“You have my word, Mr. Cooper.”
He nodded and shifted his gaze to Leigh. “Anything you want to add, Leigh?”
“No. I think you covered everything.” That he wanted to make sure they weren’t taken advantage of made her love him even more. They read over each page and, with all the questions answered and issues settled, Leigh affixed her name in the indicated places, as did Miles. The bank draft he handed each of them widened Leigh’s eyes.
Mr. Adams collected the papers, sorted them, then handed a copy to Leigh and Miles. “I know I said we’d schedule the studio recording for next week, but I’m hoping you have time to do it now.”
“Now?” Leigh hadn’t considered she be singing today.
“Unless you have a more pressing engagement.”
“I’m free if Miles is.”
Miles grinned. “Let’s go make some music, baby.”
Leigh’s heart beat double time with excitement as she stepped into the studio. The small room had chairs, a piano and a series of microphones on long stands. It took three hours to get the perfect recording. Her back and feet hurt and she was starving, but the result would be worth every ache.
“I think we should celebrate tonight,” Miles said as they drove to her apartment.
“You do remember we still have to work tonight.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “After.”
Heat stung her cheeks and she averted her gaze, but she couldn’t stop the smile spreading across her lips.
“No? Yes?”
“Yes.” Leigh’s stomach rumbled. “But right now I’m starving. Do you want to come up for lunch?”
“I’d better not. Otherwise, I might be the only one eating.”
It took her a moment to understand his meaning. She gasped softly. “Miles Cooper.”
His laughter filled the car’s interior. He dropped her off in front of the restaurant. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Leigh scooted over and placed a kiss on his clean-shaven cheek. “Okay.” Instead of going up to her apartment, she went in search of Liz and found her poring over some papers in the small back room she used as an office. She knocked on the partially open door.
Liz’s head came up. “Well, if it isn’t my traitorous best friend. Come on in.”
She entered with a smile and closed the door. “I want to tell you something.”
“Is this about that secret?”
“Yes.” Leigh withdrew the papers from her handbag and passed them to her friend. Liz read for a moment and her eyes lit up.
“Oh, my word. Does this mean what I think it does?”
“Yes!”
Liz was up and around the desk in the blink of an eye. She grabbed Leigh up in a sisterly embrace. “Oh, oh. This is so wonderful.” She cried, Leigh cried, and then they laughed. Still wiping her eyes, she said, “This is exactly what you needed after that mess with Percy.” Leigh had shared the details of what happened at the train station. “I am so proud of you.”
“I would’ve never had this chance if it wasn’t for you. I owe you.”
“I just did what any friend would do.”
“And I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.” Her stomach growled again. “I need to find some food. As soon as the record is pressed, you’ll get the first copy, after mine, of course,” Leigh added with a laugh.
Liz joined her laughter. “Of course.”
They shared another hug and Leigh floated up to her place. She’d never been so happy in her life. Automatically, her thoughts shifted to Miles and his proposed celebration. Her body throbbed in anticipation.
While eating, she leafed through her mail. She still hadn’t heard from her parents. One envelope with a foreign stamp caught her attention. She quickly tore it open and read. She’d been invited to sing a jazz festival in Paris. Leigh reread the letter again to be sure the words were correct. She jumped up and did a dance. Her excitement was tempered by the fact that she’d be gone from The Magnolia for almost a month. And away from Miles. She couldn’t ask him to accompany her and leave Liz without anyone. It would be bad enough that she’d need to find a singer, but if she had to replace Miles, it might affect business. Leigh couldn’t, wouldn’t let that happen.
