“Such a tragedy,” Esther commented. “It’s good to know that there are people like you in the world helping the animals. It is a pleasure to meet you, my dear.”
“People like Pamela work tirelessly to help rescue all of these wonderful creatures.” Daniel’s hand waved to the pictures on the wall. “And they get no financial assistance from the state or federal government. Can you believe that?”
Esther placed a caring hand on Pamela’s arm. “How do you manage?”
Pamela put on her best smile. “Well, I’m dependent on the donations of private citizens to help keep my facility going. I take in over three hundred animals a year. Orphaned and injured wildlife require food, formula, housing, and medical care. I have a non-profit organization that holds fundraisers every year, but I’m a one-woman operation and it is so difficult in these economic times to get donations.”
“Do you have a card?” Peter Robillard asked.
“Yes, I do,” Pamela quickly reached into her handbag, pulled out her card, and handed it to him.
Peter Robillard inspected her card. “I have a few animal-related organizations that I make a part of my annual giving program.” He looked up at her with his steely blue eyes. “I prefer to help local, small organizations get on their feet, instead of pumping money into big non-profits that spend half of their donations on salaries for CEOs.” He nodded to her. “My accountant is named Steve Mueller with Erickson and Walters. I’m going to give him your information on Monday and have him set you up on our annual donations list.”
Pamela felt her heart do a few happy somersaults. “Thank you. That would be…I can’t tell you how much this would mean to me and to the animals I help to rehabilitate.”
“Thank your young man here,” Esther said, patting Daniel’s arm. “I heard about Elizabeth’s passing a few years back. I’m so sorry. She was a good friend. When we were growing up together, she was always the life of the party.”
Daniel nodded. “Yes, that was Mom.”
“You keep up the good work, young lady,” Esther said to Pamela with a warm smile. “We need more people like you in the world.”
Pamela and Daniel said good-bye to the Robillards and headed back out into the crowd.
“I can’t believe it,” Pamela said, sounding almost giddy. “How did you know those people? And how did you know the woman went to school with your mother?”
Daniel smiled at her excitement. “I told you I have done bartending at a few social parties in the past. Well, I’ve learned to keep my eyes and ears open and I try to remember everything I hear. Mrs. Esther Robillard is known for wearing her expensive diamond jewelry to every social affair. I have seen them once or twice at events like this. Her husband loves gin and tonics with a twist. I took a shot and it paid off.” He shrugged.
“But they knew your mother’s family?” Pamela asked surprised.
“My mother’s family was very wealthy and very well connected. An older couple like that was bound to have known or at least heard of them. That she went to school with my mother was just blind luck. But then again, this is New Orleans, and a very small town. Everybody knows everybody down here. But I don’t have to tell you that.” He searched the room once more. “Ah,” he said to her. “I think I found another person you need to meet.”
Pamela eagerly surveyed the ballroom. “Who?”
“Val Easterling,” Daniel announced. “And this ball of fire, I do know.”
Daniel took Pamela’s hand and pulled her across the room to the side of a round woman dressed in a burgundy gown with short, silver hair, and light blue eyes. She had delicate features and as soon as she spotted Daniel coming her way, she roared with delight.
“Daniel, is that you? Who in the hell let you in here?” she called out and threw her arms about his neck.
Daniel kissed the woman’s smooth, pale cheek and stood back from her. “Val Easterling, I want you to meet someone.” He gently pulled Pamela to his side. “Pamela Wells is a very dear friend.”
Val’s blue eyes seemed to take in every inch of Pamela’s figure. “Darlin’, I hope you know what you’re getting into with this boy. He’s a handful.”
Pamela grinned. “So I’m beginning to notice.”
Daniel put a loving arm about Val’s waist. “Whenever Val has parties, she always gets me to set up the bar and hire the staff. And she throws the best parties in town.”
