by Linda Joyce
A sign on the door notified people to knock for entrance to the invitation-only dinner. He intended to thoroughly wow Nola’s family. He’d made a cheat sheet nine months ago to ensure he not only remembered all their names, but which side of the family they came from. Between the Dutreys on her father’s side and Mrs. Dutrey’s Beaudreau family, the family head count hit a hundred. The guest list also included his and Nola’s mutual friends, some of whom were patrons of her community band. Rex had only invited a couple of his cousins. But Henri had not made the list. He still couldn’t prove his uncle’s involvement in the arson up north, but interestingly enough, the gold cuff links had been mysteriously delivered to the Garden District house and left on the porch.
Back inside Xavier’s, he scanned the exposed brick walls of the dining room. The long, white opaque drapes covering the tall windows at Xavier’s were closed, giving the industrial space with its high ceilings and visible ductwork a more intimate feel. Most nights, the place wouldn’t be dressed so formally. Tonight was special. The opening to introduce the place to family and friends. Next week, Xavier’s would start serving the public.
“Flowers, check. Candles, check. By the way, Leon did a good job with them. Wine for each course is ready.” Kevin recounted the task list as he approached Rex. He’d come to work at Xavier’s at Kayla’s insistence. Rex was thankful to have a seasoned right-hand man.
“You’ve done a splendid job, Kevin. Thank you.”
“The musicians are ready, too.”
“Good. Have them go ahead and begin.”
A bell rang and Rex went to the door. “Mr. and Mrs. Dutrey! You’re the first guests to arrive. Let me welcome you to Xavier’s.”
Sean shook his hand. Rex kissed the air beside Deidre’s cheeks.
“You know, Rex, when you’re officially part of the family, you’re going to have to stop being so formal with us.” Deidre gave him a pointed look. Rex caught the hint.
Nick had warned him how Mrs. Dutrey had a way of getting what she wanted. She hadn’t pushed him, though, and said after he and Biloxi married, she’d become quite respectful of his place in the family. Of course, giving her grandchildren had mellowed her more.
“When?” Rex asked.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Six months ago, you asked for our daughter’s hand in marriage. Sean and I agreed. You swore us to secrecy. You’ve had me on pins and needles. Every time I talk with her, I expect her to tell me you got down on one knee. What’s the holdup? Are you going to ask Nola to marry you? Tonight?”
Grinning, Rex shook his head. “Tonight is about introducing the dream that Nola and I share to all of you. I’ll know the perfect time to propose. Maybe I’ll let you know in advance.” He winked. “Or maybe not. In the meantime, I have your seats reserved at a table near the stage. Nola will be singing tonight. You get front row seats.”
One of the four hosts Rex had working that night ushered Mrs. and Mr. Dutrey away. No sooner had Rex turned back toward the door did the bell ring again.
“Biloxi and Nick! Welcome.”
“Nine months is time enough to have a baby, X. Rex Arceneau. Not of the restaurant kind.” Biloxi kissed his cheek. “Are you going to make an honest woman of my sister? My children need cousins, you know.”
“Nick,” Rex said. “Help me out. What is it with these Dutrey women?”
Chuckling, Nick said, “Believe me, surrendering will make you a much happier man.” He slapped Rex on the back.
“Well, we’ll see. In the meantime, your parents are up front. This gentleman will usher you to your seats.”
“Where is she?” Rex muttered. He’d left his phone in the office. “Kevin,” he called the man over. “Please monitor the door. You have the seating chart, correct?”
“All under control. I’ve got this covered.”
Stalking toward the office, he passed his sister and Marquis in the hall.
“We came through the kitchen,” Kayla said. “I had to be sure your new chef had everything under control.” She elbowed him. “Wagyu beef. Excellent choice for tonight.”
“Where’s my girl?” he snapped at Marquis. “It was your job to get her here on time.”
“Oh, Nola? She’s waiting for you in the office.”
“We were just on our way to find you and let you know.” Kayla smiled sweetly.
Rex sniffed. Narrowed his eyes. Something was up.
As he reached the office and opened the door, light spilled across the floor and into the dark room. He opened the door wider. Illumination shone on Nola. She leaned, her back against the antique desk, her arms stretched out and bracing her body, her chest thrust upward. Her beautiful neck was exposed, as were her shoulders, in the sweetheart neckline. The soft blue tone of the fabric made her skin glow as though covered in opal dust. His breath hitched. His heart stopped. Never had she looked as lovely fully clothed as she did now, though his preference was to gaze at her naked.
Lowering her chin, she winked at him. “Hey, big boy.” She stood and shimmied her shoulders. “I hear you have a great singer taking the stage tonight. Want to wish her good luck?”
Closing the space between them, he went to her and kissed her cheek. “You’ll kill ’em. I know.”
“Is that all I get?” She pouted.
“Gorgeous, the house is filling up. Let’s go greet our guests. I promise to devour you later. I’m the one who needs luck tonight. It’s resting in your hands.” But she didn’t understand the truth of that just yet.
“Are my parents here?”
“Up front. Biloxi and Nick, too. Kevin is making sure everyone is seated. We need to go greet our guests. They’re waiting for us.”
Rex led Nola down a hall which allowed them to enter the restaurant to the left of the stage. Applause sounded when they came into view. Rex held Nola’s hand and escorted her front and center. Most of the seats were filled. All eyes focused on them. For the first time, uncertainty rattled him.
“Ah…ladies and gentlemen. Family and friends. Thank you for sharing this exciting night with Nola and me.” Beside him, she gave a small curtsey. “Now, to make this special for all of us, Nola doesn’t know the menu, and I don’t know which songs she’ll be singing. This way, she and I both get to experience some anticipation, along with all of you. That’s what makes an evening special, right? Not knowing everything that’s going to happen?”
