Chapter 11

 

 

“Hey, Rockin’ Good Times? Like that name.”

LaMar, wearing designer casual clothes, sat across from Rae in the dance hall, sipping root beer. They had agreed to meet there so that Rae could continue her preparations for the opening. Garret Collins, the bartender she had hired, was busy stocking the bar and kitchen. He had been friends with Andrew since the first grade. Rae took a break and let him deal with the delivery men who were arriving.

“Daddy said any time there was a party or picnic, my grandfather used to say ‘Come on, we gonna have us a rockin’ good time.’” Rae smiled at the memory.

“Well, I’ll be here. So will my pals from New Orleans.” LaMar snapped his fingers in time to the music coming from a jukebox.

“Hope we have a nice crowd,” Rae said.

“Don’t worry. It’s going to be a hit.” LaMar took a swig of his root beer.

Rae looked around. She was very pleased with the work done on the interior. Driftwood, treated and finished by a local folk artist, hung on the walls and there were cypress wood shelves with pecan-shell figurines in one corner. The walls were decorated with posters from the fifties and sixties, advertising blues and Zydeco artists.

“Cross your fingers nothing goes wrong.” Rae frowned. The encounter with Toya three days earlier had left a bad taste in her mouth.

“You having problems with the locals?” LaMar asked. “Savannah filled me in on some recent history. Toya Jove is a mean piece of work.”

“We do seem to keep getting in each other’s way.” Rae mused on the irony that she should come to love Toya’s ex-husband.

“The Jove family is quite interesting. Henry Jove’s great-great grandfather, Harbin, was brought to this parish as a slave. He’d been sold right off the docks in New Orleans, not three days after arriving from Santo Domingo. Seems he earned favor by curing his master’s only son of a deadly fever.”

“Hard to think of any Jove being selfless,” Rae snorted.

“In gratitude, Jean-Luc Bienville set him free and gave him a large tract of land. That’s how they got to be an old-money family.” LaMar leaned forward. “They’ve got a long history of being devious, even ruthless.”

“No!” Rae’s eyes opened wide in mock amazement. “I never would have guessed.”

“There are some old accounts that say Harbin made the boy sick and then cured him, so he could be rewarded. You know how male heirs were prized back then.”

“Now that sounds more like it. How in the world did you find out all this?” Rae stared at him in open admiration.

“The Joves donated some old family papers to the Armistad Museum in New Orleans. I have a passion for researching family history, and your Tante Ina gave me a lot of juicy stuff.” LaMar grinned.

“So the Joves will do anything to get what they want? Well, Toya came by being ruthless honest.”

“Let’s fast forward. Estelle Fazandes was not just pretty, she was gorgeous. She met Henry in college. He fell hard and they got married about a month after they graduated. And they would have lived happily ever after, except–”

“Estelle liked variety when it came to men,” Rae put in.

“Right. Henry was so nuts about her that he blamed it on the men. He got into a few fistfights from what I understand.”

“Pawpaw Vincent was one of those men. The papers I found prove that.” Rae wore a frown of dismay. She stopped when Simon came in.

“Simon St. Cyr, meet LaMar Zeno, ace private eye.” Rae winked at LaMar. “He found out all kinds of neat stuff. Though I don’t know how it’s going to help us find Pawpaw.”

Simon came in and shook LaMar’s hand. . “How are you? I might have something. I talked to my grandfather and he told me a few things,”

“Fantastic! That’s the next best thing to me being able to interview one of the principles in this drama.” LaMar looked eager. “Tell us everything.”

As Simon ran through his grandfather’s account of the events, Rae and LaMar sat listening without interrupting.

“Too bad he can’t remember the name of that ship,” Rae said.

LaMar wrote the names down on a small notepad. “I can track it down. When I get some leads, I’ll let you run them by Mr. St. Cyr. He might recognize one.”

Simon nodded and they shook hands again. . “Good idea. Just give me a call.”

