When Hell Freezes Over (28 page)

Zenora said, “Well, I'm sure they miss you, but feel free to stay as long as you like. Keaton, did you get enough to eat?”

“Yes, Momma, I'm fine,” Keaton answered as he leaned back and rubbed his stomach.

Zenora stood and asked, “Anybody up for dessert? All I need to say is chocolate and whipped cream.”

Smiling, Meridan said, “No thank you. I'm stuffed.”

“Herbert? Keaton?”

“I might try some tomorrow, Momma.”

Herbert smiled. “I'll take a piece, Zenora.”

She put the dessert on a saucer and handed it to him. Smiling at Meridan, she asked, “Are you going to come back for Herbert's final fund-raiser? It'll be here before we know it and everyone will be there.”

“Yes, Ma'am. Keaton told me all about it. It sounds so exciting.”

Herbert said, “It is, but it's exhausting also. I've been all over this city campaigning. I've met a lot of people in all levels of income and I must say there's a lot of work to be done to make this city even better. I believe, with help, I can do the job.”

“Well, good luck to you, Mr. Lapahie. I'm sure you'll win.”

He took a bite of his dessert and said, “My dear, I must agree with Zenora now. Please call me Herbert.”

“Thank you, but it's so hard. My daddy brought me up to be respectful.”

Zenora sipped her water and asked, “Where are you from, Meridan?”

“I grew up in a little town not far from Jackson, Mississippi.”

Herbert laughed. “Jackson, Mississippi! Now, those are some good people. What does your father do there?”

“He's a farmer,” she said with pride.

Zenora said, “Good for him! You know there are not many black farmers still around. I know you're proud.”

“Very.”

Zenora said, “You know, I come from a family of farmers also and it was a great place to grow up. I remember having so much fun. My granddaddy farmed in Alabama. It was rough back then, but my parents made sure I got my education. I moved out here to work and met this handsome young lawyer. I haven't been myself since because he swept me off my feet.”

Meridan saw Herbert and Zenora smiling at each other. So did Keaton.

Meridan blushed. “How romantic.”

“Yeah, Momma. I didn't know Daddy had you sprung like that.”

She threw her napkin at him and said, “Hush your fuss, Keaton!”

Herbert cleared his throat. “Keaton, speaking of sprung—”

Keaton stood up quickly. “Well, it's time for us to go.”

Meridan laughed. “No, Keaton. We're not leaving until we do the dishes.”

Zenora giggled. “You don't have to do that, Honey.”

“Zenora,
we
insist. Let's get busy, Keaton. I'll wash, you dry.”

He mumbled as he helped Meridan clear the dishes.

In the kitchen they carried on a discreet conversation about their afternoon delight.

Keaton said, “You think this afternoon was something, you're going to pay for this when I get you home.”

“What are you gonna do? Spank me?”

He laughed. “Worse. I just might have to tie you up and get out my special feather.”

“Keaton, you are so bad.”

He kissed her ear and stuck his tongue inside it, causing her to let out a loud scream.

Whispering, she said, “Behave, Keaton.”

“Who are you going to tell…my parents? They're freaky, too.”

“Keaton, you are so wrong.”

“Sweetheart, I've only just begun. You just wait. You are so mine when we get home.”

Meridan started to get a little worried. Keaton was back on his home territory and there was no telling what he had up his sleeve.

 

I
t had been two days since Meridan arrived in Texas. Keaton had given her a tour of his land and today he was taking her by his restaurant. He wasn't scheduled to return until next week, but he wanted to treat Meridan to lunch. They walked through the front door and his hostess immediately screamed. She ran over and hugged him.

He smiled. “Tracy, if I didn't know any better, I would think you've missed me. How have things been around here without me?”

“Keaton, you know you've been missed, but Trenton has done an excellent job running things. You know how he is.”

“Yes, I do. That's why I left him in charge.”

“So, how are you feeling?”

He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I'm one hundred percent.” Taking Meridan's hand, he said, “Tracy, I want you to meet Meridan St. John. Meridan, this is Tracy Davenport, the best hostess in San Antonio.”

Shaking hands, Tracy said, “It's so nice to meet you.”

“Same here,” Meridan responded.

Tracy winked at Keaton. She elbowed him and asked, “Are you guys here for lunch?”

“Yes, we are.”

Tracy grabbed two menus. “On that note, welcome to Lorraine's. Right this way, boss.”

“Cut it out, Tracy.”

She giggled. “Welcome back, Keaton.”

“Thanks.”

They sat down and Meridan started scanning the menu. She looked up and asked, “Who's Lorraine?”

He smiled and proudly said, “My grandmother.”

Looking away to scan the menu once more, she responded, “I see.”

He studied her expression with curiosity. “Who did you think Lorraine was?”

