Casey's Gamble (Raising Cane)

by Eve Gaddy

• ISBN13: 9780373711222
• ISBN10: 0373711220
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-04-01
• Publisher: Harlequin

Excerpts

 

"Angelique!" Duke Fontaine yelled up the curving spiral staircase. "If you're not down here in ten minutes, I swear I'll leave without you." Casey Fontaine bit her lip and refrained from pointing out to her father that if he left without his wife the trip could hardly be called a second honeymoon. Her brother Jackson came down the stairs carrying yet another piece of luggage, an expensive, flowered hanging bag. With a grimace, he set it down by the growing pile beside the front door. Duke ran a hand over thick auburn hair, graying at the temples, and shook his head. "My God, how many clothes does one woman need on a trip?" He glanced up the stairs and his face softened. "But then, Angelique is always magnifique ." He turned to his children and scowled. "Jackson, Casey, come into the study. I have some instructions for you." "Let's see, how many sets of instructions does this make?" Casey muttered to Jackson. "Fifteen and counting. But cheer up. Maman can't have too much more to do. I think she's packed everything she owns. They'll be out of here soon. God willing." "I'm really happy they're going on this trip around the world," Casey said. "But Duke's been driving me insane for the past two weeks. I'm not sure how much more of this I can stand." "You and me both," her brother agreed, following her into their father's study. It was a beautiful room, papered in a masculine brocade with gleaming wood and lush leather. A rich Aubusson carpet partially covered the hardwood floor. As always, Duke sat behind the imposing cherry-wood desk, an almost tangible aura of power emanating from him. "You have all the numbers I left? And you'll call me if anything, anything at all comes up?" "Of course, Duke," Casey said, laying a restraining hand on her brother's arm. It chafed both of them that their father treated them like children unable to think for themselves. "Casey and I are perfectly capable of running the plantation," Jackson said, an edge to his voice. Duke leveled a hard stare at him, then smiled. "You're wishing me straight to the devil, aren't you." When Jackson didn't answer, he laughed. "Don't worry, we'll be out of your hair soon enough. Assuming your mother ever finishes packing. Casey, go see what's keeping her. Maybe you can get her to hurry." Her mother would be ready in her own sweet time, but Casey did as he asked, if only to escape the study and more instructions. When she reached the stairs she saw her niece Megan crouching beneath them. "Megan? Honey, is something wrong?" Megan came out and looked at her solemnly, her dark, curly hair still tousled from sleep. "Aunt Casey, is Daddy -" She hesitated and dug her toe into the thick rug. "Is Daddy goin' away?" she finally whispered. Casey squatted down to get on eye level. Poor kid. She'd only been living with Jackson for a few weeks, and was obviously still unsure about things. "Granmére and Granpére are going on a trip, honey. Not your Daddy. At least, not right now," she added conscientiously, remembering the business trips Jackson often had to take. Megan sniffed and looked up at her, big brown eyes sparkling with tears. "Mommy went away." "I know." Casey hugged her. "But your daddy won't. And if he does, he'll be back before you know it." The little girl stared at her a moment, then nodded shyly. "'Kay," she said, and scampered away. "Casey, where is your father?" Angelique asked as she glided down the stairs. Casey glanced at her mother, wondering idly how the woman always managed to be such a picture of grace. Not much of that grace had rubbed off on her daughter, Casey thought with a grin. "In the study, Maman. He told me to find you and hurry you up." Angelique smiled vaguely, her blond, perfectly coiffed hair glinting in the sunlight. "Dear Duke. He's always so impatient. I must have my makeup kit. My Louis Vuitton. You know the one I mean." "But Maman, I thought you'd already packed your makeup." Oh brother, if she hadn't even packed that bag, no telling how long it would be before they left. Or how long it would be before some kind of peace settled over the big house. She curbed a sigh of exasperation, knowing it wouldn't faze Angelique. "I do have a bag packed, but I discovered a rip in the lining and it simply won't do. I must have the Louis Vuitton." "I'll see if Aunt Esme knows where it is," Casey said, resigning herself to a search through the attic. Half an hour later, the entire household waved Duke and Angelique off. Casey looked at Jackson. "I guess a high-five is out of the question." His lips twitched but he shook his head. "How long do you think it will be before Duke calls us?" "Not as soon as he thinks." She grinned and shot a glance at her brother. "He told Maman to be sure and take the mobile phone. I saw her dump it in the palm tree right before they left." Jackson laughed. "Good for Maman. Well, I'd better get to work." "That's right. We're in charge now, Jackson," she said. "Temporarily, anyway. But that won't last a day past Duke's return." "Does it bother you so much?" Casey asked. "That Duke thinks we can't run the plantation without him?" Jackson shrugged. "Don't tell me it doesn't get to you sometimes, too." "Of course it does. Luckily for me, he's not as interested in the farm. And speaking of the farm, I hear the cane calling me." Finally, she could get back to doing what she really wanted. Growing sugarcane. (Continues...)

Excerpted from Casey's Gamble by Eve Gaddy Copyright © 2003 by Harlequin Enterprises Ltd.
Excerpted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.