A Time To Love

by Lynn Emery

  “I’ll arrange a sitter.” She planted a feathery kiss on his cheek. “Call me?” Alise made it sound as though they were dating again.

  “Uh, sure,” Chandler mumbled.

  He left the house carrying a heavy load. There was more to consider than his feelings. He had to do the right thing for everyone. A tension headache, dull and insistent pain, started with the muscles in his neck tightening.

  ***

  Mama Jo sat in front of the television in the living room watching a gospel group perform. When the phone rang, she turned down the sound by punching the volume button on the remote. Neva rushed to catch up the receiver before the third ring.

  “Hello, Chandler. How are you?”

  Neva moved down the hall with the cordless phone. As they exchanged the usual preliminary small talk, she tried to gauge his mood from the inflections in his voice. Then Chandler said the magic words that made everything right, he was coming back to Louisiana. She let out a audible sigh of relief. Having him back was the best medicine she could hope for now.

  “I’ll pick you up at the airport Saturday.” Neva held the phone tight. “Yes. Me, too. Bye.”

  Mama Jo sat with her hands folded on her stomach. She glanced at Neva and nodded. “He’s on his way back. I can tell cause that’s the first time you really smiled since he left.”

  “Yes, he’ll be here Saturday.” Neva touched her hair. She was all ready thinking of a special welcome home for him.

  “Best call Vada quick if you want an appointment. Course for a wash and style she’ll work you in.” Mama Jo wore a look of mild amusement. “Goin’ shoppin’ for a new dress, too?”

  Neva glanced down with a frown. “I hadn’t thought–” She became annoyed with herself as much as Mama Jo. “Think you’re so smart, don’t you? As a matter of fact, I’m not going to the hairdresser or shopping.”

  “It’s obvious you’re happy as a cat with a big juicy mouse not that he’s coming home.” Mama Jo chuckled. “Might as well admit it.”

  “Ugh, what a comparison,” Neva wrinkled her nose. “But you’re right about the happy part.” She sank down onto the sofa, her lips curved up in a soft smile.

  “Scared he was gonna stay up there.” Mama Jo waved away her beginning protest. “Don’t bother denyin’ it. You moped around here with your mouth down to your ankles.”

  “I did not!”

  “Sure you did. I heard all that about his mama and daddy bein’ fine, the weather an’ such. But what did he say about his boy? Did that ex-wife try to sink her claws in him again?” Mama Jo looked at her with an eager glint in her eyes. “Tell it all now.”

  “Tariq is doing much better and we didn’t discuss Alise.” Neva shook a forefinger at her. “You’ve been too much Hard Copy.”

  “Humph, I’ll find out soon enough.” Mama Jo gave a short nod. “Anyway, I’m happy for you, sugar. He’s the right kinda man for you.

  Warmth spread through her at Mama Jo’s words. “You think so?”

  She remembered the taste of his lips, sweeter than any candy, hotter than the best Creole pepper sauce.

  Chandler’s hands were strong and tender when he touched her. Her body tingled at the memory of his embrace.

  “Lord, he must love you some kinda good.” Mama Jo’s eyebrows were two high arches against her dark brown face.

  “Mama Jo!” Neva avoided her gaze.

  “Written all over you, child. Shoot, I was young myself.” Mama Jo wore a slight smile. “You gonna make a life together.” She held a forefinger. “I’m tellin’ you, I know.”

  Neva sensed a stillness in the air around them. When Mama Jo spoke in that prophetic tone, people listened. Yet Neva was not vulnerable to superstition. Her reaction was so strong because she wanted it to be true.

  “I’m not rushing into another commitment just yet,” Neva asserted.

  “Mind what I say. We gonna be plannin’ a weddin’ soon. I’ve seen the way y’all look at each other. Like two–”

  “Okay, okay. No more colorful comparisons, thank you.” Neva laughed. “I can’t wait to tell him about my research.”

  Mama Jo’s smile melted into a stiff frown. “I told you, Florrie is senile. Half the time she don’t know what she’s sayin’.”

