“I’m so glad you’re here.” Sam’s eyes fill with tears, which he quickly brushes away. “It’s been two whole weeks.”
“I know. Baseball season is rough, kiddo. But now that you’re out of school, you and your sister and mom will be coming with me more.”
“Good.” Sam sighs in relief and grins at Simon. “Did you meet my dad?”
“I did, and he seems like a great guy.”
“Yeah, he’s awesome. He plays baseball.”
“I’ve seen him play,” Simon replies. “Thank you for taking us to see the gators today. I had a great time.”
“You’re welcome. You did good. You didn’t even flinch when you held the baby.”
“Did Aunt Charly flinch?” Gabby asks with a smile.
“Yeah, she didn’t like it,” Sam says when Rhys sets him on the ground and we make our way inside. “But she covered it up good.”
“I did?”
Simon shakes his head no, making everyone laugh.
“Well, you tried,” Sam amends and then yawns. “I don’t want to go to bed.”
“No bedtime shenanigans tonight,” Gabby says with her stern mom voice. “Your sister is asleep, and you’re going to bed. We have lots to do tomorrow to get ready to travel with your dad for a week.”
“Okay,” Sam says and wraps his arms around my waist, squeezing me tight. “Thanks again, Aunt Charly.”
“You’re welcome, buddy.”
“And thanks, Mr. Simon,” he says, offering his hand for a fist bump.
“My pleasure.”
“I’ll get him settled,” Rhys says and kisses his wife on the cheek. “Good night, y’all.”
“We should go,” I say and yawn. “It’s not that late, but it’s been a long day.”
“Why don’t you stay?” Gabby asks. “I had a cancelation, so I have a room available, and it is late. I’d feel better if you slept here.”
“I’d love that. Rumor has it you make a delicious breakfast,” Simon says with a smile. “What do you think?”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to make more work for you.”
“Oh please.” Gabby rolls her eyes and gestures for us to follow her up the stairs. “It’s the same amount of work. Adding two is nothing, trust me.” She leads us to the Penelope room and grins. “And you get the prettiest room in the inn.”
“Why is it called the Penelope room?” Simon asks.
“Each room is named after a different woman from our family,” she says with a smile. “Penelope was our great grandmother. From what I hear, she was funny, hardworking, and the life of the party.”
“It’s a lovely room,” Simon says, checking out the four-poster bed covered in an antique quilt. “Thank you.”
“Sleep well,” Gabby says with a wink and closes the door behind her.
I turn to Simon and sigh, happy to finally be alone with him.
“Come here,” he says quietly. I comply, walking to him and stopping just before we touch. “How do you feel?”
“Tired. Happy. Ready for a shower.”
His lips twitch as he drags a finger down my cheek. “Let’s take that shower. Then I want to curl up in that bed with you and hold you while you sleep.”
I blink at him. “No sex?”
He smiles now. “Are you disappointed?”
Yes. “It’s no big deal.” I shrug and turn away, but he catches my arm at the elbow and spins me back to face him, kissing me deeply.
“Trust me, when I’m inside you tonight, it will be a big deal.”
“Promises, promises.”
“I love your sassy side.”
“Is that all?”
He laughs and turns to the bathroom, pulling me behind him. “Come on, sassy, let’s get cleaned up so I can remind you what a big deal I am.”
Chapter Thirteen
~Simon~
“This is the best breakfast I’ve ever had,” I say the next morning. We’re seated at the breakfast bar, watching Gabby bustle about.
“Thank you,” Gabby says with a grin.
“She’s always been a good cook,” Charly says as she munches on fruit and sips her coffee. She’s fresh faced this morning, her hair brushed and up in a tail. She looks young and carefree, and because I know her, well-fucked.
It was the first time we made love without making much noise. I do prefer to have privacy so she can be uninhibited, but last night was just as much fun. We smiled and covered our moans with kisses, as if we were young and trying to hide from our parents.
Charly delights me at every turn.
“What are your plans for the day?” Gabby asks as Rhys walks in the room. He snatches a slice of bacon, shoves most of it in his mouth, then swoops his wife into his arms and bends her back into a dramatic kiss, making her laugh.
“Yuck,” Sam says, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Do you have to do that in front of people?” he asks.
“Well, I’m married to her, so I can do it whenever I please.”
“You did it before you were married to her too,” Sam points out and takes a piece of bacon. “It’s pretty gross.”
“It’s not gross,” Gabby says and passes Sam a plate of pancakes with blueberries and syrup. “Ailish is sleeping late today.”
Just then, the baby whimpers through the baby monitor.
“Oh, let me go get her!” Charly says and jumps up. “I never get to get her when she wakes up.”
“Go ahead. She’ll need a diaper change.”
“I got this.” Charly winks at me and disappears up the stairs.
“So what’s next?” Gabby asks me when Charly is out of earshot.
“Excuse me?”
“What are your plans,” she says and pulls more pastries out of the oven. “And if you say that this is just a casual thing for you, I will stab you with this knife.”
“She’ll do it,” Sam says while shoving pancake in his mouth.
Rhys leans his hips against the countertop, crosses his arms, and simply listens.
