Tarnished Gold (Landry 5)

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