleasurable as it reminded him of one thing.

He’d made it back.

Beau Christensen was alive.

It was a gift.

Beau wanted to hold onto this amazing feeling for as long as he possibly could. This was his year to come alive, and he knew it. There was his sister, a new family, and a career he loved.

Now there was that woman’s face, burned into his mind.

Suddenly, there was a tap to his arm.

“What?” he asked, looking around.

The woman standing there was laughing. “Are you okay? I was talking to you,” she stated.

Beau focused on her. She was petite, blonde, and dressed way too provocatively for his tastes. In fact, she was practically falling out of her shirt.

Yeah, she screamed trouble.

The military also taught him to run for it when he saw an approaching landmine.

If this wasn’t one, he wasn’t sure what was.

He’d rather walk blindly though a minefield than tangle with her. Not only was she the boss’s daughter, but she was checking him out.

Sex and the job screamed danger. With her, he could smell it a mile away.

“Sorry, I was just taking it all in, Ms. Nelms. I heard everything you said. It’s gorgeous here. You must love it.”

The woman batted her eyelashes. “Oh, I enjoy the scenery just fine, and I don’t mind living here. My daddy and Sheila renovated it. I have a really big bed.”

Yep, avoid…avoid…avoid.

The bombs were going off.

Beau ignored her comment. Instead, he focused on her parents. Maybe she’d get the idea. “Well, they did a terrific job, Ms. Nelms. The place is great.”

“You can call me Pearlie. Everyone does,” she practically purred, running her hand down his arms. “You have tattoos,” she stated, touching one of them.

“Yes, I do.”

“Why did you get them?”

“I like ink, and I was in the military.”

Her eyes lit up. 

SHIT!

SHIT!

SHIT!

That was a tactical error.

“Were you? Maybe you can show me them and tell me all about them.”

Immediately, Beau pulled his arm away.

This woman was supposed to be showing him his job, not his way to her bedroom. He wished he could tell her that she was offering up something that he wasn’t interested in.

In fact, he was pretty sure everyone there had taken Pearlie up on her offer, and that confirmed his gut feeling. The military didn't inoculate him for what she was handing out.

“How about we talk about the job?” he suggested.

“I’d rather discuss you and the military. Soldiers are really sexy,” she admitted, moving closer to his body.

Beau stepped back.

Yeah, there was nothing sexy about being a soldier. It was hard, dirty, sweaty work, and he wasn’t going to egg this woman on. His job was to be a waiter, watch, and offer Julian and Tori backup.

He didn't want on the syphilis train.

Uh…no way.

“Maybe we can grab a movie sometime?” she offered, leading him into the showing room. It was lined with tons of bottles, and elegant tasting tables.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Ms. Nelms. You’re the boss. I’m just looking to keep a job.”

She winked at him. “I know how you can keep it.”

Jesus!

Beau wanted to roll his eyes in the worst way. When someone walked into the room, he wanted to kiss them, despite it being a man. Now he wasn’t alone with the woman--make that piranha.

“Pearlie! Leave him alone,” the person entering ordered.

Immediately, he crossed the room, his hand out. “Hey! I’m Cordell Burdett. I’m the headwaiter. Are you Beau Christensen by any chance?” he asked.

“Yeah, I was just getting a tour, and I’m so glad to see you.”

He grinned. “Pearlie, I’ll take it from here. Why don’t you run along?”

“I can stay,” she offered, winking at Beau.

“Great. We have a shitload of wine glasses that need to be washed, dried, and set up for tonight. You can help with that.”

Apparently, that changed her mind. She looked around as if looking for a door to make her escape.

“Uh, no thank you. I’m not the help.”

With that, she wandered away.

Cordell patted him on the back. “You get used to it, believe it or not. Don’t worry. Her bark is worse than her bite. She likes to hit on everything with a dick. Think of it as hazing. As soon as another guy shows up, she’ll move along.”

“I hope someone shows up now.”

He laughed. “Yeah, Pearlie is a handful, or so the gossip says. How about I finish up the tour for you?” he offered.

“That would be amazing,” he stated. “Is there a party tonight?” he asked.

