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“Interesting fellow.”
“Your eyes are twinkling,” he said, laughing out loud.
“I’ll say no more,” she replied. “I’ll see you later.”
“You surely will,” he said, saluting her as she took off from the dock in the bigger boat’s wake.
Now that she was on the water, she was in no hurry to get home, only Brulee was waiting. She decided once she unloaded her groceries, they’d get back in the skiff and take a ride.
Her mind was swirling, the animal rescue idea she’d gotten when she saw Ted LeBlanc’s travel trailer taking the forefront. How could she do something like that at Bayou Cottage? She envisioned a comfortable place where volunteers would care for animals in a homey atmosphere while they waited for adoption.
After toileting Brulee, she called Justin, but his phone went to voicemail. “I’m home and going to take off in the boat with Brulee. I’ll call when we get back. Love you.”
The different experiences she’d had that day had her revved up. When she was in the business world, different personalities came and went, and she didn’t flinch. Now, since she’d been at Bayou Cottage, her tolerance seemed to have diminished radically. Everyone had an opinion, and everyone wanted to voice it. Was it really that important?
They got into the skiff, and she angled it out to the right, opposite from town. The shore looked so inviting from the water. With the leaves off the trees, the cottages were exposed. They ranged from shanties and old bayou shacks to multimillion-dollar mansions with luxury boats in covered boathouses. The big houses left Maggie cold. She had no desire to have a larger, grander home.
After half an hour, she turned around and headed back to Bayou Cottage. But when she was still far enough away, she saw someone standing on her dock, watching. And as she got closer, but not too close, sliding down in her seat, she saw that it was Ted LeBlanc.
Chapter 3
Out on the road installing customers’ Wi-Fi dishes, Steve Casson couldn’t wait to get home. Since getting married, his life had taken on a new and peaceful routine. There was a woman waiting for him every night. He timed it so he was home after she was, even if it meant dragging his feet a little bit. He hated coming home to a dark apartment. After he installed timers on the lights at Annie’s request, it wasn’t the same. Needing people around him, it was why he continued to live 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.
