by Lynn Emery
“Yeah. Oops! Sure, here she is.” Lainie grimaced. “It’s Chandler. Did you forget something?” she whispered with the receiver pressed against her shirt.
Neva gasped and grabbed the phone. “Hi, babe. We were working and lost track of time. Yeah, I’m on my way. Let’s wrap this up for tonight cause I gotta hot date.” She yanked her purse out of the desk drawer.
“Slow down. I need to print this last page.”
“I must be out of my mind.” Neva hurried into the restroom to check herself in the mirror. She picked up a hairbrush from a wicker basket on the counter top and pulled it through her thick dark hair. “Chandler may start to wonder if he was right to come back.”
“Get real. He’s wild about you.” Lainie shot a furtive look at Neva then pushed the key to print more documents. “He’s not going anywhere.”
Neva’s brush strokes slowed as she thought about the last few days since his return. Chandler seemed fine until she’d had time to really read the mood underneath his surface cheer. He was back here in body, was what about his heart? She freshened her lipstick, a red wine like the color of the sweater she wore over dark blue pants.
“I’m not taking any chances.”
Lainie chuckled. “You ask me, that hook is in his mouth mighty deep all ready.”
“Aren’t you through yet?” Neva put both hands on her hips, the purse swinging from her shoulder.
“Okay, okay. Somebody’s been without her man too long,” Lainie shot back. She ducked a paper clip aimed at her head.
“Ha, ha. Now come on,” Neva said in a tone of melodramatic frustration.
Within minutes they activated the security system, flipped out all the lights and were in their cars. Lainie waved goodbye before driving off in her husband’s small Toyota truck.
Once on the highway into town, Neva rolled down her window to enjoy the cool April night air. She savored the smell of early spring in Louisiana. She could smell the greenery around her pushing through the rich, moist soil. Sub-tropical Louisiana would explode with growth this year as every spring. As she thought of the store, Neva mused that she too was experiencing a rebirth. More confident in her ability to cope than ever before, she felt in control for the first time in years. At thirty she finally felt it was her time. Her time to grow as a person and to love. Neva rang the doorbell impatient to tell Chandler about her day. He had hardly opened the door before she flung her arms around his neck.
“Hello, love.” She kissed him long and hard.
“Hi, babe.” Chandler stepped back. He looked at her from head to toe. “Uh-oh, is this one of those tests women put men through?”
Neva laughed. “What are you talking about?”
“Something about you is different and I’m supposed to notice.” He examined her for several seconds then nodded. “New hairstyle.”
“No.” She shook her head.
“New sweater.”
“Wrong again. Will you–” Neva pushed him into the living room and shut the door behind her.
“New earrings?” Chandler’s large hand gently pushed her hair away from her ear.
“You’re grasping at straws.” Neva took his hand and led him to the sofa. “I’m still the same.”
“Yeah, still sweet as a great big praline.” Chandler sat down next to her. He put an arm around her shoulder.
“You, too.” Neva settled against his broad chest.
“I’ve got dinner in the oven. It should be ready soon. Cornish hens with pecan rice and fresh green peas.”
“Wonderful.” Neva breathed in the scent of spices.
“How was the daily grind?”
“The bank is trying to stall on giving us the loan. Such hypocrites, help the small business person indeed.” Neva gave a grunt to show her disgust.
“You’re going great now. Expansion isn’t critical, is it?” Chandler made her turn her back to him. He massaged her neck, his hands moving in firm circular patterns down her spine.
“Oh right there.” Neva closed her eyes. “I think the Bellows brood is up to their old tricks. But I’m not going to let them stop me.”
He kneaded the muscles in her shoulders. “You’re really tight. Maybe it’s time for a vacation. Tariq will be out of school soon and I thought–”
“I wish we could, honey. But I’ve got too much going on at the store. Do you know those people are even trying to help build another store to compete with us? Those jerks.”
