Heaven in a Wildflower by Patricia Hagan Page B

any way, by anyone.
    He accepted her offer and, even though it was a futile gesture, impulsively asked if she’d like to come to his pirogue later to share them.
    “I really wish I could,” she said sincerely but explained that Raymond had been invited for dinner. To soothe his disappointment, even though he was acting as if it didn’t matter, she rushed to share the news of their expected houseguests and how she’d have more free time with her mother and Claudia so busy.
    “Anjele, I can’t sneak out of the field very often,” he reminded her soberly, “but we’ve still got the evenings, if you can manage to get away.”
    “But it’s hard for me to sneak out till after everyone’s gone to bed, and that can be terribly late sometimes, especially with all the entertainment Mother is planning for the next month.”
    “Well, we’ll work it out.” He reached to squeeze her hand. “I said I’d show you a good time this summer, and I will. I don’t mind waiting at the willow, as long as I know you’ll try to be there.”
    “I’ll do my best. I promise.”
    Their eyes met and held. In that frozen instant, Brett was again waging an inner battle, for he desperately wanted to hold her, kiss her, while Anjele dared to wonder what it would be like if he did.
    His line gave a jerk, but the wily catfish got away before he could yank him in. Still, Brett was grateful for the diversion, which allowed the tension to melt away.
     
     
    Dinner-table conversation centered on the expected arrival of their guests the next morning. Even Claudia was caught up in the excitement and didn’t behave as she usually did when Raymond was present by hanging onto his every word while gazing at him adoringly. He seemed more relaxed and at ease and even volunteered to help entertain the Pardees by hosting a visit to a horse race when he returned from a planned trip to Kentucky.
    “Is this a business trip?” Elton was quick to inquire. He was not impressed with the young man’s preoccupation with having a good time rather than establishing himself in some kind of respectable business. Elton held to the conviction that it didn’t matter how much money a man had, he needed to work at something productive.
    Raymond didn’t notice Elton’s disapproving frown as he explained he was going to buy horses and would be away nearly a month. “There are several farms I plan to visit. It’s beautiful country up there, and this is a wonderful time to visit.”
    “I wouldn’t know,” Elton remarked tightly. “I have to work.”
    Raymond shrugged, unmoved by the barb. He was used to the planters looking down on him, and it didn’t bother him a bit.
    Anjele surprised everyone by unexpectedly pointing out, “If you were willing to live here, Raymond, you could keep your horses here, instead of boarding them at the racetracks.”
    “Mother would have a fit, and besides, I don’t want to live with my horses, for heaven’s sake. I just want to visit them once in a while. I’m afraid I’d never be happy anywhere but in the heart of a city.”
    But it doesn’t matter how I feel, Anjele silently, sadly, cried.
    She could feel her father looking at her and turned to see the sympathy mirrored on his face. He reached to pat her hand, and for an instant, she was reminded of how he always seemed to understand what she was feeling, and how very much she loved him for it.
     
     
    The house was spotless, with vases of freshly picked flowers in every room. Twyla had instructed Anjele and Claudia to wear their Sunday best. Lemonade and fig cake were ready to be served. Even the household servants were wearing special uniforms.
    It was nearly noon when Claudia, having kept a vigil at the front of the house since early morning, frantically called, “They’re here. I can see the carriage coming up the road.”
    Anjele, reading in the parlor, grimaced as she glanced at the clock. If Gator had been able to get away for a little while that morning, no