Val waved a dismissive hand in the air. “I throw much better parties than this sorry affair. Lobster and cream cheese rolls for hors d’oeuvres.” She frowned. “It’s so eighties. You would think with all the money they sunk into this place after the storm they could have hired a better caterer.” She looked over Daniel’s face for a moment and then crinkled her brow. “What are you doing here, Daniel? I seem to remember you saying you hated these functions. Don’t tell me you have grown a sudden fondness for our local flora and fauna.”
“Yes, Val, I’m afraid I have found a soft spot for all the fuzzy little fur balls down here.” Daniel smiled at Pamela. “You see, Pamela is a wildlife rehabber and runs a facility outside of the city. She takes in hundreds of animals a year and she needs money to keep her place going.”
Pamela felt her jaw drop.
Val placed her hand on her wide hip. “How much are we talking about?”
Pamela felt her stomach knot up. “My budget varies from month to month, depending on the animals I take in, vet bills, and the amount of formula—”
“Just give me a bottom line lump sum, dearie,” Val said, cutting off Pamela’s marketing speech.
“Five hundred a month?” Pamela said, unsure of how the woman would take her offer.
Val laughed; a deep sounding laugh that matched her boisterous personality. “When asking for money always start out high and bargain your way down. Makes people in this room feel important, or at least that they’re in control of the negotiations.” She paused and smiled at Daniel. “All right,” she nodded and then turned back to Pamela. “Give me your card.”
Pamela almost dropped her purse she was shaking so much. She fished the card out and handed it to Val.
Val took the card. “If you’re a friend of this boy’s,” she winked at Daniel, “then you’re a good investment. I’ll have my accountant call you Monday to set up the details for a monthly deposit. If you ever need more, come to me.”
Pamela took Val’s hand. “I don’t know how to thank you, Mrs. Easterling.”
“Call me, Val…everyone does. I need to get you a few more donations for your facility. There’s a man here tonight who does nothing with his money but buy wives and gamble.” She looked Pamela up and down, “He has got to meet you. We’ll make him shell out some dough to help your animals.” She turned and explored the crowd. “There he is. Come with me.” Val took Pamela’s hand and started pulling her across the ballroom.
Pamela let Val Easterling lead her through the crowds with Daniel following right behind. They stopped before a tall man with dark, wavy hair and penetrating green eyes. He was dressed in a designer tuxedo, holding a tall glass filled with some pink concoction and topped with a pink umbrella. Pamela could not help but notice how the man’s eyes traveled over every inch of her petite figure.
“I thought you hated these events. And shouldn’t you be out on that fancy sailboat Dallas built you?” Val inquired.
“I’ve been waiting for you to come skinny dipping with me, Valie,” the man replied, giving the woman a friendly peck on the cheek.
“That’s like inviting a lion to a barbeque. Untold amounts of suffering would be sure to occur.” Val turned to Pamela. “We need to help this woman. She takes care of sick wildlife in a facility outside of the city. She needs your money to keep her facility going.”
“Does she need a husband, Valie?” he asked, leering at Pamela. “I’m available.”
“Did your Viagra just kick in or something? Behave or I’ll slip some saltpeter into your…whatever it is you’re drinking,” Val threatened as s
he waved at the man’s pink drink.
Pamela bit down on her lower lip to keep from laughing.
“I can always count on you to bring me down, Valie,” the tall man said with a mischievous grin.
Val smirked. “Pamela Wells, meet Lance Beauvoir, of Beauvoir Scrap Metal,” Val said as she turned to Daniel. “This is her boyfriend and my main bartender, Daniel Phillips.”
Lance and Daniel shook hands. “I remember you,” Lance remarked as he pointed at Daniel. “You do all of Val’s parties.”
Daniel nodded to Lance’s drink. “Yes. I remember you, and your brother as well, Mr. Beauvoir.” He turned to Pamela. “The Beauvoir brothers own and operate Beauvoir Scrap Metal,” Daniel explained.
“Actually, Billy, my brother, runs everything.” Lance shrugged. “I’m just for decoration.”
“Kind of like those stuffed heads on the walls of a taxidermist’s office,” Val declared.
“I wonder if I could do that with ex-wives,” Lance contemplated.
“You don’t have enough wall space, Lance,” Val countered.
