Good Woman Blues (17 page)

“Well, bye.” Erikka turned to leave.

“There is a lot more to do around here than
you might think.”

“Thanks, but I’m not into rounding up
chickens or slaughtering hogs,” Erikka said, with a grin.

“I like that city-girl sense of humor. I
accept the challenge.”

“What challenge?” Erikka liked the way his
mouth curved up and the gold in his brown eyes sparkled when he was
amused.

‘To prove that you can have a good time in
the swamp.” Gabriel spread out his arms.

“Yeah right. Name one thing.” Erikka waved a
hand and started for the door.

“I’ll do better than that.” Gabriel followed
her. He stopped her just as she was about to grab the doorknob.
“I’m serious. What about this Saturday?”

Erikka turned around. She had to tilt her
head back to look up at him. “Okay, what about this Saturday?”

“It’s a surprise. Good clean country fun. I
promise.” Gabriel raised one palm.

“Nothing that involves farm animals, please.”
Erikka pointed a forefinger at his nose.

“No problem,” Gabriel said, with a grin.

“I don’t know.” Erikka stared at the expanse
of broad chest before her. She imagined the word temptation written
across it.

The man had a lover stashed somewhere. Erikka
was sure of it. Rumors of his past made her look like a rookie at
bad behavior, and he seemed secretive. In other words he was just
the kind of man she’d chosen before. The word no flashed in her
head. She should find ways to be comfortable in her own skin, not
jump into another soap opera scenario. As seconds ticked by,
Gabriel’s smile slipped, and then stiffened.

“You just thought of an urgent appointment on
that day. I understand. Good-bye.” He opened the door.

“You’re a client, and I’m not that great at
choosing men. Not that I’m implying you’re no good. What I mean
is—” Erikka groaned. “Hell, even I don’t know what I mean.”

“I really do understand.” Gabriel wore a
composed, empathetic expression.

“Right. On that happy note I’ll leave,”
Erikka replied, with a weak smile.

“See you next time,” he said.

She went out the door and to her car. After
she got in Erikka sat there for about five minutes. Gabriel waved
to her, and Erikka waved back. She put the key in the ignition,
started the car. More minutes went by as she drummed her acrylic
fingernails on the steering wheel. Gabriel left the door but
returned a few seconds later and stared at her. Erikka turned off
the engine, got out of the car, and marched back to the door.

“You want to have fun with me or what?”
Erikka stared at him as he swung the door open wider.

“Yes, I want to have fun with you,” Gabriel
said in a solemn tone.

“Damn, that didn’t come out right,” Erikka
blurted, then laughed until her side ached.

Gabriel stepped outside laughing just as
hard. “Come over Saturday around two.”

Erikka hoped her makeup hadn’t smudged as she
patted moisture from her face. “In the afternoon? Look, I refuse to
go square dancing at the local Moose lodge.”

“We don’t square dance. Now a good Zydeco
throw down, mais yeah,” Gabriel replied.

“See you Saturday.” Erikka walked backward
away from him. “Jeans and a T-shirt okay?”

“Whatever.”

“Ah come on. Give me a hint.” She
stopped.

“Casual dress is fine.” • Gabriel’s eyes
flashed with mischief.

Erikka liked his playful side. His reserved
manner softened quite nicely, she mused. “Intriguing. Come to think
of it, I prefer being pleasantly surprised.”

His sideways grin stirred the heat inside her
more. Erikka forced herself not to spoil things by strolling right
back to him and planting a searing kiss on his cinnamon lips. She
was supposed to change her ways after all. As she drove off,
Gabriel appeared in her rearview mirror. He waved, and Erikka waved
back. Tall and rangy, Gabriel looked more inviting than any man in
blue jeans had a right to. The sight made her anticipate an
afternoon of country-style entertainment.

Chapter 10

Dinner at the Cormier house had shaped up to
be just as tense an affair as Gabriel had feared it would be. His
mother made a spirited attempt to carry on as though all was well.
His older brother heaved his third heavy sigh as he nibbled on a
yeast roll. Vincent made it clear that he wasn’t in the mood for
social conversation. Rachel shot her husband a warning look the
three times he started to say something to him. Gabriel was about
to announce his exit when she smiled at him.

“How is Elise these days?” His mother seemed
desperate to find a lighter topic.

