The Sun Rises Over Seven Sisters Read online

  Come on, slowpoke!

  I sent a smiley emoticon back and slid my swollen feet into my sandals. I tossed my wallet, keys and makeup bag into a purse that matched my dress, then scanned myself in the mirror. I suddenly regretted my attire choice. This bright yellow dress made me look like Big Bird, but I couldn’t change now. It was sleeveless with white flowers at the collar and along the hem. It was still warm out even though fall was approaching, and I wanted to wear this dress at least once more before the baby arrived. As if he heard me thinking about him—oops, did I say him?—he moved a foot or an elbow and jammed me in the side.

  “Okay, settle down. We’ll have lunch soon. You ready, kiddo?”

  As I pulled the yellow purse strap over my shoulder, I heard a nearly inaudible whisper. I froze in the doorway trying to discern where it was coming from. I glanced down at my phone, hoping it was an audio text, but there was nothing on the device. “Who’s there?” I called, my voice echoing down the hall of my Victorian home. “Doreen?”

  Nobody answered. I walked slowly across the hardwood hallway and stood at the top of the stairs. This was a dangerous place to stand. Isla had tried to kill Detra Ann here in this spot. I did not linger but moved quickly and carefully down the stairs. “Hello?” I called again. The only response was from the curious puppy, who believed I must have had a snack hidden in my hand. His fuzzy round face took the fear out of me, and I smiled at him and inelegantly squatted down to pat his head. “I’ll be back. No accidents while I’m gone, okay?” He jumped up and licked me affectionately. I doubted he really understood a word I was saying.

  I made the short drive to Detra Ann’s house. Well, it was really Detra Ann and Henri’s house. The two were nearly inseparable now. It was only a matter of time before they took the big step. I wondered when Henri would pop the question. He sure was taking his time. Detra Ann rarely talked about TD anymore.

  Henri, on the other hand, was actively searching for Aleezabeth, as he had promised Lenore he would. He was committed to the task, and he spent quite a bit of time traveling to Louisiana. We’d traveled with him a few times and spent some weekends in New Orleans with him. The food, the people, the beautiful architecture—I could see why so many people loved the place.

  I pulled into the driveway of Detra Ann’s home and took a deep breath. There were at least a dozen cars, most of which I recognized. It looked like Ashland had made it on time. I smiled, hoping he would be in a good mood. I didn’t plan on telling him about my dream, not right now. He had enough to worry about, but I wanted to mention that I had seen Lenore. Maybe he was seeing her too? For some reason, Ashland was always reluctant to talk about the things he saw unless forced to. He was a private man, but he had a warm heart and the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. I was completely in love with him. He had changed my life.

  I suddenly remembered the letter from my mother. “Oh, shoot!” I muttered. I had left it on the coffee table at home. I couldn’t worry about that right now. Maybe Ashland and I could read it together later.

  Grabbing my purse and locking my car, I walked up the brick walkway to the lovely Creole home. Detra Ann had finally bought her own place, and it was chock full of antiques from her store, Cotton City Treasures. She had a flair for displays, and it showed. I rang the bell, and she opened it dramatically. “Should I say surprise?”

  I laughed and hugged her. “Not unless you want me to pee on myself.”

  She laughed too. “I’m just teasing. Come on in here. Look at your belly. That’s going to be a big boy! I mean girl. Maybe you’ll have one of each.”

  “Please don’t say that,” I said, ready to cry at the idea.

  She hugged me again, “I’m sorry. I forgot how sensitive preggos can be. I’m sure there is just one baby in there. And he—or she—is perfect.”

  “Hey, baby!” Ashland walked toward me and scooped me into his arms. “What’s this? Are you crying?”

  Detra Ann frowned a bit. “It’s all my fault, Ash. I’m an insensitive friend. The kind who suggests she’s carrying two youngins in there. Just for that, I volunteer to babysit anytime you need me.” She kissed my cheek, and I smiled back, wiping away the ridiculous tears. “Y’all come out to the patio when you get ready. Henri thought it would be fun to have this shindig by the pool, and it’s only a ‘little’ hot. He’s been cooking, and it’s going to be delicious.”

  “Sounds wonderful. Don’t worry about me. I’ve just got the blues today. And my side is killing me. This kid can kick like you wouldn’t believe.”

