Sweet Mystery (23 page)

* * *

Later, at Rae’s house, Simon sat tense on the
sofa. She thought he still seemed on edge.

“I’ll call Matt in the morning. He can have
that system installed in no time.” Simon gazed around the house.
“Put one in here, too.”

“Let me think about it.” Rae went to the
kitchen to fix some coffee, with Simon close on her heels.

“I want you to have as much protection as
possible.” He sat at the small table. “Matt will work fast when I
tell him it’s urgent.”

“I don’t know. I think once the dance hall is
open, we won’t have a problem. There will be people there a lot.”
Rae tried to sound confident.

“Not around the clock. No, Rae. The alarm is
the best solution.” Simon crossed his arms.

“That’s a business decision that I have to
make,” Rae snapped. “It’s my dance hall after all.” Her hand
holding the coffee pot was shaking. She put it down fast.

Simon got up. “Come here, baby.” He pulled
her into a warm embrace. “You don’t have to put on a tough act for
me. I’ll pay for the alarms and the monitoring fee.”

She shook her head. “No, I’ve got to do this
myself.”

“Rae, don’t shut me out. Let me take care of
getting the alarms,” Simon insisted.

She pushed away from him gently. “You’re
sweet to want to help me, Simon. But I can’t let you do it.”

He looked disappointed. “You won’t change
your mind; I can see it on our face.”

“Let me think about it some more. And if I
decide to get the system, I’ll pay for it.” Rae spoke in a firm
voice. “In the meantime, the sheriff will increase patrols and
we’ve got floodlights.”

Simon was not about to give up. “I’ll bring
you some of Matt’s brochures.”

Rae sighed. “Okay. Seems not everyone is
thrilled with me.” The thought of someone waiting in the dark to
strike at her sent a chill up her spine.

“Thank goodness I decided to come out there
tonight when you didn’t answer at home.” Simon hugged her tight
again.

Rae snuggled against his chest. “My
hero.”

“Not so great a hero. I didn’t catch the bad
guy.” Simon lifted her face to look into her eyes. “If he’d hurt
you...”

“Nothing happened, sugar. Like you said, it
was probably some kid that got scared and ran.”

“Even kids carry weapons these days. I’ll
bring those brochures tomorrow. And I’ll check the locks on your
doors here. They look pretty old. At least let me replace them.”
Simon looked around the kitchen with a critical eye.

“Fine.” Rae smiled at him in an effort to
smooth the worry from his face. “Now let’s relax.”

At his urging, Rae got out her guitar. She
sang a medley of ballads, both blues and Zydeco. Then they listened
to some soft music as they talked. With the windows open, they
enjoyed the humid air that stirred the curtains. Even at this
distance they could smell the bayou, crushed wet grass and
water.

Now Rae felt comforted rather than threatened
by the darkness. Despite her show of strength, she was grateful to
have Simon hold her through the night.

* * *

Memorial Day was a smash hit at Rockin’ Good
Times. The crowds were thick, even when the doors opened at noon
for lunch. College kids mixed in with retired folks from the area,
the upwardly mobile out for fun, and tourists. There was laughter
inside and out. Picnic tables were set up under the shade of oak
and sycamore trees on the property behind the dance hall.

Jamal took a long drink of his beer. “This
place looks fantastic.” He bounced to the beat of rhythm and blues
music flowing into the lounge.

Jamal and Wes had brought the band to town
for the weekend celebration. It had been Wes’s idea to book the
renowned blues artist, Kenny Neal. In a few hours, they would have
a jam session with him that was sure to delight the crowd. Until
then, the guys were enjoying hanging out.

“Say, is that fine lady going to be here?”
Wes craned his neck to scan the crowded room.

“You were in town maybe two days and found a
woman?” Rae laughed. “Haven’t learned your lesson yet?”

“Yeah, but she was special. I’m talking about
that graceful Nubian queen you were talking to that day – the one
with a walk that lit fires as she passed.” Wes closed his eyes.

Simon joined them in time to hear his
description. “One of our lovely ladies has captured your heart,
eh?”

Rae gave a snort. “With Wes, what she’s
captured is a bit lower.”

“Tell me her name. She was magnificent; her
beauty outshone the sun. You know, Rae, you talked to her downtown
right before we left. I hope she comes tonight.” Wes looked around
again.

