Trouble in Mudbug (41 page)
Maryse wiped at the tears lurking in the corners of her eyes, wondering that she had a single ounce of fluid in her left to cry after the night she’d had. “It means the world is getting two new members?” Maryse smiled. “I hope it’s ready.”
Maryse gave Sabine another quick hug, then rose from the floor. “I’d love to stay and make plans for our takeover of humanity, but I have some unfinished business with a fake zoologist.”
Sabine smiled. “Let the takeover begin.”
Maryse left the shop with a spring in her step. If everything could turn out so good for Sabine, why couldn’t it turn out that good for her? But the apparition just outside the shop door brought her up short. Maryse took one look at the guilty expression on Helena Henry’s face and knew something was up, and in a flash, she knew exactly what it was.
“You did that,” Maryse accused. “You created the image of Sabine’s parents.”
Helena shrugged and shuffled her feet. “Well, you weren’t exactly getting anywhere with that lame speech of yours, and I didn’t need you sinking back in to your former existence just because Sabine was stuck in hers.” Helena grinned. “Besides, I kinda like the nutbag, and I wanted her to be happy. Is that so bad?”
“I guess not. But making up visions of dead parents to fool a daughter is sort of low, even for trying to make someone happy. You’ve got to stop manipulating people, Helena. Even if you think it’s for their own good.”
Helena glared at her. “What do you take me for, a charlatan? I admit, I created the image, but the people were really Sabine’s parents, or the likeness at least.”
“But how do you know what they looked like?”
Helena shrugged. “I took a look on the other side, and there they were. I think they’re always close to her.”
Maryse stared. “You can look on the other side? Then why can’t you go there?”
Helena gave her a sad smile. “I tried, but they told me it’s not my time yet. Apparently, I still have some work to do here.”
Maryse smiled and shook her head. “You know, I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but I’m sorta glad you’re not going yet, Helena. I would have missed you.”
Helena nodded. “Of course you would. Not many have been graced with my stellar personality transformation like you have.”
Maryse groaned and pointed a finger at her as they walked down the sidewalk to Maryse’s rental car. “That is
not
an invitation to show up unannounced or to harass me over the television channel. Well…as soon as I actually have a television, and a house to put it in.”
Helena raised her hand as if taking an oath. “I promise I will not intrude without making an appointment. Although, I’ve already seen you naked, so I don’t know what else there is.”
“Because I plan on being naked with someone else. That is, if things work out.”
Helena grinned. “You know, I always did think Luc had a fantastic butt. I wouldn’t mind seeing it just once.”
“Helena!” Maryse cried, but the wily ghost walked through the wall of the not-yet-open beauty shop, making following her an impossibility.
Maryse headed to the parking lot and jumped in her rental car. She pulled out onto Main Street and drove through town, then merged onto the gravel road and sped toward the office, her mind whirling like a tornado. What if Luc’s interest in her had only been because of his job? What if he had only cared about her enough to not want her dead? Or even worse, what if the sex was so bad that he’d changed his mind?
Good God, the possibilities were endless.
She rounded the corner down from the office and saw Luc’s Jeep parked outside.
There’s still time to change your mind.
She eased her foot off the accelerator.
You’re not even divorced from the first man who made you look like a fool. Do you really want to run that risk again?
The car rolled to a stop, and she stared at the Jeep once more, biting her lower lip. Was love really worth the risk? But then she remembered Luc’s face when he’d lifted her in the alley, his fear that she was hurt, then the utter relief when he realized she was okay. She remembered exactly how warm his arms felt wrapped around her and how the soft touch of his lips grazed her face. And she remembered her body’s response to him.
She pressed down the accelerator, and the car leapt forward. Definitely worth it.
Luc looked up in surprise when she walked in the office. “I thought you’d still be in bed,” he said.
“Or hiding in a closet?” she joked.
Luc smiled. “No, not you. Although that might have made things easier.” He studied her for a moment. “How are you doing?”
Maryse nodded. “I’m fine. I mean, overwhelmed on some things and still disappointed on others, but it will all pass in time. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.”
“Probably an accurate statement.”
Maryse pointed to the box of video cameras Luc was packing. “So I guess you’re clearing out, huh?”
“Yeah. I figured you wouldn’t need the security equipment anymore, and I sorta appropriated it without permission.”
Maryse smiled. “I bet. So how much trouble are you in?”
Luc shrugged. “More than I’d like and less than the boss-man would, I’m sure.”
Now or never. Maryse stepped closer to him. “And was it worth it?”
Luc locked his eyes on hers. “Definitely.”
Maryse took another step towards him, her body so close she could feel the heat coming off of him. “If you’d like to prove that statement, there’s still about ten minutes before the office is supposed to open.”
Luc’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure.”
