Grand Hotel (A Geek An Angel) Read online

  The Grand Hotel

  &

  Grand Isles Ball

  A Geek an Angel Series

  The Grand IslesChristmas Ball

  Where it all began…

  A Novel

  By

  J.A. JACKSON

  A Geek, an Angel & the Grand Isles Ball . Copyright© by Jerreece A Jackson

  United States Copyright Office filed 01-15-2013

  Electronically #TXu1-946-603

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Acknowledgments

  I am truly thankful to God for his blessing me with a talent and love for all things to do with writing.

  Next, I’d like to give out a big endless gratitude of thanks and appreciation for the wonderful support and editorial guidance of my editor the very knowledgeable Mr. Rossi V. Jackson.

  Also a special thanks to my sisters Kay, Shelia and Marie. I am so grateful to you for your support and love. And to my brothers Ray and Eric I thank you for your support and love also. Randy, know that you are always missed.

  Special thanks to the incredible man in my life, my husband who believed in my writing and supported my dreams.

  To my readers and fans I am forever grateful. Thank you.

  This Book is dedicated to Rossi, Daddy & Mommy always….

  Prologue

  The Grand Isles Ball – 1987

  Pearl La Cour strolled across the marbled lobby. She headed for the back entrance behind the elevators. It was rarely used, quiet and dimly lit. She hoped no one saw her. The window doors afforded a view to the overflow parking garage across the street. She furrowed her eyebrows, focusing attentively. There it was, the classic black Cadillac pulling in. She smiled at the memories of it.

  Nervously she glanced at herself in the mirror across from her. She pushed back on her hair making sure nothing was out of place.

  She looked out of the door. The man crossed the street heading towards her. Pearl wanted to pinch herself. It was him.

  His classic tuxedo clung to him in all the right places as he strolled gracefully towards her. She’d been waiting for him.

  The man glanced through the door at her. Instant recognition dawned.

  She was determined to speak to him alone. She glanced sideways. Her hand shook as she took a few steps toward the door.

  A tall man, dressed impeccably with a commanding presence, walked up and opened the door.

  The man she was waiting for greeted the other man.

  Pearl watched as the two men engaged in conversation. She heard the tall man ask the man a barrage of questions.

  Pearl closed her eyes, realizing that the man asking the questions wasn’t in a hurry. She didn’t want to seem impatient. When she opened her eyes the man she was waiting for was staring at her. He gave her a soft smile.

  Pearl felt spellbound. She tilted her head and smiled back.

  All at once an excited voice sliced the air.

  “Mom!”

  Pearl jumped.

  A young girl’s voice called out. “Mom, Dad said to come and look for you.”

  The man walked closer, stopped and he held Pearl’s gaze.

  “Ah! Lacey baby,” she exclaimed, glancing between her daughter and the man quickly.

  The man raised his eyebrows, glanced at the little girl and then winked.

  Pearl’s eyes followed the man’s line of sight. She flinched.

  Her daughter Lacey was too excited about the message she carried to notice the man.

  Silently the man smiled and nodded softly. He walked on.

  “Mommy! Did you hear me? Dad is looking for you,” Lacey said.

  Pearl breathed out a sigh of relief. Her daughter Lacey hadn’t even noticed who the man was. As usual her daughter’s mind was only on the mission her father had sent her out to accomplish. Making sure he kept track of where she was at all times.

  “Lacey Kadira Catherine La Cour I heard you,” Pearl sternly said, clasping her daughters hand in hers.

  She turned and inspected her daughter. Gently, her fingers straightened an out of place strand of her hair.

  “What does your father want this time, Lacey honey?”

  “Dad said he needs you to come and help him sort things out. He said to tell you he’s lost without you. Edwina Johnson’s mother is putting up a big stink because Dad said she can’t judge the queen pageant this year. Dad said it’s because her niece, Mona Johnson is competing. He doesn’t want a big mess on his hands like last year when Layla Cushman was a judge and her niece Leah Cushman won.”

  “No, I guess we don’t,” Pearl said with a smile, thinking about her husband Louis La Cour.

