“Hello, Maman.” Genny straightened her spine. “I never expected to see you again.”
Her mother smiled and rose, arms outstretched. “Ah, ma petite, it’s wonderful to see you. You look so tired.” She brushed a kiss against each of Genny’s cheeks as the familiar scent of Camille’s perfume washed over her.
Genny closed her eyes against the waves of memories invoked by the simple scent. An ache spread in her chest and she had trouble catching her breath. She’d endured so much unhappiness, pain, darkness in her young life. Her mother was a monster with a pretty smile, one with an ugly side Genny knew too well. She stepped out of her mother’s reach and walked over toward Lee, who stood near the sink, Sophie firmly attached to his leg.
His gaze was wary, but she also saw a little disappointment. She’d been honest with him for the most part. There were details she didn’t quite tell him. He folded his hand around hers. Although she was still shaking, having him beside her helped her feel stronger.
“Why are you here, Maman?”
“Ma petite, I come to see you. Henry has kept you safe all these years from the Coddingtons. Now they have given up their search for you. The old man, Allen’s father, died two weeks ago. No one is left to remember or seek vengeance.”
Genny mulled over what her mother said, knowing of course she was probably lying. “Did you bring the clipping?”
Camille raised one brow. “Clipping?”
“Sirius Coddington’s obituary clipping from the newspaper. That was his name.”
Camille waved her hand as if shooing away a pesky fly. “Of course I brought no clipping. Why would I need one? You are my daughter. I tell you the truth as always.” She smiled at Gabby, who stood silently in the doorway. “Bonjour, Madame. I am Camille Boudreaux and this is my traveling companion, Willard Hill.”
Willard sketched a short bow while Camille held out her hands for Gabby. Bless her heart, Gabby had more fortitude than Genny did. She squeezed Camille’s hands briefly.
“Hello, Miss Boudreaux. I am Gabrielle Sheridan. May I offer you some coffee?”
“How very polite you are. That would be wonderful.” Camille sat down. “I have not had a good cup of coffee since I left New Orleans.”
Gabby flashed a look at Lee who scowled fiercely at her. Genny understood though—Gabby was being a considerate hostess. Camille had done nothing to offend her and was wearing her polite social mask, which would likely slip when the others left the room.
“You did not answer my question, Maman. Why are you here?”
Camille waited until Gabby had set the cup of coffee in front of her. She didn’t say a word, but she picked up the tin cup with two fingers as if it were the finest china. A backhanded insult to be sure. “I have come to visit you of course. This man here tells me Henry is dead.”
Genny took a steadying breath. It had been so long since she’d played her mother’s games, and she was sorely out of practice. Most folks in Tanger simply said what was on their minds, good or bad, blunt or sweet. Camille played a game of words. She was incredibly smart, very manipulative and devious as a demon.
“Henry died six months ago so you came for nothing. I have a farm to run and a daughter to raise.” Genny was proud that her voice didn’t tremble.
“Ah, ma petite, I didn’t come for nothing. I came to see you, not Henry. Poor Henry, he was not young when he took you under his wing, but then we did what we could under the circumstances. I was lucky my cousin was in New Orleans when I needed him.” Camille sipped at the coffee and pursed her lips as she swallowed, another subtle backhanded insult to Gabby.
“Henry didn’t take me under his wing. He took me to his bed, he put me under his fists.” Genny’s voice grew stronger as she pushed aside her anger. “You are not welcome here so you can just pack up your Willard and go back to New Orleans.”
Camille laughed at Genny’s command. It was a tinkling, sing-songy laugh she’d practiced for years. It was a part of Genny’s childhood, almost from the cradle. In fact, Genny couldn’t remember a time she didn’t hear it. Exactly as it sounded now, never different, never honest.
“You are too clever, Genevieve.” Camille tutted at her. She cocked her head and pretended just to notice Sophie tucked behind Lee’s leg. “This is the child, oui? Thank God she looks like me. Oh, but she needs pretty dresses and hair bows. She looks like a dirty street urchin.”
