Valentin (Bayou Brotherhood Protectors #6)

Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

After tossing and turning through the night, Valentin left his bed in the pre-dawn hours of the morning to go for a run. He carried his cell phone in a band on his arm just in case Ouida Mae called.

He’d reached for his phone several times during the night, checking for any missed texts or calls. Each time, he’d wanted to call to check on the petite science teacher.

On his run that morning, he went further than his normal distance so that he could swing by Ouida Mae’s, hoping he’d catch sight of her. Maybe she’d come out on her porch for a cup of coffee in the early hours before it got hot and more humid.

Her car was there, but she didn’t appear on the porch.

Valentin almost jogged down to her cottage to check that everything was all right, but he didn’t want to spook her.

Okay, so he did jog halfway down the drive.

A light glowed from one of the windows on the front of the house.

He glanced at his watch.

Ouida Mae was up early.

Would she want to have breakfast with him?

Last night’s kiss was seared into his mind, simmering long after he’d left her house.

For a moment longer, he stood there, debating whether to walk up to her door and knock. Finally, he talked himself out of it. It was too soon after last night. After that kiss that had rocked his world. He’d see her soon enough when Monday rolled around, and he had his first day as a junior high PE teacher. By then, he’d better have his shit together and not fall all over himself when he saw her.

Valentin turned back and pushed himself harder, running faster, hoping to wear himself out and maybe free his mind of his desire to kiss Ouida Mae again. That would get him nowhere on this assignment. He needed to focus on finding the guy who’d trashed her classroom.

The sooner that happened, the sooner Bayou Mambaloa could get back to normal, and Valentin wouldn’t have to herd a bunch of teenagers through PE classes.

Back at the boarding house, Valentin showered and changed into jeans and a button-down shirt. He ran a comb through his hair and headed down to the boarding house kitchen.

Only five of the original team that had arrived in Bayou Mambaloa with Remy Montagne over a year ago remained at the boarding house. The others had found matches, gotten engaged or married, and had moved in with their partners.

Remy and Shelby were expecting a baby. Rafael and Gisele were just back from their honeymoon, and Gerard had become a farmer with his fiancée, Bernie Bellamy.

After all their years in the military, never staying in one place long enough to have lasting relationships, Valentin’s buddies were settling down.

Simon Sevier was pouring a cup of coffee from the full carafe. “You were up early to run. Need a cup?”

Valentin nodded. “I do.”

Simon grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured another cup of the dark, fragrant brew. “How was your science teacher last night after her poker game?”

“She’s not my science teacher,” Valentin said as he took the mug from Simon. “She was still a little spooked by the attack. She thought she heard someone on her porch. I checked the perimeter.”

“Find anything?” Simon asked over the rim of his mug.

Valentin shook his head. “No. It was dark.”

“You might go back during daylight and look for footprints,” Simon suggested.

That was an excellent idea and a good reason to invite himself over to Ouida Mae’s that morning. “I’ll do that,” he said and pulled out his cell phone.

“You might wait an hour. It’s still early for a Sunday morning. Most people are sleeping in or getting ready for church.”

“Right.” Valentin slid his cell phone back into his pocket and sipped his coffee.

“Any other thoughts on who might have trashed Miss Maudet’s classroom?” Simon asked.

“No,” Valentin said. It frustrated him that they didn’t have any substantial clues. “All we know was that he was a male and big enough to destroy her room and sling desks around.”

“And knock out Mr. Jones, a former marine.” Simon’s eyes narrowed. “Think it could’ve been a disgruntled student?”

“There aren’t that many male students big enough to fit the description of the assailant.”

“Not even on the football team?” Simon asked. “They grow the boys bigger these days, or so it seems.”

“I could touch base with the football coach on Monday.” Valentin finished his coffee, rinsed his cup and set it in the dishwasher.

“Are you ready to face a bunch of teenagers in PE class?”

Valentin shrugged. “I’d like to get my hands on Miss Sutton’s lesson plans so I have half an idea of what she usually does.”

“How hard could it be?” Simon waved a hand. “You can have them do some calisthenics like we did in Basic Combat Training. Pushups, sit-ups, running around the track... If you have use of the gym, have them shoot a few hoops or play volleyball.

“I thought of that.”

“You do realize PE is for the students who aren’t on sports teams, right?” Simon asked.

Valentin’s eyebrows shot upward. “They aren’t?”

