Page 54 of Landry

Gisele cocked an eyebrow. “And he doesn’t think he could be that guy…?” She snorted. “Famous last words. The guy is already smitten with you and Ava.”

“Not hardly. But I told him I didn’t want commitment anyway. I’m not sure I could trust another man after Richard.”

“But you broke your five-year dry spell.” Gisele nodded. “Good for you. So, I guess you won’t feel bad about going out with Mark this evening. That is, of course, if Ava’s well enough to spend the night with Aunt Gisele.”

“Personally, I’d break the date with Mark, but he didn’t give me his phone number. We’re supposed to meet at the fair at 6:30 this evening.”

“Then meet Mark at the fair but tell him you’re not interested and go back to Landry.”

Camille grimaced. “Think Mark will be mad?

“Probably.” Gisele lifted a shoulder and let it drop. “The important question is, who would you rather spend time with, Mark or Landry?”

“They’re both passing through, more or less,” Camille replied, avoiding the only answer. Landry, of course.

“I can’t believe Landry offered to watch Ava all day. From what Rafael told me, the man has a phobia for marriage and children. Something about his upbringing.”

“Well, he’s been great with Ava. He even read her a bedtime story. Sadly, Ava likes him a lot.” Camille sighed.

“And that’s a bad thing?”

“Yes. He’s only temporary. She’ll miss him when he’s not in her life anymore. That’s another reason why I don’t want her to know the men I might date. I don’t want her to get attached, only to be disappointed when they leave.”

“I get it,” Gisele said. “Wouldn’t it be great if Landry didn’t end the relationship when the assignment is over?”

A customer entered the candy store at that moment, sparing Camille the need for a response.

“I’ll expect you to drop Ava off around six if she’s up to spending the night.” Gisele waved and left Camille to handle customers for the remainder of the day.

Camille had hoped Mark would come through the store that day so that she could break the date and not have to go to the fair that night. If Ava was still sick, she’d have to rethink her plans. She hated being ghosted and wouldn’t do that to Mark, if she could help it.

Traffic stayed steady through to the last hour. Camille had hoped to close the shop early, but that didn’t happen. Fifteen minutes after five o’clock, she locked up, climbed into her car and headed to the house, ready to see Ava. And, yes, ready to see Landry. Her pulse quickened as she pulled into the driveway.

Ava burst from the house with Landry right behind her.

Glad her daughter seemed to be back to her usual, healthy self, Camille was a little disappointed she wouldn’t have an excuse to stay home with her. She got out of her car and was hit with the full force of an excited five-year-old.

“I’m going to spend the night with Auntie Gisele!” Ava wrapped her arms around her mother’s legs and squeezed tightly.

“Yes, you are.” Camille hugged her daughter, her gaze going to the man leaning on the porch rail, looking so incredibly handsome he took her breath away.

Camille took her daughter’s hand and walked with her to the porch. “I take it you’re feeling much better.”

“I am,” she answered. “We had happy-face pancakes for breakfast, and I helped make PBJ sandwiches for lunch. Then we skipped stones on the water. I made mine skip three times. Mr. Landry skipped seven times.”

“Sounds like you had a great day.”

“The best!” Ava said. “Oh, and I drew a picture for you.” She ran into the house, leaving Camille on the porch with Landry.

“Ava certainly had a great day,” Camille said. “How about you? Had enough of babysitting?”

Landry tipped his head, his brow wrinkling. “Actually, I had a great day as well. Ava’s a bright, happy child with a lot of energy. She’s still worried about her friend Billy Ray. I asked Remy and Shelby to be on the lookout for him, but to keep it on the down low. We don’t want to spook him.”

Camille nodded. “I hate to think of a ten-year-old alone in the bayou. That he’s sick makes it even worse.”

“I have our computer gurus looking for any missing ten-year-old boys in the area. Hopefully, they’ll come up with Billy Ray and give us the scoop on him.” His brow dipped. “Did you get your entries in on time for the fair competition?”

“I did.” Camille frowned, struggling with how to break it to Landry that she had a date that evening.

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