by Emery, Lynn
“Neither of us would know where to begin. I’m not sure it would change anything.”
Gran leaned toward Andrea. “Charlene is scared of losing you forever. It’s up to you, baby. Talk to her.” Andrea was surprised at Gran’s attitude. She’d always been so critical of her middle child. It intrigued Andrea. Yet it frightened her, too.
“I’ll think about it, Gran,” Andrea said.
***
Lee studied the drug logs and pretended not to notice Denny had entered the records room. Denny stepped be-hind a tall metal cabinet. He watched Lee for a moment, then backed out and came down the hall again, this time making noise so as to be heard. Lee shoved the log back in a drawer.
“What’s up?” Denny said.
“Nothing,” Lee replied with a grin. “Just working hard.”
“Got some people that wanna meet you.” Denny leaned against the desk and stuck his hands in his pants pockets. “I told ’em about your contacts.”
Lee remained calm despite the adrenaline rushing through his veins. “Sure. What time?”
“Not tonight. Friday. I’ll let you know what time later,” Denny said tersely. He nodded with a grave expression.
“Sounds good.” Lee held out his hand. Denny slapped his palm against his and grasped it tight before he let go.
“See ya.” Denny strolled off.
Before Lee could process this latest development, Andrea appeared in the doorway. He smiled. Her thick hair was tousled. Lee could imagine her tugging at it while working. The woman was sexy no matter how she tried to hide it.
“Hey,” she said, “didn’t I instruct you not to work long hours?”
“I don’t always follow orders. My teachers used to say I had a problem with authority.” Lee stacked four computer disks in a small storage container.
“Evidently.” Andrea walked further into the room. She glanced around, picked up a few files, and gave them a cursory inspection. “Denny tells me you’ve got over half the patient histories stored in the database.”
“Yep. I’m up to M. It should be downhill from here.
There sure are a lot of Landrys and Leblancs,” Lee joked.
“Don’t celebrate yet. We’re big on Marchands, Oubres, Thibodeauxs, and Trahans.” Andrea smiled at the mock look of horror on his face.
“Damn! I wish you hadn’t told me that,” Lee said, and put a hand to his forehead.
“Wait, I forgot about the Ricards and the Rousselle clan.”
“You’re gonna give me nightmares.” Lee smiled back at her.
Andrea had a devilish twinkle in her brown eyes. “Oh, and then there’s—”
Lee put a finger on her lips. “Stop. I’ll be up all night muttering letters of the alphabet.”
Her lips were warm and supple to the touch. They stared into each other’s eyes. Lee remembered the feel of her silky skin. Opening her blouse had been like unwrapping a lovely package. His breath caught when he realized she was staring at his mouth. She felt the same way.
Andrea took his hand down slowly and held it. “Sorry,” she said softly. “Didn’t mean to disturb your sleep.”
“Too late, you’ve already done it,” Lee whispered, his voice hoarse.
Lee closed his fingers around her hand. He did not want to let go. Everything else suddenly faded into the background. The investigation, Denny, and the clinic were minor details he would deal with later.
“So what do we do now?” he said.
Andrea blinked as though the question confused her. “We had this talk a couple of weeks ago.” She made only a token effort to pull her hand away.
For Lee, the most important thing in his world at that moment was to hold on to her. “We didn’t really settle the question, and I can’t stop thinking about you.”
“All the same complications apply,” Andrea murmured.
“Then I guess we better talk again,” Lee said quietly. “Dinner?”
Andrea blinked as though trying to wake up. “I don’t know.”
He needed to be with her. “Please.”
She hesitated for only a moment, and then nodded. “Okay, I’ll get my purse.”
“I’ll wait here.”
Lee watched her back up a few steps, then turn and leave. When he was alone, unease crept through him. Every minute he was near her, the tangle grew more knotted.
She came back, her hair now brushed into place. His gaze traveled down the curve of her chin, traced the graceful sweep of her neck and the round outline of her breasts beneath her blouse. He thought of holding Andrea again so close he could feel her heartbeat. The prospect made any possible complications seem irrelevant.
