Lori pulled, and Gracie’s feet reacted against her will, following her friend down the cracked sidewalk and up the street to the corner of Royal and Saint Peter—her traitorous heart only an anxious beat behind.
Carter joined in the crowd applauding the mime’s antics, then reached for his wallet and dropped a dollar bill into the box at the clown’s feet. “Great show!”
The mime bowed in his direction and pretended to swipe tears of appreciation from his painted cheeks.
Andy laughed. “See, I told you this was better than reruns on TV.” He elbowed Carter’s arm.
“I never doubted you, man.”
“I really like supporting the entertainment around here. We haven’t had nearly as many acts since Hurricane Katrina.”
“I would imagine not.” Carter moved aside for another couple to drop a handful of change into the box, briefly wondering how much money the mime made on an average day performing. Was he a flood victim? Surely this wasn’t his only job.
It reminded Carter he had a lot to be thankful for—the money he’d saved from his touring days and album releases guaranteed financial security for the next several years, if he was smart. Then he could work a side job and live comfortably while figuring out which path he was to take with his music ministry—while attempting to right the myriad wrongs in his life.
And better yet, not having to touch the inheritance money his father left behind. He didn’t want any money from his father—ever.
Ignoring the tightening in his stomach, Carter turned away from the crowd. “So what’s this about New Orleans cuisine? Are you guys all talk down here?”
Andy puffed out his chest. “Hey, we don’t joke about food in this city. You want some jambalaya? The Gumbo Shop is just around the bend.”
“Lead the way. My stomach will follow.”
Carter moved behind Andy, and a flash of red on the corner caught his eye, hovering under the elaborate ironwork balcony on Royal Street. He blinked, then stared. It was Gracie, standing beside a tall brunette, both of them leaning against the window of an antique gallery and looking right at him.
Gracie ducked behind Lori and turned to face the La-Branche House, heart pounding as she pretended to study the lacy iron scrollwork dripping off the three stories above her head. “Did he see me?”
“Probably. Just go talk to him, for old times’ sake. You know you want to introduce me.”
Oh, right. Gracie allowed Lori to pull her across the corner. Trusted new best friend, meet my backstabbing old best friend. They drew closer and Gracie’s pulse leaped at the sight of Carter’s unruly curls falling across his forehead. It brought another rush of forgotten memories and she paused, nearly yanking Lori backward. “You know, I’d really rather prefer a big bowl of gumbo. I’ll even pay.” She tried to tug her arm out of Lori’s grasp but her friend squeezed tighter.
“No, ma’am. We’re almost there. Then you’ll thank me for getting you past this nightmare.”
More like forcing her through it. Gracie took a shuddering breath and crossed the remaining feet of concrete separating her from her past. A light breeze wafted her hair across her eyes and she tossed her head to free the strands, not wanting to see Carter up close but unable to quell the urge—or Lori’s purposeful march.
Carter looked up as they neared. “Gracie.” Warmth filled his eyes and a nervous shiver inched down her spine. “Hey. Wow, you look great.”
So did he, but that was beyond the point. She crossed her arms over her chest and nodded, her back rigid. “Hi.”
They stared at each other.
A man walking ahead of Carter stopped and turned around. Gracie gasped. “Andy?” The street suddenly seemed much, much too small. “You know Carter?”
“Pastor Andy!” Lori beamed. “Small world, huh?”
“Carter and I were roommates at LSU.” Andy shoved his hands in his pockets and looked from Carter to Gracie, a knowing grin lighting his features. “And I guess you’re Blue—”
Carter stepped forward, bumping Andy with his shoulder. He stretched out his hand toward Lori. “Carter Alexander.”
“Lori Perkins, Gracie’s roommate and friend from work.” They shook hands.
“Well, isn’t this cozy.” Andy smiled. “We were just about to grab some gumbo. You ladies want to join us?”
“Sure.” Lori beamed.
“No, thanks,” Gracie said at the same time.
Gracie exchanged looks with Lori, hoping her friend would catch the hint in her glare, but she instead turned to Carter with an innocent, wide-eyed expression. “So I hear you visited the aquarium yesterday.”
Gracie sucked in her breath. Now Carter would know she had been talking about him. She tucked her hair behind her ears and risked a glance at his reaction.
Surprise crossed his face, followed by…amusement? He nodded once, his shoulders relaxing. “I did.”
“Did you enjoy it?”
Gracie wished it wouldn’t be immature to kick Lori in the shin.
“Yes, actually.” Carter’s eyes left Lori’s and collided with Gracie’s. “Beautiful sights.”
Andy snorted, then coughed loudly into his fist.
The heat in Gracie’s face morphed into an inferno, and she wished the sidewalk would swallow her whole—her flaming cheeks, blotchy neck and shaky hands in one big gulp.
Lori pulled in her bottom lip, but a smile poked around the edges of her mouth. “I’m glad you thought so.”
Andy gestured toward Lori and Gracie. “These ladies here have been volunteers with our youth group for over a year now. They’ve been a big help.”
“I’m sure.” Carter smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. His mind was on something else—Gracie remembered that zoned-out look he’d get before starting a conversation he wished he didn’t have to have. She searched for a way out, a way to backpedal into a new topic. Her mind went blank. Breathe, Gracie. It’s almost over. She’d somehow survive this encounter-that-should-never-have-been and record the entire brutal ordeal in her journal.
Then promptly burn the pages.
Carter cleared his throat, emotion dimming his eyes. “Gracie, it’s been so long, I really—”
“Like we said, we were just heading to dinner.” Gracie quickly gestured over her shoulder. She was being rude, but she couldn’t bear to listen to whatever he had been about to say. Her heart fluttered faster than the humming birds outside her mom’s old garden. “So I guess we’ll see you at church tomorrow night, Andy.”
“Sounds great. Carter will be there, too, playing for the youth.”
