Do either of you need anything?”
“Just more visits from you and Augie.” Olivia grinned. “More bourbon wouldn’t hurt.”
“Ick,” Ava Mae said, her face scrunching up in disgust.
“I hear that,” Harlow said.
Olivia gestured to the flat rock she often rested on. “Do you have time to sit and talk?”
Harlow nodded. “I have a few minutes.”
Olivia led her daughters over and for a brief but glorious moment was overcome by the emotion of having them both with her. She wiped at her eyes. “Look at that, even ghosts can cry.”
“What’s wrong, Mom?” Harlow’s gaze held the kind of concern Olivia wasn’t sure she’d ever seen before in her daughter’s eyes.
“I just love having you girls here with me. The last time I could reach out and touch both of you, you were babies. And you know that didn’t last long.” She perched on the rock. “This is just real nice.”
Harlow sat on one side of her, Ava Mae on the other. Harlow linked her arm through Olivia’s, who went solid just in time. “I’m going to find a way to get you back on the mortal plane with us, even if it’s just for a visit.”
“That would be wonderful.” Olivia wondered if that would mean leaving Ava Mae behind. How did a mother make that kind of decision? “Tell me again, what happened to Augie?”
“Um…” Harlow rolled her lips in, making a tight line with them. “Short version is he had a disagreement with a woman that resulted in a run-in with some very bad individuals, but that situation is pretty much dealt with.”
“A woman?” Olivia knew she must look judgey, but she wasn’t about to have Augie breaking Harlow’s heart.
Harlow smiled. “Not like that.”
A new concern settled into Olivia’s gut. “His mother?”
“No. A senator, actually.” Harlow made a face. “You think his mother would cause him problems? I thought they weren’t on speaking terms.”
“They’re not as far as I know. That woman…” Olivia shook her head. “She nearly ruined his life. I wouldn’t put much past her.”
Harlow seemed unconvinced. “He’s Guardian of the city—and a good one. She’s got to know that. Got to be proud of him now.”
“I don’t think so.” Olivia sighed.
Ava Mae leaned against her, radiating worry and fear. “Mama.”
“What’s wrong?” Harlow asked. “Ava Mae looks upset.”
“She’s worried that I might be mad at her someday and not want to talk to her.” Olivia glanced at Ava Mae. “Hush, now, child. That’s never going to happen, so don’t you fret.” But as she turned back to her other daughter, distress darkened Harlow’s eyes. It was clear she loved Augie and plain that any hurt against him was a hurt against her. Olivia patted Harlow’s knee. “It’s all right. Better his mother leaves him alone than interferes.”
Harlow slid off the rock and onto her feet. “It’s not all right.” She kissed Olivia on the cheek. “I’ll be back soon to visit some more, I promise. I just better get home and make sure there’s nothing else I need to take care of with this business with the senator.” She waved at Ava Mae. “Bye.”
Ava Mae lifted her hand. “Bye.”
Olivia watched Harlow pull out her mirror and disappear. Her mother’s instinct told her home wasn’t where her daughter was headed and the thing she had to take care of didn’t involve the senator.
Harlow stared up at the enormous white building that loomed behind the stucco wall surrounding the property. This might be a bad idea, but she couldn’t talk herself out of it, because bad idea or not, it seemed like the right thing. Like a thing that needed to be done. Potentially.
Or at least something she felt compelled to do.
She stood on Ursulines Avenue, studying the solid wooden gate in the wall in front of her and remembering the last time she’d been here with Ava Mae inside her and Father Ogun as her guide. She shuddered, happy that was far behind her and hoping that this visit would give her a better memory of this place.
That would require her to figure out a way to locate the woman she needed to see, however. A woman whose name she didn’t even know. A woman whose face Harlow wouldn’t have been able to pick out of a lineup if there was a gun to her head.
She sighed and glanced down the street. Maybe this was a dumb idea. Maybe she should just go home and be with Augie.
No. Running away from things had never served her well in the past