by Robin Caroll
She finished off the bread pudding and let out a sigh. “That was wonderful. Thank you for a perfect supper.” The night had been perfect.
“You are most welcome.”
A breeze gusted off the river and she gave a little shiver.
“Come here.” He pulled her against him, her back against his chest, and slung his jacket over her.
She tucked it over her shoulders and rested against him. She could feel his heart pounding in his chest. It soothed her with its steady thumping, and she laid her head back against him and closed her eyes. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this safe. This secure. This relaxed.
“Hey, I read something the other day I wanted to share with you. When I read it, I immediately thought of you.” His chest vibrated as he spoke.
“Should I be concerned?”
He laughed, his breath almost caressing her ear. “You know better. Hang on, let me pull it up, and I’ll read it to you.” He reached around her to scroll through his cell phone. She didn’t care—she was comfortable and didn’t want to move. Maybe ever.
“Okay. Ready?”
“Go for it.” She snuggled against him, curious what would make him think of her. She felt him inhale before he read.
Music travels in her veins the ability to create vibrates her hands.
Her will is the only thing stronger than Her spirit.
She sees life through a spectrum of colors light and shadows.
Justice follows her.
She is fair honest compassionate.
But also determined.
She is bound in love fiercely loyal
Her heart branded For great things.
She lives her life proudly,
knowing tomorrow isn’t promised.
She exudes the sweet aroma of Faith
of Hope
of Willingness.
Her smile brightens the world.
Her laugh rings out
like a beacon to those who are
sad downtrodden desperate.
Her spirit rises in her delivering
energy to fulfill the works of her hands
mind
and her Heart.
She is a force to behold.
She is beautiful and funny.
Sassy and sweet.
Open and introverted. She notices details Forgets failures Celebrates victory.
She is the best advocate
one could ever hope to have.
She sings to her own songs Doesn’t take herself too seriously And likes being alone.
She is fierce Faithful and Free.
She is herself and she is happy.
Tears threatened to choke her. She bit her bottom lip and sat up. He got her. Knew her. Understood her. And that he saw her like that . . .
“Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you,” he whispered in her ear.
“You didn’t.” She smiled. “That’s beautiful.”
“No, Addy, you’re beautiful.” He bent his head and covered her mouth with his.
35
Dimitri
Adelaide smiled as she held Dimitri’s hand, lighting up an already sunshine-bright afternoon. “I love the zoo. This was a great idea.”
He’d debated where to take her on their date, and while she enjoyed food and he enjoyed cooking for her, he already did that at the hotel as much as she would let him. He wanted their date to be something totally different. Something fun and carefree. A memory together they could look back on and cherish.
They certainly deserved some fun and carefree time after the week they’d had, and the Audubon Zoo seemed to fit that bill perfectly.
Situated in uptown New Orleans, the zoo offered an unusual mix of animals from around the world as well as beautiful, lush gardens. The Audubon boasted unique natural-habitat exhibits like Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar. While many people came specifically to see the highly endangered whooping cranes, Amur leopards, and orangutans, Dimitri had, since he was a child, always most loved the mysterious white alligators.
Standing before the white alligator display he was, as always, awed by their magnificence.
“So beautiful,” Adelaide breathed beside him, as obviously amazed as he was. Just something else they had in common: an appreciation of beautiful, if wild, things. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him on any of my trips to the zoo before. Then again, it’s been a long time. Is he albino?”
Dimitri shook his head. “He’s got leucism, which is a rare condition that has translucent white skin and deep-blue eyes with a hint of pigmentation splashed here and there. Albinism results in pink eyes and no pigmentation at all. While there’s only a few documented occurrences of leucistic alligators, they aren’t a separate species, but they’re considered extremely rare.”
She nodded, staring at the large, beautiful reptile. “His condition is beautiful.”
Dimitri rubbed the small of her back. “He is. Not nearly as beautiful as you are, though.”
Her face flushed, and his gut tightened. He slowly turned to face her, lifting his hands to cup both sides of her face—her beautiful, perfect face. He leaned in, gently pressing his forehead against hers. Their breath mingled, and he swallowed against the strong urge to kiss her senseless.
Instead, he gently lowered his mouth to hers. Soft. Supple. Just a hint of the depth of his feelings for her.
He pulled back, catching his breath. Her chest rose and fell quickly, obviously just as affected by their connection as he was.
It took everything in him to release her and smile, when all he really wanted to do was get lost in her. “How about we grab lunch over at the Cypress Knee Café? We can either eat inside or on one of the picnic tables on the deck overlooking the swamp.”
Adelaide nodded, her face still flushed. “It’s so nice out today, let’s eat outside. Pretty soon it’ll be too hot.”
Dimitri led the way through the Louisiana swamp exhibit to the little café. “What do you want?”
“Well, you’re the chef. I trust you.” She smiled at him, and all in the world went right for him.
“Okay, then crawfish pies it is. Why don’t you grab us a picnic table, and I’ll get the food?”
She nodded and headed out to the deck.
