Free Scarlet Butterfly by Sandra Chastain Page B

professed to no great knowledge of shopping, he had a keen eye for women’s clothing. She’d never been shopping with anyone who let her make her own choices. Still, his enthusiasm was hard to resist, and when they were done she’d followed his wishes almost completely.
    Finally, Rogan left Carolina as she was changing in to one of her new dresses. He returned shortly carrying a parcel of his own. Carolina was wearing a bright blue sundress with matching shoes. Shelooked like sunshine, and a smile of approval replaced Rogan’s customary frown.
    They walked back along the docks, listening to the squawking gulls, watching the tourists snapping pictures, and buying souvenirs. Rogan bought her a pair of funky earrings that clamped on the side of her ear and sounded like musical bells when she moved her head. Time passed so pleasantly that she protested when Rogan said that it was lunchtime and she needed to rest. They headed back to the truck and Ridgeway Inn, where Ida welcomed them warmly.
    “Come inside. Carolina, I was worried about you when that storm blew in and you didn’t come back. Then Harry turned up and said you were with Rogan. And you”—she hugged Rogan and gave him a sharp look—“are you behaving yourself?”
    “After the glowing lies you gave Carolina about my character, why would you ask such a question, Ida?”
    “Because I’ve seen the wild beast hidden in those eyes, and you weren’t expecting Beauty here to drop in. I’m glad to see you’re getting along. I wasn’t sure that the sheriff hadn’t arrested you.”
    “Oh, you heard about the boat?”
    “Boat? No. I heard about Carolina’s father. He’s burning up the telephone lines between here and Texas.”
    “Father? How did he find me? I intended to call him, but the storm isolated us and Mr. Rogan didn’t have a phone. He didn’t know where I was going. I even bought my ticket under an assumed name.”
    Rogan thought for a minute, then turned his gaze to face Carolina. “How’d you pay for the ticket, Goldilocks?”
    “With cash. I didn’t want him to trace me too quickly.”
    “And the rental car?”
    “Oh, no. The charge card. They wouldn’t let me take it without a charge card number. Now he’ll come after me.”
    “So? You’re old enough to make your own decisions. If you don’t want to go home, tell him.”
    “I will. Right after lunch,” she added with more confidence. “I’ll call him. Right now, I’m starved.”
    Ida showed them to a table overlooking the river. “Just sit right here and enjoy the sunshine. You look like you could use some, and some good food too. I’ll bring it.”
    They sat for a long time, just watching the dark water flowing by the open veranda. Between the porch and the water was a gentle slope that showed the evidence of a rising river’s ravages.
    “It’s so peaceful here, Rogan. I can understand why Jacob and Carolina came here.”
    “You’re such a romantic, Goldilocks, such an optimist.”
    “And you, Rogan, what are you? Why’d you turn your back on your family?”
    “Who told you about my family?”
    “Nobody, at least nobody but you. Your brother refused to tell me anything more than what was in the article. It said that your family has been in south Georgia for a hundred years. They once owned most of this corner of the state. Before the War Between the States they were into farming and shipping. Do you really own newspapers and television stations?”
    “Not anymore. All I own is one 1850’s schoonerand a hundred acres on the river. The rest belongs to two brothers and three sisters.”
    “But the article said your family is worth millions.”
    “Yep. Although we’ve tried our damnedest to lose it over the years, it kept on expanding.”
    “You were the chairman of the board. And you just walked away?”
    “Wrong. I didn’t walk. I ran, as hard as I could.”
    “Why would you do that? Don’t you care about your family?”
    “Let’s just say that it’s