He leaned back in his chair. His laced fingers rested on his ample belly. “Miss Winters, Noel, I have a proposition for you.”
Noel’s fingers tightened around the wooden arms of her chair. This was it. He’d offer to pay her off to drop the whole thing. “I’m listening.”
“I’ve contacted a lab in Lafayette, and there is a young man who is willing to drive in this afternoon and perform the necessary DNA testing to determine if you could be my daughter. If you agree, I’ll call him now. But before I do, I want to make something clear. If these results show you are not my daughter, I expect you to honor the results and drop this idea. If the results are positive, then I would like to get to know you.”
The rush of blood pounded in Noel’s ear. Had she heard him correctly? He wanted to get to know her. “Why?” She blurted out the word before her restraint kicked in.
He chuckled. “You’re so much like your mother. So open. So…honest. So beautiful.” The leather chair squeaked when he leaned forward. “Your mother was in her freshman year when we met. I was a senior.” The intensity of his gaze shifted, and Noel could tell his thoughts were in another place. Another time.
“I loved your mother. We had the once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. I had every intention of staying in Colorado and marrying her. But my parents had other ideas about what was best for my future. I was twenty-two, wanting to please my father and easily led.” He paused and stared past Noel out the window. “Ahh, Lynn, she was…incredible. Such a beautiful person inside and out. There hasn’t been a day when I haven’t thought about her, wondered…” His gaze switched back to Noel. “I followed the path my parents wanted, made a life with GeorgeAnna—loved her the best way I could and tried to forget. I thought I’d done a good job until a couple of days ago when you came to see me. When you told me Lynn had died, a small part of me died too.”
Noel nodded. This Delton who spoke about her mother was the man she’d seen in those letters. Tender. Compassionate. In love.
“Mr. Detiveaux—“
He lifted his hand. “Call me Delton. And please, if you’re going to apologize, don’t. You did exactly what I would have done in your place. I’m the one who needs to apologize. I treated you poorly, Noel, and I’m sorry.”
Noel swallowed. The goose egg lodged in her throat seemed to grow with the rise of emotion in her heart. This response proved more than she could have expected.
“I left after graduation and got caught up in the whirlwind of events here. I got married to GeorgeAnna as everyone expected I would, got a job with the State’s Attorney’s office and soon had a son on the way. When my father died a few months later, I took on the role of looking after my mother. So my dream of Colorado died under the burden of my responsibilities. Your mother never told me she was pregnant. We strayed the one time only.” He peered directly into her eyes. “Believe me. I would have made different choices had I known.”
Her negative thoughts about him disappeared as Delton revealed more of the truth. More of himself. “I’ll do the test.”
****
Justin poured the last of the motor oil into Mrs. Chabert’s Cadillac. She only trusted Al or Justin to work on her 1960 two-door convertible. The barge of a car took up the entire left bay with little room to work around it. But Justin loved working on the beast. She’d bought new cars but had kept the classic because it reminded her of her husband.
He rushed to get the car returned to her by this afternoon. Wow, Christmas Eve already. He needed to get ready for Vivian’s party tonight.
The week had flown by. After taking Noel to Delton’s, Justin had shown her around town and arranged interviews with his coaches and teachers. He couldn’t count the times he’d blushed during her interviews. But overall, he’d enjoyed showing her his past through the people who’d made a grand impact in his life.
After Noel shared the things Delton had told her, Justin reevaluated his perspective on his own life. He knew that much of his drive for greatness came from wanting to please his uncle and live up to his father’s expectations. A reminder from his uncle set him straight. They didn’t need him to be a superstar ball player. They loved him no matter what he did.
His faith filled the empty spaces that had been part of his doubts. God had a plan for his life. He knew that, and it was up to him to trust and follow. In both his personal life and professional life. He would practice hard and be the best he could.
About Noel, he knew one thing: the girl had stolen his heart.
