Page 16 of Lulu’s Recipe for Cajun Sass

Dr. Clovis met them at the open front door of his house. The gin blossoms on his bulbous nose and his flushed cheeks were a testament to his decades-long love affair with booze. His breath smelled of the peppermint Lifesavers he must purchase by the bushel. Everyone on the bayou knew that the old man had a drinking problem, including his three ex-wives, but it never interfered with his work, as far as Louise knew.

Justin, who had to know the old man’s history, looked at him with skepticism, probably through the lens of his almost-doctor glasses.

She elbowed him to keep his thoughts to himself.

With an oxygen mask and then a large inhaler in place, Anna Belle’s breathing soon came back to normal. And she was not only conscious, but babbling in a steady stream of chatter to Adèle and anyone else who was in the vicinity about her adventure.

Two hours later, Louise was driving Justin back to the church grounds where he hoped that his brother would still be waiting for him. Otherwise, she would have to take him back to his father’s store. He needed to make the evening bus to New Orleans in order to be on duty later that night. Adèle was asleep on the back seat, the chaotic day having caught up with her.

“I’m impressed,” she told him.

“With Dr. Clovis?” he scoffed.

“No, you fool. Although he did a fine job, you must admit. No, I meant you.”

“Why?”

“You acted in such a professional manner back at the festival.”

“You mean, like a doctor?”

She slapped him on the arm at the sarcasm.

“Really, this chip on your shoulder about doctors is starting to irritate me, chère.”

She just grinned.

Which further irritated him. “Exactly what has your knickers in a twist?”

She exhaled on a long sigh. “You had no need to badmouth folk healing.”

“In my defense, there are quacks out there who—”

“Generalize much, my friend?”

He gritted his teeth. “Y’know, frogs have it easy. They just eat what bugs them.”

“Are you saying you want to eat me?” she asked, then cringed, hoping he wouldn’t get the inadvertent double entendre.

No chance! He was the one grinning now.

“No need for you to be grinnin’ like a cabbage-eatin’ skunk,” she sniped.

“Sorry,” he said. Not at all sorry, if that continuing grin was any indication. “You were saying that I acted in a professional manner. And…?”

“I meant that you didn’t hesitate. Just stepped in. Were decisive. And competent.”

“And that surprised you?”

“Well,” she smiled his way. “I admit, I was predisposed to not like you.”

“Because I behaved like an ass before.”

She arched her brows at him. “A little bit.”

“So, since you like me now—”

“I didn’t say that,” she interrupted him with a laugh.