Page 58 of The High Tide Club
“But that’s the day after tomorrow,” Louette said. “That means I got to get guest rooms ready and beds made up. Get some groceries in here… that’s more company than we’ve had since, well, I don’t rightly know when.”
“They’re not staying at Shellhaven. In fact, they’re not even staying on the island. Except maybe Varina and Felicia, who I guess will stay with one of the nieces and nephews. The other woman, Lizzie, I’ll get her a room on the mainland, and of course, my mother will be staying with me.”
“Am I allowed to know why these folks are coming over here?” Louette asked, returning to the stove. “Something to do with Miss Josephine’s will?”
“Something like that,” Brooke said. “I’m sure Josephine will tell you what she wants as far as food.”
“Lord Jesus,” Louette muttered. “Now I got to get that dining room straightened out. Got to get me a grocery list together, probably need to bake some rolls and pies…”
The kitchen door swung open just then, and Gabe Wynant stuck his head inside. “Her Majesty has retreated to her bedchamber for a nap,” he announced with a grin. “And we’re dismissed.”
***
When they got back to St. Ann’s, Gabe followed Brooke to the restaurant where she’d promised him lunch, parking beside her in the nearly full lot outside Screen Door Seafood.
“Really?” Gabe nodded toward the restaurant behind him. “This is your idea of an awesome place to dine?”
In its past life, the building had been a wholesale seafood processing plant, and a pair of shrimp boats were still tied up to a wharf that ran along the riverfront. The low-slung rusting corrugated steel building was perched on wooden pilings, with large rollup doors on the side facing the street. These had once provided access to refrigerated tractor-trailer rigs. Now the doors were rolled up, with metal-cased windows revealing tables crowded with happy diners.
“Trust me,” Brooke said. “You’re gonna love it.”
***
“Miss Brooke!” The young black man’s face lit up with a wide smile, revealing a row of gleaming gold-capped front teeth. He flung muscular arms around her shoulders and hugged her tightly.
“Table for one like usual?” he asked, but before she could answer, he spotted Gabe and released her.
“Hey there! I bet you’re Miss Brooke’s daddy.” He grabbed Gabe’s hand and pumped it enthusiastically. “How you doin’? I’m Myles. I wanna tell you, this daughter of yours is a great lawyer. Really. She helped my mama so much. Took care of business. She’s a great lawyer, sir, and I know you’re real proud of her.”
Gabe’s face turned crimson.
“Uh, Myles, this is actually my friend and associate, Gabe. He’s a lawyer too.”
“Oh. Me and my big mouth.” Myles slapped his forehead, then shook Gabe’s hand again. “Wow, man, I’m sorry. I just… well, I know Miss Brooke don’t have no husband, so I figured, you know, white-haired dude… hey, man, no offense.”
“None taken,” Gabe said quickly. “Although, for the record, heractualfather is at least twenty years older than I am. And not nearly as good looking.”
“Heh-heh.” Myles grabbed two menus and flagged down a passing waitress. “Hey, Addie, take Miss Brooke to that two-top by the window and treat ’em real special, you hear?”
***
“That was awkward,” Brooke said after they were seated at a prime table overlooking the river.
“Brutal,” Gabe agreed.
Their waitress reappeared at their table with a frosty pitcher of frozen margaritas, two oversized goblets, and a complementary basket of hush puppies. “From Myles,” she said. “On the house.”
Brooke glanced at the host stand, and Myles waved and flashed her a thumbs-up, which she returned.
“Your buddy Myles is certainly a big fan,” Gabe said. “How’d you meet him?”
She took a gulp of the margarita, then fanned her face. “Sorry. Brain freeze. Gimme a minute.”
He waited.
“Myles’s mom, Lillian, works in the county clerk’s office, which is where I spend a lot of time. Anyway, Lillian hired some crooked contractor to put a new roof on her house. The guy ripped the old roof off, then demanded payment in full before he’d finish the job. She paid, and of course, he cashed the check and never came back. Even left his ladder, the dumbass. Lillian hired me, and I went after him in small claims court. She got her roof and even some damages. So now I’m a superhero in the eyes of the extended King family.”
“Did you get paid?” Gabe asked.
