Rue Toulouse (38 page)

Antoine smiled. “Sure, any time.”

Remi took a seat next to Caterine, handed her a wine cooler, and opened another beer for himself. Pulling a tray of mudbugs toward them, he said, “Okay, Princess, here’s how it’s done.” He twisted the tail, yanking it away from the head, then pinched the base of the tail, squeezing out the tender meat. “See how easy it is?” Remi grinned at the dubious way she stared at the remaining heads. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to eat those.”

Hesitantly she did as Remi instructed, then smiled in surprise. “This is very good.”

“I told you. Here, have some more.”

Suzette snorted. “I can’t believe you’ve never had mudbugs, Caterine. Where are you from anyway?”

“Not everyone eats the same things, Suzette,” Antoine said with exasperation. “Let’s go see what kind of desserts Aunt Annette has hidden on the porch. Remi, bring Caterine in to look at that car.”

Remi nodded.

“For some reason, I rub Suzette the wrong way. Did I say something I shouldn’t have?” Caterine asked.

“No, and don’t worry about it. Antoine’s been caught more than once where he shouldn’t have been, and Suzette’s leery of any pretty new face. Have you had your fill of mudbugs? If not, there’s all kinds of other food up on the porch. If you stop eating, Maman will think you don’t like her cookin’.”

“Actually, the red beans and rice looked awfully good, and so did the potato salad, and those creamed beans, and I’d like another one of these.” She waggled the wine cooler.

Remi laughed. “Where you gonna put all that food?”

Caterine shrugged. “All of a sudden, I’m starving.”

“Okay, you go get your food and I’ll get your wine cooler.”

As Caterine made her way across the grass, watching all the activity around her, she didn’t notice the little girl until she came crashing into her legs. Startled, Caterine looked down to see a smiling face streaked with strawberry ice cream looking up at her. Caterine bent down and smiled back. “Well, hello. What’s your name?”

The girl, whom Caterine guessed to be around two, just giggled.

“Bridget, where are you?” Caterine heard a voice call.

“I have a feeling that’s you.” Caterine stood to see where the voice was coming from. She spotted Remi’s sister with an identical little girl in her arms and called, “She’s over here, Chloe.”

“Thanks, Caterine. She got away from me while I was cleaning up Britney,” Chloe said.

“They’re adorable. How old are they?”

“Almost two, and they’re a handful.”

“Can I help?”

Chloe smiled. “If you wouldn’t mind holding Britney while I clean Bridget’s face, I’d appreciate it.”

Caterine took the little girl, who immediately grabbed for the silver hoops in her ears.

“Is your husband here?”

“No. I’m divorced.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I . . .”

“It’s okay. You had no way of knowing.”

“It must be tough raising the girls on your own.”

“Yes, but I’d rather do that than deal with a husband who’s a lying, cheating asshole.”

Okay, time to change the subject
, Caterine thought.

“Do you and the girls live close by?”

“Not too far. I’m an RN. I work at the hospital in Houmas. There, now they’re both presentable again.” Chloe released Bridget and took Britney from Caterine. “So are you enjoying yourself?”

“Yes, very much, thank you. I was on my way to the porch and more food.”

Chloe smiled. “Maman will love to hear that. She’s not happy unless everyone is so stuffed they can’t move.”

“I’ve never seen so much food. Did your mother do all of the cooking?”

Chloe rolled her eyes. “She used to but, thank God, she lets others help out now. You have no idea what it was like having to help prepare all those dishes. That’s probably why Yvette hates to cook.”

“I’m the opposite. I was never allowed to cook, so I want to learn.”

Chloe laughed. “Don’t let my mother hear you say that. Trust me, you’ll regret it. So tell me, have you and Remi known each other long?”

Caterine shook her head. “Only a few weeks. I met him at a friend’s costume ball.”

“Oh, so you live in New Orleans?”

Caterine hesitated. Not wanting to go into details, she nodded.

Remi walked up and handed Caterine a wine cooler. “Hey there, squirt.” Grabbing one of the twins, Remi tossed her in the air.

Amid her sister’s squeals of delight, the other twin yelled, “Me, too, Emi.”

Chloe grinned at her brother. “He’s great with kids. He’ll make a great father someday.”

Caterine’s heart filled as she watched Remi tossing first one then the other little girl. “I’m sure he will.”

Curiosity showed clearly in Chloe’s eyes as she looked from Caterine to Remi.

She’s wondering how serious our relationship is. Well, Chloe, so am I.
Aloud Caterine said, “I love children. There aren’t any in my family, so I enjoy my friend’s two boys.”

“So you’d like to have kids of your own?” Chloe asked.

Caterine smiled. “Oh yes.”

After eating more food than she could ever remember eating in her life, Caterine sat contentedly with Remi, listening as a new group of musicians tuned their instruments.

“Are they all members of your family as well?”

“Most of them. Some are family friends.”

“Hey, Remi, come on. You do the first number with us,” called an older man from the makeshift stage.

Caterine was surprised when Remi stood. “You can sing?”

Giving her a smug smile, he walked toward the stage.

“He thinks he can,” John said, sitting in the spot Remi had vacated.

“You’re just jealous, John, because Remi can and you can’t,” Yvette said, sitting on Caterine’s other side.

Caterine smiled with delight when Remi strapped on a guitar and began to sing and play.

“Do you know what he’s saying?” John asked.

