by Susan Sands
Stopping to study a canvas of the French Quarter by a local artist, Sabine was struck by a wave of homesickness.
“Honey, are you alright?”
“The Quarter seems so alive in this painting. I’d forgotten how much I miss home sometimes.”
Mom sighed. “Me too. Someday, maybe we can go back to stay. But I like it here too, you know? I’m glad I can finally say that. It was so hard to be away from New Orleans at first.”
Sabine grinned back at her mother. “I know what you mean. We’re going to try harder to make this our home—at least while we’re here. It’s been long enough.”
They complimented the artist before moving on. “Personally, sweetheart, I think you should call Richard and work on settling things.”
Sabine tensed. “I don’t think so, Mom.” She hadn’t given Richard much thought lately.
He was one of those “things” she’d done her best to sweep out of her immediate consciousness. She now pictured his too-handsome face, dark hair, perma-tan, and straight, white teeth. No wonder his constituents loved him. He had such charisma. She’d been drawn to him, just as they were. He’d once been the love of her life. But she didn’t have all the information then.
“You can’t move forward until you get him on board with a divorce.”
“I’m not even sure how to approach him.”
“I think you should call him up and give him the boot—permanently.” Her petite mother stood before her, hands on hips.
“Uh—why don’t we have a look at the floral arrangements?”
“Nice try, darling. But I think you should give some serious consideration to making that call.”
She nodded. “I’ll consider it.” Hopefully, that would buy her some time without her mother fussing about the subject.
“That’s all I ask.” They began moving toward the flower arrangements.
“What about you? Are you considering dating again?” Sabine asked.
“Oh, I’m considering it,” her mother replied.
This honestly surprised Sabine after the hell her mom had been through. “What about Dad?”
“What about him?” her mother snapped.
“I mean, are you going to see him and try and at least talk about what happened—tell him how what he did made you feel?” Sabine felt like she had to try.
“No. If I never see his lying, cheating, and manipulating ass again, I’ll rest in peace.” Her face was pure granite.
“I don’t doubt it, but I think you might be able to move forward a little easier if you could put the past squarely behind you.”
“Honey, I’m your mother, not your patient. Please don’t therapy me.”
“Okay. Sorry.” Sabine understood how Mom felt about her trying to analyze her feelings, and about her father.
Jean-Claude Prudhomme deserved nothing from his former wife—except maybe a Taser to his testicles. But he was the reason they were here in Alabama—to be nearby—even if her mother wouldn’t see him.
As they continued to meander through the crowds, Sabine looked up from reading a text and noticed she was on a collision course with a pair of her patients. It was inappropriate for her to make their connection public knowledge. So she deftly avoided Judith Jameson and Sadie Beaumont.
“Yoo-hoo, Dr. O’Connor!” Crap. Judith was a pain in the butt on a good day. Professionally speaking, of course. “Hey there, Sabine. You’ve met Sadie Beaumont, our former mayor, Tad Beaumont’s lovely ex-wife, haven’t you?” Sure, she had, but Sabine took Sadie’s cue and acted like she hadn’t. “Sadie, Dr. O’Connor is my therapist. You know, we talk about things. She’s helped me get in touch with my feelings.”
“So nice to meet you, Dr. O’Connor,” Sadie said with only a slight twitch and a great show of even, white teeth.
“You should try therapy, Sadie. Might help you work out some of your issues.” Judith Jameson lifted her eyebrows. If you know what I mean.
Sadie shot Judith a foul look, which Judith missed, and mumbled a polite goodbye as they moved on, arm-in-arm.
Sadie had more real issues than most people in this town put together. Thankfully, she’d sought counseling for the right reasons. Sadie was making fantastic progress after what her shithead of a husband had done to her life and their daughter’s. Thankfully, the former mayor had moved out of the state and had been persuaded to remain gone. Sabine didn’t have all the details on that deal, but knew for certain it was best for Sadie and Sarah Jane.
