Untrusting Hearts: A Contemporary New Orleans Romance

by Hartt, Madison

  Jade politely declined the invitation, claiming her days were too full to let her get away. It wasn’t just an excuse; having no luck finding a job, she’d decided to take a summer course in business management to enhance her resume. That, plus perking up the house with new paint really wouldn’t leave her much time to think about her trip to New Orleans, much less plan another. As it was, she was constantly finding herself absorbed with some daydream or another involving Gage.

  She’d decided she’d continue to write to her aunt, but she’d keep her correspondence lighthearted and concise. Eventually the relationship would taper off and Maylene would move on to other interests.

  The day Jade met with her academic advisor to set up her class, she ran into an old friend in the university parking lot. On impulse she invited the young woman to join her at The Green Dragon for a drink. As soon as she introduced Diane to Jeff, she could see they made a connection. She ended up leaving alone since Jeff had asked Diane to wait around until his shift was over. Jade wasn’t jealous; her feelings for Jeff were strictly platonic. In fact, she was oddly relieved that he seemed interested in someone else. She wondered briefly if she should warn her friend about his infidelity, but decided against it. She’d leave them to their personal lives and concentrate on her own.

  The following Friday, less than two weeks after Jade returned home from New Orleans, she had a job interview. It went okay, but not great, and it didn’t seem likely she’d be chosen among all the other candidates, but it was good practice. On the way home, she stopped by the store to pick up a salad, some snacks, and a bottle of soda. With plans to spend the evening in front of the television watching movies, she could almost feel the soft comfort of her favorite t-shirt and shorts. Pulling into the drive, Jade breathed a sigh of relief. She felt like she’d finally regained her equilibrium.

  As she carried her things into the house, her cell phone rang. She figured it was Diane, wanting to chat about her blossoming relationship with Jeff. Fumbling the phone from her bag, she put it to her ear without checking the caller ID. “Hello.”

  “Jade.”

  For a second, she froze as feelings tumbled inside her. She dumped her burdens on the sofa and gripped the phone tighter. Her voice trembled when she said his name. “Gage?”

  “Yes, it’s me. How are you?”

  “I’m fine,” she hesitated as she tried to pull herself together. “A little shocked to hear your voice. Are you calling about Maylene? Has something happened?”

  “Maylene’s doing great. I’m calling for another reason. There’s something in Kansas that needs my attention so I thought I’d give you a call.”

  “You have business...here? Are you opening a restaurant?”

  “Not exactly,” he said. “But I could hardly come to Kansas without getting in touch. I wondered if we might get together.”

  Get together? After the way they’d parted? If she’d had some warning or expectation he would call, she might have been able to think of an appropriate response. But dropped on her out of the blue, she was rendered almost speechless. She could only stammer a reply. “I…I guess we could. I’m not sure why we’d want to, but...” She took a deep breath, released it slowly, reminding herself to be polite. “When do you plan on coming?”

  “Actually, I’m already here.”

  Her heart exploded in her chest. “What?”

  “I landed in Wichita late this afternoon and rented a car to drive to your city. I just passed the town’s welcome sign. You don’t have plans for the night, do you?”

  I had planned on never seeing you again! I had planned to forget you.

  “No, not really,” she said. “I’m just so surprised by your visit.”

  “I know; I’m sorry about that. It was kind of spontaneous. If you’d rather not...”

  Rattled as she was, courtesy prevailed. “No, don’t be silly. I mean, you’ve come all this way. Of course, we’ll get together.” She gave him directions to her home.

  “Thanks, Jade. I’ll see you shortly.”

  Still stunned, she dashed into the downstairs bathroom and stared in the mirror above the sink. Even her own eyes could detect that she looked shell-shocked. Gage is in town and he’ll be here any minute. This thought jolted her into action. Moving with quick efficiency, she brushed her teeth, combed her hair, and freshened her makeup. Racing to her room, she threw off the business suit she’d worn to her interview, replacing it with a light green silk blouse and clingy multicolored knee-length skirt. She traded sensible black flats for a pair of strappy emerald green heels.

