One Love (12 page)

“
I don’t know anything about
children, Jade.” Lanessa stared at her sister’s rounded stomach.
“Being an aunt was intimidating enough.”

“
Well get ready, because I
expect you to do lots of babysitting.” Jade rubbed her
tummy.

“
We’re talking two smart,
probably unfriendly little darlings. The apple of daddy’s eye. I’m
cooked,” she muttered.

“
Now I’m new at this
parenting business, but children can’t rule adults. We have to
respect their feelings, but guide them.” Jade sat down gingerly on
the love seat. “Do you think really think Alex would let them
decide the fate of his love life?”

“
His children are everything
to him. They could tip the balance.” Lanessa sighed. “And I’m not
all that certain our past is behind us.”

“
That’s nonsense. You’ve got
good love stamped on you like a tattoo.”

“
Come on.” Lanessa’s hand
came up to her face. She whirled to stare at herself in gold-framed
mirror on the wall.

“
I haven’t seen you grin so
much since... Shoot I can’t remember. That could only mean one
thing, y’all did the old horizontal slow dance,” Jade said with a
wiggle of her eyebrows.

“
Is it that obvious?”
Lanessa turned back to her sister.

“
To me it is, sis.” Jade
slapped the cushion beside her. “Sit down. Let me tell you what’s
going to happen. Those girls will be a bit territorial when it
comes to their daddy. But they’ll get over it.”

“
You really think so?”
Lanessa dropped next to her on the sofa.

“
Yes, because Alex will know
how to handle it. Don’t forget, he’s been their father for eight
years.” Jade shrugged. “And a darn good one I’ll bet.”

“
That’s the truth. It makes
him even sexier, you know? The thought of that big strong man being
so gentle and patient with his children.” Lanessa felt a tingle up
her spine.

“
Tell me, honey. I’m
pregnant, but I’m not numb from the waist down. The other day Damon
was being so sweet fixing up the nursery and we...” Jade let out a
long slow breath.

“
In your condition? Jade,
really?” Lanessa’s mouth hung open.

Jade laughed. “There are ways, yes
indeed.”

“
I don’t need to hear more,
thank you.” Lanessa put up a palm to stop her.

“
Seriously, don’t get all
worked up. Love will find a way.”

“
You’ve been an incurable
romantic since you found Damon,” Lanessa gazed at her with
affection.

“
He made me a believer. And
you know I had the love life from hell before we met.” Jade shook
her head.

“
Your first husband topped
mine, and that’s saying something!”

Both of them giggled and traded
memories of the days when they were going through tough times. They
could look back at laugh at what hurt so much at the time. Lanessa
began to feel better just talking to her sister. Jade was right.
She and Alex could take a steady approach. Alex would know best how
to deal with any problems with his children. Jade and Lanessa were
still swapping funny stories with the others joined
them.

“
Your dad was showing me his
new boat, Jade. It’s really something.” Damon came in with the
excitement of a boy who has seen a wonderful new toy.

“
It’s a beauty. Motor runs
smooth as silk, son. Come out with me next week. Wednesday or
Thursday.” Alton Pellerin, tall and the color of coffee with just a
hint of crème, slapped him on the back.

“
I don’t know. I’ve got so
much to do...” Damon’s brow furrowed. It seemed clear he was
thinking of a way to make it work despite his words.

“
Listen, I ran my business
for thirty years. But I found time for play.” Alton tilted his head
toward him. “C’mon. Won’t be many folks out during the week. We can
head to Lake Des Allemands.”

“
That’s too far. Maybe
someplace closer?” Damon walked over to stand next to
Alton.

“
What about Blind River. My
pal Buddy Garner says he caught quite a few sac-a-lait this past
week,” Alton offered quickly.

“
Go on, babe. You’ve been
working hard for months without a break,” Jade said.

Damon gazed at Jade with a worried
look in his eyes. “Sweetie, you might need me. No, I can’t leave
town.”