“Friends of yours?” Her mother’s laugh was partly amused but mostly horrified.
“Can’t discuss those two.”
“Oh, I get it. Patients.”
Sabine remained silent.
“Must be hard carrying the secrets of half the town and not having anyone to share the burden with.”
“Kinda sucks sometimes.” Sabine laughed it off.
As she looked around, she recognized several faces. On the exterior, they laughed with family and friends, enjoying the day. But in the hour a week she spent with them, far more was revealed; either about their true nature or disturbing events within their pasts or current lives—sometimes both.
No wonder, when folks ran into her outside the sanctum of her office, it was often uncomfortable, downright awkward, or they ignored her altogether. Of course, Sabine told them how to handle this kind of meeting, when or if it happened, however they saw fit. But a small irrational part of her still felt rejected on those occasions. Maybe because she put so much effort, time, and emotion into her work.
It made no sense, but then, maybe it did, just a little. Her professional side totally got it, but her squishy insides, the part that craved connection and friendship with others thought it totally sucked.
“The mother in me hates that word still.” Her mom sighed. “But I guess they all know you know and deep down wonder if you’re going to tell someone.”
“Let’s just say; some people don’t want our association known in public. The ones who are dealing with their problems don’t want anyone to know they come to see me professionally. Today’s society dictates that everyone have a picture-perfect life; think, Facebook. Lots of smiling snapshots. I do understand.”
“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. I always knew you’d find a way to do something with your sharp brain and serious nature.”
“Are you saying I’m a nerd?”
“Of course not. I’m saying you were always a serious and thoughtful child who was smart as a tack. I wish you could find a way to have more fun though now that you’re an adult. You seemed to miss out on your share growing up.”
“I had fun. I just didn’t have the same kind of running, screaming, crazy fun other kids seemed to have.”
“What was fun to you as a child? I can’t seem to remember you enjoying much outside of reading and playing with your cats.” Her mother’s expression was reflective, and maybe a little sad.
“Well, that sounds rather pathetic, Mother. You paint me as an eighty-year-old spinster.” It had been rather pathetic. A shy, quiet child, Sabine had adored her books and cats. Her younger brother had been a nuisance who’d mercilessly terrorized the household as a toddler. It had been easier to withdraw into her room and her reading.
“Rachel was such a social butterfly from the moment she took her first dance class.” A small smile played on her mother’s lips.
“Then it was an art lesson, photography class, theatre group, and on and on. She couldn’t wait to leave home and do something else.” Rachel was somewhat attention-challenged, in Sabine’s professional opinion. She didn’t stay with one thing very long.
“She had wide interests. It was a challenge to keep her appetite for new things fed. I couldn’t stand to hear how bored she was when she was stuck at home. I’m sure you never once said that to me.”
“I don’t remember ever being bored.” But she’d been compelled to remain home near her mother and was often frustrated with her siblings for making so much noise.
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��Two wonderful daughters who are such different people,” her mother murmured.
“Hello, ladies.” Sabine nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of Ben Laroux’s deep voice.
She hadn’t seen him approach and was completely unprepared to see him again. Before she could drum up a cool smile, her mother, always on her social toes, replied politely with interest, “Oh, hello. I’m Elizabeth Prud—O’Connor.” Mom extended her hand to Ben, who shook it with a slight bow toward her mother.
“Sabine, you look lovely this afternoon, so nice to run into both of you.” He fixed her with his signature grin.
She was feeling a bit flushed from the humidity. Perhaps a less weighty blouse would have been a wiser choice. “Hello, Ben. Good to see you.” Best to not alert her mother to the scent of discord.
“Hey there, Ben!” A small gaggle of ladies passed and tootled at him.
“Ladies.” He nodded a greeting.
“We’ve got tickets to the concert. I guess we’ll catch you later,” Sabine said.
“So nice to meet you, young Ben.” Mom nodded toward Ben.
