Magic (Coeur du Bayou Trilogy Book 3)

by Lisa Coots

  “What do you mean snooping?” Mason asked Gabe over their mother’s shoulder.

  “She's come to the office a few times. She seems to think we need her for some reason. I told the assistant you hired to be nice, but not tell her anything.” Gabe sat the tumbler down on an end table making the ice clink against the glass.

  “Eva doesn't need to be there at all. It's over.”

  “She thinks since the TV idea was hers, she should be involved.” Still holding onto Mason’s hands his mother pulled him down to sit next to her on the loveseat.

  “But it's over. I wouldn't dare try that again after the last mess.”

  “I agree. We don't need the bad publicity.” Standing again, Gabriel paced.

  “Gabe, who do you think set us up?” Mason had thought it through so many times, but still wasn’t close to coming up with an answer.

  “I don't know. Does it matter? It's over.” His brother stopped to gaze out of the window into the luscious courtyard.

  “If it's someone on our team, we need to know. It could ruin any credibility we have left, if they try it again.”

  The surprise on his face was genuine as he turned back to Mason. “Do you think they'd do it again? Why would someone on our team want to ruin us?”

  “I can't answer that, but if it was someone else, someone not on our team, they'd be on the video. We know who was there.”

  “How? Did we have the video running the whole time?”

  “Ben's very good at what he does. Recording everything is his business. He's meticulous when it comes to evidence.”

  “I can't imagine anyone on our team doing that. Who do you suspect?” Shaking his salt and pepper hair, Gabriel leaned against the back of the arm chair.

  “I don't know but I need to figure it out.” Mason knew if he had that piece of the puzzle, it would help heal things between him and Serena.

  “Well, it certainly wasn't me.”

  “I never thought it was. You had no reason to sabotage our chances of getting a show.”

  “Who did Mason?” The worry on his mother's brow made him flinch. He hadn't meant to bother her with this business.

  The investigator he had originally hired to find Serena, was now set to a different task.

  “Mom, we all wanted the show.”

  “Was that why they did it, to make sure the show was picked up?”

  “Well, if they did, they weren't too smart about it.” Gabe pushed away from the chair to pace again.

  “Exactly. It was meant to be found.”

  “Could it have been one of the TV crew?”

  Mason shrugged. “Yes, that was my first thought, but why? What stake would they have in it?”

  “You're not thinking it was Serena?” His mother could always read him.

  He hung his head shamefully. “When she left so abruptly what was I to think?”

  “Mason. She left because you accused her.” His brother’s voice, now irritated, spoke the truth and he knew it.

  “What?” Shocked, his mother sat up straighter.

  “It didn't come out right. You know how I get. Believe me, I'm still paying for it.” Running a hand through his hair, he thought again of the hurt on Serena’s face.

  “You have to fix that.”

  “I know Mom.”

  “For what it's worth, I don't think it was her. She's like you. There's no need to fake it.” Gabe began pacing again as he considered the suspects. “My money's on somebody outside the team. Maybe paid off by one of the other teams being considered for a show. I wouldn’t put it past Graham Young or one of his Sentinel crew.”

  “That's what I'm thinking, as well as Ben,” Mason agreed, then added, “Once I was able to think rationally.”

  “So you'll go back to her then and make this right.” His mother’s voice was firm as she spoke. It wasn't a question or a request, but an order.

  “I'm going to try, Mom.”

  “You will. You belong together.”

  He nodded in agreement. If only he could convince Serena of that.

  CHAPTER 16

  Serena stole quick glances at the moving map location dot on her phone while minding the traffic around her. Slowing down before the dot arrived at the destination, she put her phone down. The owner had told her over the phone that finding the bridal shop would be easy. The old Victorian home looked oddly out of place in the middle of the busy downtown bustle. Serena couldn't help but smile at the perfectness of it. Pulling into the small parking lot, she relaxed. This was going to work out.

