Mischief in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law, #2)(19)

Sabine shook her head. “I can’t go there.”

“Why not? Why are you so afraid of letting go?”

“It’s not the eruption that scares me. It’s the cooling off. How can I start something with a man, knowing good and well I may not be here to finish it?” She brushed at her eyes with her fingers. “I heard from Wheeler just before lunch. Hank’s not a match.”

Maryse sobered. “I’m really sorry. I had hoped there was an easy answer to all this. And I understand your apprehension about moving forward when you don’t know if you’re going to hit the wall, truly I do. But you don’t know what the future holds…none of us do. Disease is not the only thing that can take us away from this world—you saw that with me over the last month. But putting your life on hold waiting for a death that might not come for another fifty years is like already dying.”

Sabine felt the tears begin to form in her eyes. “I hate it when you’re right.”

“So if this detective is interested, you’re not going to turn him down, right?”

Sabine shrugged. “I’ll add it to my list, but it’s not at the top.”

“Really? Because I was hoping to get at least one thing crossed off the list today. Please tell me the spa day is at the top of the list. I could sooooooo use a massage.”

“Not exactly.”

Maryse stared at Sabine, her hesitation clear as day. “Why do I get the feeling I’m going to regret this?”

Sabine gave Maryse an evil grin, unable to resist teasing her friend since she’d just shoved reality down Sabine’s throat. “I was thinking bungee jumping.”

Maryse shut her eyes and clenched her hands. “That made me dizzy just thinking about it. You know I’m afraid of heights.”

“And you know I’m afraid of relationships.”

Maryse put her head face down on the table and covered it with her arms. “What time are we going?”

“I think before supper would be best.”

“Yeah, I’d hate to waste a good meal on plummeting out of control toward the ground wearing a rubber band on my ankles.” Maryse lifted her head and looked back at Sabine. “Fine. I’ll do it as long as you promise not to turn down anything the detective offers.”

“Oh, no. I’m not locking into that agreement. What if he sells insurance on the side, or even worse…Tupperware?”

Maryse laughed. “Okay, but if he’s peddling anything but expensive plastic or disability insurance, it’s a go.” She studied Sabine for a moment. “You know, I’ve never seen you this riled up over a guy. Not since Johnny Arceneaux put that frog in your lunchbox in first grade.”

Sabine smiled. “Well, you know how much I love frogs.” The door to the café opened and Sabine glanced over, then froze as she saw who was standing there.

“What’s wrong?” Maryse asked. “It’s not Helena, is it?”

“No,” Sabine whispered. “He’s early.”

“Who’s early?”

“The detective. I was supposed to meet him here in a half hour. He’s early.”

“Great! Now I can see what all the fuss is about.”

“Don’t you dare.”

Maryse grinned and turned all the way around in her seat. She held for a couple of seconds, then spun back around to face Sabine, her eyes wide. “Holy shit! You are in big trouble.”


[page]
The instant he walked into the restaurant, Beau zoned in on Sabine like he had preset radar. She was sitting in a corner booth with another woman, who had turned around when he walked in and given him a comprehensive up and down before turning back to Sabine. He briefly wondered if he’d passed the friend’s test, then got agitated at himself for caring…or wondering…or whatever he was doing.

No strings, Villeneuve.

His entire adult existence centered on keeping things simple, uncomplicated. He’d learned that one the hard way. He carried his own baggage, and he wasn’t interested in carrying anyone else’s. It had always been his experience that women were the most complicated people on earth. And their baggage usually came in matched sets. Hell, if the line he had on locating Sabine’s family turned out to be accurate, she would soon be faced with more baggage than a freight train.

Unless you can talk her out of wanting to know.

Sabine waved at him and he smiled. Quickly catching himself, he put on his game face and crossed the restaurant, resolved to talk Sabine out of this quest of hers. It couldn’t possibly bring her anything but misery. And if there was any way at all, he intended to spare her the disappointment he’d suffered.

As he stepped up to the table, the other woman sitting with Sabine rose and extended her hand. “I’m Maryse Robicheaux, Sabine’s best friend. It’s nice to meet you.” She looked over at Sabine and grinned. “Sabine has been telling me everything about you.”

A light blush crept up Sabine’s face and she glared at Maryse. Beau shook Maryse’s hand. “Beau Villeneuve.”

“Well, this has been fun,” Maryse said, “but I have to run.”

“Oh, no you don’t,” Sabine argued. “You said you had another thirty minutes.”

Maryse smiled. “But that was before you made plans for us tonight. Now, I need to see my attorney and remove you from my will.” She winked at Beau and hurried out of the restaurant.