“I’m heading that direction. May I escort you?” Damn. She wasn’t getting away so easily.
Just then, Ben was nearly taken down by two young girls around the ages of nine or ten as they flew at him, threatening to tackle him to the ground. She recognized one as his niece, and her current patient, Samantha Harrison.
“Whoa, wild things! Are you trying to kill old Uncle Ben?” The image on a box of rice of a graying, balding black man made Sabine snicker.
Samantha saw Sabine then and beamed. “Hi, Sabine.”
“Hi there, Sam.” They hugged, now a comfortable habit between the two. That had taken a while. “Do you remember my cousin, Lucy?” Grey, Samantha’s dad, approached with his new wife, Cammie, who was also Ben’s twin.
“I sure do.” Sabine shook Lucy’s hand.
“Hey, Sabine.” They all exchanged friendly greetings. Sabine introduced her mother to everyone.
“Oh, you’re Norman’s son. I can’t wait to tell him we met.” Click. The puzzle pieces came together for her mother.
“You know Dad?” Grey asked.
“We’ve run into one another a time or two at the nursery. He brought home my mulch the other day in his truck. Nice man.”
Grey’s eyebrows went up, but he only said, “Well, I’m glad he could help such a lovely lady.”
“Just as charming as your dad.” Mom kind of giggled as she said it.
Grey and Cammie exchanged a look.
Ben appeared a little off-kilter with all this laughter and friendship among them.
Sabine saw what was happening here. She wasn’t included in the easy-going banter.
Sabine said, “Nice to see everyone; sorry we’ve got to run. We’re heading over to the concert.” A Beatles cover band was performing, and her mother was pretty excited about it.
“We’re meeting my dad at the gate for the same concert in a few minutes. He’s been looking forward to it,” Grey said.
“Since there’s no reserved seating, we should all sit together,” her mother suggested.
Thanks, Mom. Well, who could argue with that?
“Sounds like fun,” Ben agreed, sending her a satisfied smirk. He really enjoyed getting under her skin, damn his sexy ass in those jeans. She only wished she hadn’t heard quite so much about it in such detail from so many.
As dark descended, the stars moseyed out and music surrounded them. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings in Ben’s recent memory. His mother, her new husband, and three other sisters joined them, along with a couple of brothers-in-law and a few more nieces and nephews of assorted ages. It didn’t hurt that he’d commandeered the seat right next to Sabine and kept getting a whiff of her clean, slightly floral scent with nearly every breath. What was that? Gardenia?
She seemed to relax and enjoy the music. It was the most laid-back he’d seen her since they’d met; a sweet smile curved her lips as she tapped her foot a little and swayed to the beat. He even noticed her singing a little under her breath.
His family, on the other hand, was talking, laughing, and singing loudly. There might have been a bit of alcohol consumption as well. His sisters were a party all their own when one got them together.
At least they didn’t seem to bother Sabine. Sabine’s mother, Elizabeth fit right in with the rest of the group, enjoying a great time with Grey’s father as well. Hmmm, guess one never knew.
Ben wondered if Sabine would agree to go out with him again. Not that they’d actually been on a date. The dinner didn’t count. That had been more like a battle of wills. He glanced over at her. She truly was beautiful; far more than just surface attractiveness. It took depths to absorb other people’s hurt and pain and turn it around to something positive. Maybe that was why she always seemed so serious. He’d caught a glimpse of something unfathomable when he’d questioned her in court. It had piqued his curiosity, stirred him up.
Of course, the fact that she hadn’t thrown herself at him the moment they’d met was pretty darn appealing as well, he could admit. It was a tad disappointing too. What did one do with such a serious woman? He’d not had a lot of experience with such, except maybe his twin, Cammie. But she was his sister, after all. Quite a different situation.
Oh, and his ex-fiancée, whom he’d banned from his thoughts, permanently. She’d been serious, but clearly not the one for him. End of story.
