Youre welcome, honey. Maybe one of these days, you and I can go to town and find yarn to spruce up her hair. Give her a new look. She smiled gently at the child.
Tanya pretended to stick a finger down her throat and gag, but Megan kissed her doll and nodded, making her own curls dance.
Emmylou, its time for us to go eat, she said, darting off ahead of Tanya.
Noelani buried her hands in her shorts pockets and watched them disappear down the stairs.
That was a nice thing you did for Megan. First real smile Ive seen outta her.
Noelani whirled and saw Adam standing quietly a few feet away, his fingers tucked loosely under his leather belt.
Must you always sneak up on me? she demanded. Where on earth did you come from? Weve been standing right next to the stairs.
I came up the back steps. I had to check something for Jackson in his office. He phoned the kitchen wanting you, actually. I transferred him to the library, but you didnt answer. Now I see why. Hell be pleased, you know. He worries a lot about his kid. Cut Tanya some slack, though. She watches Megan okay. Its just that Auntie E is always harping at her, and those two clash. Tossing the doll was probably Esmes doing. I suspect she was trying to erase Megans background.
That childs hurting. Jackson should put his foot down. By the way, what did he want me for?
Oh, here. Adam took a folded message from his pocket. He ran into Nick downtown. Nick said the White Gold has a new Cajun group performing a couple of nights a week. Jackson thinks you should check them out and maybe book them for the cochon de lait. Adam grinned. Nick said they can be had cheap.
Noelani read the message. Is the White Gold a night club?
A riverboat casino. Building and staffing them is what Nick does.
To tell you the truth, Ive barely begun to read through the notes on what the family did in the past. Id just noticed the date he gave me is only two weeks away. Id hit panic mode when I heard Megan crying. She found her doll in the trash.
So I gathered.
Really? You spied on us that long?
I came down the hall about the time you left your room. You walked over to the stairs to talk to Tanya. I didnt want to interrupt.
Likely story. She stuck the note in her pocket.
That bands performing tonight. Ill run you downtown.
Thanks, but you have your own work to do. Ill phone a cab.
Adam fidgeted. Were talking about the waterfront. At night, he added.
She considered his subtle warning, glad he hadnt felt the need to make a big deal about her being a defenseless woman. In truth, she didnt know the area. They warned tourists against going into some parts of Honolulu at night. Her seat companion on the commuter flight from Dallas had mentioned that crime was on the rise in New Orleans. Perhaps it was also true for Baton Rouge. If youre quite sure it wont disrupt your schedule, I may take you up on that offer.
No problem. I cant do a lot until the wood for the cabinets arrives or the roof is finished. With any luck, both will be sometime next week.
What time, then? Is it all right if I wear jeans? I may have packed a white pair, but my wardrobe leaves a lot to be desired. I hadnt planned to stay. Since Ill be here until they divvy up the property, I phoned Bruce and asked him to ship a better assortment of clothes.
Whos Bruce? I never thought to ask if you had a boyfriend or a live-in.
She elevated an eyebrow. Not that its your business, Mr. Nosy, but Bruce is a contemporary of Dukes. I work at his sugar mill, as did my mom and almost everyone else in our town. I live in one of his rentals. Bruce has a master key, and thats why he was the person I called. Although his secretary, Midori, would have a better eye for choosing shoes and accessories. Oh, well. She grimaced. Its already done.
So you worked in sugar? Doing what?
I set up Shillers computerized vat and fermentation system. Most recently I developed a program to speed up the creeper feeders. They carry the cane to be crushed, in case you arent familiar with the process.
Im not. But it sounds interesting. Do Jackson and Casey know they have all this experience under their roof? Id think theyd want you overseeing the mill instead of coordinating a party. Not that I have anything against parties, mind you.
Im sure you dont.
Whats that supposed to mean? Im probably the least likely party animal youll find living in the deep South.
Ri-ight, she drawled.
Its true. I took over as man of the house when my dad, a pilot, went to Nam. My mother never worked outside the home until we got word that his plane had been shot down. She attempted retail, hoping to take her mind off his disappearance, butshe wasnt well. Adams face reflected the state of his memories. The longer it dragged on without his being found, either dead or alive, the tougher it was for Mom.
Noelanis demeanor changed at once from sarcastic teasing to total empathy. Thats awful, Adam. Was he okay when they found him?
Hes MIA. The navy assumes hes dead. So does Mom, when shes lucid. He now had Charlotte Ross in a good sanatorium upriver. Shadows clouded Adams blue eyes as he fingered a cross worn around his neck. He ran it back and forth along a gold chain. Some mornings I still wake up thinking thisll be the day Dad walks through my door.
Noelani nibbled her lower lip. Finally, she squeezed his arm. Stop. I can see that talking about this bothers you. I understand, because I hate talking about myabout the man who fathered me. She glanced at her watch. We both need to get back to work. What time shall I be ready to go to the White Gold?
Im sure Betty would be happy to have two fewer people for dinner. Remember the place I mentioned last night that has great alligator? Its near the casino. We can eat after you hear the band.
Having softened toward him in the aftermath of his sad tale, Noelani agreed. Im not eating alligator, Adam, but I guess I can see what else they offer.
Good. Great. He galloped toward the stairs before she could change her mind. Ill let Betty know. Be out front at six, okay?
Yes. Sure, Ill be ready.
She listened to him clatter down the stairs and slowly made her way to the library to start listing her duties as cochon de lait organizer. Adam was right; this probably was wasting her talent. On the other hand, she liked to excel at any job she did. So the Fontaines had better get set for the best darned party theyd ever experienced.
Noelani couldnt help it if her mind detoured every now and then. On paths that led to thoughts of Adam
She was touched by what hed said about his growing upand what he hadnt. A boy, not very old, forced to deal with a mother who was sick and whose heart was probably broken, as well. Relatives and neighbors probably hadnt understood. She could be summing up her own life. The similarity between them was almost uncanny. It certainly made her take a different view of Adam Ross.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE MISSISSIPPI WAS SWOLLEN and brown with mud after recent rains. The night air pressed in, covering her body with a fine sheen of perspiration. Noelani was used to a bright moon suspended over a white-capped ocean. Here the moon barely cleared the rooftops, and it glowed an eerie, sickly yellow. Still, embarking on a new adventure, she could hardly contain a shimmer of excitement.