As he stood on Vivian’s porch, the mechanical Santa belted out his, “Ho, Ho, Ho Merry Christmas!” Instead of the past annoyance, Justin smiled and welcomed the sound. He even loved seeing all the lights twinkling in Vivian’s yard and along the porch. They cast a cheery glow on the night. Behind the door, Noel waited, and that cast a cheery glow on his heart.
Vivian stood at the doorway before he had a chance to enter. He pecked her cheek. “Merry Christmas, Ms. Vivian.”
“Merry Christmas, Justin. You have a minute?”
“Sure.” She grabbed his hand and led him to the outdoor couch. “Let’s talk.”
Oh, boy. She looked serious. What in the world could she have to say? His heart lurched for a second. “Is something wrong?”
“No.” She met his gaze. “I know it’s only been a week, but Noel has become like a daughter to me. I hope you know how special she is.” Her violet eyes bore into him.
“Ms. Vivian, I do. If you’re worried about me breaking her heart, don’t. All I want to do is love that girl and take care of her. She is special, and I thank the Lord for sending her to me.”
Vivian smiled and kissed his cheek. “That’s what I wanted to hear.” She tapped his knee with the palm of her hand. “Now, get in there and celebrate with her.”
He hopped up and offered his hand to Vivian. She allowed him to help her and then walked into the house amid the cheerful greeting of her Santa sentinel.
Dix-Sept
When Justin walked into the door behind Vivian, Noel’s heart pattered against her chest. Could she ever get tired of seeing his chiseled face sporting that amazing smile?
His warm embrace sent her heart swirling further into a tailspin. “Merry Christmas.” His lips gently touched hers. She wanted to stop the clock and let the moment linger longer. Let the bliss of his embrace envelop her. The aroma of his woodsy, clean scent etched an indelible memory.
“Merry Christmas.” She returned his kiss. “C’mon, Cheryl and Beau are in the living room as are all your other relatives, which means more than half of Bijou Bayou is here.”
He laughed. “That’s about right.”
She led him to the filled living room where they mingled with family and friends. Justin introduced her to several cousins. Vivian’s decorations dotted the tables strewn around the room, and Christmas lights added to the festive décor.
His uncle Al and Aunt Cookie laughed with Mameré and Melanie as several children posed as a live nativity. The baby they’d “borrowed” refused to sit still, causing chaos in the manger.
The women from the Bible study greeted Noel as though they’d known her forever. She basked in their friendship and found that her heart broke along with theirs over the hardships they endured. Especially, for Gilly, Lark, and Pearl. She paused a moment. Lord, give them peace. Send restored relationship and healing to Gilly, forgiveness for Lark, and truth to Pearl.
When Justin slipped his arm around her waist, she leaned into him. The simple act gave her confidence to trust her heart where he was concerned.
As the group gathered to sing Christmas carols around Mrs. Elaine playing Vivian’s piano, the doorbell rang. Noel and Justin were closest to the door, so Justin stepped back and flung it opened.
Noel’s breath caught when she saw Delton, GeorgeAnna, and Randy standing at the threshold.
His presence could only mean one thing. He’d gotten the results. She took a tentative step toward them and opened her arms to GeorgeAnna. “Merry Christmas.�
�
A wide-eyed GeorgeAnna, with a bit of hesitance, embraced Noel. “Merry Christmas.”
Noel hugged Randy and when she turned to Delton, he guided her onto the porch. “Can we talk?”
“Sure.” She followed him past the singing Santa and sat on the couch. This is where he would tell her he wasn’t her father. But that was OK. She had accepted that possibility and had come to accept what her mother told her many years ago. You’re loved by our heavenly Father. He’s all you need.
He sat next to her and toyed with the hem of his sports coat. “I’m still waiting on the official results, but I’ve thought about nothing else since you came to town.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t need a test to tell me what I know deep in my heart. Noel, I believe you are my daughter. You’ve too many of my traits and mannerisms not to be. Even GeorgeAnna admits the resemblance is enough. And Randy, well, he knew from day one. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to come to terms with this, but now that I have, I want us to have whatever relationship you want. Your terms. OK?”
