Good Woman Blues (18 page)

Erikka looked at him. “How did you know I
have a passion for history and antiques?”

“I met you wandering through antiques at the
Deep South Flea Market, remember?”

“A man who pays attention,” Erikka said, with
a grin.

He wore a pleased smile. “You like the family
home?”

“I adore this place.” Erikka stepped closer
and lowered her voice. “Sorry I blurted out the family secret down
there.”

“Actually it’s not all that secret around
here. We just don’t discuss it openly. Our families have honored a
sort of gentleman’s agreement for almost two hundred years.”
Gabriel nodded for her to go first.

Erikka entered a lovely room decorated in
ivory lace, lavender and mint green fabrics. She was careful not to
touch the period furniture. “Really?”

“Hmm. The two elder sons of his wife and
Creole mistress were very much into old-world manners. Le Moyne
provided very well for both his families.” Gabriel talked as he led
her down the hallway. The bedrooms were roped off. They could only
look in through the open doors.

“Which is how your family ended up with so
much land.” Erikka drank in the history that seemed to seep from
the walls.

“His generosity was only the beginning. Let’s
go see the garden.”

“Sure.”

Erikka followed him down the stairs and out
the front door. Both put on sunglasses against the glare of
sunshine as they left the house. They went along a curved brick
path in front of the house. Rosebushes were arranged around
sculptures. In the center of one landscaped comer stood a fountain
that splashed water into a pool. Stone benches sat in comers to
give a view or offer privacy. Gabriel led her to one under an oak
tree. The sound of the water and birds singing made for an oasis of
calm.

“Gorgeous.” Erikka breathed in the scent of
flowers on the warm breeze.

“Not bored? I mean this is pretty tame
compared to New Orleans night life.” Gabriel looked at her.

“I enjoyed every minute. Thanks for sharing
information that will probably never make it into the tourist
brochure.” Erikka returned his gaze.

“No big deal really.” Gabriel looked across
the rows of flower beds.

“That’s a lot of tradition to carry around.
Living up to the family name and all that.” Erikka tried to imagine
what being from a rich old family would be like.

“Mostly I don’t think about it,” he
replied.

“Damn, must be nice.”

“You know the old saying about money not
buying happiness,” he said in a soft tone.

“It sure does help you tolerate misery,”
Erikka replied. She grew serious again at the thoughtful expression
he wore.

Erikka decided enough had been said on that
subject. Both lapsed into silence, simply enjoying the fine day.
Erikka leaned her head back. Cotton ball clouds dotted the
robin’s-egg blue sky. For a few days each spring Louisiana
experienced low humidity and mild temperatures. Birds flirted with
each other in the tree branches above. She’d never been the
outdoors type, but Erikka loved a beautiful day. Sunshine on her
skin always seemed to promise happily ever after. Brilliant blue
skies that stretched into eternity promised endless bright
possibilities. Erikka always wanted to believe, but then reality
had a way of biting hard. Life wasn’t a bowl of cherries, roses had
thorns, and dreams did not always come true. She glanced at Gabriel
and wondered if he was thinking the same thing.

“You didn’t bring me here just to see
antiques and a really fancy house,” she said finally.

He turned toward her and put one arm along
the back of the bench. “I thought you’d enjoy the day and get to
know me—to understand my business.”

Erikka really had come to like that smile of
his. His teeth were slightly uneven, and that reassured her. He
wasn’t perfect. Still, she saw few reasons to find fault with his
looks. She’d come to have a particular affection for the few lines
around his eyes that appeared when he was amused. Sunglasses, a
great smile, and a dimple in his chin—one hell of a
combination.

“Business, right,” she prompted.

“I get inspiration for the furniture I
create. Some of my customers want an antique touch, and I kind of
like re-creating them.”

“You wanted me to know a little more about
your family.” Erikka decided to plunge ahead.

“I guess. Maybe I wanted you to know more
than what you’re likely to hear third hand.” Gabriel shrugged.

“About you, too.” Erikka looked over her
sunglasses at him.

“Goes both ways.”