  Suddenly Lacey twisted her hands and gave her mother the strangest look. “Mommy? What about the ghosts?”

  “Ghosts? What is that Lacey?”

  “Edwina Johnson said there’s a lady that walks the halls of this hotel at night. And Maëlle said it was true.”

  Pearl stopped and took a step back. She kept watching her daughter.

  “Maëlle said she’s an angel who protects people. Do ghosts protect people Mommy? I thought angels were the protectors.”

  Pearl looked back at her daughter. She didn’t want to show anxiety at the subject of her daughter’s conversation. Maëlle Mallard was her daughter’s best friend. The two had been friends from as far back as she could remember. The safest thing to do was to see where this was going. “What else did Maëlle say?”

  “Well Maëlle said that an angel can be a ghost sometimes. If the situation calls for them to be one or if they need to protect someone.”

  “Well Lacey, I guess it sounds like Maëlle has really thought this one out,” Pearl nodded. “Well, we’d better get back and help your father,” she said leading the way.

  Chapter 1

  The Grand Isles Ball……December 1987

  Players, Mischief Makers & other underachievers

  Pearl La Cour almost felt sorry for her husband Louis as she watched him from across the room. He looked lonely, sad and tormented, standing between the women expressing their discontent over some important issues.

  Suddenly Louis La Cour looked her way. His eyes pleaded for help. Then, instantly, his gaze shifted and his eyes alerted hers.

  She looked up just in time to see Monty Wildfire pushing his way through the crowd. She watched the crowd and she saw familiar faces from the tight-knit old families. Many had moved to California from the state of Louisiana.

  “Pearl Fanay Andries, I thought that was you. I spotted you from across the room. My goodness you look gorgeous in that dress,” Monty said grabbing her hand and making a show of kissing it. His eyes slowly roamed up and down her body.

  Pearl wore a silver strapless, taffeta, floor length evening gown with a matching chiffon extra long scarf that cascaded and flowed after her as she walked.

  “Hi Monty, that’s Mrs. Pearl Fanay Andries-La Cour” she said. “I’m married remember?”

  Monty’s dark eyes observed her. He rubbed his jaw as he licked his lips. Damn Pearl, I’m trying to forget! He thought taking a deep breath.

  Monty Wildfire was a very handsome man, rich, educated and well mannered.

  “You know Monty; I will never understand why you never use my married name.”

  Monty laughed out. He liked to laugh. “And I will never understand why Louis always leaves you alone at events like this. Doesn’t he know how yummy you are?”

  Pearl rolled her eyes.

  Someone cleared their throat.

&nb
sp; A tall man in a tuxedo walked past them.

  Pearls heart pounded like a hammer in her chest. The man she was waiting for earlier walked past. He was in deep conversation with Mrs. Tobias Johnson. She was a blue rinsed haired elderly matron who always insisted on everyone calling her Mrs. Tobias Johnson.

  The man held Mrs. Tobias Johnson’s arm with his arm while helping her walk back to her table.

  Pearl knew she stared at them a little too long. She shrugged and turned back to Monty. Out of the corner of her eyes she caught sight of a woman in a hot pink dress with an intense stare at the back of Monty’s head, coming toward them.

  “Oh Monty, don’t look now but I think the president of your fan club is coming.”

  The woman in the hot pink dress headed their way as if she was being hotly pursued by an army of giants. She stopped abruptly and quickly extended her hand. “Hi, I’m Celica Baptiste. I’m Monty Wildfire’s date for tonight.”

  Monty coughed. “Just for tonight,” he mumbled under his breath.

  It was obvious that Monty Wildfire was trying to pretend he wasn’t with the woman. Her loud hot pink dress stood out badly at the Christmas Ball.

  Pearl didn’t bat an eye. She knew what it was like not to be fashion conscious. She hadn’t been born into money. She’d married it. “Hello Celica. I’m Pearl, Mrs. Pearl La Cour.”

  Celica Baptiste’s body build was awkward. She had manly shoulders that seemed too large for her body. The cut of her dress didn’t fit her body. But her smile was pretty. It lit up her face.