“Guess they’re used to being on top. You’ll beat ‘em off, babe.” Chandler cleared his throat. “Besides, Lainie and Kenia can look after things for a week or so.”
“A week? Marian and Kate Bellows would swoop down like two vultures. No way around it, I’ve got to be here for the next several months for sure.” Neva sighed. “Not to mention having to watch Desiree.”
“You like being in control of the business, don’t you?” Chandler let his hands fall.
“Desiree is the boss, remember? At least for now.” Neva stared ahead, a slight frown. “I’ve got to find a way to head her off.”
“Why not just let her have it? I thought you didn’t care about being a success, being the boss.” Chandler
Neva felt a flash of anger. “No one thought I could handle it, me included. The Fish Shack is a big part of me now and I don’t want to let it go. I’m proud of what I’ve done.”
“You should be,” he said. “But....”
“But what?”
“All this time you’re spending, it isn’t what we planned.” Chandler sat back against the cushions. “I left Detroit to get out of the race to success, buy more expensive toys kinda life.”
“Chandler, my grandparents built what we have from nothing. I owe it to them to work just as hard to keep it,” Neva said in an intense voice. “I’ve had to scramble to keep Desiree in check.”
“I understand that, but I think–”
Neva rubbed her temples with the tips of her fingers. “You don’t know how exhausting it is using all my powers of tact and logic to keep her from making some really bad decisions.”
“Fine.” Chandler threw up both hands. He opened his mouth to say something else then stopped.
“Say it.” Neva stared at him.
“One week, Neva. A few days to spend with me and my son.” He put a hand on her thigh.
Neva cupped his chin with one hand. “I’m really sorry, but we’ve got meetings with new suppliers. Oh and the contractor is coming to talk about repairing the back porch. I can’t possibly take an entire week off.”
“I see.”
“I’ll be lucky if I can take a deep breath over the next six weeks.” Neva gave him an indulgent pat on the hand. “Maybe later.”
Chandler got up from the sofa. “You’re not content to keep the store profitable.”
“Running a business means long days, Chandler,” Neva said.
“All of a sudden you want to build some kind of conglomerate.” Chandler shook his head. “Where did that come from?”
“I’m expanding a little, not going international,” Neva snapped. “And what is this about anyway?”
“It’s about not putting ambition ahead of people.” Chandler sat down next to her again. “No racing around, working twelve hour days for weeks on end. We planned to go horseback riding, fishing and take trips. Remember?”
“Of course I remember,” Neva said.
“I heard the ‘but’ at the end of that sentence loud and clear.” Chandler’s jaw muscle tightened.
A moment of tense silence passed. Neva knew this was a critical moment for them. “You’re right. Sure, I can plan a few days off. If we don’t go too far,” she added the qualifier.
Chandler now wore a relaxed smile of gratitude. “Agreed. But no beeper or cell phone.” He wagged a finger at her.
“Hold on now,” Neva protested with a mock frown. “We captains of industry need that stuff. I’ll feel defenseless without them.”
“Come here you,” Chandler growled at her p
layfully. His voice was husky with desire. “Thanks for understanding,” he murmured, his lips against hers.
“No problem.”
“I’m going to lay out a feast.”
Neva made her mouth turn up in what she knew was a limp smile. Chandler, so happy she’d changed her mind, seemed not to notice. He sprang up from the sofa and went into the kitchen. The rest of the evening, Chandler entertained her with stories of his family and friends in Detroit. Neva was careful not to let it show, but she had a sense of foreboding. Worse still, she did not know why. She laughed in all the right places but her mind tugged at the source of her discomfort.
“You okay?” Chandler’s dark brows drew together.
“Umm, sure.” Neva snapped to attention.
“Back a few days and boring you with stories about folks you don’t know,” Chandler teased.
“I love your boring stories,” Neva said with a grin.
“Very clever. You’ll have to make up to me for that. You’re fined ten kisses, ma’am.” Chandler took her in his arms.
“You’re being too lenient. I’ll admit guilt and serve a life sentence.”