As the concert wrapped up, they made their way to the parking area. He insisted on seeing Sabine and her mother to her car, since it was so late at night. As the only male in the family of five females, he’d been the man of the house since his father died. He’d barely been old enough to drive at the time. But even at such a young age, he’d been taught to take care for the safety of his mother and sisters.
He would no more have allowed them to walk alone to their car than he would any of his four sisters, his nieces, or his mother. It simply wasn’t acceptable.
“Really, there’s no need. We’re perfectly fine,” Sabine had protested.
“I insist. My dad wouldn’t approve. And he taught me the same.”
“Your father was a good man, son,” Elizabeth O’Connor said.
His father, Justin Laroux, had been a good man, and a great dad. Ben only hoped he could someday be half the man his father was for their family. The very memory of their father’s death on Lake Burton as his children stood watching could still bring them all to tears.
Ben shook it off. Not certain how he’d gotten to that file in his memory, he shut Sabine’s driver’s door after saying goodnight. Something about her caused him to feel things. Normally, women were mostly lighthearted, good fun. That was the way he preferred it. Less complicated. There wasn’t anything uncomplicated about Sabine O’Connor.
As he rejoined his own family in the parking area, the party still in progress outside his sister Jo Jo’s minivan, he felt thankful for such a soft place to land. Of course, these sisters of his rarely showed their soft sides the way they all needled him and each other. But they were a strong and loving group, the kind of circle he was lucky to have. With Ben’s many opportunities for companionship, he worried he might end up alone.
He was living proof that one could feel lonely while with others.
Chapter Four
Sabine’s head ached. Determined, she tried her hardest to attend while Judith Jameson gesticulated wildly, describing the largeness and ugliness of her sister Jamie’s new derby hat—and how she, Judith, had endeavored to persuade Jamie she simply shouldn’t don the heinous headwear beyond her backyard, much less out in public for the upcoming and socially visible pre-Kentucky Derby steeplechase party at the local fairgrounds.
“Sabine, I told her that I wouldn’t be caught dead in that ugly piece of crap. But would she listen? Heck, no.”
“I know you’re only trying to look out for Jamie, but she’s got the right to wear what she likes, and you must understand that it�
��s no reflection on you.” Sabine honestly couldn’t believe her extensive education had led her to this moment.
“Well, of course I’m worried about my own reputation, honey! She oughta care what I think and not put me in such a terrible position.” Judith’s jaw suddenly dropped as if she’d been zapped by sudden enlightenment. “Do you think she’s doing this to me on purpose?”
The horror in the woman’s voice caused Sabine to stifle a grin, so dramatic and narcissistic her statement.
Sabine had counseled a few true, real narcissists, but only at the behest of spouses threatening to take half—narcissists required money to buy things to impress—the courts, or one or two who simply felt the need to pontificate for an hour at a time, thereby getting a special, goodly dose of themselves. Fortunately, she saw some real signs of humanity in Judith, so she’d hang onto her as a patient for now.
“Judith, as your therapist”—Judith loved that word “—I feel it’s important for you to take a large step back from this very small issue as it relates to the bigger picture here.”
Judith’s head swiveled and her eyes locked on to Sabine’s. “Are you saying I’m making too much of this?”
Sabine mentally suited up for her reply. “Honestly, yes. Getting bogged down in a hat issue, while it feels like a big deal now, isn’t something you want to let hurt your relationship with Jamie. She’s your sister. Let her wear the ugly hat if she loves it.”
Judith set her mouth in a grim line. She obviously wasn’t used to anyone arguing with her, certainly no one having the last word. “Fine. But I can’t pretend to like it.”
“Just make sure you’re not giving her a hard time about the hat for a different reason.”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” Judith took offense.
“I’d like for you to think about your relationship with your sister; listen closely to how you speak to one another this week. Try and understand your motivations for why you criticize her so often.”
“I don’t—”