the boat at one point. I had to go home and change. I’ll be honest. I might be getting too old for a rescue mission.”
“You are not old.” Cricket looked over at Louis. “You were a hero to even try.”
“Well, I’m sorry you had to worry about us,” Sylvie said, trying to break up the odd tension in the room. “It was my idea to have a picnic date. I think next time we’ll go to the movies or something.”
Rene slid an arm around her shoulders. “We’ll definitely be more careful the next time we sneak away for an afternoon date. Now, if you don’t mind, Mom, Sylvie is expecting Armie to pick her up shortly. She’s got to change and get ready to tour any damage in the parish. I’ve got to get into the office.”
“You should rest.” His mother stood. “You had a rough night. Have you thought about going to the medical center and letting Lila LaVigne look you over? You don’t have to go into the office today.”
Oh, but he did. Being seen around the office and talking about what had happened was part of the plan. “He’s going to take it easy, but he has a big project he’s working on, and he has to wrap it up since he’s going to take a whole week off soon,” Sylvie said. “I want him sitting by the pool with me and not having to sneak away to work. I didn’t get a honeymoon, so I want to be able to pretend.”
“Happy wife, happy life. And we’re both feeling fine.” Rene hugged his mother again. “You get some rest. You all need it. Sylvie and I didn’t sit up all night worrying. We napped a bit, and we’ll call it a day early and be home for supper. But right now, I’m going to change into some proper clothes.”
He was wearing a Guidry’s T-shirt and a pair of basketball shorts that were slightly too big for him. He looked adorable and so unlike himself.
Sylvie crossed to her mother. “I’m going to do the same, and I’ll be by later to get my hair done.”
“You better, honey.” Her mother kissed her cheek. “I’ll make sure Cricket gets some food and takes a nap. You go do your job. Delphine and I will take care of the rest.”
She hoped if everything went to hell that she would have a friendship like her momma and Delphine. How much more would she worry if her mom was alone in the world like Cricket was? It was obvious to her that Louis wanted to argue he could take care of her, but his eyes strayed to where Rene stood.
“I’ll head home myself and get ready for work,” Louis said.
“Good. If you get there first, can you tell Jane I’m going to need her to do some inventory today?” Rene asked.
“Of course.” Louis nodded and patted Cricket’s shoulder. “I hope you ladies have a lovely day.”
There was no way to miss how Cricket’s eyes followed him as he walked to the door.
Oh, there was trouble brewing because Sylvie knew what Rene was going to say next. She’d seen it in his eyes, and she was worried she was the one who’d planted the seed by mentioning how Louis’s care for his mom seemed something more than brotherly.
Rene watched as Louis walked out the door.
She followed him upstairs, though they didn’t say a word until he closed the door to his bedroom.
Then he turned, a grim expression on his face. “He was out there and he didn’t show up here until much later. It could have been him. He already admitted he changed his clothes. And if he’d really been looking for us, he would have come up to the cabin.”
“He explained that. He could see the boat wasn’t there. The lights were off,” Sylvie argued. “Why would Louis do this? He has no reason to want to hurt the company.”
“Unless Charles promised him something,” Rene mused. “I don’t know anything about Louis’s finances. He could have taken some losses and needs the money. Charles could have offered him a better position and more power.”
She stood in front of him, forcing him to look down at her. “Do not make Charles your white whale, Rene. Not everyone is in league with him. Has Louis ever been anything but loyal to you and your parents?”
“No.” Rene took a deep breath and lowered his head to hers. “And it’s unlikely he would be wearing headphones out