by Emery, Lynn
Chapter 16
Katie and Adrianna arrived at LaShaun’s house promptly at ten o’clock the next morning. She hadn’t been able to convince them that a phone conversation about the wedding plans would be enough. Besides, Katie had been a force not to be denied. Exhausted after a sleepless night of self-recriminations and fear, LaShaun had no energy to resist. To her surprise, Chase’s oldest sister Elaine had come with them. They sat down in her den with Katie’s famous wedding notebook with all the critical details. After LaShaun served them orange spice tea and sweet potato tea cakes, Katie got down to business.
“Morning. Elaine.” LaShaun gazed at her steadily.
“Uh, Sharon couldn’t take off work to help Katie and Adrianna do all the measurements for the garden.” Elaine gave her an anemic smile. “So how’ve you been doing? I hear the wedding should be beautiful.”
“Did you? Well yes, I suppose,” LaShaun replied in a flat tone.
“Girl, you look like a worn out dish rag,” Adrianna said with her characteristic candor. She leaned forward. “Your eyes are red with dark circles under them, too.”
“You’re not getting sick?” Katie stopped flipping through pages of her notes and looked up.
“I think she’s been crying,” Adrianna said.
“Allergies. Other than that I’m fine,” LaShaun lied, and not that well even to her own ears.
Katie took up the interrogation. “Where’s Chase? I told him he needs to sit still for at least a couple of hours and find out about his wedding.”
“He’s at work. Again.” LaShaun could only imagine what kind of chaos Chase might be causing at another crime scene.
“Chase is starting to get bad press over some of the stuff he’s done,” Elaine said. “I don’t even recognize the man they’re describing as my brother.”
LaShaun saw traces of her future motherin-law’s disapproving expression in Elaine’s face. Ironically she and Chase looked the most like their mother. No doubt Elizabeth had felt free to express her feelings about the intruder in their family. LaShaun could well imagine what had been said.
“He’s trying to show how dedicated he is to making sure Vermilion Parish is a decent, safe place to live,” LaShaun said, reciting the political line of bull as though she were the candidate.
Katie squinted at LaShaun. “I heard the sarcasm. You look awful because you two have been fighting.”
“Gee thanks,” LaShaun snapped and looked away.
Adrianna glared at her sister-in-law “Katie means you look tired is all. Isn’t that right? You didn’t mean she looks awful literally.”
Katie stared back unfazed by the disapproval. “What? You said she looked like a dish rag.”
“All right, so I didn’t get much sleep last night.” LaShaun stood and walked to the window. “So can we discuss the damn wedding now?”
Adrianna followed her. “Bruce and I fought a lot coming up to our wedding. This is a time when everybody’s nerves get on edge. It’s normal.” She gestured for the others to join in.
“Uh, that’s right,” Katie added.
“You wanna tell us about it?” Adrianna gave LaShaun’s arm a squeeze.
Under different circumstances LaShaun might have laughed at the irony. What if she told them she was exhausted partly because their brother had made love to her like a demon? No, scratch that. He was a demon. In fact she did start laughing, except the sound frightened the three women. LaShaun understood why. The high pitch of hysteria in her own voice scared LaShaun as well. Yet she couldn’t stop. Finally she bent double and started to cry. Adrianna led her to the sofa in the den section of the kitchen. Seconds later Katie appeared with a box of tissues, a glass of water and a wash cloth. Adrianna dried LaShaun’s tears like she would for one of her children as she patted her back. Katie made LaShaun drink the water. Then both women had her lean back and placed the cool towel on her forehead. Elaine said nothing, but observed them with keen interest. After a few minutes she pulled Katie aside.
“Maybe there won’t be a wedding,” Elaine said low.
“Shut up. She’ll hear you,” Katie whispered harshly.
“I did,” LaShaun replied with her eyes closed.” Like I said, a lot of couples go through stuff like this,” Adrianna said. She held one of LaShaun’s hands. “All the details of selecting the caterer, then the menu, flowers, the tables, the chairs, on and on and on. It’s enough to drive anyone nuts.”
