Sweet Mystery

by Emery, Lynn

  No matter how tired Rae was, the prospect of being with Simon revitalized her. To her delighted surprise, there was no apocalyptic reaction the morning after their exquisite night together. No earthquakes or destructive hurricane-force winds swept them away for daring to defy fifty years of history.

  Rae could not help but hum as she worked, even though she’d despised others for doing it when infatuated with a new lover. It was a hot and humid, late May morning. She stood back to survey the dance hall. A new cypress sign was being hung. The sound of hammers and workmen shouting to one another made her feel like it was all coming together.

  “This place brings back memories. The first time I called myself sneaking in, Mr. Lucien walked up on me. Let me know he’d seen me the whole time.”

  Rae froze at the voice just over her shoulder, and she turned to face its owner. Darcy stood not six feet away.

  He was six feet of classy, upper-class Creole conceit. His black hair was combed straight back and curled over the collar of his white shirt, which had blue pinstripes. The expensive navy blue slacks fitted his slender frame with the exactness expected of a tailor-made garment. Looking at him brought back a flood of memories. That casual stance, the smile, and the way his light brown eyes travelled over her body had been an invitation she accepted eagerly at fifteen.

  “Hello, Darcy. Fancy meeting you here,” Rae said, her tone flip. “Have they blocked off Highway One or something? Gotta be the only way you found your way to Back of the Bayou.”

  She referred to the name the locals used for the designated area where poor blacks and a few whites lived. For ninety years or more, this part of the parish was where those low on the social and economic scale had lived.

  “We’re pushing improvements all over the parish these days. The leadership has changed now. Black folks have a real say.”

  “Guess I know which black folks you’re talking about – the same ones that have always looked out for themselves.” Rae renewed an argument they’d had fifteen years earlier. “Things haven’t changed that much.” She stared at him.

  “You have.” Darcy walked around her. “You’ve gotten more beautiful, cher; a kind of sophisticated sexiness.”

  “Your line of bull has improved a little,” Rae shot back. “What do you want, Darcy?”

  A slow smile curved his lips as he walked up to her. “That’s a loaded question, woman. Sure you can handle the answer?” he asked in low voice, meant to be provocative.

  Rae did not move. “There was never a time I couldn’t handle anything you dished out.”

  “I remember the days when we couldn’t get enough of each other.”

  “Yeah, well, I finally did get my fill of you. That long night in the emergency room, where you left me to face the doctor alone. Remember?”

  Darcy lost the cocky smile he wore. “You never knew for sure you were pregnant. Far as I knew, you were just having female problems.”

  “You didn’t care to stick around and find out! At least you left me money to get home.”

  Rae felt nausea rise in her throat at the sight of him making despicable excuses for his behavior. That horrible night rushed back with a vengeance. They had been out on the town when the pains started. Darcy stayed with her for the first fifteen minutes and then said he had to make a phone call. Instead he took off for home.

  She had been torn for weeks between terror at what her parents would say and joy at the new life she thought was growing inside her. In her young mind, her baby was the promise of a life filled with love. All the sadness meant nothing. Rae had been blind and foolish enough to think that Darcy would welcome the news. The look of alarm on his face when she told him of her suspicion should have warned her. But she was too busy planning a rosy future for them all; her new family. Rae had mourned, as though she’d lost a child, when the doctor told her she was not pregnant.

  “It was only severe cramps.” Darcy lowered his voice and looked around. “You were fine after they treated you.”

  “Something you found out when you finally called, three days later,” she snapped. What was the use? He was a selfish bastard. There was no point opening up that particular old wound.

  “I was fifteen and scared. We’d crossed the line from just doing little things to piss off our parents into some serious stuff.” Darcy stopped her from walking away. “For a month I begged you to forgive me. I caught hell from my family. Mama, Daddy and Granddaddy were on my butt night and day. But I still came to you.”

  “Three days too late, Darcy!” she shouted at him.

  Several workmen looked up sharply. Rae stomped off, away from the dance hall and towards the forest and a well-worn path. Darcy followed her.

