Untrusting Hearts: A Contemporary New Orleans Romance by Madison Hartt, Evan Asher Page A

heaven’s sake, why shouldn’t I invite the Chaissons?”
    “I can’t believe you’ve forgotten.” His tone exuded exaggerated patience.
    Her aunt looked up and patted the sofa next to her as Jade entered the room. “Hi, sweetheart. Sit by me while I finish with this issue.” She sniffed with aggravation, tapped the notepad in her lap with the tip of her pen, and lifted her eyes to the man looking over her shoulder. “What have I forgotten?”
    “You’ve got the Dufrenes written down,” he said gently.
    “And?”
    “Remember, the Dufrene girl left a scathing review of the Chaissons’ downtown hotel last month. It ended up plastered all over the internet. She didn’t even have the good sense to do it anonymously. Mavis Chaisson was livid and her husband wasn’t much happier about it. Inviting both families is like welcoming a war battalion into the house.”
    Maylene frowned. “Oh, that! Much ado about nothing, if you ask me. But you’re right; there are hard feelings.” She marked the Dufrenes from the page. “Well, that takes care of that.” She set the tablet on the coffee table and sighed as she reached for a glass of tea. “I’ll be glad when I at least have a working guest list.”
    Jade’s eyes followed the man as he sauntered around the sofa and stopped in front of her. He shook her hand, jerking it up and down like a water pump. He had sandy-colored hair cut in a shaggy style. His brown eyes held hers a moment; they were lively with undisguised interest.
    “And you must be Jade,” he murmured approvingly.
    “You have me at a disadvantage.” Jade reclaimed her hand.
    “My apologies, Jade. Aunt Maylene has been extolling your virtues since I arrived. Ty Dubois at your service.” He gave a small bow and took a chair opposite them.
    “Ah yes, Ty. It’s nice to meet you.” Jade leaned back on the sofa, out of reach of his clutches. Maylene had written about him, the nephew on her husband’s side of the family.
    “Ty’s been in Miami, but he cut his trip short so he could meet you. Hopefully after finishing up the business he was there to conduct.” Maylene smiled brightly at Ty. “So, isn’t she every bit as enchanting as I said?”
    “Without a doubt. She’s pretty enough to make me forget the misunderstanding with airport security.”
    Jade wondered how her looks figured into the equation, but assumed he was making an effort to be charming. Maylene, however, latched onto the other part of his remarks. “Oh, Ty! Airport security? What happened?”
    “Nothing. That’s the point,” Ty said dryly. “They’re so touchy. Do I look like a terrorist?”
    “A terrorist? What are you talking about?” There was a nervous edge to her voice.
    “Now, don’t worry, Aunt Maylene. Really, it was no big deal. It just took awhile to convince them I had bourbon in my flask, not liquid explosive.”
    “Well, maybe if you’d left your flask at home...” Maylene cast a judgmental eye in his direction but relaxed visibly before glancing back at Jade. “All that nonsense aside, were you able to glean from my conversation with Ty that I’m planning a party? Actually, a masquerade ball. It will be such fun picking out costumes to wear. It’ll give you a flavor of Mardi Gras, but of course the real thing would have to be experienced for full effect.”
    “A masquerade ball! I’ve never been to one,” Jade exclaimed, trying to hide the displeasure such a gathering would cause her, especially after being mortified by Gage. “I don’t want you to go to any trouble on my account.”
    “Trouble? Oh, Jade.” Ty chuckled. “You don’t know how much Aunt Maylene loves hosting a fancy shindig. Makes her happier than a bee in a buttercup.”
    “He’s right,” Maylene admitted, a gleam in her blue eyes. “There are few activities I enjoy more than putting together a ball or a social, especially a masquerade!”
    Jade shook her head slowly, imagining how uncomfortable she would be as the