Sweet Gone South (4 page)

“Is the park safe?” Luke asked.

“Safe?” Lanie looked at him like he’d grown another head. “As in, are there shootouts and drug deals?”

“It’s a valid question.”

“Not to my knowledge, though Justin Eubanks went down the slide backwards last week and didn’t come to a good end. It took a piece of fudge and a raspberry lemon lollipop to make him happy again.”

If she saw what came across his desk, she wouldn’t be so cavalier — though he had to admit Merritt was pretty mild compared to Mobile.

A cold gust of wind whipped Lanie’s apron around her knees and she shivered and stepped back inside.

Luke inspected the lock on the balcony door. He didn’t like what he saw. “Will you install a deadbolt on this door? About here?” He pointed to a place, even with his head. “Out of child reach?”

Lanie nodded. “If you decide to take the place, I’ll get someone over to do that.”

The hallway was clean but nothing special, with a concrete floor. “Would it be possible for my little girl to ride her tricycle in this hall if I keep her quiet?” Luke asked.

“Oh, yes!” Lanie laughed a delighted little laugh. “Toddlers aren’t supposed to be quiet. She won’t disturb me.”

“This particular toddler can be pretty rambunctious.”

“I’m the oldest of five. I can assure you one little girl will not faze me.”

It occurred to Luke that they were both acting like this was a done deal and it was too soon for that. Regardless of the other advantages, he couldn’t live in a place that looked like the Sugar Plum Fairy had waved her magic wand over it.

“Maybe we’d better see inside,” he said.

As he’d expected, the apartment was small — kitchen, living room, one bath, two modest-sized bedrooms and another not much bigger than a walk-in closet. The Sugar Plum Fairy had been kept at bay, and the renovations were more upscale than he’d expected. No one could argue that the glossy wood floors, granite counter tops, high-end bathroom fixtures, and stainless steel appliances weren’t nice. It was just unusual for an apartment this size.

Once back in the living room, Lanie removed the ornate brass cover from the small coal burning fireplace. “The mantle and fireplace are original. I had gas coals installed.” She flipped a switch and blue and golden flames came to life.

He chased away any fantasy he might have been tempted to call up of long bare legs stretched out in front of that fireplace.

“Did you do the decorating?” he asked to distract himself.

“Yes,” she said proudly. “I hope you don’t think the color scheme is boring. I learned in a design class that if you don’t know who will be living in a space, it’s best to use a neutral palette.”

“So you’re a trained interior designer?”

“No.” She looked sheepish. “I thought at one time it might be a possibility, but it turned out not to be for me. But if you need someone, Lucy is a great designer.” She met his eyes again and bit her lip. “So what do you think? Are you interested?” Her tone begged him to take her to the prom.

“How much is the rent?” he asked.

She recoiled, actually recoiled, before naming a figure. He had to work to keep his mouth from dropping open. It was an absurd amount for an apartment this size with one bathroom, no dining room, and no laundry room. It might not be unfair for the upscale trappings, but it did explain why the apartment was vacant. The rent was more than anyone in his right mind would pay. But he wasn’t in his right mind — hadn’t been for a long time.

There was no way the king-sized bed from his Mobile house would fit in the master bedroom — at least not and leave room for much else. But he could buy something new. Maybe that wasn’t a bad idea. Maybe he should get rid of all that stuff in storage. There were some things of Carrie’s that should be set aside for Emma, but the rest could go. He felt a pang of regret at the thought of never again sleeping in the bed where he and Carrie had laughed and loved and made Emma, but what comfort could it bring anyway? There was no comfort; there was only alone.

Lanie reached down and rubbed the place on her thigh that she had inspected earlier. A flash of pain crossed her face — maybe from her bruise, or maybe from the certain knowledge that he was going to tell her he wasn’t interested — which he should do. But he needed a place to live and he had more money than energy.

However, there was a concern she would have to satisfy. “How long has it been since the locks were changed on this building?”

Lanie’s green eyes went blank. “I don’t know. Maybe never.”

“So you don’t know who might have keys?”

“I would assume no one, except Kathryn, Allison, and me.”

“So you know for sure that your grandmother never gave a set to an employee? You never gave keys to anyone while you were renovating?”