“Sure, even a simple wedding like yours takes a lot of planning,” Katie put in.
“You two have done most of the work,” Elaine protested. She got a pair of angry frowns. “I’m just stating the facts.”
“LaShaun still has a lot on her plate what with the campaign and everything,” Adrianna said, springing to her new friend’s defense.
Elaine seemed unfazed. “All I’m saying is maybe things are moving too fast. I mean, they don’t have to get married in less than a month. They could give it more time, take some deep breaths and…”
“Yeah, and give your mother time to work on coming between them.” Adrianna let out a grunt of disgust.
“How dare you,” Elaine clipped.
“I’m just stating fact,” Adrianna retorted, mimicking Elaine’s haughty tone.
Her words caused an eruption between the three women. Elaine hotly defended her mother. Katie shouted that Adrianna might have told the truth, but this was not the time or place. Adrianna stood her ground, saying Elizabeth should spend less time judging others. A throbbing headache started between LaShaun’s eyes despite the cool compress. Finally she tossed the towel aside and stood.
“Hey. Hey! Everybody calm the hell down,” LaShaun shouted. “Look, let’s not make this into a bad reality show. Elaine, Chase and I haven’t ‘rushed’ into anything. We’ve known each other for almost a year. Remember? With my past I can see why Mrs. Broussard would have… uh, let’s call them reservations. We love each other.”
“Chase is grown, so he can make his own call on who’s right for him,” Adrianna put it. “He’s been alone for a while now.”
“We were worried after he came back from the war in Afghanistan,” Katie said before Adrianna could continue.
“Exactly. He dated a few women, but nothing ever stuck. I’ve never seen him smile the way he does when LaShaun is next to him,” Adrianna added firmly and shot a pointed glance at Elaine.
“I wasn’t saying they shouldn’t get married,” Elaine replied in a crisp tone. She hissed and crossed her arms. “Of course I want Chase to be happy.”
“Let’s just plan the wedding,” Katie said with a smile. She seemed determined to bring sunshine back into the room.”
“If there’s going to be one,” Elaine mumbled. “Chase seems to be working non-stop, and now they’re arguing, too.”
Adrianna raised a forefinger. “I’m not kidding with you, Elaine. If you don’t cut it out…”
“Alright,” LaShaun broke in sharply before Katie could play mediator again. “Elaine is right. With the election we’ve gotten off track. But there is damn sure going to be a wedding.” Even if I have to find a priest to perform an exorcism on the groom, LaShaun thought grimly.
“Elaine, Chase has been miserable for a long time. Right, that’s what I said. He couldn’t connect with most of us, let alone a woman, when he came back from the Army. You don’t want to spoil the joy he’s finally found,” Katie said dramatically. She placed a hand on her sister’s forearm. “You really want him go back to being that grim loner?”
Elaine fidgeted with her purse straps for a few seconds. “I’m sorry for acting like mama. I shouldn’t have channeled her negative energy. Besides, we got over Bruce, Jr. marrying Adrianna. I think we can handle you now.” She gave her sister-in-law a sly grin.
“Oh no, you didn’t!” Adrianna squealed, and then they all burst into laughter.
Katie fanned her face with a napkin. “Lord have mercy, we are going to have some fun at family get-togethers from now on. Okay, y’all. Let
’s get back to business. Even with all these… distractions, there is some good news. The Sweet Olive Bed and Breakfast has openings for y’all to have a wonderful reception and honeymoon. We can still use the catering from the Savoie’s. They don’t mind that and…”
“Wait a minute, they were booked solid,” Adrianna said.
“Marion Saunders called me. They’ve had cancellations. Seems our little parish crime wave spooked a few of the out of town folks.” Katie frowned. “I didn’t think we made national headlines.”
“You haven’t been watching Ghost Team USA. That show is huge, plus James Schaffer was on CNN. He mentioned the recent Beau Chene murders. Then one of his researchers looked up the history of the bed and breakfast. There were at least two murders in that house.” Elaine nodded as the other three women stared at her.
Katie blinked hard. “Elaine, you watch Ghost Team USA?”
