When Cary was gone, Landie’s thoughts returned to New Orleans in a different time—the night she first noticed Roberto. It had certainly not been love at first sight, Landie thought smiling. That had come a few seconds later when those dark eyes caught hers and held them.

A beautiful young woman, Landie’s skin was pale olive in color and flawless. She was of medium height and thin. Her hair, so black it sparkled when touched by any light, hung past her shoulders. It dangled in long natural curls and framed her ample bosom to the envy of every woman who saw her. Then there were her eyes—the color of Haitian bluebells when one looked at them.

And Roberto had looked!

Virtually indescribable, she was, yet she appeared unaware of it.

With all her elegant beauty, it never occurred to Landie to think of herself that way. She was polite, soft-spoken, and caring of others. Told early by her great grandmother that outer beauty would fade, but true beauty, the kind one held inside, would not. Landie had believed the old woman and held herself to caring for all others, no matter their origin or plight. That one characteristic set her apart and would become what everyone loved most about her.

The music ended and the girl Roberto had danced with must have wondered what happened. He had taken her back to a table where she joined several other individuals. Words were exchanged, and then Roberto turned and walked directly to Landie. The girl and her friends had watched, strange expressions—wonderment, perhaps—on their faces as their eyes followed him. After a few steps, Landie had no longer noticed them. Her eyes were also on Roberto.

Arriving at Landie’s side, he bent himself at the waist and took her hand. Much to her surprise, and delight, Roberto had deftly brought Landie’s fingers to his lips and brushed them with a kiss. His touch was so gentle that if she had not been watching Landie would have missed it.

Across the room, the other young woman and her friends were still watching. With her eyes, Landie motioned in their direction.

“What did you say to them?”

Without a moment of hesitation, he said, “I told them I was coming to say hello to the woman I am going to marry.” He smiled, then bent again and this time touched his lips to hers. She had reached up, touching his neck with her fingers, and kissed him back. She didn’t care what others might say about the two of them.

Watch for more to come about Landie and her life.