Jamie felt a shiver run down her spine.
“I do not recall what happened in the moments after Oriane cast her spell. She held the sword and muttered an incantation over it, and … the next thing I knew, I was floating in darkness. I heard her voice telling me what my mission was, what I was bound for all eternity to do.” He stopped and sipped his lemonade. Staring at the glass, he continued. “I was not easily accepting of my fate. When I was first summoned, I was quite recalcitrant.” A smile played at his lips. “I had cavorted with privateers most of my young life. We were not, in general, an acquiescent bunch.
“I quickly learned there would be no answers to my endless queries. My first match happened almost by accident. My master and I were out carousing in the Quarter, and, while in his cups, he told me the sad tale of the love of his life. Not thinking about my fate but rather happy to be alive at all, I laughingly told him a simple solution to his woes. He followed my guidance and was reunited with his love. I witnessed this reunion and I … I…” He shook his head, as if not believing his own story.
“What?”
He looked at her then. “I felt indescribable joy. It cannot be properly explained. It wasn't ownership of their love or even a sense of victory that I'd helped guide them to each other. It was … An epiphany perhaps is the best way to describe it, that Oriane's chosen fate for me was indeed real. Not that I didn't test it. I did, repeatedly, especially in the beginning. But I eventually learned, through a rather torturous trial-and-error period, that it was better for all, most especially myself, if I embraced my rather unusual future. I had plenty of time to contemplate it, and when it became obvious that there was no escaping it, I found it was easier to make peace with it rather than rail against it. After all, it was a far better one that I was likely headed for with my former compatriots.”
“Did you miss the life you had with them? You said they were your only family.”
“It wasn't the first time that I lost my family, Jamie. And we all had a rather fatalistic view of life. It went with the occupation.” He said it simply, but there was a depth of emotion in his eyes she had never seen before. He was sparing her the darker details, she knew that. But because he was likely also sparing himself, she let it rest.
“You've never been tempted to find a way to end it?”
“You mean end my life? Non. That is for cowards. I will meet my final fate, whatever it shall be, straight on.” He stood. “I have truly come to accept my life. It is not such a bad fate as all that, mademoiselle. You needn't look so sad.”
Jamie hadn't been aware of her expression, but she stood as well. Apparently their discussion was over. She'd never seen him quite this intense. “You really believe in what you are doing, don't you?”
He spread his hands, a beseeching look on his face. “Mais oui. That joy I mentioned—it is truly without description. But what I didn't add was that it is also addictive. Every time it is the same. Perhaps greater, though I can never imagine it to be. It is an honorable fate for one who led perhaps a not so honorable life, is it not? Perhaps one I did not deserve, but it is one I now embrace.” He came around the table and stood just before her. “You need not believe, Jamie. I will do my duty regardless.”
She looked up into his eyes. “I want to believe,” she said. She had never been more sincere. “I want to.”
He took her hand and raised it to his lips, pressing a warm kiss to the back of it before letting it go. “Then that will have to be enough. I will do my best to find you a match unlike any other. You deserve happiness, Jamie. I will see that you have it.”
She wanted to shout that she didn't want anyone else. Correction. Anyone. That else made it sound dangerously as if she was about to say she wanted only him.
That wasn't going to happen. For so many reasons it was foolish to even contemplate it any longer, even fleetingly.
“I don't wish a match for myself,” she said quietly. “Can I choose someone else for the third match? I mean, you win the bet. Pirate genie or not, it's clear that Marta is happy, and Ree—well, that remains to be seen. I still can't believe those two will have a romance, but then I never believed they could have a civil conversation and that's happened. So who knows.”
“I cannot change what has begun,” he said. “The choices have been made.”
“But I didn't choose me. You did.”
“Ah, but you agreed.” He pushed some wayward strands of hair behind her ear. “You will have happiness, Jamie. I promise you.”
“I already have happiness. Maybe for the first time ever. I'm better alone. I have my friends, my family, and a business that is challenging. And, most importantly, time to enjoy them all.”