Luc smiled and ran his finger across her lips. “You know, that statement lacks punch coming from someone with so much uncertainty in her everyday life.”
“Sure, point out my flaws when I’m standing here pouring out my heart.”
Luc leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. “I love you, Maryse Robicheaux. God help me, I’m head over heels for you.”
Maryse felt her heart pound in her chest. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure.”
“Says the guy who sees ghosts. Like that’s not uncertain.”
Luc wrapped his arms around Maryse and pulled her close to him. This time his kiss wasn’t gentle but sensual, and Maryse felt her legs grow weak. “I love you, too, Luc LeJeune,” she said. “God help us both.”
Luc laughed. “We’re a mixed pair, Maryse. Me with a one-bedroom studio in the city and you living in a hotel. What are we supposed to do about that?”
“Actually, I’ve been thinking about that…about everything that’s happened over the last week. I know what I thought was a cure wasn’t really, but the thing that made it different is that the mice didn’t get sick. I think it’s something worth pursuing. If I found a way to alleviate illness during radiation, that wouldn’t be a cure, but it’d be a hell of a lot better than the way it is now.”
“That’s a great idea, Maryse.”
“So I was thinking that since your job and the university lab are in New Orleans, maybe keeping your apartment there isn’t such a bad idea.”
“And what about Mudbug?”
“I’ve got the insurance money from my cabin and the land lease money coming soon. I was thinking about building again, somewhere on the bayou, just on the outskirts of town. Nothing fancy.”
“No more hiding out in boat-access-only living quarters?”
Maryse smiled. “I’ve missed out on things for too long. I’m not going to make that mistake again. So do you think you can handle living in a small town again…part time at least?”
Luc planted small kisses down the side of her neck. “I think I’m going to love it.”
“You know,” Maryse said as she reached around to squeeze Luc’s butt. “I’ve never made it with an undercover agent before. At least, not that I was aware of.”
“Really? So you’re telling me there are no other men in your life?”
Maryse grinned. “Well, there was this zoologist, but his exit strategy needed work.”
Luc drew her lips to his again, the promise of everything to come in his kiss. “Who says I’m going anywhere?”
Helena Henry stepped out of the beauty shop that evening and crossed Main Street. Maryse and Luc had just pulled up in front of the hotel, and from the rumpled looks of their hair and clothes, Helena had serious doubts they’d been doing any botany back at the office.
She smiled as Mildred and Sabine walked out of the hotel to greet them. Luc took Maryse’s hand in his and spoke directly to the two other women. From the ecstatic looks on their faces, Helena had no doubt what news Luc was delivering. He was still talking when Mildred grabbed him in a hug, probably crushing every rib in his body. Even from her place across the street, Helena could see the tears in the hotel owner’s eyes.
Helena felt her own eyes mist a bit, both with joy and regret. Pretty soon Maryse would have a whole new mother-in-law to deal with. She could only hope the next one didn’t cause Maryse the trouble Helena had.
But all that was behind them now. Maryse was safe, and the land was protected. Luc had put things in motion, and Helena had no doubt that her exhumation was just around the corner. Maybe then she’d get the answers she needed to leave this Earth.
The foursome finished their hugs and walked into the hotel, and Helena had no doubt Mildred would be breaking out a bottle from her champagne stash. Helena looked around at the quaint little town and sighed. It was all so peaceful, so normal.
But for now, someone in Mudbug had still gotten away with murder.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To Colleen Gleason, friend and critique partner extraordinaire, for keeping me honest and always making me work harder. My parents Jimmie and Bobbie, brother Dwain, sis-in-law Donna, and beautiful niece KatiAnne, for all your continued support. To the fabulous staff at the Jefferson Hotel, in Jefferson Texas. Maybe I’ll get to see a ghost next time! To my editor, Leah Hultenschmidt for agonizing over the cover (it’s fabulous!) and every word in between. And to my wonderful agent, Kristin Nelson, for understanding why this was the series I absolutely had to write and working with me and the publisher until I had the opportunity to.
CRITICS ARE CHARMED BY JANA DeLEON!
UNLUCKY
“The quirky characters keep the action moving and I’m sure Mallory has been sitting next to me every time I go to the casino.”
—Barbara Vey,
Publishers Weekly
Beyond Her Book Blog
“With original, smart and comedic writing, DeLeon delivers a three-dimensional hero and heroine, a community of offbeat secondary characters, a complex and intriguing plot with a hint of paranormal and a fascinating peek into the world of casino poker.”
—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“Ms. DeLeon has an excellent knack at weaving the total story together. She gives the right amount of mystery and suspense with plenty of romance and lots of laughter thrown in. I enjoyed every page and found it hard to put down. I think many people will be putting
Unlucky
on their keeper shelves.”