“Lead the way,” Sean Dutrey called out.
“Wine is being served now along with the appetizers. Onion tart with goat cheese, crab toast, and cranberry crostini. I’d be pleased if you’d take the cards by your plates and rate each dish. Add comments. Feedback will be helpful. And to begin the evening’s entertainment, I’m turning the stage over to Miss Nola Belle. She needs no introduction with this crowd.”
Rex offered the mic to Nola. He stepped off to the side to watch the woman he loved do what she was most passionate about—bringing musical joy to others.
The lights dimmed slightly.
“Good evening. This is truly a special night.” Nola glanced and smiled at him, then faced the audience. “I’ve selected some of my most favorite songs, hopefully for your enjoyment. This first song, the first time I heard it was on a turntable. Anyone remember them?”
A sprinkling of laughter was heard.
“Thank you, Great-Grandmother Grace. The song I’m about to sing, the music written by Isham Jones, lyrics by Gus Kahn, was published in 1924. Billie Holiday recorded her version of it in 1955. “It Had To Be You.” I am dedicating this song to my man, Xavier Rex Arceneau.”
Rex drew in a breath when she mentioned his name. His body thrummed as she sang the first line. Love filled him. He’d never been much of the praying sort, but just in case, every night when he laid his head on a pillow next to Nola’s and woke to find her beside him the next morning, he gave thanks. His occasional trips to New York to unwind his business dealings had taken him away from her a few days at a time now and again, but she understood th
at those days apart were a means to an end. Now, he had her, the house in the Garden District, which Kayla had signed over ownership to him, and Xavier’s. He’d given his shares of the restaurant to Kayla. Uncle Henri caved and was paid a reasonable price for his ten percent.
The roots of his dream had grown and now bloomed into a beautiful life.
Rex put his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. Every word Nola sang was just for him. The most special person in the world loved him. How had he gotten so lucky?
Just before Nola finished the song, Rex walked to the very edge of the stage. His palms were dampening. His breathing turned shallow. He forced a deep breath, then took a step toward her.
By the time she sang the last word, he was standing beside her. His heart pounded in his chest. His very stubborn, very independent woman had a mind of her own. It was now or never, but would she agree?
Nola bowed.
The audience applauded.
Her father rose and clapped, giving her a standing ovation. The rest of the crowd followed. A cacophony of clapping and whistling filled the space. The drummer shimmered the cymbals.
Rex beamed at her. She smiled back, but her eyes grew round as if to say, what’s going on?
He took the mic from her hands. Bent and knelt down. Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out a small red leather box. “Nola Bridgette Dutrey. I love you. Only you. Will you marry me?”
****
Nola gasped. Her hands flew to her mouth. Her body thrummed with joy. She glanced at her mother and caught her grin stretching from ear to ear. She looked back at Rex gazing up lovingly at her.
“It has to be you, Nola. What do you say?” Rex opened the box. White velvet set off a beautiful engagement ring.
“Yes!” she squealed. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”
Rising, Rex plucked the ring from the box. Nola danced in place on her toes. Her hand trembled as he reached for it and slid the ring on her finger. “Yes, Rex. I will most definitely marry you.”
She launched herself at him, and as she fully expected, he caught her. “I love you. Only you. Xavier Rex Arceneau.” Having him with her forever was her dream come true. In his arms was the place she wanted to be. She’d been right to wait, not to be pressured by family and friends. She followed her heart to that 12/8 beat. Only Rex did that to her.
Around them, people stirred. Kevin motioned and plates were cleared. The next food course was delivered. The next wine was poured.
“Let’s show everyone.” Rex took her hand.
Nola resisted. “Oh, wait. Attention, everyone.” Nola spoke into the mic. “I know my family feared I’d never find someone I could totally share my life with. Now I have. There’s going to be a wedding at Fleur de Lis. I’m going to be a bride!”
Later, after everyone had left for the night, Nola sat next to Rex at the bar of Xavier’s, and they sipped the last of the champagne. He traced a finger from her bare shoulder down her arm. “You know, the color of that dress looks very similar to a suit I have.”
“It’s the exact shade. The dress is custom-made.”
“Biloxi didn’t force you into that?”
She shook her head. “Do you think it was fate that brought us together? After all, we met at a bridal show put on by my sister and cousin.”
Rex chuckled. “I thought it was Kayla’s bullheadedness that brought us together. She lied to me, and I hunted her down at Fleur de Lis.”
“Did I ever tell you that I thought you looked like a pimp in that suit?”
“What?”
“Never mind.” She giggled.
“Let me get you home.” Rex removed the glass from in front of her and set it on the side. “You’ve had enough to drink.”
“I think I’m going to move home to Fleur de Lis until we get married. The wedding will be there. That’s all right by you, yes?”
He cupped her chin and drew her closer to him. Gently he pressed his lips to hers. “Gorgeous, I’ll marry you anywhere. Just make it soon. And just keep looking at me with love in your eyes.”
Her heart sang. Passion. Love. Joy lifted her so high she could touch heaven. “I’m really going to be Mrs. Xavier Rex Arceneau.”
And her heart continued that 12/8 beat.
A word about the author…
Amazon Best Selling author and multiple RONE Award Finalist, Linda Joyce writes about assertive females and the men who can’t resist them.
A big fan of jazz and blues, Linda attributes her love of music to her southern roots, which run deep in Louisiana. Courtesy of her father’s Air Force career, she has lived coast to coast in the U.S. and wrote her first manuscript when she was twelve while living in Japan.
In addition to being a book addict, Linda’s a foodie, an RVer, loves to kayak, and binge watch movies. Now she lives in Atlanta with her husband and General Beauregard, their four-legged boy who thinks Linda is his pet.
Please visit her at www.linda-joyce.com
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