“And maybe because you have finally found your own happiness, you are ready to truly share it with another.”
Jamie dipped her chin. “I don't know. I haven't had much reason to believe in that.”
He lifted her chin and smiled into her eyes. “I will give you that reason. Believe me, Jamie.”
And, in that moment, looking into his eyes, she did.
God help her, she did.
Chapter 14
The final numbers for our first month are pretty I good.” Marta handed printouts to both Ree and Jamie.
Ree sipped her coffee and looked carefully over the numbers. “These do look good.” She smiled over the top of the sheaf of papers. “We're a hit, girlfriends.”
“Hey, was there ever any doubt?” Jamie tossed her papers on the table after barely skimming them. She was great at mechanics and intricate design plans, but columns of numbers made her eyes swim. If Marta said they were doing well, that was good enough for her.
Marta smiled at Ree. She smiled a great deal more these days. “If we keep this up through the fall, we might be able to start making payments back to you by January. Spring at the latest.”
Ree laid the papers down, already shaking her head. “I'd rather reinvest any profit back into the store. I'm doing just fine. We'll worry about paying me back later. For now my regular paycheck is enough.”
Jamie knew, as did Marta, that Ree had long ago started building a portfolio. She'd made mostly modest investments but had also taken occasional risks, some of which had paid off pretty well. A chunk ofthat, along with Edgar leaving her this property, had made the store possible.
Jamie had stockpiled some of her winnings for that proverbial rainy day, most of which she'd used for her share of the start-up costs of the store. Marta had some of the insurance money from Dan's death set aside, which she'd put up as her share. But they'd agreed—or Marta and Jamie had—to pay Ree back two thirds of the store's market value as the shop made money. Jamie was already making payments to her for the upper levels.
“I keep meaning to ask you for some investment advice,” Jamie said, then grinned. “But first I need to invest in a few other things. Like furniture.
”
“Just let me know when you're ready, sugar.” She laughed. “I had a similar discussion with Jack.”
Marta rolled her eyes. “He hasn't even started an IRA yet, much less a savings account big enough to bankroll a foray into the stock market.”
Both Jamie and Ree laughed. It was true. Jack was amazingly adept at living off the kindness of others, but to his credit, he was willing to part with just about anything he had—even his paycheck—for those in need. And he often did.
“He's pathetically softhearted,” Jamie said. “I'm pretty sure it's chronic, with no hope for a cure.”
“Well, I'm not done working my wiles on him yet,” Ree said, wagging her expertly sculpted eyebrows.
They all laughed. “If anyone can persuade him to a life of fiscal responsibility, you can,” Jamie agreed.
Jamie studied her friend. Ree's visit to Angel had been only yesterday, but Ree hadn't mentioned the meeting or their prospective meal. Jamie had thought to keep her little spying foray to herself, but she was already busting to talk the whole thing over. Despite Sebastien's claims to a o
ne hundred percent successrate, Jamie wasn't buying Angel's sudden about-face. There had to be a hidden agenda there.
She didn't want to bring it up in front of Marta. Not until she'd had a chance to talk to Ree. Marta was no fan of Angel's either, and Jamie didn't want Ree to feel as if they were ganging up on her.
Marta collected the papers into a messy stack and shoved her glasses back onto her nose as she stood. “I have to run over to Fred's and do his books, then make a quick stop at Bennett's. He's having problems figuring out his quarterly taxes. But I'll be back after lunch. ”
“Lunching with Bennett?” Ree asked with a knowing smile.
Jamie thoroughly enjoyed Marta's flushed cheeks.
Marta lifted her chin and tried to look innocent. “We plan to grab a bite or two, yes.”
“Just don't forget to grab some food when you're done,” Ree said.
Marta shocked them both by smiling slyly and saying, “Dating a man who sets his own hours does have its advantages.” Then she turned and headed for the office, leaving her friends with their mouths hanging open.
