Rick narrowed his gaze. “All that from the wine business?”
“Wine is big business.”
“Even better than moonshine, eh, Val?” Behind them Alonzo walked their way, obviously overhearing their conversation.
“I’ve had some decent moonshine,” Rick offered as he shook the other man’s hand.
Alonzo winked. “I have, too, but don’t tell anyone.”
“Are you pulling out?” Val asked.
Alonzo nodded. “You have enough to worry about without my men here.”
Val hadn’t really thought about Alonzo’s crew.
“Where do your employees sleep when you’re on the island?” Rick asked.
Alonzo was slow to smile. “On the yacht, Mr. Evans. Their accommodations are quite comfortable.”
“That would make sense.”
Alonzo turned his attention back to Val. “Looks like you’ve had a lot of cabernet drinkers, my friend. I’ll be sure and have my assistant send more.”
“Thank you.” The last thing on Val’s mind was wine.
“I know you’re preoccupied, but wanted to let you know that once Gabi returns I plan on taking her away for a short trip.”
“Does Gabi know about this vacation?”
“Not yet. I’m working on some of the details. I’ve neglected my fiancée and need to rectify that.”
Val couldn’t agree more. Having his sister and Alonzo off island for a while was good for all of them.
Val shook Alonzo’s hand. “Don’t work too hard.”
“I’d say the same but know you’ll give my words less weight than I’ll give yours.”
They were both workaholics. It was surprising Alonzo found the time to get to know Gabi, let alone promise to marry her.
Maybe it was sleeping in her own bed, or maybe it was the smoggy air, or maybe it was her neighbor’s smelly cooking . . . but Meg slept like the dead and woke up refreshed in a way she hadn’t felt in weeks.
Even her shower felt better than she remembered. She sucked in a breath on her peak flow meter to see how her lungs were faring. Her numbers were getting better with the medication the doctor had placed her on. Crazy how oxygen in the bloodstream made her look at the day with bright glasses.
She practically jogged down the stairs to the smell of coffee and breakfast.
“Look who’s up.”
Meg wrapped an arm around Judy and Gabi, who were huddled over the stove. “Home-cooked food? For me?”
“Don’t get used to it. Gabi insisted.”
Meg helped herself to a cup of coffee and sat at the kitchen counter. “It’s good to be home.”
“Vacations are always nice, but coming home can be even better,” Judy said.
“Yeah, well . . . that was the least restful vacation I’ve had in a while.”
Gabi offered a frown. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t take offense, hon. The island was beautiful, the food was amazing . . . and the company . . .” She pictured Val with a smile. “Yeah . . . anyway, it’s not any of that.”
“It’s the helicopter ride to the hospital . . . gets ya every time.” Judy always had a way to cut to the core of things.
“Worrying about Michael—” Meg cut her words off and glanced at Gabi.
“Please don’t. I’m not blind. He’s not the first celebrity to go to my brother’s island posing as someone he’s not. Trust me.”
Judy nudged Gabi. “I wanna ask who, but I won’t.”
“I wouldn’t tell.” Gabi grinned with a wink.
“Oh no!” Meg thought of Val, and looked around the kitchen for her purse.
“What?”
“I forgot to call Val last night.”
“Don’t stress it,” Judy told her. “I talked to Rick.”
Meg sighed, pushed the conversation off for a later time. “I wonder if they’re any closer to finding him.”
Judy set a plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon in front of Meg. “If the hoodie guy is still there, Rick will find him.”
“He didn’t do anything.”
“He scared the oxygen out of you.” Judy dished her own plate and sat beside Meg. “I’ve known you for a long time, that doesn’t happen very often, and I’ve never had to take you to the ER. So he didn’t do anything doesn’t fly with me. You were scared shitless.”
“I’d been dancing all night, running all day . . .”
“Why are you downplaying this? The guy cornered you, said some nasty things, and took off.”
Judy had a point.
“I guess I don’t want to think a little threat turns me into a melodramatic basket case who ends up in the hospital.”
Judy pointed her fork in Meg’s direction. “With the exception of that description of yourself, you can’t be accused of being melodramatic.”
The doorbell to the Tarzana house rang and Judy jumped up to answer it.
“Delivery for Miss Rosenthal.”
Meg leaned over to see down the short hallway to the front door. Judy was taking a massive bouquet of what looked like two dozen roses.
“Ah, my brother is so sweet,” Gabi announced when Judy brought the flowers into the kitchen.
Meg didn’t think she was a flower kind of girl, but she was smiling despite her own self-perceptions. She took the card and opened it.
She started to giggle.
“What did he say?” Judy asked.
“They’re not from Val.”
“They’re not?”