One Love (13 page)

“
Not that I blame her for
being concerned. She doesn’t want him to be hurt again.” Lanessa
could understand her feelings. She’d be just as protective of her
son.

“
Still, she should realize
it’s Alex’s decision. If she says anything about you...” Jade
seemed ready to do battle.

“
I can take care of myself,”
Lanessa cut in. “But thanks, Jade-girl.” She smiled at
her.

“
Well I do have to agree
with Mother, she should be happy for him.” Jade spoke in an
aggressive tone as though daring the absent woman to say
differently.

“
For right now, Alex seems
willing to face her.” Lanessa chuckled. “As though getting a
business off the ground isn’t enough, I have to face the St.
Romaine dynasty.”

“
Back to your job, I’ll bet
my father knows about this Paxton-Waite. I’ll let you know,” Damon
said. His face lit up when Clarice came in carrying a tray. “Whoa,
sour cream pound cake.” He headed off with a look of
anticipation.

“
And fresh coffee,” Alton
called out. He carried a tray with a pot and cups.

“
See how easily I’m
abandoned?” Jade watched her husband with a fond smile. She turned
to Lanessa. “Nessa, don’t let anyone keep you from happiness. I
know how tough facing a disapproving mother can be. Damon’s mother
was a real she-lion at first.”

Lanessa sat close to Jade. “I made a
joke about it, but maybe I am taking on too much right
now.”

Jade was quick to answer her.
“Nonsense. You two are going to be happy.”

Lanessa wanted to feel the same
certainty. Yet as she thought about the formidable Yvonne St.
Romaine, her doubts crept back stronger.

***

The reports did not show anything
overtly wrong. Still Lanessa sat staring at them with a frown.
There was a pattern, no that was too definite. More of a vague tide
flowing just beneath the surface. For reasons she could not say,
she was beginning to wonder if Dawson and Hargrove had told her
everything. The land was totally unsuited for development for
several obvious reasons. For one thing, environmentalists kept a
close eye on any plans to disturb the habitat. They were right from
all indications. Even the modest population increases for the past
twenty years had stressed the delicate marshland. Not that big
business typically stopped a major project for such concerns. What
really made Lanessa wonder was the lack of a good transportation
route to the site Paxton-Waite had chosen. They could have located
closer to the gulf, which would make getting goods inland cheaper.
There were several locations more suitable. Why near Pleasure
Island?

“
Robyn, did you get those
maps from Wildlife and Fisheries?” Lanessa called out.

“
Not yet. I’ll go by there
on my way home.” Robyn came in from her office. “That was a good
idea you had. I didn’t know you could get free maps.”

“
Most people don’t. Working
in the state Legislature basement paid off in more ways than one.”
Lanessa flipped through the pages once more. “This looks crazy.
Here, what do you think?”

“
I’m not the expert.” Robyn
lifted both shoulders.

“
Don’t be humble. You’re
sharp as a needle.” Lanessa tapped the eraser end of her pencil on
the desktop. “What do you see?”

“
Sort of like those games
where you find hidden objects in a picture? I love those.” Robyn
walked over and picked up a report. She read for several minutes.
“Hmm.”

“
What?” Lanessa rocked back
in her swivel chair.

“
This is strange.
Paxton-Waite is buying land in the area but...” Robyn’s brow
wrinkled.

“
Yes,” Lanessa said with a
nod. “Based on news clippings for the past three years, seems they
don’t need it.”

“
Especially not near
Pleasure Island. Doesn’t make sense.” Robyn sat down at the small
table.

“
Caine Dawson was made CEO
four years ago. The corporate version of swat team leader.” Lanessa
rotated her chair around in a circle as she thought out loud. “And
he did his job well.”

“
Profits went up
dramatically.”

“
And his popularity with
employees and three top companies fell just and dramatically.”
Lanessa stopped the motion of her chair. “He’s a shark.”

“
Can’t argue with success.
His bonus last year was a cool million.” Robyn smacked her lips.
“What a nice chunk of change.”

“
But why
Louisiana?”

Lanessa looked at Robyn. This was a
process they had fallen into naturally. One would advance theories
or scenarios while the other shot them down. In this way they would
eliminate the improbable using deductive reasoning.

“
This state is known for
letting big industry do as they darn well please.” Robyn puckered
her lips to show her distaste.

“
But the green lobby has
been making headlines. They slapped politicians on their hard heads
with publicity. It finally got their attention.” Lanessa was really
getting into this game.

“
True, but deals still get
made.” Robyn held up a folder stuffed with articles. “Big industry
still wins more battles than they lose.”

“
I don’t know.” Lanessa was
still not satisfied. “Paxton-Waite is a whopping target. That
property isn’t the best place for the plant they want.”

“
What is it again?” Robyn
shuffled through a stack of folders. She opened the one she wanted.
“Copper tubing and gases for making industrial metals. Raw
materials are coming from one of their many mines. Sounds pretty
straight-forward.”

“
Why pay extra to locate way
off Highway One?” Lanessa turned her chair as Robyn walked back to
the desk.

Robyn looked at her. “The
transportation costs could be worth it if they avoid a fight with
residents. Truck transport is economical. And don’t forget the
train lines.”

“
But the
barges--”

“
Costs more. And don’t
forget how folks feel about the swamps and bayous. Spills are hard
to clean up.” Robyn sat down again. “Not a problem where they plan
to locate.”

Lanessa rubbed her eyes. “I must
losing it. Here we get the mother of all contracts, and I start
taking shots at the money man.”

“
It’s your nature to see all
sides of any picture. You do it with everything.” Robyn tossed off
the comment matter-of-factly as she started filing.

“
Guess it’s because I don’t
like nasty surprises.” Lanessa sorted through pages organizing
them.

