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She waited on the porch, watching him drive away, stop at the gate, open it, drive through, and shut and lock it again. When he waved to her as he got back in his truck, she waved back, feeling guilty. She hadn’t been divorced all that long, and the thought of getting married again, of having to compromise every decision, just wasn’t that appealing. It didn’t have anything to do with Justin, either. He was faithful and trustworthy. No, it wasn’t him.
Back inside, she keyed in Katrina’s number.
“I figured you’d be up at the crack of dawn to fish. I was ready to leave a text.”
“I didn’t go out with him,” Katrina said. “I’m sitting in the café, drinking coffee. I just rented a room from the owner.”
“Oh, Kat! You should have called me. Annie is already back with Steve. You could have your room.”
“No, this is better. Then I can see Alphé in the morning and at night without much ado. Things are getting hot and heavy between us and horrible between him and his ex. I fully expect there to be a massive fight before long and right in the middle of Mardi Gras.”
“It’s better that he do what he’s doing. I’ll never understand why he let his ex get away with so much—living in the house, driving the nicer car.”
“It was all for the kids. But if she’s going to leave them alone all night to be with her old-man boyfriend, and I can’t believe I’m being so mean, then he is doing the right thing. When Alphé took the kids home this morning, he was there.”
“Alfonso Casson?”
“Yep.”
“Ugh,” Maggie muttered.
“So tell me about Annie. Is she making a mistake?”
“I can’t say. They’re married, and she’s going to have a kid. Isn’t it better to stay together if the guy isn’t being mean? Evidently, Steve apologized and said they hadn’t had sex yet. So he wanted Annie to come home. He came to get her, too.”
“I’m glad she didn’t make it too easy for him. I still don’t trust Steve.”
“I like Steve. I think he was just having a meltdown.”
***
When Steve picked up Annie from Bayou Cottage that night, the minute he saw her, he was sorry he’d been so cruel to her. He got out of the truck and met her on the porch, and with Justin and Maggie peeking out of the curtains, he kissed her passionately, making her weep.
“Aw, baby, I’m so sorry. Don’t cry. Let’s get you home. Are you beat?”
“I’m okay. I’m so glad you didn’t love her.”
“I really didn’t. I can’t explain it. It’s so stupid, like a teenager. Please forgive me.”
“I forgive you. I hope we don’t have to go through this too many times.”
“Me too. I mean, not because of anything I’m going to do.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about me sleeping around, Steve. Look at me.”
“You’re adorable. As a matter of fact, when we get home, I’m going to pamper you if you’re not too tired.”
“What about you? You’re the one who has to get up early.”
“I’m taking the day off work,” he said.
He pulled into their driveway and ran around to open her door. He was going to be the attentive husband, at least tonight. Holding hands, they walked up the path to the house, and he unlocked the door.
“It looks so nice,” she said.
“I cleaned up a little bit. I changed the sheets, too.”
“Oh god, I don’t even want to know why,” she said, grimacing.