“Toya? Please! She’d rather jump in a pit of
snakes than come here,” Rae said. Then a wicked gleam lit her eyes.
“Of course, it would be nice to rub my success in her face.”

“Rae, be nice. Toya probably won’t be here.
But then she’s into jazz.” Simon added to Wes.

“Humph, Toya won’t be here because she’s a
stuck-up–”

“Stop! You’re talking about the woman I love.
I won’t hear her insulted.”

“Come on, man. You’re tripping. Let’s go get
some of that great food,” said Jamal.

He pulled Wes over to the table where Sarah
had set up free hors d’oeuvres for the patrons. Hot wings and tiny
barbecue sausages were piled high.

Once they were gone, Simon turned to Rae.
“Toya is not so bad, Rae. Really,” he said the look she gave him.
I’ve known her all my life.”

Rae thought of the arrogant walk that Toya
had mastered, even as a small girl. “If she was so wonderful, why
aren’t you still married to her?”

“Just because our marriage was a
mistake–”

“A disaster, from what I heard,” Rae
snorted.

Simon squinted at her. “We both made
mistakes. Gossip is rarely accurate. Something you should
know.”

“Point taken. But I know first-hand what a
witch she can be, so there.” Rae dared him to refute her personal
experiences.

“Haven’t we talked about the injustice of
holding the past against people?” Simon raised an eyebrow at
her.

“Yeah, but....” Rae squirmed under his
scrutiny. “Okay, I’ll be good. If she shows up, I’ll greet her with
open arms.”

“Sure you will.”

“Hey, if Toya walks in, she’ll be overwhelmed
by the hospitality.” Rae batted her eyelashes at him.

Simon’s lip lifted at one corner.
“Really?”

“You betcha,” Rae tossed back. She leaned
against the bar.

“Well, now is your chance.” Simon jerked a
thumb towards the door. “Do your stuff.”

Rae’s mouth dropped at the sight of Toya
strolling in on the arm of a handsome man. Darcy followed them in a
few seconds later. “I don’t believe it.”

“Excuse me, Miss Hospitality, time is
a-wastin’. Get over there and let your little light shine.” Simon
put a hand over his mouth to hide his wide grin.

“Hello there.” Darcy walked right up to Rae
and kissed her firmly on the cheek. “Congratulations. This place is
fabulous, babe. Hi, Simon,” he added as an afterthought, without
taking his eyes off Rae.

“Yes, it is very... unique.” Toya swept a
hand around in the air, regally. “Of course, beer and boiled
crawfish go over big with most people around here.” She sniffed, as
though the offending smell of both hung heavy.

“Right, I love good food, good drink and
jammin’ tunes. This place is hot.” Toya’s date said. He obviously
didn’t share her view. He moved to the beat of a pop tune. Turning
around, he cast an appreciative eye at a group of college girls in
shorts and T-shirts.

“Colin, grow up,” Toya snapped.

He did not hear her. “Love that music. Hey,
you forgot to introduce us. I’m Colin Dexter.” He nodded to Rae and
Simon.

Toya lifted chin. “Colin Dexter, the Third,
of the Dexters of Lafayette. Dexter Industries.”

Simon smiled at him. “Nice seeing you, Colin.
How long has it been, man?”

“Last summer you beat me at the fishing
rodeo. I’ll get you this time, brother.” Colin pointed a finger at
him.

Simon laughed. “In your dreams.”

“You know each other?” Toya wore a look of
chagrin.

“For a long time,” Colin put in before Simon
could answer. “Best contractor in South Louisiana, black or
white.”

The good-humored man slapped Simon on the
back. “Thanks man.”

“Say, I was worried you would be mad about me
dating Toya,” Colin said in a low voice to Simon. However, his
comments were still audible to both women. Colin glanced at Rae.
“But I guess not.”

“Let’s go.” Toya jerked him away.

“All right.” Colin, still having a good time,
was not in the least disturbed by her behavior. “See you around,
Simon. Nice meeting you, pretty woman,” he called back.

Toya’s mouth was turned down in a sour
expression when she looked back at a grinning Rae. She whipped her
head back around and stomped off.

“That went well,” Rae quipped. She could not
suppress the cat-like smile of satisfaction spread on her face.

Simon gazed at her. “Now that you’re a hit,
you can afford to be generous. Toya is not a happy person.”

“Oh my, and seeing my success makes it worse.
I’m so sad about that.” Rae wore a fake forlorn expression.