“I’m ready,” Andrea said.
“Me, too,” Lee replied. He followed her out.
Chapter 14
“I knew it was a good idea to let you decide,” Lee said. He looked around.
“This place has excellent food and a nice view.” Andrea nodded at the floor-to-ceiling windows ahead. “Bayou Lafourche is gorgeous when the sun sets.”
They stood in the lobby of Savoie’s Seafood House, waiting for a table. The restaurant was crowded even though it was still early. All around were the clink of silverware and the murmur of dinner conversations. A smiling waiter approached and they were taken to a table near a window.
The waiter placed the menus on the white tablecloth. “How is this? You could wait for a terrace table if you prefer.”
“This is fine with me,” Andrea said when Lee looked at her.
Lee held Andrea’s chair, gazing at the mass of dark hair that framed her lovely face. He resisted the temptation to bury his face in it. Instead he sat down next to her.
“The food is legendary, even for south Louisiana,” Andrea said. She turned and seemed startled to find his face inches from hers.
“I’m not all that hungry. But I’ll take your recommendation about what to order.” Lee savored being so close to her.
“I’ll have the broiled shrimp. They’ve got great soft-shell crab,” Andrea said as she looked at him.
“Sounds good. I’ll have that as well.” Lee was not thinking of food.
“And their trout is the best for miles around.”
“Sounds even better,” Lee replied.
Andrea tilted her head to one side. “You’re not even looking at the menu.”
Lee picked it up, read quickly, and put it back down. ‘Trout it is.”
Andrea laughed as the waiter came over again. He took their orders and darted off. “You don’t linger over decisions, I see.”
“Not when I find what I want,” Lee said promptly.
Andrea looked away. “Are we talking about dinner?”
“Not entirely, no.”
An awkward silence fell between them. Lee could not call back the words now. He’d taken a wild leap into unknown territory. His attraction to Andrea was extraordinary. Still, his old instinct urged him to be cautious. He pushed down his hunger and sat back from her.
“This is the worst timing in the universe,” Andrea blurted out. “You know what I mean?”
“You better believe it.” Lee heaved a deep sigh. He thought of the circumstances surrounding their relationship.
“But we’re here anyway.” Andrea toyed with the edge of her linen napkin.
“Yeah.” Lee stared down at the tabletop as though looking for answers.
“So,” Andrea said.
“So,” Lee echoed.
The waiter appeared with two salad plates heaped with romaine lettuce. “Here you are. Enjoy.” He flashed a professional smile before leaving.
“You were saying?” Andrea glanced at Lee.
Lee cleared his throat. “No, you go on.”
“I…” Andrea pursed her lips. “Dam, this is hard! Typical, you know? Just when you think you’ve got your life in some kind of order, pow!”
“No kidding. I was finally sure I knew at least some of the answers after my divorce. No more letting emotions rule my head.”
“Me, too.” Andrea smiled softly. “I believe it’s called deluding yourself.”
“But I never expected to find someone like you here. Hell, I didn’t expect to find you at all.” Lee had had no idea such a woman existed, a woman who could set him on fire with a glance.
Andrea lifted a shoulder. “Neither one of us was looking.”
“But we found each other anyway. Bad timing and all.” Lee looked at her again and let the world slip away.
“We could fight the feeling and avoid each other at work.” Andrea looked at him for a response.
“I’ve been trying that for weeks,” Lee said quietly. “Hasn’t worked so far.” He took her hand in his. “I can’t just be a friend, Andrea.”
“I know.” She stared at their entwined hands.
They sat silent for a long time, content to touch. The warmth from her skin seeped into his body and his heart. Andrea was the woman he wanted, and he wondered if it was fair to her under the circumstances. He knew deep down it was selfish. Yet he’d waited all his life to feel this complete.
The evening summer sky was bright orange mixed with blue. Sunshine slanted across the tables, throwing shadows across the dining room. The scenery added a perfect setting for this moment.
