He thought about that.She was younger. We were in her past, but she was seeing us the way we are now.
But did she remember that when she came to New Orleans to find us?
Again, there was no sure answer.
We could have warned her.
About something that was going to happen a quarter century later?
She made a rough sound.I guess you’re right.
We had to get away.
She nodded against his shoulder.
When he started to sit up, she kept her hand on his arm.Stay with me for a while.
He lay back down and tried to relax, but he knew she felt his tension–mental and physical.
Finally she rolled to her side.Okay. Go check your computer.
Sorry.
No, you’re right. We can’t just stay here enjoying ourselves. We have to figure out where the Solomon Clinic is.
He got up and got the laptop that he’d brought. When he turned back, he saw her straightening the bed.
Setting the computer down again, he helped her pull up the sheet, blanket and spread.
As she reached for her bra and panties, he stifled his impulse to stop her.
Modesty.
Less fun.
More focus on business.
As a concession to that idea, he pulled on his briefs before punching up the pillow and climbing back into bed.
Rachel moved beside him so she could see the screen while he did a Google search.
He put in the date he thought was right for their visit, then the Solomon Clinic and the Waterside Restaurant.
In seconds the search engine had come back with the name of a town.
Houma, Louisiana.
They looked at each other.
“Not too far from here. I guess you were right about which direction to head in.” He checked a little farther. “The Waterside Restaurant’s still there.” It had a Web site, and he clicked on a picture of the deck out back which didn’t look too different from when they’d seen it before, although the furniture had been updated.
“Maybe we can get some crawfish étouffée. And some information.”
Maybe we have to be cautious. Eric Smithson might be waiting in town, hoping we’ll show up.
How would he know we’d go there?
If he knows about the place, he might assume we’d be trying to find out about it. But we have to take that chance.
