Bayou Christmas (Cypress Cove #2) - Suzanne Jenkins Page 0,15

at home with Mom and Dad long after other guys he knew were off on their own.

That afternoon, shortly after Maggie had left, Annie’s cell phone beeped.

Just thinking of you, he texted. Can’t wait to see your beautiful face tonight. How’s work?

Was her news the kind of news you gave to your husband in a text?

Can you talk? she asked. It was better to get it out now rather than wait until he got home. Steve’s homecoming was expected to be a somewhat thought-out event, with a freshly showered wife and dinner on the table. Sharing news that she was now unemployed might kibosh the evening.

Her phone rang. “What’s up?”

“My office is closing. Everyone was terminated this morning, and by noon, I was home.”

Silence.

“I don’t believe it,” he said.

“I know. I’m really upset. I’ll apply for unemployment as soon as we hang up, and start looking for another job right away. That’s all I can do.”

“Thanks for telling me,” he said. “I can stew about it all afternoon.”

“Come home when you can,” she said, ignoring his sarcasm. “I’m home and dinner is on.”

“What are we having?”

“Meatloaf and baked potato.”

He laughed out loud. “Perfect comfort food,” he said.

“I know, my plan.”

“Thank you, Annie. Love you.”

“Aw, Steve, I love you, too.”

They ended the call, and she looked around the shabby apartment with its view of the alley and the crappy shops across the street. She suddenly missed her hometown of Pensacola and the bright sun and palm trees. The spooky feeling given by the moss-covered cypress and the dusty streets was new to her. Getting out her phone again, she keyed in Maggie’s number. But it went straight to voicemail.

***

On the other side of Bonnet Island, Maggie waited, peeking over the edge of the skiff. Why would Ted LeBlanc show up at the cottage? He had a lot of nerve climbing the gate. Her cell phone wouldn’t work this far from the cottage, so she decided to head back to the village dock and ask Gus to follow her home if he wasn’t busy.

“Brulee, you get to see Mr. Gus today.”

Navigating out from behind the island, she saw Ted walking away from the dock. She still wasn’t taking any chances. Something just didn’t sit right with her. Not that it was unsafe, but just something creepy about it that made her skin crawl.

Gus was surprised to see her again.

“You busy?” she called out.

“No. What you got in mind?”

“I went for a ride, and when I came back, Ted LeBlanc was standing on my dock.”

She saw it, Gus was concerned, a tic in his jaw, and his poker face in place. “I’ll follow you home. Got to see about that well pump,” he said. “You pull away, and I’ll get my tools and be right behind you.”

She nodded and did as he asked, slowly moving away from the dock and lingering out in the cove. If she inched up a hundred yards more, she’d be able to see her dock, but not the gate. She’d wait for Gus. In a minute, he was zooming past her, laughing as his wake rocked her boat.

“I’ll make you pay!” she shouted, laughing as the mist sprayed her and Brulee.

They raced around the cove, and in five minutes they were at her dock. In the distance, she saw Ted sitting on the porch. Her blood pressure shot up, anger brewing. She didn’t like uninvited company of any kind, especially men.

“We’ll walk up together,” he said. “He’s harmless, but disgusting, like an ant-covered peach. I fully get it. Grace has had her moments with him.”

“Do tell,” Maggie said, annoyed.

“Just ask what you can do for him,” Gus whispered.

She nodded.

“I’ll take a look at that pump housing,” he said, tipping his hat to Ted. “She got a vet already for this dog.”

“This is a friendship call,” he said, standing up.

Maggie decided she had no reason to be cordial to him. “Dr. LeBlanc…”

“Ted.”

“Dr. LeBlanc, why are you here?”

He seemed taken aback. The usual reception he got was one of pleasure, not annoyance.

“I thought we’d continue our conversation,” he said. “It was cut off by your departure.”

“I don’t care for uninvited guests. And I’m sure Kelly wouldn’t like it,” she said.

“I’m just trying to be neighborly,” he said. “Kelly doesn’t have anything to do with it.”

“You live a long way from here. And it looked to me like you’re in a relationship with Kelly. I don’t know, Dr. LeBlanc, I think you’d better be on your way.”

“Okay, if that’s what you