barely budged.
Ava Mae ignored the twinge of panic her failure brought on. She fought harder and this time succeeded in wresting back control. With a shuddering breath, she yanked the strap of her purse onto her shoulder and hurried into the restaurant. There was no time to waste. She smiled brightly as she approached the table. “Rufus, you beat me here.”
He looked up from his paper and met her smile with one of his own. He folded the paper and set it aside. “Don’t you look lovely. I’m so glad you could join me. I’ve ordered a couple of Sazeracs. Have you had one before?”
She sat, shaking her head. “No, what is it?”
“My dear, it’s the signature drink of New Orleans. It was invented right here in the French Quarter. I thought it might be a nice way to celebrate our new friendship.”
She struggled to hold on to her smile. Her past experiences with alcohol weren’t very good. What if something bad happened this time? What if he was trying to get her drunk? He wouldn’t do that, would he? He had no reason to. Plus it would be rude to turn down the drink. And she needed his help. “I agree. To new friends.”
A server arrived with the drinks. She stared at hers.
He picked his up to toast, then hesitated. “You seem nervous.”
“I think I’m what you’d call a lightweight.”
“I see.” He put his glass down, his smile gentle and warm. “Then why don’t you skip it? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“You don’t care if I don’t drink it?”
“Not at all.” His smile widened. “Although, if it’s all the same to you, I’m going to drink mine.” He laughed. “In fact, I’m probably going to have another.”
She was making a big deal about nothing. She picked up her glass. “Here’s to friends.”
He lifted his as well. “All right then. To friends and a future that brings us both what we desire.”
She sipped the tawny liquid, the sweet but bitter taste swirling over her tongue. “Not bad.”
“You’d probably like something more fruity.”
She shrugged. “I don’t drink enough to know, really. My mother liked mint juleps. That’s not a bad drink.” She quickly put her hand up like a stop sign. “Not that I want one.”
He chuckled and leaned forward. “They make a great raspberry tea here. Let me get you one of those.” He waved the server over and ordered.
Lunch was as light and pleasant as she’d hoped. Rufus knew everything there was to know about the city and told the most amazing stories. By the end of the meal, she felt like she’d known him for years. But they still hadn’t talked much about her problem and what he could do to help. Every time she brought the subject up, he danced around it.
Finally, lunch was over, the bill paid—something she’d argued with him about, but he’d insisted on picking up the tab—and it was time to go. Other than Harlow’s silent irritation, her presence had been almost forgettable. Ava Mae and Ogun left together.
As they hit the sidewalk Ogun tipped his hat back, a straw fedora with a bright blue band, and took a long look around them, eyeing each passerby with suspicion. “I know you want to talk about your situation, but I don’t trust open spaces. How about we go for a walk to somewhere I like better?”
“Okay.” Anywhere he felt comfortable was fine with her. She matched his pace.
“We’re not far and it’s a spot you should see anyway. Lot of history in where we’re headed.”
“Is there any place around here that doesn’t have history?”
He laughed. “No, I guess not.” They walked a few blocks, finally approaching a large compound surrounded by a high plastered wall. Behind the wall, the second and third stories of a large, rectangular building were visible. He pushed open an arched wooden gate for her to go through. “Here we are. The Ursuline Convent.”
She paused, her feet still on the sidewalk. “Can you… that is, your… people, can they go in places like this?”
He snorted. “Child, I’m a voodoo doctor, not a vampire. We hold dear to the church.” He waved a hand through the air, pushing her comment away. “But I suppose this is all new to you. Even your Augustine’s a religious man. Well, he was. Not sure about that lately. His mother, now there’s a woman who clings to the cross.”
Ava Mae walked through the gate. “Really?” This was interesting. Anything she could learn about