*
Miles hadn’t stopped smiling since he left the studio, and knowing that he’d have Leigh to himself in less than half an hour, had him chomping at the bit to finish the set. The moment it ended, he wasted no time hurrying them upstairs. Once there, he could only stare at the alluring picture she made seated on the sofa with her head thrown back and eyes closed. His gaze made a slow tour up her smooth brown legs and the curve of her breasts pressed against her dress to the luscious painted lips that never stopped calling to him. He crossed the room and lowered himself next to her. She opened her eyes and smiled, sending a jolt to his chest. “You take my breath away, Miss Leigh Jones.” He traced a finger over her lips then placed a soft kiss on them. He treated her to a series of heated kisses along the scented column of her neck, bare shoulders and valley between her breasts. “Are you ready to celebrate?”
“I’m ready for you to take my breath away with your lovin’.”
That’s all Miles needed to hear. He scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom. He planned for them to celebrate all night and wake up in the morning and do it all again. As he stared down at her, one thing was clear. He wanted her as his wife, sooner rather than later.
The next morning, after another round of lovemaking, he propped on his elbow and watched Leigh sleep. His heart swelled with the magnitude of his love for her. She looked so peaceful he hated to wake her. But he wanted to let her know he was leaving. He kissed her awake.
“Hey,” Leigh said sleepily.
“I just wanted to let you know I’m leaving. I’ll see you this evening.”
“There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“We’ll talk tonight.”
“Mmm hmm.” She closed her eyes again.
Miles gave her a gentle kiss, dressed and locked the door behind him. When he got home, he bathed and slept for the next four hours. He woke up feeling refreshed and padded to the kitchen to make a sandwich. Two bites in, someone knocked on his door. He groaned and went to answer it. “Hi, Mrs. Davis,” he said to the older woman.
“Hi, Miles. Sorry to disturb you, but this was just delivered. I thought it might be important.”
He took the telegram from her hand. “Thank you. Let me repay you for the delivery tip.” He handed her a dollar.
“Son, I didn’t tip this much.”
“I know, but take it anyway.”
Mrs. Davis smiled. “I wish I had a son like you. I’ll let you get on with your day.”
“Thanks, again.” He tore open the envelope and the message almost dropped him to his knees. “No,” he whispered. “Not Mama.” One of his uncles had wired to let him know that his grandmother was ill and they wanted him to come as soon as possible.
Miles wolfed down the remainder of his sandwich. Used to packing at a moment’s notice, it didn’t take long to gather up his things. He stopped to explain his situation to Mrs. Davis and paid her two weeks advance rent. “If I’ll be gone longer, I’ll let you know.”
“Don’t worry about your place. I’ll hold it as long as you need. You just go on and see about your grandmother. I’ll add her to the prayer list at my church.”
“I appreciate that.” He rushed out, tossed the suitcase and satchel in the back seat and drove over to The Magnolia. His knock on Leigh’s door went unanswered, so he checked the restaurant. “Belinda, have you seen Leigh?”
“No. Not since she and Elizabeth left an hour ago.”
He ran an agitated hand down his face. He wanted to wait for her, but he needed to get to Louisiana. He grabbed a piece of paper and a pen off the hostess stand and scribbled a note telling Leigh that he had to see about his grandmother and that he’d be back in a week or so, if everything went well. He also asked her to apologize to
Liz. He folded it and gave it to Belinda. “Can you give this to Leigh when she comes back?”
“Sure.” Belinda followed him to the door and stood watching as he jumped into his car and drove off. If he hurried, he could stop at the telegraph office to wire his uncle about his arrival time and make the three thirty train. Miles settled into the seat just as the whistle blew. He should be in Louisiana by this time tomorrow. He bowed his head and did something he hadn’t done in a long time. Prayed.
When he stepped off the train the following afternoon, his clothes were wrinkled and travel worn and so was his body from having to sleep in his seat. Halfway through the journey, he’d been removed to the segregated car where, according to the conductor, there weren’t any available sleeping berths. He’d seen several empty ones and realized what the man meant was that there weren’t any available for folks that looked like him.
“Miles?”
He turned at the sound of a man’s voice behind him. “Uncle Louis.” He hadn’t seen him in almost two years, but he’d recognize the big burly man anywhere. He was his father’s youngest brother and the two favored each other.
