by Lynn Emery
“I was just telling someone the other day that Mama Jo is one strong woman.” Shirley broke into a wide smile. “Oh let me go tell Hester something.” She sauntered off.
“Don’t mind mama. She just doesn’t know how she sounds sometimes.” Desiree seemed resigned at her mother’s lack of finesse.
“It’s all right.” Neva brushed away the slight upset. “I’m glad you both decided to come.”
“Listen, I’m thrilled at your success with the store. Naturally I was disappointed when Mama Jo put you ahead of me–”
“Mama Jo was doing what she thought best,” Neva broke in.
“Let me finish. I want you to know that I’m feeling a lot better about it these days.”
“Really?” Neva was surprised to say the least.
“Really. No more fussing or tantrums from me. I’m satisfied.” Desiree smiled at her.
Neva touched her shoulder. “That’s great, Desiree. Let’s try to get together sometimes.”
“We can have lunch or something. We’ve got a lot to talk about.” Desiree nodded.
“I’d love to.” Neva smiled back at her.
After a few more moments of small talk, the two cousins separated. Neva was gratified at the change in Desiree’s attitude toward her. Her gifts were not only under the tree this year.
“Have time for me?” Chandler came over with a cup of hot eggnog in each hand. “Here you go.”
“I think I can fit you in.” Neva accepted the cup and sipped the sweet thick drink.
“I added my own touches to it.” Chandler pointed to the eggnog. “Cinnamon, nutmeg and a dash of vanilla.”
“Your talents continue to astound me.” Neva did a short curtsey.
“I aim to please.”
“You’re right on target,” Neva murmured.
Chandler stood close to her. “I love your family. This isn’t like the quiet dignified parties my folks give.” He looked around.
“A little rowdy but–”
“Hey I’m having a ton of fun. I wouldn’t trade this lively group of good people for all of those stuffy upper-class snobs.” He gazed at her. “I don’t want to be anywhere else in the world right now.”
“Neither do I.” Neva leaned on his broad chest.
“And tonight we’ll sit in front of a fire and exchange presents,” he whispered close to her ear. “What could be better?”
Neva had it all in that moment. Her family around her and a man who fulfilled all her needs. “Nothing, baby. Except maybe New Year’s Eve.” She beamed at the look of desire in his eyes at her words.
Chapter 12
“This isn’t a good idea,” Ivory said.
He glanced over his shoulder for the tenth time since they’d sat down in the dark bar. Smooth Eddie’s was an upscale lounge across the river in West Baton Rouge Parish. It catered to the well-paid employees of surrounding petro-chemical plants, mostly mid-level and upper management. The staff were known for being both discreet and tolerant.
Kate rubbed his knee beneath the table. “We’ll go somewhere even more private in a bit. Now relax.”
“Why did you look me up after so long?” Ivory took a pull from the tall glass of imported beer he’d ordered.
“My husband didn’t come with me,” Kate said with a soft smile as though that explained it all.
“Like it would matter.”
“Be nice.” Kate showed no sign of being insulted. “I wanted to look up on old friend.”
Ivory made a sound that crossed between a laugh and a grunt. “You’re not the sentimental type.”
“We had something special once.” Kate gripped the muscular flesh of his thigh in a way that suggested she wanted to go higher.
“Yeah, once.” Ivory’s gaze travelled down from her face to settled on the outline of her breast beneath the pink sweater.
“Good times on those long summer nights out at my uncle’s camp,” Kate whispered.
“Uh-huh. He woulda had my throat cut if he’d found out, too.”
“That’s made it hot, sweetie. You like the taste of forbidden fruit.” Kate leaned against his arm and rubbed.
“Meeting out in the middle of nowhere was a good idea,” Ivory said. His breathing was raspy now. “The way you screamed, the secret would have been out fast.”
“I own the cabin now though.” Kate wore a smile of feline satisfaction.