  Wedded Bliss was a quaint and quirky mix of old and new wedding retailery with a fairytale feel. The owner knew her stuff. Brides would be excited simply to cross that threshold into a whimsical world of white in the hopes of finding the perfect dress.

  This meeting could have waited, but she knew everyone would want to know where she had been. Adding this meeting to her trip was her way of covering herself. Wedding business. It wouldn't be a lie, not totally. Not that it mattered anymore, that particular cat was out of the bag. Faith and Claire wouldn't care, but Mason... He wouldn't understand. She knew she shouldn't care, but she did. Their shared memories of a past life together had created a bond. She loved him, and she didn't want to hurt him even if they didn't end up together.

  As she reached the picturesque porch, complete with spindle railings, Serena tried to push Mason from her mind. She had a mission to accomplish. This was important. The door creaked on its hinges, as she pushed it opened. She stepped in, taking a moment to let the shop’s ambiance wash over her, she let the door close behind her. Instantly aware of the memories and emotions still hovering, she let her eyes adjust. The scented candles and the smell of fabric couldn't completely mask the aroma of musty oldness.

  “Hi! Can I help you?” A bright cheery voice resonated from a rack of pastel colored bridesmaid dresses.

  “Yes. I'm here to see Michelle LeBert.”

  “Oh, yeah. You must be Mrs. Del Toro.” The rack shook a bit before a dark haired woman stepped from behind it. Her shiny straight black hair hung sleekly past her shoulders as she straightened to greet Serena. Suddenly uncomfortable with Mason's last name, she wondered why she had ever taken it.

  “Umm, please call me Serena.” She offered her hand in greeting, trying to shake the image of herself in a white lace gown.

  “Nice to meet you. I'm Michelle. I have to say, after we talked on the phone, I'm so excited about this. I try to offer that here. You know, individual service. Private sessions where the bride can take her time and try on as many dresses as she wants. No fighting over racks.” The last sentence was emphasized with an eye roll and a friendly grin.

  “Right. I want the same thing. It would just be an extension of the service you already provide. Your service, my place. I would love to offer that as part of the package of getting married at Coeur du Bayou.”

  “I'm game.” The bright smile Michelle offered was guarded but genuine. Serena felt an instant bond. She recognized a kindred spirit. An entrepreneur making a place for herself where she didn’t fit in. The same charm of the old home in the midst of the new modern buildings. Michelle had the same appeal. She didn’t belong in the city, her accent brought visions of country sunsets and the smell of wildflowers.

  “Just like that?”

  “Yeah. I mean we have to work out details, but I'm willing to give it a try. I really want to see this house, too. Come on. Let's go to my office. My next bride doesn't come in till four.”

  Serena followed her through a maze of white covered in plastic.

  “You want to look?” Michelle looked back over her shoulder with a mischievous grin.

  “Yeah, I do but let's talk first.” Running her hand over a plastic covering, she admired the dress underneath. A prickling feeling on the back of her neck made her pause. “Michelle, are you married?”

  “Well, that's not awkward.” The frown on her face told of disappointment and regret.

  “I'm sorry. I just got thi
s feeling.”

  “Like what?” Narrowing her eyes, she placed a hand on her hip obviously expecting to be offended.

  “I think you're going to meet someone.”

  “Who?” Eyes widening in surprise, Michelle’s hand dropped lifelessly to her side.

  “I don't know.”

  “If you get a name and address let me know. Hell, just the name. I can track him down.” Laughing, she turned back towards her office.

  “I'm sorry. That was weird. I normally keep stuff like that to myself.”

  “Hey, if you've got some magic that marries people off, our new arrangement is going to be successful.”

  After going over financial and practical details, Serena showed Michelle pictures from Claire’s engagement party. Eager to show off the house and her hard work, Serena felt Ben's photos captured the feel of what she was trying to accomplish. Michelle's appreciation of the details were vocalized with generous variations of wows and ahhs. While she admired the photos, Serena flipped through catalogs, marking styles of dresses she thought Claire would like. Several reminded her of Faith, so she tagged those, too. Remembering the dream, she shivered.