Gabriel cursed himself for not escaping
sooner. “Fine I guess.”

“You haven’t seen her lately?” Rachel
carefully sliced into the tender roast beef on her plate.

“No, but you already know I haven’t,” Gabriel
said, hoping his tone conveyed she should drop the subject.

“I think it’s wonderful that your business is
so successful, baby. Don’t forget you need a personal life, too,”
Mrs. Cormier replied, without looking at him.

“You’re right, Mother.” Gabriel took the
napkin out of his lap and pushed his chair back. Now was a good
time to get away.

“Elise is so sweet. She called me today to
ask how I was feeling. Such an attentive girl.”

“Rachel, take a hint. The boy doesn’t want to
talk about the fact that he dumped the girl,” his father said.

Rachel dropped her fork. “Gabriel did
what?”

“Damn. Sorry, son,” Charles mumbled from
behind his linen dinner napkin.

Vincent seemed to perk up for the first time.
He looked at Gabriel with a sly expression. “I think Pop said
Gabriel dumped Elise.”

“Dumped isn’t exactly how I’d describe it.”
Gabriel gave his father a cold look. Charles shrugged a second
apology.

Rachel’s tight expression eased, and her
smile returned. “I was sure your father had made a mistake. You two
are perfectly matched.”

“Oh, yes, perfectly,” Vincent said in a
deceptively mild tone. “Let’s book the church and pick out
silverware for the happy couple.”

“We decided to take a break,” Gabriel said.
He ignored his brother’s sarcasm.

“What does that mean?” Rachel gazed at him.
Her red lips were set into a frozen line.

“We agreed not to see each other for a while.
We need time to examine our feelings and figure out what we both
want in a relationship. That’s about it.” Gabriel fiddled with the
steak knife that lay across his empty plate. “Delicious meal.”

“Thank you. Elise—” Rachel leaned
forward.

“Rachel, please. Leave the boy alone,”
Charles cut in.

“Sure, let’s not get in Gabe’s business.
Meanwhile, my life is always up for discussion,” Vincent put in,
with bitterness oozing from every word.

“You weren’t so eager to be left alone when
you needed me to help pay off your debts,” Charles said.

“I was beginning to think you’d let one day
pass without throwing something in my face. At least you’re
consistent, Pop.” Vincent drained the red wine from his glass.

“Leave Vincent alone, Charles,” Rachel
commanded. Her husband grunted but said nothing. “Gabriel, I’d like
to discuss this situation.”

Gabriel stood. “Listen, Mama, I know how you
feel about Elise—”

“She a lovely, accomplished woman, a doctor.
Any man can see she’s a real prize,” Rachel jumped in, like a
saleswoman pushing a product.

“I agree with you. I’m not saying she isn’t a
good person.” Gabriel sighed.

“What he means is just because Elise is from
the right family with money and is light-skinned doesn’t mean she’s
Miss Right,” Vincent said. “Wish I’d had that same kind of sense
twenty years ago.”

“Your ex-wife is a saint if you ask me,”
Charles growled.

“You’ve made that plain for years. I’m going
to have my wine in peace.” Vince grabbed his glass and left.

Gabriel gave his father a hard look. “Get off
his back, Dad.”

“Humph. I’m going to watch the game.” Charles
dropped his napkin on the table and walked out of the dining
room.

Rachel rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I feel
a headache building at the base of my neck.”

“I’ll load the dishwasher. You go lie down.”
Gabriel stacked the plates. When he reached for Rachel’s, she put a
hand on his arm.

“I had so hoped that at least one of my
children would find happiness.”

“I am happy,” Gabriel said.

“I meant a happy, fulfilling marriage. You
don’t seem to understand the value of companionship. You learn to
compromise and accept each other’s foibles.” Rachel gazed up at
him. “I wish I could make all my children see that.”

“You shouldn’t worry about us so much. Maybe
we don’t always make the smartest choices, but we’ll be okay,”
Gabriel said to reassure her.

“Your sister is intent on letting the company
be her substitute for a family of her own,” Rachel continued.
“Vincent seems to have completely lost his footing. He’s adrift.
Nothing brings him joy these days. And now.” Rachel shook her head
slowly.

‘Toni loves her work, and Vince has a great
job with Exxon-Mobil. He likes what he’s doing.”

