by June Faver
Big Jim let out a guffaw that ended in a belly laugh. “Quite the sales pitch, Dixie.”
“They’re so sweet. I’ve been hoping the perfect home would present itself…and here you are.” Her eyes were almost as pleading as Gabrielle’s. “C’mon, Big Jim. You can find room on that big old ranch for a couple of cute little bunnies.”
Big Jim’s ferocious brows drew together. “Wait a minute! I seem to recall that little Miss Ava has her own bunnies. Couldn’t you take these two home and let them live in the little hutch we built in the backyard?”
Dixie huffed out a little snort. “It’s too cold, and Bertram and Anastasia are now house bunnies. They have the run of the place.”
Angelique gaped. “In the house? Don’t they… I mean… Where do they…?”
“They are all trained to a litter box. These two are very polite little girls.” Dixie crossed her arms over her chest. “I can give you a great deal on a crate.”
Big Jim was chuckling and staring at Gabrielle. “I guess we’ll have some house bunnies. You don’t think I could say no to that.” He pointed to Gabrielle who had her face pressed against the brown bunny.
Angelique thought her heart was going to burst. She kept her gaze on her daughter, wondering what her life would have been like if she’d had a daddy around to spoil her.
So the crate was loaded into the bed of Big Jim’s truck, and the bunnies rode inside in a carrying case. Lots of bunny food and a bag of litter rounded out the purchase. The saddle was left to be personalized with Mark’s name.
The drive back to the ranch was punctuated with sounds from the back seat as Gabrielle crooned and sang to her bunnies.
In the front seat it was hard to tell whose smile was widest.
* * *
When they arrived back at the ranch, Angelique took the groceries to the kitchen, storing the shrimp in the freezer but laying out the other items on the countertop.
Big Jim was busy finding the perfect place for “house bunnies” to be situated for the winter. He decided the den area close to the back door would be a place for bunnies to live. He tried to house them in their new crate, but Gabrielle insisted she had to hold her bunnies. Soon Big Jim, gentleman rancher, was reduced to herding rabbits.
He looked at Angelique from the other end of the dining room, the white Angora rabbit in his arms. “What are you makin’ there, Angelique? Something sure smells good.”
“I know Leah and her grandmother are making a ton of cookies, and I didn’t want to compete with them, but”—she turned to grin at him—“I thought I would make something sweet from my own background. My contribution…and I couldn’t resist using some of those beautiful pecans from your trees.”
“Well, help yourself, Angelique.” He looked at what she was making with great interest, but Gabrielle wanted to see the rabbit in his arms.
“This is a recipe my mother taught me. I thought it would be something I could wrap and include in presents. You know, to make it more personal.”
“You know, I think I should taste one, just to make sure they’re up to par.” Big Jim looked at her hopefully.
“Sure. They’re not quite set, but let me put one on a saucer. I hope you like them.” She used a spatula to scoop one onto a small plate and handed it to him.
Big Jim picked the slightly soft confection up with his fingers and took a bite. “Delicious. Everyone’s going to love them.”
“I hope so.” She shrugged and winked at him. “If nobody wants to try them, I guess I’ll have to eat them myself.”
* * *
“You got off easy, y’know?” Misty Garrett pulled off her leather gloves and stuffed them in the pocket of her warm, fleece-lined jacket. She stuffed the hand-crocheted cap Leah had made for her in the other pocket.
Colt huffed out a sigh. “You wouldn’t say that if you were there. I felt like a real jackass.” He surveyed his wife, her cheeks rosy from the cold. He helped her remove her jacket and hung it on a peg by the back door. Then he enfolded her in an embrace. “Welcome home, sweetheart.”
She rose on tiptoe to offer up her lips for a kiss.
He smiled, gazing down at the beautiful woman in his arms, then took advantage of her offer. A kiss that started sweet but turned hot in seconds. “Whoa! That was the best kiss I’ve had in a few days. Does that mean I’m out of the doghouse?”
Misty reached up to stroke his hair. “Good boy.”
“Brat!” He gave her a playful swat on her rear.
“What is that wonderful smell? Did you make chili?” Her eyes were wide with interest.
“Maybe I did…and maybe I made a pan of corn bread to go with it.” He released her and gestured to the kitchen.
“Oh, I’m starving. It was so cold I didn’t go out for lunch.”
“It’s going to snow again tonight. Let me dish up a bowl of chili. Mark and I have been eating all afternoon.”
“Oh, I better catch up while you tell me all about your encounter with your sister, Angelique.” She went to the kitchen, washed her hands, and seated herself at the table.
Colt regarded her with amusement. “Coming right up.” He ladled the thick and savory chili into a bowl and placed it on a plate beside a slab of corn bread. He brought it to the table with a soup spoon and knife along with the butter dish. “And what would her highness like to drink?”
“I’m good. Just sit down and tell me how it went with Angelique.” She picked up the spoon and scooped a bite into her mouth and then made a moan of appreciation.
“You’re welcome.” Colton turned the chair around and straddled it backwards. “It was not as bad as I thought. Angelique was very nice, considering how I treated her.”
Misty raised her brows in a question, but didn’t stop eating.
