Untrusting Hearts: A Contemporary New Orleans Romance

by Hartt, Madison

  Admitting her impropriety couldn’t have been easy for Maylene; after all, Jade doubted if the woman usually had to explain her motives. She softened her tone. “Yes, you should have discussed it with me, then I could have rejected the idea.”

  Maylene said, “That was exactly Ty’s argument for having me do it while you were away; we both knew you’d balk at accepting the money and our way seemed so much easier than trying to convince you of the reality of your situation.”

  “So you were involved in it?” Gage looked at Ty. “Just as I thought.”

  Ty shrugged. “I figured she was owed something for her help.”

  “My help?” Jade demanded. “You’re a master at twisting things around, aren’t you?”

  “Now, don’t be upset, honey.” Maylene wrung her hands. “He didn’t mean it the way it sounded. Did you, Ty?”

  “It is what it is,” Ty said with a nonchalant toss of the head.

  “Alright! That is enough. Everybody, just calm down,” Maylene scolded. “There is absolutely no need to be confrontational. Let’s sit down and discuss these matters like mature adults. We’ll have something to drink; I’ll call Ciana.”

  “I can’t. I have to go straighten this mess out.” Gage started toward the door, then paused. “Don’t show up at the office today, Dubois,” he warned, “unless you’d like to leave in an ambulance. In fact, it would be better for your health if you just take the next few days off.” He spun on his heel and left.

  “Did you hear that? I believe he just threatened me,” Ty said with grim amusement. “You two are witnesses.”

  “Can’t you please be serious for once?” Maylene reached for Jade’s hand, clutched it in her own as if for moral support, and turned tearful eyes on her nephew. “Why do you do these things? I just don’t understand it. You’ve been given so many opportunities and you find a way to waste every one of them. I really wanted you to succeed this time. I don’t know, do you deliberately sabotage your best chances, or do you even realize that’s what you’re doing?”

  “You know what?” Ty’s eyes were bright with resentment and his lips thinned into a cold smile, one that reminded Jade of a weasel’s sly sneer. He reached for a bottle from the stocked bar. “I think I’ll take you up on that offer of a drink, after all. But I won’t have it here being snipped at; I’ll have it to go. I suddenly don’t feel welcome.”

  As he stormed past, Maylene reached out and snatched the bottle from his hand. She thrust her chin out stubbornly and held his stunned gaze. “If you insist on drowning your sorrows with alcohol, you can at least buy your own.”

  “Good day then, ladies.” He gave a sardonic tip to an imaginary hat, barely hiding his anger. “I’ll come back later, when you’ve had a chance to cool down.”

  After he was gone, Maylene released Jade’s hand and carefully set the bourbon on the table. She looked at her niece apologetically. “I need a few moments to collect myself. Why don’t you go freshen up and then we’ll have a nice talk.”

  “Okay.” Jade retrieved her things from the entryway and climbed the stairs to her room.

  A short time later, the two women met at the door leading to the back porch. They settled at a table with their refreshments.

  “I was surprised you and Gage stayed the night in Baton Rouge.” Maylene sipped her sweet tea delicately, as if trying to get a feel for Jade’s mood. Jade was sure her distress was still obvious, but Maylene seemed to have reverted to her usual unruffled, poised self.

  “Gage’s meeting was postponed until late and after sightseeing all morning we were both tired; it simply seemed the thing to do.” Jade’s tone was tight. She was unwilling to give away any details. “Can we talk about this money you supposedly have for me?”

  At a nod from the older woman, Jade continued, “I know you think you’re being helpful, but Aunt Maylene, you knew I had money saved back for expenses while I search for work. Grandma had life insurance that more than covered the funeral costs. I’m okay.”

  “I know, dear, I know! You’ve done an admirable job with your resources. But in this terrible economy...” Maylene dabbed her lips with a pristine cloth napkin. It was late morning and the two were enjoying the light breeze. “Please accept it in the way it was intended. As a gift. Motivated by genuine affection and concern.”

  Jade relented. “Alright, I will. And thank you.”

