by Elle James
“Sweetheart, your mother doesn’t want you to have a daddy who doesn’t love you.”
Mica’s eyes widened. “But you love me, don’t you?” Her brow dipped. “You said you did.”
“And I do. I love you and your mother very much. But just because your mother didn’t want to marry again, doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you.” Sean held out his hand. “She would do almost anything for you.”
Mica reached for his hand and let him pull her toward him. “Except give me a daddy. She wanted you to go away. I heard her say so.”
Sean hugged her close to him. “She told me the same thing. She thought I didn’t want to be your daddy and that I couldn’t love you as much as she thinks you deserve. She didn’t want you to be hurt.”
“But she hurt me by sending you away.” Mica buried her face in his shirt. “I love you, Mr. Decker. I want you to be my daddy.”
Sean’s heart squeezed so hard in his chest. To have a little human want him that much made him reevaluate his life. “I want to be your daddy, too.”
“But Mama won’t let you.”
“I don’t know about that.” Ava’s head appeared over the top of the ladder. “Mr. Decker and I have come to an agreement.”
Mica frowned and looked from Sean to Ava, and then back to Sean. “Agreement?”
“That’s right,” Sean said. “I agreed to love you as much as I love your mother.”
“And I agreed to marry Mr. Decker and love him as much as I love you.”
Mica’s eyes rounded. “If you marry Mr. Decker…I get a daddy!” She flung her arms around Sean’s neck. After a quick, hard hug, she crawled across the deck of the ship and hugged her mother. “I love you, Mama.”
Sean edged his way over to the two. “Can we go home now?”
“Yes!” Mica said.
Ava backed down the ladder with Mica in front of her. Sean was last, jumping the last few feet to the ground.
Ava lifted Mica into her arms and held her for long moment before she looked up. “We need to inform the police that we’ve found her.”
Sean already had his phone out and was dialing the number for the policeman in charge of the search.
They picked up Tag and Leslie on their way back. Halfway to the house, the rest of their friends found them and gathered around to hug Mica and Ava.
At Ava’s home, the police closed out their report and left, smiling and happy that the search had ended with a positive outcome.
After congratulating Ava on finding her daughter, the neighbors returned to their homes, promising to visit more often and get to know each other.
Sean’s friends gathered on Ava’s front porch, all talking at once.
Ava leaned close to Sean. “Could you get their attention for me?”
Sean cleared his throat. “Hey, the lady of the house would like to say something. Then I want to say something as well.” Sean pulled her close to his side and nodded. “They’re all yours.” And in a tone only she could hear, he added, “As long as you’re all mine.” He’d found the woman of his dreams and the daughter he’d never known he wanted. Life didn’t get better.
* * *
Ava’s cheeks heated at being the center of attention of so many people she didn’t know that well. But she was so grateful to all of them and wanted them to know.
She smiled at the crowd of friends and family. “Thank you all for coming to help us find Mica.” She hugged her daughter close. “I’ve never been so scared in my life. And you all came running when Sean called. I can’t begin to know how to repay you for taking the time to come to my aid.”
Ava glanced down at Mica. “Is there something you want to say to all these nice people?”
Mica nodded. Then a smile split her face, and she shouted, “I’m getting a daddy!”
“What?” Tag raised his hands, palms up. “And who might your daddy be?”
Ava turned with Mica toward Sean.
Sean beamed and flung his arms wide. “We’re going to be a family.”
Leslie was first to turn to Ava. “How did this happen, and I didn’t get all the details first?” She winked and hugged Ava and Mica. “Auntie Leslie couldn’t be happier for you, Mica. Sean will be a wonderful daddy for you.”
Mica nodded. “I know. He passed the daddy test.”
“The daddy test?” Tag asked.
“Yes. The daddy test,” Mica said.
Ava chuckled. “And what is the daddy test?”
All the adults quieted to hear Ava’s daughter’s response.
“He read to me,” Mica said. “Jimmy’s daddy doesn’t read to him.”