Dimitri watched her walk away, his heart suddenly demanding attention. The way she moved, the way she spoke—everything about her was perfect. This day together had cemented the way he felt about her. He needed her to know that. Needed her to feel how important she was to him.
He carried their crawfish pies and bottled waters to the table, said a quick grace, then smiled at her. He couldn’t stop grinning. Dimitri knew he probably looked like an idiot, but he couldn’t help it. Being around Adelaide just made him happy.
She took a sip of water and caught him staring at her. “What? Do I have something on my face?”
“Just natural beauty.” Had he really just gone so cheesy and corny? She did that to him.
She blushed and looked down.
Her shyness made his stomach flip. He reached out and tucked the strand of hair that had fallen against her face when she lowered her head back behind her ear. She looked up, getting caught in his gaze.
The intensity in her face . . . the honesty in her eyes . . . the openness of her heart . . . Dimitri couldn’t stand it. He leaned forward and again captured her mouth with his. Her lips were soft and supple against his. His arms wound themselves around her. Her hands were hot against his chest. He could kiss her forever, getting lost in Adelaide.
But he knew she needed to breathe, and he needed to control the pounding of his heart. He slowly withdrew, but kept her close. “Oh, Adelaide.” He laid his head on top of hers, loving having her in his arms.
He could stay like this forever.
Addy
Oh, her heart.
This man . . . Dimitri . . . He made her feel like a cherished princess. She loved the way he pampered her. But she also loved the way he kissed her breathless.
She held his hand as they strolled toward the jaguar exhibit. She adored the big cats. Always had.
In front of them, a young mother held tight to the hands of what appeared to be twin girls who were maybe five or six. Their incessant chatter amused Addy, along with the caliber of the questions they asked their mother. The mother’s answers depicted an enormous amount of patience. Addy couldn’t help but wonder what kind of mother she herself would be.
She supposed that should be a natural question to ask herself. After all, she hadn’t had a good role model. Okay, truth be told, her mother had been no role model at all.
What if their family had a defective maternal trait?
“Have I told you lately how amazing you are?” Dimitri tugged her gently toward him, releasing her hand and putting his arm around her waist.
Addy chuckled. “Well, not in so many words, but I’m not complaining.”
He leaned over and kissed her. It was a quick, gentle peck, but just that touch of his lips on hers made her legs feel liquidy.
“You are the most amazing woman I’ve ever known.” His eyes were so intense that she felt like she could lose herself in them and not once regret missing anything else.
Just then, one of the little girls in front of them broke free of her mother’s grip and took off running. For a little girl, she was fast. Really fast.
“Alexa, come back here. Right now.” Her mother picked up the other little girl and started trying to run, but the child was clearly too heavy to be carried.
The little girl ran into the big cat exhibit and disappeared.
The mother ran as fast as her legs would take her. “Alexa!”
Dimitri released Addy and ran toward where the little girl had disappeared. Addy moved to the woman. “Can I help you?”
The woman gave her a stern look, shook her head, and kept running. Addy kept pace beside her.
“Alexa!” Tears came to the woman’s eyes as the little girl she was holding started to slip from her grasp.
“Mommy, where’s Alexa? I want Alexa.” The child’s cries felt deafening.
“We’re going to get her, honey.” The woman’s voice was high pitched with fear.
And then Dimitri came out of the exhibit, Alexa’s hand in his.
He smiled as he joined Addy and the woman.
“Mommy!” Alexa took her mother’s hand again.
“Don’t you ever run off like that again, Alexa. You know the rules.” The woman let out a long breath. “Thank you.”
“Of course. Not a problem.” Dimitri smiled. He bent to the little girl. “Remember what I told you.”
“Yes, sir.” The little girl’s head bobbed. “I hafta stay with my mommy so I don’t scare her.”
“Right.” He straightened, patted the mother’s shoulder, then put his arm around Addy’s waist and gently led her away.
“You were wonderful,” Addy whispered. The way he’d just acted totally on instinct. He was going to be a great father someday. Maybe even capable of overcompensating if his wife wasn’t so maternal.
He stopped and turned Addy to him. “Adelaide, you are wonderful, and I’m blessed to have you in my life.” He kissed her. Thoroughly. Completely.
The afternoon Louisiana sun beat down on them, but it was Dimitri that made Addy feel like she was melting.
36
Beau
The air outside the courthouse seemed even cooler, fitting for the day. Beau and Marcel had just endured what should have been a short hearing for Lissette Bastien to accept the plea agreement. Unfortunately, it’d been held in open court, so many of her voodoo friends had shown up in support. The ruckus had caused the proceedings to be halted for the bailiff to clear the courtroom.
Dimitri stood outside the entrance, turning to Beau and Marcel as they stepped outside. “So, did everything go as expected?”
Beau nodded.
“Once the crackpots were gone, yeah.” Marcel shook his head. “My aunt was big into all that hocus-pocus stuff, and it drove a huge wedge between family members. I never understood why until now. They’re crazy.”
“It’s what they believe.” Beau shrugged. “Anyway, the judge accepted the plea.”
“So, Lissette will be in jail for fifteen years, for sure? No early release or anything?”
