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arrangements will create hundreds of new jobs and
provide employment, opportunities, and money for
many people, Ruby."
"You're beginning to sound like a big
businessman, all right," I said, and he laughed. "I suppose in my heart I always was.
Remember when I was only ten and I had my roadside
stand, selling my Cajun peanuts, the dried shrimp,
from my father's cannery?"
"Yes. You were very cute, dressing yourself
neatly in your shirt and little tie, having your cigar
box of change."
He smiled at his memories. "I never wanted to
charge you and your grandmere Catherine when you
walked by and stopped, but she wouldn't take it for nothing. 'You can't stay in business that way,' she told
me."
I nodded, remembering.
Paul gazed at Pearl for a moment and then
turned back to me. There was a deep dark look in his
blue eyes. I could see the hesitation, too.
"What is it, Paul?"
"I don't want you to think I was checking up on
you. I just called to see how you were."
"Called? When? Where?"
"The night before last, when you were at the
hotel in New Orleans," he said.
My heart throbbed in triple time as I held my
breath. "What time?" I asked softly.
"After eleven. I didn't want to call too late for
fear I might wake you, but . ."
I turned away.
