“His house has got to be worth something,” Ned said.
“Please excuse my father,” Stephen said, smiling. “He has a one-track mind sometimes.”
Ned held up both hands in good-natured surrender. “Okay, I can take a hint. But it’s not just the house. There might be items inside the house that could be worth something. You might have to hunt for them, though. Jesse liked to hide his treasures away from prying eyes.”
“Do you know something I don’t know?” Jane asked, her tone playful.
“No, no,” Ned said, laughing. “But you know Jesse. He was always telling stories about his exploits. Who’s to say he didn’t bring home some booty from those adventures?”
“I always called Jesse’s tales a stretch of the truth,” Bob added, flashing us a grin. “It would serve us all right if he really did have some treasure tucked away somewhere.”
I exchanged a quick glance with Jane. Did these two men know something about the breakin? I found it hard to believe they had anything to do with it, but they’d both made it sound as if Jesse had something worth stealing.
They were probably capable of breaking into the house, but there was no way they could’ve done all that damage. Ned’s son, Stephen, on the other hand, looked strong enough to pound holes through walls.
But why? I shoved my suspicious thoughts away and walked over to the bar with Ned and Bob, where I left them to chat with one of the people visiting from San Diego.
As I took a sip of juice, Emily sidled up next to me. “Who’s the tall, good-looking stranger?”
I turned and saw Ned’s son still talking to Jane, his eyes riveted on her.
“His name’s Stephen,” I said quietly. “He’s the son of Ned, one of Jesse’s old navy buddies. He used to be a financial planner but quit to become a chef at Tre Mondrian.”
“Ooh la la,” she whispered. “He seems smitten with our Jane.”
“I believe he might be.”
We watched them interact for another minute. Stephen seemed charming and Jane could certainly use a distraction. I just hoped she didn’t get hurt. She had a romantic soul and believed in her heart that someday she would find her one true love. We teased her that she got that delusional idea from reading too many romance novels at an impressionable age, but she always insisted there was no such thing as too many romances.
I really hoped she’d meet her one true love someday. It was just bizarre to think she might meet him at a funeral.
Ned summoned his son to the bar to talk to someone else, and Jane was left alone. Emily and I hurried over to join her.
“He’s awfully cute,” Emily whispered loudly.
Jane smiled. “Yes, isn’t he?” She still looked a little dazed, but I didn’t think it was from talking to Stephen—even though he was indeed cute. No, I was pretty sure the events of the last week were catching up to her. She’d been going nonstop, ever since I called to tell her about Jesse. She had to be emotionally drained.
I glanced over to where Stephen and his father were talking together. Both men were frowning and I wondered what their topic of discussion might be.
Before I could speculate further, my father and Uncle Pete walked into the room. I waved and marched over to greet them.
“Hey, kiddo,” Dad said, enveloping me in a big hug.
Uncle Pete did the same, whispering, “This is a lousy way to spend an afternoon.”
“Don’t I know it?” I said. “How’re you guys holding up?”
Dad shrugged. “I had some of the fellas over for a wake of sorts last night. We told stories about Jesse and tried to keep each other laughing.”
“Jesse would’ve enjoyed himself,” Uncle Pete said, chuckling.
“I assume the whiskey was flowing.”
“Whiskey?” Dad looked affronted. “Hell, no. You know we only drink iced tea and lemonade.”
I laughed. “Of course. How could I forget?”
He grinned. “You’re forgiven. Listen, sweetie, we’re going to mingle for a little while and pay our respects to Janey. Then we’ll be heading out to the winery. I’ll be there for the next week or so, remember?”
“Oh, that’s right.” I’d forgotten Dad was helping to design the new reserve tasting room off the main hall of Uncle Pete’s popular winery. I’d seen the architect’s renderings and knew it was going to be a spectacular room. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too. But you can call or drive out there anytime you want.” He added, “I’ve always got an extra set of tools.”
I laughed. “Thanks for the offer. I might take you up on it, but things are pretty busy around here these days.”
“I know the company’s doing great,” he said. “I’m proud of you.”