LaMar put on his sunglasses. “Well, I gotta go. I’ll see you this weekend. It’s going to be a blast, babe. Don’t worry.” He strolled out, waving to Garret as he left.

Simon went to the bar and then came back with a can of soda. “Your cousin was right. LaMar is good at what he does.”

Rae tapped on the table. “Yeah.”

Simon grabbed her hand to stop her nervous movement. “Okay, tell me what’s bothering you.”

“I’m getting a funny feeling about all this.” Rae looked at him. “I don’t want you to have problems because of me, Simon.”

“Forget that. I can take care of myself.” He put an arm around the back of her chair. “Don’t let Toya tell you different.”

“How did you know?”

“This is Belle Rose, remember? Miss Essie was downtown to see Doctor Picard. She saw you talking and could tell you weren’t having a friendly chat. She told Mrs. Broussard who has coffee with the second cousin of my grandmother’s best friend, who told–”

“I get the picture.” Rae grinned at him. Still she wondered if their affair had moved too fast. She grew serious again. “Maybe we should take things slower.”

Simon studied her for a few seconds. “Are you having doubts because of family conflicts or because you’re not sure your feelings for me are real?”

Rae touched his face. “My feelings for you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Then you doubt me?” Simon took her face in his hands and kissed her.

“Reputation is important to your family.”

“I don’t care if your grandfather had a harem, fifty kids and made his living swindling half the country. I love you.”

Rae looked into his deep brown eyes. All her misgivings were gone in an instant. “Be careful, Simon St. Cyr. With sweet talk like that you just might have me on your hands for a long time.”

“That’s the idea.” Simon kissed her again. “Now give me the grand tour.”

They walked through the dance hall, looking at all the renovations. As an added attraction, Rae had had a porch built along one side, facing the bayou where several tables would be set out. Old-fashioned rocking chairs were placed at one end, so patrons could relax outside with their drinks. They were standing there when Marcelle and her husband arrived.

“Hey, cher. You got this place lookin’ good.” Freddie kissed Rae and shook hands with Simon.

“Gee, Freddie, haven’t seen much of you. You’re always at work,” Rae said. She gave his beefy arm a playful swat. “Marcelle’s got you trained right.”

“Humph, keepin’ all them mouths fed is a job, but they worth it.” Freddie stuck his chest out with pride.

“Besides, I’m going to work part-time for Mr. Thibaut, bookkeeping,” Marcelle added. “Between the two of us, we’ll feed, clothe and educate those little darlins.” She hugged her husband’s arm.

“And you’re going to help me, too. Bookkeeping is not one of my skills.” Rae shook her head.

“You’ve got so many other assets, no one will notice.” Simon seemed to forget they were not alone.

Marcelle nudged Freddie. “Child, you two make a nice couple. Don’t they, Freddie?”

“Got this town buzzin’. They say… Ow! What’d you do that for?” Freddie rubbed his side where his wife’s nudge had turned into a jab.

“Just hush,” Marcelle shot back.

“Quit beating up on your husband, Marcelle. We know we’re a favorite topic of conversation around town these days.” Rae chuckled.

“And we don’t care,” Simon said, with a pointed look at Rae. “What ‘they’ say is not important.”

Marcelle gave a curt nod. “You right about that. A bunch of gossipin’ people with nothin’ better to do.”

Freddie wore a look of injured pride. “What I was gonna say before Marcelle punched me was that lots of folks are downright thrilled Rockin’ Good Times is about to open.”

Rae was surprised. “Really?”

“Yeah, they’re sayin’ this is sure to help black folks around here. Mr. Hilton is going to open up a snowball and po-boy stand on his property. Things are happenin’ in this town.” Freddie shrugged. “A couple of guys I work with are thinkin’ of some part-time businesses they can run for the tourists.”

Simon put an arm around Rae’s shoulders. “See. What happened years ago will be quickly forgotten.”

“Oh yeah,” Freddie agreed. “When money flows, a lot can be forgiven.”

“Freddie!” Marcelle tried to look stern at his candid assessment.