His uncle pulled him into a spine-crushing hug. “You looking good, boy.”
“Thanks. How’s Mama?”
He shook his head. “Not good. That’s why I’m glad you’re here. Buggy’s parked over there.” Uncle Louis pointed. “She got sick about three weeks ago. She thought it was a little cold. We all did. She went to the doctor and he gave her some medicine. She started feeling better, then she was laid low again four days ago. Doctor said it’s pneumonia. But it doesn’t look good.”
After being accustomed to driving, the slow pace of the horses threatened to send Miles around the bend. He needed to see Mama for himself. It took forty-five minutes to reach the farm. He saw rows and rows of vegetables planted and a few cattle roaming.
As soon as the buggy stopped, Miles hopped down, grabbed his bags and went inside. He set everything down, removed his hat and coat and hung them on the peg near the door. He inhaled the familiar lemon fragrance that Mama swore made everything extra clean and fresh and made his way to where he knew her bedroom to be. He heard the coughing before he reached the hallway. He tapped on the door.
“Miles.” His Aunt Mae wrapped her thin arms around him. “She’s been waiting for you.” She stood off to the side.
He approached the bed and hunkered down on the side. “Hey, Mama. How’s my best girl?” Her usually vibrant golden skin looked pale and she’d lost weight.
Her eyes opened and she rolled her head in his direction. “I knew you’d come, baby boy.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” Miles placed a soft kiss on her brow. He fought to keep his emotions in check. He couldn’t handle seeing her this way—so frail and thin.
Mama lifted her hand and he grasped it. She scrutinized him. “You look different.”
He chuckled. “I look the same. Maybe a few months older.”
She attempted to smile. “No, baby. Different. Like you’ve finally found peace.”
He bowed his head. How had she known?
“She must be special to capture your heart.”
“She is, Mama. Her name is Leigh and I want to marry her.”
Her light brown eyes went wide. “Marry?” She tried to sit up and it brought on another coughing fit.
His aunt rushed over with a glass of water. “Here, Mama. Sip slowly.”
After a few sips, she pushed the glass away and lay back on the pillows.
Miles’s concern increased. “Mama, why don’t you get some rest? We’ll talk later.”
“No. I don’t have much time left and there are some things I need to tell you. Mae, can you leave us alone for a bit?”
Clearly his aunt didn’t want to leave, but the determined look on his grandmother’s face left her no choice.
“I won’t stay long,” Miles told her. He waited until she closed the door. “What is it, Mama?”
“Look in the top drawer of my night table and get that blue box.”
He did as asked. The fabric looked old and had faded in some spots. “What’s inside?”
“Things your father wanted you to have. Letters he and your mother wrote to each other, a locket and your mother’s wedding ring. Your father instructed me to give it you once you found that special girl. And it looks like you have. Go ahead and open it.”
He sat in the chair near her bed, undid the latch and surveyed the contents. He picked up the locket. A little polish would make it shine again. Inside was a photo of his mother on one side and his father on the other. He replaced it and opened the small ring box. The gold ring had a sapphire surrounded by diamonds in the center and a small round diamond on either side. He couldn’t wait to see it on Leigh’s finger. Mama had always said it would take an exceptional woman to settle his restless feet. She was right. Miles closed the box. He decided he’d read the letters later.
“Promise me you’ll be happy, Miles.”
“I am happy, Mama. I love you.”
“Love you too, baby,” she said softly.
He opened his mouth to ask her another question, but she had fallen asleep.
He leaned back and watched her. He had no idea he’d drifted off until a hand on his arm startled him.
Aunt Mae rubbed his shoulder. “Miles, dinner is on the stove. Get you something to eat and go rest. If I need you, I’ll let you know.”
Miles pushed to his feet. “Okay.” He went to the bedroom he always used when he visited and cleaned up, then sat down to a meal of ham, beans, rice and cornbread. With his stomach full, it only took a few minutes for him to fall into a deep sleep.