“Well.” She wrinkled her brow. “I got them back and I have a security system.”

“Which means nothing if someone has a key and a code. Before I can sign a lease, you’d have to agree to install commercial locks with non-reproducible keys on all the doors. And I’ll go ahead and tell you that’s a deal breaker.” It would be expensive but for what she was charging she ought to be able to afford it. She certainly hadn’t minded spending a fortune on custom closet systems and a whirlpool tub.

She looked at him without blinking. It was Luke’s business to read people and he was rarely wrong. Unless this was one of those rare times, she was trying to decide if the locks really needed to be changed or if he was trying to make her do something because he said so. And she was trying to decide if he was worth the effort for the rent.

He needed out of that farmhouse.

“Look,” he said. “I want this apartment but I won’t rent it unless you do this. I’ve made enemies in the courtroom as a DA and more since I’ve been on the bench. I have to make sure my child is safe.”

She bit her bottom lip and nodded. “All right. Yes. I’ll call someone tomorrow.”

“Good. Let’s go down to your office. We’ll work out the other details and I’ll write you a check.” A few phone calls, a check, and he had a place to live where he could start fresh. Maybe.

“I’ll make us an espresso,” Lanie offered as she made her way toward the stairwell.

“Lanie, did Lucy decorate your shop?” He would need someone to put together some rugs and furniture for him and maybe make Emma’s room look more little girl-like but if Lucy Mead had decorated that shop, it wasn’t going to be her.

Lanie looked over her shoulder and beamed at him. “No. I did it all by myself — well, the design. I didn’t actually do the painting. I wanted it to be magic. When people walk in my shop, I want them to think of Easter baskets, Christmas candy, Candy Land, Halloween, and Valentine’s Day. Did you notice the chocolate stars on the ceiling?” She waved her hands excitedly. “My great-grandmother started the business making chocolate stars in her kitchen and they’re our trademark. That’s why I put them on the ceiling — so they can smile down on everyone. I thought of outlining them in silver glitter so they would show up better, but I decided it would be best if they look like they really do. Don’t you think that was better?”

“Oh, yes.” And he did agree. Glitter never improved anything.

At Lou Anne’s Diner, Lanie slid into the booth across from Tolly. Though their food was already on the table, Tolly sat with her hands folded in her lap. She would have walked naked down Main Street before she would have started eating before Lanie arrived. Tolly wore her debutante training like her silk blouses and pearls.

“Sorry I’m late.” Lanie folded her napkin into her lap. “Kathryn had to go the dentist and I had to watch the front.”

“No problem,” Tolly said. “I ordered for you. Chicken salad plate. No pea salad. Extra fruit.”

“I
am
predictable.” Lanie squeezed the lemon into her iced tea. “One of these days I’m going to do something really wild like get the meatloaf.”

“I think letting Luke Avery move into your building is about all the wildness you can manage for a while.”

“You have no idea.”

“Is he sleeping there yet?” Tolly picked up her fork and speared a piece of boiled egg from her chef’s salad.

“No. That’s supposed to happen tonight. Not that I’ve talked to him since he signed the lease. I’m getting all my information from Lucy. I hope she’s charging him a fortune because he’s running her ragged.”

“You haven’t seen him? How does someone move in somewhere without putting in an appearance?” Tolly asked.

“Lucy. I tell you, he’s about to kill her — and me. I swear that man does nothing for himself. In the last week, there’s been a steady stream of people though at all hours of the day and night — furniture deliveries, insurance agents, movers, and painters. Let this person in. Sign for that delivery. Email him the security code. This morning a cleaning service came to put sheets on the beds and unpack and wash dishes. There’s a truck on my parking pad right now with what I assume is the last of his stuff. I’m sure some underling will show up soon to unload it.”

“Welcome to Judge Land. There’s not a more arrogant bunch on the face of the earth. But at least Luke is a good one. I have to admit he’s smart and fair even if things don’t always go as I’d like in his courtroom.”

“That reminds me,” Lanie fished an envelope out of the pocket of her chef’s pants. “I finally got the locks changed. Since you have court this afternoon, would you mind dropping his keys with Olive? She called me this morning to instruct me to bring them to him.”

