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trust Alaina arrived safely?” William asked.
    “She arrived safely, but I have some concerns about her ability to remain that way. Do you have some time to talk?”
    “Certainly. Let me open back up.”
    “Actually,” Carter interrupted him before he could unlock the door, “I could really use a cup of coffee and a Danish.”
    William smiled. “I would never say no to coffee and Danish. The café it is, then.”
    They walked in silence across the street to Calais Café and slid into a booth in the far corner. Only a couple of tables were occupied, but they were far enough away that they could speak freely without fear of being overheard.
    Seconds later, the waitress walked up. “Good evening, gentlemen,” she said with a big smile.
    “I don’t know about the ‘gentlemen’ part,” Carter joked.
    “Speak for yourself, young man,” William said.
    The waitress, a young, pretty girl named Connie, who’d turned up in Calais several months before, laughed at their exchange.
    “Trust me,” she said, “after working at a dive in New Orleans, I can assure you that the citizens of Calais are above reproach.”
    Carter smiled at the woman. “Then good evening to you, too.”
    William nodded. “As well from me.”
    “Are you having supper,” Connie asked, “or are you planning to cheat on supper with a Danish?”
    “Given that my supper is most likely microwavable,” Carter said, “ cheating is a strong word.”
    Connie shook her head. “The quality of the object is not the issue. Once you’ve committed to something, it’s still cheating. But I guess I’ll have pity on you. What about you, Mr. Duhon?”
    “I’ll be cheating as well,” William said, “but don’t tell Matilda.”
    Connie laughed as she walked away. William’s dedication to his late wife’s ancient white Persian was a commonly known fact in Calais.
    William glanced at Connie as she walked away, then looked back at Carter. “She’s a pretty girl. Seems nice, as well.”
    Something in William’s voice set Carter on high alert and he looked over at the attorney, taking in the slightly hopeful expression on his face. “Oh, no!” Carter said. “Don’t you even go there.”
    “Why, I didn’t say a word.”
    “Uh-huh. You and my mother are always ‘never saying a word.’ And all those words you’re never saying come back to the same thing—when am I going to settle down and give her grandkids.”
    Connie returned with a tray and placed the coffee and two enormous Danish on the table. “Enjoy,” she said and hurried away to greet customers entering the café.
    William took a bite of the Danish dripping with cream, and smiled. “Your mother is my oldest and dearest friend. I’d hardly be doing my job if I didn’t try to get her the things she wants most in life.”
    Carter stuffed a huge bite of Danish in his mouth and held up one finger until he managed to wash the pastry down with coffee. “Get her a puppy and tell her to make do. The whole ‘kids and white picket fence’ thing isn’t in my long-term plans.”
    The attorney sighed. “You’re still young. Perhaps you’ll change your mind and your mother can die a fulfilled woman.”
    “Ha! You’re not going to guilt me into shackling myself to some woman either. Look, I know you and my mother both had great marriages and both of you lost spouses way too early, but it’s not for everyone. Some people have such a narrow slot for entry that they never find someone who fits it.”
    “Some people board up that slot so that it is too narrow for others to enter.”
    “Perhaps, but that’s my choice. And besides, even if I had the Grand Canyon of slots, the last thing I’d want is a young, innocent, nice girl. Living with me would be hell on earth to someone like that.”
    Instantly, his thoughts flashed to Alaina. Now, there was a woman who wouldn’t let a man get the better of her. Likely, she’d get the best of any man she tangled with. He shook his head, wondering