She whispered, “Yes, ma’am. You have. Perfectly.”
Tamar sat back. Lucas and Wyatt shared a quick smile. Gemma wanted to cheer until she met the venomous glare the woman shot her way. It lasted only a second but it was enough to convey that she’d made an enemy, which made no sense. Tamar was the one who’d set her on fire, but Gemma supposed she made an easier target of Krebs’s ire than the town’s six-foot matriarch.
Ms. Krebs began gathering her things. “Ms. Dahl, I’d like to do your home inspection now if that’s okay.”
“Sure.”
Chapter 9
Lucas hadn’t been inside a library in two years. Browsing the titles filled him with both eagerness and sadness. He loved books, as had his mom and dad, and trips to the library back home had always been special. However, the foster mother had refused to take him, saying she didn’t have the gas or time, so he’d placed his love for reading in the spot in his heart where he’d buried all the other neat things he’d cared about in his old life. Being able to take out books again was awesome. Ms. Gemma had gotten him and Jaz library cards. Wyatt said she brought him here at least twice a month, which was twice more than Lucas ever hoped for while in the foster care system. He took down the first Harry Potter book. He’d already read the series and remembered how great it had been to lose himself in the story of Harry and his friends, so he took down the second book also and added them to the ones he already had in his arms. With no school to interfere, he could read as much as he wanted.
Wyatt came up beside him and asked quietly, “How many books do you have?”
“Five. You?”
“Five.”
They shared grins and walked over to the checkout desk. Lucas liked Wyatt and guessed they could be good friends but because life would never allow him to be happy again he wouldn’t allow himself to get close. Less heartache that way.
On the ride back to Ms. Gemma’s he savored the weight of the books in his lap and couldn’t wait to dive into them. “Thank you, Ms. Gemma.”
She smiled at him in the mirror. “You’re welcome. We’ll go as often as we can.”
He glanced over at Jaz and she grinned. She had a bunch of books, too. It was good seeing her happy, even though he was certain it wouldn’t last. He thought back on the visit with the social worker. He hadn’t liked her. When she did the house inspection she’d been real cold to Ms. Gemma; wouldn’t make small talk, never smiled. She was all about the business. He guessed she hadn’t liked being called out by Tamar. Actually witnessing how scary Tamar could be made him never want to get on her bad side, ever. Lucas knew about the Negro National Anthem, but he didn’t know all the words the way Wyatt did, and it made him wonder about the Henry Adams school. He’d seen the outside and Wyatt said their teacher Mr. James was amazing, but that the school only had one teacher was as puzzling as learning they sang the Anthem every day. Henry Adams was a really different place and one he wouldn’t mind being in permanently, but he had about as much of a chance of that happening as he had of receiving a welcome letter from Hogwarts.
Seated in the backseat beside him, Jaz asked, “Ms. Gemma, what else do you have to do to be our foster mother?”
“Take a couple of online classes and fill out more papers.”
“How long do you think it’ll take?” Lucas asked.
“A month maybe?”
“That’s a long time.”
“I suppose but if all goes well, we’ll have everything in place by the time school starts in September.”
Wyatt added, “We’re supposed to be getting another teacher. I hope I get to still be with Mr. James.”
“I think you will. The new teacher is supposed to be teaching the younger kids, or at least that’s my understanding.”
“Lucas, you’ll like Mr. James,” Wyatt said. “He does what he calls topical teaching. Instead of just using textbooks, he teaches us about stuff in the news. It’s kinda awesome. He’s real serious about us getting a good education, but he also makes it fun. Sometimes.”
Although Lucas was intrigued by Wyatt’s enthusiasm, he refused to hope that he’d be around when the time came to go to school.
When they got back to Ms. Gemma’s he and Jaz and Wyatt sat out on the deck and read until the sun began going down. Jaz and Wyatt went inside but Lucas stayed. He had so many thoughts running through his brain and for the past few days being alone with the silence of the countryside seemed to calm his insides.