Noel blinked. Once, then twice, then again. How could God have blessed her so abundantly and completely? Delton and Justin. Thank You, Lord.
She grabbed his hand. “I would like to get to know you and Randy.” She choked back a sob. “After all, he is my half-brother.”
His genuine smile touched her heart. With his hand in hers, she led him back toward the door. “I’m so glad you came tonight.”
“When Vivian called to invite us, I was a bit surprised. But I knew we had to come to show you and the town that we’re family. And family sticks together.”
Vivian. Noel should have known Vivian was responsible for having the Detiveauxs here. Her heart expanded for that woman every minute.
“That’s great to hear. Now let’s get in there and help with that rendition of ‘Silent Night.’”
Noel entered and stood next to Justin with Delton on the other side next to GeorgeAnna. She raised her voice in song and never imagined that her first Christmas without her mother would be one filled with such blessings. Her mom would have loved this setting.
Justin looped his arm around her once again making her heart soar. She faced him and took in his beaming smile and twinkling eyes. His wink confirmed what her heart already knew. He was hers.
Thank You, again, Lord.
Épilogue
One Year Later
Justin navigated his truck along Munson’s road. “Almost there.”
Noel leaned over from the passenger seat and kissed him on the cheek. “I can’t believe it’s been a year since Vivian picked me up off this dark road when I was being eaten alive by killer mosquitoes.”
Justin laughed. “Yeah, when she said you were walking on Munson’s Road at night, I thought you were crazy…still do.” He shot her a quick glance, snickered, and then turned back to the road.
“You wait, Justin. You won’t always be driving.”
They’d left Colorado Springs in the wee hours of dawn, fought a blizzard on I-25 just north of Pueblo, and multiple traffic jams. Almost twenty hours later, Bijou Bayou drew near. Vivian had insisted they come to her Christmas Eve party, so they’d packed their bags and headed down. While Noel’s car was in great running condition thanks to Justin’s multiple repairs throughout the year, they wanted the luxury and the room of Justin’s truck.
“I can’t wait to see Nonc Al and Tante Cookie again. They’re excited to see you again too.”
They’d come up last summer to watch him in his starting pitcher role. He’d pitched a no-hitter and sent the stadium into an uproar. He’d accepted the accolades not so much for himself but for the couple who raised him. He wanted to show them that their sacrifice wasn’t in vain. He’d also publicly thanked the Lord for his gift and gave credit exactly where it was due—with God. Which he hoped was the real reason they were proud of him.
When they’d returned to Colorado, Noel revealed her true identity to her many readers. When she posted a picture of herself on the column header, she got a little flak from some of the older men who’d followed her religiously and thought she was a man. But they came around and were now her biggest supporters. Especially after the series of articles she’d done on Justin. Readers flocked to her blog when they found out she and Justin were dating.
Fat raindrops splattered the glass. Justin flipped on the windshield wipers. “Looks like a thunderstorm is coming through.”
“You know what that means, don’t you?” Noel punched numbers into her cell phone. “I’m calling Vivian.”
“Yep, it’s gumbo weather. Cousin Vivian will have at least two different kinds of gumbo.” He chuckled. “She can’t resist.”
“I can’t wait for a big bowl of each steaming variety.”
“I love living in Colorado, but I do miss fresh seafood and good Cajun cooking.”
She snuggled next to him. “Guess that means you’ll have to either learn to cook like the Cajun you are or come down here more often.”
Justin laughed. “Oh, I see. Me learn to cook.”
****
When Justin pulled into Vivian’s long driveway, a rush of memories swept over Noel.
“So much happened here last year.” Tears pressed close to the surface. So many answered prayers. She’d made dear friends who, regardless of the miles between them, treated her like family. She video-conferenced in on their weekly Bible study meetings, making her a continued part of the group. But being able to hug the gals would make this week extra special.