“I figured it was one of your lady friends,” she answered with a jealous tone.

He took her menu out of her hand. “Well, you were wrong and, just for the record, I only have you, so you have nothing to worry about.”

Smiling with contentment, she asked, “May I have my menu back?”

He handed the menu to her and smiled.

Jacob had just finished examining the last patient for the day. He retired to his office and opened his desk drawer. He sat there staring at the glass vial. He studied it for a moment, then pulled out a small mirror. Emptying the contents of the vial on the mirror, he worked the powdery substance until he got it just like he wanted it. He leaned forward and inhaled the substance until it was gone. Leaning back in his chair, he punched the intercom and told his staff they could go home for the evening. Sitting there with the lights low, he reminisced about the good times he and Meridan had growing up together.

He picked up the telephone and dialed her number. The telephone rang until her answering machine picked up. He listened to her greeting, then hung up. Feeling the effects of the white powder, he dialed her cell phone. He figured there was no way she was still mad at him.

“Hello?”

“Meridan. It's Jacob.”

Sighing, she asked, “What do you want, Jacob? You need to leave me alone right now because I have nothing to say to you. I don't know what has happened to you lately.”

“Where are you, Meridan? We need to talk.”

Standing in the mirror in the restaurant's ladies room, she answered, “That's none of your business, goodbye.”

“Wait! I'm serious! I really need to talk to you.”

“Forget it, Jacob. You and I have nothing to discuss. Not anymore.”

“Meridan, please!”

He heard a click and couldn't believe Meridan hung up on him. He leaned back in his chair and put his hands over his face.

“Meridan, you will talk to me, sweetheart, whether you like it or not.”

Returning to the table, Keaton stood as she approached. He could see stress on Meridan's face. “What's wrong?”

Sitting down, she said, “Nothing. Lunch was delicious. Can we leave now? I really would like to give Daddy a call.”

Standing, he said, “Okay. Are you sure you're all right?”

Sliding her arm around his waist, she hugged him and said, “I'm sure. How about you let me drive back to the house?”

Dropping the keys in her hands, he asked, “Can you handle a stick?”

“Buckle up and watch my smoke, chief.”

He jokingly said, “I'm so afraid.”

Back at Keaton's house, he gave Meridan some privacy to call her dad. He went out to the patio as Meridan used the cordless telephone. She walked around the kitchen and into the family room.

“Daddy?”

“Hey, Meridan. How are you?”

She closed her eyes briefly, sat down in the oversized chair, and sighed.

“I could be better, Daddy. I don't know what's going on with Jacob. He's acting weird.”

Sounding worried, he asked, “What do you mean? Did something happen when you went to visit him that I should know about?”

“Daddy, I don't want to upset you, but I don't trust Jacob anymore because of his erratic behavior.”

“What happened between you two?”

Sighing, Meridan said, “Daddy, don't get yourself all worked up over him. I just know our friendship will never be the same. I have nothing to say to him right now.”

“Meridan, I think Jacob is having a hard time seeing you with another man. I guess he believed you two would end up together when it was all said and done.”

“Well, he needs to get over it, Daddy. He was acting like he was on something.”

“What do you mean? Do you think he's on the bottle?”

“He did drink a lot at that banquet. I don't know, Daddy, and I don't want to speculate. What I do know is he scared me a little.”

Mr. St. John firmly said, “Meridan, if that boy did something to hurt you, you'd better tell me. You know I'll kill him before he takes another breath if he did. I don't care who he is.”

“Calm down, Daddy. All Jacob did was try and put some demands on me. He even forced a passion mark on my neck to make Keaton angry.”

Raising his voice, he asked, “He did what?”

“Daddy!”

“Meridan, that boy has gone too far. Where's Keaton?”

“Daddy, Keaton overreacted just like you are right now. Jacob may be a little out of sorts, but I don't think he's crazy.”

“If he's on something, you don't know what he's capable of. I appreciate Keaton getting you out of town for a few days. If you don't take Jacob's behavior seriously, I'm glad Keaton is.”

“Jacob is the least of my worries right now.”

William anxiously asked, “What is it, Baby?”

“Remember Sam?”

“How the hell could I forget?”

Meridan braced herself and said, “Well, it looks like Sam is out of jail and is coming after me and Nikki.”

William was quiet on the other end of the telephone.

“Daddy?”

“I was afraid something like this would happen,” he solemnly whispered. “Have you called the police?”

Meridan wiped away a tear. “Nikki's boyfriend is a policeman so he's checking things out and hopefully can find that monster. Daddy, we think Sam broke into Nikki's house.”

“Have you told Keaton?”

“I told him some of it and it was the worst thing I ever had to do. He was in total shock.”

William smiled. “Keaton loves you, Meridan. Did you tell him about how Sam's attack affected you?” There was silence on the phone. “Meridan?”