Free Bayou Betrayal by Robin Caroll

yes?”
    â€œW-what?” Monique barely croaked.
    â€œIt means you and I are cousins!”
    A weight the size of Texas slipped off Monique’s shoulders. “I know. That’s why I moved to Lagniappe. To meet you and your brother.”
    Felicia engulfed her in a hug. Not just a glancing hug like telling someone hello, but a real embrace. Monique’s heart would explode any minute now.
    Spence moved to her other side and hugged her as soon as Felicia let her go. “Welcome to the family.”
    Yes, indeed, her heart was filled to bursting.
    Hattie was next for a hug. “Oh, my, yes, honey. Welcome to the family. This is wonderful news.”
    â€œI have a confession to make.” How would Felicia react to the truth? Monique didn’t have a choice—she had to lay everything out. She’d learned after working with Kent that secrets tore families apart. Even secret thoughts and feelings.
    Felicia scrunched her brows. “What?”
    â€œAfter my house burned, I thought maybe you or your brother might have been involved. Might have made that threatening call.” She held her breath, waiting for Felicia to be offended.
    â€œWhy would you think such a thing, cher? ”
    â€œOh, for mercy’s sake, Felicia, think about it.” Hattie took her seat and poured herself another glass of tea. “As Justin’s daughter, she could file for half the Trahan estate. That would mean less money for you and Luc.”
    Felicia looked at her mother, then Monique. “You can have anything you want. I would never be involved in such a scam.” Hurt flashed in her eyes.
    Monique hated that she’d hurt this kind, gentle woman. She laid her hand over Felicia’s. “I know that now. But before I met you…”
    â€œOh.”
    â€œI think she was a little in shock, too. Her house had, after all, just been torched,” Gary said.
    â€œI don’t want any money or anything. I didn’t come here for that. I came here to meet y’all, and to get to know you and Luc.”
    Felicia’s smile warmed. “Regardless, when Luc gets back, he’ll have the attorney split up the estate to make sure you get your share.”
    â€œI don’t want it.” Couldn’t they understand she didn’t need it? Didn’t want anything that belonged to Just—her father. She just wanted a place to belong, a family. People to love who would love her back.
    Spence stood and lifted his plate. “Won’t do you any good to argue with her. I know. She always wins.”
    Felicia laughed and playfully slapped his thigh. “Shush, you. I’m just always right.”
    He chuckled as he carried dishes to the sink. Gary joined him. Monique moved to help, but Felicia pulled her toward the kitchen door. “The guys can handle cleanup duty. I want to talk to you, get to know you.” She glanced at Hattie. “ Allons, Mom. Let’s sit a spell out on the veranda.”
    Two large wooden rocking chairs bookended the door. A full-size swing hung on one end of the porch. Felicia tugged Monique to the swing. Hattie slipped into the closest rocker.
    A breeze drifted across the treated wooden planks. Perfect temperature. Not chilly enough for a coat, but not too warm outside with only a sweater.
    â€œSo, what do you do?” Felicia asked once they were settled on the swing.
    â€œDo?”
    Hattie chuckled. “She means, as a career.”
    â€œOh.” Monique hadn’t been ready for that question. “Well, I worked as Kent’s assistant in his private investigation business.”
    â€œAre you licensed?”
    â€œNo. Kent was. I only helped him.” Now that she thought about it, she wondered what she wanted to do. So many people pressed her right after his murder to figure out something else to throw herself into. She’d been so focused on seeing his murderer brought to justice, then seeking out her family, that