  She laughed and said, “I’ll get you something to drink and meet you on the patio.”

  Ashland looked down at me with concern. “What kind of pain are you having? Should we call the doctor?”

  With a weak smile and faux confidence, I shook my head. “I don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about. The last time I mentioned it, Dr. Gilmore said it was probably just my ligaments stretching. I have never heard of contractions in your side, but hey, I’m new to all this childbearing stuff. How did it go today?”

  “Nothing I can’t manage.” He gave a small laugh that didn’t sound too cheerful. “Did you hear back from the project manager for the Idlewood house?”

  “No. I get the feeling that he wasn’t expecting all the red tape. I’m going to back off on the project until after the baby. I’ll call him tomorrow and tell him. He’ll probably be happy to hear it. Might give him some time to get his act together. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  He held me in his arms and kissed my forehead. “Stop worrying. Today was just another Monday.”

  “It’s Friday, babe.”

  “Exactly.” He hugged me and whispered, “I love you, Carrie Jo.”

  “I love you too, Ashland. Please don’t make me cry again.”

  “Ha! How is telling you I love you going to make you cry?”

  “You’ve obviously never been pregnant.” I kissed him and released him.

  “What’s going on that I don’t know about?”

  With a guilty look I answered, “How did you know?”

  “I just know.”

  “Nothing big, just a dream and a letter. Can we talk about it after the party? Junior or Junior-ette is starving.”

  He didn’t like the compromise, but how could he argue with a hungry child? “All right, but no secrets, remember?” I nodded in agreement. “Oh, wait. I got you this.”

  He walked to the nearby table and handed me a corsage box with a genuine smile. Ashland was definitely one to shower a girl with flowers. I loved that about him. “How beautiful! Are those Bourbon roses?” I knew they were, but I was enjoying the conversation. This was the first time in recent days that he’d smiled. “Put it on me.” I held my arm out, and he slid the fluffy corsage arrangement on my wrist. “I love it, Ashland. It’s beautiful.”

  “Not as beautiful as you, Carrie Jo Stuart.”

  I rubbed my hands over my belly and turned sideways. “Really? Even with this big belly?”

  “Yes, and you get more beautiful every day.” I kissed him again, and we walked hand in hand to the patio where our group of friends waited patiently. They applauded as we walked through the open French doors. I smiled at all the faces and accepted hugs from everyone. Chip and Rachel were the first to wish us well. They were on-again, off-again, but I was happy to see them together, at least for the moment. Henri wore one of his many aprons; this one said: Cooking Up Something Good. By the smell of it, I knew that was true. Nobody cooked like Henri. And as I predicted, Libby Stevenson, Ashland’s attorney, made an appearance. I noticed she recently ditched her long dark hair in favor of a sassy bob. It flattered her angular face. I wondered why she bothered to come when we barely spoke to one another, except in passing. I supposed she came as Ashland’s guest. Libby had one of those smiles that never quite made it to her eyes, the kind of smile you couldn’t trust.

  Whatever, lady, I said to myself. I chose to ignore her but shot Ashland a look. He gazed back at me que
stioningly. I didn’t bother explaining; I shouldn’t have to. Less than a minute ago, we were practically making out. Now I wanted to choke him.

  Detra Ann spoke up, “Let’s get this party started! We’re here to welcome Baby Stuart. Thank you all for coming—now let’s play some games.” For the next 45 minutes we played goofy games and ate crab puffs, gumbo and mini cheesecakes. I laughed about a hundred times and opened a seemingly endless pile of gifts. Jazz played quietly in the background, and Henri surprised me with a beautiful cake.

  “Oh my gosh! You bake too?” I dipped my finger into the frosting and tasted it. It was my party, right? Cream cheese frosting so light it tasted like heaven. “When are you going to marry this man? He can do it all.” Everyone got quiet, and I felt embarrassed. I hadn’t meant to meddle in their business!

  Detra Ann just smiled at me. “Funny you should mention that.” She held up her left hand and waved her fingers at me.

  “What? Does that ring mean what I think it does?” It was almost as big as mine, and it shone beautifully against her tanned skin. “Oh my gosh! That is beautiful! When? Where?”

  Henri smiled and put his arm around Detra Ann. “Last week at the LSU game. I have a friend who works in the booth, and they let me pop the question over the Jumbotron. You should have seen her face.”

