Why had he thought he couldn’t get beyond their past and her fame? Despite the betrayals, when they were together, he forgave her everything and felt as comfortable around her as he had as a kid. Upon reaching Viola’s rambling old plantation house, he followed Summer around the yard as she stooped in the tall grasses to pick wild violets for the dinner table while amusing him with tales about her funniest roles. In turn, he talked about all the various disasters that could befall a construction project.
“I can’t believe a giant crane costing millions can actually topple over,” she said, sounding amazed.
“Yes, we were so lucky nobody was killed, we didn’t even care about the money.”
They smiled and laughed together. Holding hands, they carried armfuls of violets into the house, which was redolent with the smell of Cajun spices. Together they looked for a vase and finished setting the table while Tuck followed them around like a lost puppy.
“Tuck’s very good at looking like he’s doing something when he isn’t,” Summer whispered when steaming dishes needed to be carried to the table and her brother chose that moment to say he had to go to the bathroom.
“He’ll grow up. You’ll see.”
“We keep hoping…”
Zach enjoyed the simple dinner party. When Viola started tapping her crystal goblet filled with ruby-red wine, Zach felt Summer tense beside him.
“Careful, Gram. Mama’s crystal,” she chided.
Gram shot her a look. “I’m always careful with dear Anna’s crystal. I was only trying to get your attention, dear.” She took a deep breath. “And now that you’re all listening-I have something to tell you, something I couldn’t be more thrilled about.” Her sharp blue eyes sparkled like a naughty child’s.
“Oh, no, now what have you gone and done?” Summer asked.
In the flattering candlelight and in her soft gray dress with those sharp, mischievous eyes dancing, Viola looked years younger than her age.
“Well, your Gram has bought herself a condo in Plantation Alley.”
“Without even telling me,” Summer said, shocked.
“I told you I was thinking about it, didn’t I? It was such a good deal. I had to snap it up. Besides, you’re never here, dear. If you lived closer, maybe I’d form the habit of confiding in you.”
“Well, I’m here now,” Summer said. “I’ve been here all weekend.”
“I wouldn’t dream of disturbing you, child,” her grandmother replied innocently, slanting a pointed glance at Zach. “And you didn’t drop by…not till I invited you.”
“Zing,” Summer murmured in Zach’s ear.
“Stop whispering, you two! I want to hear everything that’s said at my table.”
He squeezed Summer’s hand.
“Do you want to hear about my new condo or not?” Viola asked peevishly.
“We want to hear,” Summer soothed.
Viola brought them a folder that contained a colorful brochure spelling out the amenities of the complex as well as a contract and a copy of the deposit she’d put down. Then she described the condo she’d bought in detail. Several of her friends already lived in the complex, so she’d have lots of company for playing Hearts. The clincher was that Silas approved. He simply adored the cozy window with the view of the bayou where he could sit and watch birds.
“The girls and I sort of thought that if we lived in the same complex we could look after each other, call one another every day, you know.”
“The girls are her Friday Lunch Bunch,” Summer explained. “They eat together every Friday at a restaurant another friend owns. That’s where they hatch their mischief, which mainly has to do with thinking up schemes to meddle in my and Tuck’s lives.”
“We do not!”
Zach picked up the contract and scratched a few things out, added a sentence or two, explaining why he’d made the changes.
“I’m not sure I understand,” Gram said.
“Just take this to Davis first thing Monday. Tell him I sent you. He’ll take care of you.”
Gram nodded. “It has three bedrooms, so there’ll be room for you and Tuck to stay anytime.”
“Well, that’s a relief. I’m glad you’re not kicking me out,” Tuck said.
“You won’t have to move out on your own, until you’re ready, dear. And, Zach, you’re always welcome. Silas is so fond of playing Hearts with you.”
“Gram! I’m sure Zach’s had enough of Silas’s opinions for one evening,” Summer teased.
“Well, who’s going to speak for him, since dear Silas won’t speak for himself?”
“Exactly,” Summer said.
Tuck hadn’t said much during dinner, but he’d come to the table with his hair combed and had answered all Zach’s questions about his classes. The small changes in him pleased everyone since he was mildly enthusiastic for a change.
The gumbo and spicy etoufee were delicious.
All in all, it was one of those rare, pleasant evenings, a family evening, the kind of evening Zach hadn’t experienced since his Uncle Zach’s death. He felt like he belonged-with Summer, with all of them. Suddenly, the past and its pain didn’t matter quite so much.
Suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to start over with Summer.
Realizing that thanks to Tuck’s misbehavior, they had already started over, Zach took Summer’s hand, turned it over in his own, drew it to his lips. For a second he caught a haunted expression in her eyes, but when she flashed him a dazzling smile, he forgot where he was. He would have planted a quick kiss on her cheek if he hadn’t caught a very pleased Gram watching his every move. Not in the habit of public displays of affection, he let go of Summer’s hand in the next instant.
When dinner was over, they retired to the card table where Gram’s three guests conspired to let her win more than her fair share of the games.
“It was a perfect evening,” Gram said after they’d helped her clear the table. As they stepped out onto the porch, the black, misty darkness was filled with the cloying scent of honeysuckle and the glorious roar of cicadas. They were saying their goodbyes, and Summer’s beautiful face was aglow beneath the porch light.
He loved her, Zach realized.
Love. He hated the word. He’d sworn never to fall under its dark power again, but here he was, lost in its grip. After everything she’d put him through, it was stupid of him, terrifying for him, but he wanted to claim her-to marry her.
When her beaming grandmother read the emotion in his eyes, she closed the door and wisely left them alone. Like a fool, the minute they were alone, he wanted to get down on bended knee in the damp St. Augustine grass and propose.
Luckily, he caught himself, opting to proceed with caution. If this new relationship with Summer was to work, he’d need to reorganize his business, his entire life. He’d need an office in Manhattan for starters. That was okay. He’d worked all over the world; he could work anywhere.
He would have his people contact several knowledgeable Realtors in Manhattan. He’d tell them he wanted to shift the focus of Torr Enterprises, that they were to start searching for opportunities in the northeast. He’d buy Summer a penthouse with a view of Central Park.
Not that he would want to live there all year. But surely she’d meet him halfway by living in Houston or even Louisiana for at least part of the year.
As they sped home across the black, glassy waters of the bayou, Zach seemed quieter, more withdrawn, and yet content.
Their speed wasn’t as fast as it had been earlier, since it was dark now and there were patches of ground fog, but there was no way she could speak to him over the roar of the airboat.
Arriving home without incident, she watched as Zach secured the boat quickly and efficiently with the easy