The smile that threatened to pull Erikka in
over her head widened. She’d been in too deep before and ended up
with nothing more than a bitter taste in her mouth. Gabriel brushed
a small brown leaf from Erikka’s shoulder. She looked at his large
hand. The fingers were broad, what she’d call the perfect shape for
a carpenter. Erikka suddenly wished he’d let it rest on her body.
She’d only been involved with men who wore suits all day. Men whose
hands probably never held a saw or screwdriver. Without thinking,
Erikka grabbed it and turned the palm up. She ran her fingers along
rough spots, felt the dry hard skin that sanded wood all day.

“Hmm, that’s nice,” Erikka said absently.

She turned his hand over and explored the
knuckles, lines, and patterns like they were clues to him.
Gabriel’s smile softened, and he offered her the other one as well.
After a few more seconds Erikka awakened from her daze. Embarrassed
by the intimacy of her examination, Erikka let go.

“Don’t stop,” he said softly.

Erikka’s breathing quickened. Heat moved
through her hips, making her squirm. His words conjured up the
image of his rough hands rubbing against her naked body. When
Gabriel reached out for her, Erikka sprang from the seat.

“One step at a time, baby,” she said.

“Sorry, I didn’t intend to push or go too
fast. I only meant—” His voice faded.

Erikka worked on slowing her pulse and being
able to breathe normally again. Even a few feet of distance from
him helped clear her stupefied, lust-filled brain.

“I was talking to myself. See, I have a
tendency to make quick and bad decisions. I’m trying to
change.”

“Okay.” Gabriel continued to sit and watch
Erikka pace in a small circle in front of him.

“Right now my mind and body is screaming at
me to jump you, right here. Find a quiet comer around here and get
some love.” Erikka found a tissue in her purse and dabbed at the
sweat on her top lip.

“Really?”

She glanced at him sharply. Gabriel’s
expression behind the dark lenses of his sunglasses was unreadable.
“Really.”

“I might say no. I do think past my fly,”
Gabriel said with a poker face. A comer of his full mouth
twitched.

Erikka blinked in shock for a moment, and
then burst into nervous laughter. “Miss Thang here is assuming
she’s irresistible. Believe me I know better.”

“Miss Thang is pretty damn irresistible, make
no mistake about it. That’s not it at all.” Gabriel’s large hand
covered one of hers.

She wasn’t sure she believed him, but it
sounded good. “Look, I don’t trust myself alone with me, much less
alone with a man. I got some major work to do on Erikka. What I’m
trying to say is—”

“I’m in no hurry. We can go as slow as you
want to,” Gabriel replied.

Erikka mused at how they were beginning to
finish each other’s thoughts. “Thanks.”

“Or as fast. Just throwing it out there,”
Gabriel added, with a grin.

Erikka had a tempting vision of a secluded
shady corner of the garden. She fanned her face and looked anywhere
but at him. “Let’s find that tour group again.”

Two hours later they’d visited another
historic home and made an impromptu stop at an estate sale.
Erikka’s libido had calmed down. She was able to think coherently
about the when, why, and consequences of getting involved. Gabriel
did not talk much. He seemed content to be with her, a new
experience she savored.

“Guess you’ve had enough of dusty chairs and
white elephants pulled from hundred-year-old attics.” Gabriel
steered his truck down the highway toward his home, where Erikka
had met him.

Erikka stretched. “Not such a bad way to
spend a Saturday afternoon. I did volunteer work for a New Orleans
historic preservation foundation, mostly the financing part. But I
did get to go on field trips.”

“I travel to New Orleans every few weeks.”
Gabriel glanced at her, then ahead through the windshield
again.

“Most folks end up there sooner or later. Do
you come for concerts, go to any clubs, or on business?”

“Not just on business,” he said.

“Hmm.” Erikka squinted behind her sunglasses
and watched the scenery whiz by for a few moments. Might as well
put it right on the table. “Are you seeing anyone? I wouldn’t want
to look up and see some woman coming at me with a hammer or
something.”

“I recently stopped dating someone. Nothing
heavy, just didn’t work out. There was no shouting, just a quiet
talk and an agreement that we needed space.”

“A break,” Erikka repeated. “Yeah, that’s the
epitaph of every failed relationship. ‘Let’s take a break from each
other.’ Right up there with ‘I’ll call you.’ ”

“I was honest with her,” Gabriel said
mildly.

“Hey, no judgment from me. I’ve said those
words a few times. Then gulped in a big taste of freedom as I drove
away.” Erikka looked at him.

