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“I don’t even want to think or talk about these murders,” Mimi said to her friend.

“Then we won’t. So, what’s new in your world?” Renée asked with a swift change of subject. They still had a few minutes before it was time to get to their registers.

“Johnny showed up last night at the shanty,” Mimi said and proceeded to share the details of the visit. “He was just getting ready to leave when Danny came running out of the bedroom. He’d had one of his rare nightmares about monsters in his room.”

Renée’s eyes opened wide. “So, Johnny saw Danny? What did Johnny say? Did he realize Danny was his? Oh my God, what will Johnny do? What will you do?”

“I went with Danny back into his bedroom, but according to Gramps, Johnny didn’t say anything, and then he left,” Mimi said.

“What are you going to do, Mimi? You know Johnny is going to have a lot of questions for you about Danny,” Renée said.

Mimi tied the apron around her back and released a deep sigh. “If one of those questions is if Danny is his, then I intend to lie. I do not want that man in my life or in Danny’s life in any way, shape or form,” she said firmly. “You have to keep my secret, Renée.”

Renée grinned at her. “I’ve been keeping all your secrets starting in the third grade when you kissed Dante Jones behind the slide at recess.”

Mimi laughed. “And even at that young age, I thought he was a horrible kisser. But I do appreciate your loyalty. And now we’d better get out there and get to work.”

Mimi had been awake half the night thinking about that moment when Danny came running into the living room. As she’d scooped the tearful little boy into her arms, she caught a quick glance of Johnny’s face. He’d looked completely shocked.

Had he looked shocked because she’d had a baby, or because he immediately realized Danny was probably the right age to be his?

If Johnny decided he wanted custody of Danny, he was sure to get it. He lived in a very nice, big house, had tons of money at his disposal and probably had several lawyers on his payroll. She lived in a shanty in the swamp, made a little over minimum wage and wouldn’t have any money for an attorney.

She shoved these horrific thoughts away as River Dubois began to place a few items on the belt for her to ring up. “How’s my favorite girl this morning?” he asked with a wide grin curving his lips.

River was another one of the young men who had been an incredible support to her and Gramps during the past five years. He was also one of Danny’s favorite “uncles.”

“I’m doing okay,” she replied as she began to ring up his items. “What about you?”

“I’m good, but it’s been a few days since I’ve been to see you guys. I’m definitely having Danny withdrawal,” River replied with another wide grin.

Mimi laughed. “You know you’re welcome to come by anytime.”

“Then I might stop by this evening,” he said.

“That would be just fine,” she replied. She suspected River had romantic feelings for her, although she had never given him any encouragement romantically. He’d definitely been friend-zoned by her a long time ago.

She rang up the last of his items, bagged them and then told him his total. He paid and left with the promise he’d see her later that evening.

A warmth swept through her as she thought of all the men in the swamp who had “adopted” her and Danny and Gramps. They had brought Mimi and Gramps fish and meat to eat, along with boxes of diapers for Danny. Those same grown men had spoken gibberish and made silly faces at Danny, hoping to coax a smile out of the baby. Now whenever they came over, they always took time to play with Danny.

Jean-Luc Benoit was another one of those men who had been a huge support to her. She hadn’t seen him for several nights so knew he’d be checking in with her very soon.

The warmth inside her stayed for most of the morning. She had ten minutes until her lunch break when Johnny walked into the store. Once again, she couldn’t help but notice that he commanded the space around him. It was a combination of his power and confidence and hot masculinity.

He was clad in a pair of jeans and a black polo shirt that stretched taut across his broad shoulders. His slightly shaggy black hair shone beneath the artificial lights overhead. His sapphire eyes were dark and narrowed, making him appear a bit dangerous.

He grabbed a loaf of bread off the nearby shelf and then headed toward her. “Morning, Mimi,” he said as he placed the bread on the belt in front of her.

“Good morning, Johnny,” she replied evenly. She grabbed the bread, scanned it and told him his total.

He pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and handed her a five-dollar bill. “Is he mine?”

The question hung in the air between them for a long moment. “Johnny, I’m working here, and you need to move along so I can attend to the shoppers behind you,” she finally said.

“It’s a very easy question that can be answered quickly. It’s either a yes or a no,” he replied. “Is the boy mine or not?” His intensity was palpable as he leaned toward her.

Her heart beat rapidly, and she worked hard to keep her features completely emotionless. She looked him dead in the eyes and lied. “No. He’s not yours.” She held his gaze for several long moments.