Chandler chuckled deep in his throat. “I’m going to hold you to that.
Neva snuggled close to him. The smell of shaving lotion and soap on his skin was delightful. They slowed danced together for a long time as the compact disc player went through the blues collection and into jazz. Their bodies swayed to the rhythm of the music and their passion for each other. Chandler kissed her face then her lips. His hands moved down to hold her hips tightly against his. Neva willed away thoughts of anything but right now.
***
“This is getting us no damn where.” Ted shoved his chair back from the conference table.
“Here we go,” Clinton muttered. He glanced at the others around the highly polished oak table with an “I told you so” expression.
Hollis sat with his elbows on the table, fingers forming a steeple. He stared off in thought, gray eyebrows bunched together. Kate gazed at Ted impassively. Marian’s lips were a thin line. There were dark circles under her eyes not quite concealed by makeup. They were in the small meeting room of the corporation office suite.
“Kate has lost her touch,” Ted continued. “She meets with Desiree and ends up letting her call the shots. Unbelievable.” He shook his head.
“What would you suggest?” Kate spoke in an even tone.
“Desiree is all talk. Her grandmother doesn’t trust her anymore than we should.” Ted rubbed his hands together.
“Seems that is about to change, Ted.” Kate’s tone was of an adult losing patience explaining something to a stubborn child. “In fact, my sources confirm that certain papers are being drawn up making Desiree CEO of Sterling Enterprises which includes the store and other concerns.”
“Bull!” Ted said with snort of derision. “You’ve let her con you.”
“We don’t have many options.” Kate glanced at her mother whose face went even paler.
“I have to agree with him on one thing, it’s a mistake to let this woman even think she’s in the driver’s seat.” Clinton sat forward. “I have to ask why you of all people, Kate, would give an inch. Not your style.”
A long moment of silence stretched. Ted looked at the others. “Something is wrong here. What are you all hiding from me?”
“From us.” Clinton added. “I’m puzzled, too. Kate, you wouldn’t show such restraint unless the Sterlings have some trump card.”
“Ridiculous. We could roll right over those people.” Ted struck the table with the flat of his hand.
“But it would make a real mess. One that would bring this family down,” Marian said in a strangled voice.
“Hardly that, dear.” Hollis did not look as confident as his words.
“Really? Remember what happened to the Victor family? They were ruined socially.” Marian’s hands trembled.
“Mother, what’s wrong?” Clinton put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
“That was thirty years ago, Marian.” Hollis sat unmoving except for his lips.
“Nothing has changed,” she snapped. “We know that so don’t mouth empty phrases at me about this being a new day.”
“Stop speaking in riddles. Tell us what is going on right now.” Clinton looked at his mother then Hollis. “I take it Kate all ready knows. She usually does.”
“I can’t. Hollis....” Marian stood and went to stare out the window.
“Our great-great-grandfather, I think I’ve got that right, fathered a child by one of the slaves.” Hollis stopped and pursed his lips.
“Hardly unusual in those times. Or the south for that matter.” Clinton’s frown deepened at way Hollis looked. “But this is more.”
“Oh yes.” Kate rose and stood next to her mother. “Our dear ancestor raised the child as his own to replace a still born son. You see he was desperate for a child after his wife had several miscarriages. This... boy was one Nathaniel William Claiborne.”
Ted blinked hard at them. “But that was our– You mean we–”
“The child’s mother was a quadroon named Lily. She was one of the Sterling ancestors,” Kate cut him off.
“They’re threatening to tell the world,” Marian said in a whisper that was loud in the charged silence.
“So we let them keep a foot on our necks indefinitely? Hell no! I’ll make them beg us to buy that land.” Ted jumped up with a wild look of wrath. “No one will listen to that lying little–”
Marian spun around. “I won’t have my family name brought down into the dirt with those people,” Marian shouted at him. “I won’t have it.” Her voice shook.