  “You know Celica; I believe I’ve heard your name before. You are on the board at the Valley Women’s Guild?”

  Celica smiled bright and nodded. “Yes I still am,” she announced with pride.

  Pearl smiled. “I think the Guild does a great job helping the community. Your meetings are always charged with raw energy.”

  “You’re telling me. Sometimes I think I should bring my boxing gloves,” she said, her eyes growing wide. “I’ve seen you at a couple of meetings also and I’ve always wanted to talk to you. But I always have to help the Secretary. She’s my mother’s sister. Aunt Dolly Baptiste. She practically raised me.”

  Monty Wildfire cleared his throat. “Too much information Celica my dear,” he warned.

  Pearl coughed under her breath.

  Monty ignored Pearl’s smirk. “Pearl darling,” he said. We’d like to arrange a private meeting with you and Louis. We have a proposition for a charity fundraising event. Tell you what, I’ll call Louis and arrange a date.”

  Pearl’s thoughts raced. She hoped it wasn’t another stupid suggestion to hold a charity auction. At the last charity auction Monty used the event to unload a shipment of bubble gum machines that he couldn’t sell. “Okay, sure Monty,” she turned and nodded at Celica. “It was nice to meet you.”

  Monty hesitated. His voice was sympathetic. “Celica do me a big favor and go check our seats. Make sure there is a reserve sign on them. This place is filling up fast. Oh and grab us both a glass of champagne.”

  “Sure Monty.”

  Monty waited and a second after Celica was out of his sight he leaned over close and whispered. “Pearl, I saw how you looked at that man that just walked by.”

  Pearl stiffened for only a moment. “I don’t know what you’re talking about Monty,” she said taking a step back.

  “You lie well,” Monty said, observing her. His teeth sparkled like the just cleaned brilliance of white-walled tires. “I know Louis keeps you locked up in that big house with his mother and those kids watching you all day,” his words flowed off of his tongue. “You know, I do understand all about the ignored housewife. You need some fun. I’m the man for your fun and games Pearl.”

  Pearl stared at him dumb-founded. She’d given Monty way more attention than he should have been given that evening.

  “You and your date have a nice evening Monty!” she hissed out under her breath. Her eyes flashed in rage as she quickly turned indignantly to put some distance between them.

  Chapter 2

  Running Amok and Asking for a Favor…

  Pearl’s encounter with Monty Wildfire had left her in a really bad mood. She straightened her back, determined to lift her spirits. She wandered out of the ballroom into the hallway. The ladies room was just down the corridor on the left, she remembered.

  With a deep sigh she noticed a liquor bar set up just outside of the ballroom door. She wasn’t a big drinker. But after her ordeal with Monty, she needed something refreshing.

  “Sir would you please pour some ginger ale into a wine glass for me?” she asked, glancing at herself in the gold mirror behind the bar. Her eyes zoomed in on her lipstick. She needed to fix it. Out of the corner of her eye she saw movement. She focused intensely and noticed her son Nicholas La Cour.

  Pearl turned around. Nicholas was down the corridor in a corner rough-housing with another boy.

  Nicholas’ best friend Quinn Rolandis stood trying to block the view. Pearl was sure Quinn had put Nichols up to it.

  Determined, Pearl quickly made her way around several people.

  Pearl heard the boy’s voice as she fast approached.

  “Stop it, stop it! Nicholas! Leave me alone,” the boy yelled wailing his arms.

  They say that someone who is afraid can sometimes harness great strength. The boy did.

  Wham Bam!

  In a flash, the boy’s hand balled into a fist and it made contact with the side of Nicholas’ face, not once but twice.

  “You hit me you stupid jerk!” Nicholas whined, grabbing the boy by the collar.

  “Nicholas let him go. Your mother is coming!” Quinn hissed out hastily.

  He turned around quickly. “Hello Mrs. La Cour. What a lovely dress you’re wearing. If you don’t mind my saying so, I believe you purchased it at Macys. I know because my grandmother was looking at the same one. But they didn’t carry her size,” Quinn said trying to make polite conversation.

