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Maggie didn’t reply but raised her eyebrows in acknowledgment, suddenly feeling loyal to…anyone. She didn’t like this kind of small-town gossip, imagining that the moment she walked out with Brulee and Katrina, they’d start in about Maggie and Justin or her aunt Elizabeth or even her mother and Doc Chastain.
Out on the street, Katrina acknowledged it. “I didn’t like that,” she said. “It reflects on Alphé.”
“I’m glad you said it. I wondered if it was just me. Yes, she disrespected her husband. They are disrespecting his wife. Lola’s probably asking for it, but I still don’t like it. I wonder if anyone has ever confronted her.”
“I doubt it. I wonder if Alphé did. He seems so nonconfrontational.”
“Did he tell you anything about the marriage?”
“He takes all the blame. She lost a baby.”
“Oh, that’s sad.”
“Yes, evidently he had just found out she was pregnant and didn’t give her the support she needed after the loss. But the hardware guy wasn’t her first.”
“Really!” Maggie replied.
“The other vet in town was the first. Ted something.”
“Oh, no way! Ted LeBlanc. Kelly Casson is involved with him. They live together. But it’s just recent. I can’t believe Ted with that glamour girl.”
“It appears the cheating has been ongoing for a while,” Katrina said. “And I’m guessing those are the men he knows about. There could be many more. Poor Alphé.”
“He must have known.”
A loud whistle carried across the wind got their attention, and they looked up in time to see Alphé pulling away from the marina in his boat after dropping off the morning catch. He was waving madly at them. Katrina waved back, smiling, trying not to jump around and embarrass Alphé.
“His eyesight must be phenomenal,” Maggie said as they approached the dock.
“It’s the red hair,” Gus said. “You can’t miss it. I’m sure he saw that from afar.”
“Oh god, has word gotten around already?” Katrina asked, grimacing.
“You know small-town gossip, right? I’m sure Pierre had a hand in spreading a tale or two.”
The women looked at each other and frowned. “Let’s get back to the cottage. Gus, be ready to eat tonight.”
“I will, don’t you worry about it. By the way, just got the call that they’re bringing the porta pottie around for me to haul to your dock,” Gus informed her, trying not to laugh. “You ready for it?”
“I guess the dock is as good a place as any,” Maggie said, picturing the portable toilet on the dock.
“You sure are a good sport,” he said, holding on to Brulee while they got into the boat.
“Hey, I want to have a party, so this is the alternative to sending my guests to the woods,” she said, giggling.
After getting Brulee situated, they took off, avoiding Alphé’s wake. Katrina waved when he headed toward the inlet.
“I’m mortified that people are talking already,” Katrina said.
“Honey, that was just Gus. No worries, okay? Everyone I know and then some will be at the cottage tonight, and you and Alphé will be together.”
“Like who?”
“All the wild horse people, and they are some of the biggest gossips.”
“I’m a little nervous,” Katrina said.
“It’s a little like the firing squad,” Maggie said, giggling. “I’ve been there. If Alphé has any women interested in him, it will soon get around that he’s seeing someone, and I bet you’re a first.”
