The Letter(22)

“All ready to go.” She flicked off the light switch and pulled the door closed behind her, checking first to make sure she had her door key.

“I called Rebecca and told her what happened and that we’re spending the night. Didn’t want her to worry.”

“Oh, I should have thought to do that.” Madeline wasn’t used to the intricacies of a small town, but common courtesy should have told her that Rebecca would worry if she didn’t show up. Gil had his manners firmly in place, that was for sure.“Thanks for calling her.” Madeline followed Gil down the carpeted hallway to the elevator. “So where are we going to eat?”

“Well, if you don’t mind casual, I’ll take you to one of my favorite places to eat in the French Quarter. I mean, there are great fancy places here, but I really enjoy this out-of-the-way cafe. Good food, good prices, cold beer.”

“Ah, cold beer. That settles it.” She felt a smile chase across her face. “No, really, that sounds fine.”

“Best muffalettas in the city.”

Only the city? Not the county? But she didn’t say that. “That sounds great but… what’s a muffaletta?”

“Seriously? Only the best sandwich in the world. Meats, provolone cheese, marinated with this olive salad-y dressing stuff. On a round sesame bread that is about the best bread ever.”

“That sounds good.”

“Trust me, it is.”

The wind had picked up and it was fairly chilly as they walked down the streets. She shivered, wishing she had a heavier jacket and a scarf.

“Cold?” Gil asked.

“A bit.”

He placed his arm around her shoulder and tucked her close to his side. He was so warm. How could he be that warm with just a shirt and light jacket? She had on a sweater under her jacket and was still chilly. His warmth seeped into her and he slowed his pace to keep in step with her.

The crowds had picked up as the night had fallen. It would seem that the chill didn’t keep people away from an evening out in the French Quarter. The Quarter was filled with people, music, lights, and thrumming, pulsing movement. She was glad to be tucked safely at Gil’s side, because more than once she almost stumbled on the uneven sidewalk as she gawked around at the sights, and Gil deftly kept her from falling.

“I should pay more attention to where I’m walking, but there’s just so much to see.”

“There is. I’ve been coming to New Orleans since I was a small boy, so it all seems familiar to me. I bet it’s something to see it the first time as an adult.”

“I’ve never seen a city anything like this.”

“I’m pretty sure it’s a one–of-a-kind city. Especially the French Quarter area.” He steered her across the street. “Here we are.”

The warmth of the restaurant replaced the warmth of Gil’s body—which she wasn’t going to admit she missed. She did not miss it. Not one bit.

A waitress sat them at a table by the window.

“Decatur Street.” Gil nodded towards the street out the window. “That’s Jax Brewery across the street. Behind that are train tracks for the trolley, then the river is just beyond that.”

“I’d love to see all that in the day time.”

“Maybe we could wander around a bit tomorrow after we meet Paul.”

“I’d like that, if you don’t have to get right back to the store.” She wasn’t sure how much this was inconveniencing Gil, being away from his store. She felt badly that she’d hauled him on this much longer than planned expedition.

“I called Lou and told him I’d be out all day. There’s no problem.”

“Well, I’d like that.”

Gil nodded and reached for a menu. “You game to try the muffaletta?”

“Yes, I’d like to.”

“What would you like to drink? They have Abita beer here. Local beer. Really good. You a beer drinker?”

“Sometimes. I think I’ll try it.” She might as well have all new food and drink to go with her all new experience of the French Quarter.

The waitress came back to take their order.

“Two muffalettas and two Abita Amber beers.” Gil turned to Madeline. “Maddy, a bottle okay with you, or do you need a glass?”

Maddy. There was that nickname again.

“Bottle is fine,” she guessed. She usually got a glass, but she was determined to go with whatever he suggested tonight, explore the unknown. If drinking out of a beer bottle could really be described as unknown.

Their waitress soon came back with their beer. Madeline tentatively took a sip.

Gil raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, I like it.” She was surprised. It was smooth tasting and flavorful. She could maybe become a beer drinker after all.