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

center of attention. “I don’t know…”
    Maylene’s smile drooped. “But Jade, it would give me such pleasure to show off my lovely niece. Please say it’s okay, dear. Please.”
    “But how can you show me off if I’m in disguise?”
    Maylene’s laughter was musical. “The masks come off at midnight. Then everyone will see how lovely you are. Oh, Jade, it would make me so proud. And you’d love a party, wouldn’t you? All young ladies do. You simply must say yes.”
    Jade looked back and forth between Maylene and Ty, searching for a gracious way out, but found none. At last, she sighed and said, “You’re right, Maylene. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.”
    “Oh, wonderful.” Maylene smiled happily. “Now, the evening awaits. When will Gage pick us up?”
    “Promptly at seven.” Jade paused, then added, “And I do mean promptly.”
    “Splendid.” Maylene said, missing Jade’s allusion to Gage’s annoying punctuality. She moved toward the stairway, then stopped. “Ty, will you join us? After all, it’s a family outing.”
    “Pichot’s not family,” he said quietly.
    Maylene gave him a sharp look. “What?”
    “I said there’s nothing like family.” His smile was beguiling.
    Her features softened. “That’s right, dear. When you think about it, family is the only real treasure we have, isn’t it?”
    “So true. Nonetheless, I believe I’ll pass.” Ty wore a look of purely counterfeit sorrow. “Besides, I need to rest after my flight.”
    As Maylene ascended the stairs like a queen, Jade walked with Ty toward the door.
    “I hope Pichot didn’t bore you stiff today,” he scoffed.
    “What do you mean?”
    “I’m sure he pointed out all the regular tourist spots like Jackson Square and the Café du Monde.” He feigned a yawn. “So predictable.”
    “As a matter of fact, we did visit those places; I found them delightful. He took me to some of the spots I already had on my itinerary.”
    “The internet sites are limited in their portrayal of the city.” He paused and raised an eyebrow suggestively. “If you went out with me, I could show you places you’ll never see with Gage.”
    They were standing in the foyer. She cocked her head in a playful challenge. “Like what?”
    “I can take you to spots around the French Quarter where ghosts have been known to walk.”
    “That sounds quite a bit like the Ghost Tours offered nightly. I made a note that I might check one of them out while I was here. But it is a guided tour, so I’m not sure what part you would play,” she teased.
    “Ah, but I could show you the same sites with just the two of us present; we wouldn’t be with a crowd. Groups of tourists take something out of the whole thing, if you ask me.”
    “You might have a point there. What else do you have?”
    “We could go through one of the cemeteries at night.”
    “They have tours after dark?”
    “Well, no, but we could get in. It would be a blast.” His light brown eyes twinkled with mischief.
    “I don’t think so; I have no desire to break the law.” She smiled grimly.
    Running his tongue suggestively across his bottom lip, he said, “Well, we still have the ghosts. But don’t worry, I’ll keep a tight hold on you; no spook will carry you off while I’m near.”
    Jade forced a chuckle. “For now, I need to change clothes or I won’t be ready when Gage arrives.” She could tell she’d struck a chord when she’d mentioned the other man and she found it rather amusing. The corners of her lips curved upward as she turned to go to her room.
    Ty recovered quickly. He reached out and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m just a phone call away if you need anything, anytime. In fact, speaking of that, what’s your number?” He pulled his cell phone from a pocket. After Jade gave him her information he grinned and winked. “Thanks, got it. You know, you haven’t done New Orleans until you hang out on Bourbon Street and listen to the bands. It’s