Lord of the Bayou by Bruce T. Jones

Author:Bruce T. Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Koehler Books
Published: 2022-02-08T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

AFTER NEARLY THREE THOUSAND miles in the air, the last being one hundred eighty over the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Rebecca’s restlessness was apparent. To help distract his curious, and at times, sarcastic passenger, LaRoux had resorted to teaching Rebecca to fly.

As they neared the island of Cape Breton, on the northern tip of Nova Scotia, Rebecca begrudgingly relinquished her pilot’s wings. In the cloudless blue of the August sky, she fixed her attention on the larger landmass off to the left. “What’s that land over there?”

So close to home, LaRoux knew she was referring to Newfoundland. Between fatigue and finally relaxing into the relationship, mindlessly, he nearly blurted the answer. “Nice try,” he said as he recovered his wits.

Rebecca smiled. “That wasn’t intentional. I know I have to be patient.” As LaRoux banked the jet right and continued to descend, her focus switched to the rugged coastline. “I’m guessing that’s where we’re headed?” Still twenty miles out, the few houses she saw remained a mere speck.

“I really wish I could tell you all about it. In a few days, after I’ve answered all your questions, if you still choose to stay I will be your personal tour guide.”

As the jet crossed the coastline, Rebecca noticed LaRoux’s attention fixed below. “I don’t think I want to know anymore. I know who you are, and I know the kind of things that life entails. I understand that’s the only life you’ve ever known. I can’t promise I won’t ask questions from time to time, but for now I want us to be like two normal people who’ve fallen in love and spend their days looking forward, not to the past.”

LaRoux glanced at Rebecca before inspecting his landing strip. As the jet recrossed the shoreline, he turned and gazed into Rebecca’s eyes. “This is Nova Scotia,” he proclaimed. “And it’s not only what you just said, but it’s how you said it. That’s the very reason I know I love you.” LaRoux banked hard left, bringing the Raven perpendicular to the coast.

As the jet’s airspeed dropped, Rebecca tried to decide exactly where they were supposed to land among the scattered homes, hilly terrain, and trees. “I don’t see an airport.”

“Right there,” LaRoux said as he pointed to a clearing.

“You’re landing this plane on that patch of grass?”

“God, I hope so, or this may be one of the shortest love stories in history.”

***

As LaRoux followed the coast along Meat Cove Road in an old Chevy pickup, Rebecca squinted as the sun gleamed off the Gulf of St. Lawrence. “So, I have to say, as beautiful as this is, I’m surprised you didn’t pick a country without extradition.”

“Oh, I have a place for that.” LaRoux pulled his sunglasses off and handed them to her. “But up here, privacy and simplicity are treasured. Besides, it would take an elite team of Seals to extract me from here.”

Rebecca put on the shades, then patted the well-worn leather seats of the Chevy. “I guess that’s the reason for ol’ Betsy here?”

“Outside of the jet, I prefer a nonexistent profile.

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