  Then she returned to the front room, tossed her purse onto the bed, grabbed the sacks from the store, and hurried into the kitchen to put away the groceries. Maybe he would get lost, which would buy a few minutes. She chuckled nervously. Not a chance. Not in a town this size. As if to prove her right, a knock sounded at the door. She opened it with a sense of breathlessness.

  All she could do was stare. The impact of his presence hadn’t diminished in the least. He stood with his hands behind his back. The casual white shirt he wore set off his tanned skin and his charcoal slacks fit as if tailored to his form. There was a hint of tension around those mesmerizing eyes. If possible, he was even more attractive than she remembered, and radiated his particular irresistible brand of appeal.

  “How have you been?” His deep voice resonated through her.

  She covered her reaction with small talk. “I’m well, thanks. I just got home. Please come in; sit down.”

  He sat, one hand on his knee, the other holding a smallish box at his side. “Sit with me?” he asked quietly.

  Tucking her skirt, she lowered herself onto the sofa beside him, but not too close. “So, you mentioned you have business here? That surprises me.”

  “It’s personal business, Jade.” He opened the box and extended it toward her. Inside, nestled in tissue paper, rested the small steampunk bird. “I had to return this little guy to his owner.”

  “Gage.” A frown creased her brow. “I don’t understand.”

  “This belongs to you, Jade. It was a gift. For some reason, you have a hard time hanging onto it.”

  “I think you know I left it behind on purpose. After what happened...” She shook her head. “You could have just shipped it to me.”

  “No.” He took her hand and placed the bird into it. His touch sent a small wave of pleasure over her skin. “I wanted to make this delivery in person. If you really don’t want it, you can get rid of it when I’m not looking. But I hope you’ll keep it. I remember how it made you smile that day.”

  Refusing the gift now would only draw more attention to the matter, so Jade accepted it without further objections. “Thank you,” she said simply. She rose to place the bird on the mantle, and to gain some distance. Already her senses were going into overdrive at his nearness.

  “Jade, would you have dinner with me? Unless you’ve already eaten...”

  Even if she’d just consumed a seven-course meal, she wouldn’t have turned down the invitation. It would be best to contend with Gage in a public setting, a place where she wouldn’t give in to the temptation to touch him, to admit how much she’d missed him. “Where would you like to go? What are you hungry for?”

  His look was loaded, but he only said, “Let’s choose someplace quiet. So we can talk.”

  “Actual conversation? Or more verbal sparring?”

  “What do you say we just talk this time?” He brushed the lock of dark hair off his forehead and shot her a hopeful smile. “We’ve managed it before.”

  That’s true, she thought, and it had been extremely enjoyable. But just when they’d grown intimate, fate had set them back in to adversarial positions again. Fate, the underhanded machinations of others, and Gage’s damnable suspicious nature. She kept these thoughts to herself.

  “I’ll get my purse.”

  They ended up in a corner booth at Victoria’s Grill. Their steaks were served on steaming platters with garden vegetables in b
utter sauce and loaded baked potatoes on the side. Not only was the food mouthwatering, but Jade couldn’t deny the pleasure she felt in Gage’s company again. She was content to enjoy the meal, listen to his deep, smooth voice, and watch the play of expressions over his handsome face as he talked. She saw no point in rehashing old grievances.

  They spoke of his work and the class she was enrolled in. He told her about Maylene being invited to speak at the Historical Society’s annual social, and Jade described her redecorating plans for the house. They didn’t broach any serious topics until they’d finished dessert.

  Gage took a sip of coffee and set the cup carefully in its saucer. His look was thoughtful when his eyes met hers over the table. Her throat suddenly parched, Jade took a long drink of her iced tea.

  “Jade,” he said. “Please come back to New Orleans.”

  She paused to let the words sink in. “Is this the personal business that brought you to Kansas? To convince me to return to Louisiana?”

  “That’s part of it,” he admitted.

  “What’s the rest of it? Does it involve me as well?”