“You’d better watch your mouth, lady, or my new daddy will kick your ass.” Sophie frowned just as fiercely as her future stepfather did. For once, Genny was glad Sophie was outspoken.
“Your new daddy?” Camille’s gaze raked up and down Lee, pausing on what was left of his shattered arm. “Ah yes, Mr. Blackwood told me of your nuptials. My felicitations. You’ll be adopting the child then?” She said it so subtly, so nonchalantly, Genny had the awful thought that Sophie was the reason Camille had come to Tanger.
As his daughter, Sophie was the heir to Allen Coddington’s fortune since he had no children prior to her birth. However, her life was here in Tanger, with Genny and Lee, no matter what Camille said or did.
“By law, Sophie is Henry’s child, but Lee will adopt her.” She glanced at him and he nodded ever so slightly. Genny felt a rush of emotion at the gesture and what it meant. Thank God he was willing to accept Sophie as his own. From what she could tell, the girl needed protection from her grandmother.
“I see. Well that’s just wonderful.” Camille’s smile was too wide, too false. “I am glad I came to visit you. I can now get to know your daughter and your husband.”
A shiver snaked up Genny’s spine as she wondered exactly what her mother wanted and why.
Lee watched Genny confront her mother, her eyes red-rimmed and wide. After Camille’s pronouncement she was there to get to know Sophie and Lee, Genny stood straighter as if she’d put on her battle armor.
“There is nothing for you here, Maman.” Genny spoke through gritted teeth. “Since I’m no longer a child, you have no control over my child or what I do. I’ve already told you that you’re not welcome here so leave.”
Lee saw her shaking and knew it was costing Genny a lot to stand up to her mother. She was only twelve when Camille sent her away with Henry. It was the first time she confronted the woman who had sold her, abandoned her when she most needed a mother.
“Ah, ma petite, but this is not your home, oui? I have been welcomed by Mrs. Sheridan.”
“No, it’s not, but it belongs to my cousin.” Lee finally spoke up. “You’re here because I allowed it. As soon as you’re done talking to Genny, you’re gone.”
“Genny? Hmm, why would you destroy such a beautiful French name? Genevieve, will you throw out your maman into the streets?” Camille was beautiful where Genny was plain, but damned if the older woman was dark where Genny was light.
God, he really did love her.
It was a hell of a time to accept it. He didn’t want his emotions to cloud his judgment, considering Camille and her man posed a threat to all of them, regardless if she was Genny’s mother.
“She doesn’t need to.” Lee stared at Genny until she looked at him. He nodded and he saw a shudder pass through her, hopefully one of relief. “I will make sure you leave the mill and Tanger. Since the hotel is closed and there’s no boardinghouse, you’ve nowhere to stay the night.”
Camille turned to him. Her cold stare sent a shiver up his spine, but he kept himself still as death. “Why would you be inhospitable to your mother-in-law, Monsieur. I am the only family Genny and Sophie have.” She let loose the icy smile again.
“No, you’re not. Genny is my wife and Sophie is my daughter.”
“Yeah, he’s my pa and I’ll help him throw you into the street.” Sophie really did need some discipline, but damned if Lee didn’t want to hoot at the expression on Camille’s face.
“The hostility in this room is simpl
y ridiculous. I’ve come to spend time with my granddaughter and you’re all treating me as if I’m the criminal here.” She pinned her daughter with an accusing glance. “If Henry has died, it means you have no home unless your one-armed husband has one.”
Genny frowned. “I have a farm, Maman. That is my home.”
Camille laughed. “Oh, ma petite, you were not married to Henry therefore you have no claim on his farm. As his closest living relative, I do. It’s perfect for us to visit, to become a family again.” Her smile was wide and predatory.
“I lived with him for long enough to be his wife by law.” Genny almost growled. Lee could see her vibrating with fury. “That farm is not yours. It’s mine.”
“Since you are not yet twenty-one, you cannot own the property. The farm is mine, ma petite.” Camille straightened her shawl. “Come along, Willard. We’ll be back in the morning to visit you at the farm. Be ready to receive us, Genevieve.”
