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“What’s this?” he asked. “Have you been out here all night?”
Katrina was curled up on a lounge chair, waking up when she heard Justin’s voice.
“Oh, good morning. Alphé dropped me off early, and I didn’t want to wake up the world. This was comfortable.”
“Come on in,” he said. “Maggie is probably going to sleep for a while.”
He looked out over the front yard, at the tent and the tables and chairs waiting for the rental company to return and take them away.
“I’ve got to get to work,” she said. “Maggie’s going to have to take me into town.”
He waited for Brulee to finish her morning toilet, and by then, Katrina was standing up, tired and moody, wishing she didn’t have to be cordial.
“I’ll get coffee going.”
“Okay, thanks,” she said, climbing to her room.
He was gone by the time she’d gotten ready for work. The sounds of Maggie feeding Brulee drifted up the stairs.
“I’m glad I didn’t have to wake you up.”
“Good morning. Remind me to have a party on a weekday again.”
“Ha! Right.”
“What time did you get home?” Maggie asked, confused.
“Alphé dropped me off early, at sunrise. I slept on the porch until Justin let the dog out.”
“Oh no, I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. Maggie, I’m going to buy a place after all. I don’t want to leave Cypress Cove. This is going to be my home.”
“You are? How exciting.” She handed her a cup of coffee. “Where are you looking?”
“In town. Do you want to help me look?”
“I’d love to! What’s going on today?”
“I have appointments in Saint John’s Parish. I’ll look at the online ads when I can.”
“I guess this means things are going well with Alphé?”
Katrina had a big happy grin on her face.
“Maggie, I’m head over heels. What a corny thing to say! But it’s the truth. It’s exactly the way I feel, like he’s swept me off my feet. All the foot euphemisms are called into play.”
“Aw, that’s so nice! I wonder what it is about this place. First me and Justin, then Annie and Steve, who I think might have conceived their kid up against my house, but you didn’t hear it from me, and now you and Alphé. This place is a real love magnet.”
“I love Bayou Cottage. After I finish all the appointments I have this week, I plan on parking my ass on your porch with my laptop and working right from there until I move out.”
“I need to work today, too. And I guess it’s my turn to help out at the rescue although the truth is, between Kelly and Annie, everything is under control. Kelly seems to like having all the responsibility, too. I get to visit.”
“Can you run me into town first? I’m so sorry. What a pain.”
“It’s no trouble at all. I have to take all of these serving dishes back to my aunt’s house anyway.”
Katrina helped her load the stacks of dishes into two canvas bags they’d carry to Val Amotte’s house, where the car was parked. After leashing Brulee up, they made their way to the skiff. It was a cool, clear morning, the breeze off the water refreshing after the stagnant air at the cottage.