  “You want me on my knees? I crawled to you then. I’ll do it now. Please forgive me.” His voice choked. “My first wife lost two of my babies. Believe me, I’ve been punished.” Darcy hung his head.

  Rae stopped. The despair in his voice was real. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” She was tired of holding onto bitterness. It was time to purge all the old hurts if she was to start fresh. “You’re right. We were both too young and trying to grow up too fast.” Rae did not turn to face him, but spoke as though she were addressing the woods around her.

  “Say you forgive me,” Darcy said softly. “I need to hear you say it.”

  “I forgive you.” Rae felt a weight lift from her chest. She’d thrown off one big chunk of a painful past.

  Darcy put a hand on her arm. “Nobody has made me feel like you did back then.”

  The only thing she felt was annoyed. There was no anger, but no trace of the old attraction either. “Like you said, that was when we were just kids. We’re grown-up now.”

  Rae turned to face him and stepped back, breaking his hold. They gazed at each other for several moments.

  “Sure.” Darcy forced a smile. He fell in step beside her, back toward the dance hall. “Now you’re a recording star with a plan to start your own business.”

  “I’m not a star, Darcy.”

  “But you are going to run the dance hall yourself?” Darcy glanced at her.

  “Yeah, I’m staying in Belle Rose, if that’s what you’re getting at. And by the way, we won’t be selling any land to Simon.” Rae stopped walking several yards from the dance hall entrance.

  Darcy frowned. “What did you say?”

  “My brothers and I are not going to sell off any Dalcour land. Simon is okay with it.” Rae looked at him.

  “Is he?” Darcy scrutinized her.

  She returned his gaze with a placid expression. “Yeah, he is.”

  Several seconds of silence passed between them as the question hung in the air. Rae’s silence answered it.

  Darcy lifted both hands. “Then that’s that. Guess Simon doesn’t plan to do anything more about the tourism.”

  “You’ll have to ask him about that. And tell Mr. Henry it didn’t work. I’ve got my suppliers lined up just fine. We’ll open for business right on time.”

  Darcy assumed a blank face. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Liar,” Rae said in a flat voice.

  They studied each other in silence until one of the workmen called her to come over.

  “I gotta go.”

  “Rae, wait.” Darcy placed a hand on her arm. “Belle Rose has changed in some ways, but not that much. Be careful what you open up here.”

  “Are you talking about the business or the past?” Rae asked.

  “Both.” Darcy took his hand away and smiled. “It was nice seeing you again, Rae. I guess you don’t want to get together for drinks, maybe dinner?”

  “You guess right.”

  “Simon works fast. Gotta admire that,” Darcy quipped.

  Rae thought his tight smile held more suppressed anger than amusement. He spun around and walked off. The wheels of his red, two-seater Mercedes squealed on the highway pavement as he raced off.

  Rae let out a deep breath once he was gone. She might not have seen him fo
r a long time, but she recognized that look on Darcy’s face. He would press to have his way, if only out of spite. First Toya. Now her brother. Rae knew both could be real trouble.

  Wait a minute, we’re not kids anymore. Simon has his own thriving business that does not depend on the Joves. What did they care what a lot of small-town, small minds thought? They would all just have to get over it.

  Yet, even as she decided on wood for the floors, decorations for the interior and other details, a small kernel of anxiety stayed with her.

  *

  “So, your boyish charm didn’t work its usual magic?” Toya snickered.

  Shut up,” Darcy snapped.

  “Brother, I do believe you still have a thing for that little swamp trash.” Toya’s eyes were wide. “I would have thought your more exotic tastes would preclude her now.”

  “What would you know about taste? I’ve seen some of your male companions.” Darcy sat down hard.

  They were in Darcy’s home, only a mile down the road from his grandfather’s house. Toya lived about five miles away.

  “Now that wasn’t nice. But since you’re under stress, I won’t take offense.” Toya brushed her hair back with her long fingers. “So, Rae isn’t going into business with Simon and you won’t have a chance to get your hands on her land. Pity.” She looked quite content.