They left with the grace only the very well-to-do practiced. A moment of silence was broken by Genny’s harsh breathing. She turned to Lee with a stricken expression on her face.
“I don’t want her around Sophie.”
“Yeah, I don’t like her neither.” Sophie wrapped her arms around both their legs, pulling them together.
Lee did the one thing he could think of—he held his ladies close and tried to figure out how to get rid of Camille Boudreaux. This was one fight he couldn’t run away from.
* * * * *
Genny paced the kitchen like a caged creature, wringing her hands and mumbling to herself. She knew she looked like she’d lost all sense, but having her mother nearby left her breathless. Camille was heartless and twisted, so there was no telling what she was really there for. The possibilities were as numerous as they were dark.
Lee sat at the table with Jake, Zeke and Gideon. They talked quietly amongst themselves, but she could feel Lee watching her as she paced. He was worried about her. At least she hadn’t lost him once he’d found out her secret. Being a mother at thirteen was nothing she was proud of, particularly considering Sophie had been a child of rape. A child who became the light of love, the very reason for Genny to live. She’d gone upstairs to rest, thank God. She didn’t have to witness the aftermath of her grandmother’s visit.
The jubilant mood had been crushed flat by the arrival of Camille. Where there had been celebration, laughing and smiling, now the group was somber, worried and confused. Gabby and Naomi sipped tea while the men put drops of whiskey in their coffee, all but Zeke anyway. He didn’t drink anything at all.
The tension in the room had grown. It was as if the world that Genny had come to know had been torn in half and turned inside out. The last person she ever expected to see was her mother, certainly not on the day that she had proposed to the man she loved. The men seemed to be looking to Zeke and Gideon. She knew they’d been in the war together and Gideon had been their captain. Zeke had obviously been the type of soldier to get them out of a tight situation, a thinker, a strategist.
Genny decided she might as well speak because she was sure they were trying to find a delicate way to let her know her mother was a manipulative bitch.
“This is how I see things,” she began. “As you know, I came to Tanger with Henry while I was pregnant by another man. She sold me, to be truthful.” She took a deep breath before continuing. Discussing her pitiful past was harder than she thought. “There’s no love lost between my mother and I. I was more of an inconvenience to her, although I was one of the many reasons that my father kept her in a fancy house in her silk clothes and servants, with chocolate each morning. Camille uses anyone and everything that she can. Do not believe what she tells you. She knows how to twist words, hide facts, tell half-truths until you’re unsure if your head is on your shoulders or sticking out your rear end.”
Gideon watched her with his kind blue eyes. She decided she liked this cousin of Lee’s. He exuded a calmness that affected everyone. It was no wonder he’d been their leader. “What does your mother really want?”
Genny took Lee’s hand. “I don’t know and that scares me more than anything. My mother is capable of a lot.”
“Don’t worry, honey. We’re all here for you.” Lee tucked her beneath his arm and she felt protected if only for a moment.
“She has no idea how stubborn Blackwoods are.” Zeke’s smile was positively feral.
Genny managed a small smile. “Thank you. Thank you very much, Zeke. The other part of this,” Genny continued, “has to do with Sophie. Her father was Allen Coddington, one of New Orleans’ most eligible bachelors. In the eyes of the law however, she is Henry’s daughter. I don’t know what my mother’s plans are, but I can’t let her stay here. I can’t let her take over my life or God forbid, Sophie’s. Camille’s first and only thought is for herself. She must not get near Sophie again.”
The conviction, the iron in Genny’s voice as the strength grew within her, made her spine straighter, made her words sharper. All the men nodded.
“I can see that,” Zeke said. “I’ve dealt with women who are less than upstanding citizens before. Most of us have.”
They all shared a look and Genny wondered how she’d found such an amazing family to fall into.
“What did she mean about the Coddingtons not being a threat anymore?” Zeke cut to the heart of it.