“The mosquitoes will be out soon,” Ms. Gemma said, stepping outside to join him.
He gave her a small smile. She walked over and stood beside him and, like him, gazed out at the plains.
“This is a lot different than being in Chicago,” she said.
“Dayton, too.”
“I grew up in Franklin, but being a kid I never appreciated the silence the way I do now that I’m an adult.”
“I didn’t know you were from here.”
She nodded. “Moved to Chicago when I was sixteen.”
“It’s real quiet.”
“It is.”
They stood silently for a few moments before she said, “I like having you and Jaz here.”
“Thanks.” He looked over at her and the kindness reflected in her eyes made him turn away because he didn’t want to acknowledge how much he could become attached to her as well.
“Things will work out, Lucas.”
“No, they won’t. They haven’t since my parents died and it isn’t going to change.”
That she didn’t try and convince him otherwise made him think she maybe understood.
“My daughter was in the Army and died over in Afghanistan.”
He tensed and met her eyes. “Was she Wyatt’s mom?”
“Yes.”
“He and I have a lot in common then.”
“Yes. Neither of us thought we’d ever smile again.”
Lucas knew what Wyatt must have gone through and admitted with a whisper, “This is hard.”
“Very, and it will be awhile before it gets easier.”
Silence settled around them again.
She rubbed his back gently. “Don’t let the mosquitoes carry you away.”
With that, she went inside and he was left alone with his thoughts.
In the dream, she was making her way up the mountain’s narrow path. Wind whipped at her black-and-red caftan, causing her gray hair to wave behind her like a banner. The harpy eagle flew above, its calls urging her on. She still had no idea why she was climbing but the urge to keep going was strong. On the wind came sounds of music; the faint tinkle of bells and the rhythmic beat of drums bringing with it the echoes of gunfire and screams. Fog descended, turning the dream world a ghostly gray. Suddenly, the ground was littered with mangled dead bodies of men, women, and children all wearing the colorful dress of her ancestors. Off in the distance, panicked voices cried out in Spanish, English, and in tongues she didn’t recognize. Filled with dread, she searched the fog but saw no one. A charred wooden sign appeared. Negro Fort. She startled. She knew this place. The eagle screamed and she woke up.
It was 5:00 a.m. and still dark. Shaking, she sat up in bed and dragged shuddering hands down her face. Her heart pounded. Why am I having these dreams? Negro Fort was a Black Seminole enclave in Spanish Florida, blown up in 1816 by soldiers sent by President Andrew Jackson. Hundreds of warriors, women, and children died from the American cannons; some bodies were even found in the tops of trees. Survivors unable to escape were either sold into slavery or executed. It was the first skirmish in the Seminole Wars.
Tamar hugged herself against the chilling memory. Was this a sign of some kind? Was she on the final journey to join her Black Seminole ancestors? She had no answers, but wanted the dreams to stop because this one scared her to death.
Knowing she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep she got up and started a pot of coffee. When it was ready, she poured herself a cup, fired up her laptop, and did a search on harpy eagles. She knew they were
n’t native to the United States but per the information she found, they had at one time called parts of Mexico home, a portion of which encompassed areas the Black Seminoles settled in after fleeing Indian Territory. Places like Nacimiento and Piedras Negras. Tamar had never believed in coincidence and she didn’t plan to start now. The dreams and the eagle meant something. But what, remained a mystery.
Later that morning, she was sweeping her porch when a cab pulled up to the house. Since she wasn’t expecting anyone, she paused to see who would step out. It was her cousin. Eula. Age-old resentment rose. Eula Nance. Snooty, self-absorbed, and the wealthiest member of the widespread July family, she was the great-granddaughter of Tamar’s great-aunt Teresa July Nance. Tamar had no idea what she wanted. That the cabbie was unloading luggage from the trunk meant she planned to stay awhile. Tamar would have Mal or Trent drive Eula over to one of the hotels in Franklin because she wasn’t staying with her.