“When it’s a plea deal and both sides agree, they usually stick to it. The judge accepted the plea and the recommendation, and her sentence is on the record for fifteen years.”
Dimitri nodded but remained silent.
“I’m sorry,” Beau offered.
“She conspired to kidnap Adelaide and planned to let her die.”
Beau nodded. “But she’s still your sister, and I know you cared for her.”
“Thanks.” Dimitri shoved his hands into his pockets and moved toward the road.
Beau fell into step beside him. “Have you seen your dad?”
Dimitri shook his head. “Not since his hearing. He’s furious he was denied bond.”
Marcel had also walked with them. “He has the means to flee. The judge made a good call to deny bond.”
“Oh, I’m not arguing it. I’m just saying he was beyond angry.”
“You know the DA offered him a plea deal, too, right?” Beau asked. “From what I understand, eight years.”
Dimitri let out a half snort, half chuckle. “And anyone who knows Claude Pampalon knows he’ll keep fighting until he wins.”
“Illegal possession of stolen things, especially one valued at the level of that Van Gogh, won’t just be pushed aside. Usual sentence would be about fifteen to twenty years. Eight was a gift,” Marcel said.
Again Dimitri chuckled. “Not to my father. He’ll never accept a deal unless it involves him receiving no time behind bars.”
It was Beau’s turn to laugh. “That won’t happen. I can’t imagine any jury finding him not guilty after seeing the video-surveillance evidence.”
“And Jansen’s testimony too.” Marcel offered.
“You might be surprised.” Dimitri stopped as they reached the parking lot. “Father seems to get away with the most awful things.”
“This time, I think it’s caught up to him.” Marcel jangled the keys in his hand. “The deal Jansen got gave him five years.”
“Another reason Father wouldn’t take a deal. He holds Mr. Jansen more accountable than his own actions.” Dimitri stared up at the rumbling thunderclouds overhead.
“What about the hotel?” Beau couldn’t help but wonder if Addy’s job was secure now that Claude had been denied bail. He didn’t know what the legal ramifications were.
“We keep on keeping on. Father’s lawyer sent me his power of attorney with all things involving the Darkwater Inn.”
“So you get to make all the decisions?” Marcel asked.
“For now. The POA is specific in that as soon as Father is no longer in custody, my granted rights are terminated.”
“But until such time?” Beau asked.
Dimitri smiled. “I get to run the Darkwater as I see fit. Well, Adelaide does. I’m perfectly content to stay in the kitchen and let her manage everything.”
“She’s good at that.” Beau smiled, glad he and Dimitri both seemed to also be content at maintaining their uneasy truce.
“Have you heard anything about the princess?” Marcel asked.
Dimitri nodded. “Their laws are different in their country, but from what I understand, she’s okay, even if she’s having to face what she’s done.”
“And the crown? Is it official that it is indeed part of the Romanov crown jewels?” Beau shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
“Nope, and it’s very unlikely that will ever happen. Despite many gemologists’ agreement that it is, the Kremlin refuses to publicly accept that.” Dimitri shrugged. “I guess that’s better for the princess this way.”
“What about her involvement in Luca murdering Jackson?” Marcel asked. “I didn’t like that we couldn’t charge her.”
“W
e don’t know. Every inquiry regarding that has been shut down, so I guess her country is handling it as they see fit.”
Lightning flashed, filling the air with electricity.
“Guess we’d better get going to beat the storm.” Beau paused, then extended his hand to Dimitri.
Dimitri hesitated only a second before shaking Beau’s hand.
Thunder boomed, and the skies opened up and spilled fat raindrops down in torrents.
Addy
Addy stood on her bedroom balcony, staring down at her city. One of the top ten most visited cities, New Orleans was in Addy’s blood. All of the French Quarter, including Jackson Square—her love of the Crescent City was as deep as the Mississippi River flanking New Orleans itself.
The nightline lights of the people still enjoying carnival season below illuminated the sky. Beats from the zydeco music playing in the bars below drifted up to Addy’s balcony. A lone saxophone played further in the distance.
Addy sat on the chair Dimitri had bought her. He’d had it made for her with a picture on the canvas material of their photo-booth snapshot taken at the zoo. She lifted the leather journal Beau had gotten her. Already she’d filled many pages with random thoughts, confusing emotions, and even a few lines of poems she was working on. Both men were amazing, and her heart was in constant flux over them both.
Addy hadn’t had a chance for her heart to make any conclusions, but neither Beau nor Dimitri had complained. But she was in no hurry. She’d learned to appreciate life, every precious second. Choosing a partner to share her life could not—would not—be rushed.
Setting down her journal, she reached for the other book sitting on the table. She ran her hand over the worn leather cover.
Her old Bible. Once it had been her constant companion. And then she’d been so hurt and angry she couldn’t bear to even look at it, much less open it. Now . . .
Well, now her life was different. She was in a better place. Maybe, Addy hoped, she had grown up a little. Matured a lot.
She opened the Bible, the thin pages flipping and making a soothing, welcoming sound. Her heart lurched.
Addy closed her eyes, and for the first time in a very long time, she opened her heart to the one above all others.
