Free Going All Out by Jeanie London Page A

are they?”
    “Come on, then.” Tally looped her arm through his and got them moving. “If you’re Josie’s brother, all this must be old news for you.”
    “I grew up with the krewe, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been around. I come home for Mardi Gras as often as I can.”
    “Josie threatens to come get you, does she?” Bree asked.
    Lucas laughed. “Sounds like you know my sister pretty well, after all.”
    “Josie’s wonderful,” Tally said. “I can’t believe everything she does. And she’s been incredibly helpful as I’m getting the captain’s gallery up and running at the museum.”
    “Josie hasn’t mentioned anything about a museum gallery.”
    “She’s had a lot on her plate with the wedding,” Tally pointed out. “I’m taking the captain’s treasure and celebrating his role in protecting New Orleans. Not only is hegetting his own gallery at the museum but also a society that offers scholarships for people who want to attend college.”
    “And there’s the Blue Note,” Bree added.
    “That’s my nightclub. One of the best places in New Orleans for food and music.”
    “My sister isn’t biased at all.”
    “Absolutely not.” Tally laughed.
    Seeing these sisters together was going to take some getting used to, Lucas decided. Just then a young man approached carrying a box of what turned out to be the new doubloons.
    “Hey, John.” Bree smiled in greeting. “Those the new doubloons?”
    John nodded and handed one to her. “Check them out.”
    The young guy never even glanced Lucas’s way, and it took all of about two seconds to realize the kid was overwhelmed by the women surrounding him. Lucas couldn’t blame him. Bree and Tally were a sight. So similar. So impossibly gorgeous.
    Bree held out the doubloon and flipped it for his perusal. One side showed a striking profile of the captain in his plumed hat, the other side his ship.
    “Nice.” Lucas extended his hand to John. “Lucas Russell. I’m here to help out until Mardi Gras.”
    “Russell?” John shook, but his expression melted into a frown and he shot a confused gaze toward Bree, who nodded.
    “Yep, Josie’s brother.”
    That seemed to shake John from his daze. “You’re the one she had me design the pirate game for. Gotta say, when I found out who you were, I wasn’t sure I wanted to. I mean, you’re into big-league programming. Haveyou had a chance to play the game yet? What do you think?”
    “I’m very impressed,” Lucas said honestly. “Lots of twists and turns and some slick programming.”
    John looked so pleased that he didn’t seem sure what to say.
    “Software games, John?” Bree said. “You’re multitalented. And here we all thought you were just the brains behind our rigging.”
    The kid got so flustered he actually blushed.
    Bree didn’t miss a beat. Pressing the doubloon back into his hand, she rose up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “You did a fine job on the doubloons, too. They look great.”
    Tally flipped another of the doubloons back into the box. “And wait until you see the throws. They’re treasure chests.”
    “In honor of Tally and Christien.” John finally found his voice.
    Lucas nodded. “Looks like my sister has a strong team in place this year.”
    “Oh, we’re definitely the best,” Tally said.
    “Your sister managed to surround herself with an entire crew to design and construct the new float,” Bree added. “Told you she doesn’t miss a trick. Is that a family trait?”
    Lucas simply smiled.
    Tally sliced an appreciative gaze between them. “As long as you’re here, Lucas, John could use a hand.”
    “Got a short in the electrical system,” John confirmed. “I wrote the software to make the rigging move. It’s not moving.”
    “You should see it when it does, though,” Tally said. “It’s awesome. I’ll bet we make the news.”
    “Oh, joy.” Bree was smiling, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Electrical grief sounds right up