Of Merlot & Murder (A Tangled Vines Mystery) Read Online Free PDF Page B

the Toussaints are here as well. Their winery is just a short hop from ours.” Her tone clearly implied that the rest of them had no idea who the French vintners were. “I’ll just go say hello to Alain.”
    As they watched her go Elise noticed that the Toussaints didn’t look all that jazzed to see her either, especially Alain’s wife, Monique.
    When Mr. Larson turned back, he only had eyes for Elise’s grandmother. “I’m sorry, Abby. Divia doesn’t always think about how she comes across. She didn’t mean—”
    “To be snide and belittling?” Abigail said, then sighed and quickly put up a hand before he could respond. “Forget I said that, Garrett. I didn’t mean it. It’s been a long, stressful week.”
    As Mr. Larson stared at her grandmother for a moment, Elise could clearly read the sadness in his eyes.
    “Yes you did, but it’s okay,” he said with the ghost of a smile. “You always say exactly what you mean, Abigail—always have. It’s one of the things I admire about you.”
    He glanced back up the midway where his wife was obviously fawning over Alain Toussaint. “She has a real insecurity where you’r e concerned.”
    “There’s no need,” Abigail returned softly. “That ship sailed a hell of a long time ago, Garrett.”
    Turning back, he gave her a full grin this time. “I know, but it still makes her behave badly. And that’s not an excuse, just an explanation.”
    After a brief uncomfortable silence, he spared a glance at his watch. “Well, times a’ tickin’. I should go help at the booth. I’m sure I’ll see you later.”
    As they watched him cross the aisle and head toward Third Coast’s booth, Elise let out a breath. “Wow. That was fun. Not!”
    “I’ll say,” C.C. agreed.
    “Isn’t his fault that his wife’s a small-minded, superficial tart,” Abigail stated matter-of-factly and then shrugged. “Besides, her kind doesn’t show their true colors until it’s all over but the sufferin’. Garrett will just have to live with the choices he’s made.”
    “Better him than me,” C.C. said and gave a mock shudder. “I can’t imagine living with that day after day, can you? It’s got to be exhausting.”
    “Be that as it may, I think we’ve wasted enough time and energy on the likes of Divia Larson,” Abigail remarked. “Let’s get this finished up and take a walk around, check out the venue before showtime.”
    _____
    If Elise had entertained hopes that the earlier encounter with Divia Larson would be the extent of the unpleasantness associated with the woman, she was disappointed later in the afternoon. Walking back from a break, her attention was snagged by raised voices coming from the direction of Third Coast’s booth.
    “What’s going on over there?” Stepping back behind the River Bend counter, she looked over at C.C., who was watching the scene with avid interest.
    Her friend shook her head. “Not sure yet. We had a lull for ten minutes or so. Then the French chick came by, and what looked like a bit of an argument broke out—a little pushy-shovie between her and Divia. But it was all on the down-low and I hadn’t been able to hear what they were saying until now. You got back just in time, my friend. It’s starting to get good … well, at least it’s louder so we can hear what’s happening.”
    As if to reinforce the sentiment, Monique Toussaint stepped right into Divia Larson’s bubble and poked the older woman in the chest.
    “And I’m telling you , stay away from Alain or I will make you sorry you didn’t,” Monique told Divia in a heated French accent.
    Divia burst out laughing and shoved Alain’s wife back a few paces. “Really, Monique. If you can’t keep your husband in line it’s not my problem.”
    “No? And what about Toby? Would you consider him and his financial funny business your problem? Does Garrett know what’s going on with the books at his own winery?”
    Monique’s words sobered Divia in a blink, and Elise