Page 24 of A Vintage of Regret
“So strange for you to be giving my brother so much grace.”
“We co-exist well enough in this town and considering the circumstances, I can be empathetic,” Bryson said. “And when I ran into the ME yesterday, I asked some questions.”
“What?” Riley glared. “Why would you speak to Doctor Gavin?” Stone Bridge was a small town in the Napa Valley area. Everyone knew everyone, and worse, they knew each other’s business.
Bryson grimaced. “I was picking up a prescription for my mom yesterday, and I ran into him. I thought I might be able to get some information for you. But he wouldn’t say a thing except for a long lecture on patient confidentiality.”
“You shouldn’t have said anything at all,” Riley said.
“I agree with her on that one,” his mother said before lifting her coffee mug to her lips.
“I didn’t mean to overstep. I was only trying to help,” Bryson said. “Or at least understand the situation.”
“Well, that wasn’t for you to do.” Riley pursed her lips, stood, and brushed off her jeans. Her dad had always said when it was his time, he wanted to go peacefully, and it sounded like he’d gotten his wish. Who was she to go demanding someone cut open his body when no one questioned the reason for his death, other than the untimeliness of it? “Thank you for breakfast. All of you. I should head out. My family is gathering at my mother’s place, and they’re expecting me.”
Brea stepped forward and gave her one more hug. “Don’t be a stranger. Byson told us you insisted on staying at Stone Bridge Inn. Just remember, if the walls there seem too tight, or you just get lonely, you can stay in the guesthouse. Or we have plenty of bedrooms here. You’re always welcome.”
Walter nodded in agreement. “We’re here if you need anything.”
“Thanks.” She hesitated again. “For… everything. This meant more than I expected.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Bryson stood and grabbed a set of keys from the hook by the door. “I parked the truck in the side yard. It’s a little dusty, but it will get you where you need to go, and it’s got a full tank.” He took her by the elbow and guided her through the house, out the door, and down the porch steps.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
They rounded the corner of the house. On the access road leading toward the vineyard sat a pick-up truck with the words:Stone Bridge Winerydisplayed proudly on the side.
Wonderful. The entire town would see her coming and make a judgment about her and her connection to the Boones. But she couldn’t really complain. Money was tight. More than tight. She’d always lived paycheck to paycheck, and she’d been fine with that, but the airfare alone to get home had put her back, and renting a car would’ve made it impossible to get to wherever she was going next.
Now all she had to do was decide if she wanted to call the ME herself and see if she could push the issue—and time was running out. Part of her needed to know if there was something more to her father’s death, something that might explain why he’d seemed so tired lately. But another part of her was terrified of what they might find—or worse, what they might not find, leaving her with nothing but more questions and guilt.
“Do you think if I asked the ME to do an autopsy, even against the rest of my family’s wishes, he’d do it?” she asked. “I mean, there doesn’t seem to be a reason to press it, and I don’t need to cause more waves with my family, but I feel like if I don’t know what my dad died of, I'll always wonder.”
“All I can say is, if it were my dad, I’d be begging for one,” Bryson said. “As far as your family goes, I honestly believe Grant and Erin were simply trying to be respectful of your dad. I bet if you spoke with them, they’d hear you.” He rubbed his jaw, much like the day Grant had punched him in the chin back in high school. As if he were afraid it was about to happen again any second.
“You don’t sound very convincing.”
“One thing I know about Grant and Erin is they’re fiercely loyal to your mom. And Elizabeth, well, she can run hot and cold with your dad.”
“What is?—”
“Can I finish please?” Byson asked.
“Sure.”
“The last five years or so, your mom’s been different when it comes to Sean, and that’s weird all by itself.”
“I need you to explain that.”
“I’m only guessing, because I try to spend as little time as possible with your mom. But your dad was in his glory working in the tasting room. Locals came in just to hear him talk about the good old days when he and my grandfather planted the first block.”
“That would get under my mother’s skin.” Riley could picture her mother’s face, tight with disapproval. “But not enough for her to change her tune about my dad.”
“I’m not saying she did. I’m just saying she didn’t consistently badmouth him.” Bryson reached out and tucked some hair behind Riley’s ear. “I can see the pain in your eyes, Ry. I can feel the uncertainty radiating off your skin, and it’s not just about being back in Stone Bridge. He was your dad. You loved him. You want to know what happened, and I know you and your relationship with the truth.”
“It’s been twelve years. You don’t know anything about me anymore.”