  “Wow! Your house is amazing.”

  “Thanks. I've worked really hard for this.” Serena couldn’t help the burst of pride she felt, having done as much of the work as she could herself.

  “These pictures are great. You'll have to give me the photographer's name.”

  “Ben. Ben Peltier.” The afternoon light from the window shone on the catalog pages as she flipped slowly through.

  “I'm guessing all of these guys are taken. So, not my mystery man?” Michelle looked up from her desk with another eye roll.

  Serena laughed, leaning over the desk to point out Claire and Evan. “This is the happy couple.” Then finding a picture of Faith and Jake, she continued, “This is Faith and Jake. I'm sure we'll be planning their wedding next. Faith made the cake. Did you see it?”

  “Wow, if she does work like that I might be able to send her some business, too.” Michelle flipped back to the picture of the cake to take a second look.

  “Well, it might be a little far, but who knows what could happen?” Serena sat back into the sunbeam resuming her search.

  Michelle continued to flip through the pictures, stopping every now and then to take a closer look.

  “What's this?” Holding a picture close to her face, Michelle studied it intently then looked to Serena. “What is that?”

  “Let me see.”

  She held out the picture of Claire standing at the top of the stairs, clearly upset. The shadowy figure of a man loomed behind her.

  “Damn it, Ben,” Serena muttered to herself, taking the photo from Michelle. “It's nothing. He wasn't supposed to put that in there.”

  “Wait a minute.” Michelle snatched the picture back to look again. “Is that a person?”

  “It's just a shadow, really. The photographer was trying to be funny.”

  “No, that's not a joke. Your house is haunted too? Now I really want to see it for myself.”

  Serena nodded silently. Michelle was obviously not a stranger to the paranormal. The sensations she felt upon entering were confirmed. Michelle's shop had its own presence, and Michelle wasn't afraid. She would fit in great at Coeur du Bayou.

  “So, how soon are we planning to have the first dress appointment with the bride?” Pushing the pictures aside, Michelle ran her finger over the desk planner considering dates.

  No, she didn't frighten easy. That was a good thing.

  “As soon as you have the dresses in the sizes I've marked.”

  “That's some very different styles… And sizes.” Michelle raised an eyebrow at Serena.

  “They're not all for her.”

  Richie be damned. This was going to happen.

  CHAPTER 17

  There was something going on. Serena could feel it. She had been back over a week, and everything was quiet; too quiet. Even the spirits were silent. She felt nothing from Richie or Anna.

  Her friends had also been scarce. Faith had been limiting her time to just baking then hurrying out the door as soon as the baked goods were cool enough to transport. Claire was staying away like Evan had requested. Ben worked quietly around her, watching the readings, changing out memory cards and batteries. Serena often forgot he was in the house. On the other hand, Mason had yet to return and she felt his absence the most.

  If she were to be honest with herself, she would have to admit her disappointment that he wasn't waiting for her when she returned. With each passing day her disappointment grew and so did the longing. Her time with Mason had been the happiest she could ever remember. She had been herself with him, no hiding. Until he had accused her. The betrayal had been more than she could bear.

  “Hey, Rena.” Ben poked his head through the opening of the bookcase door.

  “Yeah?” She looked up from the open catalogs on her desk she had been staring at for the last hour.

  “I was wondering if you've heard from Mason.”

  “No. Why?”

  “I figured he’d be back by now.” Absently playing with the door latch, his eyes wondered over the catalogs on her desk.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No, not really. I just had some audio I wanted a second opinion on.” Ben hovered awkwardly in the doorway. He took a step into her office, then took a step back.

  “I can do it,” Serena offered brightly waving him inside her office.

  “Sure. When you have time.” His blue eyes darted toward the doorway before his body turned away.

