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“We have dates,” Annie answered. “Me with Steve to places unknown, and you with wherever you end up with Justin.”
“I don’t have a date with Justin,” Maggie stated. “I’m seeing him tomorrow and that’s enough. You go out with Steve and have fun! That’s why you’re here.”
Looking forward to an evening alone before her mother arrived in the morning, Maggie facilitated Annie’s evening out, even offering to take her by boat into town. But Steve was going to pick her up by boat before sunset.
Maggie stood on the dock watching them motor off toward town, and a feeling of peace and, strangely, satisfaction washed over her. Alone at last, with all wrongs righted, and no lurking boogeymen; only the horses of the Wild West made their presence known in the quiet of the bayou sunset.
Chapter 10
The day of Elizabeth Bonnet and Valentin Amotte’s garden party pre-wedding reception dawned cooler than normal, much to their pleasure. By ten, the terrace and pool area was abuzz with helpers there for the day, erecting a fancy tent with large fans installed and a machine called a swamp cooler. If the temperature went over eighty, they’d most likely have to move the party inside. But up to that time, if it occurred, they’d be comfortable outside.
The menu was kept simple due to the two-day preparation window; fried chicken and salads and peach pie from Spencer’s Grocery. Vic Chastain’s housekeeper was in the kitchen at that moment, preparing giant pans of jambalaya and crawfish etouffee, gumbo and dirty rice.
At Bayou Cottage, Maggie moaned, rolling over in bed, the air-conditioning blasting away giving her a major headache.
“Ugh, puppy dog, let’s get outside. I need some humidity quickly.”
She went to the hallway window and switched the unit off. Peeking into the guest bedroom, she realized that Annie hadn’t come home from her date last night. Taking a deep breath, it was okay. She was an adult woman. Hopefully, Steve was deserving of her, and there wouldn’t be drama to follow like there always was for Maggie.
Descending the staircase with the little dog following, she let her out into the yard Steve had enclosed for her, making sure the gate was closed. There were still horses out grazing, an uncommon sight in the late morning, but a welcome one. They’d find their comfort zone soon enough.
Brulee finished up and came up onto the porch so Maggie could shut the gate.
“Coffee for me, kibble for you,” she muttered. The landline rang. “It’s too early for conversation.”
Then she remembered her mother was expected that morning, so she answered. But she thought that Rose was going to come to the cottage and stay with her, not the bride-to-be.
“I’m here with Aunt Elizabeth,” Rose called out. “When will I see you?”
“I can get dressed and get over in about an hour,” she said, unsure whether she was relieved or angry that Rose was staying in town. “Annie isn’t home, so I’ll see if she wants to meet me there.”
Again, another disappointment because of a guy; they were going to boat into town together, but unless Annie appeared right then, chances were that wasn’t going to happen.
“Okay, well, don’t rush. I’m going to put my feet up until then.”
“What time did you leave this morning?” Maggie asked.
“Sevenish,” she said. “It was a nice ride. I’ll see you when you get here.”
“See you then, Mom.”
After coffee and a stale donut, she prepared for the party, once again stuffing her feelings. The dress she was wearing was in excellent shape, and she supposed it had been worn maybe once or twice. There were no telltale stains like most vintage clothing had.
While she primped, she decided she was bringing her dog. It seemed like everyone was doing exactly what they wanted, so she would, too.
Once she was dressed and ready, she sent Annie a text.
I’m getting ready to boat over to town. Do you want me to bring your dress?
While she waited for an answer, she got a little bag ready with casual clothes and dog food in case they decided to hang around Val’s house all day. Taking one last glimpse in the mirror, she smiled back at her reflection. In the lacey flapper dress and with her hair up in a twist, she really looked like a throwback to another time. It was fun to imagine the reaction she might get from Justin, but she quickly squashed that line of thinking. She had to do things for herself and not always look for approval from a guy.
“No expectations, woman,” she muttered.
Her phone finally beeped with a reply from Annie.
I’m so sorry. If you’re already leaving, yes, please bring the dress. I hate to have you lug my suitcase, too, but I’ll need underwear and makeup, so that would probably be easiest.
She answered with a simpleokayand ran back up the stairs to gather Annie’s things. She was almost to the point of calling Floyd to come to get her, but talked herself out of it. She didn’t want to be dependent on anyone to get home, either.
