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But before she could broach the topic of Harper’s sleepless night, Manny saved the day.
“What about Mario Kart?” he asked. “Can you play that?”
“That’s not on Xbox,” Harper said, a pout beginning to form.
Manny wagged his finger. “This is true, but I brought my Switch, and it has Mario Kart. Play me after breakfast?”
Harper perked up. Not a smile, but not a listless frown. “I will smear you,” she vowed.
Molly smiled at him over Harper’s head. “Thank you,” she mouthed, and Manny winked.
Harper turned back to her. “Is Lucien all right?”
“He is. I got a text from Val this morning saying that he should be getting out of the hospital in a day or two.”
Harper sagged, relieved. “I was worried that he’d die. He was brave. He saved us.”
“He was and he did,” Molly agreed. “Maybe you can Skype with him later?”
“I will.” Harper wriggled out of her lap. “But right now, I’m in charge of grating cheese for the grits.”
“What have we here?” Burke asked from the back doorway. “Oh my, oh my. We are gonna feast this morning.” He dropped a kiss on top of Harper’s head, got himself some coffee, then plopped into a chair. “If I have to share my house, at least I’ll eat the best food in New Orleans.”
“Hear, hear,” Molly said, lifting her cup. She leaned in to murmur to Burke, “You’re not planning on going to Baton Rouge alone, are you?”
“I was.”
“Well, you’re not now.”
“Bossy,” Burke said mildly. “I thought you weren’t supposed to leave town?”
Molly scowled. “They just say that. They can’t keep me from driving a couple hours away. I’m not letting you go alone.”
Gabe put some bacon on the table. “And where she goes, I go.”
“You got ears like a bat,” Burke grumbled.
Gabe grinned. “No, I just know Molly well enough by now to know she was negotiating to go with you.”
“What are we negotiating?” Willa Mae asked as she joined them at the table. “What smells so good? Fish and grits? Now you’re speaking my language.”
“His French food’s pretty darn good, too,” Molly said loyally.
“That’s because you’re sweet on him,” Willa Mae said with a smile.
“She is,” Gabe agreed, serving the older woman a cup of coffee. “But it’s still true.”
One at a time, the house’s occupants stumbled into the kitchen, Xavier annoyed that Manny didn’t wake him to go fishing.
“You were sawin’ z’s, X,” Manny claimed. “And I did try. You smacked me.”
Xavier frowned in apology. “Sorry. I’ll set my alarm tomorrow and get up with you.”
“If we’re still here tomorrow,” Cicely said. “I’m hoping something breaks today. I’m grateful for this lovely place to hide, but I miss my own bed.”
“I know,” Burke said. “We’re trying our best.”
Cicely patted his hand. “And I’m truly grateful. Thank you.”