“Yeah, you’re the one who only watches public broadcasting or The History Channel and claims everything else on television is ‘garbage’,” Adrianna added.
“James Schaffer is a history professor, and his shows delve into a lot of fascinating facts from the past,” Elaine protested. “It’s not just any reality show. It’s educational.”
“Yeah, right,” Adrianna snorted.
“Hmm,” was all Katie said. Her twin raised eyebrows spoke volumes.
Elaine lifted her nose in the air. “As I was saying, Schaffer did research on the area. Naturally, the fact that those teenagers were found on land that used to be part of the plantation caught his interest.”
LaShaun leaned forward and ignored the snickering of the other two women. “What?”
“He reported on those murders and about Manny Young’s grandfather,” Elaine said. She cut a glance at her sister and sister-in-law. “I won’t say more, but…”
“Yes, I was up to my neck in that case,” LaShaun said.
“Ahem. Anyway, three guests complained of strange noises or pictures falling off the walls. One lady said she heard screaming one night.” Elaine cast a sideways look at LaShaun. “Folks cut their stays short and word got out.”
“Nonsense. Just a bunch of folks who let their imaginations run wild,” Katie waved a hand.
LaShaun tuned out the chatter from the others as thoughts of the Metier house raced around her brain. The evening she’d stumbled on Becky and Regan they were headed somewhere. Or maybe they were on their way back. LaShaun left the table suddenly.
“Wait a minute,” Katie objected. “We’ve got decisions to make. Marion Saunders needs to know about the reception.”
“Tell her I want Chase to tour the place,” LaShaun called over her shoulder.
“It should be soon. The wedding is supposed to be in a month you know,” Katie yelled back.
“Call her now. See if tonight around eight o’clock is okay.”
LaShaun went to her grandmother’s parlor and slid closed the old wooden door. She turned on her laptop. In seconds she had an old map of Vermilion Parish on the screen. Then she used a modern app that gave her an aerial view. The tingling beneath her skin ramped up as she stared at visual confirmation of what she’d suspected. Becky and Regan’s path could well have taken them to or from the Sweet Olive B&B. LaShaun jumped at the sound of a firm knock on the door.
“Really, LaShaun,” Katie said through the door. “I’m out here defending you to Elaine, but you’re not making it easy.”
LaShaun got up and slid back the lovely paneled door. She smiled at her future sister-in-law. “Sorry, I just thought of some business my accountant asked me to take care of.”
“Is your dress ready? Please tell me you’ve got the dress,” Katie whispered.
“I’ll get it,” LaShaun said. “Meet you back in the den.”
“Okay,” Katie blinked rapidly when LaShaun quickly darted away.
Minutes later LaShaun returned with the dress in a protective plastic bag. The three women were so intent on talking that they didn’t notice her at first. The soft rustle of the covering caught Adrianna’s attention first.
“Wow. Es un hermoso vestido, mi amiga,” Adrianna said and got up as though hypnotized.
“I agree. That is stunning.” Katie stared at the dress.
Elaine’s mouth hung open for ten seconds before she recovered. “Very nice.”
“A New Orleans seamstress who specializes in restorations of antique clothes did alterations and repairs.”
LaShaun’s grandmother and great-grandmother had worn the dress. Sadly LaShaun’s troubled mother had died young without having her own dream wedding. The seamstress had marveled at how the lace was so well preserved. Only a few seed pearls on the bodice were missing. Those had been easily replaced.
“Candlelight champagne. Our teal green bridesmaids’ dresses will look fabulous alongside that color. It has a golden glow to it,” Katie said, her voice hushed with awe.
“Wow,” Adrianna repeated.
“Okay, now I’m really excited!” Katie clapped her hands together. “I can tell Mrs. Savoie about the change of plans. We can still cancel the tent rentals without forfeiting much of the deposit.”
“Not just yet,” LaShaun broke in. “I mean, we haven’t decided on Sweet Olive as the reception site.”
“We called Marion, and she sounded thrilled. Tonight at 8 o’clock is fine. They only have one room and one of the cottages rented out. She was curious why so late though,” Adrianna said and lifted an eyebrow.