His uncle woke him a few minutes before midnight. “Mama’s gone.”
He scrambled out of the bed, hastily dressed and ran into the room. He laid a palm on his grandmother’s face. “Rest well, Mama.” With his heart breaking, he clung to his aunt as they both sobbed out their grief. He thought about the promise he’d made earlier. He would be happy as soon as he got back to Leigh.
Chapter 12
Leigh and Liz were still laughing when they got to their apartments. “Messing around with you, I barely have time to get ready for tonight.”
Liz looked contrite. “I know and I’m sorry. Who knew trying to find a dress would be that difficult.” Mack had invited her to dinner. “Don’t worry about cooking. Just come down and I’ll have Victor fix you something. He’ll bring it to the dressing room.”
“That would be great.” Leigh told her what she wanted. “Just a small portion. I don’t want to be too full.”
“Okay.”
She went straight to the bathroom and started the water in the tub. While it ran, she laid her dress on the bed. She hadn’t heard from Miles and had hoped to talk to him about the Paris invitation before the show. She’d told Liz about it and Liz said she should take advantage of it. But Leigh was hesitant to be so far from everything and everyone she knew. She couldn’t even speak French, for heaven’s sake. Putting it out of her mind, she got ready and went downstairs.
After consuming her dinner, she went in search of Miles. He would usually be here by now. She asked the band members and they hadn’t seen him. Had something happened to him? Her fear mounted as the minutes ticked off. She asked some of the wait staff, as well as the two bouncers, but none of them had seen him.
“Belinda, have you seen Miles?”
“As a matter of fact I have. He stopped in earlier and asked me to give you this.” Belinda pulled a folded slip of paper out of her pocket. “He was in a big hurry, had a suitcase in the car.”
Leigh read the note: Leigh, I have to leave. Sorry. Miles “Did he say anything else?”
“No.”
She swore the woman smiled. She read the note again. It didn’t make sense. He told her he wasn’t leaving, promised her. Fighting back tears, she went over to the stage to talk to her bandmates and called Liz over. They couldn’t cancel, but they didn’t have a piano pla
yer, either. Leigh didn’t understand. She thought he’d changed.
Leigh barely got through the show. More than once, she glanced over to where Miles usually sat and kept expecting to hear his distinctive piano sound and his strong baritone. Later, in her room, she let the tears she’d been holding back come full force. She spent a restless night speculating on the whys. The next morning, she walked over to his apartment, only to be told that he was gone.
Liz came over. “Anything?”
“Nothing. I don’t understand. He promised he was here to stay. Where could he have gone?” She’d imagined every scenario, but not one explained this. “Have you found someone to sit in at the piano?”
“Mack called in a favor. Says the guy is pretty good. Not as good as Miles, but he won’t embarrass himself. Have you thought anymore about Paris?”
She groaned. “No.”
“Well, you should.”
“We’ll see.” Right now she couldn’t concentrate on anything.
By Friday, Leigh made up her mind to travel to Paris. She needed the time away to clear her mind. And her heart. She’d purchased her ticket on the steamship and would leave tomorrow afternoon. Liz had found someone else to take her place for the month and she would start tonight, giving Leigh the time needed to take care of last-minute details.
She added more clothes to her suitcase. Tears threatened, but she refused to cry anymore. Willing them away, she continued the task of packing. As she emptied the next drawer, her gaze went to the sculpture sitting on the dresser. Her emotions welled once more. Despite everything, she couldn’t leave it behind. Leigh repackaged it and wrapped it in one of her skirts for extra protection before placing it in the bag. It took her only a few minutes to finish. She glanced around at the room to make sure she had all she planned to take. She had some apprehension of what life would be like in Paris for the next month and how she would survive with the language barrier, but she was determined to forge ahead on this new adventure.
Leigh said the words confidently, however, when it came time to leave on Saturday, her fear and anxiety had risen to a level that made her consider canceling. Her gaze fixed on the large ship that would take her away.
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