The Best Laid Plans (Brothers of the Bayou) Read online

  The Best Laid Plans

  Brothers of the Bayou: Book One

  Renee Peterson

  Copyright © 2013 Renee Peterson

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to real people, living or dead are purely coincidental. All characters and events in this work are figments of the author’s imagination.

  For Rebecca-

  As I wrote the final chapters of this book, you wrote the final chapter of your life. How I wish life was as simple as going back and rewriting the ending. You will be forever remembered in our hearts for the good that you were and the laughter you brought.

  For Dayona-

  Your enthusiasm, encouragement and excitement to read the next chapter are what kept this book going and brought the characters to life. Here is to the greatest “moment” yet.

  For my husband-

  For never once complaining about the dishes left in the sink or the unfolded laundry as I spent many hours pouring my heart into this book. You’re the best!

  Chapter 1:

  Southern Louisiana humidity dripped off Beaux Chauvin as he fought to regain control of his emotions. He had long since shed his t-shirt, eager to rid himself of the excess weight and misery it brought in its sweat drenched state. Last night’s storm had knocked down the pecan tree in his back yard; the tree Daniella had insisted was the reason they buy this house. Now the tree was gone and so was Daniella, who really, had never even arrived. He swung his arms back, feeling his muscles burn as he took out his fury on the fallen tree. She had some nerve showing up at Robineaux’s last night dangling on the arm of her new husband. For someone who decided she had no use for some bayou Cajun boy, it hadn’t taken her long to return and flaunt her new Mr. Moneybags. A friend had told him Daniella’s husband was a loaded New Englander who had some oil interests here, but Beaux had cut him off before he could say another word. He didn’t want to know about the husband, nor did he care.

  Damn it that was a lie. He cared more than he would ever admit to anyone. What could Mr. Moneybags possibly offer Daniella that Beaux couldn’t besides wealth? Was money really all that mattered to her? For sure that was the only advantage he had over Beaux. Last night he had stood in a dark corner so he could assess Mr. Moneybags without bringing attention to himself. The man’s entire aura screamed wimp. Beaux was willing to bet he had never done a full day’s manual labor in his life and his thin wiry frame hidden beneath the suit was testament to a lack of muscle. His tanned skin has a yellowish orange hue that screamed cheap spray tan. What the hell kind of real man has a fake tan he had thought to himself. Not from arrogance, but from sheer observation Beaux knew he beat him in the looks department. Probably in other physical departments as well, but he didn’t want to acknowledge that Daniella would know that part of Moneybags.

  With his lazy southern drawl mixed with the accent of his Cajun heritage, lesser people sometimes thought he was dumb, but Beaux was intelligent; a full scholarship to LSU was evidence of that. He had graduated with honors and was making a decent salary now, especially once he accepted the offshore job when Daniella had left. There was nothing to keep him home in an empty house that was meant for them to share and grow as a family in. He wasn’t rich by any means, but he made a comfortable living. No matter what though, this land with its bayous, Spanish moss draped live oaks and rich history ran through his blood. His family had made their home here for centuries now and he couldn’t see himself leaving. He always thought Daniella had the same idea, but the blindfold was ripped cruelly from his eyes two years ago when she told him he would never be good enough for her.

  Beaux hadn’t dated anyone since that night. His heart and ego had been slashed to pieces and any form of attachment wasn’t what he wanted. Unfortunately for him casual sex also wasn’t his thing. With two years of pent up sexual frustrations and the anger coursing through him, the tree was chopped in record time. He stacked the wood in even piles and went inside to clean up. Despite the draining heat and humidity outside, the steaming hot shower was pure heaven for his worked muscles and the tension headache he had been fighting since leaving Robineaux’s last night. He stood under the fountain of heat as it beat against his naked body, relishing the feel of its contact until the water turned cold. Stepping out of the tub he wrapped a towel around his waist and went to make a late breakfast. A beep from his phone alerted him to a message. Shit, he thought as he read the text. How could he forget his promise to Justin? Maybe it wasn’t too late to back out. Justin would understand, especially considering the shock of seeing Daniella last night.

  Why did he have to entertain Sara’s cousin from South Carolina anyway? When Justin had first asked, Beaux was adamant against it. “I don’t date,” he had repeated himself several times. “It’s not a date” Justin had replied back. “Lacy just wants to experience Louisiana. This is the only week off before her summer semester begins and Sara’s boss won’t approve starting her vacation until Tuesday.” Justin rarely asked for anything and their culture didn’t allow for turning down a friend in need. While Beaux wasn’t quite sure this would really classify as a need, he knew he would do it no matter how uncomfortable the thought made him. That’s what friends did. And while his gut churned at being alone with a female, he wouldn’t back out, because unlike some people, he knew the value of keeping his word. I may as well get this over with, he thought to himself. Justin and Sara were having a few friends to celebrate Lacy’s arrival. If they were to be spending the next day alone together, then they should at least meet today in a neutral environment. All he wanted was to fulfill his promise by getting through the next thirty-six hours and then return to his normal life which was generally void of females. He went to his bedroom and grabbed a pair of shorts and an old LSU t-shirt. A quick look in the mirror told him he achieved his look. Knowing nothing of Lacy, Beaux took any precaution he could think of. He wanted her to think he was not interested in impressing her, nor did he want her getting any ideas of a quick fling. Shit, he was thinking like an arrogant ass again but still, he couldn’t take any chances. Hell, she might decide she didn’t even want to spend the day with him and that would be perfectly ok with him.