“Morning, Tammy.”
“Eula.” As always, her attire reflected her financial status: a nice pair of gray slacks, white silk blouse, gold in her ears and around her neck. She had on a wide-brimmed straw hat and pricey designer shades. She was using a cane, which made Tamar wonder if she’d had a stroke. She hadn’t seen or heard from Eula in a good five or six years, and once again wondered why she’d come.
Standing at the bottom of the steps, Eula said quietly, “Surprised to see me, I’ll bet?”
“Give the woman a cigar.”
“Are you going to invite me in?”
“Do I have to?”
“Unfortunately, for both of us, you do.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m dying, Tam, and I need you to bury me when the time comes.”
Tamar was stunned. She certainly hadn’t been expecting that. “Come on in, then.”
The cabbie brought the luggage to the porch. Eula struggled up the steps and followed her inside.
“Place looks nice,” Eula said once she was seated.
“Thanks.”
When Eula removed her hat and shades, Tamar saw the gray pallor of her skin and the dullness in her eyes. There were short, sparse patches of gray hair on her nearly bald head.
“It’s cancer,” Eula explained unprompted.
“Why come to me?”
“Julia wouldn’t take my calls. So, given the choice of you or that brother of yours and his family of hooligans, you won.”
Tamar forced herself not to remind Eula that beggars, especially dying ones, couldn’t be choosey. “Julia still mad about you taking her to court?”
Julia was a cousin descended from Harper and Vivian July. They’d lived in Wyoming back when Olivia, Neil, Teresa, and her banker husband, Madison Nance, resided in nineteenth-century Henry Adams. Julia and her clan now lived in Florida.
“Yes, and I realize it was not one of my finer moments.”
Twenty years ago, Julia borrowed a large sum of money from Eula. When she couldn’t repay it, Eula took her to court.
“You warned me I’d need my family one day, but I didn’t believe you. I know better now that it’s too late.”
“How long have the doctors given you.”
“If I’m lucky, six months.”
“I’m sorry, Eula.” And she was.
“So am I. I have a ton of regrets. A ton.” Her lips trembled and tears filled her eyes. “I was so afraid of dying alone.”
And with that, Tamar let go of a lifetime of animosity and eased her cousin into her arms. “You won’t be alone,” she whispered. “I promise.”
Eula wept bitterly. As Tamar held her close, tears filled her eyes, too.
Tamar settled Eula into one of the spare bedrooms and while she slept, Tamar pulled out her phone. The rest of the family needed to know about Eula. She’d be needing a proper homegoing to mark her passing, and therefore hatchets had to be buried. The Spirit knew Tamar wasn’t looking forward to another visit from Thad and his havoc-causing Oklahoma clan, but it couldn’t be avoided. Setting thoughts of them aside for the moment, she brought up her contacts and called Julia.
Rocky and Siz were cleaning up the kitchen after the breakfast rush when he asked, “What’s up with Mal?”
“He’s mad at me.”
“Why?”
She explained.
“I think a new place is a great idea.”
She was glad to have his support. “He doesn’t.”
“I was wondering why he was so grumpy this morning.”
“He’s threatening to fire me if I invest.”
Siz stopped. “Whoa. Wait. That’s crazy. Who’s going to run this place if that happens?”
“You tell me.”
“I can’t work here without you, Rock.”
“I appreciate that, babe, but I think he’s just blowing smoke.”
“Hopefully, because that would be a disaster and I’d be wearing a tee shirt that said: ‘Miami here I come.’”
“Have you heard anything from the chef down there?”
“Yeah. Got an e-mail last night. He’s in Tokyo right now and wants me to come down when he gets back.”
“Did he say when that’ll be?”
“Probably first week of September. Be nice to be in Florida for the winter doing sunshine instead of snow and below zero.”
Rocky agreed, but still she didn’t want him to leave.
“So how soon will Ms. Brown’s place open?”