Rae grinned at them. “Freddie is right. Pawpaw Vince might have a statue in the middle of town if the money is right.” Rae laughed out loud and the others soon joined in.

For the next few days, the pace of work became frantic as opening day approached. Rae grew more anxious as each passing hour brought her closer to what she came to consider as the ‘big showdown.’ She sat up late into the night, trying to think of all the things that could go wrong, and she made a list of contingency plans.

The dance hall would open Friday evening. Dinner would be served in one section and the lounge would be open. On the Thursday night, Rae walked through the dance hall for the fifth time to make sure everything was the way she wanted it to be.

“We all set up, cher,” Garrett said, leaning against the bar. “Plenty to drink, kitchen is perfect, and Sarah and Jack will be here at two o’clock sharp to start gettin’ ready for dinner.”

Jackson Leblanc and his wife would work in the restaurant with two part-time wait staff. Rae had been able to hire two local kids who were seniors in high school. Both came from poor families and needed the extra money to further their educations.

“Sounds good,” Rae called back from the other side of the lounge. She checked the tables to make sure each one was neat.

“Rae, it’s going to be fine,” Garrett replied. The older man had a calm manner that made him seem like a kindly uncle.

Rae smiled at him. “Garrett, you and Jackson have been great these last few weeks. You saved me from making some big mistakes.”

“Shoot, that ain’t nothin’,” Garrett said in his easy drawl. “Glad to do it. We’re gonna have this place on every tourist guide before next summer. Watch what I’m sayin’.” He winked at her, before walking off.

“I hope you’re right.”

Rae looked at her watch: eight-thirty. She wondered if she should call the band, LazyDaze, to confirm they would be there on Saturday night for her first big dance. Her stomach fluttered at the thought. This is it, girlfriend. Make or break time.

Rae had placed ads in the student newspapers at Southern and Southwestern Universities, and LSU. She figured that college students could make up a big part of her weekend business if she offered the right entertainment. With large multi-national companies having offices located along the petrochemical corridor, she hoped the restaurant would get a booming lunch trade eventually. The next few weeks would tell the tale. But this weekend would be a critical first step.

“Maybe we should go over the lighting once more.” Rae, who was full of nervous energy, headed toward the raised stage area where the performers would be positioned.

Garrett had started back through the double door leading to the restaurant. He turned around. “Rae, it’s all perfect. I gotta go. Cheré is keepin’ supper warm.”

“You go on. I can do it.” Rae’s attention was on the microphones.

“You oughta go home. Don’t stay out here by yourself. It’s dark and you’re over a mile from the gas station, or Mr. Norvelle’s house on the other side.”

“I’ll be fine once I lock the door. The floodlights are on. Now go on before Cheré calls here, fussing.” Rae crossed the room. She followed him to make sure all of the outer doors were locked.

Garrett paused at the front door. “Maybe I should stay.” He frowned into the growing darkness that crowded just beyond the light from the powerful lamps outside. “Cheré won’t mind if I call and let her know.”

Rae pushed him out the door. “Will you go home? I promise to leave within the next thirty minutes. Look, my car is right near the door. Okay?” She pointed to her Honda Civic.

“I’m gonna call back here, too.” Garrett shook a finger in her face.

“Wonderful. Now goodnight.” Rae waved him on his way. She watched his red pick-up pull off, its taillights fading down the highway.

Rae sighed with relief. The truth was she wanted to be alone in the dance hall. As she walked around it, the enormity of what she’d accomplished hit her. For weeks she had put one foot in front of the other, not stopping to think about the difficulty of her task. Rae had been afraid that facing it all would have paralyzed her into a despair that she could not do it. Instead, she’d taken this journey one step at a time.

She touched the smooth wood of the chairs. The whole place smelled new, of polish and lemons. Rae had even managed to salvage a few of the items that had been in the attic at home, such as some old kerosene lamps and colorful tins from Monmon Marie’s grandmother. Lucien had used a few to decorate the dance hall years before.

“We did it, Daddy,” she said aloud. She turned in a circle. “I hope this is just the beginning.”

