Lost on the Bayou

  Lost on the Bayou

  by Rose Pressey

  Praise for Me and My Ghoulfriends by Rose Pressey

  “Rose Pressey spins a delightful tale with misfits and romance that makes me cheer loudly.”

  Coffee Time Romance

  “Her characters are alive and full of quick witted charm and will make you laugh. The plot twists keep you turning the pages non-stop.”

  ParaNormalRomance

  “I absolutely loved this book! It had me chuckling from the beginning.”

  Fallen Angel Reviews

  Rose Pressey’s Complete Bookshelf (click title to preview/buy)

  Maggie, P.I. Mystery Series:

  Book 1 – Crime Wave

  Book – Murder is a Beach

  The Halloween LaVeau Series:

  Book 1 – Forever Charmed

  Book 2 – Charmed Again

  Book 3 – Third Time’s a Charm

  The Hadley Wilds Series:

  Book 1: Dead Girl’s Guide to Style

  The Rylie Cruz Series:

  Book 1 – How to Date a Werewolf

  Book 2 – How to Date a Vampire

  Book 3 – How to Date a Demon

  The Larue Donovan Series:

  Book 1 – Me and My Ghoulfriends

  Book 2 – Ghouls Night Out

  Book 3 – The Ghoul Next Door

  The Mystic Café Series:

  Book 1 – No Shoes, No Shirt, No Spells

  Book 2 – Pies and Potions

  The Veronica Mason Series:

  Book 1 – Rock ‘n’ Roll is Undead

  A Trash to Treasure Crafting Mystery:

  Book 1 – Murder at Honeysuckle Hotel

  Book 2 – Honeysuckle Homicide

  The Haunted Renovation Mystery Series:

  Book 1 – Flip that Haunted House

  Book 2 – The Haunted Fixer Upper

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form, (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, incidents, places, and brands are the product of the author’s imagination and not to be construed as real. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Dedication

  This is to you and you know who you are.

  Acknowledgements

  To my son, who brings me joy every single day. To my mother, who introduced me to the love of books. To my husband, who encourages me and always has faith in me. A huge thank you to my editor, Eleanor Boyall. And to the readers who make writing fun.

  Chapter One

  Chloe used to believe in happily ever after

  “Abby moaned beneath her breath as Matthew settled his mouth on her lips.” I typed the sentence and then finished with the words “The End.” Leaning back in my chair, I released a deep breath, blew the bangs out of my eyes and stared at the computer screen. One day and two hours before my latest deadline and I’d finished the manuscript. All that was left now was to send it to my editor. I deserved a high-calorie, buttercream-frosting-topped treat after all the work I’d put into this book. The story had been emotionally draining and I’d gone along for every twist and turn of the passionate ride with my characters.

  With a click of the mouse I attached the file to the email and hit send. The manuscript was on its way. My editor would be happy that I’d met the deadline since I was pretty sure she’d expected it to be late for the second time. I’d asked for an extra month to write the book. My head just hadn’t been in the right place lately. Maybe I needed a vacation.

  Too bad my romance novels were nothing like my life. Sometimes I wondered how I ever wrote the love scenes since I had no passion headed my way. I didn’t even have anyone to flirt with at the moment, not even a wink. Unless you considered Mr. Henkel who lived next door. He had an eye twitch that most people mistook as a wink.

  Maybe lack of romance made my imagination even better. I hadn’t had a date for six months. Sure, I’d been asked out, but what was the point? It never ended in a happily ever after.

  The sun melted through my apartment window, covering the room in a buttery yellow glow. I had been so busy in my made-up world the last few weeks that I’d let the real one pass me by. I watched as a few people walked past. Maybe it was time that I joined them.

  I pushed to my feet and then walked over to the bookshelf at the far corner of the room. My apartment had one bedroom and a living-dining room combination. The windows in each room stretched from ceiling to floor and allowed in an abundant amount of light. With light-colored walls, aged white furniture, and wisps of white fabric, the décor of my place brought forth feelings of romance and passion. I had quite a few novels lining my shelves since I’d first been published eight years ago. I had been lucky enough to start a great career as an author. Since I was only thirty-three, I still had many novels left to write.

  I picked up one of the paperbacks. The name Chloe Beaumont was splashed across the spine. It was still strange seeing my name on my books. I never tired of it though. I placed the book back on the shelf and crossed the floor over to the window. The people who had been walking by had now disappeared. With the window open, only the sound of a bird filled the air. Palm trees and cactus bushes dotted the landscape. Beyond them was the parking lot.

  My apartment was in a small complex with only twenty other units. As far as I knew I was the youngest resident. Most everyone was in their seventies and spent their days playing golf or reading books by the pool. Then again, I didn’t really know any of my neighbors other than Mr. Henkel who lived right across the hall. He made sure that I knew he was around too. I think he’d decided early on that he needed to be a father figure for me. I didn’t have the heart to tell him the gesture wasn’t necessary. After all, it was kind of sweet that he’d cared.

