“Yum,” she said before even tasting them. She already knew they would be sweet and fluffy. She had often thought of learning how to make them, but knew that they would never taste like this at home. Part of the flavor here was the atmosphere.
“Carly has a ball here,” Noah said as he nodded a group of colorful characters.
“Why’s that?” Emily asked.
“She sits and creates stories in her head about all the people. She has her little notebook out and writes down notes. She is wasting her talent,” he said.
“But isn’t she writing now?”
“She’s got more potential than that. The articles on dating she’s working on are funny, but they only scratch the surface of what she can do. I think she’s afraid of delving too deeply.”
“I keep meaning to read more of those, but she never brings me any. I think she brings some to Daniel though.”
“She does. She’s a little scatterbrained sometimes. You have to remind her.”
“I’ve noticed that,” Emily said.
Noah reached across the table and ran fingers slowly across her cheek. “Sugar,” he explained when she raised an eyebrow. His eyes narrowed. Then he nodded toward the empty plate.
“You ready?” he asked. He stood and held a hand out. “We have a city to see.”
They strolled down Bourbon Street. They passed guys in the doorways extolling the sales and virtues of the establishments. They passed the strippers and transvestites. They paused to listen to the different music that blared from bands playing in the bars. They passed a blues joint, and an 80’s hair band venue. They stopped and had a drink in a bar with a bucking whale instead of a mechanical bull. They laughed as they watched several customers thrown to the wooden floor.
“Grace plays in one of these places,” Noah said. “She finished college. Was going to go into teaching. She wanted to teach music, but decided to give music a try before she settled down.”
“Is that right?” Emily said. “That’s so cool!”
“Yeah, one night we’ll come watch her play. We’re trying to plan a night out over here anyway.”
“That sounds like fun,” Emily said.
“Now, want to venture out to the French Market?” he asked her. “Do some shopping?”
She frowned. Not with her budget.
“We’ll just browse. I wouldn’t mind picking out a few Christmas presents. You can help me see if I can find something for Carly. I’m no good at that.”
“I can do that.” She smiled. “Christmas is my favorite holiday. Christmas and New Year’s.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Christmas always seems like such a time for miracles. Then you have New Year’s, a time to let go of the past and look forward to the future.”
“Seems to me like you’re already celebrating a kind of New Year’s,” Noah said.
Emily thought about that for a moment. “I guess you’re right.”
Noah smiled and placed his hand on her elbow, guiding her through the sporadic crowds of people.
Suddenly Emily stopped as a poster caught her eye.
“Southern Louisiana Culinary Institute’s Twenty-fifth Annual Seafood Cook-Off. Grand prize is twenty-five thousand dollars. Hmmmm,” Emily said.
“Want to check it out?” Noah asked.
“Yes.”
He opened the door and bowed slightly. “After you, my dear.”
She felt the smile light up her face as they walked into the reception area.
“Can I help you?” the woman behind the desk asked.
“Yes,” Noah said. “We’re thinking about entering the cook-off you have coming up. Do you have any information on that?”
“Yes, I do.”
She handed him some pamphlets. “This should give you all of the rules and guidelines. It even has some websites where you can go and view finalists’ recipes to have an idea of what has won in the past.”
Emily just stood there speechless, grinning like an idiot.
“Thank you so much,” Noah said. He folded the information and put it in his back pocket.
“You’re welcome. And good luck.”
Noah threw an arm around Emily’s shoulder and they exited the school. “Now, how about we do some shopping?”
***
Purchases from the French Market in hand, Noah and Emily walked back across the French Quarter. Passing by Jackson Square, Noah saw Emily eyeing the tarot card readers.
“How about we get a reading?” he asked.
“Why not?”
“You pick,” Noah said.
They walked around the entire square before Emily picked one. How do you pick a tarot card reader anyway? It’s not like they come with guarantees or references. She finally selected an older man with a big bushy gray beard. He had incense lit on his small round table, and a huge purple sign that read ‘Tarot Readings by Edmund’ in big flowery letters.
Pausing, she tugged on Noah’s arm. “This one.”
“Gotcha.”
“What can I do for you today?” Edmund asked.
“The lady here would like to have her cards read.”
“If I do, you do too,” she said to Noah.
“I could do that. This is your day after all. Ladies first though.”
She stepped forward. Edmund pushed a well-worn stack of dark cards toward her. “Shuffle these until you feel like stopping.”
She shuffled the cards several times, then pushed the cards back toward Edmund. He started peeling cards off the top and placing them in a cross-like position. One by one, he flipped them over. He looked all the cards over for a minute.
“Lots of change in these cards. Looks like you’ve reached a crossroads and finally had to make some decisions.”
Emily raised eyebrows at Noah. Edmund was accurate so far.
He gestured to a card. “The fool. Looks like there’s someone in your past that didn’t take life too seriously. He let others take care of his needs while he just coasted through life.”
Emily laughed. “Yep. That’s right.”