Ree recovered first. “Well, I'll be damned.” She clapped her hands together. “I honestly thought I'd never see the day when Marta would realize she's not a little mouse. Even with Dan she was pretty quiet and self-effacing.” She grinned at Jamie. “I might have to move up my bet on the wedding date.”
“Hey, let them be happy for a while before you sling the chains on them, okay?”
“Not everyone thinks of marriage as slavery, Jamie Lynne.”
Jamie just looked at her friend. “And you are speaking from what experience?”
Ree laughed and waved her hand. “Okay, okay. But just because I've never envisioned myself tied to a man for life doesn't mean I can't appreciate the joy in such a union—for someone else.”
Jamie caught the barest hint of envy in those last words. It was as good an opening as she was likely to get. She cleared her throat. “Listen … um … I have a confession to make.”
Ree's eyes lit up and she slapped her palms on the table. “Oh, my God! Don't tell me. You and Sebastien—”
Jamie cut her off. “Not even. No, no, that wasn't what I was going to say.”
Ree slumped back in her chair. “Shoot. You were looking so guilty I thought for sure it was going to be something good and juicy. Well, what is this big confession?”
Jamie took a breath and blurted the truth out. “I sort of spied on you. Yesterday, when you went to see Angel.”
Ree's mouth hung open.
“I didn't mean to, really. I sawyou when Iwas coming back from my run, and I was just about to call out to you when you ducked into the alley leading to Santini's courtyard.” She raised her hand when Ree lifted an eyebrow and gave her a look. “I know, I know, I had no right snooping. I was just—” She stopped. “Okay, so I have no defense. I was shocked to see you there and I just couldn't walk away. I'm really sorry.”
Ree reached over and patted her hand. “It's okay, sugar.” At Jamie's dubious look, she smiled and added, “In the same situation, I'd have probably done the same thing.”
Jamie breathed a sigh of relief, glad she'd come clean. “What compelled you to go there? He sent a note, I heard, but why respond?”
Now it was Ree's turn to shrug and look uncom-fortable. “I really don't know. I can say I was just being polite and returning the favor. Even though I wasn't the one to invite him here in the first place.”
“But?”
Ree paused, then blew out a disgusted sigh. “But I was curious, okay?”
“About what? The guy is cold and heartless and thinks only of himself.”
“I don't know, Jamie. Something about the way he looked at me when he came here that day …” She shrugged again. “I can't explain it, really. He just … caught my attention, I guess.”
“Uh-oh.”
Ree narrowed her eyes. “Don't 'uh-oh'me, missy. After all, you're the one seeing a delusional guy who thinks he's a genie or something.”
Jamie's own cheeks heated. “Touché, touché. But Ree, we know for a fact Angel is not a nice man. And the 'uh-oh'was because I'm worried that you're interested in him only because he's not your typical conquest.”
Ree arched one slender brow. “I beg your pardon?”
“No, listen. He assumes the worst about you, slanders you all over the place, then months later he strolls in all enigmatic-like and hints that you've gotten his attention. What I want to know is, if you wanted his attention, then why didn't you set him straight on what kind of person you really are back during the will probate?”
“I had no interest in explaining myself then. Nor do I now. And it's not some kind of revenge fantasy here, where I get him to fall for me so I can ditch him.”
“Then what is it? Why did you agree to have dinner with him?”
Ree studied her manicure. “He wants to know moreabout Edgar. I think he's sincere. Edgar always felt bad about the falling out between them, and I feel responsible in away. I mean, it was because of me.”
“No, it was because Angel is an ass. You have no responsibility to him.”
She looked up at Jamie. “But I do to Edgar. And I want Angel to know what kind of man he truly was, Jamie. As for the rest … I don't know.”
That got Jamie's attention. “What do you mean, 'I don't know'? Ree, you can't be seriously attracted to that louse.”
“I'm not saying I am.” She shoved back the chair and stood. “But I'm not saying I'm not. Listen, Jamie, I don't know what's going on, okay? I'm just having dinner with him. It's not a crime. I wouldn't have told you about it for just this reason. I'll probably never see the man after next Friday.”