  I’d moved to Arizona ten years ago after college. My father had remarried and moved to New York and my mother had died my senior year of high school. I didn’t see a need to stay around town. There were too many painful memories and nothing good for me in Belle Grove, Louisiana.

  The men in my novels were my idea of perfect. Sure, they had their flaws, but who didn’t? Why couldn’t I meet someone like that in real life? Because they didn’t exist in real life. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe in the happily ever after, but I had to admit I was a bit skeptical now. I had never actually met anyone who could be compared to a hero in one of my novels—well, there was one person who I’d thought was the ideal guy, but he’d turned out to be the exact opposite. I’d just keep writing my idea of the perfect man and that would have to be enough.

  A knock on my door startled me out of my reverie. I peeked out the little peephole and saw Mr. Henkel looking back. He didn’t know that I was watching him just yet. Most of his gray hair had disappeared years ago. He wore his usual outfit of short-sleeved button-down shirt and plaid shorts. Mr. Henkel was a fan of wearing white socks with his sandals.

  I opened the door. “Good morning, Mr. Henkel, how are you?”

  “Just thought I would check and see if you’d like anything from the store. I’m getting oranges. Would you like an orange?” He adjusted the wire glasses on his face and peered at me.

  Just then my phone rang. “Oh, I’d better get that, Mr. Henkel. I don’t think I need any oranges today.”

  His face broke into a smile, crinkling the corners of his eyes. “I’ll see you when I get back then.”

  I reached
my phone and paused when I saw the caller ID. It wasn’t the number that made me pause. No, the reason I stopped was the location listed. It was my hometown. Who was calling me from there? My uncle still lived there, but I hadn’t talked with him in a while. Plus, it wasn’t his number, although he could be using a different phone. There was only one way to find out. “Hello?”

  I had fully expected to hear his loud voice boom across the line. It wasn’t his voice though. In fact it wasn’t a man’s voice at all. A soft woman’s voice sounded from the other end.

  “Is this Chloe Beaumont?” she asked.

  I hesitated, but then finally said, “Yes, this is Chloe.”

  “I’m sorry for calling. My name is Gina DeWitt.”

  Where had I heard that name before? I waited for her to continue.

  “I’m your Uncle Taylor’s girlfriend.”

  Oh, yes, now I remembered. He had mentioned that he was dating someone. “What can I do for you?” I asked.

  “Have you spoken with your uncle lately?” Her voice wavered.

  I hadn’t talked with him. I didn’t even know how she’d gotten my phone number. Had he given it to her? Maybe they were planning on getting married. I hoped not, because I didn’t want to be invited to the wedding. That would mean going back to Belle Grove and that wasn’t something I was willing to do.

  I didn’t know much about her other than what my uncle had said over the phone. She worked at the local bakery. He went in every morning for a coffee and a bagel. After a while, I guessed they’d started talking and now apparently they were an item. She was my uncle’s age—well, maybe a couple years younger, around fifty-six. He said she was a petite blonde with a bubbly personality. I had to admit I wasn’t sensing that bubbly personality right now. Maybe she was mad at him. But why call me?

  “So you haven’t talked with your uncle?” she pressed.

  “No, I haven’t spoken with him in a while. Is everything okay?” I asked. She was beginning to freak me out.

  She released a deep breath and then said, “I have a bit of a problem.”

  Well, I had figured that much since she was practically a stranger and calling me to discuss my uncle. I thought I detected tears in her voice. “What’s wrong?” I asked, hoping that she would get to the point.

  “I can’t find your uncle,” she said matter-of-factly.

  “What do you mean you can’t find him?” My voice was now squeakier than usual.

  “I haven’t seen him in three days and that’s just not like him.”

  “Did you try to call?” It seemed like an obvious question, but I had to ask.

  “Yes, of course I’ve tried to call him,” she said in an irritated voice.

  “Sorry, but I have to ask the obvious questions. Did you go by his place?”

  She sighed. “Yes, of course.”

  “Maybe he just decided to take a little trip,” I offered.

  What did she want me to do? He was a big boy and maybe he didn’t want to talk with her. Maybe they had had a fight. But what if they hadn’t? My stomach twisted at the thought. What would I do? I had to call him as soon as I hung up with her. Surely he would answer my call.

  My uncle had always been a free spirit, but now that he was older he had settled down. He liked to stay close to home and go fishing a couple times a week. When he wasn’t working, he liked to take it easy. “What had he been doing?” I asked.

  “He was busy trying to get things together to build his new house,” she offered.

  Uncle Taylor had often mentioned he was going to build his dream home on some land that he’d had for a while. I was glad that he was finally making that dream come true. The perfect spot, as he’d called it, was on the water, where he could do what he loved best, fish.

  “We had a bit of a disagreement when we spoke last.” She sniffled. “Now I regret that.”

  So maybe it was an argument that had caused this. Trouble in paradise. “What was the argument about?”

  “Oh, Taylor didn’t want me to come along when he met some man. I know the jerk and don’t like him, so I didn’t want him to go. He would harass me anytime I saw him out in town,” she said.

  What? That was a detail she should have mentioned earlier. “Have you contacted the man he was supposed to meet?” I asked.

