AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The server came with ice water. I ordered a sweet tea with lemon. While Armand ordered a beer with our appetizers. In the end I ordered the poulet pot pie. We had smokey pimento cheese dip for an appetizer and split a coconut cream pie. They came in individual small pies versus slices.
I could barely move by the time we left, and my face ached from laughing. One day some woman would win the lottery with Armand Landry. Nola told me she and her father had a close relationship and I can see why. A sharp pang pierced my heart and a wave of sadness washed over me. I missed my father dearly. Not a day went by that I didn’t think of him or miss him. Lost in thought, I didn’t register until we arrived at our next destination until the SUV came to a stop. We were in front of a mall.
“I’ve never been to a mall,” I said without thought.
“A day of first then, Elsie’s and now mall shopping.”
“What are we looking for? Something for Nola?”
“No, something for you.”
I guess I could spend a little of the money I’d made so far working for the club. Plus, I didn’t want to ruin my day with Armand. I was enjoying myself. More than I thought I would. Mostly I was worried. It’s the first time Gambit’s dad and I were alone. I was worried he wouldn’t like me, or I’d do something stupid.
Armand guided me inside again. His hand rested lightly on my back. The next four hours were a whirlwind of shopping. He refused to let me pay for any of it. Nola had told him about my sudden move from Indiana to New Orleans. And the fact I ran with nothing.
Armand said he always wanted a second daughter. That he and Anna, Gambit’s mom, had wanted more children.
It was past six by the time we got to the rental house. A two-story home built in 1929. Recently restored it had four bedrooms and three bathrooms. She and Gambit would share a room. Nola, Trinity and Armand took up the other three. Armand told me three more of his club were coming for Sunday brunch.
Chapter 32
Gambit
Pops came and got Stormya few hours ago. By now they should be at the mall by now. I wasn’t shocked when he told me what he had planned. He’d planned since the day Stormy shared her story with me, Doc, and Stone.
While I hated to let her do without for a few weeks, I convinced myself she already had, and the wait would be worth it. Pops had already fallen for her. He and Ma always wanted more kids and now he had another daughter.
My cell vibrated; I pulled it from my back pocket. A call from Wizard.
“Wizard.”
“I found the landlord. Dumb fucker is holed up at one of the camps. It’s a little over an hour away total travel time. I’ve got some footage thanks to a contact. He lent me his drones to fly in the area. James is in the smallest cabin, right on the water’s edge.”
“Church in 30.”
I disconnected the call and sent a text to the brothers.
