Gage closed the trunk and moved to open the door for the ladies.
Jade started to climb into the rear seat but Maylene stopped her. “No, no, dear. I will sit in the back.”
“Oh, but I don’t mind,” Jade said, thinking it would be difficult for the older woman to maneuver into the small space.
“It’s no trouble. Besides, I want to visit and it’s easier for me to lean forward than to strain my neck looking back.” Maylene squeezed past Jade and slipped easily into the rear seat, arranged her skirt and jacket, put on her seat belt, and smiled demurely.
Gage watched this exchange with what appeared to be mild amusement. With a shrug, Jade got in and he closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side of the car. When he eased his large frame behind the wheel, he shot Jade a quick glance. She could read nothing from the look.
In the tight confines of the sporty car, Gage’s cologne was a subtle but compelling presence. Cooking with Grandma helped Jade identify some of its elements. A hint of fresh citrus, a rosemary spiciness, and an undertone of jasmine, all blended into a wonderfully woodsy scent that heightened her awareness of the man who wore it.
She shook her head at the feelings she was having. It was her first trip to New Orleans and she should be looking at the sights, not sneaking peeks at Gage Pichot. Still, she found her eyes drawn to his powerful legs as he worked the accelerator and the sight of his strong hands on the wheel. His clean nails, trimmed short. His curls of dark hair on his wrists, disappearing beneath his jacket sleeve. His expensive watch and the absence of a wedding ring. And then there was the fact that his arm grazed hers when he changed lanes or turned a corner. Even this innocent contact put her senses on high alert. There was no denying the appeal of this man.
They had left the airport behind, driving down Airport Road, which in turn changed to Interstate 10. Jade observed that Gage managed to keep an even distance at all times from the car in front of them; now that they’d left the airport she saw that he hardly used the foot pedals. He must have noticed her interest because he said, “The car has adaptive cruise control which regulates the speed of the vehicle in line with the speed of the vehicle in front. Just about drives itself.”
“Wow! That’s cool,” Jade said, before looking over her shoulder as Maylene asked a question.
“So, Jade, how was your flight? They didn’t serve a meal, did they?”
“Oh, the flight was perfect, no turbulence at all. And no, we weren’t in the air long enough for a meal, though they did pass out a miniature bag of nuts and drinks. I had a Coke.”
Maylene made a few other polite inquiries and Jade responded in kind.
Mr. Pichot said little, but she felt the press of his silent scrutiny. His eyes held tacit suspicion each time he looked at her. She was convinced, inexplicably, that if they were alone, he would be interrogating her. Was she being silly or was her intuition accurate? The notion was rather intriguing, she decided, as she wondered what was going on in the man’s handsome head.
“I was hoping you’d be able to spend the summer here, Jade. Is there any reason you have to return home so soon?” Maylene probed. “We have so much to talk about, so much to learn about each other. Two weeks is hardly any time at all! Couldn’t you possibly extend your visit?”
“I’m afraid not. I still have some issues that need to be addressed over Grandma’s death,” Jade told her, a sad look sweeping her face.
“But I’ve made so many plans. Just visiting the sights will take more than two weeks.”
“I’m sorry, Maylene.”
“We have such amazing attractions, you know,” Maylene enticed. “Places that should be enjoyed at leisure.”
“I’m sure it’s all fascinating,” Jade said, tearing her eyes away from Gage’s profile. “I’ve looked at tourist sites online since I took up your offer to