  Darcy faced her with a nasty grin. “No, Rae isn’t going to sell the land to Simon. Apparently, their all-night negotiations still didn’t bring them to an agreement on the sale.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “She was at his apartment until the sun came up.” Darcy was pleased to see the self-satisfied expression wiped off her face.

  “That’s a lie. You can’t believe stupid gossip around this town,” Toya bleated in distress.

  “It’s true, big sister. Simon and Rae were together. And, frankly, I doubt they were discussing land prices.” Darcy put his glass down. His pleasure at upsetting Toya was short-lived. “Simon has made a big mistake getting in my way.”

  “Then what are you going to do about it? We can’t just sit by while Rae Dalcour ruins everything.” Toya was about to say more when the doorbell rang. She left and returned with Marius.

  “Man, you two look very grim this evening.” Marius fixed himself a drink without asking. “Darcy, Grandfather wants to meet with you tomorrow morning about the Pantheon deal.”

  Darcy wore a sour expression as he looked at his handsome cousin. “How did you know I was here?”

  “I was on my way home and saw your car.” Marius was not the least bit disturbed by his cousin’s mood. He sat down and crossed his legs. “Trouble in paradise?”

  “Rae won’t sell,” Toya hissed.

  “I can see why that would have Darcy upset, but you should be happy, right?” Marius affected a look of ignorance.

  “She’s seeing Simon. The slut!” Toya set her glass down hard on the table at her elbow.

  Marius took a sip of his drink. “Can’t say I’m surprised. She’s one fine woman. She can really swing those hips, too.”

  “Don’t be disgusting!” Toya shot from her seat.

  “Of course, Darcy could answer that question. Couldn’t you, cuz?” Marius lifted his eyebrows.

  “Rae will toss him aside after a while.” Darcy spoke in a coarse voice. “I know she will.”

  “Isn’t this interesting? Toya is mad because Simon has a new honey. Darcy wants Rae Dalcour for fun and games.” Marius chuckled softly.

  “If she doesn’t sell the land, we might not have a deal with Pantheon,” Darcy said. “She’s found suppliers.”

  “More bad news. So, Darcy’s grand plan that so impressed Grandfather is about to crash.” Marius shook his head. “Tsk, tsk.”

  Darcy wore a feral look as he leaned forward. “If that deal falls through, we could lose millions. Without that big expansion there will be no vice-president’s position for you. Think of that, cuz.”

  Marius looked as though he’d been slapped hard. The smug smile disappeared. “Dammit then, let’s do something.”

  The three of them forgot their rivalry and sat quietly for several moments.

  Marius spoke first. “How badly do we need those acres for Pantheon?”

  “We could go ahead, but it won’t be nearly as attractive. We’ll have to dredge for sure because the new barge route will have to be through Bayou Pigeon instead, which, of course, means more money,” Darcy replied.

  “And they’ll get antsy with these changes since we assured them construction could start in August at the latest.” Marius frowned.

  “We don’t have a choice now that Rae isn’t going to sell.” Darcy stared into his glass. “She doesn’t need the money as much as I thought. That dance hall will be a gold mine with the popularity of Zydeco and blues, plus the draw of being able to see bayou country.”

  Marius rubbed his jaw. “She’s resourceful. Too bad she won’t just leave.”

  “Men are such dogs.” Toya gulped down the rest of the whiskey in her glass.

  “Between the dance hall and Simon, Rae will be in Belle Rose. You can count on that.” Darcy wore a thoughtful expression. “But when she tires of him, things could work out.”

  “What if it’s true love? They could get married,” Marius said. “Then you can kiss that land goodbye.”

  “Simon wouldn’t! This is just a fling,” Toya spluttered. She wore a look of shock. “He wouldn’t marry a Dalcour.”

  “I know Rae. It won’t last.” Darcy did not seem as sure as his words.

  “You used to know her, cuz. There is a big difference between a fifteen-year-old girl and a thirty-year-old woman. No, we need to approach this problem logically.”

