Sam was the first up. She hardly slept a wink the entire night because she couldn’t wait to get started. She had always loved the south but had never gotten to visit. Her love for the South stemmed from her love of the movie Gone with the Wind. She loved the gentle calmness of the southern attitude, the hard-working nature of a good southern man, and the way they treated their women was to die for. Men in other parts of the country had nothing on a southern man. Maybe it was the accent or the way they held themselves, but Sam counted her lucky stars she hooked one.
She tried to be as quiet as she could running around the hotel suite. It was beautiful, decorated much like that of an old southern plantation main house. Ornate lamps, tables, and wall pieces were scattered around the room. It reminded her of an old nineteenth century sitting room that had been perfectly preserved in time. She could picture that scene in the movie where all the ladies sat sewing and reading while they waited for word on the men to come back from raiding a camp outside of town. She pranced about the room pretending to be a lady of the old South, trying her best impression of a southern accent as she swayed her hips and held an umbrella that was sitting near the front door of the room.
“Well, bless my soul. You are a cute little thing, aren’t you?” Raleigh said as he watched her from the bed. Sam jumped, and her face turned three shades of red.
“Well, keep going there, Miss Scarlett, oh I mean, Miss Sam. I am enjoying the show. You're quite the little actress, ain’t ya?” he said, laughing and rolling out of bed. “Might make you a southern lady yet.”
“Oh, ha ha,” she said sarcastically while she put the umbrella away. “Did I wake you? I didn’t mean to be so loud. It’s just this place is so beautiful, like nothing I’ve ever seen in my life. I could get used to this.”
“Well, my darling Scarlett, I mean Sam…” he said laughing. “We got a lot to do today.”
“You gonna give me any hints, baby?”
“Just one. Wear that sundress with the skinny straps, the white one I saw you put in the closet last night.”
“That’s not a hint. I wanna hint of where.”
“I just gave you one.”
“I mean where, not what to wear.” She smiled as Raleigh sat almost rolling in laughter on the couch. “Oh, you’re a turd.”
“Oh really?” He jumped from the couch and picked her up in his arms, kissing her. “Ok, I will give you one more hint. Wear comfortable shoes.” He laughed while she wiggled in his arms.
“Now you’re teasing me.”
“Yep, guilty. And I love it.”
They laughed and fell on the couch. Sam looked at him and asked, “Well, can you at least tell me when we are leaving?’
“Yep, that I will do. We are leaving in an hour and a half, so that means just before oh-eight-hundred we gotta meet the car downstairs, so hurry and go get ready. We gotta long day ahead of us.”
Sam jumped up from the couch, leaned down, and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you,” she said as she rushed into the bathroom.
Raleigh shouted back to her, “You are so welcome, darlin’. I’d do anything for you. I’m gonna quickly call the Navy base here and get things set up to meet with them in the morning while you’re in the shower.”
“Ok, baby. I won’t be long.”
Raleigh picked up his cell phone and called the NCIS unit in New Orleans. As he explained the situation, telling them who the suspects were and what they were looking for, the NCIS investigator seemed on board. He explained they had been watching suspects themselves down by the docks and were sure they were looking at the people that Raleigh was looking for. The problem was Raleigh didn’t know what the men looked like or where the warehouse was, so with the help of NCIS they should be able to narrow it down. He explained to them he was undercover as Jared and that they would have to meet inconspicuously. He scheduled the meeting for 0900. One of the NCIS guys would dress as a hotel concierge and deliver food to their room in the morning. They would go over the plan then. They would be in contact with Sam from then on…When he hung up the phone, he was stunned. Sam was standing in the doorway naked, hair dripping wet, watching him; he loved seeing her naked.
“Your turn,” she said as she turned and walked to the bedroom to retrieve her clothes and finish getting ready.
“My God,” he said as she walked away. “Can you get any more beautiful?”
She stopped and turned her head, slightly looking back at him. “Yep, sure can.” She smiled and walked off. He jumped up, running after her, but she shut and locked the door before he could get to her.
“No hanky panky. Go shower!” She laughed as he turned away and scooted into the bathroom. Once she heard the shower come on, she knew it was safe to open the door. She hurried and dressed, then pulled her blow dryer out. She was still blow drying her hair when she felt his hands on her hips. He twirled her around, hoping to steal a kiss. But instead of a kiss, her blow dryer flew from her hand and popped him in the eye.
“Oh my gosh, baby. I am so sorry.”
Laughing at himself, Raleigh held his eye as she lightly kissed his lips. “I guess I deserved that one.”