“I’ll be glad to.” Tolly put the envelope in her purse.

“Thanks. Allison is watching the front and I need to get back so she can get today’s orders finished up. Life will be so much easier once I hire another full-time person. Though I’m beginning to wonder if it’s worth all the trouble Luke is causing.”

“Once he gets settled in, maybe he won’t be any trouble.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” Lanie said. “I probably won’t even see him.”

• • •

Lanie always breathed a sigh of relief at the end of the day when she was alone in Heavenly Confections and there had been no major catastrophes. Someone who had made as many bad life choices as she had would never take smooth sailing for granted. This was her favorite time of the day. The doors were locked, the kitchen was clean, and there was no smell of burned sugar in the air. She just needed to clean the coffee machine and turn off the lights. She didn’t even have to make candy tonight. Maybe she’d call Nathan and see if he wanted to get some dinner. Then again, the thought of settling in with a can of soup and her book club book was very appealing.

She was weighing the advantages of the options when a bright green Porsche pulled in front of the shop. There was only one of those in Merritt. Luke Avery got out, looked toward the door, and waved. So she pasted on a smile and moved to unlock the door. After all, she had his fat rent check, not to mention his hefty security deposit.

“Hello,” Lanie said cheerfully from the doorway.

“Are we too late?” he asked as he made his way toward the passenger door. “I wanted to introduce you to my daughter. I like for her to know who the safe adults are.”

“No problem. Come in.” Well, if that wasn’t right out of Miss Manners.

He nodded slightly and opened the car door. The child he lifted from the car seat had a halo of black curls and a chubby face that was in transition from baby to little girl. Though healthy looking and rosy cheeked, she was small for three. Lanie would have put her closer to two. Luke’s wife must have been petite. The child wore smocked corduroy overalls printed with ladybugs and her red Keds matched the crooked bow in her hair. Luke set her on the sidewalk and patted her little bottom that was plump with a diaper.

“Stand still, honeybee,” Luke said in a gentle voice. “Daddy needs to get your backpack.”

It was difficult to imagine Luke having a gentle voice or using a term of endearment, but there it was. Lanie stepped onto the sidewalk and smiled at the child.

Emma smiled back and every light in the universe went on. This child was magic, fairy dust, and everything good that would ever happen to anyone. Her eyes were the same Windex blue as Luke’s but, unlike his, hers sparkled with life and happiness. She broke into a run toward Lanie, giggling the whole way.

“Emma!” Luke turned with a
Little Mermaid
backpack dangling from his hand. “Stop!”

But by then Emma was running her fingers over Lanie’s chef’s pants. Today they were pink with purple lollipops and the matching apron was trimmed with purple eyelet.

“Ohhhhh!” Emma said. “Pretty!”

Lanie squatted down to child level. “Do you think so? Do you know who I think is pretty?” She ran her hand over Emma’s hair because it was impossible not to touch her. “You!” Lanie lightly tickled Emma’s round little tummy and musical laughter sweetened the air.

Luke stepped to Emma’s side and she threw her arms around his leg and pressed her face to his thigh. “My daddy’s the same as me.”

“I’m afraid she’s been told one too many times how much she looks like me,” Luke said and dimples appeared in his cheeks.

Lanie had never noticed the dimples before — probably because this was the first time she’d seen him smile.

Emma looked up at Luke and stroked Lanie’s apron. “I need the same as this for me!”

Luke frowned. “Uh, I don’t know, honeybee. I don’t know where we’d get that. But if we see one that fits you, I suppose so.”

“Yea!” Emma said. This child had not been denied much, maybe nothing, except a mother.

“Come in.” Lanie held the door open.

“We don’t want to interrupt you,” Luke said, taking Emma’s hand. “I need to park out front tonight.” Ah, yes. The moving truck was in his space out back. Lucy had called to say she would be over the next morning to supervise the people who were coming to unload it. “We’ll just go upstairs and get out of your way.”

Impulsively, Lanie said, “Would you like some coffee? I haven’t cleaned the machine yet.” A cup of coffee and Luke Avery was a small price to pay for a little more Emma magic.

Luke paused and nodded. “That would be great. I’m exhausted from all this moving.”