Biloxi

by Linda Joyce

  Branna had hired a limo to deliver everyone safely home. The driver made Sophie’s house on Royal Street the first stop. The limo had barely pulled away from the curb when the girl screamed and chased after the car.

  Biloxi sighed. Now she had a teenaged, almost-sister-in-law, sleeping on a cot in the office at Fleur de Lis. The poor girl hadn’t even met Nick yet. There was no other place to put her after her mother packed up the Royal Street house, sans Sophie’s belongings, and disappeared. Poor Nick. His mother took off again.

  Only this time, she left the best part of her behind. Sophie.

  In time, Biloxi hoped Nick would come to understand that.

  Cat didn’t deserve a son like him. Clearly, Sophie and Nick had a bond, something significant in common. A runaway mother.

  “What!” Nick shouted over the phone at the PI who had more news for him. “Just great!”

  Nick ended the call and flopped on the couch. Rolling angry energy emanated from him. She’d never seen him like that before. Chantel’s warning niggled the recesses of her brain. No matter—they’d weather any problem together. She would never walk away from a fight. Neither would Nick. They’d proven that to each other when their families threatened to disown them for dating.

  She sat next to him and ran her hand down his arm. “Tell me. How bad can it be?”

  “She filed divorce papers.”

  “Nick, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

  “She’s left the country.”

  “What? To go where?”

  “France.”

  “But…but…”

  “It seems my mother is not at a loss for suitors. According to the PI, Mrs. Trahan hopped a plane for France. The furniture and her belongings are in storage here. My mother’s nickname is so fitting. She’s a cat with nine lives, always landing on her feet.”

  “Yeah, but only after she’s tries to kill her young, metaphorically speaking, of course,” Biloxi said, disgusted.

  “We’re getting married in five days,” Nick groaned.

  “You say it like it’s a bad thing.”

  “No, chèr, but I never wanted my family to cause problems for us.” He kissed her forehead. “I want you to have the wedding of your dreams. Drama-free.”

  “And we will,” she insisted. “Nick, it’s our wedding, not my wedding.”

  “Thank you for including my sister in your bachelorette party. That came as a bit of a surprise.”

  “I like Sophie,” she said, kissing his cheek.

  “So you’ve met my mother. I only remember her through the eyes of a child. And now I have a sister I never knew existed. Your mother’s going to kill me if any of this messes up the wedding.”

  “I’ll say it again. It’s our wedding. If we’re fine with it, she’ll be fine with it—well, we’ll just ignore her. But first things first. Tomorrow you need to meet your sister. How do you think your father is going to take all of this news?”

  “My father?”

  “Yes. Edward.”

  Nick rose and paced back and forth in front of the fireplace. He stopped and leaned against the mantel. “I haven’t told him about Cat. He knows nothing about Sophie.”

  “Nick!”

  “I know. But until I could meet her and get answers to my questions, I didn’t want to involve him. Can you imagine? Married for thirty plus years and never setting eyes on each other for over twenty? Then she had a child with another man?” He huffed out a deep sigh. “That’s not the kind of marriage I want.”

  “Nor I. Are you going to tell him?”

  “Not unless I have to. Damn Grandmère and your grandmother. If they’d never set eyes on her, no one would ever have to know about any of this.”

  “Except…there’s Sophie. Cat came back for a reason, which we may never fully know. But I believe she wanted to see you. I think she wants you to take care of Sophie. Maybe there’s more to the story. Maybe she really is sick.”

  “Abandoned by Cat. It’s something Sophie and I have in common.”

  “She’s part of the family. If anyone sees her, it’s clear she’s related to you.”

  “She’s not a Trahan.”

  “But she’s your sister, nonetheless.”

  “What do you want me to do?” Nick sank into the seat beside her.

  “Tomorrow, you’ll meet her. We have to decide where she’s going to live and go to school. Do you trust me?”

  Nick pulled her onto his lap and she straddled his hips. He settled his hands on hers. “I trust you with my life.” His mouthed nipped at her lips until they parted. When their lips met fully, she sagged against him. Tingling desire bloomed, and heat raced through her veins. He was definitely a drug. One she’d want forever.

