Page 24 of Landry

Camille had told herself that Ava was better off without a father like Richard. What could he have taught her? How to sneak into people’s houses and steal their belongings?

No. Ava was a good girl with a kind heart. She didn’t need that kind of influence in her life.

What she needed was the influence of someone who was caring and morally sound. Someone who taught her how to wash her hands like a pro, how to bait a fishhook, change a tire and share in household responsibilities. She needed a father figure to set the bar for any future relationship she might have with a man.

Someone like Landry.

As soon as the thought popped into her head, Camille squashed it firmly.

Landry was just being nice. He couldn’t possibly be interested in a ready-made family. What man would want that?

Camille led the way into the kitchen.

Landry held out Ava’s chair as she climbed up on it. Once she was seated, he pushed the chair forward until she was close enough to reach for her fork and spoon. “Bon appétit,” he said and ruffled her hair.

Landry returned to the stove, where he scooped rice into a small bowl and poured half of a ladle of gumbo over it.

He filled two more bowls with the gumbo and carried all three to the table.

“The toast worked. We averted burning the rice,” he said

They ate their gumbo, talking about fishing and the upcoming parish fair.

Camille was struck by how easy it was for Landry to blend into her very small family. She could get used to having this man around. She liked how he listened to her and Ava and engaged in the conversation, asking questions and making comments that showed that he was truly interested in what they had to say.

By the time the meal was over, Camille felt strangely content, as if having dinner with Landry was the most natural thing in the world.

He even helped put away the food and wash the dishes. Ava hadn’t finished her gumbo, claiming it was more than she could eat. Landry covered the bowl with plastic wrap and put it away in the refrigerator. “You can eat it later if you’re still hungry or for breakfast tomorrow.”

Ava laughed. “Breakfast?”

Landry appeared shocked. “You haven’t had gumbo for breakfast?”

Ava shook her head.

He winked. “You should try it sometime.”

They took a walk around the yard, down to the shore of the bayou and out onto the rickety dock that had come with a small, motorized fishing boat that wouldn’t win any speed competitions.

Camille wasn’t even sure the motor would start. She hadn’t cranked it up in months. Her neighbor had used the boat a couple of times to drag his over to the marina for repairs.

Landry stared at the pathetic little boat, shaking his head. “And you don’t fish?”

“Never have,” Camille admitted.

“We’ll have to remedy that situation,” Landry said. “Ava and I will take you out with us,” he said. “Can we bring your mom?” he asked the child.

“Yes, please,” she said, clapping her hands. “Can we go tomorrow?”

Landry cocked an eyebrow at Camille.

Caught up in his trance, she opened her mouth to say yes. At the last moment, she remembered she’d promised to meet Mark at the fair. If she'd had his phone number, she’d have called and canceled. Alas, she did not have his number and couldn’t tell him that she’d made a mistake and couldn’t join him there. “I can’t,” she said with a sigh. “I have a previous engagement.”

“We’ll do it another day,” Landry promised.

“For now, I need to get Ava through a bath and into bed.”

Ava tugged on Camille’s hand. “Can Mr. Landry read me a bedtime story?”

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