Read Online Grapes of Death by Joni Folger - Free Book Online

all friggin’ day.” He rubbed his eyes and then stretched. “What are your plans for the weekend? Anything fun? I have nothing waiting for me but more work when I get home. Some of us do have to earn a living, you know.”
    â€œAwww, poor baby,” she said with a sympathetic pout. “I’m meeting the girls for dinner at Toucan’s on Main at six thirty.”
    â€œMmm, Toucan’s. I’m jealous.”
    Ross practically salivated with the words, which made her giggle. “I know, I can hardly wait, myself. Just thinking about it actually makes my mouth water. And I hear Rueben has added some new sculptures.”
    Toucan’s was Elise’s favorite Mexican restaurant and within walking distance of her apartment. They served incredible food, and the owner was a neon artist who displayed his amazing sculptures throughout the restaurant.
    â€œMan, I wish I could afford one of his pieces. But Caroline would kill me, and I don’t know where we’d put it,” Ross said with a laugh.
    â€œHey, you should have Sancia come over and sit with the boys. Bring Caroline and come have dinner with grown-ups for a change. We’re heading down the block to the Dew Drop after dinner for drinks.”
    Friday nights at the Dew Drop Inn were usually a hoot and always packed. It was technically a private club, with Bastrop being a semi-dry county. But for a dollar a year you could buy a membership, and it was all good.
    â€œWhen was the last time you guys had a night out?” she asked with a stern look.
    Ross blew out a breath. “I can honestly say I don’t remember the last time Caroline and I went out without the boys, and that’s a sad statement.” He shook his head and appeared a little woeful. “But don’t tempt me. With the balloon payment coming due and a few other considerations, I’ve got tons to get done. I’m going to have a tough time working tonight knowing y’all will be eating spectacular food and partying it up while I’m going cross-eyed with numbers.”
    Elise laughed at that and then decided that maybe this was the time to tell Ross what she had hidden in her purse. “Ross, there’s something I’ve been meaning to discuss with you about my visit to Uncle Edmond’s the day before he was found. I made a disturbing discovery that I—”
    â€œDaddy!” The name was shouted from the doorway in unison cherub voices, interrupting Elise before she could get any further. Turning, she watched Ross’s two boys race toward them with Caroline strolling in behind.
    â€œHey, guys.” His wife greeted them with a smile. “We were on our way back from the bus and thought we’d take a detour through the greenhouse.”
    Elise gave an inward sigh. There goes my opportunity to spill the beans, she thought. Not that she didn’t trust Caroline, but she really wanted to talk through what she’d found with Ross before going to the rest of the family. That Edmond had been working for Henry Kohler, a direct competitor of River Bend, was a big deal. There was no telling how many ways her uncle may have compromised their security, and she needed some uninterrupted, private time with her brother to talk about her findings.
    â€œNow, what were you saying about a discovery, sis?” Ross asked after a few minutes of chit-chat.
    â€œYou know what? It can wait until later. Besides, I need to get home and change clothes.” She grabbed Caleb, Ross’s youngest son, and had him giggling as she made loud, slobbery, smacking noises against his neck. “But first, I need to gobble me up some boy!”

    Toucan’s was crowded when Elise and the group arrived. They ended up waiting for thirty minutes for a table but knew it would be worth the time spent.
    â€œEl, I was so sorry to hear about your uncle,” Brenda Peterson said once the waitress had seated them and taken their drink