  “Leave everything to me—about the wedding—and this.” She slid back and moved off the couch. “Follow me, chèr.” She tried to sound mysterious and alluring.

  “Upstairs?” Nick asked.

  She tugged on his hand and pulled him to standing. Tossing the couch pillows on the floor, she said, “The first time we made love was right there”—she pointed in front of the fireplace—“and it seems appropriate to revisit old times.” She winked and began to undress.

  “You take care of the wedding,” Nick said, pulling her close. “As for tonight, leave everything to me.”

  She loved it when he took control.

  ****

  The next day, Biloxi escorted Sophie to the front gallery of Fleur de Lis. The teen rubbed a worry stone while marching back and forth. She looked like any other American teenager in jeans, pink t-shirt, and sandals.

  “Sophie, sit,” Biloxi insisted, pointing to the chair next to her. The teen’s pacing was about to wear a pattern in the new boards. She didn’t want Sophie to sense her own worry. What would she do if Nick didn’t take to Sophie? She seemed younger and more innocent than her age. It wasn’t like they could ship her off to France. No one had a new address for Cat. And that’s probably exactly as she planned it.

  Biloxi sighed and settled into a chair. She took in the sounds of hammers and saws. Construction continued on the café. Jared had somehow found a way to speed up the completion of the project. She looked forward to his walk down the aisle with Camilla. The growing family at Fleur de Lis meant more joy and love to spread around. It marked a new beginning, one without the presences of the Old Aunts, but their wisdom and love she would always carry in her heart. As for Nick, the thing he cherished most—family—had gifted him with a half-sister. At least their mother had given them each other.

  Sophie finally flopped into the empty rocking chair beside her. “But, what if he doesn’t like me?”

  Biloxi’s heart clenched. How could Cat have abandoned her child?

  “Not possible.” Biloxi squeezed her future sister-in-law’s hand, trying to allay her fears. “He’s tall…with broad shoulders. He looks imposing, but I promise, he’s a marshmallow.” She crinkled her nose trying to make the girl laugh.

  “I only saw him in a picture from the newspaper.” Her shoulders slumped.

  “I’ve been talking to his grandmother, Suzette. I think we’ve worked out a solution for you for the fall.”

  “Really?” The hopefulness in Sophie’s expression strengthened Biloxi’s determination.

  “Suzette speaks French, which will be a help for you. We’ve found a wonderful private school for you in Baton Rouge.”

  “So, you’ll send me away?”

  “Oh, no.” Biloxi kneeled beside Sophie’s chair. “That’s not what we’re doing. Schools aren’t up to full capacity—the hurricane we had did so much damage. You can’t not go to school. Suzette has a big house, and she’ll provide a good home.”

  “But I like it here. I won’t be a bother.”

  “You’ll come home on the weekends—when you want to. I know once you get involved at school, you’ll make friends.” She laughed. “You won’t want to come here every weekend. And when you don’t, we’ll come to you. I’ll need my Sophie fix.”<
br />
  “But I have the summer here?”

  “Absolutely. Oh, look. There’s Nick’s truck.” She pointed at his pickup coming up the front drive. She giggled to herself about the first night they met. She’d demanded that he not drive to the front, but to the back. She’d had a silly idea about sneaking into Fleur de Lis and making a grand entrance. Someday she would share that story with Sophie.

  Nick parked and climbed out.

  Biloxi and Sophie stood at the railing. Biloxi blew him kiss.

  “Mais, if I ain’t a lucky one. Two beautiful women waiting for me.”

  Before Biloxi could turn toward the stairs, Sophie was running down. She launched herself at him. Biloxi held her breath. Clearly startled, Nick opened his arms and caught the girl.

  “Nick!” Sophie cried. She clung tightly to him.

  Biloxi raced down the stairs. She paused a few feet away. Nick’s eyes opened wider than she’d ever seen them. When Sophie hugged him tighter, his expression softened.

  “Nick, this is your sister, Sophie.”

  “Hello, Sophie.” He set her on her feet and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  Suddenly shy, Sophie took a step away. “I am so happy to have a brother.”

