by Lynn Emery
LaShaun waited for the usual squawking that preceded loud bawling when strangers touched Ellie. Instead the toddler blinked rapidly as she looked around the scene and then up at Justine. She studied the unfamiliar face, then looked at her mother. When LaShaun smiled encouragement, Ellie smacked her lips and grinned at Justine.
“First time we meet and we’re friends already. Baby knows Aunt Teen is on her side. Now let’s go look at the puppies, eh?” Justine nodded toward the house.
“Well, I guess we will,” LaShaun said as she followed Justine.
A tall café au lait man emerged from the house. His bushy light gray beard came down the front of a red plaid flannel shirt. He radiated a strong aura of quiet royalty that startled LaShaun. She stood still for a moment adjusting to the effect. After a moment, Justine noticed LaShaun had stopped. She faced her. Ellie had grown quiet as well.
“LaShaun, this is Mathieu Baptiste.” Justine dipped her head to the man. “Morning Mathieu. Thanks for inviting us.”
“Nice to meet you.” LaShaun willed her feet to move toward him, and she extended a hand. His firm cool grip startled her a second time.
“Good meeting you, LaShaun. I knew your grandfather you know … and your grandmother,” Mathieu added after a pause.
LaShaun felt drawn to Mathieu in a disturbing, but not totally unpleasant way. When he let go, LaShaun almost gasped. Then the sensation retreated. He reined in the power, which meant he had control. She also noticed the pause before he mentioned Monmon Odette, which told her a story was behind it. His calm hazel-eyed gaze communicated he could read her as well.
“I’ve never met anyone who knew Papa Rousselle,” was all LaShaun could think to say. Her mind worked to process the flood of information absorbed with so few words.
Mathieu’s smile transformed into an ordinary grandfatherly type. “We were good friends. One day I’ll tell you stories of us hunting together as boys. But today we find a puppy for the little one.”
“Le cheva,” Ellie chirped.
“Oui, mon Cherie,” Mathieu replied promptly. “You have your pick, little princess. This way, this way.”
He waved them to follow as he set off down a path around the cottage. About fifty yards behind the house stood a smaller cottage. What would have been the front porch had been fitted with black metal bars. Divided into four sections, open archways led to rooms. Dogs of various sizes and colors yapped at the sight of them. Mathieu led them to the large fenced in area behind it.
“That is one fancy dog house,” LaShaun murmured to Justine.
Justine laughed at Ellie’s wide-eyed expression as she looked at the dogs. “They’re fine le chien, eh Cherie?”
“Yes, I do love my dogs. But the finer touches are my wife’s doing. She insisted on those planters. Very particular, like most nurses.”
“She still works, a public health clinic in Abbeville,” Justine put in.
“I have to say, it impresses my customers.” Mathieu whistled and several dogs trotted up to the fence, tails wagging. He opened a gate and left them as he talked. “I only keep a few: seven, twelve at most.”
“Seven is the symbol of completeness from the Bible. Twelve means power and authority,” Justine whispered.
When Ellie babbled, Justine smiled at her before handing the baby to LaShaun. She joined Mathieu in the enclosure. LaShaun watched as Mathieu spoke with affection to each dog in turn. Some barked, others trotted around him and Justine in circles. LaShaun admired their healthy coats. The dogs seemed to know they were on display. They jockeyed for position, eager to be noticed.
“They’re all so lovely. I’m having a hard time choosing,” LaShaun said.
Mathieu continued to pet the dogs as he spoke over his shoulder. “Ah, Ellie will know.”
“I hardly think Ellie can select a dog,” LaShaun said with a laugh. She walked along the fence eyeing the dogs. “We don’t want a young puppy of course, too much work with a baby already. Maybe one nine months to one-year-old. Of course then I’d have to train him, or her.”
“No, you don’t understand,” Mathieu replied. He turned to face LaShaun with a sober expression. “Your little girl must choose, as he will be her protector.”
“She’ll recognize a connection to the dog,” Justine added.
“You’re not joking.” LaShaun stared from Mathieu to Justine.
“Come, they’ll be gentle with her. Step inside so she can take a closer look.” Mathieu beckoned to LaShaun.