A peaceful feeling came over her… Was that a soft chuckle? Rae stood listening. She could have sworn it sounded like... No, she was just tired. “Now I know it’s time to go home.” She rubbed her eyes.

Rae turned off the lights in the dining room, headed into the lounge and collected her keys from the small office. A whispering sound made her pause as she neared the front door. The thought that she should not leave just yet popped into her head for some strange reason.

A loud thud to her right made her heart pound. Someone is outside. Rae heard footsteps treading softly on the wooden porch, clearly in an effort to be quiet. Suddenly, she could distinguish an occasional creaking sound separate from the other night noises.

Rae eased over to the nearest window and looked out. Nothing. She could hear scratching sounds, like clawing on the outside walls. She jumped back, hoping that whoever it was had not seen her. If they broke the glass and crawled inside, could she make it to the phone across the room in time? The scratching sounds grew louder.

Terror made her freeze with indecision for an instant. Then fear gave way to fury. How dare they! Rae looked around for something to use as a weapon. She ran to the bar and pulled out an ice pick. A knock on the front door boomed through the building. She crouched down.

“Rae, open up. It’s me,” Simon called out.

Rae crossed the floor on shaky legs. “Oh, Simon.” She flung the door ajar and hugged his neck.

“Hmm-umm.” Simon buried his face in her hair. “I missed you, too. Hey, you’re shaking like a leaf. What happened?” His grip tightened.

Rae recovered and gave his arm a swat. “You scared the life out of me, walking around like that on the porch. You almost got this up your nose, buddy.” She showed him the ice pick.

Simon went rigid. “I wasn’t on the porch. Stay here.” He pushed her inside.

“No! Simon don’t–”

“It’s okay. I’ll be right back.” He pulled the door closed between them.

Rae yanked it open again. “Simon, come back,” she whispered and then stamped a foot in frustration. He was gone.

She strained to hear any sound through the chirping of crickets and cicadas. Minutes dragged by like hours. A long shadow was thrown onto the cypress wood to her right. Rae began to back up, holding the sharp tool high above her head. When Simon appeared, she took a deep breath.

He put both hands on his hips. “Didn’t I tell you to get inside?”

“And leave you out here with some crook? No way! I was going to jab anybody that laid a hand on you.”

Simon took the ice pick from her. “Thanks, Wonder Woman. Next time, be sensible and call the sheriff,” he teased.

“You could’ve been in big trouble while I was doing that. Not to mention it would take them at least twenty minutes to get here.” Rae brushed dust from her hands.

Simon tried to reassure her. “It was probably some teenage burglar, who got scared off when he realized you were inside. I’ll call Sheriff Thibodeaux to take a look around.”

Rae put a hand on his arm. “Why call him if it’s nothing?”

“He could have a deputy patrol this way if he knows you’re having prowlers all ready.” Simon wasn’t looking at her.

Rae’s fear spiked up again. “Tell me what you saw.”

“There are footprints in the fresh dirt around the flower beds and... someone spray-painted a curse word on one wall.” Simon struck the bar with his fist. “I just wish I could have gotten my hands on the punk.”

“I’m glad he was gone.” Rae wrapped both arms around him.

Simon called the sheriff’s office. As Rae predicted, it took over twenty minutes for a deputy to arrive. After looking around, Deputy Wilson came back inside and accepted a cold soft drink.

“Tell ya what, ain’t much we can do except keep an eye on the place. Nothin’ been stolen. Just be careful out here alone at night, ma’am.” Deputy Wilson swabbed at his smooth, dark brown face with a large handkerchief.

“I’ve all ready told her she shouldn’t work late by herself,” Simon said.

Both men looked at Rae with stern disapproval.

“I get the message,” Rae grumbled. She did not like being treated like a naughty girl. I oughta be able work late in my own business.” Still, she knew they were right.

“Goodnight y’all. I’ll make sure to put this place on our stops for this part of the parish. Best I can do. Of course, we do monitor security systems at the station for a fee.”

