In the mornings, when he went through the house—and it was always quiet—he detoured into the kitchen, where she was continuously cooking. Today she had the day off and Marie insisted Amaryllis actually take the time off, which she hadn’t since Malichai had been there.
He dressed and went down the long hallway, his footsteps whispering on the tiled floor. He liked when it was so peaceful and still, before all the guests rose and he could hear the sounds of conversations coming from every direction, sometimes making it difficult to block out the noise.
He paused for a moment, thinking about the times he’d woken with that feeling of conspiracy so strong in him. Was he as paranoid as Burnell? Had he dreamt the whispers? Was he finally losing his mind? He knew it happened to soldiers, especially ones like him.
“Good morning, Malichai,” Marie greeted cheerfully when he stood in the doorway, draping himself against the doorjamb. “You’re up early.”
“I’m used to getting up at the crack of dawn,” he admitted. “I like the peace of it. The colors in the sky as the sun comes up. It’s especially beautiful in the swamp,” he added.
“I’d like to see that someday.” Marie whisked the eggs to pour over the other ingredients for her egg casseroles. She made several of them for the guests.
“You say the word and we’ll have you and Jacy for a visit. You’d love Nonny, and the girls would love to meet Jacy. We can show you all the most beautiful spots and feed you good Cajun food.”
“I’d like that. You’ve been such a joy around here, Malichai. Amaryllis and I will miss you when you’re gone.”
“Amaryllis,” he repeated, grateful for the opening. “How long have you known her now?”
“Just a little over a year. I met her in a grocery store. It was the best day ever. I was desperate for someone to work with me. I’d hired person after person, but they never actually wanted to work. She just pitches in and does everything. She learns fast too. Jacy began to get sick and I couldn’t manage the B and B and her illness. I thought I’d have to close and then I found Amaryllis. She’s been such a help to me as well as being a real friend.”
“She’s beautiful,” Malichai said.
Marie nodded. “That she is.”
“Someday, I’m going to take her away with me,” he warned, shocking himself.
She turned slowly to look at him. “I was afraid of that, but I want her happy, Malichai. You’ve only known her a week. You need to give it more time.”
He nodded. “I’ve been thinking about that. I know the place is always booked up, but I can sleep anywhere. If you don’t have room, I can find another place. I’ve got quite a bit of leave racked up and since my leg isn’t healing as fast as they’d like . . .” Deliberately, he played the sympathy card.
“Wait. Your leg?”
He didn’t smirk, although she’d bought right into it. He knew she would. Marie was a very compassionate lady. “I’m pararescue. My last mission was to bring some boys home and we ran into a little trouble. Got my leg shot up. Nothing too serious.”
“Malichai, you should have told me. You’ve been in my kitchen, doing dishes every night, standing. I feel terrible.”
“My choice, Marie. I wanted to help out. I’d feel useless sitting on the beach. I just don’t know how to do that kind of thing. I’ve enjoyed helping out, not to mention, I was able to spend time with Amaryllis.”
“She’s really wonderful.”
“Has she mentioned her parents to you? She never talks about them.”
Marie shook her head. “No, she doesn’t talk about her past at all, and I respect that. I hope you do too. When she wants you to know, she’ll tell you.”
He didn’t think that was true. He thought Amaryllis would run before she’d admit she was one of Dr. Whitney’s experiments.
“What can you tell me about that little magic shop in the alley? Do you know the owner?”
Marie’s eyes lit up. “I know most of the shop owners around me. We all try to help one another out. I have all the brochures and advertisements for each of the shops close to me, both sides of that alley and down the block. Miss Crystal owns the store. She’s about eighty, but very spry, you’d never know that was her age. She has a little apartment in the back of the store. We have tea sometimes after the season’s over.”
“What do you know about her?”
“Her husband was a magician, a very popular one for a time. Unfortunately, she lost him some years ago to cancer. They both loved the business and amassed all kinds of magic collections through the years. They never had children and she often lamented to me about not having anyone to take over the store. She said she was afraid the memories would die out with the memorabilia. I suggested selling but she said she just couldn’t. She wouldn’t have anything to live for if she did that. Is there a reason you’re asking?”