Page 50 of The Shop on Royal Street

“I also bought a large ice-cold bottle of water that I stuck in my cooler in the back for when you need it.” At the sound of me slurping the bottom of my cup, he said, “Which sounds like now.” He reached behind us into the backseat, then handed me the water.

“Thanks,” I said, holding the cold plastic against my neck. “You’re a lifesaver.” Our eyes met at my choice of words, but I quickly turned away.

“You’re welcome.” He started the truck and pulled out onto the street. “By the way, Jaxson called. He stopped at the house to get more photographs and video footage, and he said that Thibaut was working on getting that sealed door opened and should be done today. He didn’t have time to wait but said to let you know just in case you wanted to stop by on your way home.”

I shook my head. “I’m too tired—it can wait until tomorrow. I’m planning on working from home tomorrow to start organizing my notes and photos to begin my report. I can go to the house when I’m done.”

“Great,” he said with enough enthusiasm that it made me worried.

“Why is that great?”

“Because I already planned to stop at an empty parking lot on our way home today so you can practice your driving again.”

“Again? I still haven’t fully recovered from the last time.”

“All the more reason to get back in the saddle and try again.”

“You never said a horse was an option for learning to drive.”

“Because it’s not. Practice makes perfect. I’m sure you’ve heard that a few times.”

“Maybe a couple.” I pressed my head back against the headrest and sat up quickly when I realized that was what JJ used to do before starting a tantrum. At least now I knew how he felt. “Do you enjoy torturing me?”

He kept a straight face. “Maybe just a little.”

I turned toward my window so he couldn’t see me smile. “Thank you for driving me today. My boss says he doesn’t think I’ll have to do any fieldwork again for at least a month. Hopefully, that gives me time to become competent enough to get my driver’s license.”

His eyes rounded, and he opened his mouth as if to say something before closing it abruptly. “Maybe. We just need to make sure we practice enough. There are still some rudiments of driving you need work on.”

“Like what?” I crossed my arms.

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe obeying traffic lights and stop signs? Staying off sidewalks and avoiding immovable objects, like light posts? That sort of thing.”

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “Maybe I can ask Jolene for some lessons so I don’t have to bother you.”

He looked at me with raised eyebrows. “Really? So you can add picking off pedestrians with your bumper to your skill set?”

“Right. Good point.”

“And I don’t mind teaching you. It’s actually kind of fun. I admire your determination.”

While I digested that and tried to work out the proper way to saythank you, he said, “Everyone needs a bright spot of humor in their day. Perks me right up—better than caffeine, even.”

My phone beeped with a text, interrupting my mental list of things I wanted to say to Beau. “It’s Mimi,” I said, opening the screen.

Are you free tomorrow night for dinner? 6:00?

“I’ve been summoned to your grandmother’s house for dinner—I’m thinking it’s about the Maison Blanche door.”

“Possibly, although she hasn’t mentioned anything to me. I can drive you.”

“Really, Beau, I don’t need you to drive me everywhere. I’ll just take an Uber.”

He sighed heavily, as if he’d argued his point more than once, which he had. “I know you don’t need me to, but I thought we could meet at your house on Dauphine to check out the closet, since I’m curious, too, and then head to Mimi’s house. It’s not that far, and I’m going that way anyway.”

I wanted to protest, but he was right. “Sure,” I said, returning to my phone. “I’ll let her know I’ll be there. Assuming I survive another driving lesson.”

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