Diane T. Ashley (30 page)

“Thanks for keeping your ears open, but I don’t want to tell you again to keep your nose out of my business. I don’t need your help.”

She rolled her eyes, obviously not heeding his warning at all. “Have you made any progress?”

“A little.” David didn’t want to go into detail. He could imagine her outrage if he told her he’d searched Hargrove’s room. “Look, there’s something else I want you to think about.”

She crossed her hands over her chest, a sure sign she wasn’t in a receptive mood.

He had to tell her anyway. “I’m not asking you to ignore Hargrove, but don’t let him talk you into doing anything … well … anything you’re uncomfortable with.”

Her face hardened. “You mean like letting him kiss me? I hate to tell you, David, but you’re too late with your warning. Vance has already kissed me, and it was … Well, it was more pleasant than some experiences I’ve had.”

When the import of her words percolated through his brain, jealousy shut out all other emotions. He wanted to tear Hargrove limb from limb. He wanted to stalk back to the man’s room and rip that strongbox open with his bare hands. “If you let him touch you again, I don’t care what you say, you’re going back to Les Fleurs.”

She stepped back a pace. “Are you threatening me? After last night?”

“I’m not the same kind of man as Vance Hargrove.”

“No. No, you’re not.” Her whisper was as sharp as a knife. “You’re the kind who’ll kiss one girl at night and romance a different one the next day.”

“I don’t care about your opinion of me, Jasmine Anderson. I’ve seen enough to know he’s the worst kind of hardened rake. If you don’t stay away from him and quit asking questions of the actors, I will stop you.”

“You don’t get to make those kinds of decisions, David Fos—Anderson. And the sooner you figure that out, the better things will be between us.” A slow, dangerous smile appeared on her face. “Whether you like it or not, I’m going to help you solve this mystery. You can either work with me or ignore me. But I’m going to do everything I can to get you off of this boat, hopefully before we leave Memphis.”

He watched as she spun on her heel and marched toward the door, her nose leading the way. He stomped on the floor once and had the satisfaction of seeing her scamper several feet forward before she realized he was not actually chasing her.

David decided he could keep an eye out for her safety, even though he would rather work alone. Something about the idea of working with her eased the pain in his heart, reminded him of happier times when they’d been as close as his next breath. They had enjoyed each other so much back then. Why had adulthood gotten in their way?

A
nother bank was robbed yesterday afternoon.”

Jasmine caught her breath. “It can’t be a coincidence.”

David shook his head. He had singled her out right after breakfast, telling her to meet him outside. They left the boat together and walked uphill toward the center of town.

“When did it happen?”

“During the matinee.” He pounded a fist against his pants leg. “I can’t quite make the connection to the showboat, but I know there has to be one. I know it.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll find it.”

“I’ve searched your boat from stem to stern. Hargrove is the only one with the means and opportunity. He’s got to be the one.”

Jasmine couldn’t help but feel that David was prejudiced against poor Vance because of his relationship with her. “I don’t see how he can be. He was right here all afternoon.”

“Are you sure he was there the whole time?”

A fresh breeze grazed her neck, and Jasmine wished she could loosen the bun at the back of her head and let her hair fly around her face like she’d done when she was a child. “He’s the star, remember? Vance has lines in most of the scenes. He couldn’t have left in the middle of the play without it being noticed. It has to be someone else.”

“I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that every town he’s been in for the past year has been robbed while he was there. Unless he’s some kind of albatross.”

She knew better than to believe David was superstitious. He had a stronger relationship with God than she did. He must really be desperate to catch the robbers. “We’re supposed to leave for Cairo tomorrow.”

He looked off into the distance.

“David, are you listening to me?”

His green gaze lost its faraway look and focused on her. “Yes, of course. But I need to do a couple of things before we leave Memphis.”

“What things?”

He shook his head and flicked her nose with a finger. “Nothing that needs to concern you.”

She wanted to stomp her foot. When would David learn to treat her like an adult? As she watched him walk away, she gave in to the impulse to stick out her tongue at his retreating back. Maybe if she solved his mystery, David would finally admit she was a grown woman.

Lily moved across the parlor as Aunt Dahlia stood, and she kissed the air next to the older woman’s cheek. “You sleep well. We’ll see you in the morning.”

Aunt Dahlia’s nose wrinkled. “Unless the Good Lord sees fit to take me home tonight.”

“We’re not going to worry about that, dear.” Uncle Phillip put an arm around his wife’s shoulders. He winked toward Lily and the others. “According to what I remember of my classical studies, Herodotus said, ‘Whom the gods love dies young; Best go first.’ ”

Aunt Dahlia’s face turned suspicious. “Are you making fun of me?”

“Of course not.” He led her out of the room, bending toward Aunt Dahlia, and placating her with tender words.

Lily put a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud as she, Blake, Camellia, and Jonah waited for the pair to get out of earshot.

“When did your uncle Phillip develop such a sense of humor?” Blake kept a straight face, but the twinkle in his blue eyes told her he shared her amusement.

Camellia, sitting on one of the pair of sofas, smiled at him. “He’s been much happier since he realized Jonah and I are not going to let the plantation go to rack and ruin.”

“I think he enjoys teasing your aunt.” Jonah walked to the window and opened the drapes to let a breeze into the room.

Lily shook her head and settled on the sofa opposite her sister. “Every time we come home, things seem a little more comfortable than the time before. I’m so glad the fire didn’t slow you down.”

“When will you ever get over your wanderlust and come back home to stay?” Camellia opened her fan and waved it in front of her face.

“Not for another century or so.” Blake took a seat next to his wife.

Lily thanked God for a husband who understood her so well. She tilted her head to look at him. “Don’t let Blake fool you by blaming our absence on me. He would like for us to go even farther afield than we do presently.”

