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29
Mid-City, New Orleans, Louisiana
SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2:00 P.M.
Hey, y’all, anybody home?” a familiar female voice called from the front porch.
Standing closest to the front of Gabe’s house, Molly turned to the screen door, blocked out the very loud celebration going on behind her, and grinned. André stood on the front porch with Farrah and ADA Cardozo.
Glancing over her shoulder for Shoe—he was lying on his back next to the living room sofa, begging unashamedly for belly rubs from Harper—Molly opened the door. “Y’all are welcome, but fair warning—you may not fit.”
It was true. Gabe’s small house was filled to bursting with old friends and new, and Gabe was holding court in his own kitchen, his cousin Patty at his side. They’d all decided to put sadness for the victims aside for a day, to enjoy one another’s company without the fear that had burdened them all week.
Xavier, Carlos, and Manny were on the back porch with Phin and Antoine, having beers and talking about football. Val, Cicely, and Willa Mae sat on bar stools at the kitchen counter, each on their second glass of wine. Or third. Nobody was counting. Willa Mae had been asking all kinds of questions about roller derby and Val was telling stories that had the women howling with laughter.
It was so good to hear.
Lucien had been released from the hospital that morning and lay on the sofa, his feet in Chelsea’s lap. Molly had been happy to see that the two were getting friendly. Lucien was a good man and Chelsea appeared ready to date again. That Harper already adored him was a huge plus.
Burke sat in Gabe’s recliner, feet up, head back, eyes closed, and his hands folded on his stomach. It was his favorite pose. Joy sat in her wheelchair, smiling contentedly. The mostly empty hurricane glass in her hand might have had something to do with that. Patty had fixed it for her as soon as she’d rolled through the door, having remembered it was Joy’s drink of choice from the night of Molly’s birthday. But Molly thought that Joy had been most pleased with the ramp that had greeted her when she’d arrived. Molly had woken that morning in Gabe’s bed, smelling coffee and hearing the sounds of a hammer and power saw.
He’d wanted to make sure that all of her friends felt welcome.
“Long time no see,” she said to André and Cardozo, who’d taken their statements the night before. “And, Farrah, I’m always glad to see you. Come on in.”
“Something smells good,” Farrah said, giving Molly a hug as she entered.
“That’s because it is good,” Molly said. “Gabe and Patty have been cooking all day.”
“Who’s minding the Choux?” Farrah asked. “I heard that it’s back open today.”
Patty and Gabe had decided that with Ducote’s threat neutralized, they’d reopen the restaurant. Keeping it closed on one of the busiest weekends of the year would only be hurting their waitstaff, who’d lose their tip income. They’d both kept their cell phones close by, but so far no one from the Choux had called them for advice or assistance. The lines to get in were even longer than normal, though, with Gabe’s recent fame. The video of him standing up to Ducote had gone viral and the restaurant’s social media was abuzz with those wanting a glimpse of the crime-fighting celebrity chef.
“The new assistant manager.” Molly grimaced. “Luckily that Donna Lee bitch was training someone to cover for her on her days off. There’s all kinds of food on the counter in the kitchen. Go and help yourselves.”
“Oh, man.” Cardozo looked annoyed. “If I’d known there’d be food, I wouldn’t have eaten before I came.”
“There’s dessert,” Molly said. “Gabe made his chocolate cake.”
“Did you sneak a peek at the recipe?” Farrah asked.
“No need.” Gabe made his way to the door, where he shook Cardozo’s hand, gave André a man-hug, and wrapped his arms around Farrah for a legit hug. Then he gave André’s fiancée a sealed envelope. “I wrote it down for you. Don’t spread it around, okay?”
Farrah clutched the envelope to her bosom like it was diamonds. “Oh, I won’t. But you don’t have to do this.”
Gabe teasingly reached for the envelope. “You can give it back.”
“Oh, no,” Farrah said. “I’m polite, not stupid.” She folded the envelope and slid it down into her bra, laughing when Gabe yanked his hand back. “Safest place ever.”
“Except from me,” André said with an indulgent smile.
She leaned into her fiancé. “Except from you.” She turned to Molly. “These two have come to talk to you guys. I came to meet the rest of your group. Introduce me.”
So Molly did, bringing the guys from the backyard inside before introducing the three newcomers to everyone in the house. Gabe offered them beers and Farrah was immediately charmed by Willa Mae, as were they all.
“When André told me that you were representing Molly, Gabe, and Xavier, I looked you up,” she told the older woman. “You did some good work, ma’am. Helped a lot of people.”
Willa Mae grew serious at the compliment. “You did, too. You gave Gabe, Molly, Chelsea, and Harper shelter when they needed it most. We won’t be forgetting that.”
