Sweet Mystery (9 page)

Darcy shrugged. “Who did he have handle
Pantheon?”

“You’re too cocky for your own good. He also
said Simon has done a lot for him.” Marius looked smug as his
insinuation hit home. “Oh yes, it could be Simon.”

“No, Grandfather wants a Jove to run the
business.” Darcy did not seem confident of his argument.

“You sure of that?” Marius goaded.

Darcy thought for a while and dismissed the
notion. “Your paranoid delusions are getting the best of you.
Grandfather will reward Simon, but not that way. If you’re really
nice to me, I just might let you keep your job.”

“Don’t start planning on all the changes
you’ll make as the new boss just yet,” Marius snarled. He balled up
his fists.

“Goodbye, Marius. By the way, we’re low on
coffee down at the office.” Darcy strolled out with a chuckle.

“You’ll get yours, cuz,” Marius mumbled.
“I’ll see to it.”

* * *

Marcelle wiped her mouth and sighed. “It’s so
nice to eat somebody else’s cooking for a change. I don’t get out
much, you know.”

“Gee, I never would have guessed.” Rae
laughed, remembering the way Marcelle had arranged for her
mother-in-law to care for the baby in record time.

“It’s a blessing to have two grandmothers,
both of ‘em housewives, living within fifteen miles.”

Rae and Marcelle were sat in Nadine’s, a
small po-boy shop on the highway just of town. Marcelle was taking
her time over a ham and cheese sandwich while Rae ate one
containing fried oyster.

“Hmm, good. I missed Louisiana home cooking
more than I realized.” Rae had her eyes closed. She chewed the
oyster with Louisiana hot sauce slowly, relishing it.

“Girl, you were lucky to be traveling all
over, going to Sweden and everything. I’d give up a little fresh
seafood for a while just for that.”

“It was great. You know, my band is better
known in Sweden and Great Britain than in the United States. Those
folks go crazy for blues. Zydeco, too.” Rae thought of the
enthusiastic crowds shouting for more into the early morning hours.
“I did love that part.”

Marcelle finished the last piece of her
po-boy. “You sure you want to give that up? Hey, you said your CD
is selling pretty good?”

“Yeah, well.” Rae took a deep swallow of
strawberry soda. “I don’t expect we’ll be superstars, not playing
Zydeco or blues. But we made a living at it. I even managed to put
away some money.”

“Hey, you’re spoilin’ my image of the
party-hard blues woman livin’ for today. Come on now, cher, I was
havin’ fun livin’ vicariously.” Marcelle grinned at her
impishly.

“Oh, I partied. For a long time I was young
and stupid. I’d have a lot more money if I hadn’t been.”

Rae thought of the first three years after
leaving home when she concentrated on forgetting Belle Rose and
Darcy. She’d come close to losing herself in drugs. A succession of
men did little to ease the loneliness.

“Rae, about Darcy...” Marcelle glanced around
to make sure no one was sitting close by. “Are you–”

“Over him? Oh yeah!” Rae gazed out of the
window at the passing vehicles. “It took me a while to figure out
why he got to me.”

“And..?”

“He treated me special. Darcy had a way of
making me feel like I was the center of his universe. I needed to
feel that way, Marcelle.” Rae thought of the ache of being treated
as an outcast during her childhood.

“I know. But you hid it well.”

Rae reached out and squeezed Marcelle’s hand.
“You stuck by me when the other kids were treating me like dirt,
even in high school. You’re the best, girlfriend.” Her voice broke.
Outside her family, Marcelle had been one of the few people she
could count on to stand with her.

Marcelle squeezed her hand back. “So are you.
And I’m glad you didn’t let that slimy night crawler ruin your
life.”

“Teenage intensity! I thought I’d die when he
cut me off cold.” Rae shook her head slowly. “I wanted to be loved
so badly. The oily, charming surface seemed like genuine
caring.”

“Little weasel.” Marcelle took a sip of her
soft drink. “You know what? He’s been sorry ever since. Had the
nerve to tell me you were the most exciting woman he’d ever been
with.”

“Now that’s pitiful,” Rae said with a sharp
laugh. “No wonder he’s got so many ex-wives.” She sighed. “Lord,
I’m glad adolescence is behind me. Isn’t it something how it takes
all your twenties to get over it though?”

