"No, madame," I said. "Or at least, none that I
know of in Houma. My grandfather talked of his
relatives who live in other bayous, but Grandmere
Catherine never liked us to associate with them." "How dreadful," Daphne said, shaking her
head. 1 wasn't sure if she meant my family life or the
present situation.
"This is amazing. I have two daughters," Pierre
said, allowing himself a smile. It was a handsome
smile. I felt myself start to relax. Under his warm gaze
the tension drained out of me. I couldn't help thinking
he was so much the father I'd always wanted, a softspoken, kindly man.
But Daphne flashed him a cool, chastising look. "Double the embarrassment, too," she reminded
him.
"What? Oh, yes, of course. I'm glad you've
finally revealed yourself," he told me, "but it does
present us with a trifle of a problem."
"A trifle of a problem? A trifle!" Daphne cried.
Her chin quivered.
"Well, somewhat more serious, I'm afraid." My
father sat back, pensive.
"I don't mean to be a burden to anyone," I said,
and stood up quickly. "I'll return to Houma. There are
friends of my grandmere's ."
"That's a fine idea," Daphne said quickly.
"We'll arrange for transportation, give you some
money. Why, we'll even send her some money from time to time, won't we, Pierre? You can tell your
grandmother's friends that--"
"No," Pierre said, his eyes fixed so firmly on
me, I felt like his thoughts were traveling through
them and into my heart. "I can't send my own