Page 93 of Xavier

They’d all worked hard over the past few days and deserved a chance to relax, eat, laugh and come together as survivors.

Danny and Mimi helped serve in between, enjoying the party atmosphere.

“You ready to join the others?” Xavier stood outside Remedies and Roux while Lissette locked up.

The store was operational. Madame Gautier and Lissette had spent time mixing additional remedies to help the people of Bayou Mambaloa with cuts, scrapes, stomach ailments and sleepless nights. Lissette had managed to order and receive more practical supplies for the Roux side of the store. Everyday supplies needed to restock kitchens that had been decimated had arrived that morning. She’d spent time unboxing them and placing them on the shelves.

She straightened and smiled at the store, and then up at him. “Getting close to back to normal here.” Her smile faded. “For some, it’ll take a lot longer.”

Stacey Jenkins, her two kids in tow, hurried by. “Hey, Lissette, Xavier—you two are coming, aren’t you?”

Lissette waved at Stacey. “We are. See you there.”

Xavier smiled at the welcoming familiarity of a town full of friends and family. He was glad he’d told Jeffries he’d changed his mind and wouldn’t be leaving Bayou Mambaloa.

“You look awfully happy,” Lissette said.

“I am.” He inhaled a deep breath and let it out on a sigh. “I never thought I’d find a place I wanted to call home.” His smile broadened. “Yet, here I am. I have my team, who are like family. I have other friends like Shelby, Bernie, Amelie, Danny, Mimi, Mace and his motorcycle gang, Mitch at the marina, Ouida Mae, Yaya—and that’s only naming a few.”

“And me?”

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. “Especially you.”

“It’s not the place you were looking for,” Lissette said, “but the people. You just had to open your heart to see.”

“You helped me see.” He kissed her again. “We should get going. Though I’d rather stay here and kiss you.”

“I promised to help serve,” Lissette said, “or I’d skip the celebration and stay here kissing you.”

He took her hand and started to walk toward the town square. “I’ve been wondering⁠—”

“You have?” Lissette leaned into him. “About what?”

“About how long I should wait until I ask you to marry me.”

She stopped and stared up at him. “You want to marry me?” Color rose up her neck into her cheeks. “Oh, I don’t know. I have a criminal record. You’re former military. You’ve probably never broken a law. If you marry me, you’re marrying an ex-con. I can’t let you ruin your life, your reputation.”

“I don’t care about what other people think.” He held her hands in his. “If I asked you to marry me, would you?”

She stared up into his eyes, her brow forming a V over her nose. “I⁠—”

A screechy voice called out, You break it, you buy it, asshole.

Lissette stopped dead in her tracks. “Johnny?”

Cheeky bastard.

“Johnny?” Lissette held out her arm. “I know you’re here. Come to me, sweet boy. I’ll get you some treats.”

Xavier looked up to his left just in time to see the bright blue macaw launch himself from the roof of Mamba Wamba and fly straight toward him.

Xavier ducked and was sideswiped by a blue wing as Johnny landed awkwardly on Lissette’s arm.

“Oh, Johnny!” Tears filled Lissette’s eyes. “I’m so happy to see you. I could hug you.”

Bring me a beer, woman.

She spent the next few minutes settling Johnny into his cage in the Mama Wamba. She gave him food and water and stood back to assess him.