“I would think you two would want to appear super normal. There’s enough talk going around about Sweet Olive. Just wait until they hear where your reception will be.” Elaine pursed her lips. “
“We should support our local businesses, Elaine. That poor couple put a lot of money into making Sweet Olive a tourist destination. Let’s show everyone those Ghost Town people are phonies. LaShaun, you and Chase need to make a decision fast,” Katie said crisply. She tapped her notebook computer.
“Ghost Team, Katie,” Elaine replied, correcting her. “Besides, you really think LaShaun being there will make talk die down?”
Adrianna looked up at her with a frown. “And just what is that supposed to mean?”
“We’ll let Marion know something tomorrow morning at the latest,” LaShaun said quickly to head off another argument.
“Why at night?” Elaine gazed at LaShaun with a question in her dark eyes.
“Chase is working long hours. He won’t be able to get away before then,” LaShaun put in smoothly. She hadn’t even spoken to Chase yet.
“Oh.” Elaine looked dubious but said no more.
“Okay, it’s settled. We have the priest, the food, and the landscape artist confirmed. Now all we need is to nail down the reception and we’re set. Our small wedding of about one hundred twenty people is going to be the event of the year.” Katie beamed with satisfaction.
“June Bug Landry is now a landscape artist instead of a plain ol’ yard man?” Elaine asked. “Humph.”
“He will be for this wedding,” Adrianna quipped. “Besides, my brother in Houston gave him some tips. Carlito owns one of the most successful landscaping companies in Texas.”
“We didn’t leave anything to chance. Now let’s go over everything one last time. LaShaun, call Chase to make sure he can go tonight,” Katie ordered.
“On it.” LaShaun headed to the kitchen. She shook her head as Katie started handing out assignments.
“If we live through the wedding, life should be grand,” LaShaun muttered. She called Chase first and found out he would be off work. Then she called Miss Rose.
***
The bright moon hung in the indigo backdrop that enhanced its luminosity. A few stars blinked against the night sky, but the silver disc was the main attraction. Chase took a catnap while LaShaun drove them to the B&B in his truck. The intense pace of chasing down leads, keeping up a good face for the voters and dealing with routine job duties had taken a toll. At least LaShaun hoped those were the only reasons Chase had
dark circles under his eyes. She stole glances at him. With his eyes closed he looked peaceful. She placed a hand on his muscular thigh.
“Hey, gettin’ fresh with a sleeping man must be against some law or other,” Chase mumbled. He opened one eye at her and grinned.
“You were out cold within two minutes of us leaving the house. Now you’re suddenly alert?” LaShaun squeezed his thigh before putting her hand back on the steering wheel.
Chase yawned as he sat straight. “When a good-lookin’ woman starts feeling me up, hell yeah I’m alert.”
“Silly,” LaShaun teased with a smile. “Seriously, I’m sorry you have to do this instead of going to bed. But I promise this is the only side trip you’ll have to take.”
“Hey, this is my wedding, too. Only right I should be dragged into… I mean consulted on some of the details.” Chase chuckled when LaShaun took a playful swipe at his head.
The next fifteen minutes of the journey passed quickly as they traded jokes. LaShaun could almost believe things were back to normal. Yet she knew not to be fooled. Abiku may have gathered enough of a hold to mimic Chase’s personality traits and even his gestures. After all, the demon could study Chase from the inside. LaShaun whispered a short prayer that Abiku hadn’t penetrated the deepest recesses of Chase’s psyche and soul yet.
Chase started awake from another dozing episode. “Did you say something?”
“Just that we’re almost there.” LaShaun’s heart thumped at the prospect of what she intended to try.
Five minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of the Sweet Olive Bed and Breakfast. A reproduction nineteenth century street light gave the stately old home a romantic look. Chase took LaShaun’s hand as they walked up the brick path. As they got to the top of the wide steps onto the porch, the door swung open. Marion Saunders smiled at them.
“I’m so glad you could make it,” she said with enthusiasm.