Page 12 of Landry

“I can have Landry stop by to check your locks,” Remy offered. “He can stand guard through the night as well. He’s not currently assigned to a job.”

The air left Camille’s lungs. Landry was the man who’d sent a jolt of electricity through her body. A different kind of shiver rippled across her skin. “Oh, I don’t think I need someone to stay through the night,” she said hurriedly.

“At least let him stop by and go over the locks,” Shelby urged.

Camille chewed on her bottom lip. “Sure. It would be nice to have someone double-check the locks on the windows and doors. I’ll also have a talk with Ava about opening windows in the middle of the night.” If she needed to, she’d stay up all night to make sure no one opened a window for real or imaginary friends. She smiled at Shelby and Remy and lightly pinched Jean-Luc’s chubby cheek. “Thank you for the offer and for buying chocolates. Take care of this little guy.”

“Let me know of any other occurrences that don’t seem right. We might have a Peeping Tom or burglar roaming the area.” Shelby hugged Camille and left to return to work on her shift.

As the men filed out of the store with their bags of chocolates, Remy stepped to the side with Landry, speaking softly while holding onto his son.

Remy and Landry, the last to leave, stopped in front of Camille as she held the door for them.

“Landry will be by around sunset,” Remy said.

Landry held out his hand.

Reluctantly, Camille took it.

His fingers curled around hers in a firm, but gentle handshake, sending that same jolt of electricity bolting through her system. “It’ll be my pleasure. Thank you for the chocolate. It was absolutely...magical,” he said with a wink.

Camille’s heart fluttered. She immediately pulled her hand from his and rubbed it across her apron. “You’re...um... You’re welcome.”

After the two men left the store, Camille closed the door, her gaze following Remy and Landry as they climbed into the cab of a pickup and drove out of sight.

She’d touched Landry twice. Both times, she’d experienced a jolt of electric current rippling through her. Whatever that was, she didn’t need it. After her first marriage had ended so disastrously, she didn’t need to fall for another guy. Especially one that could potentially break her heart.

Ava continued to play with her bear, doll and tea set while Camille greeted her next guests and went to work helping them with samples and gift boxes. By the time they left, it was time to close the shop and head to the house.

Her pulse beat faster at the thought of Landry Laurent stopping by to check her window and door locks. For a moment, she considered Remy’s suggestion that she let him stay the night to protect her and her daughter from Ava’s imaginary friend or the black-headed monster.

As soon as the thought surfaced, she nixed it. She could take care of herself and her daughter. Besides, it was only for the one night until her security camera with its motion sensor arrived. Then she could monitor Ava’s room without having to get out of her own bed.

She could handle one night. Shelby had mentioned missing items, but nothing more concerning, such as physical attacks. They should be all right.

The vehicle that had rear-ended her came to mind. But she hadn’t led him to her cottage on the bayou. Surely that had been a one-off occurrence by a rowdy drunk looking for trouble.

Camille was counting on that. But it wouldn’t hurt to keep a can of wasp spray close. It wasn’t a gun, but it could be effective in fighting off an intruder if aimed toward his eyes. Ava’s monster might not have a nose or mouth, but she had said he had eyes.

Chapter 3

Landry climbed into Remy’s truck and buckled his seatbelt, his thoughts moving ahead to his new assignment.

Checking out a young woman’s locks on windows and doors seemed simple. But as a Navy SEAL, he’d learned not to underestimate even the most mundane task. What appeared to be routine sometimes had a buried IED waiting to be found by a misstep on someone’s part.

Not that there were IEDs in Louisiana, but the concept was solid. Never underestimate a mission.

Remy wrestled with Jean-Luc, ultimately securing the squirming baby in the car seat in the backseat of his truck. Once the baby was sufficiently strapped into the safety device, Remy climbed into the driver’s seat, fastened his seatbelt and started the engine. “Hit me with your questions,” he said as he backed out of the parking space in front of Sweet Temptations.

His gaze on the woman standing on the other side of the glass door, Landry asked, “What’s Ms. Catoire’s story? Is she and her daughter in witness protection? Is she hiding from a psychotic ex I need to be aware of? Does she infuse her candies with illegal drugs?” He’d considered the last idea based on his reaction to the tasty treat and her electric touch.

Remy chuckled. “Camille is one of Shelby’s friends. She’s a very nice lady who would do anything for her daughter. She does have a history, though.”

Landry nodded. He’d figured the woman was too good to be true.

“She was married to a man who worked for a high-end jewelry store. He sold expensive jewelry to very rich individuals in New Orleans. He also stole jewelry from his customers. He got caught stealing over twenty-five thousand dollars’ worth of jewelry and has spent the past five years in jail.”

“Is Ms. Catoire still married to him, despite the fact he’s a convicted felon?” Landry held his breath, waiting for Remy’s response, telling himself it didn’t matter if she was still married.

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