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arrangements will create hundreds of new jobs and

provide employment, opportunities, and money for

many people, Ruby."

"You're beginning to sound like a big

businessman, all right," I said, and he laughed. "I suppose in my heart I always was.

Remember when I was only ten and I had my roadside

stand, selling my Cajun peanuts, the dried shrimp,

from my father's cannery?"

"Yes. You were very cute, dressing yourself

neatly in your shirt and little tie, having your cigar

box of change."

He smiled at his memories. "I never wanted to

charge you and your grandmere Catherine when you

walked by and stopped, but she wouldn't take it for nothing. 'You can't stay in business that way,' she told

me."

I nodded, remembering.

Paul gazed at Pearl for a moment and then

turned back to me. There was a deep dark look in his

blue eyes. I could see the hesitation, too.

"What is it, Paul?"

"I don't want you to think I was checking up on

you. I just called to see how you were."

"Called? When? Where?"

"The night before last, when you were at the

hotel in New Orleans," he said.

My heart throbbed in triple time as I held my

breath. "What time?" I asked softly.

"After eleven. I didn't want to call too late for

fear I might wake you, but . ."

I turned away.