Legacy of Love (7 page)

“Zinzi and Etu's marriage was a sacred one. Their marriage brought together two of the most
important tribes in Mali with all their riches and their powers. When they were taken from the village, what had been joined spiritually was broken. And until they found each other and were reunited as man and wife, happiness would remain elusive in their household. Zinzi and Etu never found each other.”

“And heartache has continued to follow your family.”

Zoe nodded. “Now you tell me that isn't a hard story to believe. I mean, I can totally understand being taken from Africa and sold into slavery, but curses and legacy and sacred bonds? And I'm supposed to somehow fix it all when no one before me could?” She shook her head.

“Did Nana tell you how?” Sharl cautiously asked.

Zoe looked right into the eyes of her best friend. Slowly she nodded. “Yes, she did.”

J
ackson peeked in on Michelle and Shay. They were still sound asleep. He eased the door closed and went back downstairs. Even with all that had gone on, last night was the first night in weeks that he'd actually slept. He felt rested and ready to take on whatever came his way.

He went into the kitchen and made a pot of coffee then went out front and retrieved the newspaper. He snapped the paper open and walked back inside. The headlines featured the usual stories of unrest around the world, local and national politics. He turned to the Arts section and there smiling back at him was a photo of Zoe along with an interview she'd given about the opening. He sat down at the
table and read the article but his gaze kept shifting back to her picture.

At the end of the article it gave the days and hours that the museum was open and how long the exhibit would be on display. He set the paper down and went to pour a mug of coffee. The schedule noted that the museum opened at noon on Saturday. He wondered if she was working today. He checked his watch. It was nearly ten-thirty. He listened for any movement upstairs. They were still asleep.

Getting up from the table he found some paper and a pen from the kitchen drawer and scribbled a quick note to his sister and posted it on the fridge. He scooped up his car keys from the table near the front door and headed out.

 

Zoe did a slow walk through the main hall of the museum, taking notes along the way and continued checking to make sure that nothing was broken or out of place. Although maintenance had already been through the entire space, she always felt better when she followed up. The museum was scheduled to open in another hour and although she didn't anticipate the crowd to be the size of the night before, Saturday was always busy.

She stopped just outside of the room that had been set aside for the exhibit. The statues sat regally on a pedestal. Slowly she approached. The closer she drew, the warmer she became as if the statues
were radiating some kind of heat. She stopped in front of them.

“Do you really have some kind of power?” she asked cautiously. She laughed to herself. “Someone has to believe it, I suppose.” She turned to leave and spotted Linda walking down the corridor.

“Linda.”

She slowed and turned. “Oh, hi.”

“I thought you were coming in at two.”

She shrugged. “Figured I'd come in early and get some work out of the way.”

Zoe walked toward her. “You okay?” she asked, referring to Linda's confession about her feelings for Mike the previous day.

Linda drew in a breath and slowly let it go. She forced a tight smile. “Yeah, I'm good. And I'm sorry about all that. No reason for me to lay my problems on you. It was totally out of character and I apologize.”

“No need, really. I just want to make sure you're okay. I know it can't be easy feeling the way you do and working with Mike every day.”

“It's not. But I'll figure it out.”

“Have you ever had a real conversation with Mike?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean a conversation that wasn't an argument. You're a wonderful woman. You're smart, your pretty, hardworking, independent. But to be honest, you don't let Mike see that.”

Linda frowned in confusion. “I don't know what you mean. We work together practically every day.”

“Yes, and because he doesn't see you the way you want him to, your frustrations come out. That's when tensions flare up between you two.” She paused. “Listen, it's not my business, but I will give you this one piece of advice and then I'm going to leave it alone. Take it easy. Give yourself some breathing room and just be you. And if he can't see it, well, then maybe he's not the one.”

Linda pursed her lips, and then slowly the corner of her mouth lifted ever so slightly. “Thanks,” she said sincerely.

“Sure.”

