bayou. When I was little, he taught me about the
animals and he showed me how to pole a pirogue." "Did you fall out then?" Pierre asked with a
wide grin. "No, monsieur. I'm sorry. Really, I don't
know how that happened. I . . ."
"I'm only teasing you, Gabriel." He reached
across the table to put his hand over mine. "I can't
think of when my heart felt more filled with happiness
than it is at this moment," he added. His words were
so sincere and yet so overwhelming, they took my
breath away.
"I must help Mama," I said, my voic
e cracking.
"Fine. I'll help too."
"You, monsieur? Selling our wares to the
tourists?" I started to laugh at the prospect.
"I happen to be a crackerjack salesman," he
said, feigning indignation. "Why, just last week I sold
a building worth nearly two million."
"Dollars?"
"Oui, "he said, smiling at my look of
amazement. "I wish Daphne was as impressed and as
appreciative," he added, and then regretted it quickly. "Daphne is your wife?"
"Oui," he said.
I rose to put my bowl in the sink. He did the
same and for a moment, stood right behind me, so
close I could feel his breath on my hair. My heart
thumped. His hands went to my waist.
"Gabriel, I feel something truly magical with
you. I can't deny or ignore it."
"You must, monsieur. Please," I said, afraid to