Ivory seemed hypnotized as he stared at her lips moving. When a waiter dropped a tray with a loud clang, he blinked as though awakened from his trance. “You gotta be out of your mind. Not the way you played me, baby.”
“We used each other.” Kate brought her hand up to rest on the table top. “We both wanted a little danger.”
“Chris was my friend dammit. If I had known your uncle was after his grandfather’s business–”
“You got the great job you wanted.” Kate spoke in a mild tone.
Ivory drank the rest of the beer in his glass and gestured to the waiter. The tall man came to their table. “At least Chris went on to law school like he planned. Another beer, man,” he said.
“Sure, Mr. Gatlin got an excellent price. You might have even done him a favor.”
“You got a point.” Ivory cast off the thin layer of remorse easily.
Kate wore a fetching smile for the handsome waiter. “I’ll have another martini please.”
“You haven’t changed a bit. Now tell me why we’re here, Katie.”
“Old times isn’t enough?” She assumed a fake hurt expression.
“I’ll believe it when I start waiting up for Santa.” Ivory said no more when the waiter approached. He threw a twenty dollar bill on the tray.
“No let me, this is my party.” Kate took the money and gave it back to him. She placed a platinum card in its place.
“Yes, ma’am.” The waiter flashed a dazzling smile at them both.
“Suit yourself.” Ivory lifted his glass to her in a mock salute. “
“You’re still looking mighty good, Ivory.”
“You too,” he admitted. “But I’m not a crazy eighteen year old anymore. So whatever you’re selling, I’m not buying.”
“You always were one for risky business.” Kate sipped from her drink.
“Had to be running around with you. And not just because of your uncle either.” Ivory looked at her. “But not now.”
“Bull. You haven’t changed anymore than I have. Or else you wouldn’t be here.”
“Like you said, old times sake.” Ivory wore a smirk.
“You still like taking chances. Desiree isn’t exactly a Sunday school teacher.” Kate laughed.
“I’m single and so is she,” Ivory said. He shrugged.
“No, you’re separated. And in the middle of delicate property settlement negotiations, too. Your estranged wife wouldn’t like it–”
“How did you find out this stuff!” Ivory put his glass down hard.
“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.” Kate had the look of a kind-hearted pal.
“Uh-huh. Now we come to what you want, right?” Ivory stared at her with distaste.
“Something we both want, sweetie. Desiree wants to get control of her family’s businesses. That would profit us both.” Kate leaned both elbows on the table.
“What’s this got to do with you?”
“Not me, Bellows-Claiborne, Incorporated. She’s willing to do sell a portion of Sterling land to us. Her cousin doesn’t share our vision.” Kate watched his face carefully.
“She mentioned it. Why come to me?”
“Unlike my foolish brothers or my mother, I know Desiree is no fool. She’ll talk to us once and figure something is up.” Kate had lowered her voice.
Ivory stared back at her with a look of dawning realization on his face. “You want it all. Every acre you can grab. The timber is worth a fortune.”
“Pocket change. I know about the mineral rights and the possibility of oil,” Kate cut him off. She nodded and smiled.
“Damn!�
�� The smooth teakwood skin on his face beaded with sweat.
“She’s kept it a secret even from her parents, the greedy minx.” Kate picked up the long red toothpick from her martini and ate the olive on it.
Ivory drained his glass. “What are you going to do?”
“With your help, we can walk away with millions,” Kate said bluntly.
“I’m low, but I’ve got my limits. Desiree and me are going places together.” Ivory shook his head with vigor. “No way.”
Kate’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me you’ve found true love.”
He leaned across the table. “Forget it,” Ivory snapped. “You won’t tell anyone either. If you do, you won’t get the timber let alone oil rights.”
“You’re making a mistake. Things get messy for anyone who stands in my way,” Kate said. Her face flushed with two bright pink spots on her cheeks.
“I’m not stupid.” Ivory grew more confident. “I’ll end up with peanuts. If anything at all.”
“Warn her and your dear wife will get a detailed list of all the assets you’ve hidden,” Kate snarled.
