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“We don’t know yet. The sheriff is working on it. Aren’t you, Sheriff?” Tanner says bitterly.
“I have a forensic team that will come to town tomorrow to look at the truck and see what they can find out. But, Victoria, I need to ask you if there is anyone you can think of who would be doing something like this. Anyone been around or visiting this week?” the sheriff asks, and I shake my head.
“I mean, Josh calls, but he wouldn’t know his way around truck brake cables. I can't imagine him doing something like this,” I say, looking at my mom. “Mom?” I ask for her opinion.He wouldn't, would he?
“I don’t think so, but I think every avenue needs to be investigated,” she says, nodding at the sheriff, and I feel Tanner squeeze my shoulder gently.
“Anyone else?” the sheriff asks, and I shake my head,coming up blank. I have no idea why I would be a target for anyone.
“All the people who visit me are in this room. I didn't have any deliveries these past few days or anyone else here,” I tell him honestly.
“Let me walk you out, Tony,” Tanner says to the sheriff, who says his goodbyes, and I sit dumbfounded with the girls.
“What is happening?” I ask, tears stinging my eyes. “Why would someone do that?” I ask again, but the girls are quiet. No one seems to know what to say.
“I have a feeling that Tanner and the sheriff will find whoever is responsible for this. Don’t worry, sweetie, you will be fine,” my mom whispers to me, and I swallow. Her soft smile of reassurance is doing very little to make me feel better, so I cradle my cup of tea in my hands and listen to them make small talk, all the while wondering who wants to see me dead.
34
TANNER
It’s been a week, and we have no leads. And I am angry. The ex is elusive and on leave, not that I have told Victoria that. She seems convinced that while his calls are excessive and disruptive, she doesn’t believe he is capable of such a physical threat to her safety. But the issue is, no one can locate him, just like her father, as he’s apparently nowhere to be found either.
She has just lived like normal, digging around in the garden, making sure Gertie, the babies, and Marmalade are happy. But I am still livid. I have been at her place every day, looking after the animals with Kevin as she heals from her wounds, and her mom stayed for the week, taking care of her. The two of them have been shopping up a storm in Whispers and getting the inside of Marie’s place ready for the kitchen replacement that is happening soon. I loved seeing her face light up while spending time with her mom, but I haven't been in her bed since the crash, and I am eager to see her today. I thought meeting her mother might be weird. Hell, we arecloser in age, both parents, but the common thread we have is the care we have for Victoria. Meeting and chatting with her mom was effortless, and she didn’t seem to have a problem with me or my age. Her only issue was that I was to take care of her daughter, and I swore to her before she flew out this morning that I would. Now, as I end the online meeting with Sawyer, I lean back in my chair, sighing in frustration.
“Hey, Tanner,” Jasmine says, popping her head in the door. I frown because it’s the weekend and the office is empty. I am not sure who let her in, but she probably came via the restaurant.
“Hey, Jasmine. How can I help you?” I ask, standing, wondering if she is here about Victoria.
“Oh, just stopping by, dropping off the new floral arrangements to the restaurant for the week,” she says, smiling. I hired her to fill the distillery with local flowers when she opened the florist. Something I did to support her, trying to encourage small business in the town. “I got your favorites this week.”
“Have you seen Victoria today?” I ask, keen to get her friend’s feedback on the situation. I know Jasmine as well as anyone in this town can. But I wouldn’t say we are close or anything.
“Oh no, I haven’t, but I wanted to talk to you about something, actually,” she says, stepping farther into the boardroom and closing the door behind her. My body stiffens immediately.
“What?” I ask, stepping to the side, eager to hear what she has to say.
“Well, I am just a bit worried about her. With Marie’splace and the social media, I mean, someone tampered with her brakes, Tanner. It is too much, and what happens when she just leaves and goes back to the city? It’s bringing a lot of attention to town that might not be the good kind…”
“Leaves?” I ask, tilting my head, my heart stopping. Last I spoke to Victoria, she was staying. A fact that I am very supportive of.
“She obviously can’t handle the small farm she has, and once the house is done, it will be a money pit to keep going. She misses her mother greatly, and now her safety is compromised,” Jasmine says, worry etched on her face. None of what she is saying makes a lot of sense. Victoria already has a plan for the property that will bring in some income. I know she misses her mom, but her mom isn’t in the city anymore, and in terms of handling the farm, she is doing better than anyone expected.
“Well, Jasmine, I don’t think she is going anywhere. Was there anything else?” I ask, wanting to get out of here and over to see the woman I can’t stop thinking about.
“No. No. I just worry about her, that's all,” she says with a small smile, one I match. It is nice that Victoria has local friends, and both Jasmine and Lacy have been there for her from the start. I know she appreciates them.
“We all do,” I confirm as I step toward the door and open it, offering Jasmine to walk out first.
“Okay, well, have a great afternoon and let me know if you need anything. I am always happy to help.”
“No worries. Thanks, Jasmine,” I say, closing the door and walking to my office in the other direction. I dump my laptop and paperwork and walk straight back out tothe front of the office building and push out the front door. I need some fresh air and warm sunshine, so I stand in the driveway for a moment, letting the sun hit my face, thinking about things.
The sheriff has nothing. He and his team continue to patrol the town, and they have been doing drive-bys up and down Distillery Drive all week in case they see anyone or anything. All the locals are on edge and eagle-eyed for anyone who doesn’t look like they belong. I called my security team that I use periodically, and they have already assessed and measured Marie's place and they will be installing cameras within the next few days.
I take in a breath, looking around outside at the front of the distillery office. The weekends are always popular here, and the restaurant is full, the parking lot overflowing with tourists, all who drive here to sample my whiskey in the tasting room, have a tour of our facility, and then indulge in a meal in my restaurant before driving off later today. But here near the office, the garden is quiet and in the parking lot sits my truck, along with a few of the workers’ cars, and the new truck I ordered a mere week ago. My standard black polish shines bright against the sun. I hope she likes the logo. Lacy helped design it. Marie’s Placein a blue that matches the tiles on the fireplace she likes so much.
Looking up the driveway, I see a vision walking toward me. Her hair loose and blowing in the breeze, a summer dress that floats on her body, looking like God answered all my prayers. I step toward her, meeting her halfway, surprised to see her here.