“An alarm system hooked to the station? Sounds like a great idea. We’ll do it.” Simon shook his hand.

“Simon, we have to talk.” Rae was getting irritated with him for being so high-handed. Besides, she was on a tight budget.

“I know a guy that has a security company. I’ll call him in the morning,” Simon said to Deputy Wilson.

“Good deal. Now, since y’all sure the place is locked tight, why don’t you follow me out?”

Deputy Wilson waited patiently for them. He gave Simon a final wave as he passed them on the highway to continue his night patrol.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Later, at Rae’s house, Simon sat tense on the sofa. She thought he still seemed on edge.

“I’ll call Matt in the morning. He can have that system installed in no time.” Simon gazed around the house. “Put one in here, too.”

“Let me think about it.” Rae went to the kitchen to fix some coffee, with Simon close on her heels.

“I want you to have as much protection as possible.” He sat at the small table. “Matt will work fast when I tell him it’s urgent.”

“I don’t know. I think once the dance hall is open, we won’t have a problem. There will be people there a lot.” Rae tried to sound confident.

“Not around the clock. No, Rae. The alarm is the best solution.” Simon crossed his arms.

“That’s a business decision that I have to make,” Rae snapped. “It’s my dance hall after all.” Her hand holding the coffee pot was shaking. She put it down fast.

Simon got up. “Come here, baby.” He pulled her into a warm embrace. “You don’t have to put on a tough act for me. I’ll pay for the alarms and the monitoring fee.”

She shook her head. “No, I’ve got to do this myself.”

“Rae, don’t shut me out. Let me take care of getting the alarms,” Simon insisted.

She pushed away from him gently. “You’re sweet to want to help me, Simon. But I can’t let you do it.”

He looked disappointed. “You won’t change your mind; I can see it on our face.”

“Let me think about it some more. And if I decide to get the system, I’ll pay for it.” Rae spoke in a firm voice. “In the meantime, the sheriff will increase patrols and we’ve got floodlights.”

Simon was not about to give up. “I’ll bring you some of Matt’s brochures.”

Rae sighed. “Okay. Seems not everyone is thrilled with me.” The thought of someone waiting in the dark to strike at her sent a chill up her spine.

“Thank goodness I decided to come out there tonight when you didn’t answer at home.” Simon hugged her tight again.

Rae snuggled against his chest. “My hero.”

“Not so great a hero. I didn’t catch the bad guy.” Simon lifted her face to look into her eyes. “If he’d hurt you...”

“Nothing happened, sugar. Like you said, it was probably some kid that got scared and ran.”

“Even kids carry weapons these days. I’ll bring those brochures tomorrow. And I’ll check the locks on your doors here. They look pretty old. At least let me replace them.” Simon looked around the kitchen with a critical eye.

“Fine.” Rae smiled at him in an effort to smooth the worry from his face. “Now let’s relax.”

At his urging, Rae got out her guitar. She sang a medley of ballads, both blues and Zydeco. Then they listened to some soft music as they talked. With the windows open, they enjoyed the humid air that stirred the curtains. Even at this distance they could smell the bayou, crushed wet grass and water.

Now Rae felt comforted rather than threatened by the darkness. Despite her show of strength, she was grateful to have Simon hold her through the night.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Memorial Day was a smash hit at Rockin’ Good Times. The crowds were thick, even when the doors opened at noon for lunch. College kids mixed in with retired folks from the area, the upwardly mobile out for fun, and tourists. There was laughter inside and out. Picnic tables were set up under the shade of oak and sycamore trees on the property behind the dance hall.

Jamal took a long drink of his beer. “This place looks fantastic.” He bounced to the beat of rhythm and blues music flowing into the lounge.

Jamal and Wes had brought the band to town for the weekend celebration. It had been Wes’s idea to book the renowned blues artist, Kenny Neal. In a few hours, they would have a jam session with him that was sure to delight the crowd. Until then, the guys were enjoying hanging out.