Genny inwardly winced. “His family has a lot of influence, and a lot of money. After Allen was killed, Camille told me his family would want me dead. I don’t know if she’s telling the truth about his father’s death though.”
“We can send a wire to New Orleans in the morning and find out,” Zeke piped up. “It could be from me—the sheriff’s office wouldn’t raise any suspicions—without mentioning you at all.”
“So what do we do while we wait?” Lee looked at Gideon first, then at Zeke. “If she really is the owner of the farm by law, we can’t keep her off the property. I’m pretty sure that woman is not going to give up whatever she’s after very easily.”
Genny’s blood ran cold at the thought. Lee was right—Camille didn’t let anything stand in her way, ever.
Gideon looked at Genny. “I’d say the first step…” he glanced at Lee, “…is to get the two of you hitched as soon as possible.”
The mention of marrying Lee set a tumble of joy inside her that warred with the worry, anxiety and anger she was struggling with. She took Lee’s hand and squeezed. “I’m ready.”
Lee cleared his throat before he looked up at Gideon then at Genny. “I’m ready too. After we get hitched, how do we get rid of her? What if she’s right and Genny has no claim to the farm?”
The truth was, Genny was fairly certain Camille was right about the farm. She didn’t want the farm, she wanted Sophie. If it came down to a choice between them, there was no choice. Genny would rather live off the charity of others. She’d do just about anything to survive if it meant keeping Sophie safe and away from Camille.
“That’s going to take some more thinking. It’s also going to take some help.” Gideon looked at Zeke. “In the morning after you wire about this Coddington fella, wire Nate to see if he could help.”
Everyone nodded. Genny had heard mention of Nate, but didn’t know how he could help her now. Yet anyone who could offer assistance was welcome.
Zeke offered an explanation. “Nate lives over in Grayton with his wife Elisa. After he settled there, he took some schooling and became a lawyer. His wife runs the ranch and he runs a law practice. He can help us. Nate’s going to ask some tough questions. He’s going to keep your secrets safe unless he needs them to do what he needs to do to help you.”
Genny nodded, swallowing hard. “I’m sure that he’s trustworthy, especially if he’s a friend of y’alls.” Judging by their expressions, they all thought very highly of Nate.
Gideon pointed at Lee. “You and Genny get over to the c
hurch and wake Gregory to get hitched tonight. Jake and Gabby, you go with them as witnesses.”
Genny’s mouth dropped open. “Tonight? I thought you meant tomorrow, but tonight?”
“You said you were ready.” Gideon frowned.
“I’m ready, but Sophie’s asleep.” She didn’t want to get married without her daughter there, but waking her at midnight wouldn’t make for a very happy child at a wedding. It had been a rough enough day for everyone.
“We can have a great big wedding afterwards and invite the whole town. Tonight it will be just the four of you. We’ll work out the rest of it later.” Gideon looked at Zeke. “I’ll stay here with Naomi and keep an eye on the girl. You do a perimeter search and make sure everything is secure. We’ll take turns keeping watch until they get back.”
Gideon was definitely used to being in charge and giving orders. Right about then, Genny wasn’t about to argue with him. She took Lee’s hand and kissed him hard. “Let’s go get married.”
The last thing Lee expected to be doing that night was getting married and figuring out how to get rid of his future mother-in-law. Hell, he hadn’t even been engaged the day before. They walked to the church in silence, Genny’s hand firmly tucked into his. It seemed life was trying to tell him something and he was finally listening. He’d been offered a gift, and he’d be a fool and a half if he didn’t accept it.
Jake held Gabby’s elbow, carefully helping her step over anything that was bigger than a pebble. She chuckled over his attentiveness, but it was apparent to everyone she enjoyed the attention. The love, the tenderness, the sheer joy he saw between them actually made him wish for it himself, rather than wish it away.
He stumbled at the thought of seeing Genny round with his child, their child. The dusty ground rushed toward him, then Genny caught his arm, stopping his fall. Thankfully she said nothing about his clumsiness.
Devils on Horseback: Lee, Book 4 Page 15