“Yes, but he needs to feel that he’s fallen in love with you on his own and not because he’s being manipulated. For that reason, keeping his identity from you is the only way. You’re going to have to trust me on this.”
Victoria did trust her great-grandmother, although she wasn’t sure this was the best approach. “Is it someone I already know?”
Releasing Victoria’s hand, Mama Laverne picked up her teacup and took a sip, then said, “I can’t tell you that, either.”
Victoria released a deep sigh. “But how will I know it’s him?”
Mama Laverne smiled. “Trust me, dear, you will know.”
PART 1
Your heart knows things that your mind can’t explain.
—Anonymous
CHAPTER ONE
Six months later
VICTORIA MADARIS ENTERED Susan’s Bakery and immediately inhaled the aroma of beignets. They smelled divine, which wasn’t a surprise, since this was a favorite shop for so many New Orleans locals—the line at the counter was long. She glanced at her watch to make sure she had time before heading over to the television station to prepare for her show and saw that she didn’t. The line was moving at a slow pace and waiting wasn’t an option today.
She had been elated when her boss, Mr. Richards, had called her into his office last month to let her know that due to her hard work and dedication, as well as her popularity with the television audience, she was getting promoted and would be switching from the morning slot to the noonday hour. She would be joining two other women in a very popular talk show called Talk It Up.
Guest slots had already been filled for the next six months and she was very impressed with the lineup. She knew the other two women, Debra Morris and Icelyn Crews, had been doing the show for a while. Debra was a veteran with the network and Victoria was eager to learn from her.
Victoria was about to turn around to leave when she hit what felt like a solid wall. It was only when a hand reached out to steady her and keep her from falling that she realized it hadn’t been a wall, but a man.
“Hey, you’re ‘Little Nolan,’ aren’t you?”
Victoria cringed. She hated when people who knew her oldest brother referred to her as if she didn’t have her own name or identity. She looked up into the smiling and handsome face of Tanner Jamison. Tanner was good friends with her brothers and male cousins. She was surprised he recognized her since it had been years since she’d last seen him.
She figured most women would have felt honored to have been recognized by one of the most eligible bachelors in Houston, and he was certainly that. Tanner was extremely good-looking. She remembered that he was best friends with her cousin Blade Madaris. In fact, she recalled that Blade, Tanner and another one of their close friends, Wyatt Bannister, had been known as notorious bachelors. Years ago, in her late teens, she’d eavesdropped on a conversation between one of her brothers and male cousins to learn just how notorious Blade, Tanner and Wyatt were.
Blade had since settled down and married Samari, and they had a beautiful little girl. However, last she heard, Tanner and Wyatt were still out there on the prowl and sowing their wild oats. “Yes, I’m Nolan’s sister, Victoria.”
His smile widened. “Victoria, that’s right. Now I recall Ms. Felicia Laverne mentioning that you were here in New Orleans.”
Victoria lifted an eyebrow when a red flag suddenly went up. When had he talked to her great-grandmother and why would her name come up in their conversation? “You talked to Mama Laverne?”
“I sure did. I dropped by Blade’s house earlier this year and she was there visiting. She’d made her delicious bread pudding and invited me to talk to her while we ate some and drank coffee. At least I drank coffee—Ms. Felicia Laverne had tea. We had a nice chat.”
“You did?”
“Yes.”
Victoria wanted to ask what their chat had been about, but knew that wouldn’t be the proper thing to do. However, she did want to know when their conversation took place. “And when exactly was this? I know you said earlier this year, but do you remember the exact month?”
If he found her inquiry odd, he didn’t say so. “It was in January,” he said. “I specifically remember the month because I dropped by to watch the NFL playoffs with Blade.”
Victoria nodded. Her grandmother had summoned her to Whispering Pines in February...the month after her chat with Tanner. Interesting.
“Ms. Felicia Laverne even gave me a couple of gift cards to this bakery,” he said, and nodded. “She said the owner was the granddaughter of an old friend who’d sent her a few gift cards as a Christmas gift. Since she knew I was headed this way, she passed those gift cards on to me.”
Umm...interesting. Her great-grandmother had given some of the same gift cards to her, as well. Had she done so hoping that she and Tanner would run in to each other here? “That was nice of Mama Laverne.”
“I thought so, too. She knows how much I like sweets and was looking out for me.”
Victoria shook her head. The man was being played and didn’t even know it. She was about to ask him more about his meeting with her great-grandmother and the gift cards when he asked her a question.
“How do you like New Orleans, Victoria?”
She couldn’t help but notice all the female attention Tanner was getting. Because of her brothers and older male cousins, she was used to seeing women’s reactions to them. Some things never changed when it came to a good-looking man and she had to hand it to him. Tanner was definitely good-looking.
“I like it. I’ve been working at a television station here for almost two years now, but I live in Catalina Cove. That’s an hour drive from here.”
“I’m familiar with the place. It’s a beautiful little town.”
“Yes, it is,” she agreed. “Are you in town visiting or sightseeing?” she asked him.
“No. I’m opening a new club in town.”
“You are?”
“Yes, it’s the third Gentlemen’s Club to open and the first one outside of Texas.”
Victoria had heard all about the Gentlemen’s Clubs that he co-owned with Blade and Wyatt. From overhearing her brothers talk, the members of the all-male club were far from being gentlemen of any kind. She’d heard what went on in their clubs, especially about the strippers who were hired to entertain the men. All legal, but definitely pushed to the extreme. Women who went to the club had to be invited by the members. “Congratulations on the opening of your new club. I’m sure it will do well. Now if you will excuse—”