Angelique (3 page)

Chapter 3

Angelique drove down the one dirt road that led in and out of Orchidea. The swamps surrounded her on either side of the road, and the rev of ATVs filled the air. Just as she made it toward the outskirts of town, she saw the teenagers skiing. They had their boogie boards attached to the back of the ATVs and were gliding in and out of the swamp then across the roadway. She laughed remembering doing the same thing as a teenager and the rush she and her sisters got from mud racing and alligator surfing. Damn, they were all crazy. She entered the small town, noting the numerous shops including Aubert’s restaurant. The patio was crowded with townsfolk as usual, and Angelique could smell the food. She loved the setup and especially the pretty red gingham curtains that hung on the front windows.

She pulled her car into the parking lot and released a sigh of relief. She was back home in her own town. No need to worry about New Orleans and those crazy men that tried to hurt her. She looked down at the bandage on her thigh. It still hurt and would more than likely leave a bruise. It could have been a lot worse if Armand hadn’t shown up like he did. Just thinking about it gave her the chills. His big green eyes looked like they were outlined in red as he pulled each guy away from her. All she could see were bulging muscles beneath the tight light-blue T-shirt he wore. He truly was something else and definitely a hero for sure. It took all she had not to melt within his arms when he picked her up and carried her into Maw Maw’s store. Then just as she was recovering, his brother, the sheriff no less, shows up and is just as good looking but rough around the edges. He was kind of scary himself.

She took a deep breath and got out of the car. A little praline coffee at her sister’s place and then back to the house to work on some orders. She prayed that neither Angelina nor Ellena would question her about her weekly trip. They were so overprotective that if they knew about the incident, Angelique would be in a heap of trouble. She decided that she better grab that coffee to go.

* * * *

Armand was cooking some jambalaya in a hot skillet at the stove. He already added the rice, the shrimp, and the green onions. The kitchen smelled delicious and was beginning to ease his mind of the day’s events. He couldn’t stop thinking about Angelique, the woman he met at his mom’s shop, or the circumstances that led to meeting her. Those assholes could have really hurt her or worse. He shook his head then took another slug of cold beer. Man, did she have a great body, and it felt real good to hold her in his arms despite her resistance to being carried. She looked beautiful in the yellow top she wore. Her firm, tone shoulders were feminine, and she looked so petite in comparison to his own large size. Maybe she was intimidated by that?
Shit!

She probably didn’t want to tell him or Eloi her name because they scared her, too. She had just been nearly attacked by three really big jerks. He ran his hand through his hair and felt the frustration. Maybe Eloi got further with Mama then he had. Then he could contact Angelique and apologize for coming on too strong.

“Hey, I thought cooking was like some sort of therapy to you? You look damn pissed off right now,” Marcel stated as he walked into the kitchen with Remy following suit.

Armand shook his head.

“This got something to do with Patty Anne? Her sister Pertrice said she isn’t talking to you ever again,” Marcel added as he plopped down in a chair and watched Armand.

“Ahhh…I haven’t seen her in ages. It’s a long story is all,” Armand replied then covered the pan. He looked toward his brothers who stared at him with eyebrows raised. They would be relentless until he told them what was up. He’d rather Eloi explain since he was the oldest. A while back, after Marcel and Remy returned from the military, they talked about sharing a woman and following in their uncles’ footsteps. Not that he wanted to push this issue now with Angelique, but if she was the one for him and his brothers to share, then it wouldn’t be fair to hide her identity and existence. If he had met her on his own, he would have waited to see, but the fact that Eloi met her pretty much around the same time and was interested seemed promising. He cleared his throat then thought about how he met her today. He clenched his fists and took a deep breath.

“Those are some intense feelings you trying hard to hide from us,” Remy added.

Just then, the sound of someone coming up the porch steps interrupted Armand’s reply.

He lifted the top off the pan and moved around the ingredients a little as Eloi walked inside.

He nodded his head toward his brothers but held Armand’s gaze a moment.

“Okay, what is up with you two? Armand is acting all angry and nervous, and you’re home kind of early for a Tuesday night,” Marcel stated.

“What did you find out about our little stranger?” Armand asked his brother Eloi as he walked into the kitchen. He and his three brothers owned a house they built together on the bayou. He wanted to have this conversation alone with Eloi, but he supposed it was a better time than any to let his brothers Remy and Marcel know what happened.

“What stranger?” Remy asked.

“I didn’t find out anything. I tell you so much as she isn’t a stranger to our Mama,” Eloi replied as he walked to the small washroom down the hall and then returned to the kitchen. He took a seat at the kitchen table as Armand handed him a cold beer. Armand returned to the stove as Eloi took a long slug from the bottle.

“What does this have to do with our Mama?” Remy asked.