“You’re right and it all started with your car breaking down and Vivian being a good Samaritan.”
Noel nodded. Vivian had been the catalyst. She owed a lot to the woman who was like a mother to her. As well as Justin’s Tante Cookie and Vivian’s sister, Melanie. Guess when you got adopted by one, you got adopted by the whole town. She smiled at the thought. An answer to prayer.
Thanks to Randy’s determination to get to the truth and bring the family together, she’d found her father. Maybe not the one she’d always dreamed of, but hers nonetheless. Once Delton realized she wasn’t out to destroy him or milk him for money, his heart softened toward her. Another prayer answered. Thank You.
While Delton still had a long way to go to win the “Best Dad of the Year” contest, he was trying with both her and Randy. Delton called her weekly to see how things were going and to see if she needed anything. She never took him up on his offers, but it was nice to know he cared. He’d acknowledged her publicly shortly after the DNA test confirmed his paternity. Even Delton’s wife, GeorgeAnna was kind to Noel.
Vivian had graciously invited the Detiveauxs to the party tomorrow night, so Noel looked forward to seeing them again.
Justin parked the truck and came around to help Noel out. Even with running boards, she practically fell to the ground. “When are you going to start growing?” he teased.
“When are you going to stop growing?” Standing on the step, she gazed into his eyes.
“Have I told you in the last hour that I love you?” He kissed the tip of her nose.
“Nope, don’t think you have.”
He tenderly pressed his lips to hers. “I.” He kissed her again, this time a little longer. “Love.” He stepped closer and let his lips linger for a moment after their passionate kiss. “You.” His closeness and his deep kisses stole her breath.
Their love had grown in the past year. Even with Justin’s travel time with the team, he’d managed to spend as much quality time with her as possible. He’d gotten to know the real Noel Winters, and she learned who Justin Gravios, the man, was.
And she found that she liked him. A lot.
He lifted her off the running board and placed her on Vivian’s bottom step. “Better get in there.” He kissed her again. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Apparently, I’m coming over for breakfast and to offer manly labor.”
“G’night, Justin.”
He leaned over, brushed a sweet kiss on her neck, and whispered in her e
ar. “G’night, my love.”
****
Christmas Eve boasted a clear night and a cold front. Perfect Christmas weather for South Louisiana. Once again, Cousin Vivian planned the party of the century. The woman couldn’t do anything halfway as evidenced by the multitude of Christmas lights, decorations, and blow-up paraphernalia in her yard. But tonight’s party would be special. He couldn’t wait to see Noel’s face when she figured out just how special it was.
He’d gone back to his uncle’s and aunt’s house to change after spending the day with Cheryl’s husband, Beau, after a day of following Vivian’s directions. Put that table here, hang that garland there. Beau chuckled when Justin groaned under the weight of a box filled with decorations. “I appreciate you being here to take some of my slack.”
“Glad to be here, I think.” His half-hearted response drew a laugh from Beau. “Consider this your passage into the inner family workings of Vivian Broussard.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a blessing or a curse. I think I was better off being a distant cousin.” Justin hung the last of the lights on the makeshift table they’d fashioned from an old door and a couple of sawhorses.
Various family members trickled in. Before long the house filled, and Vivian was in her glory once again.
Justin strolled through the house looking for Noel. Where had she gone?
“Justin, there you are.” Her voice tickled his ears. He never tired of hearing it.
“Your uncle needs you outside for a moment. Come. I’ll take you to him.” She grabbed his hand and led him through the living room and out the front door. The cool evening air caught his breath. “I think he’s doing something in the garage.”
Once they were outside and in front of the garage, Noel rapped a few times on the door.
Strange. Why would she take him outside? They could have come in through the house. He shrugged his shoulders. As the door inched up, his uncle’s boots materialized, then his knees, and finally the opened door revealed a large tarp blocking the rest of the area. His Tante Cookie slid out from behind the covering.
Gumbo Weather Page 8