Free Night Magic by Lynn Emery Page B

Marie's famous pralines and handmade
crafts, they became an instant hit.
    When not in the shop helping
customers or taking care of business details, she was with Paul.
Her attempts to keep him at arm's length had failed in big way. She
found it impossible not to respond to him after that night on her
front porch. Her skin tingled deliciously at the memory of his
kiss, so sweet and hot. Thinking about being in his arms filled her
with a scrumptious warmth that streamed over her. Savannah blushed
at the memory of how he so easily evoked such burning desire with
the lightest touch. Yet this strong physical attraction was only
part of it. I love his mind, too. Savannah giggled to herself. Without thinking, she
had gradually accepted him into her life. It was as if he had
always belonged there. Her father, not an easy man to please when
it came to men dating his little girl, expressed his approval by
the absence of a scowl whenever his name was mentioned. Yet he did
have his reservations.
    "This was a pretty good day, cher. Them
carvings of deer and nutria are sellin' fast. I'm gone have to take
a couple of days to work on some more. Maybe I'll get T-Leon to
work a few extra days helping you in the shop."Antoine held up the
list of the few remaining wood carvings left on the shelf.
    "Sure, Poppy. That would be fine." Savannah
had hired the high school student through a program that helped
troubled and low income teens find part-time work. Just a little
attention from Antoine had worked wonders on T-Leon's attitude.
Once sulky and resistant, he now seemed eager to come to work. The
phone rang.
    "Hi, Paul. Sure, here she is." Antoine handed
her receiver. Continuing to work, he listened as they made plans to
meet later.
    "Y'all goin' out again tonight?"
    "Just to the Fish Net. Paul rented a couple
of movies we've both been wanting to see." She smiled to
herself.
    "Be careful, sugar. Remember you just met
him."
    "I thought you liked Paul. You and Tante
Marie practically pushed us together."
    "Paul is a fine young man, but you don't know
much about him." Antoine fidgeted with a pencil.
    "What do you mean? Have you heard something?"
Savannah looked up sharply. She could feel her stomach muscles
tighten.
    "No, no. Nothing but, well he's working for
Trosclair on that plant you know," Antoine spoke quickly.
    "No he's not, poppy. He's an independent
consultant who is being paid by a third party to assess the site
and the possible environmental impact." Savannah knew she sounded a
bit too defensive. It was probably because she still had doubts
about his relationship with Trosclair.
    "I just don't want you to get hurt again,
baby. Like with that Devin fella."
    "I can take care of myself, thank you." She
softened her tone. She planted a playful kiss on his forehead
before sitting down to continue her work. "You just concentrate on
how you are going to spend all this money you've been making
lately."
    "Poo, I don't need much. Maybe I'll get me
some new fishin' gear."
    Savannah's mind was only half on the papers
in front of her. Was it her imagination, or had her father seemed
to hold something back? She went over their short conversation
several times. No, he was just being a dutiful father. She pushed
her misgivings away as she remembered the way Paul's handsome face
became beautiful when he smiled at her, the strong outline of his
jaw, the way he tenderly touched her face while they kissed. She
repeated the defense of Paul that she had given to her father to
herself. Reassured, she was finally able to focus the task in front
of her.
     
    *****
    "Whew! You wore me out." Paul slumped onto
the couch fanning himself with exaggerated motions.
    "Get off it. A big strong man like you ought
to be able to hang. Come on now, get up, get down. Oo-wee."
Savannah swayed rhythmically while pulling him to her.
    "Woman, you wanna give me a heart attack?
Rest, I need rest."
    "Pitiful." Laughing, she turned off the
seventies disco music. She sat next to him on