  Lacy’s plane was on final approach to Lafayette Regional Airport. All she knew of Louisiana were the stereotypes revolving around crawfish, swamps and Mardi Gras, but as she observed the mass of swamplands hundreds of feet below, she thought there had to be some truth to those stereotypes. Her stomach churned and the butterflies multiplied. This had been an impromptu trip and she hadn’t seen Sara since they were angst filled teenagers brooding over their latest crush being spotted at the mall with another girl. Not only were they cousins but best friends. And then that fateful day came when everything changed. A sordid family secret had been revealed and shredded any bond between the two families. While Lacy’s family remained in South Carolina, Sara’s father had moved their family to Louisiana forbidding any contact between the two girls. However, once in college, away from their families and with the increasing prevalence of information on the internet, they tracked each other down. Sara had been after her to visit for years, but never had that worked out until now. If life hadn’t gone down like it had the last month, she wouldn’t even be here now.

  The plane landed and the passengers were allowed to exit. Pleasantly surprised at the small airport and the ease of finding her way down to the baggage claim
, she looked for Sara. Over a decade had passed since seeing her, but they had exchanged pictures though email, so she was positive she’d recognize her. As she felt her anxiety grow, she dug her cell phone out of her purse to give her a call. There was really no way of missing her in this small area. Her phone finally turned back on and a text message flashed across the screen.

  At hospital. Don’t worry everything will be ok but I can’t pick you up. I am so so sorry. Sending Justin’s bff, Beaux to pick you up. He’s a hottie, dark brooding eyes, thick dark hair. Call me as soon as you land. Love you, Sara.

  She dialed Sara’s number worried for her best friend but no one answered. Shit, she thought. Worried, concerned and more than apprehension about a stranger picking her up, she sucked in a deep breath and pulled it together. After the initial shock, she realized the hospital situation couldn’t be too serious if Sara was cracking a joke. A giggle escaped as she realized Sara had called this guy Justin’s bff. She wondered what Justin thought of that term. She looked around for this so called hottie, not that she cared what he looked like. He could be an underwear model and she still wouldn’t care. Men were nothing to her right now. All they did was pick you up and throw you down and she had no use for them at this stage in her life. Her last semester of school was coming up and she just wanted to finish and start a career. Hell, had she not let her life be dominated by men for so long, she probably would never have failed a core class last semester, thus having to retake it this summer in order to graduate. She was twenty-five and finally standing on her own two feet despite Neil and Jeff’s attempts to control her.

  “Lacy?” A deep voice interrupted her mental affirmation that she didn’t need a man in her life. She turned to see coal black eyes staring uncertainly back at her.

  “I take it you’re Beaux?” she answered back refusing to let her voice catch. Damn he was sexy, she thought before her mind could stop the train of thought.

  “Correct. I guess you got Sara’s message?”

  “Just now. What’s going on? Is she okay?”

  “I’m not sure. Justin called me in a panic asking if I could come pick you up. I just got a text that they are on their way home though and will tell us what happened when we get there.”

  Lacy said a silent prayer. She couldn’t imagine what was going on, but at least they were on their way home. Now she just had to get away from this man that could cool a fire with his hotness. History had taught her that a man’s attractiveness was tied to trouble. Although she knew that one did not necessarily mean the other, her mind couldn’t separate the two. Unfortunately, she had no choice but to be near him for now. Maybe she should have told Sara why she chose now to visit, but how would that change anything? She still needed a ride home from the airport, and a cab fare for that distance wasn’t in the budget, nor was renting a car.

  Putting on her best show of aloofness, she pointed towards the baggage carousel.

  “I think the baggage is about to come around.”

  They walked over in silence. Neither seemed willing to make conversation just to fulfill social proprieties. Lacy spotted her bags immediately and at least Beaux was gentleman enough to carry them. Independent Lacy inwardly screamed that she could carry them, but practical Lacy knew how heavy the bags were so practicality won out. Beaux seemed to be a man of few words and if she had to guess, he wasn’t happy about this intrusion into his life. He covered it well, but she had been around enough irritated men to know better. Oh well, his silence suited her just fine. She wasn’t much for small talk anyway. Justin and Sara lived about thirty minutes from the airport and in that ride Beaux and Lacy maybe exchanged ten words between the two of them.

  Beaux pulled his truck into the driveway of an Acadian style home with a large live oak covered with Spanish moss in the front. Lacy was mesmerized at how the branches reached for the ground then wound back up as though unsure which way to go. Goodness, if anyone knew what that was like, it was her.

  Invoking every ounce of patience she possessed, she waited while Beaux took her bags from the bed of his truck, when every part of her wanted to rush to the door. Not just to see for herself that her cousin was fine, but because this was a reunion twelve years in the making. Before they could reach the porch, Sara was out the door reaching for Lacy and engulfing her in a hug. Tears flowed as they finally were able to reconnect.