Sean nodded. “I read to you the first night we met.”
“He came to my Daddy Day at my school,” Mica said. “Even though he wasn’t my daddy then.”
Ava laughed. “You should have seen him sitting on the floor drinking punch with the five-year-olds.”
Tag laughed. “I’d have paid money to see that.”
Mica continued. “He took me on a Ferris wheel and didn’t let me fall off. And he found me when I ran away. That must mean he loves me.” Mica leaned out of Ava’s arms into Sean’s and hugged him close. “I love my daddy.”
Tag clapped Sean on the back. “Congratulations, man. I can’t believe you came to your senses so fast. I thought for sure you’d be the hard case to crack when it came to a BODS match.”
Sean slipped his free arm around Ava. “I thought so, too.” He smiled down at her. “Then I met Ava and Mica.”
“Well, we have a reason to celebrate! It’s not too late to head over to the Ugly Stick Saloon. Then we can all crash at my ranch,” Coop said. “I have plenty of room.”
Ava shook her head. “I can’t leave Mica. Not after what we went through.”
“Bring her. It just happens to be family night at the Ugly Stick,” Emma said. “I’ve seen other children come. The kids love the music and dancing.”
“Besides I’ve been teaching Coop how to two-step,” Emma added. “He promised to dance with me tonight.”
Coop held up his hand. “I did promise to dance with her. I didn’t promise not to break her toes.”
His friends and Emma’s brothers all laughed and piled into their trucks and SUVs.
Sean helped Ava pack a bag for her and Mica and lock up the house. The drive out to the Ugly Stick Saloon took a good hour through Austin traffic and out into the country.
Ava leaned back in her seat and relaxed for what felt like the first time in the six years since her husband’s death. She glanced over her shoulder at Mica, who was sound asleep in her booster seat, and sighed.
“You’re not having second thoughts, are you?” Sean asked.
“I should be asking you that question.” She glanced across the console at him. “It’s a big commitment to take on a ready-made family.”
“Not if it’s right,” he said. “And this is the most right I’ve ever felt in my life.” He smiled at her. “And damned if I don’t find myself having to eat my words.”
“What words?” Ava asked.
Sean laughed. “I told Leslie a machine couldn’t possibly match two people. That it was all luck and willingness to find a wife that made it work for Coop, Gage and Moose.”
“And now?” Ava grinned.
“I’ll post a testimony to the BODS magic. I’m sold on its ability to bring two people together.”
Ava reached across the console for his hand. “I didn’t believe it would work, either. And I really didn’t want to date. Leslie talked me into it.”
“Two unlikely people find love in a computer program.” Sean shook his head. “Sounds like one of those romance novels.”
“I should write it.” She stared out at the stars shining down on the Texas landscape. “I love happy endings.”
“Me, too,” said a sleepy voice from the back seat. “Are we there yet?”
Ava held Sean’s hand all the way to the Ugly Stick, counting her blessings over every mile they passed.
&n
bsp; Life didn’t get better.
Unless…
“How do you feel about children?” Ava asked.
“I love Mica. Why?”
“No. I mean children,” she said. “Mica’s a child. Children implies more than one.”
Sean’s eyes widened. “I hadn’t thought about it.”
Mica clapped her hands. “I got a daddy, and now I’m going to get a baby brother!”
Epilogue
Coop and Emma arrived at the Ugly Stick in time to corral several tables close to the dance floor for their large group.
Emma had him up on the dance floor when Sean and Ava arrived with Mica. All in all, Coop held his own and held Emma through two songs before the band started playing a waltz.
He dragged Emma back to the table. “I’m not ready to waltz.”
“But we’ve been practicing,” Emma was saying. “You’ll do fine.”
“Nope. I’ll two-step, but no waltz tonight.” Coop hooked a chair with his foot and held it for Emma.
“Okay. But next time, for sure.” Emma winked at Coop and dropped into the seat. “He did good on the two-step, didn’t he?” she asked the others.