LaShaun gazed at the dogs who answered with barks and wagging tails. Though the gate was open, none of the dogs tried to escape. Something about the scene struck her as odd. The dogs quieted as if they sensed her hesitation. None of them approached her as she stepped into the enclosure. Ellie babbled pointing to one dog and then another. She laughed. After a few seconds the dogs resumed running and jumping around. One, a soft gray color, trotted over to them. Justine stopped petting a brown and gray spotted hound to join them.
“Ah, such soulful eyes,” Justine said, “yet playful, too.”
The dog gave a soft huff, not quite a bark, and made a lap around them as if to prove her point. He bounded while Ellie clapped her soft chubby hands in approval.
“He is beautiful,” LaShaun agreed. She mused on the strangeness of waiting for an infant to decide on a pet. “How—”
“Eleven months next week. He’s a mixed Great Weimar, a mix of Great Dane and Weimaraner,” Mathieu said promptly.
“What’s his name?” LaShaun warmed to the dog as she watched him.
“Ask Joëlle Renée,” Mathieu replied.
“Okay now, c’mon. Ellie knows maybe twenty words. She is not going to name a dog. Granted she does seem to like him more than the others…” LaShaun’s voice trailed away.
She studied Ellie’s expression. The baby hadn’t taken her gaze from the gray dog for several minutes. Ellie waved an arm and the dog trotted over to her. LaShaun jumped when he reared up to place two paws on her waist. He presented his muzzle to Ellie. She gazed at the dog, then giggled.
“Bo.”
Mathieu beamed at Ellie. “Well, that’s it then. Her new dog is Beau, a male by the way. I have his papers. All in order with shots. Wonderful choice, ma petite.”
LaShaun blinked rapidly as he bustled off rubbing his hands together. All she could catch of what he said was something about the paperwork and feeding him. She looked down at Beau and then at Justine. Beau yawned and sat down as if taking a break now that the formalities had wrapped up.
“What just happened?” LaShaun gazed ahead as Mathieu disappeared through the back door of his house.
“You have a new pet. Pauline and Rose will be impressed when I tell them. You’ve made a fine, fine choice my child. Yes, indeed.”
“Justine, the dog…”
“Beau,” Justine broke in.
“He’s almost a year old, so how can we simply change its name? You don’t think she picked a name because she blurted out a sound.” LaShaun kissed the soft dark curls on top of Ellie’s head. Then she pulled the hood up to protect her from the cool morning air.
“As I said, Ellie is connected to him and he will respond. And she didn’t give him a new name. Ellie called him by name.” Justine laughed at LaShaun’s baffled expression.
“Beau, mama.” Ellie reached down just as Beau lifted his muzzle again to be petted.
Justine tilted her head to one side as she looked at LaShaun. “Well?”
“Wait until Chase hears about this adventure.” LaShaun grinned at Justine.
“After all he’s seen, I doubt he’ll bat an eye,” Justine joked.
“Come to my office, ladies,” Mathieu yelled from his back door. “To my office so we can finish. Yes, yes.”
LaShaun waited while Justine closed the gate, though it hardly seemed necessary. Indeed, once inside, Mathieu assured them they could have left it open. He let the dogs run free regularly in the open meadows of his land. They always returned.
“
This is their home,” he said with a wide smile when LaShaun remarked on it. “Now these are his papers. I put a bag of food in your Subaru. I put one seat down, hope you don’t mind. No, no happy to do it. I have plenty, a storage shed full of fifty pound bags.”
Fifteen minutes later, Beau sat next to Ellie in her car seat. LaShaun and Justine stood saying their goodbyes to Mathieu. When his phone rang, he scurried off to conduct more business. Beau jumped into the back of the SUV. Then he lay down, head on both large paws. He and Ellie seemed content to wait while the adults finished visiting.
“We’ll be in touch for a meeting, Rose, Pauline and me. You should get a babysitter for Ellie. Some things she should not hear just yet.” Justine nodded with a thoughtful frown.
“Um, okay.” LaShaun studied her. “You have more to tell me?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” Justine’s solemn expression gave way to a lighter one. “But today the sun is shining, and Ellie has a new best friend. So, we celebrate the little joys.”