Lee reluctantly let go of Andrea’s hands when the waiter came over with their entrees. The man glanced at their untouched salads.
“Was the salad to your liking?” he asked.
“Yeah. Just leave diem here,” Lee said.
“Sure thing,” the waiter said. He rearranged the table and put the larger dinner plates in front of them. “Enjoy,” he repeated, and left.
“I’ve got an idea,” Lee said. “Let’s just be discreet for a while. I mean no need to rush.”
Andrea raised her eyebrows. “I always thought you were bold. The kind of guy who did as he pleased and to heck with what people thought.”
“I can be sensible once in a while,” Lee tossed back. “I can keep a secret.”
“Hmm, then I’ve got a lot to learn about the real Jamal Turner.” Andrea smiled at him.
Lee’s stomach churned. “Right.” He looked away quickly.
“Did I say something wrong?” Andrea put a hand on his arm.
He forced a smile that he hoped looked more genuine than it felt. “No, of course not.”
“Then tell me what you’re thinking.”
“It just hit me that you’re the most beautiful woman
in the world and you want to be with me. I don’t deserve it,” Lee said. He did not have to pretend. The emotion behind his words was very real.
Andrea brushed her fingers along his jaw line. “Don’t be silly. You’re a sweet man beneath that cocky attitude,” she said softly.
“I hope you remember that later when the demon comes out,” he teased. Yet he caught her hand and held it tightly.
“The demon?” she said, cocking an eyebrow. “Is that what they call it these days?”
Being with her and talking this way tore down his defenses. He wanted her to love him so hard, all would be forgiven. Was there such a thing? Lee had long ago concluded that love everlasting was a fantasy for fools. Only chumps fell in love so hard they couldn’t think straight. For his part, he’d always been in the driver’s seat when it came to women. Until now, that was. Here he sat going against his survival instincts, all because of a pair of big brown eyes and full mouth attached to a no-nonsense nurse of all things. Yet he could not stop if he wanted to, and he did not want to stop. Not when she looked at him that way. He’d just have to damn well find a way to deal with all the complications.
“I think I can handle it,” Andrea said with a half smile. “Now let’s eat this great food before it gets cold. Then I’m going to take you for a ride to my favorite spot.”
“Where is it?” Lee let go of her hand and picked up his fork.
“About a fifteen-minute drive from Gran’s house. We can leave my car at my apartment and take yours.” Andrea tasted a small slice of roasted potato served with the shrimp.
“Sounds good.”
The next hour and a half felt right. They seemed to both be relieved to get past the stage of lighting their mutual attraction. Now they could relax. Beneath the surface, they had more in common than either had thought. Lee made his first delightful discovery about her. Andrea had a quirky sense of humor beneath that starched exterior. For two hours they swapped jokes and talked about other shared interests. Andrea’s laughter came from deep in her throat and sent chills up his spine. He loved the sound of it. The waiter came and removed their empty plates.
“Let’s see, we’ve covered food, favorite colors, and vacation spots,” Lee said as he held up three fingers. “What’s left?”
“I hope you love the blues, ’cause I’m a blues fanatic,” Andrea said.
“You know, I listen to it every once in a while since I moved south. R and B and hip-hop are more my thing.” Lee put his arm around her chair.
“I can take you to the best nightclubs in the state and make you a convert like that.” Andrea snapped her fingers.
“I’ll bet you can,” Lee said with a laugh. “Name the time and place. I love New Orleans.”
“I’m talking about right here in Lafourche Parish, cher. And Baton Rouge has blues artists that are international stars.”
Andrea went on with a spirited lecture on the blues clubs and festivals of south Louisiana. Lee listened to most of it, but mostly enjoyed seeing the sparkle in her eyes. Andrea stopped in midsentence and looked at him.
“I’m chattering on like a squirrel on speed. Sorry.” She blushed.
“Don’t be. I’m enjoying every minute,” Lee said. “And learning a lot, too.”