“Good morning, sweet baby girl,” Charly croons through the monitor. Ailish giggles. “Oh, aren’t you just the sweetest little thing in the world?”
“She’s adorable with the kids,” I say.
“You’re not getting out of my question.”
“Honestly, we don’t have a plan. And I’m not saying that because I think it’s casual; it’s the truth. I can tell you that I’m pursuing your sister. She’s an amazing woman, and I enjoy her very much.”
“I don’t know how I feel about that answer,” Gabby says after a moment. “But I can see that you’re nice to her, and I don’t think you would intentionally hurt her.”
“Of course not.”
“Because if you did…well, let’s just say there are plenty of places to hide a body in the swamp.” She smiles brightly, and for the first time, I think I might be truly afraid of a woman.
“Stop bullying him,” Rhys says with a laugh and kisses her on the head. “Although, it is impressive.”
“I’m tougher than I look.”
“I believe that.”
“I have some work to do out back, why don’t you come with me?” Rhys says to me and gestures for me to follow him. “Gabby’s not subtle about being protective over her siblings. Then again, none of them are. Have you met all of the brothers yet?”
“Just Declan,” I reply.
“He’s the laid-back one,” Rhys says with a grin. “I’d like to be there when you meet Eli and Beau, but I think I’ll miss it. Maybe Kate will film it for me.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Depends.” He leads me across the field to an older barn. Inside is workout equipment. “Do you love her?”
I stop cold and watch Rhys as he sits at a machine and begins lifting weights. But I don’t really see him. I see Charly. Her smile, her laugh, the way she feels when I’m inside her.
“I’m learning her,” I reply and frown when Rhys busts up laughing. “What’s so bloody funny?”
“That’s what I said about Gabby when Beau asked me the same question.” He shakes his head and stands. “I knew the minute I saw Gabby that she was the one for me. I never believed in all that love at first sight crap, but I knew that she was mine. Being away from her was torture.”
“I don’t like being away from Charly either,” I say quietly, remembering how horrible it was when I was in London after the retreat. “But it’s still early—”
“You should know by now if it’s a sex thing, or if she’s someone you can see yourself with for the long term.”
“It’s not just a sex thing.” It was never just a sex thing, I was just too bloody stubborn to admit it.
“How much longer are you in town for?”
“Only a couple more days.” And that stabs me in the heart. I don’t want to leave.
Maybe I don’t have to.
“If you break her heart, you’ll have to worry about her family. They’re as tight as they come. Did Gabby tell you that Kate is my cousin?”
“No,” I reply, surprised.
“I met Gabby through Kate. I needed a place to disappear to so I could rehab my shoulder, and Kate suggested I come here. It was the best fucking thing I ever did.”
“You are beautiful together.”
“She’s everything, man. It’s because of her that I have my kids, and they are my life.”
“You’re a lucky man.”
“I just want you to know that Charly is an amazing woman. I don’t know much about her relationship history, but then, none of her family does. She’s pretty tight-lipped. So, if she’s bringing you around, it’s because she has feelings for you.”
This is not news to me. I can see by the way she looks at me that she has feelings for me.
“They all look out for each other,” he continues. “The girls as much as the guys, and if they think something isn’t right, they’ll tell you.”
“As they should,” I reply. “I think Charly is extraordinary. She makes me feel things that I don’t think I ever have before, and I was married, Rhys. She’s special. Do I love her?”
Fuck, I don’t want to contemplate that yet.
“I don’t know. I care about her, and I want her to be happy.”
“You’re scared,” he says and holds his hands up in surrender when I glare at him. “I’m not trying to piss you off. I get it. The Boudreaux women can be scary. Good luck to you, man, if you stick around long enough to get the talk from the brothers.”
“Isn’t she a little old for that?”
He laughs. “Didn’t you hear a word I said? It doesn’t matter how old she is. She’s their sister.”
I nod.
“Are you sure you need to leave in a couple of days?”
“I’m going to make a call,” I reply, juggling things in my head. “I’d like to stay.”
“Then I think you should stay. I’ll let you make that call.” He pats me on the shoulder and leaves the barn, and I immediately dial Todd’s number.
“Hey, mate.”
“I need to stay a while longer. Let’s take a look at the schedule.”
“You got it.”
***
“Are you sure you can stay?” Charly asks as we drive through the Quarter later that afternoon. She’s grinning, but her eyes look a bit guarded, as though she’ll get her hopes up and then I’ll crush them later.
“I’m going to stay for another two weeks,” I reply and smile when she shimmies in her seat. “And I take it that’s okay with you.”
“I was sad at the thought of you leaving,” she replies softly. “But I also don’t want to be greedy or needy and ask you to stay. I know you have a business and a life that isn’t here.”
A big part of my life is here.
“If you’re needy then so am I,” I reply honestly. “I enjoy you, Charlotte. I’m not ready to be away from you, and there’s no need to be. I can continue to work remotely. I also need to write my book, and I can do that anywhere.”
“Okay. As long as you’re sure.”
“You’re stuck with me, love.”
