Bayou Dreaming (Butterfly Bayou #3) - Lexi Blake Page 0,127

and really wished he had use of his hands. “Now let me out of these cuffs and we’ll grab some dinner.”

She shook her head with a smirk. “I’ve decided this is really the best way to keep you out of trouble.”

He allowed her to steer him toward her SUV. “But how can I get my hands on you if they’re cuffed behind my back?”

She opened the rear door. “Get creative, babe. I know you can do it.”

“At least let me ride in the front with you,” he said even as she was pushing him into the back.

“Can’t do that. But I will do something I don’t do for any other person I put in the back of my car.” She kissed him. “Now be a good boy and I’ll put you in the comfy cell.”

He would only be comfortable if she was in there with him, but he might be able to make that happen. “Drive fast then.”

As she pulled out of the parking lot and flashed her lights, he knew he was finally heading into his future.

epilogue

One year later

“I’ve made a monster,” Roxanne said as she watched her brand-new husband arguing with the mayor about funding for the first phase of his shelter plans.

Did he have to do it at their wedding?

“I like how passionate he is,” her mother said with a happy sigh. “He’s eager for life, and that’s a beautiful thing. Your father thinks so, too.”

Her parents had come down three days before, though it hadn’t been their only meeting. Pamela had come down a couple of times to help with the wedding plans, and now she was thick as thieves with Delphine and Miss Marcelle. They were planning a girls’ trip to the city, where Pamela intended to introduce them to all the best psychics.

It was weird, but like everything in life, now it seemed perfect.

“I think Dad’s just happy to get all the weddings over with,” Roxie said as she saw her father sitting at a table with Armie and Lila and their two kids. Noelle was back home after her first semester in college, and she seemed fascinated with her tiny baby brother.

“He’s particularly happy that you’re settling down.” Her mother sipped on the champagne she’d nabbed from a passing waiter. “I know he was upset at first, but he’s had time to reflect. He won’t ever tell you this but you remind him so much of his father. Your grandpa would have loved this place.”

Roxie wasn’t so sure about that, but she knew he would have loved Zep. “Thank you for talking to him.”

Her mom’s eyes got misty. “I don’t think it was me. I think it was our granddaughter.”

Roxie looked over at the table where her brother, sister-in-law, and their new daughter sat. Little Constance was three and she had some special needs, and she had become the light of their lives.

“I didn’t think it would be the same,” her mom said quietly. “I thought I would feel differently about a child who wasn’t your brother’s blood, but the minute that baby girl held her hands out to me, I realized how little blood means. I love that child with every bone in my body, and so does your father. I think it’s made him realize that who he is isn’t nearly as important as how he loves.”

Her father had danced with her out on the patio of the B and B, with the sounds of music and the hum of the cicadas all around them. The father-daughter dance wasn’t as awkward as she worried it’d be. Her father had told her how beautiful she was. He’d told her he was proud.

Her wedding day had been an emotional one.

“I told Sylvie I would protest the mayor’s office until she gives me the money I need to microchip every pet who comes through our shelter,” Zep announced as he walked up. He’d ditched his jacket and tie and looked perfectly scrumptious with a bit of his chest on display.

“Hey, all protesting better wait until I’ve had my honeymoon,” Roxie said. They were headed into New Orleans for the night, and then in the morning they would catch a flight to Hawaii, where she intended to do nothing but lie on the beach and love her man.

“Hey, Deputy, Mr. Guidry.” Ashlyn Travers had worn all black to the wedding, but then she hadn’t really been a guest. She’d been working. The now high school senior turned out to have far more skill with a camera than common sense, but then Roxie was certain she would say an artist needs no common sense. “I got some great shots of the reception, and I’m letting you know that next month I will be premiering The Rougarou’s Revenge at the senior center. I would really like to include some of the footage I took from the wedding, if you don’t mind. After all, you two are my romantic leads, and apparently people like a happy ending. Unless you would let me set something up where just before you say I do, the pastor turns into the rougarou and kills you both. Because that would be a great way to end the film.”

Zep’s eyes lit up, and Roxie realized she was going to have to cut him off.

“You can absolutely use the footage of the wedding. A happy ending sounds like the right way to go,” she said firmly. After it had gotten out that Ashlyn had been making a film, the people of Papillon had all caught the acting bug. Now, months later, Ashlyn was almost ready to show off her masterpiece.

Ashlyn huffed. “Fine, but it won’t be the same. Thanks for helping me out.”

“We can’t wait to see the movie,” Zep said, his arm going around Roxie.

“I’m applying to film school in California,” Ashlyn announced.

“I’m going to give you a word of advice,” Zep said gravely. “Fly out there. Don’t drive.”

That made Roxie laugh. “I think she’ll avoid your mistakes.”

Ashlyn waved and went back to work.

“It’s so nice to see all the young people being ambitious,” Pamela remarked. “Though you should know now that you’re married, it’s time to give little Constance a cousin. Your eggs aren’t getting any younger, Roxanne.” Her mother stepped away.

She groaned. “I should have known I was only getting a temporary reprieve.”

Zep’s arms went around her waist, and he pulled her back against him. “We’ll decide when we’re ready. Sera hasn’t told anyone, but she and Harry are going to give Luc a sibling in about six months.”

Roxie turned her head so she could kiss his cheek. “I’m glad. I know they’ve been trying. And we will, too. Hey, we’ve managed to keep a dog and a cat happy. We should be able to handle a small human.”

Once, she’d given up on the idea of having a family. Now she wanted nothing more than to add to the one she’d found. One day they would have a kiddo and he or she would follow after Dad, learning how to take care of the world around them. And they would follow Mom and she would teach them how to protect it.

She would also teach them how to enjoy it.

“What do you say we knock off early and head to the hotel?” she asked.

“I like the way you think, Guidry,” Zep said with a chuckle.

“Well, I like the way you love me, Guidry. So let’s get started.”

He leaned over and she was in his arms.

They weren’t going to waste another minute.

acknowledgments

Special thanks to my editor, Kate Seaver. Thanks for believing in this project! Also thanks to the whole Berkley team, including Fareeda Bullert, Jessica Brock, and Mary Geren. Thanks to my agent, Kevan Lyon. I love working with you. To my whole team—Kim Guidroz, Maria Monroy, Stormy Pate, Riane Holt, Jillian Stein, Jenn Watson and Social Butterfly, Margarita Coale, and Kori Smith.

Look for the next Butterfly Bayou novel

Bayou Beauty

Coming from Berkley in summer 2021!

about the author

Lexi Blake is the New York Times bestselling author of over seventy titles. She lives in North Texas with her family and two of the most adorable rescue dogs ever. She's a big city girl who married a small-town boy and loves visiting his hometown. Except when the bears show up on the porch.

What’s next on

your reading list?

Discover your next

great read!

Get personalized book picks and up-to-date news about this author.

Sign up now.