“Yeah, there is. Are you up for it? Your job can be done on the fly. You’ll hand out wine, help the guests get refills, and then there’s the set up and clean up. It’s relatively simple.”

Beau ran his fingers through his red hair. “I can do that. It sounds easy enough.”

“It is,” he stated. “Follow me. We’ll get you started.”

He followed him through a door and took the apron he was handed.

“We wear all black while we serve, and right now you’re on washing duty so I can get the linens set up.” Cordell led him over to the sink and told him how to do it. “Any questions?” he asked.

Beau knew he needed to blend in. “What can you tell me about this place? It looks fancy.”

Cordell leaned against the dishwasher as they spoke. “It is. Mr. Nelms dropped big bucks into the place. It’s a shame though, because there are issues that keep popping up.”

“What issues?”

Cordell leaned in and lowered his voice. “You know…issues.”

Beau wasn’t sure what he was saying. He couldn’t infer. He needed the man to open up and spill the beans.

“Like?”

“We have a few things going on here. Glasses move, chairs topple over, and every now and again, you hear them.”

He was curious.

This piqued his interest.

“Are you telling me this place is haunted?” he asked, dropping his voice low too.

If that were the case, Julian was absolutely going to lose his mind. There was no doubt there. If he was worried about the ghost haunting Tori, this was going to magnify it by about a million. From what he’d learned about his sister, she was like a beacon.

When she stepped into a room, the dead thought there was a party going on around them.

He wanted to laugh.

It was funny since Julian was worked up about a psychic, but when he heard that this was a haunted winery, the shit was definitely going to hit the fan.

There was no doubt in his mind.

“Yeah, it’s crawling with spooks,” Cordell stated.

As if timed, the glass sitting on the countertop toppled, shattering into a plethora of shards.

They both jumped.

“Did you touch that?” Cordell asked.

Beau shook his head.

Well, shit!

This was going to be interesting. Beau had never dealt with spooks before….

CHAPTER three

              When they walked into the winery, they were immediately assaulted with the scent of baked goods and other tasty morsels. For a pregnant woman, this was like dying and going to heaven.

              Tori was smiling and ready to start snacking her way through the room. 

Sue her.

Apparently, this was her eating phase of the pregnancy.

As they walked in, there were little pastries sitting on the welcome table, and she couldn’t help herself. As she popped one into her mouth, Julian grinned. He was glad to see that she was eating. He was tired of shoving food down her throat at regular intervals.

Her feeding their baby took the pressure off him.

“Well, this is a really pleasant surprise,” he stated.

“Huh?” Tori asked.

“I meant you eating of your own free will. It’s a miracle. Now what will I do with all my free time?” he teased.

Tori grinned, playing along. “Don’t talk to me. Talk to your child. She’s taking over my body. She picked up the delicious scent of carbs and wanted one.”

Before Julian could say anything more, a man began heading their way. Immediately, he held out his hand to shake it.

“Mr. Nelms, it’s good to see you.”

The man looked relieved. “You can’t imagine how happy I am that you’re here.”

Well, since he threatened legal action if they didn't show up, what choice did they have?

Tori shook his hand after Julian introduced them. “What happened to make you this freaked out?” she asked, sensing the trepidation. “You look worried about something.”

He lowered his voice as he prepared to tell them all about it. “I’ve had more issues pop up. Last night, our only guests walked out. They weren’t happy when the doors began slamming for no reason. Then add to it that the woman’s earrings went missing... I had to refund them their money, and I can’t run a business like that. You of all people should understand what I’m saying, Mr. Littlemoon.”

Yeah, he got it.

Tori scanned the room. From her peripheral, she could see shadows moving. From what she’d learned with having Bethany around, they weren’t alone. This place was rocking when it came to the dead.

Great.

Yeah, this was going to test Julian. He said he accepted it, but this would be the defining moment. She only hoped that he didn't lose it.

“Are more guests coming?” Julian asked, hoping they wouldn’t be the only people there. It would make their job that much harder if they had everyone watching them. With other guests, they could blend--
sort of...

The man lowered his voice. “Everyone thinks you’re one of our couples, and we have three others booked for this week. They arrive tonight. You have to get to the bottom of this, Mr. Littlemoon. My business is going under.”