“I better get finished. I need to put out more brochures on each of the floors before we open.”

Zoe nodded and watched her walk away before returning to her office. Imagine her giving advice on relationships when she hadn't had a serious one in longer than she cared to admit. But for some reason she felt infused with wisdom. She laughed and opened the door.

Before she had a chance to sit down, her phone rang. She rounded the desk and picked up the phone.

“Ms. Beaumont, speaking.”

“There's a gentleman here to see you,” the security guard said.

“Who is it?”

She heard some muffled conversation.

“Jackson Treme.”

Zoe's heart jumped. “Um, let him know I'll be there in a moment.” Her hand shook ever so slightly as she hung up the phone. She drew in a steadying breath, stood and tugged on the hem of her suit jacket. He was here. For an instant she squeezed her eyes shut then walked out to the main floor.

 

Jackson paced back and forth in front of the security desk. He'd rehearsed what he wanted to say on the drive over and all his thoughts had gone out of his head when he saw her coming his way.

“Mr. Treme.” Did she sound as breathless as he felt?

“I'm sure you're busy—”

“No, not at all. I'm glad you came.”

Jackson's dark eyes darkened even more and the warmth of his smile lit up her soul.

He took a step closer. The soft scent of her embraced him. “I'd like to come back when you get off. Take you out to dinner or a drink, whatever you want.”

“I'm off at six.”

“I'll be here waiting. Did you drive?”

“I actually walked today,” she said.

Her eyes glided over his face. Her mouth was suddenly dry and when she ran her tongue across her lips, Jackson's body reacted instantly. Inadvertently he groaned deep in this throat.

Zoe reached for his arm. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, fine.” He swallowed. “Um, listen,
I'd better let you get back to work.” He tugged in a breath. “I'll see you at six.”

Zoe nodded and Jackson walked out.

On legs that suddenly felt weak and wobbly, she crossed the expansive floor, hurried back to her office and locked the door behind her. She flopped down in her chair, leaned back and spun around. When she came to a stop she shook her head in disbelief. She felt giddy as if she'd just been asked to the senior prom by the high-school heartthrob.

It was crazy the way she reacted to this man. She'd even agreed to a date without a second thought. “Crazy, just crazy,” she said aloud.

She'd been out with her share of men. But she'd never allowed herself to let go, give in to her feelings. Part of that was because of what she'd seen happen to the women in her family, what she'd grown up with. And partly because there had never been anyone who made her feel anything beyond the superficial. Yet, Jackson Treme had been able to do that from the moment he'd grabbed her to keep her from falling. But hadn't all the other men who'd come into the Beaumont women's lives done the same thing? Look how that turned out.

She rested her arms on her desk then covered her face with her hands. What if Nana was wrong? What if all the dreams were just that, wishful fantasies with no substance? She wanted to just let go and give in to this glorious new feeling that Jackson had awakened in her, but she was so afraid.

Zoe looked at her watch. The museum was open now. She'd been there since ten o'clock, and she'd taken care of what she'd needed to. She picked up the phone and dialed Sharlene's cell phone. Sharl picked up on the third ring.

“Hey, sis. What's up?”

“I got a date.”

“Get out! Wait, with Jackson?”

“Yes,” she gushed.

Sharlene squealed her delight on the other end. “How or when did all this happen?”

Zoe gave her all the details.

“Well, I'll be. Now that's what I'm talking about—a man who takes charge. I like him already. So where are you two going?”

“I have no idea. But I thought if you had some time, we could go shopping. He's picking me up here at work and I have on a boring navy business suit.”

“You don't have to ask me twice. You want to meet me here? We can go to Vintage on Market. I love that place.”

“You know better than I do. I'm heading over there as we speak. I should be there in about fifteen minutes.”

“See you in a few.” She disconnected the call, pulled open the bottom drawer of her desk, took out her purse and walked out.

