If they went to Guidry’s, it wouldn’t be long before Remy or Lisa came out and stole the baby away. No. He wanted the whole experience if she was going to let him. “I would love to take you to dinner. You and Luc. But I want to go somewhere else. Someplace your family doesn’t own and my cousin doesn’t frequent. He’s getting back into Papillon this evening and he’ll head straight for the bar.”
“Agreed,” she said. “Because you know my brother or sister-in-law will whisk Luc away, and I think it would be good for the two of you to get to know each other. If you want to. He’s still a pretty messy eater.”
That’s what he wanted to hear. “I can handle it.”
“And maybe if you want to, you could stay the night at my place. I know it seems weird because my mom is—”
“I would love that,” he said before she could talk herself out of it. He seriously doubted Delphine would have a problem with it because she’d already started to treat him like free labor. Maybe not free exactly, but her incredibly delicious bacon and grits came with the price of unclogging sinks and making sure the back porch door didn’t squeak. “How about I stop by Beaumont House to get Shep and an overnight bag and I’ll pick you and Luc up in half an hour.”
She stepped back and looked almost shy. “I think you’ll like Luc.”
He needed to make something plain to her. “I already like Luc. I’m thrilled to get to spend some real time with him. I know you think you need to wait six months to see if this is serious, but I promise you, it’s serious. I’m serious about you and that means I’m serious about him, too.”
“A lot of men are hesitant to take on a kid.”
“I’m not a lot of men.” He knew what he wanted and it was her.
“I’m starting to believe that.” She went on her toes and brushed a kiss along his lips. “And I’m starting to believe this can work between us. Your aunt doesn’t hate me.”
He had a lot to thank his aunt for. “I don’t see how anyone can hate you.”
“I know at least one person who did at the end.” She stepped back. “I’ll see you in a little while. And you should expect to tell me how good I look in my new dress. And modest. Apparently modesty is very important to your family.”
She turned and walked back toward the door, those papers in her hand.
Harry watched her, a smile on his face because everything he wanted was so close. All he had to do was reach out and grab it.* * ****
“Welcome home, Mrs. Beaumont.” Annemarie held open the door as Celeste walked through.
It was good to be home. It was nice to have her housekeeper smile at her for once. Servants should be serious. That’s what Ralph had always said.
Ralph had been . . . what would Sera have called him? No. She should find her own words. Wasn’t that what being her age was about? She’d paid her dues and now she could be who she wanted to be. Ralph had been an ass.
“Thank you, Annemarie.” She took a deep breath, letting the heavenly scent of something roasting wash over her. “What is Cook making for dinner? Because it smells delicious.”
Servants also weren’t supposed to be praised. She’d spent the hours driving back from New Orleans contemplating the day and much of her life, as she’d been inclined to do for the last several months. She was sure her mother-in-law would tell her that thinking was a waste of time. Of course, her mother-in-law wouldn’t have spent a good portion of the afternoon with a woman like Seraphina Guidry.
Like so many other things, she would have been wrong. She should have done this years ago, when it was obvious Wes was infatuated with the girl. She still didn’t believe Sera would have been right for Wes, but she might do well for Harry. The young woman had some rough edges, but nothing that time and patience wouldn’t smooth out. It was obvious she was crazy about Harry and not at all eager to try to fit into the Beaumont family for any other reason than she wanted to please her boyfriend. It would have been far smarter for Sera to have gone out of her way to please Celeste.
She had not. It had been refreshing. Sera had a quick wit and didn’t mind stating her opinion once she’d relaxed a bit and realized no one was going to murder her. Celeste could have sworn the young lady asked if there was tarp around. She’d been charming, and the truth was she’d reminded Celeste a lot of her sister.