Free Tiana by Helen Perelman Page B

it.”
    â€œYou have nothing to be nervous about,” Louis said as he strolled into the kitchen. “Listen, I wrote this song for you.” He did a quick scat on his trumpet.
    The song made Tiana sway to the beat and forget to be nervous. The jazz tune was so catchy it made her smile.

    â€œI love that song,” Tiana said. “Will you play it tonight?”
    â€œOf course!” Louis replied. “Giselle has never let me down, and your cooking won’t either.” He patted his trumpet. “Tiana, you are the best cook in New Orleans, and Jono La Crème is gonna love this place.”
    Tiana hugged Louis. He was a true friend. She pulled back and smiled up at him, realizing he was also a very tall friend!
    â€œLouis, could you reach that large red pot on the top shelf?” she asked. She pointed to the far end of the kitchen. “I need to make jambalaya and want to use the biggest pot I have.”
    â€œSure thing,” Louis said. He was more than happy to help out Tiana. He easily reached the heavy pot and put it down on the stove. “Just save me some of that jambalaya!” He licked his lips. “And some gumbo, étouffée, bread pudding, and a plateful of beignets!”
    â€œPromise,” Tiana said, smiling. Then she spotted the kitchen clock and gasped. “I didn’t realize the time! I’ve got to get down to the French Market. I need to have the freshest fish today.”
    â€œI can go for you,” Naveen offered.
    â€œAre you sure?” Tiana asked. “You wouldn’t mind?”
    â€œNot at all, Princess,” her prince replied.
    â€œI can go with you,” Louis said. “I tend to clear a crowd. That way we can get to the fish place quickly.” He swayed his head and giggled.
    â€œThat would be fantastic,” Naveen said. “I’ll need a hand with the shipment. If I know Tiana, she ordered enough fish for an entire kingdom!” He smiled at his wife.
    â€œI would appreciate that very much,” Tiana told them. “There should be one large crate of fish. Murray the fisherman was going to put aside the best selection for me.”
    â€œWe’ll go now,” Naveen said. He touched Tiana on the arm. “Tonight is going to be great.”
    Tiana went back to chopping her vegetables. She only looked up when there was a knock at the back door. “What are you doing here so early?” Tiana exclaimed when she saw who was standing there.
    Her mother, Eudora, gave her a tight squeeze. “When Lottie told me the news, I had to come over right away,” she said. “Jono La Crème, coming here? I wanted to help if I could.”
    â€œEverything is happening so quickly,” Tiana said. “And I want the evening to be perfect.”
    Touching Tiana’s cheek, her mother smiled. “One ingredient at a time,” she said, “just like your daddy taught you.”
    Tiana was glad her mother had come early. Having her in the kitchen would help Tiana focus on her cooking.
    â€œI brought you something,” Eudora said. She drew a large box from her bag. “For your opening night.”
    Tiana pulled a beautiful blue silk dress with sparkles all over it out of the box. Her mother was an amazing seamstress, so she always knew just what to make. “This is beautiful,” she murmured.

    â€œFit for a princess, don’t you think?” her mother said with a smile. “I made the dress especially for you. There’s something else in there as well. Look.”
    Tiana dug deeper into the box and pulled out a crisp, white apron trimmed with bows and a ruffle. “Mama, it’s gorgeous! I love it!”
    She slipped the apron on. “This is just the thing for opening night. Thank you for everything, and for being here today.”
    â€œI wouldn’t have missed this night for anything!” she exclaimed, kissing the top of Tiana’s head. “You