“
Jade will be fine. Between
my wife and your mother, she hardly gets a moment of peace,” Alton
said low.

“
I heard that.” Clarice came
in. She shot him a glance of censure at him as she passed
by.

“
She’s got ears like radar,”
Alton muttered to Damon, his back to Clarice.

“
And don’t you forget it
Alton Pellerin,” Clarice retorted in confirmation. “Now as for
taking our son-in-law fishing, I approve. Do him good to
relax.”

“
Thursday sounds good.”
Damon wore a wide smile.

“
I’ll take care of Jade. I
want to get a look at the nursery. What color did you decide on for
paint?” Clarice sat down in the recliner near Jade and fixed her
with a hard stare.

“
I knew there was an
ulterior motive to getting you out of town.” Alton nodded to Damon.
Both men laughed.

Jade and Clarice began a minor war of
wills over patterns and furnishings for the baby’s room. Lanessa
could only smile at them. Clarice was finding her youngest child
was not as pliant as before. Jade had come into her own with
marriage and now motherhood. Her confidence came from being
successful in her career as a top administrator in a state agency.
Lanessa felt a pang of emptiness. Could she find such fulfillment?
She thought of Alex. Despite her words of caution, she had hope. It
could just happen for her, too.

Her work seemed to be taking off. The
latest project for Paxton-Waite could prove to be her best job yet.
Not only would it pay well, but would lead to other lucrative
contacts. Something her father had said pushed through her musing.
She joined the two men at the large picture window overlooking a
green expanse of lawn.

Lanessa tugged on his shirtsleeve.
“Daddy, you mentioned Lake Des Allemands a few minutes ago. Do you
go there often?”

“
Sure, my pals and I love
it. When the speckle trout are running, you’ve got the best fishing
around.” Alton winked at Damon. “And every April we have the
biggest bass rodeo for black sportsmen in the south.”

“
Still a problem getting
respect, eh? That’s so ignorant.” Damon looked scornful.

“
The big rodeos are run by
and for white guys. They’ve been treating us like dirt for years.”
Alton took a sip of iced tea. “And I’ll tell you something
else--”

Lanessa tugged on his shirt again
before he could launch into an extended rant. “Excuse me, daddy,
but is there much development around the lake?”

“
Nah, a few shacks owned by
Cajuns and Creoles. There’s a couple of boat launches of course.
Old man Boudreaux has the most popular place.”

“
Have you heard of
Paxton-Waite,” Lanessa asked.

“
I have,” Damon responded
before Alton could. “They’re coming into the state in a big way I
understand.” He looked at his father-in-law. “What have you
heard?”

Alton frowned with concentration. “I
only know what I’ve read in the Baton Rouge Business Report. At
least about what they’re doing in Louisiana. Why do you want to
know, sugar?” He glanced at Lanessa.

“
I’m doing a job for Caine
Dawson, research on the area’s industrial history, cultural profile
and parish infra-structure.” Lanessa watched her father’s frown
deepen. “What’s wrong?”

“
I’ve heard that name
before. And it wasn’t good.” Alton shook his head slightly. “Can’t
recall right off hand.”

Lanessa trusted her father’s
instincts. He had a razor sharp mind when it came to business.
“Interesting. I sort of got funny vibes from him
myself.”

“
Of course it could just be
he out maneuvered somebody in business. Bet you could find folks
saying nasty things about me.” Alton grinned and turned to Damon.
“About your father, too, son.”

“
Some of it’s true.” Damon
grinned back at him. “But really, Dad has a take no prisoners
attitude when it comes to business success. It’s left him with
bitter rivals, black and white. Could be the case with this
man.”

“
Yeah, I’ve seen Oliver
Knight go after what he wants.” Alton had an expression of
admiration. “In fact twenty years ago he beat out one of his
largest competitors. It was beautiful the way he--”“

“
Daddy, back to
Paxton-Waite.” Lanessa knew better than to let him start a long
story.

