Tell Me I'm Dreamin' Read Online Free PDF Page A

Madame Deane called out another instruction to Catherine. “When you are finished with Lenora, come back. I should be ready to retire.” Her high-pitched voice trailed off behind them.
    Without a word Catherine proceeded down the wide hallway, passing distinctive three-legged tables topped with black- or red-figure vases. At any other time the decor would have caused quite a stir for Nadine, but not now. She was trying to determine if both Madame Deane and Catherine were mentally unstable. Maybe she had a few screws missing as well for going along with them!
    Lord, Nadine thought, how the folks in Ashland would have a field day with a story like this if they ever got wind of it. It would probably be talked about for generations. How that strange grandchild of Auntie Rose claimed she was mistaken for someone who lived on a Caribbean island. They probably would recount how as a child she had a habit of stretching the truth a bit, and now as an adult her ability in that area had. definitely increased. Lucky for her, she was out of the country and there was no chance of them ever finding out.
    Upon entering the room where Nadine would sleep, Catherine produced a box of matches from the folds of her dress and lit a lamp near the door. She released a heavy sigh, and began to talk in hushed tones.
    â€œYou have to understand Madame Deane, Miss Nadine. Her world is made up of the past and the present. For her, in some ways, they are one. But don’t you think for a moment that she is not aware of what is going on around her. She is. Sometimes she just interprets it a little differently than other people. To tell you the truth, through the years I’ve come to enjoy it,” Catherine confided as she turned back the bed. “It brings the mystery and the power of the past into a somewhat uneventful present. And I knew she would react the way she did when she saw you.” She waved her index finger. “I believe it did me, as well as Madame Deane, some good to see that old spark return to her eyes. It used to burn all the time before her accident. But you need not worry about any of that.” Catherine tugged at her head wrap. “Just get a good night’s sleep, and you will be able to go on your way tomorrow. I’ll get Clarence, he’s the handyman around here, to take you,” she remarked as she fluffed the pillows. “I believe it was Clarence who told you to follow him here. His ways take a little getting used to, but he’s really not so bad.” She put her hands on her boxy hips. “Would you care for anything to eat?”
    Nadine watched the Bajan woman puttering around as if she were her maid and it hit her again, how far away she was from Mississippi. “I really hate to put you through any more trouble than I already have, but I am hungry,” Nadine confessed. “I had a half of a sandwich for lunch, and that seems like eons ago.”
    â€œIs that all you had during the midday meal?” Catherine leaned back. “Here, lunch is our main meal of the day. Don’t worry.” She waved her hand. “I will bring you some codfish balls and cakes that were left over from supper today.”
    Nadine had no idea what codfish balls were, but it didn’t matter. She was hungry enough to eat anything. “Alright,” she replied.
    â€œGood. But first you might want to clean up a bit,” Catherine said, removing a couple of leaves from Nadine’s hair. “I’ll be back with some towels, and something for you to sleep in. The bathroom is down the hall between this bedroom and Master Ulysses’ bedchamber. He went to Barbados about three days ago and is not expected back until tomorrow,” she said before shutting the door behind her.
    Glancing about the room, Nadine could see that it was tastefully decorated with an antique dressing table and bed. She walked over to the mirror that rose above the dressing table and was stunned by her