“Say, is that fine lady going to be here?” Wes craned his neck to scan the crowded room.

“You were in town maybe two days and found a woman?” Rae laughed. “Haven’t learned your lesson yet?”

“Yeah, but she was special. I’m talking about that graceful Nubian queen you were talking to that day – the one with a walk that lit fires as she passed.” Wes closed his eyes.

Simon joined them in time to hear his description. “One of our lovely ladies has captured your heart, eh?”

Rae gave a snort. “With Wes, what she’s captured is a bit lower.”

“Tell me her name. She was magnificent; her beauty outshone the sun. You know, Rae, you talked to her downtown right before we left. I hope she comes tonight.” Wes looked around again.

“Toya? Please! She’d rather jump in a pit of snakes than come here,” Rae said. Then a wicked gleam lit her eyes. “Of course, it would be nice to rub my success in her face.”

“Rae, be nice. Toya probably won’t be here. But then she’s into jazz.” Simon added to Wes.

“Humph, Toya won’t be here because she’s a stuck-up–”

“Stop! You’re talking about the woman I love. I won’t hear her insulted.”

“Come on, man. You’re tripping. Let’s go get some of that great food,” said Jamal.

He pulled Wes over to the table where Sarah had set up free hors d’oeuvres for the patrons. Hot wings and tiny barbecue sausages were piled high.

Once they were gone, Simon turned to Rae. “Toya is not so bad, Rae. Really,” he said the look she gave him. I’ve known her all my life.”

Rae thought of the arrogant walk that Toya had mastered, even as a small girl. “If she was so wonderful, why aren’t you still married to her?”

“Just because our marriage was a mistake–”

“A disaster, from what I heard,” Rae snorted.

Simon squinted at her. “We both made mistakes. Gossip is rarely accurate. Something you should know.”

“Point taken. But I know first-hand what a witch she can be, so there.” Rae dared him to refute her personal experiences.

“Haven’t we talked about the injustice of holding the past against people?” Simon raised an eyebrow at her.

“Yeah, but....” Rae squirmed under his scrutiny. “Okay, I’ll be good. If she shows up, I’ll greet her with open arms.”

“Sure you will.”

“Hey, if Toya walks in, she’ll be overwhelmed by the hospitality.” Rae batted her eyelashes at him.

Simon’s lip lifted at one corner. “Really?”

“You betcha,” Rae tossed back. She leaned against the bar.

“Well, now is your chance.” Simon jerked a thumb towards the door. “Do your stuff.”

Rae’s mouth dropped at the sight of Toya strolling in on the arm of a handsome man. Darcy followed them in a few seconds later. “I don’t believe it.”

“Excuse me, Miss Hospitality, time is a-wastin’. Get over there and let your little light shine.” Simon put a hand over his mouth to hide his wide grin.

“Hello there.” Darcy walked right up to Rae and kissed her firmly on the cheek. “Congratulations. This place is fabulous, babe. Hi, Simon,” he added as an afterthought, without taking his eyes off Rae.

“Yes, it is very... unique.” Toya swept a hand around in the air, regally. “Of course, beer and boiled crawfish go over big with most people around here.” She sniffed, as though the offending smell of both hung heavy.

“Right, I love good food, good drink and jammin’ tunes. This place is hot.” Toya’s date said. He obviously didn’t share her view. He moved to the beat of a pop tune. Turning around, he cast an appreciative eye at a group of college girls in shorts and T-shirts.

“Colin, grow up,” Toya snapped.

He did not hear her. “Love that music. Hey, you forgot to introduce us. I’m Colin Dexter.” He nodded to Rae and Simon.

Toya lifted chin. “Colin Dexter, the Third, of the Dexters of Lafayette. Dexter Industries.”

Simon smiled at him. “Nice seeing you, Colin. How long has it been, man?”

“Last summer you beat me at the fishing rodeo. I’ll get you this time, brother.” Colin pointed a finger at him.

Simon laughed. “In your dreams.”

“You know each other?” Toya wore a look of chagrin.

