Page 54 of Crazy Rich Cajuns

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“I guessKennedy and the Boys of the Bayou explain why he’s trying to fast track everything,” Charles said, seemingly to Teddy.

Kennedy located the vodka bottle next to the leg of Charles’ chair.It was empty.Dammit.

Teddy nodded.“When things get personal, the drive amps up.”

“He’s fast tracking his move?”Kennedy asked.

“He’s fast tracking Sauveuse Island,” Charles said.“Or trying to.”

“Sauveuse Island?Where’s that?”Kennedy found herself unable to relax fully into the chair now.

“It’s how he’s trying to protect you,” Teddy said with a smile.

“Me?He’s trying to protect me?”Kennedy felt her heart start beating faster.“What do you mean?From what?”

“Well, you and the rest of coastal Louisiana,” Charles said.

“What are you talking about?”Kennedy turned on her cushion to face the men and folded her legs under her, tucking her skirt in around her.

“You know what the barrier islands are?”Teddy asked.

“Of course.”The islands were naturally occurring strips of land that lay between the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the wetlands.

“You know what they do?”Charles asked.

“They protect the coast from the waves out of the gulf.They act as sponges and speedbumps with storms,” Kennedy said.“They slow all of that stuff down so that storms and wind and waves lose some of their power by the time they get to the coast.Especially, the wetlands.”

Charles nodded.“They also provide calm waters for fish, crabs, oysters, and shrimp to live and reproduce.Along with millions of birds who nest there or stop on their long migrations.They protect the bayou and the things that live there.”

Including the people, Kennedy thought, but she didn’t add it out loud.

Teddy nodded.“The towns and seaports would be slammed by storms without them.But they’re eroding very quickly.”

Kennedy nodded.“We know.”

“Do you?”Charles asked.

“It’s obvious,” she said with a frown.“The people that live there know.The storms are stronger, we have a lot more water coming in now.And those who make a living off the fish and crabs and shrimp, all definitely know.Some of the fish that don’t survive in saltwater have died off with the rising salt content in the water that washes in.We’re even worried about the alligators eventually.They can live in saltwater for short periods, but they really need fresh water.”

Charles nodded.He looked a little surprised.Or impressed.Or something.“Sea levels are rising and burying some of the islands,” he said.“Hurricanes are getting stronger and more common.They’re washing some of the islands away faster than they are replenished.If those islands disappear, people aren’t going to be able to live right along the coast.”

“It’s not just nature, Charles,” Kennedy said.He knew that, she was sure, but suddenly she wanted him to know thatsheknew about all of the forces that were changing Louisiana.“Sure, sea levels and storms are part of it, but so is the fact that the oil and gas companies have carved out some of the land for their ships.Not to mention that the Mississippi has been redirected.It’s not bringing the sediment in to rebuild the islands and coast.Even New Orleans is sinking.”

“You’re right,” Charles told her.

Of course, she was.“But what’s all of that got to do with Bennett?”

“He’s building an island.”

Kennedy blinked at Teddy.“What?”

“There’s a lot of negotiating and troubleshooting going on about what’s happening above Louisiana with the river,” he said.“But one big way of protecting the coast is by building up the barrier islands.”

“Okay.But…” Kennedy shook her head.“He’s just…making a whole island?”

“Well, he’s working to help build up the others as well, but…” Teddy shrugged.“Yeah.Sauveuse Island will be a manmade barrier island.”

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