Page 76 of Cursed
To her relief, Jarvis didn’t object to the explanation. But he didn’t let her walk away, either. With more skill than she might have expected, he took her through the recent events in the bayou, with particular attention to how she had gotten away from Rivers.
Even when the lawman came at her from different angles, she stuck to her story about escaping on her own.
“Are we done?” Dan finally asked.
Morgan wanted to turn the tables and ask the sheriff some questions. She was thinking that Rivers had probably paid the man off. But she figured she’d better keep her mouth shut. She could investigate the sheriff later.
She was relieved when Jarvis said, “We’re finished for now.”
When he had left, Dan turned to her. “Do you want me to stay?”
“Do you think I need you?”
“I think Jarvis is satisfied with your answers.”
They walked back to the kitchen, where Janet was busy washing dishes.
“Frank advised me to get a room in town,” Dan said.
“Oh, he did?” Morgan asked.
“Yes. He said you and Gascon … had some issues. And you probably wouldn’t want me hanging around.”
Morgan didn’t know whether to be grateful or upset that Frank had reported their private conversation to a third party. “How much did he say?” she asked.
“Not much.” He cupped his hand over her shoulder and squeezed warmly. “I can see you don’t need me here now. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
She might have insisted that he stay at the plantation. But in truth, she wanted to talk to Andre—in private.
As soon as Dan and the sheriff had cleared out of the kitchen, she turned to Janet. “Where’s Andre?”
“He washed up, then went out,” the housekeeper answered.
“Out where?”
The woman hesitated. “To his garden patch.”
“Which is where?”
Janet sighed. “I guess you’re not going to allow him any more time.”
“For what?”
The woman gave her a stony look,
“Right, you’re not about to tell me. I have to figure it out for myself.”
Janet gave her a small smile. “You’re learning. Come on, I’ll show you where to find him.”
They stepped outside, and, to her surprise, Morgan saw that the sun was already sinking low in the western sky.
Janet paused and looked at the sunset, then quickened her pace as she led the way across the back lawn. When they reached the swamp area, Morgan felt her throat close. She’d gotten into serious trouble out there. Coming back so soon hadn’t been in her plans. When Janet glanced back at her, she firmed her jaw and followed.
The housekeeper gestured toward a patch of wild roses. “Back there.” Then she stepped around Morgan and started back to the house.
Morgan watched her leave before walking slowly toward the brambles. As she approached the screen of thorny greenery, she caught a familiar scent—the scent that she had associated with Andre.
Through the rose canes, she saw him dressed in jeans and a dark tee shirt, down on his knees, weeding a patch of low plants that had curly leaves tinged with red. He was totally focused on his work. The sight of him going about his normal routine made her heart squeeze painfully. As she stepped closer, he stopped moving, obviously aware that he was being watched.