“But that’s all behind you,” he said. He pointed to a picture of the sun. “It’s a brand new day for you. You have lots of happiness coming your way.” He gestured to another card. “And maybe a new love interest. After you settle the past.”
Noah lightly squeezed her arm. “I wonder who that could be.” He grinned, and she shook her head at him.
“My advice? Don’t let your fear get the best of you. You have many positive and happy cards in front of you. No need to be afraid. The worst isn’t over, but it’s close.”
Emily nodded. “Okay.”
She looked at Noah. “Your turn.”
Noah shuffled the cards and Edmund laid them out in the same pattern. He flipped them and took them all in, just as he had with Emily.
“Just like the young lady there, you have a lot of darkness in your past. Yours is different because you have been alone. By your choice. You’d rather be alone than let someone in. Your obstacle is your fear that you will let someone down.”
Noah cut his eyes to Emily. He shifted from one foot to the other, nervous. It wasn’t as if her reading had been all that comfortable either.
“Like the lady there, though, your life is changing. You aren’t content with just going through the motions anymore. You want something more solid in your life. If you keep doing as you’re doing, you should get there.”
Noah nodded.
“Patience,” Edmund said. “You must learn patience. And that is not a quality you possess.”
Noah laughed. “No. Really. It’s not.”
“Do either of you have questions for me?” Edmund asked.
Both shook their heads. Noah took some bills out of his wallet and handed them to the man. “Thank you so much.”
Then to Emily he said, “How about some lunch? Then after that, we need to run get those supplies.”
***
Emily
Noah pulled to a stop in front of her house.
“Had a good time today?” he asked after they got out of the truck.
“Yes, I did.”
He walked closer and touched the side of her face. “Come see. I want to show you something.”
Intrigued, she followed him to the boat. He led her up to the top deck where there were two lounge chairs.
“Give me a minute. I’ll be right back.”
He disappeared down the steps. She heard some slight banging around and heard footsteps come back up. He had a blanket wrapped over one arm, and two drinks in hand. One blanket. Not two. Emily’s eyes shifted from the blanket to the chairs.
“Relax, Emily.”
She stood there, arms crossed across her chest, while he settled onto one of the lounge chairs. She eyed him suspiciously the whole time. He sat one drink on one side, and the other drink on the other side. When he was finished, he scooted over and patted the chair.
“Come see.” He patted the chair again. “Trust me, Emily.”
Her stomach shifted from fear, to nervousness, to excitement, and back to fear. Finally, she took a step forward. Then another step. Before she knew it, she was standing in front of the chair. She closed her eyes and slid in beside Noah. He tucked the blanket over the both of them. He leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips.
He raised his head and looked in her eyes, smoothing her hair. “Just breathe, Em. Just breathe.”
Emily exhaled the breath that she never even realized she was holding in.
Chapter Fifteen
Noah
He ducked behind the cover of a building. The rifle was heavy in his arms. Sweat dripped down his forehead underneath the heat of his helmet. He heard shots in the distance. He tensed hearing a noise behind him.
SNAP!
Noah’s eyes popped open. His heart was pounding, and sweat was dripping into his eyes. He looked over to see Emily still sleeping. Grateful that he hadn’t woken her up, he ran a shaky hand over his brow. He swung his legs over the side of the lounge chair and leaned his head over, cradling his face in his hands.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. He repeated the mantra in his head over and over until his pulse slowed and breathing evened. He glanced at the cell phone. 4:00 a.m. He wouldn’t be going back to sleep. He went downstairs to the bedroom. He shrugged on some sweatpants and running shoes. He had to get out. Get away. It was time to run. He whistled for Sadie. Together, they ran down the beach.
While running, his mind cleared. He concentrated on the stars glittering in the sky and reflected on the water. He listened to the waves splash against the shore, washing away the echoes of gunfire.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
He ran until his heart pounded and his lungs hurt. Finally, he stopped and lifted his head to the now rising sun.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
He took a deep breath. His demons exorcised for now, he headed back to the boat. It was time for a shower and coffee.
***
Emily
It was dusk. Sunlight glittered across the water like rubies, pink and shiny. Noah walked beside her. His hand was firm, solid, holding hers. They walked along the beach until they reached a small point that formed a diamond. Noah sat down and gently tugged her down. She sank down beside him and crossed her legs Indian style, still keeping her distance. He ignored her imaginary line and scooted closer. Somehow, his nearness didn’t bother her. She stretched her legs out in front, burying her toes in the cool sand. It was an invitation and Noah accepted. He scooted closer, slid an arm around her shoulders. She scooted closer too. His woodsy cologne mingled with the salty air. It was intoxicating. The sun continued setting, the moon was coming out, and a few stars were starting to dot the sky. She turned to Noah. His face was shadowy. He leaned in closer to her; he was going to kiss her. Panicking, she turned away. Noah’s face darkened and he stood up. “You can’t keep turning away like this, Emily.”
He walked away and Emily felt the absence immediately.