Simon looked at his ex-wife. “Toya hasn’t had
the perfect life she likes to pretend.”

Rae did not like his tone. “Why are you
always making excuses for her? Anyone would think there was still
something between you. Maybe her wish for reconciliation isn’t so
one-sided?” She faced him.

“Now that is a paranoid delusion, sweetness.
I may have sympathy for Toya, but our divorce is a happy one in my
opinion.” Simon covered her mouth with his, brushing his tongue
along her lips. Cat calls and whistles came from those nearby.

“Cut that out,” Rae said. She put up a
half-hearted struggle to break free.

Simon held onto her in a solid grip. “I crave
you day and night. You’re in my heart, mind and body. Any more
questions?”

“That covers it,” Rae whispered. She shook
herself from the clutches of a romantic haze that was fast taking
over. “I’ve got to get back to work. It’s going to be a long
day.”

“I’ll be with you until the end.” Simon
winked at her.

The weather was perfect; sunny with a slight
breeze blowing off the bayou. Just as Rae and Garrett had expected,
the customers enjoyed the choice between indoor and outdoor
festivities. Andrew was having a great time playing host, so Rae
could mingle with what she hoped would be a substantial repeat
crowd.

As Jamal brought a fast-paced song to an end
with a flourish of his bass guitar, the crowd applauded and yelled
in appreciation.

“Y’all look like you’re having a fine time.
I’d say our hostess is doing a real good job of making everybody
happy. Let’s hear it for Rae!” Wes said into the microphone. A loud
drum roll ended in the clash of cymbals.

“There you go!” Marcelle yelled out,
grinning.

Numerous voices echoed their approval.

“Now, Rae’s been playing the role of
businesswoman well, but we know something she plays even better.
Don’t y’all wanna hear one of the best blues musicians around?” Wes
waved his arms to whip up enthusiasm and was rewarded with loud
shouts.

“Come on up here!” Wes beckoned.

“No, I’ve got other things to do,” Rae
protested, even as Simon and Marcelle propelled her towards the
stage. Her mother and brothers only laughed when she begged to be
rescued.

“Come on now, play my song, so I can show
these kids how to really party,” Tante Ina shouted. She and Uncle
David did a two-step and then she turned to Rae. “You know what I
wanna hear.”

Urged on by the crowd, Rae gave in. “This is
one special love song, just for my sweet Tante Ina and Uncle David.
And for everyone who has been lucky enough to find a one-of-a-kind
love.” She looked at Simon who was standing near the stage. He wore
a secret smile with a message that went straight to her heart.

The crowd became quiet. Rae thrummed the
electric guitar. She brought cheers from the crowd when she
launched into her version of the Fats Domino hit, ‘Ain’t That a
Shame.’ She and Jamal sang a duo, taking turns to sing lead.
Couples paired up to dance.

Rockin’ Good Times had opened with a bang.
The day went on without any major problems. When the bands took a
break, the jukebox provided background music. The employees pitched
in and took turns to rest for short periods.

Rae had tears in her eyes from time to time,
thinking of how wonderful the entire weekend had been. If only
Lucien could see it. She was sat on the edge of the porch, enjoying
the late evening shade after a hectic day, when her mother sat next
to her.

“Things been just beautiful today, cher.”
Aletha hugged her shoulders. “Andrew say it’s been jumpin’ since
you opened Friday night.”

“Yeah, Mama, I never expected it, to tell you
the truth.” Rae gazed around. “I thought folks would stay away. But
look at this crowd.” There was awe in her voice.

“You did some hard work gettin’ publicity,
darlin’. This ain’t no accident. Besides, down here we’re always
lookin’ for an excuse to party.” Aletha laughed.

“This is a dream come true, Mama.” Rae leaned
against her. “Lucien’s dream…”

“You’ve done your daddy’s memory proud,”
Aletha said in a soft voice.

“You think I made up for all those times I
said bad things to him,” Rae whispered. She sounded like a little
girl. “When we talked last year, he claimed he didn’t even remember
half of what I’d said. But I...” Her voice broke.

“You ain’t never had to apologize to Lucien,
Raenette. There wasn’t nothin’ you coulda said or done that would
stop him from lovin’ you. Nothin’.” Aletha dabbed at Rae’s eyes
with a cocktail napkin. “Shucks, he used to tell jokes about his
saucy baby girl.”