  “Yes, well,” Nick stammered. “We have a lot to learn about each other.”

  “And y’all don’t have to do it all in one day,” Biloxi interjected, reaching for Sophie’s hand. “Let’s go have some lunch. I know Greta has fixed something special. Fried chicken. Just for Nick. It’s his favorite.”

  “But you said he’ll eat anything,” Sophie said.

  “Ah. Well…he’s really marrying me, so he can get Greta as part of the package.”

  Nick frowned at her. “What I failed to understand before is, there are so many of y’all around that I’m getting a band of brothers, too. I’m not the only male addition to the family. I’m in damn good company with James and Jared.”

  “Do you swear much?” Sophie asked as she climbed the stairs.

  Biloxi laughed. Nick appeared perplexed.

  “Not a lot,” she told Sophie.

  “Good. Maman always told me cursing shows a lack of culture and intelligence.”

  “A good lesson for all of us to learn.” Biloxi smiled. The girl channeled the Old Aunts.

  “Nick, I love animals. Do you treat horses? Someday, I want a horse.”

  “Oh, Sophie, do I have a story to tell you about Nick, Captain Jack, and his horse and buggy,” Biloxi said.

  Together, the three of them entered the house. “I think with Sophie here for the summer, Fleur de Lis will be complete,” Biloxi said, happy to have unease that had been shadowing her finally gone.

  Chapter 10

  Biloxi rolled over to shut off the alarm. The nap had revived her. Excitement ramped up to warp speed. Her day had finally arrived. In only a few hours she would officially be Mrs. Nicholas Trahan. Fingers trembling, she picked up the framed photo of Nick from the nightstand next to her bed. “I love you,” she said, then closed her eyes and clutched the picture to her chest. “Our new life is about to begin.”

  She imagined him standing tall and proud in his black tux and light gray vest. He and his guys picked out the tuxedos—alone. He did say his handkerchief would be lavender, to match her flowers, while his guys were made to wear deep pink pocket squares to match her attendant’s dresses.

  “Knock, knock,” Branna called.

  “I’m up,” Biloxi shouted.

  Branna entered with Greta, who beamed as though she were the mother of the bride.

  “I’m here to help you with your hair and makeup,” Greta said.

  “I’m sure it will go smoothly,” Biloxi chuckled. “We’ve practice it at least ten times.”

  Greta made her way to the closet and pulled out a folding chair. Next, she opened the top drawer of the dressing table, taking the makeup bag from it.

  “I’m herding the girls into my room to dress,” Branna explained. “I think Sophie is…not quite sure what to make of all of this. She seems a little reluctant.”

  “Just be gentle with her,” Biloxi insisted. “Weddings are busy, noisy, and overwhelming, even for me, and it’s my wedding.”

  “Sit,” Greta ordered Biloxi. “Branna, go.”

  “You heard the boss.” Branna backed out of the room bowing.

  An hour later, with her hair pulled back in cascading loose curls and wearing demure makeup, Biloxi stood in front of the mirror. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so pretty. I hope Nick likes it.”

  Harrumph. Greta snorted. “He’d marry you regardless of what you had on. That man is as smitten as they come.”

  A knock sounded at the door. “We’re here,” Camilla called out.

  Biloxi turned toward the parade entering her bedroom.

  Branna, Camilla, Nola, Evie, Melonie, and Sophie, all in full wedding regalia, marched into her room.

  “The florist just delivered these. The house is decorated. Flowers and candles and crystals everywhere.” Branna, the matron of honor, carried the bridal bouquet of pink and lavender roses, baby’s breath, greenery, and soft pink ribbon trailing the floor. The elegance of the bouquet stopped Biloxi’s breath. It was more regal and elegant than she imagined, having only seen it in photographs.

  The rest of her entourage showed off their flowers—three pink roses and baby’s breath wrapped in a white lace cuff with pearls. The tea-length deep pink bridesmaid dresses flared out from the layered crinolines hiding underneath, a fifties-inspired creation. The strappy white sandals with rhinestones offered the perfect bling.