“No, no. I didn’t mean to hit you, baby.”
“I know you didn’t, darlin’. I’m just giving you a hard time.”
“Are you ok?”
“Oh yeah, darlin. I’ve dealt with a lot of harder hits than that.”
“I am sorry, baby. I didn’t have a good grip on it when you swung me around. It just slipped out.”
“Baby,” he said, cupping her cheek. “I’m fine. It’s just a flesh wound. How much longer before you are ready?”
“Just a few more minutes. I want to finish drying my hair then put my face on.”
“Sounds good, baby. Take your time. We got ’bout an hour before we meet the driver downstairs.”
While Sam finished up, Raleigh prepared. He called downstairs to verify that the carriage was still coming at eight am. It would take them on a private French Quarter tour then drop them off on Jackson Street for their private tour of the bayou swamps by boat. They had a stop at a plantation along the way; they would eat lunch at the main house on the screened in porch. She would get to try mint julep and authentic Cajun food. He planned a private tour of the houses and shopping along the way. They would then return to the main house where they would have a special meal in their room. He ordered the best wine and made sure he had the necklace with him. He would place it on her neck at dinner. It has to be perfect; everything has to be perfect. I want her to melt in my arms tonight, he thought as he watched her apply her lipstick. Man, I wish I was that lipstick right now. Not much longer, baby, and you’ll be all mine, forever.
Sam emerged from the bathroom and Raleigh stood frozen. Her hair was curled wavy and fell across her face and shoulders. Her skin glowed, and her lips were a cherry red. The way the dress fell just above her knees and her breasts fit perfectly just oozing out just enough that her cleavage almost spoke to him, lick me. She stood in front of him as he moved his eyes past her cleavage; he noticed that the sun peeked through the dress revealing her figure underneath. She was perfect, both inside and out. He didn’t say a word but motioned his finger for her to twirl around so he could get a full view of the entire package. He noticed one thing that the sun also revealed—one single string in the back, a thong. His breath caught and he sighed.
“My God, you are the most stunning, sexy, electrifying woman I have ever met. I would’ve preferred no panties, but we will be in some areas that you're gonna want them on. So, once we get back to the main house, I will help you off with them and we can finish out the evening like that. Deal?”
“Wait. What? You can see thru?”
“Oh, yes. And it is to die for.”
“Raleigh, seriously, should I change?”
“Oh no, I want to show you off today. Keep it on. You can only see through if the sun shines through. And if it does, then they will get a glimpse into what I will get to be with tonight. So, you didn’t answer my question, darlin’. Deal?”
“Ok, deal. Is it time to go?”
“Yep, any time you’re ready, darlin’.”
“Oh Raleigh, I am more than ready. I’ve waited for this my entire life.”
“Well, let’s go then.” He gently guided her out the door and down the elevator to the lobby. Sam stopped by the fountain, closed her eyes, and made another wish, to have the most incredible day with the most amazing man she had ever met, that on this day he would fall madly in love with her, and they would make a life together. When she opened her eyes, Raleigh told her to keep them closed.
“I have a surprise for you. I will guide you outside, baby.” As they approached the door, the doorman opened the massive wooden door to reveal a horse-drawn carriage. The driver stepped down and opened the door and waited for them to load up. As they stood in front, Raleigh said, “Ok, baby, open your eyes.” Sam opened her eyes and a silent shriek escaped her lips.
“Oh my gosh, Raleigh, really?”
“Yes, darlin’.” He held out his hand to help her up into the carriage. It was chilly out still, so the driver had placed two wool blankets on the seat. She quickly covered up. Raleigh sat down next to her. She put the blanket on him, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder as the driver started the tour.
“Can you tell me now where we’re going?”
“Yep, this part anyway. The second part is still a surprise, though.”
“Ok, so?”
“We are gonna tour the French Quarter for a little while, then get off at Jackson Street for the second half.”
Sam’s head was spinning. She was finally getting him all to herself. No worries about being seen, no one knew them there. She didn’t have to worry about being interrupted by anyone. They could sit down and enjoy each other’s company, getting to know each other, really know each other. She had so many questions about his life and his history; she wanted to know it all. She decided she would share hers, too. If they had a chance for a life together, she would have to share her good and bad. They had all day, though, so she would wait until the right moment to interrogate him on his life.