She smiles, and then looks over my shoulder and her eyes go wide. “Oh! I want to check this place out!” She pulls over and cuts the engine. “Kate has been in this shop and loved it. The owner came in my store a few weeks ago, and she’s just the sweetest thing. Do you mind if we go in?”
“Of course not. Let’s go.”
“Beau lives above this place, and Eli and Kate live next door.”
“Do they own the block?” I ask.
“Actually, they do,” she says with a smile and leads me in the shop. It smells like…well, all kinds of things. There are frilly soaps and lotions, herbs and oils.
A petite blonde is standing behind the counter, unpacking a box. She’s wearing a flowy sundress, humming to herself. She looks up with happy blue eyes when she hears the bell above the door.
“Charly,” she says with a smile. “What a pleasant surprise.”
“Hi, Mallory,” Charly says. “I have been meaning to stop in, and we were just driving by. This is Simon.”
“Hello,” Mallory says and nods.
“Pleasure.”
“What are you in the market for?” Mallory asks and sets the box aside. There’s suddenly a loud thump from upstairs.
“What is Beau doing up there?” Charly asks with a frown. “Wait, he’s usually at work right now.”
“He’s not up there,” Mallory confirms. “It’s Miss Louisa.”
Charly stops cold. “He has a woman living with him?”
“No. Well, not a living woman, anyway. Miss Louisa has been here for about a hundred years.”
I wrap my arm around Charly’s shoulders. “So it’s haunted then,” I reply.
“Oh, yes,” Mallory says with a nod. “It’s hard to find a place around here that isn’t. This is New Orleans, after all.”
“Have you seen her?” Charly asks, looking up to the ceiling. She shivers and leans into me.
“Several times, but she doesn’t show herself often. I’m sure your family hasn’t seen her, but they may have heard her. I know Beau has because he’s constantly accusing me of making the noise.”
“What does he say when you explain that it isn’t you?”
“Charly, I’ve never met your brother in person, but he doesn’t seem like the type to believe in ghosts.”
Charly laughs beside me and shakes her head. “You’d be right. Is he giving you a hard time?”
“He’s just difficult now and then. He’s nothing I can’t handle.”
She pushes her blonde hair over her shoulder and winks, and I believe she can handle just about anything thrown at her. There’s an air about her that’s just a little…different.
“Ah, but you believe in ghosts, don’t you, Mr. Simon?”
“I’m from England, darling. Of course I do.”
She nods.
“Do you see ghosts often?” Charly asks, shivering again at the word. Mallory smiles, but her eyes are sober.
“I like you, Charly. I don’t want to scare you off with paranormal talk.”
“You won’t scare me off. I like you too,” Charly says.
“Well, I do see things quite often that can’t really be explained by science. I see Miss Louisa about once a month, and there’s plenty to see in the Quarter in general.”
“Does Miss Louisa talk to you?”
Charly shivers again.
“No, she just looks sad. I don’t ask her questions, I just smile and let her know that she’s safe here.” Mallory takes Charly’s hand and frowns suddenly. “You’re terrified, honey.”
“No, I’m not.”
“You’ve seen some things,” Mallory says, surprising me. She knows things, all right. Her eyes look like she’s seen more than she’d like to share. “You don’t have to be scared. The spirits around you are kind.”
“I have spirits around me?” Charly squeals, her eyes wide.
“We all do,” Mallory repl
ies with a chuckle. “You have problems sleeping. I have just the thing for that.”
She turns to the wall with essential oils and pulls down a small brown vial. “This is vetiver. Just put one or two drops on the soles of your feet and rub them together at bedtime. It’ll help you sleep like a baby.”
“Really?” Charly uncaps it and sniffs, then scowls. “It doesn’t smell good.”
“No, but it works. Here, take some lavender as well, and that’ll cover the smell of the vetiver.”
“How much do I owe you?” Charly asks.
“This is on me,” Mallory replies. “Those shoes you sold me are divine, and I was the talk of the wedding.”
“It’s not nice to outshine the bride,” Charly says.
“Well, then I guess the bride should have bought her shoes from you.” Mallory bags up the oils and passes them to Charly.
“I think we’re going to be good friends, Mallory.”
“I hope so,” Mallory replies. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Simon.”
I nod and guide Charly back out to her car. “Are you okay?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be okay?” Her hands shake as she starts the car.
“She spooked you.”
“I’m a grown woman who lives in the ghost story capital of the world,” she says with a roll of the eyes, but she’s not fooling me. “I’m just fine.”
“If you say so.”
***
“Did you hear that?” Charly asks that night as we lie in bed. This is the third time she’s asked me in ten minutes.
“No,” I reply and hug her close. “Go to sleep.”
“The vetiver isn’t working.”
“Because you’re too busy listening for ghosts,” I reply and kiss her forehead. “How long have you lived in this house?”
“About five years.”
“And have you ever heard anything before?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, there you go. Your imagination is working overtime. Now go to sleep.”
She settles against me, and just as I’m about to drift off, her head jerks up. “Don’t tell me you didn’t hear that.”
“Okay, that’s it.” I roll on top of her and pin her to the bed, my face buried in her neck.