  “He’s right. We all want the same thing. Now how do we get it?” Toya asked in a hard voice. She glanced at Darcy, then Marius.

  *

  “What’s up, brother? Been a while.” Baylor clasped Simon’s hand in a firm grip. “Man, this Kinchen job has been whipping my butt.”

  They were in Simon’s office. Baylor had not been in town for several weeks, as the civil engineering firm that employed him was constructing a cement plant near Lafayette.

  “Rough, eh?” Simon poured him a cup of black coffee.

  “Yeah, but I won’t complain. When I make sure the plant is not only efficient, but saves money, I’ll get a fat bonus, as usual.” Baylor winked before taking a sip from his mug.

  “Talented and humble. What a guy,” Simon said.

  “What can I say, I’m good.” Baylor grinned at him. “So what’s up with you?”

  “Nothing much.” Simon cleared his throat. “Working hard, like you. I’ve got a new job to put up duplex apartments over in Rougon.”

  “Nice. Things been the same old, same old, huh?” Baylor propped an ankle across his knee. “No new developments with Ms. Dalcour?”

  “Developments?” Simon cleared his throat again. He shuffled some stacks of paper on his desk.

  “Yeah, you two got together to take care of business?”

  “Business? Oh, the property sale. They decided not to sell.” Simon avoided the other man’s gaze.

  Baylor looked at his friend with his head to one side. “You don’t seem upset about your plans hitting a major snag.”

  “It’s no big deal. I can understand Rae wanting to hold onto her only family legacy.”

  Baylor put his mug down on Simon’s desk. “Oh man, tell me you didn’t.”

  “Watch it! You almost spilled coffee on these blueprints.” Simon lifted the plans gingerly and moved them.

  “Don’t even try it, Simon.” Baylor pointed a finger at him. “If you’ve done what I think you’ve done–”

  “Man, you’ve been working in that hot sun without a hat. You’re not making a bit of sense.” Simon scowled, but still did not look at Baylor.

  “Okay, play me for stupid. You go from ‘Miss Dalcour should sell her land’ to ‘Rae should keep her family legacy’ in less than a mon
th. You and her…” Baylor clasped his hands together, holding them high.

  Simon’s jaw jutted out in a stubborn expression. “We are seeing each other. And it’s nobody’s business.”

  Baylor’s eyes were wide. “That serious? Man, oh, man. And I’m out of town for at least another two weeks.”

  “What’s that got to do with anything?”

  “Brother, you are gonna need me at your back when this hits the fan.” Baylor nodded to himself, as though thinking aloud. “Now, if you could just keep it on the down low a little longer, we can deal.”

  “Will you cut it out?” Simon drummed his fingers on the desktop. “I don’t care about a bunch of stupid gossip or popular opinion.”

  “She’s a special lady, eh?” Baylor lost the teasing tone. “Sounds serious.”

  Simon could not stop the smile that came with the thought of the last three weeks with Rae. Serious? He could not sleep at night without calling one last time to hear her voice. Resisting the urge to leave his office and go out to the dance hall to be with Rae was a daily struggle. The mere memory of the taste, scent and feel of her brown, satin skin sent his temperature up by ten degrees. Serious is an understatement.

  “Yeah, man. You could say that,” was all Simon could manage to murmur. Even now he felt the hunger for her growing.

  “I gotta meet the lady. Can’t remember this reaction over any woman you been with, including your lovely ex-wife.”

  Simon came back down to earth with a thump. “Toya will be a little upset. But then she’s always throwing a tantrum about something.”

  “A little upset? That’s like saying a hurricane is a little bit of wind.” Baylor looked alarmed at the prospect of being faced with a wrathful Toya Jove.

  Simon shrugged. “I’ve dated a few times and Toya had to get used to it.”

  “Nah, man, she has never gotten used to it. Besides, this is something entirely different. And if I can see it, so will she,” Baylor said.

  Simon sighed. Living in a small town meant you were likely to see those you’d prefer to avoid frequently, in the grocery store, at church or downtown. There was nothing left in his heart for Toya. It was over long before Rae came along.