“I told her that you weren’t to blame.” He spread his hands. “And she laughed when I confessed that I thought she might have been a scammer.”
“Is that all?”
“We talked for a while about how we were raised. So different. I think she turned out pretty well, considering.”
Misty spread a pat of butter on her corn bread. “So all is well in the Garrett family?”
“Yeah, I guess. Her little girl is adorable.” He swallowed hard. “My niece.”
She put the spoon down. “Are you thinking it’s about time we do our part to carry on the Garrett name? You know…make beautiful little blue-eyed babies?”
Her expression was so hopeful, he had to smile. “We’re getting closer.”
She huffed out a sigh and picked up her spoon. “I’m ready, whether you are or not.”
“I’m getting there. We finished the house. We both work. We’re raising your brother.” He shrugged. “I’m getting there.”
She sent him a glowering pout. “Well, I’m already there. Both my sisters-in-law have children. Your half-sister has a child. What’s the problem? Don’t you think I’ll be a good mother?”
He had to acknowledge that she had a reason to be ticked off. He wanted children but also wanted everything to be perfect before they began a family. “No, baby. I’m sure you’re going to be a great mother. It’s just—”
“Just what?” she snapped.
“What about your job? Are you prepared to walk away from it? Can you leave Breckenridge Ryan’s law practice?”
She opened her mouth and then closed it abruptly.
“That’s your answer,” he said. “When you’re ready to walk away, I’ll be ready.”
* * *
When Alphonse Benoit contacted Chief Cormier, he made it clear that the police chief should be using all the resources of the department to track down his missing granddaughter.
His blood pressure was through the roof, but Alphonse spoke in a calm, icy voice. “You know, I thought you would be able to perform a simple task for me. After all,
you owe me your whole career.” He made a scoffing sound. “Nobody would have chosen you for the important position of chief of police, but I got some people—some very important people—who owed me a favor. I am the reason you got to be where you are today, and don’t you forget it.”
“No suh. I can’t never forget none of it.” Cormier sighed. “I ain’t heard nothin’ ’bout your runaway. An’ let me tell you, nobody here who knew her believes she stole anythin’ from you nor nobody else.”
“Dammit! I don’t want to hear that, you lazy cretin. You have to find her.”
“Well, I would if I could, jus’ to get you off my back. I ain’t heard nuthin’ from nobody.” He paused. “Well, some hick sheriff up in north Texas called because he thought she was a hottie.” Cormier chuckled.
Alphonse groaned. “Shut up, stupid. I want to hear that you found Angelique and Gabrielle.”
“You not gonna kill that purty girl, are you?”
Silence.
“I would advise you to keep your nose out of things that don’t concern you.”
“But…”
“Friday. You find her by Friday, or you’ll be at the bottom of the Mississippi—feeding the catfish.” Benoit disconnected.
Chapter 21
Derrick picked up Angelique just before six. It was already getting dark, and they were expecting a snowfall overnight.
He helped her to don her jacket and wrapped her scarf around her neck. “Bundle up, baby. We’re in for a cold night.”
She gazed up at him, her beautiful blue eyes wide with questions. “That sounds bad. Should we be going out?”
“We’ll be fine. I have snow tires, and the heater is running in the truck.” He gave her a kiss. “Don’t worry. We’re used to this kind of weather.”
She shook her head. “Well, I’m not. It’s never this cold in New Orleans.”
He brushed a strand of hair away from her face. “You don’t have winter in New Orleans?”
“Not much. I mean, it gets cold with all the humidity and the wind coming off the Gulf of Mexico. Really cold.” She shook her head helplessly. “I can’t imagine how miserable it will be to get even colder here in north Texas.”
“Don’t worry. It’s pretty dry here, so even though the thermometer may drop lower, it doesn’t feel that cold. We’ll be fine.”
“We will?” She still looked doubtful.
“Just a man and his girlfriend, out on the town.” He grinned, hoping to allay her fears.
“I take it I’m the girlfriend.”
“You’re the woman I love.”
“That will do. Let’s go.” She tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. “I hear tamales and enchiladas calling my name.”
Derrick escorted her to his truck and handed her up into the passenger seat. “Buckle up, Angelique.” He rounded the truck and climbed behind the wheel. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“As a matter of fact, I am. I spent some time making Christmas goodies. If you play your cards right, you might just be lucky enough to find some in your Christmas stocking.”
He leaned over to give her a kiss. “I’ll try to be an extra-good boy.” He drove her into town and hustled her into Tio’s Mexican Restaurant. The temperature was indeed dropping, and he hoped the snowfall would hold off until he had her safely back home.
Milita Rios greeted them warmly. “So glad you’re settling in here, Angelique.”
Angelique smiled, shrugging out of her jacket. “It’s a lovely place with lovely people.”
Derrick gave her a salute. “That’s me she’s talking about. I’m a lovely people.”
Milita gave each of them a menu and walked away chuckling.
“Aw, you are a lovely man, Derrick.” Angelique reached over to pat his forearm. A sweet gesture.
Their food arrived, and they enjoyed the meal and each other’s company. Now he had to get serious about learning what, in her history, had caused the claim that she was a thief, and that perhaps, if Cormier was to be believed, a monster was searching for her.
