False Pretenses by Kathy Herman Read Free Book Online

decade?”
    Pierce smiled, wrinkles of annoyance gone from his forehead. “What in the world made you think of that?”
    “Seeing our new sign sent my mind in reverse, that’s all.”
    “The new building colors sure make the place stand out.” He squeezed her hand. “Come on, babe, let’s go home.”
    Home . What a different meaning that word had taken on since she married Pierce. In five years of marriage he had rarely raised his voice and never his fist.
    Zoe walked with Pierce toward the alley behind the row of buildings that lined the south side of rue Madeline. Her life was good. After all these years, was God finally going to punish her for what she’d done? Was that what the note was about? Or was she worrying for nothing?
    A man bumped into them, the jolt causing Zoe to drop her purse on the ground.
    The man bent down and picked it up, brushed it off, and handed it to her. “I’m so sorry. I was watching the people. Guess I should’ve been watching where I was going. What a klutz.”
    “No harm done. I’m Zoe Broussard, and this is my husband, Pierce. I don’t think we’ve met.”
    “Angus Shapiro from Dallas, Texas. I’m staying in Lafayette on business and drove down to Les Barbes to look around, maybe find souvenirs for my kids.”
    Shapiro? Zoe smiled to herself at how odd that sounded, given the number of the Cajun French surnames in the area.
    She shook hands with Angus. A respectable handshake, though his hand felt calloused and clammy. He wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. Single dad? “Pierce and I own Zoe B’s Cajun Eatery. If you haven’t eaten yet and are looking for some authentic Cajun food, you should give it a try. We’re known for our crawfish étoufée —thanks to Pierce. He’s the head chef.”
    Pierce shook the stranger’s hand, eyeing him cautiously. “Actually I’m a former-history-teacher-turned-chef. It seems I’ve found my calling. Or it found me, I’m not sure which.”
    “Too bad I’ve already eaten,” Angus said. “I need to drive over here again and try your place.”
    Zoe took a coupon out of her purse and handed it to him. “We’re offering two-for-one on any of our dinner entrees until the end of the month.”
    “It says here you’re on rue Madeline.” Angus’s Texas twang gave the street name a whole new sound. “Isn’t that where I am?”
    “Yes, Zoe B’s is that dark gold building over there.” Zoe motioned with her hand. “Phone number’s on the coupon if you want to call ahead and make a reservation. It’s a good idea after five.”
    “Thanks. I guess it’s good that I bumped into you —so to speak.” A smile appeared under his mustache. “I’ll make it a point to come back sometime this week. You folks have a nice evening.”
    “Yeah, you, too.” Pierce stood silent and watched Angus’s tall, lanky frame blend into the crowd.
    “He seemed nice,” Zoe said.
    “A little old to have hair down to his collar. And did you notice he didn’t look you directly in the eye?”
    “What I noticed was a nice guy who was a little embarrassed and who was also a potential customer.” Zoe pushed her shoulder against his. “Why do you always assume people can’t be trusted?”
    “Because most of them can’t. I trust my family. And Dempsey and Savannah.” He pulled her closer and kissed her cheek. “And I trust you with my life. I don’t need to trust anyone else.”
    Zoe’s guilt taunted her. She had worked hard to earn Pierce’s trust. It wasn’t as though she had deceived him about her love for him or anything regarding their relationship. What transpired before they met didn’t concern him—as long as he had no knowledge of it. But if someone else did and intended to make sure Pierce found out, she could lose everything she had worked ten years to build. Then again, maybe the anonymous note wasn’t referring to the past. For now she just needed to stay calm and keep a clear head. If someone intended to blackmail her, she