“For a bull in a china shop,” Sean said, grinning.
“I’d like to see you do better,” Leslie challenged.
“Ava, how are you at waltzing?” Sean stood and held out his hand.
“I haven’t waltzed since I danced it in grade school, but I’m game to try.” She glanced toward Mica.
Leslie put an arm around Mica. “Mica and I are having Shirley Temples. You two go dance.”
Sean led her out on the floor to dance to Perfect, a beautiful song by Ed Sheeran.
Sean led her expertly around the dance floor.
“You fit me perfectly,” he said. “You know this is going to be our song.”
Ava smiled. “How appropriate. Perfect.”
“Yes, you are,” he said and twirled her around.
“Where did you learn to dance so well?”
He grinned sheepishly. “I met a woman who taught ballroom dancing. She was convinced she could teach anyone.” Sean chuckled. “I was her biggest challenge.”
Ava cocked an eyebrow. “Should I be jealous?”
He laughed out loud. “Only if you think you’re in competition with a fifty-year-old married woman.” Sean tilted his head a bit. “As a matter of fact, she was pretty hot for fifty.”
“You’re impossible,” she said and smiled.
“And you’re perfect.”
The song ended, and they made their way back to the group of tables where the others were in a lively debate.
“What did we miss?” Sean asked.
Coop pointed to Tag. “We were just discussing the fact that Tag is the last of our group to try his luck with BODS.”
“And after him, my brothers are in need of a little matchmaking.” Emma gave a stern look in her brothers’ direction.
“Oh, hell no,” said her oldest brother, Ace. “I don’t need a computer finding a woman for me. I can do that myself.”
“Uh huh.” Emma crossed her arms over her chest. “And when was the last time you went out on a date?”
Ace glared at her. “None of your business.”
Emma gave a firm nod. “Exactly.”
“Tag? What’s your holdup?” Sean asked. “You were the one who talked all of us into giving BODS a try. Isn’t it about time you found your match?”
“Yeah,” Coop said. “You’re up, Tag. No more stonewalling.”
“Yup,” Gage added. “Tag’s the last man standing in our Billionaire Anonymous Club. It’s about time he puts his money where his mouth is.”
Ava frowned. “Wait? What? What do you mean, Billionaire Anonymous Club?”
Emma’s brow wrinkled. “You didn’t know?” She cocked a brow toward Sean. “What name did you use in BODS?” she asked.
“Sean Decker,” Sean admitted. “But she knows my real name.”
Emma turned back to Ava. “And you don’t know who Sean O’Leary is?”
Gage leaned forward. “He’s only one of the most sought-after, eligible bachelors in the state.”
“The man’s loaded,” Moose said. He reached over and patted Jane’s leg. “This is rich. Sean’s found the love of his life, and she’s not after his money.”
“Do you even know what a breath of fresh air that is?” Gage asked.
Ava turned to Sean. “What are they talking about?”
Sean wished they hadn’t brought it up. He liked knowing Ava loved him for himself, not his bank account. But she’d find out soon enough. “I’m a billionaire,” he said quietly, his brow furrowing. “I hope that doesn’t make you change your mind about me.”
“Is there anything else you haven’t told me?” she asked, her eyes narrowing.
He shook his head. “No, that’s about it.”
Ava blinked several times. “Wow. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to react. I just agreed to marry a billionaire.” She frowned. “Does that mean we’re not going to live in my cottage?”
“That’s completely up to you,” Sean said. “If you want to live in that little house, we’ll live in that house. If you want a house on the French Riviera, we can live there. Me, personally, I prefer to live on my ranch, surrounded by hundreds of acres and very few people.”
“And stars?” she asked, leaning into the crook of his arm. “I’d love to live somewhere I can see the stars.”
“I knew you were the perfect match for me.” He kissed her in front of everyone.
Mica clapped her hands. “Do I get a pony?”
“Yes, ma’am, you do,” Sean said.
“We still haven’t settled a time and place for Tag to join the ranks of BODS graduates,” Coop said.