Gabriel lifted a shoulder. “Guess it was
easier than saying the obvious.”

“That you didn’t have a love jones for her,”
Erikka said.

“Yeah,” Gabriel admitted.

‘To avoid the drama, tears, angry
accusations. You did a version of saying it was you and not her.”
Erikka liked being on this side of the couch for once. The switch
wasn’t lost on him.

Gabriel grinned at her. “You’re good.”

“Thank you. I studied at the Crash and Burn
Your Life Institute,” she said, with a short laugh.

“Me, too. But she’s not like that at all.
Very calm, logical, and proper.”

Erikka made the mental interpretation.
Gabriel had grown bored. She wasn’t sure if he realized it. He
probably wondered why he didn’t adore Ms. Perfect. He wanted space
to figure out what was wrong with him.

“Well, I promise not to throw things and have
hissy fits. Part of my probation.”

“I wasn’t worried at all.” Gabriel smiled at
her from behind his sunglasses.

They discussed plans for more trips. With
Sunday dinner agreed to and nothing more definite planned, both
were content. Erikka slid down on the worn leather seat and enjoyed
the ride back to his house.

Chapter 11

Three days later Erikka went back to
Gabriel’s house, this time on business. Their Sunday dinner had
been wonderful. She hadn’t heard from him since though. Erikka
decided to be philosophical about it. He was busy, and she hadn’t
expected more. Or had she?

When Darlene watched her prepare to leave,
Erikka made a big show of stuffing her briefcase. Darlene gave a
snort of disbelief but said nothing. Spreadsheets were not on
Erikka’s mind as she drove along the scenic highway. Gabriel stood
outside waiting for her. Erikka smiled and waved as she pulled into
his driveway.

“What’s up?” Erikka called as she got out of
the car.

“A surprise. Come on.” Gabriel beckoned to
her. “You have to close your eyes.”

“What?” Erikka put both hands on her
hips.

“Close your eyes. I want you to get the full
effect in one instant.” Gabriel walked to her. “Grab my arm.”

“Okay.”

Erikka transferred her soft leather briefcase
to her left hand. They walked along the side of his house but
didn’t go in. The scent of wet earth told her they were headed
toward his backyard. She felt a breeze from the bayou on her face.
Afternoon sunshine warmed the skin on her bare arms.

“This had better be good. If we keep walking,
my feet are going to get wet. If you make me ruin my shoes—”

“Here we are,” Gabriel announced. “Open your
eyes.”

She obeyed. A small party barge bounced on
the water at the end of the long wooden dock. “You plan on being a
swamp guide, too?”

Gabriel laughed. “No. I’m going to take you
for a ride.” He tugged at her hand.

“Wait a minute. You know how to steer this
thing?” She frowned at the barge then at him.

“I’ve been operating boats of all kinds since
I was twelve. One of my uncles was a shrimper for years. I’m very
comfortable on the water.” Gabriel gently tugged again until Erikka
started to move with him.

“Yeah, but I’m not. At least not out in the
wilderness where gators like to feed.” Still Erikka followed
him.

“It’s a beautiful day. I’m trying not to be
such a workaholic hermit. Won’t you help me?” Gabriel stepped onto
the barge and held out both arms.

Erikka felt a tug of a different kind as she
gazed at him. The long sleeves of his light brown cotton shirt were
pushed up his muscular forearms. Faded blue jeans hugged his lean,
long frame. He smiled, and her resistance melted like a marshmallow
on a hot skillet. She got on board as he held her hand firmly.

“See? That was easy.” Gabriel led her down
between two rows of padded seats.

“Yeah, easy.” Erikka held on to him when the
barge gently rocked. “I don’t know if—”

“Look what I brought.” Gabriel cut her off.
He pointed to a large wicker basket.

“Are you telling me this is a dinner cruise?”
Erikka clutched at the striped vinyl back of the bench closest to
her.

“You’ve been working hard all day, too. I say
we should both relax.” Gabriel seated her up front directly behind
where he stood at the controls.

Erikka sank into the comfortable cushion. She
glanced around. A bright blue cooler sat on the floor. Wide and
flat, a canopy overhead provided shelter from sun and rain. Open on
all sides, with metal railings for safety, it gave a panoramic view
of the swamp.