“So Mama wouldn’t tell you anything either? That’s just wrong, bra,” Armand added as he placed a cover over the pan to let the jambalaya cook for a few minutes. He grabbed some plates and the hot sauce.

“You tell them, since you’re the one that saved her?” Eloi replied.

“Saved our Mama?” Marcel asked, sitting forward in his seat and filled with concern.

“No. He saved a woman who was going to Mama’s shop,” Eloi told them.

Looks passed around the room, and suddenly it was silent. It was Marcel, the first lieutenant in the army, who initiated the question.

“You two think that this woman is the one?” Marcel asked as he leaned back in his chair, looking calm yet on standby for anything. Once a soldier, always a soldier. Even Remy, who served in the army as a platoon sergeant for a short time, shared a similar look.

“That depends,” Armand stated.

“On what?” Remy asked.

“On whether we ever see her again and on whether the two of you feel what Eloi and I felt immediately.”

“You telling us you don’t know where she lives?” Remy asked.

“She wouldn’t tell us because she was scared,” Armand added.

“Scared of what, the two of you?” Marcel questioned.

“Armand saved her from being attacked by three men,” Eloi told them. Fists slammed down on the table, and both Remy and Marcel started asking a bunch of questions. Armand filled them in on the story and how things were left. The Lafont men shared a bit of a temper. They knew right from wrong, but if anyone dare messed with them, they’d worry about the consequences later.

“So you don’t know how to find her? What if she never comes back?” Remy asked all annoyed.

“She’ll come back. She’s a regular to Mama’s store. Be back next week some time,” Eloi added.

“She pressed charges, so she had to have given information,” Marcel stated.

“She didn’t press charges. It appeared that she didn’t want any trouble. She was scared.”

Armand could tell by their surprised expressions that they wondered why. He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“She’s a petite little thing. Probably a little over five feet tall, and we’re big men. I was thinking about this while I was cooking. She was nearly attacked and dragged down an alley by three very large, drunk assholes. Then I come to her rescue, and Eloi and I start flirting and all. Of course she was scared.”

Eloi cursed. “You probably right, bro. We might have scared her more instead of less.”

“Maybe she isn’t interested,” Remy suggested.

“No way. I held her in my arms, and she smelled so good and fit really good, too. She’s a sweet one. Her heart was pounding, and her chest was blotchy,” Armand added.

“You held her? Why?” Remy asked.

“Those thugs knocked her down to the ground hard. There was a cut on her thigh that will surely leave a bruise, too,” Eloi told them.

“Lock them fuckers up in a cold cell I hope you did, Eloi?” Marcel asked.

“Locked up for the night anyways because there’s not much more we can do without charges,” Eloi told them then took another sip from his beer.

They were silent a few seconds before Marcel spoke.

“What this stranger look like, bro?”

“She’s lovely as could be with shiny, black hair and the most gorgeous green eyes I’ve ever seen. They sparkle and almost glow,” Armand told them.

“She’s small, so how about her body?” Remy asked.

“Not small up top. Have enough for a man to hold to and more. She is a real looker and classy, too, with stunning green eyes that draw you in. She’s got the cutest little nose like a pixie and pink, sexy lips that just ask to be kissed. She didn’t flaunt her good looks either. She seemed shy and reserved. That’s probably why those assholes came after her,” Armand stated.

“Yeah, they figured she was an easy target and no way would be able to defend herself against them,” Eloi stated, sounding disgusted as he took another slug of beer and looked like he was swallowing poison.

“Well, you better be sure to find her. I want to meet her, too,” Marcel stated.

“I bet you if we can get Mama to let us know when she’s coming back to her shop, then we can make a plan,” Armand said, and they smiled.

“We’re in the middle of the biggest part of building the children’s center now. Could be we’ll miss this woman the next time she comes into town. Do you at least know her name?” Remy asked.

“Angelique,” Armand replied.

“Real pretty name,” Marcel said with a smile.

* * * *

Millie was humming a tune as she finished sending out the important e-mail and closing up shop. Her husband Jack was leaning against the counter watching her.

“Okay, Mama, spit it out. Happy as can be you are, and this man wants to know how come?” Jack asked as she hit send on the e-mail. She smiled as she grabbed her shawl and headed around the counter.

“Why do I need a reason to be happy? I have a wonderful Cajun man as a husband and four good-looking sons a mama is proud of,
merci beaucoup
,” she stated with an attitude as she continued to smile. She hoped that Angelique was by her computer when she sent the e-mail. She knew it wasn’t right sneaking around lying like this, but she had to make sure her boys didn’t screw this up. Angelique would be perfect for them.

“I don’t like that sneaky little smile planted on your face. Start explaining, woman, or else,” Jack stated as he pulled Millie into his arms for a hug.

Millie giggled then swatted at his shoulder. “Now now, Paw Paw. There’s no need to get fresh.”

“Paw Paw! Now wait right here a minute. What are you talking about?”

