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“My mom didn’t like to talk about the past. I always figured it was because she felt ashamed about not knowing who my father was.”
“Did you ever meet her?”
“If you mean my grandmother, she died the year before I was born.”
Once inside the room, Sam opened the door of the lavatory and picked her cat up. She first cradled her, then changed the position when my eyes met hers.
“My mom never left California. She could barely afford the car she used to get to work.”
“Here we go,” I said, motioning to my laptop. I took screenshots of the photos I found and sent them via messenger to her mobile.
“Where did you find these?” she asked, studying the images.
“Website. There are also shots taken around the estate.”
When Sam approached, I moved to the side so she could get a better look. When she zoomed in on one, I peeked over her shoulder. “The winery?” I asked, not knowing why I had. It was obvious.
“I’ve never heard of the Lilac Lane label, but that isn’t a surprise. We don’t showcase out-of-state wines at Stave,” she commented.
“Nor have I heard of it.” I hadn’t yet, but at some point this evening, I’d check industry sites to determine the number of cases produced annually, along with the varietals. As far as the Lake Erie AVA—American Viticulture Area, which encompassed East Aurora—the types of wines made were limited, predominately Riesling and Pinot Gris. Some growers also produced Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
I glanced back at the screen. Sam had zoomed in on a photo of a pasture where several horses grazed.
“It’s lovely, yes?”
She looked up at me and nodded. “I hope there aren’t still horses there.”
“And if there are, that someone is tending them. Which reminds me, I meant to see if there was an obituary for Cena.”
“I found one,” Sam muttered.
My eyes opened wide, surprised she hadn’t mentioned it.
“It didn’t say much other than her birth and death dates. Also that her husband and son died before she did.”
“When did she pass?” I asked.
Sam’s eyes continued to bore into mine, and she took a deep breath. “She died on Christmas.”
“Of last year?” I asked. “Well, it would be, wouldn’t it? Given the timing of the solicitor’s letter.”
When Sam nodded, I understood why she hadn’t mentioned the obit. Cena Covert had died the same day as my mum.
11
SAM
“If she’d lived one more day, she would’ve turned one hundred.”
“Wow,” Beau mumbled. I wasn’t sure if it was because of her age or the fact Cena and his mother had died the same day. It was the reason I hadn’t told him I found her obituary even though I knew her date of death would come up eventually.
“Are you still up for a walk in the village?” I asked.
The question seemed to jar him out of whatever he was thinking about. “Of course.”
I took Wanda into the bathroom, fed her, then shut the door. “I’ve been thinking about the postcard Cena sent Manley.”
“Yeah?”