“Beauvoir?” Pamela asked as she stared at Lance. “Any relation to the local writer, Nicci Beauvoir?”
Lance dipped his head. “She was my niece,” he stated in a soft tone.
Pamela shook her head. “I’m sorry—how thoughtless of me. I didn’t realize. I remember reading of her death in the papers. She was so beautiful.” She took a breath. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“That’s very kind,” Lance replied, smiling reassuringly.
“Look, Lance, I’m giving Pamela five hundred a month for all of her expenses at her wildlife facility. You want to match me?” Val Easterling quickly jumped in, trying to lighten the mood.
Lance held up his drink. “Count me in.”
Pamela felt as if she were floating on air. “Thank you, Mr. Beauvoir.”
Lance nodded to her and then to Daniel. “I’ll let Valie handle all of the details,” he said and then took Pamela’s hand. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Wells.”
Lance Beauvoir walked out into the crowds and disappeared behind a sea of black tuxedos.
“I know Lance’s accountant,” Val said beside Pamela. “I’ll have him give you a call.” She turned and took Pamela’s hand. “I’ll see you again, Pamela.” She nodded to Daniel. “In the meantime, take good care of my boy.” Val Easterling gave Daniel a quick peck on the cheek and turned away.
“Oh, my God!” Pamela all but screamed. “Do you know what that money will mean?” She felt like jumping up and down. “I could get out from under Bob’s thumb, and add more cages, and fix up the barn the way I always wanted so I could get the babies out of my house. I could even buy a new refrigerator.”
“You’re happy,” Daniel surmised, smiling warmly. “I’m glad.”
“I can’t believe you knew these people and in just a few minutes you got me connected with more money than I have ever been able to get my hands on.” She put her arms about his neck. “Thank you,” she murmured against his cheek.
“I think this joyful turn of events deserves a celebration,” Daniel whispered into her ear.
Pamela pulled away. “Celebration?” she asked, warily.
Daniel reached for her hand. “Yeah, celebration,” he confirmed.
He squeezed her hand and started leading her across the room. He stopped before the roped-off dance area. The band’s playing could barely be heard above the din in the crowded room. Daniel walked around the dance floor until he found an opening between the gold ropes. He pulled Pamela out into the middle of the empty white dance floor.
He put his arm about her waist. “I was hoping I would get to do this with you tonight,” he said, raising one eyebrow at her. “Among other things,” he added, grinning.
She placed her arms about his shoulders as the band began to play a slow jazz tune. “Don’t think that just because you have secured some new funding for my facility that I am going to repay you with a night of uninhibited sex.”
“Or in your case a night of inhibited sex,” he responded with a playful glint in his eye.
Pamela started to pull away from him, but he held her tightly in his arms. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, squirming.
“That somewhere beneath that tough exterior I think there is a woman dying to get out and let go. You keep so much pent up inside of you, Pamela, it is a wonder you haven’t exploded.”
“You’re confusing a tough exterior with a woman who is responsible and—”
“You are a woman who desperately needs to be wanted,” he interrupted. “Not needed.”
“Is there a difference?”
“Yes,” Daniel replied. “Need is when you fulfill someone else’s requirements. Like what you do for your animals. Want is when you seek to fulfill your desires.” He pressed his body into hers. “Like what you want to do with me.”
Pamela let her body give in to the rhythm of the sultry beat as the warmth from Daniel’s body teased her skin. She felt safe in his arms, protected from the cares of the world that seemed to be hovering just beyond the golden ropes that stood at the end of the dance floor.
“And what makes you so sure I want to do anything with you?” she softly asked as she gazed into his dark eyes.
He leaned forward and let his lips hover inches over hers. “Because I don’t see loathing in your eyes when you look at me anymore. I see something else; something that appears to be more…instinctual.”
“Instinctual?” Pamela laughed. “Like what? I want to punch you and run away? Because that is the only instinct that comes to mind right now.”
“I had a different instinct in mind; something a lot less painful.” He paused “Let me show you what I’m talking about.” He leaned forward and kissed her lips.