  “Quinn, I’m sure you are not interested in my dress,” she said sternly turning her attention to her son.

  Pearl closed the distance between her and Nicholas. “Nicholas, let that boy go now!”

  “Mrs. La Cour, Nicholas was trying to make me eat that plant. He’s mad because Snooky Toussaint asked me to escort her down the coronation aisle when it’s her turn to march.”

  “I am not mad that Snooky choose Newt Mallard,” Nicholas snapped. His voice choked. “I’m mad because …..” Tears flashed in his eyes.

  Pearl looked taken back. Her heart went out to her son. He was hurt that Snooky had chosen Newt over him. But still she knew Quinn’s influence when she saw it. Nicholas had been beating Newt up at the urging of Quinn. She was sure of it. Her voice was stern. “Nicholas, you need to apologize to Newt now.”

  “I don’t need to apologize to Newt Mallard. Not after what he just did to me.

  “Nicholas, you forget who you’re talking too? I didn’t ask. I’m telling you, you will apologize to Newt now,” Pearl commanded. She hesitated. “You know your sister is best friends with Newt’s cousin Maëlle Mallard?” She asked but didn’t wait for a response. “I’m sure Maëlle won’t be happy to hear about your bullying her cousin.”

  “But Mom, you don’t know what Newt said,” Nicholas said in his defense.

  A man whistled behind them. “Your mother wants you to apologize son and I think you should do it. A gentleman should always take the high road. Don’t you think so son?”

  Nicholas’ eyes darted toward the familiar voice. “Well, yes sir. All right then,” he shrugged.

  Nicholas took a step back, adjusted his coat jacket and cleared his throat. “Newt, I apologize,” he said with deep remorse. “I didn’t mean to try to make you eat dirt just because Snooky Toussaint likes you enough to ask you to be her escort for the coronation march. Even if I still can’t see what she sees in you,” he hesitated and quickly added. “I’m truly sorry.”

  Newt grinned and smoothed his ja
cket. “Thanks Nicholas, your apology is accepted.”

  Louis Antoine Nicolas Avoyelles La Cour was a tall man, over six feet tall. He was well dressed in a formal tux for the night’s event. His wavy black hair was neatly trimmed.

  He stood beside his wife Pearl and wanted to pinch himself each time he realized how lucky he was to have Pearl. She was the love of his life. He took his wife’s hand and kissed it.

  Then he cleared his throat. “You boys had better hurry. The coronation march will begin soon.”

  Newt shrugged. “I’d better go find Snooky. I bet she’s been looking for me,” he said strolling away with a confident stance.

  Louis squeezed closer to his wife Pearl, his arm protectively encircling her waist. He went to give her a kiss and noticed his son. “Nicholas, don’t you think you and Quinn should get going?”

  “Nay Dad, we don’t have any place to go,” Nicholas said. Remember, Quinn and I don’t have escorts.

  Louis chuckled softly. “Well now Nicholas your old dad kind of needs a big favor,” he winked. “I just left a Miss Lucy Mondragon and her cousin Miss Jade Mondragon waiting for two very handsome young men to come and escort them in the coronation march,” he hesitated. “And I sort of promised them that you and Quinn were available.”

  “Dad are you serious?” Nicholas exclaimed.

  “Yes I am,” Louis smiled softly. “So are my favorite two guys up for doing me a big favor. What do you say? Help the old man out of a jam?”

  “Yes!” Nicholas and Quinn exclaimed simultaneously.

  “Well, what are you waiting for guys? Get going.” Louis commanded.

  Pearl and Louis watched the boys run off.

  Louis turned to Pearl. “I know you probably think I let Nicholas off the hook. But I overheard Newt teasing Nicholas and Quinn earlier about not getting asked by any of the girls to be their escort,” he said. “I’m sorry if you’re angry at me my dear.”

  Pearl leaned over and kissed Louis softly on the lips. “Oh Louis, no, I couldn’t be mad at you. The boys looked so happy when you told them they had escorts. And it will keep both of them busy tonight. At least until Mother Kahina Laveau takes all the children to the slumber party.”