Her step felt light as she walked along Peachtree Street. The weather was exquisite. There wasn't a
cloud in the sky. She pulled in a long lungful of spring air and lifted her face toward the warmth of the sun.

She turned the corner onto the street where Sharlene's shop was located and stopped dead in her tracks. She peered a bit closer certain that she was seeing things. But she wasn't. Seated on a bench under a tree on the opposite side of the street, eating what looked like her favorite Pinkberry yogurt was Mike and Linda. They were deep in conversation and apparently oblivious to anyone or anything.

“Well, I'll be.” She smiled to herself. Maybe her words of wisdom to Linda made some sense after all. Obviously something had happened. She'd love to be a fly on the bench and eavesdrop on their conversation.

Picking up her pace she continued down the street until she reached Moore Designs. Wait until she told Sharlene. Maybe it's the weather, she thought.

 

“You have got to be kidding,” Sharlene said as they walked out. She kept peeking over her shoulder hoping to spot the new couple.

Zoe nudged her in the arm. “Would you stop? You'd make the worst spy.”

“You have to admit it's hard to imagine if you don't see it with your own eyes. Mike actually grinds his teeth when he talks about Linda.”

Zoe laughed. “Oh, stop. He does not. Well, maybe sometimes.”

“See?” Sharlene chuckled. “Vintage is right around the corner. Come on.” She hooked her arm through Zoe's.

For the next hour they combed the racks and tables, searching for the perfect outfit.

“I don't want anything too suggestive,” Zoe said, when Sharlene held up a sleeveless black number with a nice split up the left side. “And not black. I mean, it's an after-work dinner. It's too much.”

Sharlene flashed her a “you have got to be kidding me” look. “A little black dress is always appropriate,” she said drily. She pushed aside a few more dresses on the rack and finally pulled out a soft, Wedgewood blue dress in a bamboo cotton and spandex mix. It had an utterly feminine rosette detail, a draped waistline and a slimming sash with a hemline that just kissed the knee. The deep neckline was tempting, but tasteful. She held it up. “This is perfect for you. With those size C-cups and those legs, you'll be a knockout.”

Zoe reached for the dress and loved it on sight. “What size it is?” She lifted the tag. “Ten.” She looked at Sharlene with beginnings of a smile on her lips. “Just my size.” She checked the price tag and her mouth dropped open. “A hundred and fifty dollars! Sharlene!” She shoved the dress back at her. “I'm not paying that much money for a dress that I'll probably never wear again, or worse, feel like
I have to wear all the time to compensate for the money I spent on it.”

“Oh, stop! Splurge a little. When was the last time you did something for yourself—something spontaneous and completely out of character? Here, just feel it. Imagine the feel of it against your skin. Imagine Jackson when he sees you in it.” She winked and shook the dress in front of Zoe in a teasing fashion.

Zoe made a face and finally snatched the dress. “Okay, you win.” She hugged the dress to her. “I don't have anything to go with this.”

“Easily fixed, my sister,” she said and steered her toward accessories.

By the time they walked out nearly an hour and a half later, Zoe's credit card was two hundred and fifty dollars heavier.

“So have you thought any more about the offer to go to New York?” Sharlene asked as they walked back.

“No. Not really. So much has happened so quickly. I'm not sure what I'm going to do.”

“It's a fantastic opportunity for you and it would be a serious boost to your career.”

Zoe nodded in agreement.

“I hear a but.”

Zoe threw her a look. “I have to see how things go.”

“Between you and Jackson?”

“Yes.”

Sharlene smiled to herself. Maybe Zoe was beginning to believe after all.

They stopped in front of Sharlene's office. “Call me the minute you get home and let me know how it went.”

“I promise.”

“And just relax and have fun, if for no other reason than because you deserve it. You haven't been out on a real date in ages. You're long overdue.”

“All right, all right. Don't rub it in,” she joked. She kissed her friend's cheek. “I'll call you.”

She started off down the block in the direction of the museum. The next four hours were the longest of her life.