Page 35 of Believe
“Yes, ma’am. You’d make an hourly wage and of course get a discount here at the store.”
She walked around the store, casually running her fingers over items, touching, feeling, smiling at the beautiful holiday displays they’d created together.
All these years of being alone, of being a lonely widow and now she finds a young man that she would have married in a heartbeat in her heyday. Beau Couvillion was kind, smart, funny, and a gentlemen.
More than that, he made her smile and feel alive. Not in a sexual way but in the way that an old person wants to feel alive. To feel needed. To feel cared for and wanted.
“You know, Beau, I think I just might like that,” she smiled. “Do you think you and the boys could get that old car of mine running good again? I could see if I can get my license back.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he smiled. “I’ll call Razor down at the shop and see if they can tow it in tomorrow.”
“That’d be just fine,” she smiled.
“Oh, and Miss Esta, I’ll be picking you up for Christmas eve mass and takin’ you to Mama and Daddy’s for dinner. They insist.”
“Are you making plans for me without my consent, Beau Couvillion?” she smirked.
“I guess I am, Miss Esta. Is that alright with you?”
“It is more than alright with me,” she said with a tear in her eye. “In another life, I wish you could have been my son or grandson, Beau.”
“Well, we can pretend in this life, Miss Esta.”
“I’m going to go wash up and use the toilet. I’ll be ready to go when I get back.” She disappeared into the backroom and suddenly, Matthew appeared.
“How did I do Uncle Matthew?” smiled Beau.
“Fine, Beau. Just fine. You’re a good man, son and that woman’s life will be forever changed because of you. You did good.”
“She’s amazing, Uncle Matthew. I hate what her kids have done to her.”
“Well, it’s best that you don’t mention them to her any longer. They’re out of her thoughts now, way in the back of her mind. You’ve brought her joy and peace, something she hasn’t had for a very long time. Well done, Beauregard.”
“Uncle Matthew,” he laughed, “I hate my full name.”
“I know,” he smirked. “But I love it.”
Matthew disappeared and then Esta walked out, still smiling with rosy cheeks and a kick in her step.
“Ready?” asked Beau.
“Ready, sweet Beau. I’m ready.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“We’re taking Madeline to the pond today,” said Riley looking at Rory, Max, Gibbie, and Stone. They’d come to check on the little girls’ progress and waited to speak with Riley.
“Do you need our help?” asked Stone.
“I could use it today. The nurses and staff have been overwhelmed with all the colds and flu going around. If you could get the covered ATV, heated, with a mattress and blankets, that would be best. We have to be sure to move that spine as little as possible.”
“Are her aunt and uncle here?” asked Gibbie.
“No. They both got stuck at work but I told them we were going to move ahead. I think they were worried that this ‘hot bath’ wasn’t going to do anything and she would be disappointed. They work on the other side of New Orleans, so this is quite a drive for them. They’ve been here every evening with her, though.”
“I’ll get in the water with her,” said Max. Riley nodded as she turned to head back to the child’s room. She stopped and then turned to the men.
“Hey guys? Don’t get your hopes up. She’s moving her toes and she’s not in any pain but I’m just not sure how much of this has worked. We gave it our best and that’s all we can do for now.”