LaShaun hugged Justine and thanked her for the help. Justine tooted the horn of her Explorer before driving off. With one last wave to her, LaShaun got into the Forrester. Beau lifted his head as though giving her the all clear sign. She turned on the radio to soft music. Ellie hummed along in off key baby fashion. Though she started the SUV, LaShaun paused to look over the registration and health documents Mathieu had provided. LaShaun read the first few lines and then stopped.
“Male puppy born to Lady M on December 27, 2015. Named… Beau on January 2nd.” LaShaun looked from the papers to Ellie, who smiled at her before turning to pet Beau on the nose.
Chapter 2
That evening Beau greeted Chase when he got home later than usual from work. LaShaun had alerted him via text messages throughout the day, so he wasn’t surprised. She’d bought supplies and even got Beau listed with the local vet. Beau lay in his doggie bed half dozing as they ate dinner.
“He’s a good lookin’ dog, I gotta admit,” Chase said between chews. He drank from his water glass and sighed. “I like that he’s quiet. After the day I’ve had…”
“Beau is just about perfect.” LaShaun waved to Beau, who lifted his head once then settled back again.
“Give him a few days and we’ll see how well behaved he is,” Chase retorted. He stabbed his fork into more beef.
“Sure, like most males, they’re on their best behavior during the honeymoon. Once they get comfortable the real guy comes out.” LaShaun grinned at Chase.
“I get the feeling we ain’t talking about the dog anymore. Watch it, lady.” Chase pointed his fork at her. “This is some good beef stir-fry. Who needs takeout when I got you at home?”
“You’re welcome. Fresh veggies, noodles and the right ingredients are key. And yes, I’m going to make sure we eat more organic foods. Including you, Beau.” LaShaun nodded to the pooch, who gave a low woof.
Chase ate the last tender morsel of beef. After draining his water glass, he rose and walked over to Beau. He kneeled to scratch behind one of Beau’s ears. “So now I’ve got both my girls talking to the family pet and spoiling him. Organic chow and this fancy dog sofa. You’ve seduced my women, boy. I’m kinda jealous.”
“We have plenty of love to go around in this family,” LaShaun teased. She began clearing the table.
“He’s pretty big. Beau is gonna eat us into debt the older he gets.” Chase rubbed Beau’s smooth gray coat.
“Ellie chose him so he’s just right.” LaShaun put away leftovers.
Chase walked to the kitchen. He washed his hands before helping her. Then he started loading the dishwasher. “So you’re telling me Ellie chose this dog over all the others.”
“I wanted her to feel comfortable with any pet I chose of course. If she’d been scared or nervous, then no point in getting her a dog, right?” LaShaun packed up a lunch for Chase to take the next day. She included an egg roll as a little something extra.
“Tell me everything.” Chase turned on the dishwasher then leaned against the counter, arms crossed.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“The magical twins suggested a specific dog breeder, so there must be some hocus-pocus involved. Beau looks like a normal dog to me, but then, you looked like a normal woman when we first met.” Chase dodged the potholder LaShaun tossed at his head and caught it mid-air.
“Keep it up, Broussard, and you’ll go into work with a bandage on your noggin.” LaShaun shook a finger at him, then sighed when he crossed his arms again. “Okay, okay. Monsieur Mathieu Baptiste is Justine’s fourth cousin. He has a way with animals, an intuitive kind of bond. Also his dogs aren’t spooked by paranormal vibes. They’re more likely to protect us when we have to battle evil spirits.”
“Promise to never say stuff like that in front of my boss.”
“Everybody within twenty-five miles of Beau Chene thinks I hold regular séances.” LaShaun laughed, but stopped when she noticed Chase was serious. She raised her right hand. “I solemnly swear to avoid referring to any and all supernatural phenomena in close proximity to Sheriff Godchaux.”
“Thank you.”
“Look, since ancient times, dogs have been regarded as protectors from evil. In Mesopotamia, Sumer, and Egypt dogs were companions to the gods. They protected homes from enemies. So…” LaShaun’s voice trailed off.
“Here we go.” Chase pulled a large hand over his face.
