Bayou Betrayal by Robin Caroll Page A

problem?
    Maybe she was uncomfortable because she was in church when she’d told him she wasn’t on speaking terms with God. Maybe her demeanor had nothing to do with him.
    He’d had the intention of staying away from Monique, of keeping everything professional, yet he’d agreed to join her at the Bertrands’? No, that was business. He’d observe the way Felicia reacted when Monique told her of their relations. For his report only, of course.
    She finally glanced at him. He smiled. She sent him a glare that could melt the wax off the altar candles.
    Nope, her manner had everything to do with him.
    The opening bars of the closing hymn filled the sanctuary, the words of praise settling over him like a salve. He ignored the woman beside him, stood and lifted his voice with the rest of the congregation. No way would he allow anybody, not even a beautiful, intriguing woman, to come between him and worship. Besides, Monique was nothing more to him than the subject in his case, right? Right.
    Before the last strand of music died away, Monique hopped out of her seat and hobbled toward the entrance of the church. Gary nodded at friends as he made his way to the door. He slowed his pace when he saw that Pastor Spence had engaged Monique in a conversation of sorts. Smiling, he moved behind her.
    â€œFelicia tells me you’ll be joining us for lunch. I’m so happy you’re coming,” Pastor Spence said.
    â€œHope you don’t mind—Felicia invited me, as well.” He offered his hand to the preacher. “Great sermon today.”
    â€œThanks. Yep, she told me. The more the merrier.” Pastor Spence smiled back at Monique. “Do you know how to get to the house?”
    â€œI’ll make sure she gets there okay.” Gary put his hand on her shoulder.
    She jerked away from his touch and glared at him.
    Spence threw him a confused look, to which Gary only shrugged. “Uh, well, good,” Spence said. “Okay, I’ll see y’all shortly.”
    Monique pushed out the door and walked down the stairs, her escape hampered by her injuries. Gary paced himself alongside her. “Have I done something to offend you?”
    She stopped and stared at him, those wide green eyes of hers flashing with anger or annoyance, he couldn’t tell which. “Did it ever occur to you that I don’t need someone to speak for me? That I’m perfectly capable of introducing myself to my relatives all by myself? That maybe I didn’t want her to know about my house burning down just yet? Maybe I wanted to tell her who I was first. Did you ever think about that?”
    He shook his head. She wasn’t making a lick of sense. “I didn’t tell her you’re related to her, and if you think it’s a secret your house burned down, think again. Small towns thrive on gossip.” Gary struggled to keep his tone light, refusing to match her snippy tone. “Besides, you’re the one who wants me to question her and Luc about the warning call.”
    â€œBut I wanted to tell her in my way, in my time. She didn’t know it was my house that burned, which indicates you hadn’t talked to her yet. You aren’t taking me seriously.”
    She had a point. He’d intended to call Felicia and question her, but he’d just been busy with other things. Regret moved around his spine like kudzu. “Look, I’m sorry if I overstepped any bounds. I was only trying to help you.”
    â€œI wanted to do this myself,” she said more to herself than to him.
    â€œIf you don’t want me to go to lunch, I’ll just give you directions.”
    Jutting out her chin in that cute, defiant way of hers, Monique paused for a long moment. “She invited you.”
    â€œSo she did, but I can always cancel if you’d prefer to go alone.”
    Time stretched between them. Members of the congregation called out greetings to him as they crossed the