“Not sure but she’ll let me know.”
Mal came into the kitchen. “I need to talk to you, Rock. In my office.” And he walked out just as abruptly.
Rocky wanted to run after him and smack him on the back of his head. Instead, she calmed herself and said to Siz, “Be right back.”
In the office, he was seated behind the desk.
“What’s up?” she asked.
He said, “I have a solution to our so-called problem. Come look at this.”
He turned the laptop her way so she could view the diagram on the screen.
“What am I looking at?”
“The new layout for the dining room. I took out the booths on the back wall and added four more tables.”
She studied it for a moment. “How wide is this aisle here?” she asked, pointing to the space between the new tables and the old ones in the center of the room.
“About fifteen inches.”
“The servers can’t maneuver in a space that narrow.”
“Sure they can.”
“No, they can’t.”
“They’ll adjust.”
“Before or after they drop a tray on someone’s head or in their lap?”
He glared.
She ignored it. “Have you shown this to Luis?” Luis Acosta was Henry Adam’s fire chief and fire marshal.
“No.”
“I can tell you now, he isn’t going to approve it. We’re already pushing the envelope on code.”
“I say we try it.”
“I say we don’t. Unless you want him to close us down. He does have the authority.”
He blew out a breath. “Then what do you suggest?”
“You already shot down my suggestions, remember?”
“You’re determined to take Bernadine’s side, aren’t you?”
“I’m not going another round with you on that. Everybody and their mother knows what this place needs, except you. What’s with the blinders? Is there something going on that you aren’t telling me?”
“No.”
She’d known him most of her life and at that moment, she swore he wasn’t telling the truth. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, so just go on back to the kitchen. Be time for lunch in a minute.”
Rocky stood there for a moment. He wouldn’t meet her eyes.
“Okay, Mal. I’ll see you later.” She left the office filled with the sense that something was going on and that it wasn’t good.
The feeling stayed with her for the rest of the afternoon and she found herself discreetly observing him
to try and figure out what he might be keeping from her, but he gave her no clues. She was convinced he hadn’t fallen off the wagon; he took too much pride in his sobriety and there was no hint of alcohol on his breath or clothing. Of course, it was quite possible that nothing was amiss and she was simply looking for an excuse to explain away his pigheadedness when in reality it was him just being pigheaded, but her Spidey sense was tingling and it wouldn’t go away.
After the lunch rush, she walked down to the rec center hoping to talk to Tamar but found Marie there instead.
“She’s at home today,” Marie explained. “A cousin of hers showed up this morning, so she’s spending the day with her. Anything I can help you with?”
Marie knew Mal probably better than anyone so Rocky explained her concerns.
Marie nodded understandingly. “He is pretty bent out of shape over this new restaurant idea. He says Bernadine refuses to listen to reason.”
“He’s the one being unreasonable.” And Rocky explained what she meant by that.
Marie sat back. “He didn’t tell me all that, but then this is Mal we’re talking about. He has a blind spot about his own issues sometimes. So, you didn’t threaten to quit?”
“He threatened to make me quit if I threw in with Bernadine.”
Marie sighed. “Lord.”
“Something’s going on with him, Marie, and I’m worried.”
“You could be right. He’s coming by tonight to watch baseball. Maybe he’ll talk to me.”
“I hope so. He’s supposed to be giving me away. I don’t want whatever this is to come between us.”
“I understand.” Marie changed gears. “Have you ordered your wedding leathers?”
She hung her head. “No.”
“Rocky?”
“I know. I’ll do it tonight after work. Promise.”
“I’m going to call you this evening to make sure.”
“Okay.” Glad that Marie hadn’t dismissed her concerns, Rocky left the rec and walked back to the Dog.
Seated behind her desk in her office, Bernadine reviewed some of the bids for the three remaining open spots at the Sutton Hotel facility. She’d halfway settled on one being a bank branch but had to decide which corporate entity to choose.
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