Julian could tell it was getting worse. The man looked more frazzled than when he’d met with him. No wonder he wouldn’t take his retainer back and allow them to back out of the job.

He was desperate.

“We will. My team is really good at handling this sort of thing.”

“I pray you’re right. It was bad enough when it was things being stolen or broken, but now the person trying to destroy me is going too far. Playing ghost and spooking away my guests will break me. I have a lot of money invested in this place.”

Julian lifted a brow and glanced over at Tori. He could tell by the look on her face that she already suspected this wasn’t going to be just about someone sabotaging the Nelms.

Shit!

When their eyes met, she looked away.

He hoped he was wrong. Julian needed to get his wife alone so he could ask her if they had ‘company’.

Man…he dreaded that conversation.

His gut was already warning him, and that didn't bode well for his investigation at all.

“The woman who recommended you said you’ll get this nonsense to quiet down around here and find the person who is doing all this.”

Julian was curious.

“We don’t understand how she approached you to recommend us. We’ve never heard of her before.”

Yeah, and now that he knew she was a psychic, he had to wonder if she was the real deal, or someone yanking their chain.

Before the last year, he would have gone with the latter, but now that he’d met Vivian, Beckett, and seen his wife’s new gift, he wasn’t so sure.

He could only hope Nyx Nightingale wasn’t some kook.

“Oh! Well, Ms. Nightingale was a guest here at the vineyard. The one day we had a wine tour, and she walked in off the street. I have to say that my first impression of her is that she’s odd, but when she told me that you’d be perfect for the job, I had to call you. What choice do I have? No one else will come here and locate the person doing this.”

“Yeah, we seem to specialize in the weird,” Julian replied, his voice fraught with sarcasm. He may have to accept it, but he didn't have to like it.

What was next?

He was almost afraid to ask.

Tori knew Julian was getting worked up. He may have said he was okay in the car, but she wasn’t a fool.

She could read him.

“Can you put us in the room that the couple was in last night?” Tori asked.

“Why?” Daniel Nelms asked.

“Because we can check it out and see if the person doing this left a trail back to them. I used to work for the FBI. I’m really good at spotting things that are out of the ordinary.”

He appeared to relax a little more.

“I think I love you! You’re a brave woman, Mrs. Littlemoon.”

Oh, he had no idea.

Tori popped a mini pastry in her mouth to keep from laughing. Julian was staring at her as if she was the conductor of the crazy train. “What?”

He simply shook his head. Of course, his wife was going to want to stay in the haunted room.

At least their client had calmed down.

For the first time, Daniel Nelms was smiling. “That room is ready for guests, and that’ll save us from the next couple who runs from it screaming. Thank you.”

Julian gave his wife the look. “Yeah, thanks,” he muttered, so only Tori would hear him. He was skittish about sleeping with ghosts around. The last time, Bethany possessed his wife, rode him hard, and got Tori knocked up.

Well, the last part he didn't mind.

The rest--
it scared the shit out of him
--and rightfully so.

“I’ll have my wife escort you up. We’re having a tasting tonight, and you’ll be able to meet everyone. Wander around and enjoy the place. Just tell the staff you’re my special guest, and they’ll be very helpful.”

Yeah, speaking of that…

“Who else knows about us being here?” Julian asked. He needed to ensure that his wife was safe. Julian asked the man to keep it quiet, but he wanted confirmation.

Tori’s safety was his first priority.

“We need some anonymity while we investigate. It’s damn hard to dig for dirt when you have the entire place looking at you.”

Daniel got it. 

“No one is aware of your real intentions but me. I told my wife that you booked for the week, simply to have a little holiday. I didn't mention that you were going to be digging around. I thought it best no one knew, not even my kids.”

“And our partner?” Tori asked. “Is he already in place?”

“He’s already in the prep room working. My daughter took him for a tour, and they think he’s a waiter. By the way, he’s a nice man. I couldn’t help but enjoy his company. He’s very calming.”

Tori smiled. “Yeah, he really is. Beau is my brother.”

He checked her out. “You know, I see it now. It’s the same eyes and hair color. Don’t worry, Mrs. Littlemoon. I promise that his cover is safe. I just love all this secret spy stuff. If I wasn’t on the verge of bankruptcy, I’d be enjoying this.”