“
Well, I don’t see any from
Paxton-Waite. Besides, what corporate giant doesn’t keep secrets?
Those folks are more cautious than any covert government agency.”
Robyn continued to work as she spoke. “I know. I worked for one
when I was in Atlanta.”

“
I’ll buy that.” Lanessa
looked up. “It’s sure how I’d play in I was in Dawson’s place. Too
many long hours, Robyn. That’s my problem.”

“
At least you’re going to
take a few days off to relax.”

“
I’m looking forward to it.”
Lanessa dropped the sheet of paper she was holding. Her mind
drifted far away from Paxton-Waite.

“
Perfect time to take your
first vacation in almost two years.” Robyn went back to labeling
the files. “And don’t worry. I’ll keep everything humming along
like well oiled engine.”

“
You’re right. In the next
week or so, I’ll give Dawson his report.” Lanessa let out a long
breath. “And deposit that nice check.”

“
Amen! Now take a look at
this. We’ve all ready gotten a referral from of Hargrove and
Dawson.” Robyn wore a wide smile. She handed Lanessa a pink phone
message slip.

“
Life is sweet.” Lanessa
waved it over her head.

***

“
Alex, your mother is trying
to do what’s best for us both,” Karin said. She walked up close to
him. “At least keep an open mind.”

“
I thought you had more
judgment,” Alex said in a voice tight with anger.

They stood in his mother’s living
room. Yvonne had called him over to lunch with her on the pretext
of discussing family business. Alex had assumed it involved a
complicated transaction between his mother and her brothers. His
uncles still ran the family wholesale produce company. He’d arrived
to find Karin here. Yvonne had made a hasty exit leaving them
alone.

“
It may seem foolish, like
we’re in high school. But you wouldn’t see me otherwise,” Karin
said. She did not seem contrite at all.

“
Karin--”

“
I’ll get your coffee.”
Karin went to the decorative serving cart on wheels. It held a
ceramic pot with small yellow flowers that matched the coffee mugs.
“I know how you like it, of course.”

Alex was on the edge of losing his
temper. Her casual manner was infuriating. “Let’s get this clear,
my mother does not decide who is right for me. We discussed our
relationship. There’s nothing left to say.”

“
Here you are.” Karin was
composed as she handed him the mug. She sat down and gazed up at
him. When Alex did not sit next to her on the sofa, she sighed.
“Now who’s acting childish?”

“
This isn’t a game.” Alex
put the mug down on the end table.

“
I’m not playing around,
Alex. I’m very serious. And there is much more to say. I love you.”
Karin’s expression was hard as though she was making a claim to
property that had been stolen.

Alex turned away from her to stare out
of the window. Guilt warred with his anger. Guilt won. Though he
had never made promises of love or commitment, Karin had reason to
believe that someday they might be together. Alex had convinced
himself that Lanessa was out of his life. He’d been right, but she
had never left his heart.

Karin sat forward. “I realize you’re a
little confused. After all, Lanessa Thomas is known for her...
particular brand of charm. But don’t forget she’s a troubled
person.”

“
Lanessa has overcome a lot
to rough times. But she’s stronger than ever.”

Alex looked out at his
mother’s landscaped garden. Flowers were in full bloom. The scene
reminded him of that day with Lanessa on the bayou.
She is so lovely.
He was
only vaguely aware of Karin speaking. Her voice was like muted
background noise.

“
Did you hear me?”Karin
raised her voice sharply. She put her coffee mug down on the
teakwood table in front of the sofa.

“
I’m sorry.” Alex came back
to his surroundings. He faced Karin. “Lanessa is doing fine
now.”

“
Okay, then I’ll say it
outright. The woman’s an alcoholic. She is definitely not the sort
of person to be around your daughters. Mrs. St. Romaine agrees with
me.”

His temper snapped like a rubber band.
“Lanessa is a kind, generous person,” Alex snapped.

“
You can’t be serious,
Alex.” Karin stood up and crossed to him. “This woman has lied,
cheated even been in a drunk tank.”

“
That’s enough!” Alex glared
at her. “I know Lanessa better than you. I don’t need you to tell
me who she is.”

Karin swallowed hard. Her expression
melted into a softer one. “Baby, listen to me. Think of how good we
were together. I can make you happy; give you what you really
need.”

“
Which is?”

“
You need someone who really
cares about you.” Karin reached out and stroked his right arm. “I
miss you.”

Alex gazed into her light brown eyes
for several moments. “I care about you, Karin. Lanessa and
I...”

Yvonne came in the room. She looked at
Karin’s bleak expression then at him. “Maybe we should all take a
deep breath.”

“
I’m going back to the
office.” Alex walked past her but stopped when she caught his
arm.

“
Wait. This was my idea.
Don’t blame Karin.” Yvonne held on tight. “Karin, please excuse
us.”

Karin picked up her soft leather purse
and walked past him. “Alex, I’ll call you in a few
days.”

Alex was frustrated by her implacable
attitude. “I don’t know how else there is to say.”

Karin’s eyes were shiny with tears.
“At least talk to me once more. That’s all I ask.”

Alex took a deep breath and let it
out. “All right.”

“
Thanks you.” His words
sparked a small look of hope. Karin nodded to Yvonne then
left.

“
Shame on you. Poor Karin,”
Yvonne spoke up first.

“
Don’t ever pull this
again!” Alex said. He paced up and down to work off his fury. He
had to remember she was his mother. “Maybe you’ve forgotten I was
thirty-four on my last birthday. I don’t need you to pick a woman
for me.”

“
Seems obvious to me you
do,” Yvonne said tartly. “And don’t raise your voice to
me.”

Alex ground his teeth to keep from
shouting. “Karin and I are through. Especially after today. How she
ever thought this little scene you two cooked up--”