“Friday?”
“Well, now the cat's out, isn't it.” She sighed. “No following me, okay?”
Jamie pretended to look offended. “I wasn't actually following you yesterday.”
Ree took Jamie's hands in her own. “I don't know what's going on with all this, okay?” she said quietly. “I just know I have to figure it out on my own. Do you understand?”
What Jamie understood was that Sebastien had somehow managed to work his magic. Again. All she could do was nod. “I just don't want you to be hurt. And I think Angel is capable of administering a world of hurt, you know?”
Ree nodded, then hugged Jamie quickly. “Thanks for loving me like you do, Jamie. I'll be fine. If anyone can take care of her heart, it's La Bamba's little girl.”
And if anyone can find a way to make you lose that heart to Angel, it's Sebastien, Jamie thought. “Will you promise to at least give me the highlights?”
Ree smiled and nodded. “Now I've got to scoot up to the market. Sally promised me her sweet-potato cookie recipe this morning.”
Jamie made a face. “There should be a law banning vegetables from bakery products.”
Ree laughed. “You wait until you taste them. You'll be in heaven, sugar, I promise.” She waved and sailed out of the shop, leaving Jamie to wonder just what was in store for her friend.
Which was a far more interesting—not to mention safe—topic to ponder than her own burgeoning relationship.
Relationship. There was no relationship. Except perhaps for an unusual friendship.
After they parted yesterday, she'd decided to stop worrying about whether to believe Sebastien was what he claimed to be and just accept his temporary residence in her life. She'd even decided to step back and not interfere with this new twist of events between Ree and Angel.
However, she wasn't all that blasé about the idea that Sebastien would now be coming after her with his matchmaking schemes.
Well, just because Sebastien was about to throw whoever he deemed the perfect man in her path, it didn't mean she had to fall at his feet. She'd make her own decisions.
Feeling only slightly more confident, Jamie went outside to open the window shutters and set about opening the shop for the day. She was rearranging the window display when her first customer walked in.
He was an attractive man in a nicely tailored suit. He offered her a sunny smile. “Would you by any chance carry out-of-town newspapers? I'm looking for The Washington Post.”
Jamie stepped down from the window and motioned to the rack near the door. “As a matter of factwe do. We also have The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.”
“Thanks. I'm just looking for the Post.”
He shrugged in a way that was totally endearing. “A bit homesick, I guess.” Jamie found herself smiling. “Here on business?” He scooped up the paper and headed to the counter. “Actually, no. I just moved here. I'm working for some law offices over on Canal, but I'm renting a place here in the Quarter. At least for the time being.”
“You don't like the Quarter?” She heard the light, flirty tone in her voice. So what? When Sebastien had touched her yesterday, it made her feel all sorts of things that had nothing to do with platonic friendships. Maybe a little harmless diversion would help get her head back on straight.
“No, I like it very much. I'd like to buy something, though, make it a more permanent deal. But I want the time to scout around a bit, make sure I pick the right place.” He paid for the paper but didn't seem in any hurry to leave. “Maybe you could show me around sometime. I'd be glad to toss in lunch or dinner.” He grinned. “Or both.”
Jamie had her mouth open to say, “Sure, why not,” when sudden suspicion clouded her mind. He was cute, endearing, employed, and single. And he was taller than she was as well, making her feel all feminine and flirty. Danger, danger! Her eyes narrowed. “You haven't by any chance met someone by the name of Sebastien, have you?”
Surprised by her less-than-conciliatory tone, his smiled faded. “Uh, no. Not that I can recall.”
“Think harder. He's a bit taller than you, wide shoulders, long dark hair. Has a French accent? Very charming.”
The man was backing up now, clutching his paper under his arm. “No, really, I don't think so. Listen, I have to dash. It was nice talking to you.” He all but barreled into Ree as he pushed through the door.
Ree laughed and squeezed past the man as he mumbled a hurried apology and took off down Royal. “Whoa, sugar. Why'd you chase that one off? He looked prime.”
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