Serendipity (Bayou Magic 3)

* * *

“Tonight is about us,” I announce the following day as we lock up the shop for the evening.

Daphne turns to me in surprise.

“How are we going to manage that? We’re currently living in a house full of people.”

I take her hand and link our fingers, kissing her knuckles.

“We’re not headed that way for a while yet,” I inform her. “We’re going out for dinner and then for a walk in Audubon Park. I want to be with you, just you, for a little while. I don’t mind staying with the others. I know it’s important, and I like them. But I just got you back in my life, and I want some time with you. What do you say?”

She grins, her eyes filling with excitement.

“I say let’s do it. Where are we going for dinner?”

Rather than getting in my car, I walk her down the street to a little restaurant nestled back in a courtyard with old cobblestones for a floor, exposed brick walls, and some of the best jambalaya I’ve ever had in my life.

When we’re shown to our table, Daphne smiles and glances around, then turns to me and sips her water.

“What is it?”

She raises a brow.

“What do you see? I can always tell when you see something you enjoy. You get that sweet smile on your face.”

“This used to be a hospital,” she says. “And, normally, that wouldn’t be a fun thing to see, but so many babies were born here. There was a lot of joy. A few sad moments, of course, but lots of love.”

The waitress comes to take our order, and then I lean in and take Daph’s hand. It’s nice to be away from the others and have a meal as if we’re a normal couple out on a date.

But the edges of my vision start to gray. I swear under my breath, but I can’t stop the premonition from coming.

“Why are you doing this?”

I’m in a room with the women from Cash’s computer. Well, three of them. Another is gone.

“Because, Daphne, you’ve been a bad girl, and I have to punish you and your sisters.” His voice is perfectly calm. Pleasant, even. “I know you don’t mean to be bad. I know that you’re nothing but a woman, and it’s clear to me that those men you’ve chosen to lie with haven’t done a good job of reminding you that men are the bosses. You’re supposed to do what we say, Daphne. You’re supposed to bend to our will.”

“I’ll do whatever you say,” the woman says, her voice tinged with fear and desperation. “I’ll do everything you say. I have no problem with that.”

“You’re lying.” He turns to her and smiles. “I know you’re lying. You’re just saying what I want to hear—though I appreciate you trying to be flexible.”

He walks to her and slaps her across the face.

“But you’re a filthy liar, and that’s just one more thing to punish you for. Maybe before I take your eyes, I’ll take that pretty little tongue.”

“Jack?”

I shake my head and look into Daphne’s worried eyes.

“What was it?”

The waitress saves me by delivering our meals. After seeing what I just did, I’m not super hungry, but I also don’t want to ruin our evening.

When our plates sit before us, I force a smile at Daphne. “This looks good.”

“You’re evading.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I take a bite of my food and then gesture to hers with my fork. “Better dig in, or I’ll steal it.”

She smirks but eats her meal, and the conversation shifts to movies we’ve seen lately and what shows we like to stream.

“I love the show Lucifer,” she says with a grin. “The guy who plays the devil is one hot man.”

I stop chewing and frown at her. “Hey.”

“What?”

“I’m sitting right here.”

“So?”

“So why are you talking about hot men?”

She laughs and sips her water. “Please. It’s not like you don’t find female celebrities attractive.”

“I’m not talking about them with you,” I point out. “Out of courtesy.”

“Do you think you’ll eventually have a hot-and-heavy affair with Sandra Bullock?”

I mean, I probably wouldn’t if she offered.

Probably.

She sits back, finished with her meal, and grins at me. “You’re fun. You know that?”

“Hell, yes, I’m a good time.” I chuckle and pay the waitress. “Are you ready for more fun?”

“Absolutely. I need to walk off this food.”

I take her hand as we leave the restaurant and walk down to my car. The drive to Audubon Park takes a little while, thanks to traffic, but we don’t care.

We’re just enjoying our quiet time together.

After I find a place to park, Daphne and I set off on a walk through the ancient oak trees, their limbs so big and heavy they rest on the ground. Other people mill about, running and riding bikes, having picnics, tossing balls.