Jackson said Two thousand acres, a figure large enough to impress Noelani.
Stay out of my cane, Casey said, slamming down her mug. The fields are my responsibility. Duke left me in charge before he went on the trip.
Casey. Jackson and Nick cautioned her simultaneously.
Noelani wasnt going to be walked on. I distinctly heard Mr. Prescott say the cane, the mill, the refinery and everything to do with the business is a three-way split.
Maybe Duke wasnt of sound mind, Casey said, clenching her hands.
Nick stroked her tense arm. Let me figure a way to help you buy Noelani out.
No. You sank a bundle in the boatworks, and now with Moreau defaulting
Caseys right. Thanks, Nick, but well manage. Jackson drank from his mug. So, Noelani. You slept on our last discussion?
Yes. Im staying until the business is solvent. I hadnt planned to, but I phoned Bruce again last night. Hell send me more of my clothes and things.
Turning to Prescott, whod mopped up the remaining egg on his plate with a pancake, Jackson said, You reran those figures? Theres no way Casey and I can cash out Noelani today with whatever Maman left?
Wiping his pudgy face with a napkin, Shel tossed it down and tilted back in his chair, rubbing a hand over his portly middle. The way I see it, Jackson, you need every dime you can scare up to pay your crew. Plus, youll have to borrow to meet the mill payroll.
Casey came hissing out of her chair. We have money coming in from twenty-five growers and forty or so landlords who dump cane at our mill.
Jackson scrubbed a hand over his face. Thank God for that influx of cash, since the insurance companies are delaying until the National Transportation Safety Board finishes evaluating the crash. Casey, well need those funds to buy supplies and to pay the landlords based on the core sampling of their loads.
Thats your end, Jackson. Mine is to grow the best damned cane in the state. Im doing that, Casey said. My hybrids are thriving.
A wiry woman of undetermined age, an unlit cigarette dangling from the corner of her mouth, stepped into the kitchen through a side door. Yall want any more food before I dish it up and stick it in the warming oven for those lay-a-beds?
No thanks, Betty. Jackson spoke as he glanced around the table. Noelani?
Im fine, thanks.
Betty, this is ouruhNoelani Hana. Youll be adding a plate for her, maybe until Epiphany, which is when we tally our tonnage at the refinery.
I dont eat meat, Noelani supplied, smiling at the woman.
Well, I aint no short-order cook, Betty returned, propping her hands on skinny hips.
I didnt mean Noelani scrabbled to rephrase her intent. Dont add extra for me if youre preparing a meat dish.
Everyone at the table skewered her with a glance. She glared back defiantly. Ill make do with salads and vegetables if youre serving them, anyway. If none of you eat fruit, Ill shop for some. Im sure you must have a free corner in the fridge.
Not a problem, Jackson injected smoothly. Make a list. Betty can pick extra fruit up each week when she shops.
Shelburne shoved back his chair. Since youre leaving Dukes disbursements in limbo for now, Ill be on my way. Good vittles as always, Betty. Course, my cardiologist wont thank you.
If youre gonna eat like that, youve gotta exercise, she said, then withdrew.
Prescott clapped a hand on Jacksons shoulder. Say, Harold Broderick might be in jail, but hes some piece of work. Good thing Nick and Casey IDd him as your vandal. I hear hes not giving in, though. Seems hes hired a pricey New Orleans defense lawyer. Whod think selling a cane harvester on the black market would pay well enough to afford that kind of counsel?
Jackson tugged at his lower lip. Maybe Broderick got the proceeds from other robberies.
Yeah? Could be. Well, like I said, I have to hit the road. No, dont get up, Jackson. I know the way out. Im sure you have things to do.
Casey stacked her plate and Nicks. Reaching over, she added Shelburnes. Are you finished? she asked her brother. Time I made my rounds of the fields.
Nick drained his cup. I shouldve brought my car. I have an appointment with a company I may hire to do the interior of my next floating casino.
Jackson went to the sideboard and refilled his travel mug. Ive got a growers meeting in town at eight. Afterward, several of us are taking a few of our D.C. lobbyists to lunch. Wed like them to bend somebodys ear on the Beltway. Get them to raise the cap on the three cents we get for sugar on the world market. Either that or tighten controls on Mexico to make sure they arent shipping more than their quota.
You know they are, Casey said with a snort.
Apparently our friends in high places arent aware of that. Or else they dont care.
Noelani found their discussion interesting. But she didnt want them to walk out and leave her twiddling her thumbs. What shall I do today?
Your nails? Casey said too sweetly.
Noelani displayed her short, efficiently clipped nails. In Hawaiian, the name Hana means work. Im not sitting on my butt for five months when I have thirty-three-and-a-third percent interest in your operation.
Casey all but lost her grip on the plates shed gathered.
You and Nick shove off, Jackson said quickly. I have just the job for Noelani. What with the funeral, the wedding and the delay caused by the missing harvester, we put off our yearly cochon de lait. The workers are grumbling. So, Casey, Im giving Noelani the file and putting her in charge of arranging a pigfest.
Like a luau, you mean? Noelani straightened in anticipation.
Brother! Casey rolled her eyes. This ought to be a farce and a half.
Nick exchanged unreadable glances with Jackson, then aimed a kiss at Caseys neck. He hustled her through the archway into the makeshift kitchen.
Top off your mug and follow me, Noelani. Our cochon de lait is similar to a luau. Its a party that usually kicks off harvest. Several whole pigs are roasted either on a spit or in a pit. We happen to use spits.
Then a puaa? Thats a plain pig roast. She shook her head. Disgusting practice to a vegetarianbut I understand if its your tradition.
Whatever. Its all spelled out in the file. But instead of ukuleles and hula dancers, we hire Cajun and Zydeco bands. We serve mint juleps. He opened his office door, crossed the room and pulled an accordion folder out of a cabinet. If you need help finding caterers or musicians, or wording the flyer, Aunt Esme can advise you.
Is there a place youd like me to work on this? She gave a sidelong glance at his cluttered desk.
Theres a desk in the kitchenthe fire missed it. You can use it if youre not in Adams way. Theres another in the family room upstairs. Tanya and Megan hang out there, reading, playing or watching TV. That may turn out to be a little noisy if youre trying to talk on the phone. Oh, heyspeaking of Megan, I promised Id get her up and read her a story before I leave for my meeting.
Shes sweet. Do you have her full-time or do you split custody with her mom?