“Not usually.” Simon’s eyes narrowed. “When I was in junior high, I played all the sports—basketball, football, baseball and soccer. PE was for the kids who weren’t into sports but were required to have a physical activity on their schedule. You know, like the science nerds, computer geeks and, well, the non-athletic types.”

Valentin cringed. “You’re kidding, right?”

Simon shook his head. “Not the way I remember it.”

“Basically, you’re telling me I’ll be babysitting a bunch of kids who could care less about physical training?”

Simon shrugged. “It might be different here in Bayou Mambaloa.”

“But you doubt it.” Valentin was beginning to dread Monday morning.

“You’ll be fine,” Simon assured him as he placed his cup in the dishwasher. “All you have to do is keep them moving and doing something.”

Valentin was even more convinced he needed to get his hands on Miss Sutton’s lesson plans. Maybe when he went to Ouida Mae’s house, she could get in touch with the other teacher for him. He could arrange to meet up with her that day.

“Well, I’m headed out,” Simon said. “Remy hooked me up with Mitchell Marceau down at the marina. He’s taking me fishing this morning. Have a calm day before the storm.” Simon waved and left the building.

Feeling a little overwhelmed, Valentin pulled out his cell phone and called Ouida Mae. “Are you up and moving?”

“I’ve been up for a while,” she said. “Tell me something good. I could use a pick-me-up.”

“Rough morning already?” he asked.

She snorted. “And I thought having my classroom trashed was bad.” Her voice was low, almost a whisper.

“Could you use a little company?” he asked.

“I have some, but I’d love yours.”

Valentin frowned. “You’re not alone?”

“No. I have a house guest,” she said.

Valentin had the feeling she wanted to say more. “Want to tell me about it?”

“Not now, but I have a pot of coffee brewing if you’re interested.”

“I wanted to look around your place in the daylight, and then I need your help to get ready for Monday. This PE teacher gig is all new to me.”

“Come on over. I’ll be here,” she said.

“Is ten minutes too soon?” he asked.

“Not soon enough,” she said with a sigh. “See you then.”

Valentin ended the call and left the boarding house. He should have told her five minutes. With ten minutes, he’d have to drive slowly to stretch it out.

Five minutes later, he pulled into Ouida Mae’s driveway. He’d sit in the truck for five more if he needed to.

He’d barely shifted into park when Ouida Mae opened the front door and came out onto the porch wearing jeans and a moss green, short sleeve pullover the same color as her eyes. She wore her auburn hair piled in a messy bun at the crown of her head. She held a cup in one hand and waved him over with the other hand, which had a white bandage wrapped around it.

He dropped down from the driver’s seat, hurried up the stairs and grabbed the wrist of her bandaged hand. “What happened?”

She shrugged. “I broke a glass and cut my hand.”

“Why?” He continued to hold her hand. “Did something upset you?”

She pulled her hand free and shot a glance over her shoulder. “We’ll talk later,” she said softly. “I have a house guest.”

Valentin lowered his voice and looked over her shoulder, hoping to catch a glimpse of her guest. “When did he arrive?” His fingers curled into fists. Whoever the guest was had Ouida Mae upset.

“A few minutes after you left last night.” She led the way into the house. “She’s in the kitchen.”

Valentin followed the science teacher down the hallway and into the kitchen, where a teenage girl stood at the stove, pushing scrambled eggs around in a skillet.

“Sophie Saulnier, this is Mr. Vachon. He’s going to be the PE teacher while Miss Sutton is on a leave of absence.”

Sophie turned, her forehead puckering. “Is Miss Sutton sick?”

“No,” Ouida Mae said. “She’s just not comfortable coming back to school until our intruder is caught.”

Sophie’s lips twisted, and she shook her head. “Good grief. It wasn’t even her classroom—and you’re going back.” She lifted her chin toward Valentin. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Vachon. I’ll be one of your students. I promise not to give you any trouble.”

“Nice to meet you, Sophie,” Valentin said. “You were the student with Miss Maudet when her classroom was trashed, weren’t you?”

She nodded. “I stayed late for help on my science homework.”

“Are you doing okay?” he asked.

Sophie’s gaze met Ouida Mae’s. “I am.”

Ouida Mae turned to Valentin with a smile. “Have you had breakfast?”

“No, ma’am, I have not,” Valentin said. “I was going to ask you the same. Would you and Sophie care to join me at the local diner?”

Sophie snorted. “Hello, I’m cooking scrambled eggs. But if Miz Mo wants to eat at the diner, I’ll stay here.”

“I have plenty of eggs, and we cooked up enough bacon for an army if you’d like to stay and eat here,” Ouida Mae said.