“For a long time,” Colin put in before Simon could answer. “Best contractor in South Louisiana, black or white.”

The good-humored man slapped Simon on the back. “Thanks man.”

“Say, I was worried you would be mad about me dating Toya,” Colin said in a low voice to Simon. However, his comments were still audible to both women. Colin glanced at Rae. “But I guess not.”

“Let’s go.” Toya jerked him away.

“All right.” Colin, still having a good time, was not in the least disturbed by her behavior. “See you around, Simon. Nice meeting you, pretty woman,” he called back.

Toya’s mouth was turned down in a sour expression when she looked back at a grinning Rae. She whipped her head back around and stomped off.

“That went well,” Rae quipped. She could not suppress the cat-like smile of satisfaction spread on her face.

Simon gazed at her. “Now that you’re a hit, you can afford to be generous. Toya is not a happy person.”

“Oh my, and seeing my success makes it worse. I’m so sad about that.” Rae wore a fake forlorn expression.

Simon looked at his ex-wife. “Toya hasn’t had the perfect life she likes to pretend.”

Rae did not like his tone. “Why are you always making excuses for her? Anyone would think there was still something between you. Maybe her wish for reconciliation isn’t so one-sided?” She faced him.

“Now that is a paranoid delusion, sweetness. I may have sympathy for Toya, but our divorce is a happy one in my opinion.” Simon covered her mouth with his, brushing his tongue along her lips. Cat calls and whistles came from those nearby.

“Cut that out,” Rae said. She put up a half-hearted struggle to break free.

Simon held onto her in a solid grip. “I crave you day and night. You’re in my heart, mind and body. Any more questions?”

“That covers it,” Rae whispered. She shook herself from the clutches of a romantic haze that was fast taking over. “I’ve got to get back to work. It’s going to be a long day.”

“I’ll be with you until the end.” Simon winked at her.

The weather was perfect; sunny with a slight breeze blowing off the bayou. Just as Rae and Garrett had expected, the customers enjoyed the choice between indoor and outdoor festivities. Andrew was having a great time playing host, so Rae could mingle with what she hoped would be a substantial repeat crowd.

As Jamal brought a fast-paced song to an end with a flourish of his bass guitar, the crowd applauded and yelled in appreciation.

“Y’all look like you’re having a fine time. I’d say our hostess is doing a real good job of making everybody happy. Let’s hear it for Rae!” Wes said into the microphone. A loud drum roll ended in the clash of cymbals.

“There you go!” Marcelle yelled out, grinning.

Numerous voices echoed their approval.

“Now, Rae’s been playing the role of businesswoman well, but we know something she plays even better. Don’t y’all wanna hear one of the best blues musicians around?” Wes waved his arms to whip up enthusiasm and was rewarded with loud shouts.

“Come on up here!” Wes beckoned.

“No, I’ve got other things to do,” Rae protested, even as Simon and Marcelle propelled her towards the stage. Her mother and brothers only laughed when she begged to be rescued.

“Come on now, play my song, so I can show these kids how to really party,” Tante Ina shouted. She and Uncle David did a two-step and then she turned to Rae. “You know what I wanna hear.”

Urged on by the crowd, Rae gave in. “This is one special love song, just for my sweet Tante Ina and Uncle David. And for everyone who has been lucky enough to find a one-of-a-kind love.” She looked at Simon who was standing near the stage. He wore a secret smile with a message that went straight to her heart.

The crowd became quiet. Rae thrummed the electric guitar. She brought cheers from the crowd when she launched into her version of the Fats Domino hit, ‘Ain’t That a Shame.’ She and Jamal sang a duo, taking turns to sing lead. Couples paired up to dance.

Rockin’ Good Times had opened with a bang. The day went on without any major problems. When the bands took a break, the jukebox provided background music. The employees pitched in and took turns to rest for short periods.

Rae had tears in her eyes from time to time, thinking of how wonderful the entire weekend had been. If only Lucien could see it. She was sat on the edge of the porch, enjoying the late evening shade after a hectic day, when her mother sat next to her.