They were sure he would. Daniel Nelms appeared to be a really decent guy--just sinking in a mess. All of this made them want to get to the bottom of it.

“Your brother is in good hands,” he offered, patting her on the arm.

That helped Tori relax.

She wanted to make sure Beau was okay. After all, this was his first case. She didn't want him in danger and wandering round all by himself. Their jobs could be very dangerous, and since they didn't know what they were up against, she had to be concerned.

They heard her coming first.

It would be hard not to, since she was wearing heels as she stormed across the tile floor.

Both men glanced over as a very statuesque woman headed their way. Daniel Nelms grinned at her, and Julian recognized her from the file.

This was the owner’s wife--
his
MUCH
younger one
.

It made him want to laugh.

They didn't look like a couple. While he and Tori stood the same height, they fit each other like two halves, but this woman was insanely tall, and when you saw Daniel with her, you had to scratch your head.

He was short, stout, and bald.

She was the exact opposite.

Talk about opposite sides of the spectrum.

“Sweetheart, I’d like you to meet the Littlemoons,” he stated, introducing them. “This is Julian, and here is his lovely wife Tori.”

The woman sized up their guests.

Tori noticed that she spent a great deal of time ‘checking’ him out. She wasn’t shocked. It happened a lot. Natives weren’t all over there place, and they were exotic.

Well, at least to her.

When the woman focused on her, it was a look of distaste. It screamed,
‘Why is he with you when there are so many other women out there?’,
and she knew it.

Yeah, she wasn’t surprised.

They offered her their hands.

The woman wasn’t rude, but she wasn’t warm and friendly like her husband. It was hard not to notice that she was rebuilt by the hand of a surgeon. No one’s skin was that taut.

No one’s.

And her breasts?

Tori wanted to laugh.

Julian moved out of the woman’s way, and Tori was enjoying how uncomfortable he appeared to be. It probably had everything to do with the incredibly low cut shirt the woman was wearing. Her breasts were right there, nearly in their faces. Obviously, Julian had checked them out, but who could blame him?

Tori did too.

They were ridiculous.

If her husband didn't notice them, she was going to get his eyes checked. When you passed by a train wreck, it was second nature to look.

She wouldn’t fault him for that.

“Hello! Welcome to Darkwood Monastery,” she offered, grabbing a bottle and two glasses of wine from the table. Immediately, she poured some for them, splashing it all over the place.

Obviously, someone was already half a bottle into her own product. That was funny, since it was barely noon.

Tori declined. “No thank you.”

The woman looked perplexed. “But this is a winery. You have to drink. I had some with breakfast. It’s made from the finest California grapes. It’s like having a fruit salad.”

Well, good to see Tori could still pick the biggest lush out of the room. Some skills never went to waste.

She shoved the glass at Tori.

“I’m sorry, but I’m pregnant. I can’t, but my husband will be more than happy to have both his and mine,” she said, still smiling.

Tori didn't say she wouldn’t make him pay for noticing the woman’s breasts. She just didn't blame him.

Julian gave her the look.

When she grinned wickedly, he knew why he was forced to chug the wine. The half-naked woman had caused this.

Hell!

It wasn’t as if he picked out her clothes.

This wasn’t exactly fair.

“Bottoms up, babe,” she teased. “Is it nippy in here?” she asked, just as he started drinking.

Of course, he started choking.

Tori smiled in victory as she patted him on the back, and then grabbed his ass.

He got the point.

Julian kept drinking.

Tori nearly laughed. This was going to be fun. If the blonde bombshell was going to be throwing wine around, Julian was in for one hell of a workweek. It’s a good thing she had medicine for headaches.

Someone was going to have a hangover.

“Oh! I’m sure a little wine won’t hurt!” Sheila Nelms offered. “In Italy, they give it to children and drink while pregnant. Are you sure?”

“Yep, I’m positive, but I will take some home and the day this baby comes out, I’ll have a straw and the whole bottle.”

Bullshit.

She was going to have a cold beer and all the meds in the ward. Who was she kidding?

“Come on. Danny, tempt her. You’re good at luring the women in.”