“You’re being tactful. But I did warn you I’m a fanatic. Now it’s your turn.” Andrea leaned toward him and lowered her voice. ‘Tell me your deep, dark secrets.”
He laughed. “I’m a pretty shallow dude. Something you pointed out to me once.”
Andrea’s mouth flew open. “No I didn’t!” she protested.
“Well, you sorta implied it a couple of times. All muscle, no brains or sensitivity. That’s what you thought, admit it.” Lee stared at her hard.
“I…” Andrea squirmed under his scrutiny.
“Andrea, tell the truth,” he prodded, enjoying putting her on the spot.
“All right, I did,” she admitted. “But you thought I was a stuck-up, rigid nitpicker.” Andrea pointed a finger at his nose.
“I never thought you were stuck-up,” Lee said with a grin.
“Funny, very funny,” Andrea said, and gave his arm a playful swat.
“So we both made terrible first impressions.” Lee gazed at her hair and face. “Now we know better, or at least we’re starting to.”
“Yes,” Andrea murmured.
“A pretty good start at that.”
Lee leaned close until their lips met. Awareness of where they were brought him up short. Andrea sat back and took a deep breath.
“We should go before it’s dark. You won’t be able to see what I want to show you.”
“Let’s hit it then,” Lee said.
In short order, they paid the bill and drove to her apartment. Andrea parked in her reserved space and joined Lee in his car. She gave him directions as they drove through the countryside. They rode with the windows down, Zydeco music blasting from the radio. Andrea tried to teach him to sing along in Creole. They were weak with laughter after only one song. Andrea broke off from the lesson and pointed down a gravel road.
“Turn here,” she said.
Lee looked around. On both sides of the road stretched tall grass, palms, and swamp oak. Dusk combined with the thick foliage made the woods seem darker. Grayish green Spanish moss hung down from tree branches like long beards. Crickets chirped and birds called to each other from high overhead. The scene was almost mystical.
“This is what I love about Louisiana. You can escape to a subtropical paradise by driving a few miles and
taking one turn down an old dirt road.”
“Yeah, I missed it more than I realized,” Andrea said. “Not that I’ve had much time to enjoy it. The clinic—”
“Don’t even mention the you-know-what,” Lee broke in. “This is your time to relax. I’m going to see to it that you do.”
“Is that so?” Andrea smiled at him.
“Believe it. No talk about work, records, or patients.” “Yes, sir,” Andrea said, and saluted. “Just keep following the road. We’re almost there.”
Lee followed another curve in the twisted road and came to a clearing. He blinked in amazement. There was a gravel parking lot full of cars to their left. Straight ahead was a sprawling old house set on the banks of Bayou Blue. Lights and music spilled from the windows. Lee turned off the engine.
“This is fantastic!” Lee stared wide-eyed. “What is this place?”
“Poppa’s House of Funky Blues. Poppa’s for short.” Andrea laughed. “You should see your face right now. You look like you just stumbled on some magician’s castle.”
“Poppa must be a magician to have this kind of place in the middle of nowhere.” Lee grinned.
“No magician, just an old south Louisiana bluesman who got tired of life on the road. This property has been in his family for four generations. His great-grandfather built the house.”
“Wow,” was all Lee could say.
“He was my dad’s best friend. Come on.” Andrea tapped his arm.
They got out of the car and walked to the low-slung porch leading inside. There was a white banner with blue letters hanging over the front door. It said DON’T COME IN IF YOU AIN’T READY TO PARTY! Andrea nodded to it.
“Well, can you past the test?” She stared at him.
“Oh, yeah,” Lee said smoothly.
They stepped inside what must have once been the living and dining rooms. Tables were arranged on either side of the door, with a small dance floor in the middle. An archway indicated that a wall had been taken down. Straight ahead was a raised semicircular platform. A four man band played a bouncy blues song that had the audience snapping their fingers, nodding, and tapping their feet. A tall black woman with shocking red hair met them. She balanced a tray of beer bottles on one hand.