“As long as you let me help,” Valentin said. “I know how to add a leaf to the dining table, and as long as there’s only one fork, knife and spoon each, I can set a mean table.”

“You’re hired.” Ouida Mae tipped her head toward the cabinets. “Silverware is in the top drawer to the right of the dishwasher; napkins are on the counter.”

While Valentin set the table, Ouida Mae removed toast from the toaster and spread butter over the slices.

“Juice?” Valentin asked.

“In the fridge along with the milk,” Ouida Mae said.

Valentin retrieved a bottle of orange juice and a carton of milk from the refrigerator and set them in the middle of the table.

Sophie scraped scrambled eggs from the skillet into a large bowl and carried it and a platter of bacon to the table.

Ouida Mae brought the stack of toast and a jar of strawberry preserves.

Valentin held out a chair for Sophie and then Ouida Mae. Once the ladies were seated, he sat next to Ouida Mae.

“Thank you for cooking, Sophie,” Ouida Mae said.

“It’s the least I could do since it was my fault you cut your hand.” Sophie spooned eggs onto her plate and then passed the bowl to Ouida Mae.

Ouida Mae added a scoop of eggs to her plate.

“That’s a story I’d like to hear,” Valentin said casually.

“It’s not much of one,” Sophie offered. “I showed up at her back door and scared the daylights out of her.” She took two slices of bacon from the platter and handed the dish to Ouida Mae.

“I wasn’t expecting anyone to show up at my backdoor after midnight,” Ouida Mae said. “She startled me while I was rinsing out a wine glass.”

“I’ll pay you for the wine glass after I sweep Mr. Parson’s floors,” Sophie promised.

“No need,” Ouida Mae said. “It was one I picked up from a yard sale.”

“Then I’ll find you another,” Sophie said.

“What brought you to Miss Maudet’s house after midnight?” Valentin asked.

Again, Sophie’s gaze met Ouida Mae’s for a moment, and then she concentrated on the food on her plate. “I had an argument with my mother and needed a place to stay for the night. Miz Mo let me use her guest bedroom.”

“Won’t your mother be worried about you?” Valentin asked.

Sophie’s fork paused halfway to her mouth. “It’s complicated.”

Ouida Mae laid a hand on Valentin’s leg beneath the table and gave it a gentle squeeze.

He guessed it was his cue to stop asking the teen questions.

“But don’t worry, I won’t be here long,” Sophie said. “I have to go see a friend.”

“ The friend?” Ouida Mae asked.

Sophie glanced up, nodded briefly and refocused on her food.

“I think you should wait until I get back from my morning errand,” Ouida Mae said. “Just to be sure.”

Sophie glanced up. Again, her gaze met Ouida Mae’s as if they were sending telepathic messages or subtext Valentin was not privy to. The urge to ask what the hell was going on was overwhelming.

The hand on his leg was warm, soft and decidedly firm.

That subtext he got.

Keep your mouth shut .

He shoved another bite of eggs into his mouth rather than biting down on his tongue. As soon as he had Ouida Mae alone, he’d get his answers.

“I won’t be gone long,” Ouida Mae said. “Would you mind cleaning up the dishes? When I get back, we’ll plan the rest of our day.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Sophie said, her lips tight, a crease in her brow. The girl held her fork so tightly her fingers turned white.

Ouida Mae’s cell phone pinged beside her on the table. She read a text and responded, her thumbs moving briefly over the digital keyboard.

Though Valentin sat beside her, he only caught half the messages—something about a package.

Ouida Mae sent her message and turned the phone over. “That was the message I was waiting for. I need to meet a friend in ten minutes.” When she started to gather her plate, Sophie held up a hand.

“Leave your dishes,” the teen said. “I’ll take care of them.”

“I won’t be gone long,” Ouida Mae repeated. She turned to Valentin. “You’re welcome to stay and finish your breakfast. I’ll be back soon.”

“I’m done,” he said and pushed back from the table. “I can take you wherever you need to go.”

Ouida Mae frowned. She shot a glance towards Sophie.

Sophie shrugged with more of that subtext Valentin wasn’t a part of.

“I guess that will be all right,” Ouida Mae said. “Are you ready?

“Yes, ma’am.” He turned to Sophie. “Are you all right here on your own?”

She nodded. “I’m used to it. Go. I’ll have the dishes and the bathroom cleaned by the time you get back.”

Ouida Mae gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry.”

Sophie snorted softly. “Easy for you to say.” She waved her hand. “Go.”

