A Bayou Christmas by Susan Sands

Author:Susan Sands
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance
ISBN: 9781958686041
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2022-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

I arrived at the restaurant at the same time as Carly and Tanner, so we were able to walk in together. There was no wait this early in the evening, so the host showed us to a booth immediately. “Hmm. It smells so good. Like garlic and cheese.” I inhaled deeply, appreciating the aroma.

“Just wait. They bring you garlic yeast rolls sprinkled with obscene amounts of Parmesan.” Carly put a hand to her abdomen. “I’ve just talked my stomach into growling.”

The place was small with lanterns on the wall at every booth. There were tables covered with red-and-white checked tablecloths for larger parties in the center of the room.

Carly and I ordered a glass of chardonnay, and Tanner got a beer. “So, I was thinking that we should install some security cameras at street level and outside your door upstairs for peace of mind,” Tanner said and took a swig of his beer.

“Is there a crime problem in the area?”

“No, there isn’t, but we would feel better with you living alone there if you had a little security.”

That was reasonable. Living in the Chicago area, even a nice suburb, I took precautions. “Okay. Thanks for your concern over my safety.”

Carly leaned in. “So, I’d love to hear about your dinner with the Kellers, if you want to talk about it.”

“How many hours do you have?” I laughed. “No, I’m kidding. It was an interesting meal for sure. The food was good, and I was welcomed into the family with Tootie listing all the things expected of me as such.”

“Oh, dear. I can only imagine. Were you given a list of key words and phrases to embrace or avoid?”

“Ha. No, but there are expectations. They want me to sit with them in the courtroom as a show of support when the judge goes on trial.” I knew how sensitive this subject might be, but better to put it out there than keep secrets. I hated secrets.

Tanner’s expression became thunderous. “Of all the disgusting things I expected, that’s beyond the pale. Do you know what he did?”

“I’ve heard a version of it.”

“My father, Carson, was the mastermind, but the judge was nowhere near innocent or blameless. He sat on the bench and signed off on committing a woman to a mental institution to hide the truth about what happened to her daughter back when they were in law school. They hid damning evidence of their involvement to save themselves.”

“Wow.”

Carly added, “Suffice to say, the judge doesn’t deserve your support, but that’s for you to decide.” But I didn’t get the impression they would be okay if I decided to show support for the judge.

“The Bertrands have been there for me since the day you found out about me. But I’ve barely spoken to the Kellers. I can’t help but feel they’re playing me to help their situation in the community—or something.”

“They are a calculating bunch. Elizabeth despises Leah because she’s had a thing for Jake since they were kids. Mom hates Arthur Keller and Carson for threatening her when she got pregnant with you.

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