  Maylene sighed, as if preparing to tackle an unpleasant but necessary task. “I’m dreadfully sorry about that earlier scene. It was so ugly. A terrible misunderstanding, really. I wish those boys would get along. The constant friction between them wears on my nerves. Sometimes I just don’t know what I’m going to do with them.”

  Jade had plenty of ideas in that regard, but kept her thoughts to herself.

  “I was hoping Gage would stop back by. Maybe it’s taking longer than expected to put things in order.”

  “He’s been fairly busy keeping me company lately. I would guess he’s also trying to catch up on his work.” Jade played along with Maylene’s innocent act, not wishing to drive a wedge between the two friends. Whether Maylene elected to acknowledge it or not, Gage was livid over what had been done in his absence and at his perceived notion of Jade’s part in the fiasco. She was sure he wouldn’t show himself at the house until she was gone. Well, he wouldn’t have long to wait, for she’d decided to cut her vacation short. She’d be going home in less than twenty-four hours, not soon enough as far as she was concerned.

  “Maylene,” she said gently. “I want you to know how much I appreciate your hospitality. And I’m so happy we were able to have this time together and get to know each other.”

  The older woman looked at her, realization dawning in her blue eyes. “You’re leaving already, aren’t you?”

  Jade nodded. “I do have a return ticket.”

  “Tickets can be changed.”

  “No. It’s time I went home.”

  “But it hasn’t been two weeks yet.” Maylene leaned forward slightly.

  “I hate to go already, Maylene. But I feel I’m in the middle of something I don’t belong in. I’m uncomfortable. You can understand. Can’t you?”

  “Oh, my.” Maylene’s eyes grew glassy but she shed no tears. “Yes, I guess I can understand, though I hate this happening. But Jade, you know you are welcome to stay as long as you like?”

  “Yes, and it means a lot to me. In fact, I can’t thank you enough. Still…” Her voice trailed away.

  “I’m going to miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you, too.” Jade hated that her trip was ending on a sour note; she had so enjoyed learning about unknown relatives, becoming familiar with New Orleans, and spending time with her aunt. She flushed at the bittersweet memory of the passion she’d shared with Gage. But now so much of what she’d found pleasurable had been ruined, and through no fault of her own.

  “Right now I think I’ll start packing. I don’t want to wait until the last minute.”

  She wandered upstairs and pulled her suitcases from the closet, but she didn’t begin filling them immediately. She sat on the side of her bed, holding the little steampunk bird Gage had given her on their first outing. A tear tickled her eyelashes and she quickly blinked it away. Rising, she set the small figurine back on the dresser; it wouldn’t be making the trip home with her.

  After a quiet lunch, Maylene retired to her room for a nap. Jade took her cell phone out on the wide front porch to call Jeff, but instead of making the call, she sat staring into space. She was so deep in her misery, she didn’t hear Ty return until he spoke.

  “Well, Jade! You don’t look very happy this afternoon. You should take a lesson from me. I don’t let things bother me for long. I bounce back.”

  “With a little help from your friends,” she said.

  “Who?”

  “Johnny Walker, Jim Beam, and so on.”

  “You got that line from Gage. Funny.” He flopped into the chair next to hers. “I’m not drunk, just relaxed.”


  Jade rubbed her temples lightly, fighting back a derisive retort.

  “Don’t mope around. It doesn’t suit you. Look, I don’t care what Gage thinks about the money Maylene gave you and you shouldn’t either. It was my idea and I think it was a brilliant one.”

  “Oh, yes, absolutely brilliant.” Jade wished she would have remained in her room. She glared at Ty with undisguised loathing.

  “I wish I could have seen Gage’s face when he heard. I’ll bet he was beside himself.”

  “I think you’d best avoid Gage for awhile. He’s as upset with you as I am, maybe more.”

  “I know I got under his skin,” he said, as if announcing a great accomplishment. “But why are you so upset?”

  “You used me. But that wasn’t enough for you. You twisted the facts to make me look guilty. I’m not just upset, I’m furious.” She took a deep breath and reminded herself she’d soon escape from this madness, that she’d soon be back in the comforts of her home. “But regardless, I’m really not in the mood to discuss any of this.”