  “Happy wedding day,” Nola cried. She came to the bed and kissed Biloxi’s cheek. “You are going to be a gorgeous bride. Momma is being a good girl. She has asked, though I won’t say it was entirely polite, to come up and see you.”

  “The photographer is downstairs, waiting for the word to begin,” Branna said. “As you instructed, we’ll start the photos of us on the stairs. The lighting in the upstairs landing is perfect, just as you said it would be for photos of the bride and her girls.”

  “I’m going to get ready,” Greta said. “I’ll leave you in Branna’s hands. She’s the wedding expert.”

  “Ladies,” Biloxi announced. “Please assemble outside and down the hall on the landing. Branna is going to help me slip into my dress after my mother comes up. The room is too crowded for all of us.”

  A few minutes later, Deidre entered. Her hand flew to her chest. “You are breathtaking.”

  With Branna’s help, Biloxi slipped into an ivory silk organza and French lace gown. Branna gingerly moved the full circle skirt so neither she nor Deidre would step on it. Biloxi adjusted the long sheer lace sleeves.

  “I was so mad at you for not allowing me to help you pick out your dress.” Deidra reached for a chair as though standing a minute more might cause her to collapse.

  “While I appreciate that choosing a gown is supposed to be an event, with everything going on since the storm, I did it all on my own. I knew exactly what I wanted. Momma, would you button up the back?”

  Branna stepped aside and snapped a few photos of Deidre assisting Biloxi.

  “The dress is stunning. I love the lace and the open back.”

  Biloxi nodded. “I love the way it flows. This is the perfect dress for me.”

  Once the dress was buttoned, Biloxi went to the full-length mirror to examine her image. “It’s hard for me to believe this is really me.”

  “Branna, would you be so lovely as to give me a moment alone with my daughter?”

  “Sure, Aunt Deidre. Biloxi, I’ll be right outside.”

  Deidre went to the closet and retrieved a box. Biloxi’s wedding heels. She bent before her daughter and helped her slip on the shoes. When Biloxi stood to her new height, Deidre stood behind her. Together they gazed into the mirror.

  “I’m so proud of you.” Deidre rested her chin on Biloxi’s shoulder. “You’re absolutely bea
utiful. But do you know the best part?” She stepped from behind Biloxi and faced her. Pushing a curl over Biloxi’s shoulder, she said, “You are even more beautiful on the inside.”

  Biloxi drew back. Who was in habiting her mother? Had Momma just paid her a compliment? “Ah…I don’t know what to say.”

  “You have a truly golden heart,” Deidre insisted. “You work hard to get what you want, but you’re not unwilling to compromise. You did a wonderful thing last night at the rehearsal dinner.”

  “I did? Which part?” Biloxi asked suspiciously. If she waited a bit, the other shoe would drop. Her mother had to have something negative to say.

  “You introduced Sophie to Edward. When you took him aside and explained Sophie’s plight, I was convinced Edward would walk out—after all, his wife had a child with another man, and now had dumped that child on their son. Yet, you convinced him to show compassion. He never had a daughter. He missed out on so much of Nick’s life. Here was a chance to have another connection to Nick.”

  “I didn’t think of it as a sales pitch,” Biloxi explained.

  “I know, darlin’, but nonetheless, you did the trick. And then Suzette. She now has a girl to spoil. You found the perfect school in Baton Rouge for Sophie.”

  “Momma, I’m not trying to shove her off on Suzette. It’s the best place for Sophie. They have an international student body with dozen of languages spoken. Sophie is fluent in both French and English.”

  Her mother grasped her hands. “Biloxi, you aren’t listening to me. I’m saying I am sooo proud of you. I know if there was a good school for Sophie here, you’d send her there, but you’re doing what’s best for her. Any news from her horrible mother?”

  Biloxi narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. “Don’t go there, Mother.”

  “Mother? You must be mad at me.”

  “Momma,” Biloxi sighed. “Thank you for seeing my deeds as a kindness to Sophie.” She hugged her. “Thank you even more for not making a big deal about me adding one more bridesmaid to the party. And thank you for being so warm and welcoming to Sophie. You keep this up, and we’ll have to downgrade Hurricane Deidre to a tropical depression.”

  Together they laughed.