Once the carriage moved, Sam couldn’t contain her excitement and Raleigh loved it. He had never had a woman who was so open and appreciative of him. He didn’t care if she acted like a kid or looked stupid, she was just what he needed. He watched as she pointed out various buildings and landmarks. A couple of times he thought she might fall out of the carriage. When they came to a stop sign, she quickly jumped out and yelled at him to get out for a selfie. He obliged, smiling the entire time. He had never been so happy, and with Sam it could only get better from here. With each stop Sam jumped out for a picture. The driver told them stories of the different buildings and of the people. He also included a few ghost stories that Sam seemed to love hearing.
When they pulled up to the tour agency, Raleigh jumped out and helped Sam to the ground. She couldn’t hide her smiling and wrapped her arms around him as they stood to wait for their car to come around. When it appeared, Sam was overwhelmed with excitement.
“A limo?”
“Yep, you ready for part two of our excursion?”
“Oh my gosh, yes. Where are we going, baby?”
“Nope, not yet. You will see. Now close your eyes. I have a surprise for you waitin’ in the limo.”
She closed her eyes and held out her hand to him. What else could he possibly have or do to surprise me even more than he already has? This is a dream come true, spending the day with my dream man. He’s all I ever dreamed of my entire life. A man that would love me for who I am and care about me like I am the only woman in the world. It can’t get any better. Could it?
As she slid into the limo, her legs felt the fine leather. The smell was a mix of berries, roses, and chocolate. And when she settled into her seat, she felt fur. Weird, she thought.
“Open your eyes now, baby.” When she did she saw Raleigh was on the limo floor, holding a big teddy bear and the entire limo contained dozens and dozens of roses. There was a bottle of chilled wine, two glasses, and a plate of the biggest chocolate covered strawberries she had even seen. She instantly grabbed him around his neck, almost knocking him backward kissing him.
“Oh, Raleigh. This is just too much.”
“Not over with yet, darlin’. We’re just startin’ the day out. Got plenty more to come.” Sam watched out the window, taking in all the sights she could. She was blown away by the planning and thought that Raleigh had put into this day. He was definably the best catch she had ever made, and she wasn’t planning on throwing him back. He was definitely a keeper. As they drove through the remaining part of the French Quarter toward Canal Street, they passed many of the oldest buildings in New Orleans. Some were built as early as the eighteenth century. She loved history and especially the history of the pre-civil war and post-civil war era Old South. As they got closer to the Mississippi River, the pier came into view. She could see an old river boat.
“Are we gonna go on that?” she shrieked as she pointed towards the boat.
“Sure are.”
“Oh my gosh, Raleigh. This is so cool. I can’t believe this. It’s like a dream come true. Where’s it taking us?”
“That, my dear, is a secret. You will find out once we board. I promise, I will tell you.”
When the limo came to a stop, Sam didn’t wait for the driver. She jumped out of the limo, jumping and waving at Raleigh. “Come on, baby. Let’s go.” She pulled and yanked on his arm, trying to pull him out of the limo as fast as she could.
As she pulled him, he asked the driver, “Can you be back in the morning to pick us back up and take us back to our hotel?”
“Yes, of course, sir. The hotel hired me for you, so I will be here. Safe travels and enjoy New Orleans.”
“Thank you, man. If it’s ok, can you take all this to the hotel while we are gone?’
“Of course, that is what I am here for. I will see you when you get back.”
“Thank you.”
Sam dragged Raleigh onto the boat ramp. He laughed as she struggled. “Slow down, baby. They aren’t leaving without us.”
“Why wouldn’t they? They have a schedule to keep.”
“Not today they don’t, darlin. Their schedule is our schedule. I rented the whole boat for the day.”
“Oh my gosh, Raleigh. How?”
“Same way I do everything, my dear, my charm.” He winked at her and took her hand in his. “Come on, baby. Let’s board. We got a lot to do today.”
They boarded the boat, found a table near the bow, and watched as they pulled out into the Mississippi River. A waiter came out to their table and delivered a chilled bottle of wine, and Raleigh poured them each a glass. Sam watched as the boat passed various landmarks and buildings; her face lit up at each one. He stared at her, mesmerized by the way she looked and how she was enjoying the day. He loved how her face lit up as they rounded the first bend in the river and the plantation came into view.
“Oh my gosh, Raleigh. Look at that, it’s so beautiful. I wish we could stop.”
“That, my dear, is the first part of this surprise,” he said smiling.
“Are you serious, baby? Oh my gosh. A real plantation?”
“Yes, baby, an actual plantation.”
As the boat slowed, it came to a stop at the docks of the plantation. A bevy of period-dressed people gathered at the docks to meet them. Raleigh watched her as she leaped off the boat and onto the docks. He stood in awe of her as he watched her interact with the actors of the plantation.