He had her relatively alone. But how would she react when he asked her about the jewel theft?
“Um, Angelique, I have to ask you about something that came across my desk.”
Her face took on a shrouded look. She blinked and glanced down at her hands. “Uh, well…whatever you have to do.”
He reached out to cover her hands with his own. “Honey, I would never do anything to upset you, but something came up and I have to know the truth.” He recognized the pain and fear in her eyes.
“Is that why you invited me out tonight?” The beautiful blue eyes fastened on him, feeling like a laser burning a hole in his soul.
“No, Angelique. I wanted to be with you…but something troubling came across my desk and I can’t ignore it.”
Angelique moistened her lips. “Ask me what you want to ask me.”
“I’ll show you this. It has been sent out to all law-enforcement agencies.” He fumbled with his shirt pocket and brought forth the alert with Angelique’s photograph. He unfolded it and set it on the table between them, smoothing out the wrinkles.
“What—what is this?” She picked up the paper and quickly read through the information. “This is ridiculous! My mother gave me her jewelry and the keys to her car. She wanted me to have all her possessions. I-I left most of our things behind, but I took her jewelry because it was portable and it was something she enjoyed. She loved to dress up and wear her jewelry. I-I didn’t steal it.”
He picked up her hands and kissed them. “I never thought you did. But there was something else. I talked to the New Orleans police. The chief, in fact.”
She jerked her hands away, looking stricken. “Oh, no! You didn’t!”
“Who is this guy Benoit? He’s the one who accused you. He claims the jewelry is his.”
Angelique was shaking her head side to side, tears running down her cheeks. “No!” It came out as a whisper. “He gave my mother some of her jewelry, but she had inherited most of it from her mother. So it was only right that she passed it down to me, and to Gabrielle as well. Don’t you see?”
“I do. Trust me, I do.” Derrick was at a loss as to how to comfort her. “We can contact this police chief and let him know you didn’t steal it.”
“Oh, please no.” She gasped for breath. “The police chief is in Benoit’s pocket. He owns him.”
Derrick swallowed hard. “I can’t believe that. He really raked this Benoit over the coals…said he had murdered people.”
“He has… Alphonse Benoit is a vicious criminal.”
Derrick stared at her in dismay. “How do you know him?”
She emitted a little mewling sound. “His son, Remy, was Gabrielle’s father.”
Derrick felt a sharp pain as though someone had stabbed him in the chest. There it was. The name of the man who had impregnated the woman he loved, and his father was a criminal who murdered people…and he was after Angelique.
“Was?” he asked.
She reached for a paper napkin and mopped at her eyes, then gave her nose a hearty blow. “Remy’s dead. His father killed him.” She reached for her jacket and shrugged it on. “I’ve got to get out of here. I’m ready to scream, and I can’t do it in here.” She stood up and walked to the door.
Derrick scrambled after her and tossed some cash at the register before following after Angelique. “Hey, wait for me.”
The temperature had dropped considerably. Angelique had her arms clasped around herself in a solo embrace. She was shivering.
He came up behind her and embraced her. “I’m sorry I had to ask you about this. I don’t want to make you unhappy.” He shepherded her to the truck and helped her inside. When he climbed in on the driver’s side, he started the motor, but the interior was like a walk-in freezer. His breath created a cloud around his face
as he leaned closer to her.
“I’m so scared. I can’t let him find me.” She focused on Derrick. “You have to take me right home. I need to get Gabrielle and leave.”
* * *
Angelique held Gabrielle as she slept, rocking her gently in the rocking chair in her bedroom. She was crushed. How could Derrick have gotten in touch with the one man who could lead Alphonse Benoit straight to her! She was terrified for herself and for her daughter. There was no way she would surrender Gabrielle to a murderous criminal.
Anger and fear were duking it out in her gut. She was furious at Derrick. Yes, she still loved him, but he was the last person she would have guessed would betray her.
She tried to breathe through the fury roiling her gut.
In truth, it wasn’t his fault, because she had not confided in him. She had hoped her past would just disappear, with no reason to dredge it up.
Admitting that her beloved Remy’s father was a monster, she had no choice but to do whatever it took to protect her daughter from him. Unfortunately, it meant that she would have to run away from a place where she had felt safe for the first time in a long time. She would have to leave the father she had never known, the man who had accepted her and given her a place in his family.
And she would have to leave Derrick, the man who loved her, and who she loved in return.
Angelique would give her life to protect her daughter. Her choices were to stay and hope for the best or to run away.
She swallowed hard, knowing she had to make a decision quickly and act on it. She should be putting her few belongings in the car and be ready to head out at first light.
A tear rolled down her cheek as she reflected on how different her relationship with Derrick had been. He was an honorable man, and all of the community seemed to hold him in high regard. And he was proud to have his community know he cared for her, openly holding her hand and giving her a kiss in public. It was a small town, where everybody knew everything about everybody else. They had to know that Big Jim Garrett’s illegitimate daughter had tracked him down, bringing her illegitimate daughter with her. They accepted her, not because they feared Big Jim, but because they respected him.