Page 59 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Tom gave Fee a quick thumbs-up from the back of the plane when she glanced back at him over her shoulder as they touched down at Louis Armstrong International Airport. The people in front of her started to move so she had to move too. He kept his eyes on her as she made her way off the plane.
Out at the security gate he hung back and watched froma distance as Fee hesitated for a second but then waved and walked towards a man in the waiting crowd. She held herself stiffly as he attempted to give her a hug and Tom couldn’t imagine what she must be feeling. It was hard to get his head around the idea of Fee never having known her father but he was trying – all part of his grandmother’s advice. She’d trotted out the old “walk a mile in anotherman’s shoes” adage when he shared Fee’s story.
Allain Dupre seemed to be trying to persuade her about something but she kept shaking her head. It took all of Tom’s fading self-control not to rush over and interfere. Fee knew he wasn’t planning to leave until she did which meant all she had to do was turn around and call him over if she needed help. He wasn’t happy with her decision notto introduce him to Allain right away but she’d suggested that seeing them arrive together might be off-putting. Tom had agreed to find a hotel room as long as she promised to ring when she got the chance.
The two walked away together and he didn’t let himself move. Tom could follow them without being seen if he chose to but refused to break their agreement. Planting his feet in placehe gritted his teeth and waited until they were out of sight.
Tom glanced around and spotted a sign for hotel bookings. He’d get a room in the closest hotel to Dupre’s house in the Garden District and to heck with the expense. If it wouldn’t get him arrested he’d camp on the doorstep. Once he was settled he’d call Mee Maw and give her an update. She’d had a new sparkle in her eyes whenhe left and threatened to contact the localPine Ridge Gazettenewspaper to offer her services as an agony aunt, convinced she’d found her calling in life.
Once he had a room sorted Tom headed out to the taxi rank. He scanned around but didn’t spot Fee so guessed Dupre must have brought his own car. There was nothing more he could do except get to the hotel and wait on her call.
Being patient chafed like a pair of new shoes but there was no choice.
Fee wished she hadn’t phoned her mother yesterday because the extra layer of worry made the meeting with Allain harder. No doubt she’d struck him as uptight and unfriendly but hopefully he’d put it down to simple nerves. He’d suggested they stop for dinner at one of his restaurants but she’d refused. The last thing shewanted was to have to deal with the whole food issue straight away plus the added strain of possibly being introduced to people he knew. Fee had claimed to be tired and said she would rather get something to eat at his house.
‘I’m looking forward to sharing my beautiful city with you,cherie. New Orleans is unique.’
The way he pronounced the city’s name, making it sound like oneword, made her smile. She loved listening to Allain’s smooth Cajun drawl but it wasn’t always easy to understand and they’d already joked about the vast difference in the English they both theoretically spoke. She’d tried to hide her surprise when they emerged from the airport to discover a large, black limousine with a driver waiting on them.
‘It’s about ten miles from here to the FrenchQuarter and my house is on the down river end of St.Charles Avenue.’
Despite everything Fee’s interest in being in a new place rose. St.Charles Avenue was renowned for its ornate mansions, most of which were built in the early twentieth century for the wealthy elite of New Orleans. As a designated Historic District it was a mecca for tourists and guaranteed to make any photographer happy.It would be an interesting contrast to the abandoned barns and houses she’d spent her time photographing yesterday.
‘In the morning we could take a ride on the streetcar so you can get your bearings and wield your camera.’ His frank pleasure in her company made Fee guilty about the ambiguity of her own reaction. It wasn’t hard to see why her mother was attracted to Allain all those yearsago. Although he must be around sixty he was still a charming, handsome man.
‘That would be great.’ She struggled to infuse her voice with some warmth.
‘I know this is tough for you.’ His quiet words struck her heart. ‘It’s not easy for me either if that’s any consolation.’
The promise of honesty she’d made to Tom came back to haunt her and Fee knew she owed this man nothingless. ‘When we get to your home I’d like to talk properly.’
‘Of course,’ Allain agreed and began to point out various landmarks along the way making it easy for them to slip into ordinary conversation about the city. ‘This area was very fortunate during Hurricane Katrina and escaped any serious flooding.’
Fee noticed one of the distinctive streetcars making its way down the centreof St.Charles Avenue. A myriad of lights twinkled and shone from inside the extravagant houses, all of them built in differing architectural styles.
‘It’s a pity you’re too early to see our Christmas decorations. Even the streetcars are lit up. We don’t do quiet here.’
They halted in front of a grandiose red brick house guarded by the intricate wrought iron gates and railingsunique to New Orleans.
‘My great-grandfather chose the Colonial Revival style with Corinthian columns because he liked to make a show,’ Allain said with a touch of humour. He gestured to an over-the-top white building across the other side of the street. ‘I think it was his effort to compete with the Wedding Cake house. Of course it failed and that one’s always top of the viewing list.C’est la vie.’
‘Yours is still very impressive.’
Allain gestured to his driver that they were ready and immediately Fee’s door was opened so she could step out onto the pavement.
‘Thank you, Charles. I won’t need you first thing in the morning. I’ll call.’
‘I hope I’m not interrupting your normal work schedule?’ Fee asked.
‘Not at all.’ He smiled. ‘I’m theboss. I can go in when I want or not at all.’
She wasn’t deceived by his laid-back attitude and couldn’t imagine he planned to retire anytime soon. The next hour passed in a blur as he gave her a tour of the stunning house.
‘You must be hungry by now? I know I am,’ Allain declared.
‘Yes, I am,’ Fee conceded.