  “Let’s save that for later. We’ll cross one bridge at a time. Right now, I just want to discuss the possibility of getting you back to Louisiana.”

  “Why would you want that? Aren’t you afraid I’d wheedle more money out of Maylene? Maybe cook up another scheme with Ty to usurp your authority?”

  His eyes narrowed. “What?”

  “Surely you haven’t forgotten my so-called conspiracy with Ty to trick you.”

  “Can’t we let bygones be bygones?”

  “Maybe you can. You’re not the one who was used, accused, and abused.”

  “I’d hardly say you were abused, Jade.”

  “It was a sort of mental abuse, whether or not you want to admit it.” Her muscles tensed. “Let’s not forget the emotional aspect, either.”

  He at least had the decency to look uncomfortable. “Jade, about that night we...”

  “Stop.” She put up her hand. “That’s one subject that is strictly off limits. I mean it, Gage. Not another word about it.”

  “Alright. I understand,” he said with a nod. “But as far as the other issues regarding the trip to Baton Rouge...well, Maylene indicated it was all worked out. In her emails to you, didn’t she tell you she explained to me what happened?”

  “If so, I must have missed that. Do you still think I conspired with Ty to get Maylene’s money?”

  “Not anymore. At first, it seemed that way and Ty certainly perpetuated the idea. But after talking to Maylene, I realized there was no reason for you to sneak around to score the cash. She was happy to give you whatever you asked for.”

  “What I asked for? You think I asked her for money?” As usual, his insults were just cloaked enough to be deniable.

  “No, of course not. Not in so many words. But your constant hints about finding a job and about watching your money, well, they went straight to Maylene’s kind heart. What else could she do but help you out?”

  Heat rose in Jade’s cheeks and anger washed through her like a flash fire. They hadn’t gained any ground at all. Her face felt stiff as she glared at him. She kept her voice low. “I have my faults, like anyone else. For one thing, I’ve always been too forgiving. Sometimes I indulge in treats I know aren’t good for me. I don’t wash my dishes every single day. I don’t go nuts over cute puppies. But, I’m not a money-grubber or a mooch. And I’m sick to death of being cast in that light. I never threw out hints for money and it’s a cold, hard fact that I need to find a job. I’m taking additional classes to become more employable. Why would I do that if a simple phone call to my rich aunt in New Orleans would solve all my money problems? God gave you a good brain, Gage. Use it.”

  He studied her for a moment. “I shouldn’t have said those things. I didn’t mean them the way they sounded and I’m sorry. Regardless of your intentions, the fact is you were good for Maylene; having you around brought her a lot of joy. The two of you are family and you belong there, with her. And you were good for me, too.”

  “Regardless of my intentions?” Fury raged inside her. With a shot of irony, she recalled their peace treaty. How brief it was, how easily violated. She’d warned him then that she would tolerate no more of his insulting allegations, his snide jabs. “You just can’t resist getting in a little dig, can you?”

  “Was that a dig?”

  She practically snorted. “Here’s an idea. Rather than always focusing on my supposed faults, why don’t we take a look at yours instead? Not only are you suspicious, over-protective, moody, unpredictable, mistrustful, and arrogant, you can also be extremely unpleasant. You know the one thing I disliked most about being around you? The feeling that I had to watch every word that came out of my mouth. I refuse to put up with it.”

  “I see.” He sat silent for a long moment. “What did you like best?”

  “What?” Her eyes widened in disbelief.

  “You’ve told me what you disliked the most about being around me. What did you like best?”

  With a shaky hand, she smoothed her hair back from her warm cheeks. “I think this conversation is over.” She grabbed her purse, tossed some bills on the table, and slid out of the booth.

  He started to rise.

  “Just stay.” She lifted a hand, palm outward. “I’ll see myself home.” She spun on her heel and marched out. At the corner, she pulled out her cell phone and called a cab. While she waited, she kept an eye on the restaurant, expecting Gage to emerge, looking for her. But he didn’t appear.