  Jade stood and moved to the railing, turning her back on the obnoxious young man.

  Ty wouldn’t let it go. “I bet Pichot hit the ceiling. Come on, Jade, give me some details. You owe me that, at least.”

  Jade said nothing.

  “Fine. Be that way. No gratitude whatsoever.”

  Spinning to confront the arrogant, smug-faced man, Jade snapped. “You take great pleasure from this entire episode, don’t you? After all the snarking you did over Maylene’s money, I’m surprised you could bring yourself to advise her to part with any of it.”

  “It was only a hundred thou, not like it was going to break the bank.” Ty frowned. “Come on, Jade. You benefited nicely here.”

  “You know what? I’m sick of being judged by other people’s motives. I didn’t come here for money, Ty. I came to meet family. And if it weren’t for having met Maylene, I would rather have stayed away. Money doesn’t make a family, people do.”

  “Hunh! Can you really be that naive? It’s all about the money, babe. You’re sounding about as dense as Gage.” The day had grown hot and sweat greased his brow. He wiped it on his sleeve

  “What about Gage? Didn’t you tell me he was after Maylene’s money?”

  “That’s not what I said, no. I said he had things he would like to do with Maylene’s money. While she’s living. He has his eyes set on hospital wings, educational programs, and such. Hell, he romanticizes over anything that he can stick Jean Pierre’s name on. He yearns to immortalize the man.”

  “Actually, that’s not what you told me before. Like all liars, I guess you can’t keep your stories straight. So Gage wants to invest in charitable efforts but spending money to help people goes against your grain? You insinuated there was more than enough money to go around. But you don’t share; do you?”

  “Not with people I don’t know, no! Actually, I don’t see why anyone outside the family should touch Jean Pierre’s money.”

  “But I understood the money was Maylene’s. Didn’t she bring the wealth into the relationship?”

  “Don’t be sacrilegious. Maylene might have had a generous dowry, but Jean Pierre turned it into much more than it would have ever been without him.”

  “And you feel entitled to it?”

  He gave her a guileless look. “I am entitled to it. I’m a Dubois.”

  “Conversations like this sicken me.” Jade went inside and closed the door behind her.

  Ty had the sense to vacate the premises, for which Jade was grateful.

  Later, Maylene and Jade had a quiet dinner. Afterward, they sat together and talked about everything with the exception of money, Gage, or Ty. If Maylene tried to broach one of those subjects, Jade diverted her to a safer topic.

  Before they parted for the night, Maylene seemed compelled to get Gage into the conversation one last time. “So, Jade. Gage should be here bright and early to drive you to the airport. I’ve already called and let him know what time to arrive.”

  “Maylene!” Jade briefly pressed her fingertips to her forehead. “Please. Let’s not bother Gage. I can call for a ride.”

  “But I wish to accompany you; I can’t do that in a taxi.”

  “Why not?”

  Maylene waved a dismissive hand. “I wouldn’t be comfortable riding back home with someone I don’t know.”

  “Then you can drive me.”

  “Oh goodness, no. I don’t like to drive on the highways anymore. I get flustered. Maybe we could have Ty take us. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. He’s probably already gotten over all that earlier unpleasantness. That’s one thing about Ty, he’s resilient.”

  “Fine.” Jade gave in. Anything that would allow her to escape to her room.

  She leaned down to kiss her aunt on the cheek. “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, sweetheart.” Maylene patted her arm lovingly.

  Once completely packed with only the necessities for the morning lying out, Jade had second thoughts. The notion of occupying the same vehicle as Ty made her stomach clench. She couldn’t take even one more glimpse of his smirking face. Searching Google on her cell phone she found the number of a taxi company. A simple phone call arranged for a pick up at the corner of the block at five-thirty the following morning. She’d slip out before anyone knew she’d gone.

