Mischief in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law, #2)(37)

Sabine sighed. “I guess you’re right. A family that old is bound to have secrets. What about William?”

“William seems to be the biggest disappointment locally. Apparently, before he left for the war he was always involved in a bunch of community service. He worked with underprivileged children at the local library, teaching them to read. He co-chaired several fundraisers to buy medical equipment for the clinic in town and was key in the development of a senior network that provided drop-in care for limited mobility seniors living alone, and all of that while he was still in high school.”

“Wow, he sounds great.”

“Past tense, I’m afraid. The William who came back from Vietnam isn’t the same man as before. The only charity he attends to now is the local bar, and from what I hear, he’s a big contributor.”

Sabine shook her head. “Post-traumatic stress?”

Beau shrugged. “There’s really no telling. Lots of men come back from war changed forever.”

Sabine’s mind went back to the scene in the living room when she’d described her business. “So what’s the story on crazy Aunt Frances?”

Beau crinkled his brow. “You know, that’s one thing I was never able to get much of a line on. Both kids attended the private Catholic school in town, but some of the older residents seemed to remember your father. He did some volunteer work down at the clinic, most particularly for a Dr. Grey, but the doctor died several years ago so I wasn’t able to get any more than that.”

“Makes sense with the family saying he was going to be a doctor.”

“Yeah. Even wealthy families usually don’t frown upon working for a living if you’re a doctor.”

“But the locals didn’t really know Frances?”

“Not really. She attended private school until she was seventeen and was homeschooled after that with a private tutor from another parish. He’s dead now, so that led nowhere. Other than that, she’s never seen outside of the house, except attending church, always at her mother’s hip and never speaking a word to anyone.”

“Agoraphobic?”

Beau shrugged. “I don’t know, and I seriously doubt you’ll ever get them to admit it if that’s the case. Whatever those people are hiding, they’ve been doing it successfully for a long time. That’s why I thought you needed what little facts I had before you had any more interaction with them…assuming you want to, of course.”

Sabine looked out the window and across Main Street. At the moment, she would honestly have to admit she didn’t want any further interaction with them. The entire meeting had been like the tiny pop of a firecracker when she’d been setting up for a dynamite experience all these years. But then what choice did she have? “I…guess I do. I mean, I don’t really know them yet and they don’t know me. I suppose things could get better.”

“I suppose.”

Sabine smiled and looked over at Beau. “This is what you were warning me about, wasn’t it? You and Maryse are cut from the same cloth in certain ways.”

“Really? How’s that?”

“Oh, Maryse has always supported my search for my family, even though I believe that for the most part, she’s thought it was a waste of time. She thinks the relationships you choose to make are far more important than the ones that are forced on you. She’s always saying ‘you have to love your family, but you don’t have to like them, or want to spend time with them.’ ”

Beau grinned. “You’re right. We are cut from the same cloth. So what’s up with Maryse’s family that she doesn’t have to like them?”

“Oh, nothing at all with her blood family. Her mom and dad are both dead and there’s no other siblings. I think she’s referring to her ex-husband and his mother when she makes that statement.”

“That bad, huh?”

Sabine grimaced. “You have no idea. Helena Henry as a mother-in-law is enough to drive a girl to the convent.”

“I read about Helena’s death in the paper, then all the excitement that followed. That wasn’t that long ago.”

“Yeah, the funeral was last month.”

“Well, then it looks like Maryse is free and clear again.” He smiled at Sabine.

Sabine tried to smile but wasn’t sure she managed it convincingly. “Seems like she should be,” she hedged.

Beau glanced down at his watch and rose from the table. “It’s late. I need to take off and let you get some rest. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

Sabine rose from the table and walked with Beau to the door. “I am a little tired. I think I’m going to take a long, hot bath, then climb directly into bed.”

Beau froze when she mentioned a bath and bed, and she stepped far too close to him for her own comfort, and probably his. He studied her for a moment, the desire in his eyes apparent. Even though she knew she should step away, open the door, and send him on his way, she didn’t. No, she inched even closer…and tilted her head toward his.

His breath caught. She knew he was waiting for her to turn tail and run like she had at the café. When she held her ground, he lowered his head, his lips barely brushing hers. Her lips started to tingle and the tiny shock of pleasure radiated all the way down to her toes. He paused for just a second, but then moved in for a deeper kiss, his lips locked on hers.