Hollis sat back. “Ted may have been right in his approach.” He held up a hand to stop protests from Kate and Clinton. “We need to find whatever documents they have and destroy them.”
Kate sat down again. “How? We don’t know where they are.”
“We could use inside information. Something we unfortunately don’t have.” Hollis took a deep breath.
“Maybe we do.” Kate looked at him.
“She won’t trust me,” Hollis said immediately. “Desiree is smarter than she looks as they say. I could try but....” He let his raised eyebrows finish the sentiment.
“You and Desiree? That’s absurd.” Ted sat with a stunned expression.
Marian closed her eyes. “The whole world has gone mad.” She put a hand to her heart and sat down with her back to them all.
“I meant I might have a solution,” Kate said dryly. The others all turned sharply to stare at her.
“Someone close I hope.” Hollis wore the eager look of fox.
“Careful it doesn’t backfire,” Clinton warned.
“Kate, not you, too.” Marian’s head wobbled. “My God.”
“We need to act now,” Ted blurted out. “I say we let them know we’re in charge!”
“Mother, don’t fret. We’re going to end this very soon.” Kate spoke in a soothing tone.
“Strangely enough, I still agree with Ted,” Hollis said. “We should find the documents, then strike hard to bring them to their knees.”
Kate nodded. “A quick one-two punch to the gut. I like it.”
Marian looked at the others, a look of vengeful anger twisted her pale face. “Make-them-pay,” she said through clenched teeth.
***
Desiree flung open the front door of her apartment with the cordless phone to her ear.
“Yeah, right. I’ll get back to you,” she said into the mouthpiece and punched the off button.
“Hi, baby. Damn, you look fine.” Ivory grabbed for her but she was all ready moving away by the time he puckered his lips.
“What is it?” Desiree went to the bar where papers were spread out. “And close my door for goodness sakes.”
He shut the door then shed his leather jacket with the grace of a panther. He strolled over and stroked her arm.
“Thought we’d have some one on one time tonigh
t. Get wild, ya know.”
“As enchanting as ‘getting wild’ sounds, I’m afraid I can’t. I’ve got a meeting in an hour.” Desiree gathered the papers together in a neat stack. She packed them into a folder. “Sorry.”
“C’mon, baby. It’s been almost a week since we... I need your red light special,” he said in a coarse voice. His hand moved up her shoulder, down her back to her buttocks.
“It will have to wait.” Desiree caught his hand and held it away from her. She let it drop. “Excuse me a minute.”
Desiree went down the hall to her bedroom without looking back at him. Ivory was standing legs apart wearing a tight expression when she returned. Desiree went to the bar in a corner of her living room. She poured amaretto into a small glass cut so that it resembled fine crystal.
“What’s up with you, woman?” Ivory said. He eyed her.
“Nothing except I’m taking care of business.” Desiree smiled to herself. “R-e-s-p-e-c-t, they’re going to give it to me.” She threw back her head and laughed.
Ivory walked around her in a circle. “You’re not meeting with your boss seven o’clock tonight.”
“I didn’t say I was.”
“Who is he?” Ivory’s voice was quiet but with an undercurrent of danger.
“Oh please. Playing the jealous lover doesn’t impress me, Ivory.” Desiree took a sip from her glass.
He jerked her to him. “You’re sneaking around with Hollis Claiborne again. He’s helping you get your hands on that property. You–”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Desiree tried to push him back but his grip grew tighter.
“I know about you two,” Ivory growled. “Sleeping with that old white man is low even for you.”
“Yes, I’ve talked to him a couple of times.” Desiree wiggled in an effort to get away. “But that doesn’t mean we had sex. How dare you say such a thing.”
“You’re telling me it was only business?” Ivory let his fingers loosen on her arms. “Then who are you seeing tonight?”
“Claiborne. But the barracuda Kate will be there, too,” she added quickly when his dark eyes narrowed. “Do you really think I’d choose that wrinkled up old man over you?” Desiree stopped trying to escape. Instead, she rubbed against him.