  But she couldn’t leave without explaining to Maylene. She hurried down the rear stairs to the den and searched out some stationary. After careful consideration, she had a letter composed that should let the older woman understand how pleased she had been to meet her and how much she looked forward to their future correspondence. She folded the letter and wrote her aunt’s name across the page.

  Jade felt a sense of grim satisfaction as she crept back to her room. She’d solved the problem of Maylene’s tearful goodbye, Gage’s very noticeable absence, and the displeasure of dealing with her cousin one more time.

  After a night of tossing and turning, Jade finally rose and readied herself to travel. Just before time to meet the taxi, she tiptoed into the front hall. Holding the letter tightly, she almost didn’t leave it, but then she placed it gently on a side table. As she slipped out the front door she met the gaze of Ciana who stood nearby with a sad face, her large eyes filled with silent understanding.

  Chapter 18

  Jade was welcomed by mild spring weather upon her return to Kansas. Flowers had bloomed and lawns had reemerged from their winter sleep. It was the time of year when a storm could bring gentle rains or the threat of tornadoes. The time of year for beginnings. Planting gardens, spring cleaning, new projects.

  Pulling up to the curb in a taxi, climbing up the steps, walking through the front door felt so good, like a balm on her troubled mind. She sank into the couch and just sat for a while, absorbing the familiar comfort of her home. At last, she stirred; it was time to move forward with her life.

  The task of going through the rest of her grandmother’s things loomed over her and she needed to brace herself to face her loss all over again. But she felt up to the task. Furthermore, she should look for a job, though finding employment wasn’t as pressing as before, thanks to Maylene’s generosity. She felt the need to keep busy and looked forward to reordering her life, redecorating the house, and getting into a regular routine. Anything to block Gage’s memory from her mind.

  She picked up the pile of mail Jeff had left on the coffee table and shuffled through it. It was mostly advertisements and condolence cards. She tossed it aside and leaned back, running a hand through her hair.

  Hard as she might like to fit back into her old life, too much had changed with the passing of her grandmother and the ill-fated trip to Louisiana. And she might as well face it, Maylene, Gage, and even the annoying Ty had become a part of her experience, her history, and the time she’d spent with them had made a surprising impact on her. Especially, of course, Gage. The fiery passion they’d shared and the heartbreaking conclusion of their brief, doomed romance.
She shook the thoughts away. With a sigh, she rose and went to unpack.

  The first time she opened her email she found a letter from Maylene. It was full of apology and regret that Jade had left without a formal goodbye. The two fell into a pattern of sending emails back and forth. Jade had to chuckle when Maylene informed her that Ty had entered into rehab, but checked himself out after only two days.

  “He has the Dubois stubborn streak,” Maylene wrote. “He can’t abide anyone telling him what to do. A regimented medical setting just won’t work for a free spirit like Ty; he has to handle things on his own. I’m allowing him a bit more latitude with some of our out-of-state interests. I think a show of confidence will do more to encourage a better work ethic than anything else we might try.”

  Stubborn streak, Jade thought, shaking her head. What a polite term for chronic irresponsibility.

  “Ty and I have discussed those last days of your visit and we both regret not being more forthcoming with you,” she continued. “I hope you’ll not harbor any grudges against us. We only had your best interests at heart.”

  Maylene, whose loyalty to family perpetuated an unrealistic viewpoint, probably thought of the whole episode as just a little family misunderstanding. She was so used to exerting her gentle influence to get her way; she wouldn’t recognize that she had used Jade as surely as Ty had. Jade was learning to accept her for what she was, an elderly woman who felt compelled to press ideas on other people.

  Jade thought back to that wretched last day in New Orleans. Gage’s low opinion of her. Maylene going behind her back. Ty’s cynical boasting. Jade’s hurried early-morning escape. It was a sour end to what had started as such a promising adventure and the whole affair saddened her.

  Her aunt eventually extended an invitation. If Jade had not found a job by autumn, Maylene wanted her to come for another visit. A longer one this time. “Parker came across a trunk in the carriage house that we overlooked when you were here. There are some marvelous treasures in it,” she cajoled. “Besides that, we all would enjoy seeing you again.”