“Pamela, is that you?” a man’s voice called out from behind them.
Pamela broke away from Daniel’s embrace and turned to see Bob, standing beside the golden rope at the end of the dance floor. He was dressed in a tailored black tuxedo with matching black bow tie. His light brown hair was neatly slicked back and his pale green eyes were staring right at Pamela. Then Bob’s eyes shifted to Daniel and instantly flashed with anger.
Bob hurriedly climbed over the gold rope in front of him and walked up to Daniel’s side. “What in the hell are you doing here?” he growled at Daniel.
Pamela looked from Bob to Daniel. “Bob, this is my date—”
“This is Bob?” Daniel asked, cutting her off with his raised voice.
“You know each other?” Pamela asked.
“This is the son of a bitch that hit me in the middle of Pat O’Brien’s,” Bob explained, trying to keep his voice down.
Pamela turned to Daniel. “Wait? You hit Bob? I thought you said you—”
“He’s the one who filed charges against me,” Daniel whispered, interrupting her.
Pamela turned back to Bob. “Did you start it?”
Bob appeared astonished by her allegation. “Now you think just because of what happened before, I go around starting fights with indiscriminate bartenders for the hell of it?” Bob said in a low voice. He nervously looked around at the other guests gathered about the dance floor.
Clarissa walked up to join them in the middle of the dance floor. She was wearing a form-fitting yellow satin dress with a low neckline and a high slit up the right side. Her dark hair was piled up on top of her head and she had on a matching gold diamond tennis bracelet and necklace. When she stopped right in front of Daniel, it was then that Pamela first noticed her shoes. Yellow and white high heeled sandal creations with yellow straps that went all the way up her ankle. There were even little white butterflies glued on the strap across her toes.
“What’s goin’ on over here?” she questioned as she grabbed Bob’s arm. She turned to Daniel standing before her. “Well, hello there.” She nodded to Pamela, “Pamie you look really nice. What a cute dress! Did you borrow that or somethin’?”
“It was a gift,” Pamela declared as she glanced over at Daniel.
“You bought it for her? Why are you buying her clothes?” Bob asked, raising his voice.
Clarissa turned back to her husband. “Keep your voice down. You want the whole room to hear you? And I thought you said she was bringin’ Carol. What’s Daniel doin’ here?”
“You’re Daniel?” Bob exclaimed. “Why have you been hanging around my ex-wife’s place?” he demanded.
Pamela noticed that a few guests mingling about were beginning to take in their floorshow.
“Perhaps we should take this outside,” she suggested to the men.
Daniel was standing next to her taking in large amounts of air through his flaring nostrils. His jaw was clenched and his hands were curled into fists. She reached over and placed her hand on his arm.
“Don’t let him get to you,” she whispered to him. “You are better than he is in so many ways.”
Daniel’s eyes connected with hers and she could instantly see the anger begin to subside. Bob on the other hand was red-faced and, minus a ring in his nose, looked like a bull ready to charge.
Pamela grabbed Daniel’s hand and pulled him off the dance floor. “Please, Daniel, not here,” she begged. “Not in front of these people.”
Daniel allowed her to lead him across the grand ballroom and out the main entrance. Bob, and a stumbling Clarissa, were not too far behind. Once safely out of earshot, in the corridor outside the grand ballroom, Bob lunged for Daniel. Used to handling Bob in situations like this, Pamela instantly threw herself in between the two men.
“If you throw the first punch, Bob,” she growled, “I’ll testify that you started it out of jealousy over me.”
“What in the hell is goin’ on?” Clarissa shouted as she finally caught up to the group. “Bob, why are you goin’ after Daniel? So what if he is Pamie’s date? She can go out with anyone she likes.” She paused and put her hands on her hips. “You’re not married to her anymore; you’re married to me. It’s always about her. I’m always tryin’ to keep up with perfect Pamela. Well, I’m your wife now, Bob. I’m your goddamn wife! Not her,” she shouted as she pointed to Pamela.
Broken Wings Page 13