Ouida Mae headed for the door.

Valentin hurried after her.

“Be sure to lock the door after us,” Ouida Mae called out.

Sophie was right behind Valentin. “Got it.”

Once Ouida Mae and Valentin were across the threshold, the door closed behind them and a clicking sound indicated the deadbolt had been engaged.

When Ouida Mae headed for her car, Valentin caught up with her. “Let me take you in my truck.”

She didn’t say a word but changed direction, arriving at the passenger side of his truck.

Valentin opened the door and helped her up. Sensing her urgency, he quickly rounded the hood and slid in behind the steering wheel.

“Where to?” he asked as he backed up, turned around and drove down her driveway to the main road.

“Broussard’s,” she said.

He turned toward her, a frown pulling his brow downward. “Isn’t the store closed on Sunday?”

She nodded, her lips tight, a frown puckering her brow. “I’m meeting Shelby Taylor in the parking lot.”

Valentin drove into town to Broussard’s Country Store. When he pulled into the parking lot, he drove straight up to the sheriff’s deputy’s vehicle. As he shifted into park, Ouida Mae shoved open the door. “I’ll be right back.”

He assumed she meant for him to stay in the vehicle.

Shelby eased out of her SUV with a small, brown paper bag in one hand, the other hand going to her swollen belly. She looked ready to pop. Remy was beside himself over her pregnancy and worried about her job as a deputy putting her and the baby in danger.

Valentin understood.

But Shelby was a strong, independent young woman who’d do everything in her power to protect her baby while protecting her community.

Shelby’s gaze went from Ouida Mae to where Valentin sat behind the wheel.

Valentin raised a hand in greeting and lowered his window.

Shelby said something to Ouida Mae as she handed the bag over.

Ouida Mae shook her head and responded by glancing toward Valentin and saying two words in a whisper that didn’t carry to his open window.

Not that he could read lips well, but it looked like she’d said not yet.

Valentin strained to hear what they were saying without looking too obvious. He only caught a few of Shelby’s words. Something to do with state and social services. He also heard the word mother.

Valentin put what little he heard together and tried to make sense of the disjointed words.

If they were talking about social services, they might be discussing one of Ouida Mae’s students who might need help. Since Sophie was one of Ouida Mae’s students, currently staying at Ouida Mae’s house, Valentin had to assume they were discussing the teenager. Maybe Shelby had tried to contact the girl’s mother and social services to help place Sophie in a safer home.

All his thoughts were pure conjecture. He hoped Ouida Mae would trust him enough to bring him in on what was going on. If Sophie was in trouble, she needed protection. Since Ouida Mae had taken the teen in, that trouble might find its way to Ouida Mae as well.

If his job was to protect Ouida Mae, Valentin needed to know what was happening.

Ouida Mae nodded and said clearly, “I will.” She hugged Deputy Taylor tightly, then stepped back.

The deputy waved at Valentin, climbed into her SUV and drove out of the parking lot, leaving Ouida Mae standing where they’d hugged for a moment longer.

Finally, Ouida Mae returned to Valentin’s pickup and climbed in, laying the small paper bag across her lap, her bandaged hand resting over it. She stared straight ahead.

“Where to?” he asked.

She sat up straighter, squared her shoulders, and raised her chin. “Home.”

He shifted into gear, turned around in the parking lot and drove to Ouida Mae’s house in silence.

Valentin wanted to ask what that was all about. He wanted to ask what was wrong because, based on her body language, she was headed into dark waters or a battle that would take all of her determination.

He held his tongue. If Ouida Mae wanted him to know, she would tell him…perhaps in her own time.

At the house, he shifted into park and reached for his door handle.

Ouida Mae’s hand shot out and touched his arm. “If you don’t mind, give me a few minutes alone. I’ll let you know when it’s okay to come in—unless you have something better to do with your day.”

“I don’t have anything better to do. I’ll wait till you’re ready,” he said. “Take all the time you need.”

Ouida Mae gave him a weak smile and pushed open her door.

Valentin sat behind the wheel and watched as she climbed out of his truck and walked up the stairs to her house.

She stuck her key in the lock, twisted it and pushed the door open. Ouida Mae disappeared inside and closed the door behind her.

Valentin checked his watch. He sat wondering what was going on inside for a few minutes. At the five-minute mark, he remembered that he hadn’t checked around her house for last night’s intruder. He might as well do that now while waiting for Ouida Mae to give him the “all clear” to come into her house.

