Forget Me Never

that she was a Carville baby would leak out.  Some teachers had even announced it in class as part of the education process, or at least that’s what they claimed.  They would always explain that Savannah didn’t have leprosy, but the look in their eye or the tone in their voice would always convey a little bit of fear.  So, it had proved impossible for Savannah to ever fully escape her past.
But Tammany had been good to her and that kindness had been a rare commodity in Savannah’s life.  So when Tammany asked her to do something, Savannah found it almost impossible to tell her ‘no’.  “You just want to see me humiliate myself.”  She knew that wasn’t true, but Savannah felt a little grumpy – and a little hung-over.  Thank goodness her shift at the Acadian Memorial ended in fifteen minutes.  Although if the gorgeous hunk of a soldier they were eyeballing planned to be here all afternoon, it was going to be hard to tear herself away.  God!  She had never seen a more perfect man! He was big – really big.  Standing with his legs spread in a commanding stance, it was obvious he covered the ground he walked on and people trembled when he past by.  Savannah licked her lips.  What she wouldn’t do to get her hands on a guy like that!
“It’s your birthday, Savannah.  Be good to yourself.  This man could be your soul mate.  Think of him as a gift.”  Punching her in the side, she joked.  “I’ll help you un-wrap him.”
“He looks busy; I don’t want to disturb him.”  Savannah procrastinated.
“re you kidding?  His very presence is disturbing everyone else.  I saw how those college girls were acting before you herded them outside.  Besides, you’re an expert on this stuff, Miss. Doucet.  Go over and offer your assistance.  It’s your job!  Now!”  Tammany gave her a little push.
Apparently he was doing research on the Acadian refugees.  Why not offer her services?  And while she was helping him, she could pretend to seduce him.  She couldn’t help but laugh at herself a little.  “He does look like he needs help.”  Yea, she’d like to help him with a lot of things – like undressing, taking a shower, possibly even a back massage.
“Do it, Savannah.  You’re through here for the day, and I’ll stay until tardy Tulah Belle comes. This is your chance; you don’t want to be the oldest virgin in St. Martin’s Parish for another year!”
“Oh, all right!”  She yelled so loud everyone turned and looked at her – except sexy Rambo, of course.  Tammany wasn’t going to leave her alone until she at least tried to hook up with this guy. Savannah’s dateless state was worrying Tammany to death.  So, she had to at least make her friend think she had a date with the soldier. Yeah, that’s what she would do.  She could save face and the Marine could leave unencumbered.  “I’ll still make a complete fool out of myself,” Savannah grumbled as she took one step forward.  To make matters worse, Fred March was watching her closely and he didn’t look happy.  The man scared her a little bit.  Goodness gracious, now she was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Tammany jerked her back.  “Give me those glasses.”
“But, I need them.”
“Only to read.”  Savannah lost the battle, Tammany confiscated her spectacles and pushed her out of her safe zone into the scary world of sexual gamesmanship.  Walking as casually as she could with her heart in her throat, she stepped close to the marine.  His height made her look up and up.  Gee, he must be well over six feet.  Of course, at five foot three she had to look up at almost everyone over the age of twelve.  Clearing her throat, she whispered.  “Excuse me, but I’m in a pickle.  I’ll give you twenty dollars if you’ll pretend we’re going out to lunch together.”
Patrick had been trying to find the surname LaVerdure on this vast list of names for about fifteen minutes, but he wasn’t having any luck.  All of the immigrants were recorded by ship manifesto, so he had to look in several different places.  Deep in concentration, it was a second or two before he realized someone was speaking to him.  The unexpected words coming from over his left shoulder irritated him a little bit.  “I’m not the kind of man that can be bought, Honey.  And if I could – twenty dollars wouldn’t touch me,” Patrick drawled.
“Dang, it’s just my luck to pick a man with principle.  What would you say if I threw in a couple of dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies to sweeten the deal?”  She might not be much of a temptation, but she could cook.  That was one of the things Savannah missed about not having a family.  Cooking for oneself wasn’t fun.
Her quick comeback amused Patrick.  If the woman was half as sexy as that husky little voice, he was in for a better treat than cookies.  Turning, slowly – he let the anticipation build.
Oh, hell yeah!  His day just got a helluva lot brighter.
A curvy little honey wearing a demure, lacy dress stood looking up at him with hope in her eyes.  “Well, hello Miss Prim and Proper.  You look like you’re in dire need of a good mussing up.”
Savannah ran her palms down the sides of her dress and smiled, sheepishly.  “Don’t tell anybody, but these are the clothes I wore yesterday.  I didn’t have time to go home and change.”
“Really, did you have a good time last night?” Patrick was enjoying this.  “I bet you made some guy a happy man.”
“No, no,” Savannah fanned her hands in denial.  “I went out with the girls.”  Knowing Tammany was taking all of this in – not to mention Fred March, she repeated her request.  “Would you consider playing along with me?  It’ll save me some embarrassment.  Should I make it twenty-five dollars?”
Patrick didn’t have a clue what was