  The men stood aside letting the girls do their thing. In time they separated and Lacy asked the question still on her mind.

  “Well, are you ok? What happened at the hospital?”

  Sara’s smile reached from ear to ear and she held onto Justin’s hand.

  “We’re having a baby!” she exclaimed.

  Another round of squeals and hugs ensued.

  “I am so happy! I can’t believe it. But is everything ok? Why did you have to go the hospital?”

  Justin ushered them into the house and led Sara to an oversized recliner while Lacy took a seat on the sofa and Beaux stood off to the side with an unreadable expression.

  “I took a home test last week, but my first appointment with an ob isn’t until next week. This morning I had some cramping and bleeding, so I went to the ER. Everything looks fine, but they did tell me I had to rest as much as possible. The good news is my boss has no choice but to start my vacation early. The bad news is I am house bound.”

  “My trip is perfect timing then. I can help you around the house and take care of you while I am here. We’ll play house like when we were kids but for real,” Lacy declared.

  “Now Lacy, I haven’t seen you in a decade and you surely will not spend the next week taking care of me. I’m just pregnant, not an invalid. There is so much to see in Louisiana and I want you to enjoy your trip. Besides, Beaux already agreed to show you around tomorrow while Justin and I were supposed to be at work. He can just take you out a few other days as well.”

  This was news to Lacy since she had never heard Beaux’s name mentioned even once until the text from Sara alerting her he would be her chauffer home. Beaux had a forced smile on his face that was far from reaching his eyes. I’ll be damned if I spend a second with that man longer than necessary she proclaimed silently. Those stormy eyes held more trouble than she cared to know.

  “Don’t be silly Sara. You are the reason I am here, not to see a bunch of tourist sites. I am sure Beaux has better things to do than escort some girl around that he doesn’t even know.”

  A cough from Beaux sounded suspiciously like a disguised snort. So much for him being a gentleman. And the warning glare Justin just sent him was enough to convince her Beaux did not like the plan anymore than she did. She would be an inconvenience to no man.

  “Please Lacy. I would feel horrible if you were stuck here in the house all week because of me. We will have plenty of time together. Go enjoy yourself some.”

  Damn it, she had played the trump card. Lacy could never do anything to make Sara feel worse, especially not in her current condition, which left her no other choice but to go along with this plan.

  Beaux sucked in his breath. He had barely agreed to a day with Lacy, let alone several days. Only Justin’s pleading gaze and concern for Sara kept his mouth quiet. Sara had become like a sister to him over the years and there was very little he wouldn’t do for her, but this was taking it too far. She knew damn well the last thing he would want to do is spend extra time with her cousin but she effectively had his hands tied and knew it.

  “I’d be happy to show you around,” he choked out in a voice that sounded foreign even to him.

  “I guess that’s settled then.” Lacy replied just as her stomach growled loud enough for everyone to hear.

  “Oh dear, I’m such a bad hostess,” Sara said. “We had planned on having a few people over for dinner, but that idea obviously went awry. How about we call in something? Beaux and you can go pick it up. That will give the two of you some time to talk and make plans for the week.”

  Beaux couldn’t reply through his clenched teeth.
Had it been anyone else, he would be shooting daggers through his eyes. This was much more than he had agreed to. To her credit, Lacy spoke up to say that would be fine, though her eyes also held the idea in similar disregard. Truth be told, Beaux’s ego took a bit of a bruising. He hadn’t expected Lacy to dislike him as much he did her. Well, it wasn’t her per say, as much as the idea of her and being alone with her. Since Daniella had left he could count on one hand the number of times he had been alone with an unrelated female.

  Justin called in dinner to a local restaurant that was regionally famous and had even appeared once on a national food channel. He handed Beaux some cash, which Beaux declined.

  “Ready to go?” he asked with that painted on but oh so sexy smile.

  Lacy grabbed her purse and walked to his truck. He cut in front of her, opening the door for her, back to his gentleman ways. Maybe she should just lay all her cards on the table. Obviously, neither of them was too happy about it, but she had no intentions of spending a week being miserable with this impossible man. As he drove off, she steeled her nerves and began speaking.

  “Look, I’m not blind. I know spending time with me is last on your list of priorities, right next to having a root canal. I’m not happy about it either, but for Sara’s sake, let’s just make the best of it. For all I care, we can leave her house together and you can drop me off somewhere. But I will not see her stressed because of our lack of enthusiasm at being thrown together for the week.”

  At least Beaux had the good grace to look mildly embarrassed at his lack of southern hospitality.

  “You’re right. Let’s just make the best of the situation. There really is a lot to see and do around here and I can show you things off the beaten tourist path. And for the record, it’s nothing personal against you.”

  Lacy wasn’t exactly sure how she was supposed to respond to his last remark so decided to just keep quiet. At least they had formed some type of truce between them now. He drove his truck up in front of a run-down other building. Lacy found it hard to believe this was the restaurant with the famous food, but she knew of several places back home where the building’s façade was deceptive of the food quality, both for better and for worse.