Valentin dropped down from his pickup and circled her house, looking for any signs of an intruder. He found footprints in the soft dirt behind Ouida Mae’s house. Some of that dirt had been carried up the back steps in footprints. Based on the size of the footprints, they probably belonged to Sophie.

From what Ouida Mae had told him, she’d heard footsteps on the front porch the night before. Hesitant to climb the front porch steps, Valentin studied the planks on the porch for any signs of footprints there. He expanded his search, working his way outward in an ever-enlarging circle around her house.

Nothing stood out until he reached the edge of the bayou. He found a small pirogue tucked beneath a low-hanging branch and secured to a limb with a thin line. He assumed it was Sophie’s.

Moving further down the edge of the bayou, he discovered a skid mark in the muddy bank where a larger skiff or boat had been pushed up onto the bank. Footprints in the mud beside the skid mark were larger than the ones he’d found on the back porch. These were man-sized footprints and had been made coming and going.

Ouida Mae had not been imagining things when she’d heard footsteps on her porch.

That worried Valentin.

Ouida Mae’s home was far enough out of town to be considered isolated. It was next to another, larger home Ouida Mae had said belonged to her parents. But they were hardly over there. If she needed help, it would take time for a sheriff’s vehicle to respond.

“Valentin?” Ouida Mae’s voice called out.

Valentin hurried around to the front of the house to find Ouida Mae standing on the porch, a tight smile on her lips.

“Oh, there you are,” she said with forced cheerfulness.

“I was just looking around the perimeter of your yard for any indication of your other intruder last night,” he said. “Everything all right?”

“Yes,” she said. “Everything is going to be just fine. Isn’t that right, Sophie?” She turned toward the open front door.

Sophie stood in the shadows. “Yes, ma’am,” she said, her voice sounding a little choked.

Valentin nodded. Whatever was going on wasn’t just fine. “It’s a beautiful day; let’s get out and do something.”

Ouida Mae smiled. A real one this time. “That would be great. Where would you like to go?”

Since the two ladies looked a bit tense, Valentin didn’t want to suggest a trip to New Orleans. Then he thought about his buddy Gerard and his fiancée, Bernadette, and a smile spread across his face. “How about I surprise you?” He held up his hands. “Don’t worry; it’s nothing crazy, but it will get us outdoors to enjoy the sunshine.”

Ouida Mae nodded. “I could make up some sandwiches, and we could have a picnic.”

“Sounds great,” Valentin said. “I just need to touch base with a friend of mine. Then I’ll come in and help.”

“Sophie and I will get started.” She went back to the house but left the front door open.

Valentin texted Gerard, asking if it would be okay for the three of them to visit for the day.

Gerard responded a moment later that it would be fine as long as they didn’t mind helping harvest vegetables Bernie needed to supply Broussard’s the following morning.

Perfect. Outdoors in the sunshine, doing something productive would help anyone's spirits.

He entered the house and moved down the hallway to the kitchen, where Ouida Mae and Sophie had laid out slices of bread and were layering them with deli meat and cheese.

“Mustard or mayo?” Ouida Mae asked.

“Both,” he said. “What can I help with?”

“We have the sandwiches under control,” Ouida Mae responded. “You could grab a bag from the mudroom and the potato chips from the pantry, for a start.”

As Valentin passed Sophie, he noted her eyes were red-rimmed, and her cheeks were tear-stained. Whatever had upset Sophie had upset Ouida Mae as well. And neither one of them wanted to talk.

Valentin would make it his challenge to bring smiles back to both of their faces. “What about drinks?” he asked.

“There’s a small ice chest in the mudroom. I have a couple of sodas in the refrigerator, as well as a small bottle of apple juice. And there are some water bottles next to the ice chest in the mudroom. We can take a few of each.”

Valentin filled the small ice chest with drinks and poured ice on top to keep them cool. By the time they were done, Ouida Mae and Sophie had wrapped the sandwiches and put them in the bag with the potato chips.

Valentin grabbed the small ice chest and the bag of sandwiches. “Ready?”

Ouida Mae smiled, and Sophie squared her shoulders.

“Ready,” Ouida Mae said for both of them. “Where are we going?”

He grinned. “Bellamy Farms to pick vegetables.”

“Sounds great,” Ouida Mae said. “Right, Sophie?”

“Great,” the teen agreed, with little enthusiasm. “Beats sitting around doing nothing.”

Oh, good, Valentin thought. Cheering this one up would be a challenge. He looked on the bright side. He could practice his teen-handling skills on Sophie while spending more time with the pretty science teacher.

Win-Win.