Trouble in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law, #1)(80)

Hank shook his head, his expression sad. “I never meant to hurt you, and I swear I didn’t marry you because of Mom. I married you because you are the best person I’ve ever known.” His gaze locked on hers. “I figured if I was going to change for anyone, it would be you.”

Maryse bit her lower lip, not sure what to say. Hank Henry respected her? That was news. But in the back of her mind lurked the question that had burned inside of her for two long years. “Did you love me?” Maryse finally asked.

Hank nodded. “I loved you as much as I could love anyone. I’m just not sure I understand what love really is, or if I’ll ever be able to do it right.” He took her hand and squeezed. “You deserved better than me, Maryse. So much better.”

“Then why didn’t you contact me? You left me hanging for two years, Hank. Your mom’s money aside, you could have at least called or wrote a letter or something.”

“You’re right, and I’m sorry. It was a shitty thing to do, and I’m ashamed of it.” Hank dropped his gaze. “When I first left, Mom arranged for me to be in rehab. She hoped I’d get straight and make my marriage to you work. But I wasn’t ready to change, so it was a futile effort.”

Hank looked back at Maryse, unmistakable regret in his eyes. “I was selfish, and I was immature. I convinced myself that you were better off without me, and that wasn’t exactly a lie. So I took the easy way out and disappeared. Hell, I didn’t know you wouldn’t be able to divorce me. Mom never said anything, and I guess now we know why.”

Hank reached over and took Maryse’s hand in his. “I am so sorry for everything, Maryse. Can you ever forgive me?”

Maryse sniffed, trying to keep her unbidden tears at bay.

“Hey,” Hank said. “You’re going to be fine. You know that. And I don’t want that damned land, okay? This whole mess makes me sick.”

“What about Harold?”

Hank’s jaw set in a hard line. “My murdering father will get his eventually.” He gave her an apologetic look. “But I’m afraid I can’t sit around and wait on it. I don’t think I’d come out too good with the cops. Dad will make sure everyone believes I was in on it from the beginning.”

Maryse shook her head and held up her phone. “That’s not a problem. I have the entire conversation recorded.”

Hank looked stunned for a moment. Then his face broke out in a broad smile. “You’re really something. Holy shit, that’s something.” He laughed, then clutched his side and groaned.

Maryse handed him a cup of water and watched him grimace as he took a sip. “You have to be tired,” she said, realizing his injury hurt more than he was letting on. “I should get out of here and let you rest. And don’t worry about a thing. I’ll turn this over to the police and everything will be fine. You’ll see.”

Hank gave her a sad smile. “Thanks, Maryse, for everything.”

Maryse removed her hand from Hank’s and eased out of the room as Hank’s eyes closed. When she reached the hall, the dam burst, and the tears she’d been holding in for two long years came pouring out. Tears of sadness and joy and relief, all at the same time.

Hank had actually cared about her, and that made her feel so much better about herself and her marriage. But more importantly, she had realized that her marrying Hank hadn’t been the stupid action of a grieving daughter. The truth was she’d loved Hank then. She just didn’t love him now.

But admitting that at one time her feelings had been true and real had allowed her to let it all go.


Luc was in the hospital lobby arguing with the nurse behind the desk and growing more aggravated by the moment. “I need you to listen to me! The police said they brought her here—check again. Maryse Robicheaux. Do you need me to spell it?”

The frustrated nurse stood and put her hands on her hips. “Look, Mr. LeJeune. I’ve lived here all my life, and I know how to spell Robicheaux. No one by that name has been checked in today. Someone is mistaken.”

Luc held his tongue and stalked away from the desk. Maryse was somewhere in this hospital, possibly under the care of his primary suspect, and no one could tell him a thing. He yanked his cell phone from his pocket, determined not to leave the hospital until he had seen Maryse with his own eyes. Hell, maybe even checked her pulse. He had just pressed in the number for the Mudbug police when Maryse walked into the hospital lobby, a dazed expression on her face.

It was all Luc could do to stop himself from grabbing her in an embrace and never ever letting her go, but based on their last conversation, he figured that wouldn’t be a good idea. Instead, he settled for squeezing her arm. “Are you all right? The police said someone had been shot and they’d taken you to the hospital. I thought…”

Maryse came out of her stupor and shook her head. “No, I’m fine. It was Hank who got shot.”

“Hank? Are you kidding me? How?”

“He pushed me out of the way and took a bullet in the process.” Maryse looked at him. “He saved my life.”

Luc felt his heart drop. He should have been the one to save Maryse—be her hero. “Then there are miracles in this world,” he said, trying to sound normal. “How bad is he hurt?”

“It’s only a surface wound. Hurts like the dickens, and he was bleeding like a stuck hog, but he’s going to be all right.”