He closed his eyes for a few seconds, resting one elbow on the table, gripping his forehead between thumb and fingers. Sympathy rose in Dena’s chest and she wanted to hold him, comfort him.
Moments later, he looked up. “Apart from one year when I lived here after college, I’ve been absent since I was eighteen.”
“I know. Manny told me that,” Dena said.
“Oh?”
She shifted in her chair. “I asked him a few questions. But listen, Rocky can’t tell you how to run your life, he’s your foreman. And just because you’re the stranger in—”
“It’s a matter of loyalty. He’s worked here for twenty years, ever since he dropped out of high school at sixteen.” Zeke took a deep breath, and then blew it out. “He helped my mother. I owe him.”
Dena took a sip of wine. “You owe him friendship, perhaps, and maybe a good salary. But you can’t let him run your personal life. You’re the owner. His boss—”
“There are things you don’t know, can’t understand.”
“So try me.”
Zeke opened his mouth to speak, but changed his mind, took a sip of wine instead, then sat back in his chair and returned to brooding for a couple of minutes.
“Rocky was like a son to my mother,” he finally said, when it was evident that Dena would wait him out. “He was the person I could never be.”
“In what way?” Dena asked.
He liked the gentle coaxing tone of her voice. He’d missed having a woman around to share things with. Hadn’t realized until now how much he’d missed that female point of view. “I don’t like farming.”
He stretched his shoulders and ran a hand through his hair, knowing he left it sticking up at weird angles. He almost laughed at his comment. He’d sounded like a petulant schoolboy, and figured he might as well have hair to suit.
“Okay.” Dena said. “And that’s a problem because—”
“Because I feel trapped,” he said, and shifted his position. It was the truth. One part of him wanted to sell and get away from here forever; the other had found long-hidden things about the place that he loved.
“I never wanted to run this place. I wanted the city life.”
“And to be a lawyer?” she asked.
He nodded. Damn it. She was interrogating him again; those blue eyes of hers were wide, and cool, and all-knowing. She’d make a good lawyer. He shifted his position again and cleared his throat. What was it about her that made him want to spill his guts? He shrugged.
“You were right with what you said yesterday. I’ve acted like an ostrich. Even before the bodies were found. It was easier to go along with plans, not upset the status quo.”
“I figured as much. Your plan was to bide your time, until you could escape—”
“Or find a suspect.” He picked up his wine glass, and eyed her over the rim. “It seems you asked more than a few questions of Manny.” He took a quick swallow of wine, and gave her another long quizzical stare.
She held his gaze. “Not too many. And, for the record I don’t consider him a suspect. We chatted while I ate a sandwich. So, back to Rocky. It seems you need to stay on his good side. You’ll leave Three C’s eventually, and then let him manage the place, right?”
“Yes,” Zeke muttered.
Irma arrived and cleared the table. “You like dessert?”
Dena declined with a shake of her head, so did Zeke.
“Cake.” Irma said. “Is choc-oh-late.”
Dena smiled, and shook her head again. Zeke excused himself to Dena, and then spoke rapidly in Spanish to Irma.
“I be back, Monday.” Irma smiled at Dena, and then looked back to Zeke. “You be okay?”
“Yes. Have a nice Sunday,” he said, covering his surprise. Irma had spoken English to include Dena. Impressive!
Dena waited to speak, until Irma left the room. “So, back to what Rocky wants. Are you asking me to leave?”
“It’s for the best,” Zeke said, and pressed his lips tight.
“Do you want me to go now, tonight?”
“Whenever—”
“Fine!” Dena shot a dark glare of frustration his way.
He couldn’t blame her. He felt disgust at himself.
She put her napkin on the table. “I’ll leave first thing in the morning. I hate to drive at night.”
Zeke gave a curt nod. “I’ll ask Manny to sleep
over.” He didn’t dare make eye contact.
“Would you excuse me?” Dena asked. “I think I’ll go back to my room.”