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plan."
              "Humph. He better be ready to leave or he'll be looking for a new job. Laziest pilot I ever hired. Never done a decent day's work in his life."
              Her aunt's constant griping would try the patience of a saint, much less mere mortals! Mary breathed a sigh of relief as the airport loomed ahead and Jack turned onto the private runway. A single plane waited on the tarmac and she prayed that it was Elizavon's. As they drew nearer, she recognized Elizavon's tall pilot standing at the base of the short stairwell. He waved them forward.
              Elizavon stepped from the car and glanced toward the pilot as she covered the short distance to the plane. "For God's sakes, straighten your tie. I paid good money for that uniform; the least you can do is try to make it look halfway decent." Her cold blue eyes narrowed as she watched him tighten his tie and brush imaginary lint from his khaki-colored uniform. "Whenever you're finished doing your laundry in public, perhaps you can answer a question for me. Are we ready to go?"
              "Yes ma'am. We can leave as soon as you're aboard," he replied. Giving his tie one last brush, he tipped his fingers to his hat in a mock salute and moved to help Jack stow the luggage.
              Mary wiped her hands on the side of her pants. "I'm sorry you have to leave so soon..."
              "You and I both know you're glad to see me leave. Just make sure you send a statement every month." A wave of a gnarled hand dismissed her as Elizavon disappeared into the plane, followed by her pilot.
              The engines roared to life and as Mary stepped back, she felt the pressure of Jack's hand on her shoulder. "We'd better move so he can take off. Come on, I'd hate for them to be delayed."
              Nodding, she climbed into the car. "Sometimes even I don't think that woman has one kind bone in her body. There's no reason for her to be like that. What is it with her?"
              "Honey, some people like being miserable all the time. Elizavon's one of them. I tried to tell you that earlier."
              "I know. I just don't understand why she's like that. Mother wasn't like her. She was warm, loving and giving."
              "Well, just be thankful Elizavon's not your mother," Jack teased. "Otherwise, you might not have me as a husband--especially if you turned out to be like her."
              "No, you better be thankful I have my mother's personality. Otherwise you'd be in a heap of trouble, young man." Her dismal mood evaporated as they drove into town.
              "Do you have the list?" Jack asked as he pushed several coins into a parking meter.
              "Yes, it won't take us long. Why don't I buy you lunch at Melancon's Restaurant as a reward for being so patient?"
              "Nah. It's getting pretty late. Let's make it another day. I want to finish the work on the back porch before it gets dark."
              "I forgot about the loose railing. You're right."
              He flashed her a grin as he guided her down the street. "Aren't I always?"
              Her laugh turned into a frown as she stopped in front of the main hotel. The color drained from her face and her eyes widened to two round orbs. For several minutes she remained motionless, as if listening to some unknown conversation.
              Jack reached out and touched her arm. "Mary, what's wrong? What's going on?"
              She favored him with a blank stare, then a puzzled expression replaced her frown. "What...What did you say?"
              "What's wrong with you? You've been staring into space for the last five minutes."
              "I'm not sure. All of