Lie to Me (Pearl Island Trilogy #4)(67)

“What do you mean?” His dad looked confused.

“C’mon, Dad. We both know I never did fit in here, and never will. For that matter, I never fit in with your crowd in New Orleans, either.”

“Son, you’re not making any sense.”

“It’s not important.” Luc sighed. “I’m an adult now, and I’ve found my place where I fit in. It’s not like I ever doubted that you loved me, despite the fact that I was a geek and you were cool.”

His dad stared at him as if dumbfounded.

Luc sighed. “Look, maybe I should go help with the ice cream.”

“No, wait.” His dad put a hand on his arm to stop him. “You’ve got it all wrong. Your mother and I never thought of you that way. To tell you the truth, we always wondered how two such average people could produce such an extraordinary son. You amazed us. You still do.”

Luc felt as if his world had just tipped on its axis. He parents hadn’t been disappointed they’d produced a geek? He’d always assumed they’d loved him in spite of how he was.

Apparently reading his expression, his dad shook his head.

“Come here.” Mason jerked him into a hard hug. “Don’t you know how proud we are of you? We’ve always been proud.”

“Well, I knew that.” Luc assured him, returning the hug. When his father pulled back to hold Luc at arm’s length, the absolute wonder shining on his face made Luc’s eyes sting. He glanced nervously about at the crowd. “Jeez, Dad, you’re going to have me all choked up.”

“I don’t give a shit what they think.” Mason sniffed unashamedly. “And neither should you.”

“Yeah, but you’re a bad-ass blues player.”

“And you’re a bad-ass gaming tycoon.” His dad slapped his arm. “Wear it proud, son. Wear it proud.”

Luc just stared.

“Speaking of music,” Mason said, “I need to go help the band set up in the barn. Be sure and bring your girl by to meet me before the music begins.”

“Will do.” Luc nodded absently as his father headed toward the barn. Wear his geekiness with pride? Chloe’s words from the night of their dinner date came back to him. She’d been so impressed that he’d made something of his life doing something he felt passionate about. They were right. He should be proud, damn it. He was proud.

Suddenly, the possibility of Chloe falling for a guy like him no longer felt like an impossible dream.

~ ~ ~

The afternoon passed in a haze of food, music, and laughter. With her stomach sated and her head slightly buzzed, Chloe sat at one of the picnic tables inside the barn, watching Luc’s father and the rest of the band up on the stage. Couples whirled across the sawdust-strewn plywood that served as a dance floor. The infectious rhythm coming from washboard, accordion, and fiddle had her feet tapping, but she’d been relieved when Luc had told her he couldn’t dance. A Texas two-step she could handle, since Adrian had taught her years ago, but the thought of trying to learn the steps for Zydeco in front of a room full of Cajuns proved too much for even her courage.

For now, she was content to enjoy the music while Luc went to get each of them another beer.

“Well, this is a surprise,” a soft, friendly voice said.

Chloe turned and found Luc’s grandmother standing on the other side of the picnic table. Her heart nearly stopped. She’d spotted the woman several times during the afternoon, but avoiding her had been easy. The last time she’d seen Luc’s grandmother, the woman had been sitting at a table on the opposite side of the dance floor.

“Uh, hi, hello,” she managed to stammer.

“What a pleasure to see you here.” Smiling, the woman took a seat on the opposite bench.

“It is?” Chloe blinked. Had no one told the woman her name yet?

“But, of course,” Luc’s grandmother said as if puzzled. “I remember you from yesterday when I did your portrait. I’m Adelaide, by the way.”

“I’m, uh, Chloe,” she said, seeing no way to avoid introducing herself. Her chest tightened with nerves as she waited for the woman to realize who she was.

“Such a pretty name.” Adelaide settled more comfortably.

“Thank you.” Chloe frowned as her thoughts raced. Why was this woman being nice to her? Didn’t she realize Chloe was the person who’d found the necklace? Or maybe Luc hadn’t told his grandmother, yet, about her refusal to help them reclaim it.

“My grandson seems very taken with you.” The woman met her eyes with that penetrating gaze. “I understand you’re the young woman he saw in Galveston.”

The young woman who’d caused Luc’s recent unhappiness. Chloe cringed.

“No wonder you asked about him yesterday.” Adelaide gave her a gently reproachful look. “I wish you’d told me who you were.”

“I’m sorry,” Chloe said, feeling guilty. Not just because of her refusal to help Adelaide get her necklace back, but now for a deception she hadn’t even intended. “It’s just, Luc and I are kind of feeling our way along right now.”

“I understand.” Adelaide’s knowing smile unsettled Chloe. She sensed only kindness, but wondered how much this woman perceived just by looking at her. “I was wondering about that crossroads I saw in your palm. Have you made a decision?”