a lot to offend me, but it’s good to remember we all have pain. Money can’t fix everything.” It was one of the lessons he’d learned. His cousin Wes had everything going for him. He’d had money and connections and a bright future he’d traded for a deadly accident in the desert half a world away from home. Harry hadn’t had anything material growing up but he’d managed to survive. Death, he’d learned, was the great equalizer.
“Yes, it is good to remember,” Helena agreed. “How long are you going to be in town? I heard you’re working on that beautiful old gazebo.”
It would be beautiful once he’d torn most of it down and replaced it with not-rotting wood. His cousin Angela wanted the gazebo as the focal point of what she called her “rustic elegance” theme for the reception. It was a rich people problem, but then he was good at solving those. “I’ll be here for about six weeks. I’ll stay for the wedding.”
And then he would roam for a while. It was what he’d done since he’d gotten out of the Army. His mother had passed and he’d found himself without a home to return to. He couldn’t seem to stay in one place for long, so he moved around, doing odd jobs, visiting with old friends. At first he’d told himself it was only until he’d gotten his head straight, but he was going on two years now and it was beginning to be normal to sleep on a friend’s sofa, and he knew every cheap motel in the Western United States.
Lately he’d started to think it might be nice to settle down somewhere, to find a job, to start his life. He just wasn’t sure how.
Helena started to lead him down the hallway. A heavenly smell hit his nose and his stomach growled, reminding him that he’d skipped lunch to work on this project at the church. His aunt kept strict mealtimes. He would need to hit a restaurant if he wanted to eat before the six p.m. supper.
“Well, if you need anything at all, you call me. If you need someone to show you around, I’ve got a granddaughter who knows the town very well. She would be thrilled to familiarize you with our Papillon. She works at the courthouse, knows all the best places to eat.” Helena had her keys in hand, but it looked like someone had left the door to the parking lot open. “I guess the reception’s started. We had a service for poor Irene Guidry today.”
His aunt had mentioned she was going to a funeral.
The door opened and a familiar face walked through. His cousin Calvin strode his way, adjusting his tie. “Hey, Harry, the funeral’s over and the drinking can start . . . I mean eating. Cajuns know how to throw a reception. There’s gumbo. If there’s one thing Guidrys do right, it’s gumbo. Mom left, but I get to stay and represent the family, if you know what I mean.”
“Don’t you dare spike the punch, Calvin Beaumont.” Helena pointed a finger his cousin’s way.
Calvin shrugged. “I don’t have to. Zep brought it. It’s probably eighty percent hooch. Don’t worry. Lisa made sure he didn’t get close to the lemonade. Besides, Harry can give me a ride home, so I don’t have to bum one off someone here. Naturally my mother took the Benz.”
“You behave,” Helena said with a wave of her hand. “Don’t listen to your cousin, Harry. He’s a rascal of the highest order. Now you let me know when you want to go out with . . . when Debra can show you around.”
“He will,” Cal said with a smirk. “I’ll make sure of it.” He put a hand on Harry’s arm to lead him toward the reception hall. “This is going to be fun. They’ll stop bugging me about getting married and start in on the new guy. Ever since Angie got engaged, my mother has been asking me when I’m going to settle down and give her grandkids. Every momma in town with a single daughter parades her past me like I’m some kind of prize to catch. Now that part is true. I’m very much marriage material. The trouble is I don’t want to get married. I want to have some fun. I would watch out for Debbie. Her grandma thinks she’s an angel, but she’s got about forty hands after a couple of drinks. And the woman talks. A lot. If