  She squeezed his hand and smiled at me. “Only Henri would do something like that. I thought he was pranking me at first. Until he whipped out this big ol’ ring. How could I say no?”

  “Why didn’t you tell me? Ashland, did you know about this?” He smiled sheepishly and raised his hands as if to say, I had nothing to do with this.

  “We didn’t want to overshadow the shower. This is y’all’s party. We planned to have an engagement party after the baby arrives. We’ll tell the whole world then.”

  I felt the tears again for about the fifteenth time that day. This was getting beyond ridiculous. “You guys. That is so wonderful. I am so happy for you both.” I hugged Detra Ann, thankful that she had made it through her dark times and found someone as amazing as Henri. She hadn’t drunk a drop since Lenore’s death, and her antique business was booming. I was so happy for her. She deserved some happiness. Didn’t we all?

  It appeared that most at the shower had not heard the news, and everyone offered congratulations. “I’m so happy for you both,” Libby said in her deep, sultry voice as she hugged Detra Ann halfheartedly. Detra Ann accepted the hug, but I saw her stiffen a bit. She gave Libby an icy smile and moved on to the next person.

  I accepted a slice of the cake and sat by the pool listening to Bob Marley and the Wailers and watching my friends. Soon people began to say their goodbyes. Rachel was one of the first. “Sorry, CJ, I have to go. Chip’s mother is being a pain in the arse.”

  “Hey, that’s my mom you’re talking about,” he said defensively.

  “And she’s a pain in the arse.” Rachel rolled her eyes at him and hugged me. “You coming in tomorrow? I have that tree mapped but…” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I think there’s something you should see.”

  “Really? What is it? Are there pirates in the Stuart tree? I would expect nothing less,” I joked.

  “It’s better to show you than tell you. I promise I’ll fill you in tomorrow. I’ll be there at 9.”

  “Call me curious! Of course I’ll be there. Thanks, Rachel.”

  She smiled and left with Chip. I started picking up plates when Detra Ann stopped me. “No, ma’am. No cleaning of any sort. This is your party. Henri and I will take care of this. I think you better figure out where you’re going to put all these gifts. Did you drive the BMW?”

  “Yep, and Ash drove the Jeep, so we should be okay. I hope. You guys are so generous. I’m going to have to get a bigger house just to have enough room for all this,” I said with a laugh.

  “No doubt you will.” She finished off her glass of punch and observed the remnants of the party. “Wonder why she came?”

  “Who’s that?” I asked, munching on sugared pecans. She glanced toward Libby. “Oh, her. I don’t know. Well, I probably don’t want to know.”

  “Remember when she said, ‘I wish you both happiness,’ or however she put it?”

  “Yes.”

  “She didn’t mean it. My bells went off big time. I mean, why say anything? She’s such a liar. Like I said, I don’t know why she came. I sure as heck didn’t invite her. I don’t think she likes anyone here, except Ashland. But then she always was a loner, even in school. Her brother was pretty nice, though.”

  “Really? I didn’t know you guys went to school together. I think we both know why she’s here, right?” I rolled my eyes. The young attorney wouldn’t be the first woman to have a second thought about my husband. He had practically been a household name before the stranger from Savannah nabbed him. I knew for a fact that half the Historical Society still held a grudge because Ashland married a girl from Georgia and not a “belle from Mobile proper.”

  “Libby is barking up the wrong tree if she’s after Ashland. He’s not going to do you like that.”

  I wiped the sugar from my lips with a yellow napkin. Detra Ann had Ashland’s and my initials printed on the napkins, cups and plates. It was a nice touch. I had to remember to keep one for my neglected scrapbook.

  As if she heard her name, Libby strolled over to us, her mules slapping on the brick. “Can I help you ladies with something? Need help loading your stuff, Carrie Jo?”

  “I think we have it. Thanks.”

  She stared at me a moment and said, “Well, I guess I’ll go, then. Nice party.”

  As she walked away I felt like a jerk. Not every woman on the planet wanted my husband. Right?

  “Nice of you to come, Libby,” I called after her. She didn’t act like she heard me. Instead, she stood on tiptoe and whispered to Ashland. He leaned down to hear her, and she took advantage of the nearness. Her arms went around his neck, and she hugged him. With her whole body. It was kind of embarrassing. Ash seemed surprised, and he patted her back like she was a child. My raging pregnancy hormones wanted me to slap her into the pool, but I kept my head. Always listen to your instincts, CJ, I warned myself.