“Who’s over it? I still think my nose is too
big. And Carmela Tate is not forgiven,” Marcelle said.

Rae looked at her in astonishment. “Oh
please, girl. We were fifteen. So Carmela told everyone your bra
size – so what?”

“And she waved my little double A cup she’d
sneaked from my gym locker.” Marcelle looked just as angry now.

“Everyone knew Carmela was a jealous big
mouth. I warned you not to tell her your business. But you wouldn’t
listen.”

“She’s still like that. I saw her at mass the
other day. Had the nerve to say Freddie Jr. made an eighty-nine on
a quiz while her Darvin made a ninety-four. Pooh-ya!”

“Get over it, Marcelle.” Rae laughed out
loud. “What do you care what she says? Gee, small-town life.”

“That’s right, Rae. Can you take it after
being in big cities all this time?” Marcelle studied her.

“I’ve thought about that.” Rae looked around
at the modest diner. “But I’m not that rebel trying desperately to
make everybody sit up and take notice.”

“Hey, lots of our old classmates have been
askin’ about you. Now that you’re a recording star up for a Grammy,
they wanna be your pal,” Marcelle said.

“I’m not up for a Grammy. Where in the world
did they... Marcelle! You didn’t?” Rae’s mouth hung open.

“Well, I might have mentioned something to
Carmela. You should have seen her face.” Marcelle cackled.

“Shame on you, telling tales in church.”

“We were on the parking lot. Besides, I said
you might be up for a Grammy.” Marcelle put her hands on her hips.
“Well, you’ve got as much chance as any other musician.”

Rae could not refute her logic. “You’re
priceless.”

They both laughed until the tears flowed.
After several minutes they sat still, feeling weak, drinking their
soda refills.

“Seriously, Rae, being back home means you’ll
run into Toya and Darcy on a regular basis.”

“I’ve all ready seen Toya.” Rae felt a
tightening in her stomach.

“And..?”

Rae shrugged. “She said hello, I said hello,
and that was about it.”

“For now. You keep meeting with her ex and
the claws will come out.” Marcelle nodded with vigor.

“What do you think of Simon St. Cyr?” Rae
tried to make the question sound casual. She remembered the warm,
tangy smell of his cologne. It pulled her to him, making it hard to
keep her mind on his talk of wetlands and tourism.

“The man is fine. He’s got a body that won’t
quit. Girl, that chest, those arms, thighs like steel and a
cute–”

Rae cut her off, “Marcelle, you’re a married
woman.”

She gave a sassy wink. “I’m married, not
dead. I can enjoy the view.”

“I meant what kind of person is he? A great
body and a handsome face isn’t everything.”

“So you agree he’s super fine, eh?” Marcelle
leaned forward to peer into Rae’s eyes.

“He looks okay. But I’m more interested in
how to deal with him. Can he be trusted?” Rae fiddled with the
straw in her glass without looking at Marcelle.

“You think he’s hot, admit it!” Marcelle
poked her with a finger.

“Will you grow up? This isn’t junior high,
for goodness sakes.”

“Rae, don’t try to fool me.”

“I ask you a simple question and you gotta
get all into this stuff,” Rae huffed.

“Well, that answered my question. And I hear
he gave you the look, too.” Marcelle wiggled her eyebrows. “Miss
Jarreau says that day he came up to you downtown he was really
smiling and Toya was furious. She said–”

“Give me a break! I only just met the man. So
he seems like a nice person.” Rae thought of the handsome profile.
A finger of heat traced a line up her back. “With a great smile and
a sexy voice. So what?” She stared out the window toward town as
though trying to see him.

“Beep-beep-beep, danger ahead,” Marcelle said
in a sing-song voice. “You gonna have a serious Jones for that man
if you don’t watch yourself.”

“Get real. Simon St. Cyr is not going to use
any fake charm on me. Bet he’s got as much moral fiber as Darcy.
The St. Cyrs and Joves hung together, dumping on my family.” Rae
tried to conjure up the old bitter feelings to counteract her
reaction to the sensuous man.

“The Joves more than the St. Cyrs. Simon
wasn’t even part of that since he was older than us and went to a
prep school in New Orleans.” Marcelle eyed her. “And he’s nothing
like Darcy, or most of the young men around here, except for my
Freddie, of course.”

“Oh really?” Rae affected a nonchalant
attitude. She leaned back in her chair in a casual pose.

