Page 43 of Beau
Beau shook his head. “I’ve been gone way too long,” he said. “To me, Alexandra and Calliope are still the little girls with pigtails, following around behind us when we went on our adventures. I have to admit I can’t see Alexandra allowing your mother to find a match for her.”
“Oh, she resisted.” Ben snorted. “But damned if Ed isn’t perfect for her. They found a place halfway between Morgan City and Baton Rouge, so that they didn’t have to give up their jobs.”
Beau tilted his head. “Does Alex still have her gym?”
Ben nodded. “And her husband, Ed, works with the Criminal Investigations Division of the Louisiana State Police Department.”
“I bet he’s got some stories to tell,” Beau said.
“They never would’ve met had he not been here protecting a witness that he hid out in the bayou to keep her safe so that she could testify against a mobster.”
“Sounds like a good guy.” Beau smiled. “I’m glad Alexandra found someone to love.”
Ben nodded. “Yeah. Someone who values her independence and stubborn streak. They are perfect for each other.”
“And I’m happy to see that you and Lucy are back together,” Beau said. “You were so tight when we were teens. I’m glad you worked things out between the two of you.”
“Me too,” Ben said. “Life is never boring with Lucy around.” He turned to Aurelie. “I look forward to getting to know you better. Lucy had good things to say about you after her visit.”
Aurelie smiled. “It was very nice of her to welcome me. Hopefully, this drama will settle down, and I can spend more time getting to know my neighbors in Bayou Miste.”
“It will,” Beau said. “For now, we’re heading out.”
Ben walked with them to the door. “Let me know when you’re ready for a little fishing or frog gigging.”
“Ew.” Aurelie grimaced. “Leave me out of that invite.”
Ben laughed. “I will.” He waved from the door as Bean and Aurelie walked out to the truck.
Beau opened the passenger side door and helped Aurelie up into her seat. He closed the door and rounded the truck, getting into the driver side.
Aurelie smiled. “I like your cousin.”
“He’s a good man,” Beau said. “You’d like their entire family. They can be a little overwhelming, especially when you have them all together at one time. But they don’t know a stranger, and they make you feel like one of the family from day one. I always loved coming to visit.”
Aurelie stared out the front windshield as they drove away. “You really are lucky to have a big family. It must be nice.”
Beau shrugged. “Depends on the day of the week. It can be great, and it can be a pain in the ass. Sometimes, you just want to get away from them.”
“At least you have a choice of being with them or getting away,” she said. “When you’re an only child, you don’t have that choice.”
He shot a glance toward her. “Was it lonely growing up without brothers and sisters?”
Aurelie lifted a shoulder and let it fall. “For the most part, as an only child, you don’t know what you’re missing. It was when I was with my friends who had siblings that I could see how it could be, good and bad. I always wished I had at least one brother or sister. As it was, my mom and my dad were my friends when my friends weren’t around. It’s not the same as having another kid to pay with. I was around adults more than I was around children, except in school.”
“Well, you’re welcome to borrow any of my siblings whenever you get a hankering for a brother or sister,” Beau offered. “Just be aware that they might kick, pull your hair or spit.”
Aurelie laughed. “Nice of you to offer them. They may not agree to being loaned out.”
“They’re all pretty outgoing. They like meeting new people and making friends.” He smiled. “I’m sure they’d love you.”
“Thanks.” The corners of Aurelie’s lips tipped upward in a thoughtful smile.
As he drove into Bayou Mambaloa, Beau made a decision and a detour to the old boat factory. “Remember when I said I have some friends who might be able to help us?”
She nodded.
“I’d like you to meet them,” he said. “They could help determine who’s targeting you.”