Millie smiled. They may not be grandparents yet, but if this worked out, then they could be by the winter. She smiled as she grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door.

“Come on and lock up, I’m starving and you need to feed me.”

Jack looked at her in between locking up the store and pulling down the security gate.

“You’re up to something, Mama, and I’m not sure I want to be associated with one of your crazy matchmaking ideas for the boys.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, that’s so. ’Fess up now.”

As he took her hand, Millie began to explain about the events of the day and how Armand had saved Angelique and how Eloi and Armand both were attracted to her.

She explained about the money donated to the new children’s center and then how she thought she could get Angelique to help out more so that her boys could see Angelique again.

“Maybe you should leave things alone. If it’s meant to happen, then it will happen,” he told her.

“You know our boys. Eloi is stubborn and walks around angry all the time. Armand is always working and has never been serious about any woman ever. The same goes for Remy and Marcel. Except Marcel is picky and can be demanding. Remy is sweet but feeds off of his brothers. They don’t want a serious relationship because they’re scared. You’ve seen those women that come sniffing around my boys. They’re bad girls with bad intentions. My sons deserve the best.”

“And you think this Angelique is the best?”

“It’s true. You’ll see what I mean Friday.”

“Friday?”

“She’s coming back here Friday. I made sure of it and then you’ll see,” Millie stated confidently as they held hands and walked down to the corner restaurant called Billy’s.

Chapter 4

Bruce Vizier sat at a private booth in the corner of his restaurant and hotel admiring the décor. The sounds of jazz music filled the air as patrons enjoyed cocktails alongside the martini bar. As an upscale establishment, Vizier’s was well known and rarely had vacant rooms since the establishment was reviewed with the highest ratings in the best restaurant-and-hotel magazine as well as travel-and-leisure magazine. The overstuffed, leather wingback chairs and assortment of local fine art displayed on the walls in both the lounge area and restaurant added to the authenticity of the place. The Creole cuisine was superb as Bruce Zivier handpicked his chef and all the staff. Bruce took a sip from his martini as he planned his next endeavor. Already known as the number one restaurant and hotel in the Big Easy, he wanted the second Vizier’s to be just as outstanding. The location would be closer to the outskirts of town, catering to the fine arts and creations of the local artisans. At least that was what he was trying to sell them on. It seemed the one piece of land he was after was owned by the Lafont family, and they already began building a small children’s center on the said location. With the largest amount of acreage and a key location just minutes from the local businesses, it was a goldmine. Jack Lafont and his sons were just too stupid to realize the opportunities they sat on.

His thoughts were interrupted as Pierre Williams headed toward his table. Bruce had placed him in charge of buying the adjacent land to Lafonts’ property. Bruce was even going to buy out the buildings that the local artisans resided in and rebuild it into his own little town. Zavierville would be spectacular. Of course, the local artisans would have to pay rent to him if they wanted to stay. As business increased, as he was certain it would, then they would have to pay more. He was going to be a billionaire in no time.

“Good evening, sir. You look rather happy tonight,” Pierre stated as Bruce shook his hand in greeting then motioned for him to sit down.

“I am happy, Pierre, and I would like to maintain that happiness, so I hope you have some good news for me this evening.”

Pierre looked around toward the crowds of people then back at Bruce. Bruce didn’t like the feeling he had.

“Perhaps you should look for a different location to build, Bruce. The construction has begun on the Lafont land, and there is talk that they plan on expanding if things go well.”

Bruce felt his stomach sink and his anger grow immediately. This was his dream, and nothing would stand in the way.

“Expanding? They don’t need all sixty acres to build a children’s facility. Why do they need one anyway? The majority of those children of the artisans don’t believe in school education. It’s a waste of time and money.”

Pierre leaned back and took a breath. “They’re building this center for handicapped and special needs children, Bruce. That means other children will come from miles around to use this facility.”

“If it’s going to cost money, then no one from around these parts will pay. It’s a waste.”

“The Lafonts know people, and they know insurance companies that will cover certain costs. They apparently have scholarships and other businesses that are going to sponsor the center.”

Bruce lifted his glass and sipped the last bit of martini.

“There has to be a way to stop them.”

“There’s one sure way to make them rethink expanding,” Pierre offered.

“And that would be?”

“The building inspector, local politicians, and residents would be concerned if there was a question about safety issues and the structure of the current construction. Let’s say, if some accidents happen and maybe some workers get injured or worse. It may cause a bit of negativity and enough legroom to work your magic, Bruce, and convince some of those supporters to back out. Just an idea.”

Bruce leaned back in his seat and thought about it. Maybe this was an option. What did he have to lose? This would require some serious planning.

“What are your thoughts on this, Pierre?” Bruce asked, and Pierre smiled as he leaned forward in his chair.

“I got a few, boss, and if you like, I can get some people on it by tomorrow.”