  “No, I didn’t want to talk to him.” She paused, and then said, He’s not very nice.”

  Well, that was a problem.

  “Will you come here and help me?” she asked.

  My stomach sank. My worst fear had just come true. The thing I wanted to do the least. I’d rather run around the neighborhood naked than go back to Belle Grove.

  With desperation in my voice, I asked, “Have you contacted the police?”

  “Yes, they said that there’s nothing they can do.” There was a hitch in her voice and then she continued, “He’s an adult and they didn’t suspect any foul play.”

  Well, it looked as if I had no choice.

  “Please. I know how much he adored you.” The sweetness flowed like a chocolate fountain.

  He did? He’d never told me that. What choice did I have? I would have to go back to Belle Grove.

  She pleaded again and it appeared that I had no choice but answer now.

  Looking around the room, I realized I would have to leave the safe haven of my home. I released a deep breath. “Yes, I’ll be there as soon as I can get a flight.”

  She sighed. “Thank you so much.”

  I jotted down her number and promised to call her as soon as I arrived. In the meantime, I dialed my uncle’s number and prayed that he would answer. Unfortunately, it went straight to his voicemail. I hung up the phone and ran my hand through my hair. How had this happened? As much as I didn’t want to go back, there was something more important… I had to find my uncle. My mother would have wanted it that way.

  I’d just started packing my suitcase when a knock sounded on my door. I rushed over and saw Mr. Henkel again. When I opened the door, he thrust an orange at me.

  “I brought you an orange anyway. You look like you need the extra calories.” He gestured with the fruit.

  “Thank you, Mr. Henkel.” I took the orange from his outstretched hand. “I’m glad you stopped by. I’m going to be away for a few days.”

  “Oh, really?” His eyebrow lifted. “Where are you headed?”

  “I’m going back to Louisiana for a short trip.”

  He shifted the grocery bag on his arm. “Beautiful part of the country. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on your place.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “Don’t forget to eat the orange.” He waved his bony finger.

  I held up the orange. “I promise.”

  I finished shoving clothes into my bag and hoisted the suitcase onto the floor. Thank goodness the thing had wheels. I’d have to pick up insect repellent when I got to Louisiana. The weather would be a lot different there. Hot and humid was something I hadn’t thought about in a long time, but there were a lot of things about Belle Grove that I hadn’t thought about in a long time. Things that I had tried to push to the back of my mind.

  After grabbing my purse and locking the door, I headed for the parking lot. I’d take a cab to the airport. Within a short time, I would be in Baton Rouge. I’d decided to rent a car and drive from there.

  I forced myself to purchase the plane ticket and check my luggage. Once I boarded my flight, it was too late to turn back. Soon I was surrounded by clouds and well on my way back. I’d find my uncle and get out of Belle Grove as soon as possible.

  Chapter Two

  Grant never expected to see Chloe again

  There was just enough time for me to grab lunch before I had to be back at work. I pulled up in front of Belle Grove’s best diner, Fancy Diner. Most of the food wasn’t particularly good, but the burgers were thick and juicy and sometimes the waitresses gave me a free slice of pie.

  The sweltering heat had a tight grip on the afternoon air, as if the sun w
as angry at us. I was looking forward to the cool air in the restaurant. Too bad I didn’t have time to eat it there. I had to be back at the office within twenty minutes, so I’d have to grab my food and run.

  I climbed out from behind the wheel of my brand-new shiny black Ford F-150 and had just rounded the side when I spotted her.

  I stopped in my tracks. I couldn’t believe my eyes. What was she doing back in Belle Grove? Was it really her? I looked closer. She hadn’t noticed me. But yes, I was positive that it was her.

  As far as I knew, she hadn’t been back in town for over ten years. I’d kept track, but I wouldn’t share that info with anyone. The guys at work were always on me because I didn’t have a woman in my life. Not to mention my mother talked about it every time I saw her. I’d had a few girlfriends, but nothing had ever worked out. Now Chloe was back.

  She hadn’t changed at all and she looked great, with the same smokin’ body and gorgeous shiny dark hair. The smell of strawberries came rushing back. Chloe had always smelled like strawberries and sweet whipped cream. Her big brown eyes and the way her mouth twisted to one side when she smiled drove me crazy. Was she back in town to stay or just passing through? I knew her Uncle Taylor was still in Belle Grove. But according to him, she never came around or called often. When she’d left years ago she hadn’t looked back.

  Would she remember me? How could she forget? We’d dated the last year of high school and then through college. I’d screwed up when she’d thought I’d cheated on her.

  Her car looked like a rental, so maybe she wasn’t here to stay. Chloe was parked across the street at the bank’s parking lot. I watched as she got out of the car and walked back to the car’s trunk. She lifted a suitcase out of the trunk. That had to mean she was going to stay for a while.

  Just then the thing opened and dumped her clothing all over the ground. If I knew Chloe, she was probably cursing under her breath as she picked the items up from the pavement. She shoved the items back into the suitcase and dumped it into the trunk. Surprisingly, she hadn’t noticed that I was staring.