  “But if what she said is true, we’re related to the mighty Claibornes. My but wouldn’t that cause a ruckus in West Feliciana.”

  “That ain’t the half of it.” Mama Jo leaned forward with an intense look. “Wasn’t too many years ago that kinda loose talk got you lynched.”

  “We both know how many black folks and white folks are cousins around here. Nobody gets upset about it.”

  “Long as you don’t mention it, no. You better let that alone.” Mama Jo shook her head.

  “We’re into the twenty-first century. I can’t believe hundred year old gossip would upset the Claibornes.” Neva shrugged. “Besides, I probably won’t be able to prove it anyway.”

  “Leave it alone.” Mama Jo stared off as though looking past their present conversation to something more. “Folks always talkin’ ‘bout how you gotta get at the truth. Sometimes the truth ain’t nothin’ but heartache,” she mumbled.

  “After so many years? All those people are long dead, Mama Jo.” Neva wanted to know their story.

  “Sometimes a thing can cross generations with poison and pain just as fresh as the day it happened.” Mama Jo closed her eyes and put a hand to her head.

  Neva knelt at her feet. She put her hand on Mama Jo’s arm. “Mama, something is very wrong between us. For the first time in my life, I feel like you’re not telling me the truth.”

  Mama Jo did not answer for a time. Finally she drew a deep breath and sat up straight. “Just tired. Happens when you get my age.” She sat back against the rocking chair, both hands gripping the arms.

  “Do you know something more than you’re telling me?”

  “No. Why would you say that?” Mama Jo blinked at her with eyes wide.

  “Because of the look of fear in your eyes whenever anyone mentions the past. I’ve never seen you get so worked up before.”

  Neva did not like the waves of dread that seemed to flow from her grandmother. There was a distance between them, a wall. Gone was the feeling of intimacy they’d shared for as long as she could remember. Somehow she did not sense it was connected to the old family legend.

  “Ain’t right diggin’ up the past. It ain’t right. What’s done is done,” Mama Jo said sharply.

  “Everything seems to have changed drastically in the past month. You didn’t care about my research at first, now you want me to stop. I was managing the store, then Desiree was the boss.” Neva watched her carefully. “Tell me what this is really about.”

  “I told you leave well enough alone. I’m goin’ to my room.” Mama Jo stood. She drew back from Neva’s attempt to help her. “I ain’t that crippled yet.”

  “All right.”

  Neva decided not to push her. She was worried that her state of mind could cause a setback. If only she could get Mama Jo to talk about whatever it was that upset her so. After a few minutes, she went into Mama Jo’s room to find her sitting on the side of her bed.

  “Come here.” Mama Jo gestured to her.

  “Maybe we should make an appointment with the doctor.” Neva sat next to her. She put an arm around shoulders thin and rounded with age.

  “Doctors don’t have a pill to stop folks from getting old.” Mama Jo’s weak smile faded quickly.

  “Still you have to take good care of yourself.” Neva brushed back the gray hair with affection. “I’ll see to it even if you won’t.”

  “I always tried to do my best for you. I ain’t always been right. But nothin’ I’ve done was to hurt you on purpose. You know that.”

  “Of course I do, Mama.” Neva planted a kiss firmly on her forehead. “You’ve been my heart and strength since I was a baby. Now let’s get you to bed.”

  Neva tried to brighten her grandmother’s dispositio
n with funny stories and other light-hearted gossip in Solitude. Soon she had helped Mama Jo into her gown. Mama Jo sat quietly as Neva brushed her hair into a bun.

  “There, ready for a good night’s rest.” Neva helped her ease back onto the pillow case with yellow daises bordering it.

  Mama Jo caught her hand. “Remember, I love you, baby.”

  “I love you, too. Good night.”

  Neva turned off the light before closing the door softly. She wondered about Mama Jo’s last words. There seemed a hint of desperation in them. Neva determined to plan some activity that would cheer her in the coming days. She and Chandler would take her out for a special treat. Chandler was coming home to her. They would be together. Neva’s anxiety eased away at the thought.