  The taxi pulled up and she got inside. After giving the driver her address, she settled into the back seat and fumed. His question had thrown her. She didn’t want to think about what she liked about him, convinced that he was only looking for an ego boost or trying to divert her attention away from his bad manners. Only then did Gage’s other words come to her. He’d said she was good for him. How could that be? Rarely had they managed time together when they weren’t off kilter with each other. And did he really think the sentiment mattered, coming on the heels of an insult? The situation was hopeless. He was impossible. It was a broken relationship, doomed from the start. They were truly oil and water.

  They pulled up in front of her house, she paid the cabbie, and then went straight to her car. Backing out of her driveway, she had no idea where to go. As she drove, she found herself near the Green Dragon. She hoped Jeff was working; it would be nice to see a friendly face.

  Before getting out of the car, she checked her face in the rearview mirror, rubbed at a smear of mascara below her left eye, and straightened her hair.

  Jeff was busy but he gave her a quick wave as she slid up to the bar. “Hey, Jade. Just a sec,” he said as he filled a couple of mugs with beer.

  Shortly, he worked his way down the bar to her and cocked his head.

  “Hi, Jeff.” She hated the morose sound to her voice and forced her lips into an upward curve.

  “That’s the worst excuse for a smile I’ve ever seen. What’s wrong?” He leaned forward.

  “I’d rather not talk about it. It’s nothing, anyway.”

  “Okay.” He shrugged, but his eyes held a combination of sympathy and curiosity. “How about a beer?”

  “White wine, please.” She laid her purse in her lap.

  He brought her drink and placed it on a white napkin in front of her. “If you need to talk, let me know. I can have Garrett cover for me for a few minutes.”

  “Thanks, but I’m okay.”

  He returned to work and she sipped her wine, thinking. Several guys at a nearby table were hooping and guffawing, which got on her nerves. In fact, the place was packed with rowdy people. This wasn’t where she wanted to be. She was overcome with the desire to curl up in bed and cry her eyes out. She signaled Jeff for her bill. Hands full, he shook his head and mouthed, “It’s on me.”

  She stepped from the noise of the crowded bar into the soft warmth of the spring evening and too
k a deep breath.

  It was a short drive home. When she rounded the corner of her street she saw a man sitting on the steps of her porch. Gage. Her heart soared at the sight of him; she must be insane!

  She pulled into the driveway and took a few seconds to collect herself before getting out of the car. He stood and walked toward her. They met on the sidewalk in front of the house.

  “The waiter appreciated the tip you left.”

  She bristled. “That money was supposed to cover the cost of my meal.”

  “I invited you, which means I paid the tab.”

  “Well, aren’t you gallant? I would’ve thought you’d be impressed I was willing to pay my own way.” She started to step around him and head for the house, but his voice called her back. It held a note of misery she’d never heard before from him.

  “Jade. I wish you’d please listen to me for a minute. Could you do that?”

  Frozen to the spot, she merely nodded. He took her elbow and led her up the steps and over to the porch swing. She slipped her keys into her purse and settled stiffly beside him, careful not to get too close. He didn’t speak right away, but set the swing into a gentle motion. It was surprisingly soothing. She felt her tension and animosity begin to drain away.

  “Just when things are going well for us, I seem to stick my foot in my mouth.” He laughed softly. “But I’m not sure where it all went south tonight. Maybe you could help me understand.” He draped his arm over the back of the swing. If she leaned back, she knew it would curl around her, and part of her wanted that very much. She held stubbornly to her upright position.

  “It was the remark about my intentions,” she reminded him dryly.

  “Oh yes, that. Well, that didn’t come out right. I meant to say I don’t give a damn what your intentions were. I wasn’t questioning them. I was just saying those old concerns of mine don’t matter anymore.” He rocked the swing a few times, slowly. “When you walked out on me in that restaurant, I was in shock. I’ve traveled all this way to see you and things didn’t go at all like I thought they would. I sat there, replaying the evening, hell, our whole relationship, trying to make sense of the way we interact.”