Bayou Mardi Gras (Cypress Cove Book 3) by Suzanne Jenkins

Author:Suzanne Jenkins [Jenkins, Suzanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-03-08T16:00:00+00:00

The sound of Alphé’s truck pulling up to the house where his children lived was a welcome disruption for Angela, Noel, and the two younger children, Pris and Rumor. When their father walked through the door, they literally jumped him, screaming his name. But then something happened that changed the tone of the visit; Rumor started weeping, his arms around Alphé’s neck, and it started a chain reaction of emotion for all the children.

“Where’s Mommy?” Alphé asked, furor building after they’d chatted for a while, catching up.

“She’s out again,” Angela said, no longer feeling like she needed to protect Alphé. He could handle it.

“Come with me,” he said. “Pack up your pj’s and electronics. We’re going to the boat. I want you to see the bunks set up, two on each side of the corridor. You’ll be so cozy there when you come to stay.”

Excitedly, they went to their rooms, Alphé helping the younger children pack bags. He wrote Lola a note; she didn’t deserve a text, that he was taking the kids to the boat for the night and would have them back in the morning for school.

Then he sent Katrina a text.

First, my apologies. I’m navigating this blindfolded, as you must imagine. I went to the house and the kids were alone, the little ones upset, so I’m bringing them back to the boat with me. I hope you’ll be okay with this impromptu sleepover. I’ll go through a drive-thru for their dinner, and they’ll be back home for breakfast. See you in fifteen minutes.

Out of the linen closet, he grabbed sheets and extra pillows. After all, he’d bought them in the first place. He wasn’t taking things off their beds; this was all extra stuff Lola had accumulated. He looked around the house for anything more they might need. Then he remembered he had the pickup.

“This will be interesting,” he said, standing with four kids on the curb.

“We’ll ride in the back, Dad. It’s no problem,” Noel said, laughing.

After piling all the bags and trash bags of linens and toys into the back, the older kids got in, clearly at ease, so Alphé didn’t worry about their psyches. They went through the drive-thru and bought enough food for twice as many kids, and headed to the marina.

Katrina had dressed a little nicer than sweatpants in preparation to meet his children, and was waiting up on deck for them when she heard Alphé’s truck. They were all lugging bags of stuff, laughing and happy and sounding perfectly accepting that their father was now living on a fishing boat with his girlfriend.

“Are you Katrina?” Pris asked, running up to the boat.

“Be careful you don’t fall into the drink, Pris,” Alphé called out.

Giggling, Pris was suddenly shy.

“Yes, I’m Katrina. Can I take your bags?” she asked, holding out her hands. Instead of handing her the bags, the little girl held out her hand.

“Can I get on board with you?”

Pris would latch on to Katrina in ways they would never have imagined.

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