“
Can’t imagine what they
want with land around Lake Des Allemands. But if you’re working for
‘em, you should know more than me.” Alton glanced at her. “Or is
something more on your mind?”

“
You know so many important
people in this state. If anybody can get me insider information,
you can.” Lanessa gave him a sweet smile.

Alton melted as he always did when his
daughters charmed him.

“
I’ll find out what I can,
sugar.” Alton pinched her cheek with affection. “See what a joy
children are, Damon? You’ll soon find out.” He turned back to beam
at her with pride. “My girls are both treasures.”

“
I can’t wait to hold our
baby in my arms,” Damon said with a soft look in his dark brown
eyes.

“
Guess there will be a line
waiting to spoil that baby.” Alton chuckled.

“
Say, Nessa, why don’t you
ask Alex about Lake Des Allemands. His father has a camp up there.”
Damon turned to her.

“
We’ve got distant cousins
still in St. James Parish. The St. Romaine’s family is from down
there, too,” Alton put in. “I’ll get you names.”

That sounded familiar to Lanessa.
Although she’d only met the elder St. Romaine a few times, Alex had
mentioned the family ancestral property. It had never occurred to
her that it could be St. James Parish.

Clarice’s head snapped around. “Did
someone mention Joe St. Romaine?”

“
Oh-oh. Watch yourself,
sugar,” Alton mumbled to Lanessa. “She’s up to her matchmaking
tricks. Don’t let her push you into anything.”

“
I’ve got it under control,
daddy,” Lanessa whispered. They watched Clarice walk toward
them.

“
I was just telling Lanessa
about their property down south of Vacherie.” Alton spoke louder
now that his wife standing near.

“
The St. Romaine family is
as much a legend as the Knights,” Clarice said. “Almost as old as
the Pellerin and Hawthorne families.”

Damon cleared his throat and exchanged
a glance with Alton. “Thanks, mom.” There was a hint of humor in
his voice.

“
You’re quite welcome,
dear.” Clarice seemed to have missed it. “But it’s a simple fact.
Our families have reason to be proud. Yvonne should be thrilled to
have our Lanessa.”

“
Mother, for goodness
sakes,” Jade said from her seat on the couch.

“
Well it’s true,” Clarice
said back.

“
The St. Romaine family
doesn’t ‘have me’. I’m dating Alex.” Lanessa could see that Clarice
was in full interfering mother mode. “Don’t start
rumors.”

“
I don’t start rumors,”
Clarice said sharply. “But anyone that sees you two together can
tell you’re meant for each other.”

“
Clarice...” Alton’s tone
was one of reproof.

“
Mother, leave them alone,”
Jade added shaking a forefinger at her.

Clarice ignored them both and glanced
at Lanessa. “If I’m wrong, then say so.”

Lanessa opened her mouth then closed
it. Alex was the one man who made her feel alive with hope and joy.
He could make her abandon the façade of cool sophistication it had
taken her years to hone. With him she did not feel the need to be
anyone other than herself. Alex wanted her for who she was, not as
some trophy date. She gazed around to find three pairs of eyes
watching her.

“
We’ve grown closer in the
past few weeks,” Lanessa managed to get out. She cleared her
throat.

“
See?” Clarice wore a look
of vindication. “I told you so, Alton.”

“
Long as it’s what
you
want, sugar. Not what
somebody else thinks should be.” Alton put an arm around
Lanessa.

“
Don’t worry, daddy. I know
how to duck Mother’s ‘help’ when I need to.” Lanessa laughed with
him.

“
Make fun if you want. I
don’t care.” Clarice waved a hand. She seemed satisfied with the
results of her handiwork.

Alton went with his wife to the
kitchen to get the tray with dessert and coffee for them. Their
voices faded down the hall as they continued their debate about her
role in their children’s lives.

Damon smiled at Lanessa. “Your mother
and my mother are two determined women.”

“
So is Yvonne St. Romaine,”
Lanessa said.

“
She’s against your
relationship with Alex?” Jade asked.