  Detra Ann made a disgusted, snorting sound and yelled, “Ash, we need your help over here.”

  He said something to Libby, and she left the party. I felt my face flush with embarrassment. Henri sensed the tension and said, “Let’s see if we can get this bassinet in the Jeep. If not, I know it will fit in the truck.”

  “Wonderful party, Detra Ann. Thank you.” Avoiding Ashland’s eyes, I grabbed a couple bags and headed to the door. I was ready for this day to be over. I felt tired, I had eaten too much, and the green-eyed monster threatened to make an appearance. Detra Ann smiled understandingly and helped me carry the baby’s gifts to the car. Thirty minutes later I was headed home with Ashland’s Jeep behind me. The way I was feeling, most of this stuff was going to stay in the car overnight. I couldn’t imagine hauling it all inside. My puffy feet would never allow that. What made me eat all those crab legs? I felt the sharp pain in my side again, and this time it was so severe I caught my breath.

  “Oh God, oh God, oh God,” I said as a kind of chant against the pain. Soon it subsided, and I pulled into the driveway. Putting the car in park, I leaned over the steering wheel and waited, hoping it didn’t happen again. Ashland seemed oblivious as he juggled pastel-colored gift bags and house keys. When I was sure I was okay, I got out of the car with my purse and a few bags.

  Walking up the drive I could feel an oppressive cloud, an unhappy fog unseen by human eye but felt by the spirit. It wasn’t a presence, per se, more like bad mojo—or something. I looked up and down the street; the sun was going down now, and the afternoon traffic had dissipated. Compared to my neighbors’ front yard, my flowerbeds looked forlorn and forgotten. Even my newly planted mums had croaked. Why did everything in my yard look dead? I walked up the driveway and almost tripped over a cat. It was the largest black cat I had ever s
een outside of the zoo.

  “What in the world? Where did you come from?” Like a bolt of lightning, Chunky Boy (that’s what I’d decided to call him) ran out of the house after it. “Hey! Come back!”

  Ashland was out the door and running past me. “Damn! I’ll get him.”

  I wanted to say something smart like, “Serves you right for leaving the front door wide open,” but I kept my mouth shut. I shook my head and headed for the front door when I heard a car slam on its brakes. Chunky Boy yelped, and I dropped my bags. As I ran down to the end of the driveway, I could see Ashland bent over in the street. He picked up Chunky Boy as the driver got out to apologize.

  “Oh, I am so sorry. He came out of nowhere. Is he okay?”

  Even from this distance, I could see he wasn’t. His white fur was covered in blood, and he was clearly lifeless.

  For the umpteenth time today I let the tears flow. This time I actually had a reason.

  Chapter Three—Rachel

  “I’ve been an unofficial member of the Seven Sisters ghostbusting team from the beginning, but nobody talks much about what happened over there,” I complained again. Chip nodded as I continued, “I do believe that Carrie Jo is a dream catcher, though. She’s not a huckster. In fact, she’s one of the most honest people I know.”

  His eye roll revealed he had a different opinion. Gee. That’s pretty close-minded of you, Chip. I decided to change the subject a bit. “What have you heard about the house?”

  “I know I’m glad to be out of there, and I can’t wait until you’ve finished up with it completely. Then I won’t worry so much. Too many rumors about that place. Did you know it’s on the Ghost Hunters website? I think those guys are trying to get in there. You know, to investigate.”

  “Oh really, nonbeliever? If there’s no such thing as ghosts, what would they possibly investigate?”

  “I never said there wasn’t, but dream catching? I thought that was some Indian myth.”

  “I think the term you are looking for is Native American,” I scolded him. Chip always said the most inappropriate things. He was so unsophisticated. I couldn’t believe I’d even agreed to go out with him, much less do anything else with him. I quickly added, “But for your information, I’m not afraid of the house. I like helping out the Historical Society, and it’s a big deal for Mobile. Besides, if I didn’t manage the tours at Seven Sisters, who knows what they’d tell the visitors? I wonder about what they teach kids in school these days. Everyone should know the history of the city they live in.”