“Adam and Eve were farmers after the fall, so were their sons. They used dogs to protect the herds. In Jewish tradition, Abel’s dog stayed with him for days even after his brother Cain murdered him. Legends say certain bloodlines are those first herd of dogs.” LaShaun shrugged as Chase continued to stare at her. “What?”
“Let me just get this straight. Your support group for psychics have dogs descended from Abel’s dog, the Biblical Abel.” Chase blinked at her. Beau made a couple of soft woofs. He pointed to Beau. “You stay out of this.”
“Stop calling us a support group for psychics like it’s a disease or something. Anyway, they have a name, TEA, LLC.”
“You’re kidding, they formed a corporation? What’s TEA stand for?”
LaShaun smiled. “Third Eye Association. Third eye means being able to see beyond the senses, and more than just psychics. Like Mr. Baptiste, some have extraordinary gifts that don’t involve the dead or supernatural.”
“I’m officially in my own version of the world of wizards.” Chase hung his head, eyes closed. Then he looked up at LaShaun again.
“We’re not ‘sorcerers, but we have gifts. We use ours to fight ‘the dark side’.” LaShaun pitched her voice low to imitate a movie villain.
“Does Ellie have paranormal ability?”
“Would it bother you if she did? Of course there was no way to be sure, or that she’d show signs at such a young age,” LaShaun said softly and glanced in the direction of the nursery.
“What signs?”
“It could be just a coincidence… But she named our dog.” LaShaun cleared her throat as Chase walked up to her.
“’Scuse me?” Chase frowned.
“She pointed at him and said ‘Bo’. So at first I thought, hey, she makes up names and stuff all the time. But Mr. Baptiste and Justine looked pleased, and then afterward, I read on the registration papers that he was named Beau a few days after birth.”
Chase’s expression relaxed. “You got it right the first time. I’ll bet she was going boo, bo, ba-ba the whole time. Anything else?”
LaShaun decided not to mention the open window in Ellie’s room, or how she seemed to be having a conversation with someone. Or something. “No…”
“I’m not saying it would be a bad thing for her to take after her mama.” Chase pulled LaShaun into her arms. “After all, you’re pretty damn amazing. But let’s not read into normal baby talk.”
LaShaun smiled at him. “We did have a pretty typical day afterward. The usual fussing for her food, getting most of it on herself and the floor. Oh, and
I brought Beau to her play date with your sister Katie’s twins. He’s so good with children.”
“What did I say? You’re the average work-at-home mama.” Chase kissed her forehead and then yawned. “Let’s follow Ellie’s lead and hit the bed.”
“You said something about after the day you had. Not more killings I hope,” LaShaun replied.
Chase finished tidying up the counter top as he spoke. “Not here, just over the line in Acadia Parish off Highway 13. But it could be related. One of their deputies is coming down to sit in on the court hearing and talk to me. I don’t’ know why they want to drive all this way. With phones, emails and even video conferencing, they could save time and gas.”
“Hmm, sometimes face-to-face is best, even with all our technology. The human touch is still important.” LaShaun thought of Justine’s parting words about meeting with her, Miss Rose and Pauline.
“Yeah, maybe. I just hope—” Chase stopped when the ringing of his cell phone cut into their conversation. “Hello. Yeah, MJ, I figured you weren’t calling just to say hello. When? Right.” He hung up, no trace of fatigue in his movements.
“Our warm bed is waiting.” LaShaun wrapped both arms around his waist as she walked behind him.
“A law officer’s work is 24-7, darlin’. You know not to wait up.” Chase patted her hands at his waist.
“Ellie and Beau wore me out, so not likely. Can you tell me?” LaShaun let go but followed him to their bedroom.
“You’ll sleep better not hearing the details. I’m going for a quick look-see, so I shouldn’t be gone long.”
Beau trotted in to join LaShaun as she watched him get dressed. Chase kicked off his house moccasins and put on warm wool socks against the cold December night air. His dark brown boots went on after. He pulled on a denim shirt first, then a pullover sweater. Last, he slipped into his brown suede jacket and felt hat.
LaShaun cupped his face. “You’re the best lookin’ cop in the state.” Then she kissed him.
“You could be right,” Chase said, checking himself in the mirror. He chuckled when she gave him a playful swat on the shoulder. “Hey, Beau. I’m counting on you to guard the home front.”