a few notes on her calendar. “All fire and brimstone?”
“He was a little brusque at first. Dom liked him and you know he’s a good judge of character.” Angie thought about Dom stuck in the kitchen. Maybe they should run home first and let him out for a minute. She glanced at her watch. They had an appointment with the winery owners at two and if she made the detour, not only would they be late, they might miss the lunch serving. She sent positive thoughts to her dog and hoped he was sleeping rather than using her kitchen table leg as a chew toy.
“Dom is still a puppy. He hasn’t had a chance to meet any truly evil people. Maybe he just likes everyone?” Felicia narrowed her eyes. “Where is he by the way? Did you get that fence installed and I didn’t notice?”
“The crew’s coming tomorrow but I decided to leave him in the kitchen. I put everything away.” Including the clean jars she’d gotten ready for the failed strawberry jam that morning. “The doors are shut tight to the rest of the house.”
“You like to live dangerously.” Felicia grinned. “Anyway, I heard Mr. Moss killed a girl when they were young.”
“Mrs. Potter’s sister.”
Felicia sat straight in her seat. “What? You’re kidding, right?”
Angie told her what she’d heard from Mrs. Potter. “I’m sure it was just sour grapes. I mean, the Sheriff didn’t say anything about Mr. Moss being a murderer. And besides, if he was, he’d be in jail, not running a goat farm.”
“Maybe they isolated him because they couldn’t prove it but he was shunned from all human contact.” Felicia sat up straighter in her seat and Angie could see the wheels turning as she concocted a story.
“You read too much fiction. Especially stories about wounded heroes.” Angie tapped the steering wheel with her fingers, thinking about how she might find out. “Maybe we should go visit the library and see if they have the old newspaper articles on file. If she was murdered, it should have made the paper.”
“If she stubbed her toe on the sidewalk it would have made this paper. Have you read it yet? I can’t believe the things they call news around here.” Felicia grinned. “In California there would be too many murders to do an article about each one. Here, they do articles on the local festivals and new businesses opening in town. And by the way, a reporter named Doris will be calling you tomorrow. I pushed her off a day since we were so busy today.”
“Why didn’t you handle it? You’re part owner too.” Angie grumbled, her good mood disappearing as fast as it came. Burning the jam this morning had started off a run of bad luck. She needed to get home and try again so at least the day would end on a positive note.
“She wanted to interview the successful chef coming home.” Felicia shrugged. “I thought it was a good angle. Oh, there’s the winery. Isn’t this location lovely?”
It definitely was lovely. The winery sat on the ridge of the canyon. The road they were on would wind its way down to the riverbank and cross the new bridge that had been constructed a few years ago. The old bridge had been turned into a walkway for bicyclists and pedestrians to get to the trails on the other side of the river.
The winery hadn’t been here when she left. Or if it had, she hadn’t thought about it as a place to go. Of course, she’d still been too young to drink when she went off to college. A fact that didn’t seem to stop her from drinking too much, especially her freshman year. She’d straightened up during her first culinary class during sophomore year. When she’d found her calling.
She found a parking spot near the door. The lunch crowd had already left which would make it easier to talk business with the owners. Walking into the building, she was reminded of the Napa Valley wineries she’d visited the summer before they’d left California. Same lovely flowers planted in large half barrels. But here, a row of white rockers sat on the porch. “Kind of looks like Cracker Barrel, doesn’t it?”
Felicia shot her a ‘be quiet’ look and pulled open the door. They entered the winery and walked toward the hostess table that doubled as a cashier station for the wine that was displayed throughout the room. Little signs on tables suggested food pairings to go along with the wines. Angie picked one up. “This is a great idea. We should think about a suggested wine or drink pairing with the entrees.”
“Do we hire a sommelier? Or a sous chef? Because we can’t afford both.” Felicia nodded to the hostess stand. “Let’s get a table. I’m starving.”
The hostess led them to a small table covered with a white linen tablecloth. Empty wine glasses sparkled in the sunlight. The woman set up a small chalk board. “These are our lunch options. The soup and salad are always popular as is the grilled salmon sandwich. Take your time, Connie will be with you in a few minutes.”
“I guess this saves money printing up menus.” Angie picked up the menu board. “But you’d have to come in early every day and write out the different selections.”
“Maybe that would be the sommelier’s job. He would need something to occupy his time since we’ll be paying him an arm and a leg to pair wines.” Felicia smiled up at the woman pouring water in her glass. “I think Mr. Harris is expecting us. Can you let him know Angie Turner and Felicia Williams are here to see him?”
“Sure, hon. Can I get you something else to drink besides good old Snake River water?” The woman’s eyes twinkled.
“Bring us the local white zinfandel. Glass only. We’re on business.” Angie was scanning the wine list that had several options from the winery as well as other local sources. “This is a good sign. It looks like they’re used to working with other local businesses. There’s even a beer that’s brewed in northern Idaho. Did you know they grow hops there too?”
“I’m more of a domestic bottle girl.” Felicia grinned at her. “You are such a food snob. I’m kind of embarrassed that I don’t know all the stuff you do about food and beverages. You should write a blog. It would be good for the restaurant. You could spread the gospel on locally sourced food and how it’s going to save the planet.”
“You’re funny.” Angie sipped her water.
Felicia shook her head. “I’m dead serious. That’s a great social media angle for The County Seat!”
“I heard you two were out here.” A man approached their table. He leaned down and kissed Angie on the cheek. “It’s so nice to see you again. We were all so saddened by the passing of your grandmother. The winery sent flowers, but you probably already knew that.”
“Mr. Harris?” Felicia held out her hand. “I’m Felicia Williams and apparently you already know our chef/owner, Angie Turner.”
“Ms. Williams, so nice to meet you. Call me Rob.” He turned toward Angie and put a hand on her shoulder. “Of course I know Angie. She broke my heart at the senior prom.”
CHAPTER 5
Angie almost knocked over her water glass. The weird thing is she didn’t know this guy. Seriously, how could she not remember who she went to prom with. Then memories started to flow back. “I didn’t go to senior prom. I had a college tour that weekend back east.”
Rob Harris held up his hands. “Exactly. You probably didn’t realize this but I was planning on asking you to go with me. I had the whole scenario planned out in my head. Music, flowers,