Caterine smiled. “Only about half of it, but he sounds great.”

John winked. “He’s singing you a love song.”

“No kidding? I’ll have to have him translate it to me later.”

“I’ve never heard him sing this to anyone before.” Yvette gave Caterine a wide smile. “It’s called ‘Madame Sosthene.’ ”

Caterine could feel her cheeks turn pink as all eyes seemed to be on her and Remi.

“Can you dance to this?” John asked as the band switched to a lively two-step.

Caterine eagerly nodded.

“Then let’s go.”

They stomped and clapped along with the crowd as they twirled their way around the grassy dance floor. She was out of breath and laughing by the time Remi took her from his brother’s arms.

“You’ve had enough, little bro. She’s mine now.”

Caterine, feeling happier than she ever had, smiled up into Remi’s eyes. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him. “You are a sexy singer. Did you know that? Your sister told me you were singing a love song to me, and I having a wonderful time.”

Laughing, he kissed the top of her head and held her tight as they swayed to the music. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself, Princess.”

“Oh yes, Remi. Thank you so much for bringing me. Your family is terrific.”

“I’m sure they think you’re pretty terrific yourself, especially Yvette, who’s sitting over there with a rather large book on her lap looking like she’s sitting on a mound of fire ants. I’m going to leave you with her while I take care of some business. All right?”

Caterine nodded.

“You ever been on a swamp boat?”

“No. Why?”

A mischievous glint came into Remi’s eyes as he smiled. “After I’ve finished with my business, I’ll take you for a ride.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Remi sat Caterine next to Yvette, then gathered a select few of his male relatives and ushered them onto the dock. There he privately explained Caterine’s situation and asked for their assistance at the Doucette Mardi Gras ball. Waiting for their responses, he leaned against a post and lit a cigarette.

“You’d better not let Maman see you smoking that,” John said. “She’ll kick your ass.”
 

Remi snorted. “Yeah, well, it’s a good thing my maman doesn’t see half the things I do.”

“How exactly can we help?” Remi’s cousin Cecil asked.

“I’ll need someone to keep an eye on Caterine at all times and to look out for anyone acting out of the ordinary.”

His Uncle Sosa grinned. “It’s Mardi Gras. Everyone is acting out of the ordinary.”

Remi smiled. “Acting suspiciously, then.”

“Are you telling us we get to go to a fancy-ass ball, eat fancy food, and all we have to do is keep an eye on a pretty girl?” Antoine asked.

“That’s it. Along with catching the
fils de putain
who’s trying to kill her.”

“Will she be wearing a wire?” Sosa asked.

“
Mais yeah
,” Remi replied. “I’ll be the one listening on the other end.”

“Will concealed weapons be required?” his Uncle Bernard asked.

Remi nodded. All humor left their faces.

“We’re with you,
cher
. Tell us where to be and when,” his cousin Philippe said.

Remi smiled. “Thanks. I knew I could count on all of you.”

Antoine snorted. “You haven’t heard our price yet,
cher
.”

“Do you really mean it, Caterine?” Yvette exclaimed.

“Yes, I really mean it. You’re very talented, and I’m sure we’ll have a place for you at Ma Chérie. We need to appeal to young professionals, and your designs are exactly what I’m looking for.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you!” Yvette threw her arms around Caterine’s neck.

“For God’s sake, Yvette, don’t choke her,” Remi said, stopping in front of the two women.

“Oh, Remi, I’m going to work at Ma Chérie!” Yvette squealed again, jumping up and throwing her arms around her brother. “I’ve got to tell Maman.” Grabbing her design book, she gave Caterine one more hug before running off.

Remi watched her go, then turned to Caterine. “That was nice of you, but you didn’t have to do that.”

“I didn’t do it to be nice. I did it because your sister is very talented and I could use her at Ma Chérie.”

Remi smiled. “Okay. Now, Princess, are you ready for your swamp boat ride?”

Caterine stared at the unusual looking boat tethered to the dock. “I suppose, but are you sure you know how to drive that thing? I mean, aren’t there snakes and alligators out there?”

“Princess, I’ve been driving that boat since I was big enough to reach the wheel. And yes, there’re snakes and alligators out there, but we’re not going swimming, just for a ride.” Remi cocked his head at seeing her pensive expression. “Can you swim?”

“Yes, but I don’t want to end up in that bayou.”

“Unless you jump off, you’re not going to end up in the bayou. Wait for me on the dock. I’ll be right back.”

Caterine stood at the end of the dock and studied the airboat with apprehension.

“Nice, isn’t it?”

She turned to see Remi’s Uncle Sosa standing behind her. “I’ve never seen one close up before. They’re rather unusual, aren’t they?”

Sosa shrugged. “I suppose they’d look strange to someone who wasn’t used to being around them, but they’re a part of life down here.”

The flat-bottomed boat lay low in the water. Approximately fifteen feet long, it had a tilted bow. Behind a raised seat, an encaged motor with a large propeller was mounted at the stern.

“How fast can it go?”

Sosa smiled. “Remi taking you for a ride?”

Caterine nodded.

His smile widened. “Make sure you hang on,
cher
.”

“Ignore him, Caterine.” Remi stepped around Sosa to set a small cooler in the boat. “Here, give me your hand. I’ll help you in.”

Caterine hesitated, looking from Remi’s outstretched hand to Sosa’s grinning face and back to the boat.