  “Ben, did anything happen while I was away?”

  Hesitating a moment too long, Ben slowly turned towards her.

  “No, not really. Door slammed one night, but nothing else.” He shrugged, not looking into her eyes.

  “Mmm...” She considered, nodding at him. “No crying?”

  “Maybe. There could have been.” He scratched his head as if trying to recall.

  “So Faith was here?”

  “What?” he asked wide eyed, then cast his gaze downwards. “I don't remember.”

  “Ben, don't lie. You know exactly everything that happens here. It's recorded somewhere.”

  “Ok, yes.” Finally making his way into her office, Ben sat heavily on an antique chair. “She had some baking to do and snuck in the kitchen. I told her she shouldn't be here, but she wouldn't listen.”

  In his eagerness to explain himself, he leaned forward. His frustrated expression reminded her of a child wrongly accused lamenting over the injustice of it all.

  “It's ok. I gave her a key.”

  “Oh, so you're not mad?” Ben sat up curiously, the rickety chair groaned in protest.

  “No, I knew she'd probably come anyway.” Serena laughed. “She's safe here. Anna wouldn't let anything happen to her.”

  “Oh, then why did you make such a fuss?” Leaning back in the small wooden chair, he breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Well, it was worth a try. I figured it would give everyone time to calm down.”

  “Yeah, I think it did.” Stretching out he clasped his hands behind his head, the wood spindles underneath him squeaked with his shifting weight. “You and Mason needed some time, too.”

  Serena rolled her eyes at his attempt to change the subject, then gave in.

  “Yes, we did. I think we'll be fine.” Serena smiled thinking about his return.

  Hearing a voice from the foyer, Ben called through the doorway, “In here.”

  “What's going on?” Evan's large form filled the opening. His tone made the question more of an accusation.

  “Evan. What now?” Feeling his dark mood, Serena stood.

  “I found this in the party pictures.” He eyed Ben with a dark look as he handed Serena the picture of Richie’s ghostly form standing behind Claire on the staircase.

  “Ben…,” Serena hissed.

  “Wait a minute. Serena, I gave you that picture. Remember, you left
it in the kitchen?” Holding his hands up in front of himself, Ben didn’t try to stand with Evan looming so close.

  “Maybe Faith picked it up by accident,” Serena offered the most logical explanation. Evan's face remained unconvinced. “Look, I'm sorry. It wasn't supposed to be in there.”

  “Anything else happen?” His black eyes narrowed on Serena.

  “No. It's been really quiet.” Looking to Ben for confirmation, she waited for his nod then asked, “Why?”

  “Something's going on.” Hands on his hips, Evan towered over her, only the desk between them.

  “What do you mean?” Her earlier suspicions nagged at her. Holding her breath, Serena waited for his answer.

  “Claire's acting funny.”

  “Don't worry about it, Evan. I'm sure it's just the wedding stuff. She's excited. We all are.” She sat back at her desk, trying to reassure the brooding deputy.

  “Yeah.”

  “What's the matter? You don't sound excited,” Ben asked cautiously.

  “She's hell bent on getting married here.” Evan shook his head miserably leaning against the door frame.

  “Evan, it's going to be fine. You just leave all the details to us. All you have to do is show up and say I do.”

  “Yeah, I will. I just don't think I'm being unreasonable.”

  “Did Claire say that?”

  “Uh, huh. Faith used other words.”

  “I can imagine.” Ben chuckled.

  “She called me unreasonable. You know what she said? If we can't get married in the house, she wants to get married in the graveyard.”

  Serena had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at his horrified expression. It was clever. She'd have to ask whose idea it was, Faith's or Claire's.

  “So, it's back at the house then?” She didn't even try to hide her smile.

  “Yeah, well, we talked about having it out on the lawn if the weather's good. If not, then inside.”

  “Inside it is then.”

  “If the weather's bad…” catching her meaning, Evan gave her a smirk. “Ha. Very funny.”