Sean looked across at his friend. “Didn’t you say something about you working on something and weren’t quite ready?”
Tag nodded.
“Got it all worked out?” Leslie asked.
He nodded again. “I believe so.”
“Good. I’ll see you in my office bright and early Monday morning to get your profile entered.”
“I’ll be there,” Tag said.
“Oh, boy. I can’t wait to meet the woman who knocks Tag off his feet,” Gage said.
“Me, too.” Coop grinned and rubbed his hands together. “This is going to be good.”
“Epic,” Moose agreed.
“Seriously, guys. You’d think BODS was a miracle worker.” Tag stood and held out his hand to Leslie. “Wanna show these goofballs how to do a real two-step?”
Leslie placed her hand in his. “You bet.”
Coop leaped to his feet. “Emma?”
“I’m ready for more two-stepping, toe-stomping.” She laughed. “Lead the way.”
Emma’s brothers fanned out in the saloon, looking for likely dance partners. Two of them hit pay dirt. Two struck out and landed at the bar, ordering beer.
“I’m glad I’m out of the dating scene,” Sean said.
“You were barely in it for all of a week,” Moose said. “That’s pretty fast for someone to fall in love.”
“And what about us?” Jane, his fiancée and former runway model asked. “Come on, you need to make it up to me by dancing.”
“You’re taking your life into your own hands, woman.”
“I know. But you’re the only one I’d let stomp on my feet. Do you know how much these legs are insured for?”
Moose nodded. “Yes, I do. And they’re worth every penny.”
Sean leaned toward Mica. “How would my little girl like to learn how to two-step?”
“Yes!” Mica jumped up from her seat, grabbed his hand and dragged him out to the dance floor.
He’d never seen himself as a family man, not after the way his father had raised him. But he had a chance to make things right with his world by helping Ava raise this precious little girl.
He was the luckiest man in the world to have two beautiful girls in his life to
love.
Voodoo on the Bayou
Cajun Magic Mysteries Book #1
New York Times & USA Today
Bestselling Author
* * *
ELLE JAMES
* * *
Chapter 1
Bayou Miste, deep in the Atchafalaya Basin of southern Louisiana
June
* * *
Bound to a cypress tree, Craig Thibodeaux struggled to free his hands, the coarse rope rubbing his wrists raw with the effort. A fat bayou mosquito buzzed past his ear to feast on his unprotected skin. The bulging insect had plenty of blood in its belly—much more and the flying menace would be grounded.
What I wouldn’t give for a can of bug repellent.
Craig shook his head violently in hopes of discouraging the little scavenger from landing.
The dark-skinned Cajuns who’d kidnapped him stood guard on either side of him, their legs planted wide and arms crossed over bare muscular chests. They looked like rejected cast members from a low-budget barbarian movie, and they didn’t appear affected in the least by the blood-sucking mosquitoes.
"Hey, Mo, don’t you think you guys are taking this a little too far?" Craig aimed a sharp blast of breath at a bug crawling along his shoulder. "I swear I won that card game fair and square."
The man on his right didn’t turn his way or flick an eyelid.
Craig looked to his left. "Come on Larry, we’ve been friends since you and I got caught snitching apples from Old Lady Reneau’s orchard. Let me go."
Larry didn’t twitch a muscle, as if Craig hadn’t uttered a word.
"If it will make you feel any better, I’ll give you back your money," Craig offered, although he’d really won that game.
He’d known Maurice Saulnier and Lawrence Ezell since he was a snot-nosed kid spending his summer vacations with his Uncle Joe in the southern Louisiana town of Bayou Miste. He had considered them friends. Until now.
Granted, Craig had been back for less than a week after an eight-year sojourn into the legal jungles of the New Orleans court system. But his absence shouldn’t be a reason for them to act the way they were. An odd sensation tickled his senses, as if foreshadowing something unpleasant waiting to happen. Sweat dripped off his brow, the heat and humidity of the swamp oppressive.