Bayou Dreaming (Butterfly Bayou 3)

“I’m starving. Your dad grilled me way longer than Harry grilled those steaks,” he said, pulling into the parking lot. At this time of night it was completely empty. He pulled up to the back of the building.

“Then I could eat. I don’t think we have much back at home.”

“You have lots of ramen noodles and cereal.”

She shrugged. “I eat out a lot, either here or at Dixie’s.”

“Well, let’s get some food. I think we were both too afraid to eat at the B and B. I know I was worried I would screw up and give away the game. Your father is an excellent interrogator. I didn’t realize what he was doing until he sprang the ‘what are your intentions toward my daughter’ part.”

Her eyes widened. “He did what?”

Daisy’s head came up as he opened the door and eased out of the truck. She got to her feet and jumped out with him. “He didn’t say it in those words, but I got a lot of questions about my job and my prospects. Lucky for me, my brother recently gave me an out there.”

She followed behind him as he used his keys and opened the door that led to the backroom and kitchen. “Gave you an out?”

The smell of gumbo hit his nose, and his stomach growled in pleasant anticipation. “He wants me to take over managing the boatyard, and more specifically the shop. I’m pretty handy with engines.”

“That smells good.” She walked into the kitchen. His brother had done a great job of modernizing. The space was clean and glistening, every pot and pan in place with the exception of one. There was a small covered pot on the counter, and Remy had left out two bowls and spoons. “I’ve never seen you work on an engine. No one talks about you being a mechanic.”

“I’m not really. I dabble. And I think for the most part no one talks about me being good at anything but drinking beer. I should get more credit for my dancing abilities. I move well.” The gumbo was still warm as he poured out two bowls.

“I’m serious.” She took the bowl from him. “Why didn’t you mention you’re taking a new job? Does it have any effect on the job at the station?”

He nabbed two beers from the fridge. “It will definitely be easier to mesh the two than the server job, and the paycheck will be more steady. Come on. I want to show you something. Come on, girl.”

“Do you mean me or Daisy?”

He winked her way. “Daisy’s the girl. You’re obviously a woman, baby.”

She groaned but followed anyway. “Ah, there’s the Zep I know. For a minute I thought you were going to get serious with me.”

“You should know I’m not serious about much.” He started to lead her out into the dining room, but that wasn’t his destination.

She stopped and he heard her gasp. “Oh, that’s amazing.”

Guidry’s back wall was all heavy hurricane glass that gave a spectacular view of the bay. She was likely used to how pretty the water was and being able to watch the boats go by, but she’d never been here after hours to see it like this. The moon was full and hung over the bay, casting a soft glow to the ocean.

“Remy, Sera, and I would help out during the summers, and after hours we would turn off all the lights and sit out here and watch the moon and the water. I love this place. I know it’s my brother’s and it’s his passion, but I do love it, too.”

“Is that why you want to take over the shop?” She walked through the door, followed by Daisy, who seemed perfectly content to simply follow her new mom.

“I don’t want to take it over at all. It sounds awful.” He walked to the bench at the far end of the patio. There were tons of tables, but he wanted to sit on that bench with her, wanted their legs to brush against each other, and he wanted to be able to ease his arm around her shoulders when they were finished.

He sank down on the bench and she found a place beside him.

“Then why would you take it?”

He sighed. He shouldn’t have gotten into this. “I figure I don’t have anything better to do. You know me. I kind of go with the flow. But don’t worry. I told your dad it was a way better job than it is. I made myself sound pretty important.”

He was good at deflecting. It was a skill he’d developed over many years.

“It won’t work with my dad,” she said between spoonfuls. “You’re not important unless you’re some kind of law enforcement, and he won’t think the fact that you’re a wildlife expert who works for the parish is impressive, either.”