Eddie was beside her now. “What? You think you deserve a man like that? He’s way out of your league, sister.” And he laughed. His laugh sounded like the shriek of a flock of seagulls.
***
Noah
The phone rang, and Noah walked out of the bedroom, toweling his hair.
“Good God, who is calling at this hour?”
Seeing it was an unknown number, he frowned. “Hello?”
“Devereaux?” As soon as he heard the voice, his heart started pounding.
“Yes.”
“This is Douglas.”
Staff Sergeant Kevin Douglas was from La Fleur Parish and had served with Noah on that last tour in Iraq. He had been Noah’s superior and part of the experience that still gave him nightmares. Noah felt a familiar tightening in his gut. Restless, he paced the small kitchen.
“Douglas. How are you?”
“I’m great. I’m heading home soon for leave, thought I’d visit. How are you doing?”
“I’m hanging in there.”
“Will call you soon when I know more. That inn still open?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll get a room there, then. Will talk to you soon.” After they disconnected, Noah took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
“Noah?” Emily’s voice was soft with concern.
“What?” he said, sharper than intended. But he didn’t turn around. Didn’t want to see if he’d hurt her. Didn’t want her to see his struggle for control.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine,” he gritted out.
She was quiet for a moment, then said, “Um, I’m just going to go.”
He wished he could go to her. “Okay. I’ll see you at Grams’ later.” Time, time is what he needed. Time to compose himself and be okay.
“Okay, well, bye.” He heard her pad across the boat. Heard the door open and close. He never turned around.
***
Emily
Emily sat on the porch steps of her grandparents’ home, waiting for Noah, as she had many times as a teen.
She should start thinking of this as her home. Not her grandparents’, but that would take some time. Noah was helping her get started on making her home livable. First, he said, was the roof. That was what they were going to work on today. Then they would start fixing the ceilings and water damage. She could move in after the roof and windows were fixed. It wouldn’t be long until she was sleeping in her old room.
Her own place. She smiled. Technically, she had her own place now, but it wasn’t really hers. She hadn’t picked out any of the décor. It didn’t have any personal touches.
Emily had gone to the bank a few days ago and been pleasantly surprised. With interest, she had something else she hadn’t had before. A cushion. If budgeted correctly, she would have enough to fix the house up, and put some up for a crisis. With no mortgage or rent to worry about anymore, she had time to figure out what she wanted to do permanently. She knew she wanted to cook, but what? Catering, own her own restaurant? Would she get enough business during the off season? If she had a catering company, she would be mobile to travel.
Noah’s truck rounded the corner and pulled to a stop in the driveway, cutting her musings short. He climbed out of the driver’s side and Joey out of the passenger’s. Noah stood in front of his truck and smiled as two more vehicles rolled in. Emily’s mouth dropped open as Ryder, Carly, Glinda, and Daniel all filed into her small yard.
Glinda came up and hugged her. “C’mon girl. Let’s get started. We’ll get you all fixed up and in this house in no time.”
Emily’s lip quivered and her eyes filled with tears. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything at all, girl.” She linked an arm around Emily’s. “Come on, y’all, let’s see what we need to do.”
Glinda pointed at Noah. “You get those guys going, and we’ll see what we need to get done in the house. Let’s get Emily back where she be
longs.”
***
Hours later, Emily sank down onto the porch swing, exhausted. Sheet rock had been replaced and spackled, the ceilings were now repaired and ready for paint. The rest of the group was in the kitchen, finishing some clean up. Emily had escaped outside for some quiet.
“You okay?” Noah asked as he, too, came outside. He joined her on the swing. He stretched an arm out across the back of the swing, almost touching her shoulders, but not quite. Emily made no move to scoot away.
“I’m good. Just needed to rest for a minute.”
“I understand that. We had some good times here,” he said.
“We did,” she agreed, and Emily thought of her first kiss. Their first kiss. After a dance, Noah had walked her home and they had sat outside on this very swing. His arm around her almost the same as it was now. He was more self-assured now, and the closeness felt more natural, more comfortable than it had then.
She wondered if he was thinking about the same thing. She turned to look in his eyes, and she knew. He leaned in slowly, and she moved to meet him. She closed her eyes, feeling his warm breath on her lips. Finally, Noah Devereaux was going to kiss her.
“Oh now, don’t let me stop you,” Ryder drawled from the open doorway. “But the rest are coming outside too.”
Noah cursed and Emily moved away. Moments later, the porch was filled with people.
Carly wiped sweat off her forehead and flopped down in the shade of the porch. “Damn, I need a drink.”
“Noah’s got some bottled water in the ice chest,” Emily said, pointing to the red and white cooler Noah had dropped down earlier.
“Not water. I need an ice cold beer,” she said, groaning and stretching. “You know what we need?”
“What?” Emily asked.
“A bar crawl. We worked hard today. We need to get out and have some fun. What do you guys think?” she asked.
“I’m always up for a night out,” Ryder said.
“I’m in,” Joey said.
Tangled Up In You (Fleur de Lis Book 1) Page 11