Follow Your Heart (Catalina Cove #4) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,3

difficult.”

Victoria shrugged. “But don’t they always fight it, anyway?”

“Yes, but he needs to feel that he’s fallen in love with you on his own and not because he’s being manipulated. For that reason, keeping his identity from you is the only way. You’re going to have to trust me on this.”

Victoria did trust her great-grandmother, although she wasn’t sure this was the best approach. “Is it someone I already know?”

Releasing Victoria’s hand, Mama Laverne picked up her teacup and took a sip, then said, “I can’t tell you that, either.”

Victoria released a deep sigh. “But how will I know it’s him?”

Mama Laverne smiled. “Trust me, dear, you will know.”

PART 1

Your heart knows things that your mind can’t explain.

—Anonymous

CHAPTER ONE

Six months later

VICTORIA MADARIS ENTERED Susan’s Bakery and immediately inhaled the aroma of beignets. They smelled divine, which wasn’t a surprise, since this was a favorite shop for so many New Orleans locals—the line at the counter was long. She glanced at her watch to make sure she had time before heading over to the television station to prepare for her show and saw that she didn’t. The line was moving at a slow pace and waiting wasn’t an option today.

She had been elated when her boss, Mr. Richards, had called her into his office last month to let her know that due to her hard work and dedication, as well as her popularity with the television audience, she was getting promoted and would be switching from the morning slot to the noonday hour. She would be joining two other women in a very popular talk show called Talk It Up.

Guest slots had already been filled for the next six months and she was very impressed with the lineup. She knew the other two women, Debra Morris and Icelyn Crews, had been doing the show for a while. Debra was a veteran with the network and Victoria was eager to learn from her.

Victoria was about to turn around to leave when she hit what felt like a solid wall. It was only when a hand reached out to steady her and keep her from falling that she realized it hadn’t been a wall, but a man.

“Hey, you’re ‘Little Nolan,’ aren’t you?”

Victoria cringed. She hated when people who knew her oldest brother referred to her as if she didn’t have her own name or identity. She looked up into the smiling and handsome face of Tanner Jamison. Tanner was good friends with her brothers and male cousins. She was surprised he recognized her since it had been years since she’d last seen him.

She figured most women would have felt honored to have been recognized by one of the most eligible bachelors in Houston, and he was certainly that. Tanner was extremely good-looking. She remembered that he was best friends with her cousin Blade Madaris. In fact, she recalled that Blade, Tanner and another one of their close friends, Wyatt Bannister, had been known as notorious bachelors. Years ago, in her late teens, she’d eavesdropped on a conversation between one of her brothers and male cousins to learn just how notorious Blade, Tanner and Wyatt were.

Blade had since settled down and married Samari, and they had a beautiful little girl. However, last she heard, Tanner and Wyatt were still out there on the prowl and sowing their wild oats. “Yes, I’m Nolan’s sister, Victoria.”

His smile widened. “Victoria, that’s right. Now I recall Ms. Felicia Laverne mentioning that you were here in New Orleans.”

Victoria lifted an eyebrow when a red flag suddenly went up. When had he talked to her great-grandmother and why would her name come up in their conversation? “You talked to Mama Laverne?”

“I sure did. I dropped by Blade’s house earlier this year and she was there visiting. She’d made her delicious bread pudding and invited me to talk to her while we ate some and drank coffee. At least I drank coffee—Ms. Felicia Laverne had tea. We had a nice chat.”

“You did?”

“Yes.”

Victoria wanted to ask what their chat had been about, but knew that wouldn’t be the proper thing to do. However, she did want to know when their conversation took place. “And when exactly was this? I know you said earlier this year, but do you remember the exact month?”

If he found her inquiry odd, he didn’t say so. “It was in January,” he said. “I specifically remember the month because I dropped by to watch the NFL playoffs with Blade.”

Victoria nodded. Her grandmother had summoned her to Whispering Pines