“With the money we’ll be making, I won’t care about pocket change.” Ivory was relaxed once again. “But you on the other hand will get nothing.”
“Bastard.” Kate hit the table with her fist in frustration.
“I figure even if it comes out, Desiree will still come into a good chunk of money from royalties.”
“She won’t share it with you. Not when she finds out you were responsible.” Kate played her last hand. She and Ivory stared at each other.
“True, but you won’t have it either.”
After several moments, a slow smile spread across both their faces. “A draw then. Can we compromise?”
“You have greater resources to exploit that timber. Give me a cut and I’ll help you another way. Dredging sand and gravel from their property on the east side of St. Francisville could pay off like oil.” Ivory nodded. “I’ve done my homework, too.”
“Then I guess that will have to do.” Kate lifted a shoulder.
“You’ll make a lot more money to keep the millions you all ready have company.” Ivory held up his glass as a signal to the waiter.
“At least we didn’t quarrel.” She used her long fingers to fluff her glossy blond hair. “I was wrong, you have changed. I like the way you handle yourself now.”
“You mean beating you at your own game is a turn on?” Ivory sat back in his chair, the picture of a stud in control of his woman.
“All this dickering has me feeling... overheated.” Kate used a cocktail napkin to dab at her face and neck. “Why don’t we go to my cabin and cool off.”
Ivory wore a lascivious grin. “Lead the way.”
***
“I’m not going to sit around like them,” Ted barked.
He slapped a fist into his palm repeatedly as he paced. Ted ignored the lovely view from a wide window of his spacious office at Bellows-Claiborne Incorporated. The suites that housed the company took up the entire tenth floor. The nine stories below were filled with lawyers, accountants and a medical clinic with expensive specialists. After several minutes, he sat down at the large walnut desk in his office.
His executive assistant, Chad Preston watched him with cool hazel eyes. “What else can you do?” He sat in one of two dark wine leather chairs facing Ted’s desk.
Ted turned on with fire in his eyes. “Plenty!”
“But Mrs. Bellows said–”
“To hell with that!” Ted made a chopping motion with one hand like a black-belt karate expert. “Let them wait like scared rabbits. I’m going to act.”
Chad cleared his throat. “The longer we wait, the greater the chance Neva Ross could sell to our competitor.”
“There’s no reason to think she would.” Ted stopped pacing.
“Makes sense.” Chad lifted a thin shoulder. “It would most certainly get us into a bidding war. More money in her pocket.”
“They’re not that smart.” Ted wore a frown of worry despite his words.
“Maybe not. Should we hold our breaths and hope none of them think of it?” Chad’s sharp face looked longer when his mouth turned down.
“Those people don’t have any kind of business sense. Look at how they’ve run that store for fifty years.” Ted seemed to be making a case to convince himself as much as Chad.
“Neva Ross hit the fast forward button. The Fish Shack is now in the twenty-first century, my friend.” Chad examined his neatly manicured fingernails. “She’s expanded with a deli inside the store now.”
“A few new shelves for collard greens isn’t exactly my idea of a growing concern,” Ted said with scorn. He let out a coarse laugh at his joke. “Greasy fried chicken sandwiches is probably what they’re serving.”
“Actually it’s gourmet coffee and low-fat muffins along with several delicious sandwiches. There’s even talk she could add books.” Chad looked at his old classmate and fraternity brother. “Very popular.”
“No one will drive to Solitude to get a sandwich.” Ted was not laughing now as he faced Chad.
“Don’t kid yourself. She’s in a prime location. Right on the main drag that leads to nature trails in the Tunica Hills.” Chad adjusted his silk tie.
“So she’s come up with a few ideas.” Ted sat down at his desk.
“More than a few I’m afraid. But still, your mother and sister most likely have things in hand. As usual.” Chad sat back in a posture of waiting.
“I’m sick of being treated like a half-wit,” Ted blurted out.
