I laugh again. “I hear that.”
Glancing up, I notice Farrow Kelly moving behind a tree. He’s protected my and Deacon’s home on Knock Hill from anyone who wanted it, but for some reason he stepped aside for Quinn Caruthers. He was right to.
“Maybe when I leave for college, I’ll change it,” A.J. tells me. “I want to go to Tulane. My grandma lives in New Orleans.”
I stop, lifting my eyes to the island beyond. “Is that right?” I whisper.
I didn’t know the Caruthers had family there.
“Interesting.”
“She always brings me pralines—a little lagniappe that she doesn’t give the boys.”
I nod and start to haul my brother up off the ground.
“Are you both from there?” she asks. “Or just you?”
I halt, crouched and still. How the hell did she know—?
“Your suit,” she points out. “It’s seersucker. It’s what southern men wear in the summer.”
Pivoting, I meet her eyes, level with mine.
“And you didn’t ask me what a lagniappe was.” She smirks a little. “Because you already knew andno oneknows what that means.”
Eyes locked on her, I can’t move all of a sudden. How old is she? Eleven?
Seven years, and she’ll be on her way to college.
“We’re from here,” I finally admit.
And then I get an idea.
“Can you keep a secret?” I ask her.
She jerks her chin, nodding.
“Do youwantto keep a secret?” I press.
I know I’ll speak to her again, but I don’t know when. I want her to be ready.
She tips her chin down once.
I lower my voice. “When your siblings and cousins all show up in New Orleans looking for me someday—whether you’re with them or you’re already there—you come find me, okay?”
I dig my keys out of my pocket and unhook the keychain, handing it to her. A bronze fleur-de-lis dangles from a bronze chain, and she takes it, studying it.Chimney Windis etched into the back.
She offers me a skeptical look. “What makes you think they’ll all go to New Orleans someday?”
I smile, rising, and drawing in a long breath. “Because you’re all smarter than I thought.”
Spinning back around, I grab my brother off the ground and throw him over my shoulder.
Turning, I bid her farewell. “Until next time, Adalia Junior.”
I leave, moving right, and keeping my eyes on the little island out on the lake for as long as I can till I’m too far away.
Lucas