“He’s got a reputation for being honest in
business.” Marcelle’s lips twitched with mirth at the studied
indifference that Rae tried to convey. “As for women, the talk is
he’s a real gentleman.”

Rae considered this statement. In Louisiana,
being called a real gentleman meant he treated women with respect,
without lying or sleeping around. Very interesting. So Simon St.
Cyr was an upstanding citizen, as far as anyone knew. That did not
mean she should trust him.

She lifted her chin. “All the same, I’m going
to check out his proposal seven different ways from Sunday, as the
old folks say. He’s not going to fool me with superficial
charm.”

“Right. Judging from the look on your face
when his name came up, I’d say you don’t think his charm is all
that phony.” Marcelle leaned forward and tapped her friend’s
arm.

“It’s business.”

Rae thought of her promise to Lucien. It was
all so complicated. To find out what happened to Pawpaw Vincent,
she needed money. Getting the dance hall in the shape she wanted
would take a sizeable amount of cash. But what would Lucien really
think of selling even a small portion of their land to a St. Cyr,
much less almost two-thirds? Coming home has opened up old wounds
and a new can of worms. Rae wondered how she could stay true to
herself and her father.

“Your daddy would understand if you can’t
handle all this on your own, Rae.” Marcelle seemed to read her
thoughts as usual.

“There’s got to be another way. I can’t let
St. Cyr and Darcy think they’re my only chance.” Rae tapped out a
beat on the table top.

“If I could, I’d float you a loan. Of course,
pennies won’t help.” Marcelle chuckled.

“That’s it!” Rae hugged Marcelle. “Sugar, why
didn’t you slap some sense into my head before now?”

Marcelle wore a baffled expression.
“What?”

“I’ll apply for a loan from the bank. Of
course, I’ll need a business plan. Only part of the property could
be used as collateral.” Rae looked pleased with herself.

Marcelle looked doubtful. “If you say so,
but–”

“Then I can let Simon St. Cyr know he’s not
the only game in town.”

“Henry Jove sits on First Federal’s board of
directors. You think he’s going to let you get a loan?” Marcelle
shook her head.

“Damn, it was nice while it lasted.” Rae
slumped back in her chair. She sat forward again with a determined
expression. “If push comes to shove, I’ll put it on my
MasterCard.”

“Sure you will,” Marcelle said with a wave of
her hand. Her eyes went wide at the look on Rae’s face. “You’re not
jokin’?”

“Nope! I’ll listen to Simon St. Cyr. But he
won’t pull the wool over my eyes with his smiling face.” Rae wore a
smug smile.

“You sure are hot to deny Simon St. Cyr has
had an effect on you.” Marcelle gazed at her. “Doesn’t sound like
just business to me.”

“Well it is,” Rae said. She lifted a shoulder
in a careless gesture. “If I let him get close, it would only be to
drive Toya crazy, which doesn’t seem like a bad thing at all the
more I think of it.”

“Just be careful. You might start off
pretending and find the only person you’ve trapped is yourself,”
Marcelle replied.

“Hey, I’ve got it under control.”

Rae felt a tickle of uneasiness despite her
words. The smell and feel of Simon standing close rushed back with
a vengeance. Why did he have to look at her with those soulful
brown eyes? Why did he have to look so... delectable? She found
herself beginning to speculate how his arms would feel around her.
Stop that! Simon St. Cyr is just another man. Period.

Rae steeled herself against anymore stupid
fantasies about a man who could very well be in a conspiracy to
trick her. Now all she had to do was figure out a way to keep him
out of her head for good.

Chapter 5

High thin clouds like cotton balls drifted
across the blue sky as an occasional breeze rustled the green
leaves of trees bordering the bayou. Rae stood next to Simon,
trying hard to keep her mind on business. The lovely weather made
it hard to concentrate on such dry matters as surveys,
water-quality studies and profit margins.

Simon, dressed in a tan, cotton sport shirt
and jeans, made it even more difficult. Rae kept mentally nudging
herself to remember that he was a St. Cyr. Yet every time he walked
away, her mind flipped the page back to very un-business-like
activities they could engage in on such a day. He was no
muscle-bound type, but the broad chest and shoulders were built
well all the same.

“Do you think this would be too close?” Simon
was pointing to something with his back to Rae.

“Hmm?” Rae watched the movement of his
shoulders as his arms moved.