  Chapter 16

  Neva sat in the office plowing through paperwork, the part of running a business she hated. Yet not even that could dampen her mood. She still glowed inside from her reunion with Chandler. They touched and held each other from the moment he stepped into the airport waiting area. They sat close on the ride to St. Francisville. Once at Chandler’s apartment, he tossed the suitcase down and gathered her into a sweet embrace. The tender lovemaking that followed satisfied her need to be sure he had wanted to return. Neva could sense no regrets, no sign that he wanted to be in Detroit.

  “Hi.” Lainie came into the office and dropped her purse on a chair. “Are you getting any work done or still mooning about Chandler?”

  “Both,” Neva said with a smile. “How did it go?”

  “I’m getting funny vibes from the bank. Mr. Jumonville isn’t exactly enthusiastic.” Lainie took off her jacket and kicked off her pumps.

  “When we met with him last month, he didn’t discourage us.” Neva stacked up the sales tax forms and put them aside.

  “He wasn’t cheering us on either.” Lainie squinted deep in thought. “I think Marian Bellows is behind this. Does she know about your family research?”

  “Only five people know, Lainie, and none of us are talking. I don’t have any interest in spreading that news,” Neva said. “Have people know Ted Bellows is my distant cousin? No thanks.”

  “Something is happening. I don’t think we’re going to be able to expand just yet.”

  “If he doesn’t want our business, we’ll find another way.” Neva did not intend to let the old guard of West Feliciana Parish deter her. “We knew getting local support might be hard. Besides, we’re in no hurry.”

  Lainie reached into a closet to pull out a pair of jeans and a shirt on a hanger. She went into the small restroom. “Now I’m hearing rumors that a new tourist shop might open,” she called through the door.

  “Where did you hear that?”

  “You know Carolyn still works at Tunica Realty. She says Dianne Standford is showing property to some group but–” Lainie emerged dressed casually for a day at the store. “There’s a local connection.”

  “Are you thinking....” Neva sat back in her chair.

  “Exactly. First they use tactics to scare us. When that doesn’t work, they fall back on another foolproof strategy.” Lainie perched on the edge of Neva’s desk.

  “Competition. And they’ve got deep pockets.”

  Lainie nodded. “Not only will they make it something fancy, but they can spend big on a PR campaign.”

  “But we’ve got a solid plan.”

  Neva got up and went to the window near her desk. She was proud of how she and Lainie had done their homework. Sam Taylor had tour vans and one big bus that he used to take groups around to historical sites. He picked up tourists from the riverboat cruise ships that docked in St. Francisville. He was happy to make the Fish Shack one of his stops once Neva explained her plans to have Louisiana craft items. Neva had even began to work with a local architect to design a new building. Now why was the Bellows family so intent on blocking her?

  “They haven’t bought the property yet. Maybe I’m just being paranoid.” Lainie went to sit at her desk. She turned on the computer.

  “No, I think you’re right.” Neva turned to face her. “But here’s the interesting thing, they’ve gotta be more worried about us than we are about them.”

  “Not hardly, babe,” Lainie retorted. “We’re like ants in an elephant stampede.”

  “Then why make such an effort to stop us? First to buy our property, then damage the store?” Neva raised an eyebrow. “No, we’ve got something they want badly.”

  “The potential to make money from lumber, if you know forestry management, is huge. Mama Jo found that out three years ago.” Lainie lost the skeptical expression and seemed to consider Neva’s line of reasoning.

  “But she didn’t act on it. Of course she did get sick.”

  “And you show up and surprise everybody. The Fish Shack starts showing a healthy profit and–”

  “I talked to Browning Mills about logging and consult a forestry expert.” Neva sat back down at her desk.

  “And now Desiree is the boss,” Lainie said with bitterness. “After you’ve busted your butt.”

  “You helped a lot,” Neva added. “And it hasn’t been so bad with Desi being CEO.”

  “Yeah, at least she’s had sense enough not to change everything we’ve done. Humph,” Lainie said. “When she saw our profit figures, I could see the greedy little monster pop up in her eyes.”