“He likes making your father see red.”

Gabriel silently agreed but couldn’t help
sticking up for his older brother. “They’re more alike than either
one of them will ever admit. Dad could be more understanding.” “I’m
working on it.” Rachel lifted her chin and looked down her nose at
him. “One day you’ll wake up and realize you’re all alone.”

‘Toni will find a good man and have children,
but on her own timetable.”

His mother gazed at him. “And you?”

“Matchmaking should be outlawed.” Gabriel
shook a finger at her, pretending to scold.

“You find fault with some of the most
attractive, charming—” Rachel’s voice trailed away as Gabriel’s
expression soured. “You’ll be sorry you let Elise get away. That’s
my final word on the subject.”

“Let’s hope so. And don’t fish around for a
replacement,” Gabriel added quickly.

“Insolent rascal,” Rachel said crisply. Her
expression softened, and she gave his cheek a gentle pinch. “As
long as you’re not alone because of the past. Don’t do penance for
the rest of your life.”

“I’m not punishing myself for what happened
fifteen years ago.” Gabriel kissed her cheek and stood.

“You’re going to date women, I hope.”
Rachel’s arched eyebrows pulled together as she looked up at
him.

“I’m not gay.” Gabriel bent down and kissed
her cheek. “I never implied such a thing, Gabriel Alexander.” “The
topic of Dr. Tim’s last show was parents dealing with their gay
offspring.” He laughed when she huffed with irritation.

“Well, what do you expect me to think? Unless
you’re secretly studying for the priesthood.” Rachel’s worried
expression returned.

“You’ve got to be kidding.” Gabriel irritated
her again by laughing harder.

“Fine. I was teasing you anyway.” Rachel let
out a sigh of obvious relief.

“Sure you were. I have a healthy interest in
women. That’s all I’m willing to discuss with my mother.” Gabriel
put an arm around her shoulders.

“Anyone in particular? Don’t give me that
look again. I’m going to mind my own business.” Rachel smiled up at
him.

“You’ll be the first to know when I find
her.”

“No, you’ll be the very first to know. I hope
you meet a woman who makes you laugh. You need more of that, baby.”
Rachel kissed his hand.

Gabriel thought about Erikka, and the way her
topaz gaze charged up his senses. He tried to think of a time in
the last fifteen years when he’d felt that way about anything and
couldn’t. Not even about Elise.

“Maybe you’re right. I’ll get back to you on
that one.” He winked at his mother and strolled off, smiling at her
expression of shock.

***

“Get outta here,” Erikka murmured. She took
another turn around the wide round table and touched its cool
marble top. “Your relatives built this mansion?”

“Shh.” Gabriel touched a forefinger to his
lips. He glanced around and smiled at a curious group of tourists.
Suddenly they were more interested in Erikka’s comment than what
the tour guide was saying.

“This way is the formal sitting room where
guests were entertained. Notice that the draperies are extra long,”
the guide went on, and pointed to fabric trailing the floor. “This
was a display of wealth. Monsieur and Madame Le Moyne showed the
world they could afford the extra cloth, and expense was no
concern.”

Gabriel nodded to Erikka, and they went
upstairs to explore on their own. Numbers clicked through Erikka’s
head as she passed more antiques. She paused to admire a set of
pottery. Delicate white flowers were painted on a lapis blue
background.

“We don’t exactly advertise that the original
owner was my mother’s great-great-great-grandfather. His family
still owns the house.” Gabriel stood looking at ease in the opulent
setting.

“This place is worth a fortune. Why the house
alone is over a million. When you add up the art and the rest.”
Erikka turned around in a circle. She gasped when she looked
up.

“Beautiful chandelier. The crystal came from
Austria. My ancestor went a bit over the top. Still runs in the
family I’m afraid,” Gabriel said dryly, a glint of amusement in his
brown eyes.

“Yeah, the chandelier is nice. My Lord! I
think that’s a Metier medallion in the ceiling. I’ve seen two of
them in Garden District mansions.” Erikka wished she had a ladder
and could get up there. She held her breath for a second as she
examined the exquisite details of the carving.

“You know your stuff. Yes, Monsieur Le Moyne
got it from a member of the French royal family. Seems they needed
money once the French Revolution began.” Gabriel stared up.