“Things been just beautiful today, cher.” Aletha hugged her shoulders. “Andrew say it’s been jumpin’ since you opened Friday night.”

“Yeah, Mama, I never expected it, to tell you the truth.” Rae gazed around. “I thought folks would stay away. But look at this crowd.” There was awe in her voice.

“You did some hard work gettin’ publicity, darlin’. This ain’t no accident. Besides, down here we’re always lookin’ for an excuse to party.” Aletha laughed.

“This is a dream come true, Mama.” Rae leaned against her. “Lucien’s dream…”

“You’ve done your daddy’s memory proud,” Aletha said in a soft voice.

“You think I made up for all those times I said bad things to him,” Rae whispered. She sounded like a little girl. “When we talked last year, he claimed he didn’t even remember half of what I’d said. But I...” Her voice broke.

“You ain’t never had to apologize to Lucien, Raenette. There wasn’t nothin’ you coulda said or done that would stop him from lovin’ you. Nothin’.” Aletha dabbed at Rae’s eyes with a cocktail napkin. “Shucks, he used to tell jokes about his saucy baby girl.”

“Oh come on.” Rae sniffed a few times.

“I’m not lyin’. His favorite story was that time you snuck out to the dance down at Bayou Boogie. Remember?”

“Do I? Daddy stormed into the high-school gym and embarrassed me something terrible.” Rae laughed out loud at the memory of how furious she was at the time.

“Yeah, and your so-called boyfriend tried to hide out in the restroom. Lord, have mercy.” Aletha slapped her thigh.

“Poor Keith. He was scared out of his mind that my crazy daddy and older brothers were going to kill him.” Rae sat up straight. “Thank you, Mama. You always know just what I need.”

“That’s what Mama is here for, cher. Don’t care how old you get.” Aletha kissed her forehead. “Now go find that good-lookin’ man and dance.”

Rae kissed her cheek and went in search of Simon. She found him chatting with Andrew and Baylor near the bar.

“May I have this dance?” she asked.

“I thought you’d never ask,” Simon replied with a gleam in his brown eyes. He led her onto the dance floor.

“This is one heckuva party. Congratulations, baby,” Simon murmured close to her ear.

“It’s all so fantastic. I’m scared it’s too good to last.” Rae looked up at him.

“Every business has bumps along the way. Some are little and some big. Just be ready for them.”

“No, I mean for most of my life nothing good like this ever seemed to happen for my family. Or if it did then something bad took it all away.” Rae glanced around with a tinge of anxiety.

“You sound a bit superstitious. Not at all like the tough lady I know.”

“Sometimes it seemed my family was cursed. Even my uncles and aunts used to say so.”

“Don’t let old memories spoil a fabulous new day.” Simon put a finger under her chin. “You’re a smash hit, a talented musician and one heck of a kisser. A renaissance woman.”

Rae let herself get lost in his brown eyes, sparkling with the reflected lights strung around the walls of the dance hall. “You’re right. Now I have it all.” She rested her head against his solid chest.

Across the dance floor, Toya was watching with and Marius, who had recently arrived with a tall, stunning college student. Darcy was sitting at a table with several old friends, but his gaze was on Simon and Rae.

“Look at her, clawing at Simon like a cat in heat,” Toya said in a voice hard with animosity. “Slut.”

“At this rate, she’ll be an economic force in no time.” Marius gestured with the drink in his hand. “This place is almost as good as striking oil. With the college kids and tourists, she’ll be a wealthy woman within three years.”

“Not if I can help it.” Toya faced him. “You’ve got a stake in this, too.”

“Unlike you and Darcy, hormones don’t drive my business actions. But you’re right. We need her land.” Marius looked relaxed. “Don’t worry. Soon Ms. Dalcour will be glad to sell.”

“Why? She won’t need the money.” Toya tapped a long fingernail on the side of her glass of daiquiri.

“She will.” Marius wore a nasty grin. “Trust me, she will.”