  “At least we’re not in a constant battle with her.” Neva pulled at her hair. “It’s the last thing I need.”

  “So what does the queen bee think of the Bellows family moves?”

  “She’s not worried about it. In fact, she’s a little too casual. I can’t figure it out.”

  “I’m surprised. She fights like a cornered alley cat for what she thinks is hers.” Lainie made a rude noise to show just what she thought of their cousin.”

  “The Bellows-Claiborne Corporation is multi-national. So there must be something more going on with them.”

  Lainie was right about Desiree. She was strangely unperturbed that the Bellows family seemed to have targeted them for a takeover of some kind. With everything they owned all ready, she could not understand why Marian Bellows had suddenly developed such a strong need to have Sterling property. Once again Neva tried to look beneath the surface, to find hidden motives. She seemed to be surrounded by them these days.

  “I have a feeling the Bellows mob wouldn’t be doing all this just for a few trees.”

  “More than a few trees. Think of the products that come from wood.” Lainie said. “With the right management, those acres could bring in a lotta green. And I ain’t talking about leaves either.”

  “Yeah. Still let’s investigate.” Neva had an eager gleam in her eyes. “With some leg work, we can find out what is motivating this intense interest in us.”

  Lainie looked at the computer monitor. “We can get information from the internet.” She grinned. “I took a class on finding just about anything you want to know.”

  “Information is power, right?” Neva nodded at her.

  Lainie glanced at her cousin with wide eyes. “You’ve gone from laid back dreamer to high-powered lean, mean businesswoman.”

  Neva listened to Kenia talk to customers with sounds of the case register as background. “My dreams have a purpose, Lainie. I’m not going to let anyone destroy our family’s legacy.”

  “No time like now.” Lainie tapped in a series of key strokes. “Didn’t I tell you being online would pay off?”

  “Look here, I’ve all ready started.” Neva waved a note pad in the air. “Wonderful how much is public record.”

  “You sneaky little devil.” Lainie gave a gleeful whoop. “Gimme that.”

  For the next three hours, Neva divided her attention between supervising the store and watching Lainie explore the internet for interesting tidbits.

  Lainie took frequent breaks to rest her eyes. Neva would take over following links to websites. But it was Lainie who was the real expert. So it was that they were still in the office an hour a
fter closing time.

  “Whoa, is this legal?” Neva stared at listing of sales figures and stock prices for the Bellows-Claiborne corporation on the computer screen.

  “This is a reputable online database search business.” Lainie recited the company’s pitch line.

  “It’s a snoop service you mean,” Neva quipped. “Thank the Lord for their enterprising brains. How much have we got so far?” She glanced at the clock on the wall.

  “The tip of the iceberg, so to speak. Now look at this.” Lainie followed a hyperlink to another website. “Wonderful creation, the internet,” she murmured as she scanned another page.

  “Lainie, maybe we could do some checking on Desiree,” Neva said in a cautious voice.

  “Our own cousin, not to mention our boss? I’m shocked!” Lainie spun around to face her with a look of anticipation. “I can’t wait!”

  “It’s just... She’s got some secret hold on Mama Jo. Maybe she’s put the business in jeopardy.”

  “And is threatening to ruin it unless she’s in charge. Sounds like something the little witch would do.” Lainie drummed her fingers on the desk. “But I don’t see how she could.”

  “Me either.” Neva sat thinking for a while. She had turned it over in her mind again and again trying to make sense of it all. “I give up.”

  “Hold on. We haven’t started on Desiree yet. Let’s give it a try.” Lainie’s brown eyes twinkled with mischief. “Never can tell what I might be able to uncover.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

  “First things first.” Neva pointed to the screen containing what they hoped would be leads to understanding the Bellows business secrets.

  Lainie went back to the web pages. “Hmm, this is interesting. Prices on copper rose, but they didn’t see a jump in profit. I wonder....”

  For another hour they search. Piece by piece they began to learn more about the Bellows-Claiborne Corporation. When the phone rang, Lainie answered it with more than a trace of annoyance at being interrupted.