Chad sat forward with a feral look. “You’re the only one who seems to understand decisive action is needed.” Gone was the expression of a mild, upper-class effete disinterested in serious thought.
Ted gazed at him for time. “She’s got to be stopped.”
“But how?” Chad now looked eager to hear more. “Of course they’ve had smooth sailing. No setbacks, no serious problems.”
“Maybe that’s going to change. Life is so unpredictable.” Ted rubbed his chin slowly. “Owning a business is always a risk. Suppliers could become difficult. Credit lines dry up.”
Chad was silent for a few moments. “Not to mention how rampant crime has become. Thieves do terrible things to cover up their crimes.”
“Even commit arson,” Ted muttered.
“Terrible what those people do to each other.” Chad nodded at him.
“She’d just rebuild I’d bet. Plenty of money.”
“From the ground up? That would take some time. And what if there are other... incidents?” Chad picked up an antique letter opener shaped like an small dagger. “Ms. Ross might be persuaded to take the money and run.”
“Yes.” Ted sat back with a grim smile. He leaned against the butter soft deep red leather of his captain’s chair. “Shocking the way no one is safe these days. What is the world coming to I wonder?”
***
“Happy?” Chandler held her gently as they lay in his bed.
“Delirious.” Neva enjoyed the feel of his heart beat. Her face was pressed to his broad chest.
Tonight was another long, sweet time of love. Chandler had romanced her with roses. He’d made love to her in slow motion, drawing out the pleasure until it was painful. Now she was exhausted and completely satiated.
“Good. I want to concentrate on making all your fantasies come true,” Chandler whispered. “What next?”
“This is wicked. Lainie must think I’m terrible taking off an afternoon on the spur of the moment.” Neva sounded anything but guilty. She snuggled closer to him beneath the blanket.
“No she doesn’t. Besides, now you have both have help,” Chandler mumbled. He drifted between sleep and wakefulness.
“Our first full-time employee. Kenia is working so hard. That new welfare-to-work program brought us the perfect person.” Neva thought of the conscientious young single mother who was so proud of her first paycheck.
“So enjoy your succ
ess.” Chandler yawned widely.
“Hmm.”
Neva was silent for a time. Based on all that had happened in the last few months, she should have no reservations. Though they were not earning a large profit yet, their projections showed the future was bright. Still Neva was worried. Her sixth sense popped up at odd moments. It was familiar to her now. Like a fog obscuring an object, she could not see far enough ahead to tell what it was yet. Something was not right.
“And tell Mama Jo to take it easy if that’s what’s bothering you. She’ll come around.” Chandler’s voice had faded until his voice was barely audible.
That was it. Neva propped herself on one elbow. “Mama Jo isn’t usually so argumentative with me about the store. But for the last week she’s been acting strange.”
“Like what?”
“Out of the blue the other day she asked if the store was really important to me. Then she started talking about my mother and learning to live with new dreams.” Neva shook her head. “When I tried to question her, she got quiet.”
“She’s probably having to adjust to giving up control after so many years. Mama Jo is used to being in charge.” Chandler grew more alert when Neva moved restlessly.
“I don’t know,” Neva said.
“My grandfather used to say how hard it was for him when he retired.” Chandler stuffed pillows at his back and pulled her down to rest on his chest again. “Until she got sick, she still had the store. It probably isn’t easy to sit home after so many years of working.”
“I guess that could be it.” Neva was not satisfied completely. The fog had not lifted at all.
“Relax.” Chandler squeezed her arm. “Everything is wonderful. I’m going to kiss away your frown.” He brushed his full lips across her forehead.
“Thank you, sir.” Neva smiled at him.
He settled back and closed his eyes in contentment. Neva tried to ignore the fog. She even tried to tell herself it meant nothing. Yet the sense that trouble was lurking nearby did not go away.
***
Mama Jo sat with the hook rug in her lap. She worked slowly but with skill the way her occupational therapist had instructed. Making various craft items was therapeutic, designed to restore strength and dexterity in her hands. Her son James gave her a peck on the cheek.