“Tell us what you found out in Memphis.” Jonah lounged against the open window.

“Eli and Renée are certain we need to make an investment right away, while the opportunities are wide open.” Lily turned toward him. “Your brother is even considering leaving Memphis and moving out West to take better advantage of the situation.”

Blake stretched out his legs and crossed them at the ankles. “I’m trying to convince Lily that we need to take a trip out there to see for ourselves.”

“Where would you go?” asked Camellia.

“I’d like to travel all the way to California on the Pacific Railroad.” Blake glanced toward her.

Lily nodded. She understood her husband’s reasoning, but she wasn’t quite ready to commit to spending a month or more away from the river. Especially now that Jasmine was running about on her own, getting into who knew what kind of trouble.

“What towns are you planning to visit?” Jonah straightened and moved toward the sofas.

Blake uncrossed his legs and stood. “Let’s go look at that map in the library. I’ll show you the exact route we’ll take.”

Before the two men could leave, the parlor door opened. Lily looked up, smiling when she saw her father’s familiar visage. His smile sent her back to the distant past, the days of her childhood. A pang of sadness settled in her heart. Papa hadn’t looked this happy since before Mama died. While she didn’t want him to live the rest of his life mourning his first wife, his interest signaled the end of an era … at least in her mind.

“Where are the two of you going?”

“Blake’s going to show me where he’s taking your eldest daughter.” Jonah moved toward the door. “Why don’t you come with us?”

“Hold on just a minute.” Camellia closed her fan and pointed it at Papa. “You’re not going to leave until we hear a report about your evening with Aunt Tessie.”

Papa’s face was ruddy from years sailing the river, but Lily could still see a blush darken his cheeks. Her eyebrows rose. “I have to agree with Camellia. We want to hear every salacious detail.”

When he rolled his eyes at her sally, Lily couldn’t help thinking of her youngest sister. Jasmine had followed Papa’s every footstep for years, picking up so many of his mannerisms. How she wished Jasmine would walk in that door right now. But when Jonah opened it, the hallway was empty.

“Can I not count on my own daughters to respect my privacy?”

Camellia shook her head. “Not when Aunt Tessie’s heart may be at risk.”

Papa sat on a chair, his hands hanging between his knees. “I guess you girls have noticed that Tessie and I have been spending some time together.”

Lily exchanged a glance with her sister.

“She’s a nice woman.” He cleared his throat and looked up at the ceiling. “I may be asking her to marry me soon.”

“Papa, that’s wonderful.” Camellia jumped up and ran to him, catching him in an enthusiastic hug. “She’s the smartest, most thoughtful, kindest woman I know.”

“I don’t know how to take that.” Lily used irony to cover her surprise. Love? Although she had known Papa had spent some time with Tessie during their recent trip to New Orleans, she hadn’t realized how serious their relationship had become in just a few short weeks.

Camellia shot a laughing glance at her over one shoulder. “Present company excepted, of course.”

“I hope you girls understand.” Papa trained his gaze on Lily’s face. “It’s just that when you get as old as I am, you begin to realize your time on earth may be very limited. Tessie and I have no time to waste.”

“Now Papa, don’t talk like that.” Lily’s heart swelled with love for her father. “We want you around for many more years, and we want you to be happy. Tessie is a very lucky lady. She’s going to make a welcome addition to our family.”

Papa had stood when Camellia came to him. Now he gestured for Lily to join them. She rose and walked to where they stood, putting her arms around both her father and her sister. Lily was reminded of the verse that promised God’s presence whenever two or more of His followers came together. The Holy Spirit was here.

Finally they separated. Lily felt the healing in her heart, relieved that the poignancy she had felt was only a fleeting echo of the past. As Lily returned to her seat on the sofa, she pulled her father along with her. Camellia also sat down once more.

Papa sighed. “I only wish Jasmine were here with us.”

“She would be as happy for you and Aunt Tessie as Lily and I are.” Camellia’s voice was a little shaky.

Lily wished Camellia could let go of her guilt over Jasmine’s disappearance. She’d been adamant in telling her middle sister that she was not at fault. Jasmine’s decision to leave had been made long before she actually walked out the door. Any blame for their youngest sister’s actions would be more properly placed at Lily’s feet. She was the one who had tried to curtail Jasmine in New Orleans. If she had been a little less inflexible, Jasmine might still be here at Les Fleurs.

“I know you’re right.” The smile on his face was not as bright as it had been moments earlier. “I just miss the little minx.”

“I do, too, Papa.” Lily’s throat constricted. It was hard to push the words out without letting go of her emotions. “I do, too.”

Camellia’s wobbly smile also hinted at unstable emotions. “At least we know she’s safe, thanks to David.”

“That’s true.” Papa gave a gentle smile. “But let’s not forget that God is the One watching over both of them.”

Lily lifted her chin. Why were they all sitting here moaning about the situation? It was time for action. “I think I’ll go get Jasmine.”

Camellia’s gaze locked on her face. “What do you mean?”

“I know she’s on a boat called the
Ophelia
. It shouldn’t be that hard to find it. As Blake is fond of pointing out to me, river traffic is much reduced. We can go up to Cape Girardeau and farther if necessary. Even if I have to go all the way to Chicago, I’ll find her.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Camellia’s cornflower blue eyes mirrored the doubt in her voice.

Lily nodded, growing more certain as she considered her plan. “I think it’s a wonderful idea. Much better than doing nothing.”

Papa cleared his throat and waited until she looked in his direction. “I disagree.”

What could he possibly mean? What was wrong with going to look for Jasmine?

Her father looked like he was trying to marshal his thoughts. “Lily, Jasmine is twenty years old.”