Easy Nights (Boudreaux #6)

“Then why do I still have that horrible dream?”

“Because the past is always with us, even when we think we’ve moved on. There’s something, even if it’s in your subconscious, that’s still afraid of him.”

“I don’t know what it is.”

“You don’t have to. But you do need to sleep peacefully, daughter. You’ve sure earned it.”

I lean my head on his shoulder and take a deep breath, feeling sleepy again.

“I used to love to sleep on you, just like this.”

“Yes, you did.”

“Can I now?”

“You’re here, aren’t you?”

I smile and cup his cheek in my hand, the way I used to. And, like I did when I was young, I fall asleep in my daddy’s arms.

***

“Did you ever look into getting a caregiver for your mama?” I ask Ben three days later. We’re in his car, driving toward the bayou.

“Yes, and already found someone,” he says. He recovered quickly from the bug he had the other night. He says that he usually recovers quickly from illnesses, thanks to his lightning fast metabolism.

I wish I had a lightning fast metabolism.

“That was quick.”

“I mentioned it to Becky—”

“My assistant?”

“Yeah, I mentioned it to her about a week ago when I called for you and she asked how Mom was before patching me through to you. She knew someone at an agency, and put me in touch. I found a nice lady named Sally who’s about ten years younger than Mom, in great shape, and she comes during the day from breakfast until after dinner. She’s great, and Mom even likes her.”

“Your mom likes everyone.” I grin at his profile, enjoying the way the sunshine sets off the stubble on his face. He’s just so ridiculously handsome.

“Yeah, she does. I feel better knowing someone’s with her.”

“I’d like to meet Sally,” I say and stare out the window. “You know, check her out for myself. I love Miss Millie.”

“We’ll stop by there tomorrow,” he says and takes my hand, lifting it to his mouth to give it a kiss.

My stomach flips over every time he does that, and it happens quite often, much to my delight.

“So why are we going out to the inn?”

“I promised Rhys I’d help him with some things.”

I frown at him. “Rhys usually hires out a lot of the manual stuff. Not because he can’t do it, but he’d rather make sure someone licensed does everything in case they ever have to file a claim with the insurance company.”

“I don’t know,” he says with a shrug. “He just asked me to come help, and I said yes.”

“Interesting. Okay, well I haven’t seen the kids in a while. I’ll give them a snuggle. Sam’s getting to that age where he avoids it, but I usually guilt him into giving me a hug.”

“The kids love you,” Ben says with a grin. “All of the kids do. You’re good with them.”

“Well, yeah, because I’m the cool aunt.” I grin and look down as my phone pings with a text from Gabby.

The kids have the flu. Probably the same one Ben had. They’re quarantined upstairs. Sorry!

“Well, shit.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Gabby just texted. The kids have the flu and are not allowed in the common areas. She can’t risk spreading the illness to guests.” I blow out a gusty breath. “No snuggles for Aunt Van.”

“I’ll snuggle you,” he says and wiggles his eyebrows.

“I’ve learned a lot about you over the past week,” I inform him just as we pull into the driveway of the inn.

“Yeah? What have you learned?”

“I’ll tell you later.” I move to open my door, but he stops me.

“I’ll open your door, Angel.”

He’s called me that since the night he was sick. I don’t know why he uses that specific endearment, but I admit I like it. It’s better than baby or honey.

I’m grinning when he opens my door.

“What?” he says and helps me to my feet, pulling me into his arms for a quick kiss.

“Why do you call me Angel?”

“I’ll tell you later,” he says, echoing my own words. He shuts the car door, and slaps my ass, lightly, but enough to turn me on and look at him in surprise.

“Well, hello.”

“Is that good or bad?”

“That’s good, handsome.”

“Hey!” Gabby calls from the front door of the inn. She waves and reaches inside for something, then walks out with a picnic basket almost as big as she is.

“Are you going somewhere?” I ask as I climb the steps. She pulls me in for a quick hug.

“Nope. We are,” Ben says, relieving her of the basket. His arm flexes as he lifts it, and I immediately want to lick him there.

My hormones are out of control with him. Yet, I’m conflicted. I want to strip him naked, and I’m nervous, all at the same time.

I would guess that’s normal.

I hope.

“I thought you were helping Rhys.”

“Sugar,” Gabby says, patting my shoulder, “Rhys doesn’t need any help. Your man has a surprise for you. Smile and nod.”

I do as she says and stare up at Ben. “Okay.”

“Okay.” He kisses Gabby’s cheek just the way he always does when he sees my sisters. “Thanks, Gab. We’ll see you in a while.”

“No rush. Have fun!”

And with that, she walks away, her hips swaying in the way they do when she’s proud of herself, and she disappears inside.

“Okay, where—”

He presses his finger to my lips, sending electricity down my spine.

“No more questions. Just take my hand and walk with me.”

Without a word, I link my hand with his, and he leads me down the steps and onto the path that winds around the big house and back toward the rose gardens and the old slave quarters that Gabby renovated so they were safe, and on display for her guests.

“It’s a pretty day.” I take a deep breath, loving the smell of new flowers. “Spring is my favorite time of year.”

“How many summers did we spend out here?” Ben asks as he leads me off of the path and toward my favorite oak tree.

I wonder if he knows it’s my favorite tree, or if it’s coincidence?

“Well, I spent all of my summers here,” I reply with a grin. “And for as long as I can remember, you were here too.”

“At first, my mama would bring me out on the weekends to play with the boys, but finally your mama talked her into letting me just come out here to live with you guys for the summer.”

“But your mama still came on the weekends.”

“Well, she missed all of us. I don’t know why she didn’t just come as well. I know she was invited.”

“Maybe she had hot, torrid affairs while you were off playing the summer away in the bayou.” I glance up to find him frowning down at me. “What?”

“She’s my mother.”

I laugh and rub his arm. “She’s a woman, Ben. You can’t tell me she’s never had a man in her life.”

He stops and stares down at me for a moment.

“You’ve never considered this?”

“No.”

“She’s a beautiful, lovely person. Of course there must have been men interested in her.”

“She never said,” he says and shakes his head. “Great, now I’m going to have to have this conversation with her.”

“Why?” I can’t stop laughing now.