Mikayla [Orchidea: Love on the Bayou 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Dixie Lynn Dwyer Read Free Book Online

grateful when they began talking about work and what was happening in each of their lives. It was a nice conversation, and she learned that Douglas was a businessman. He made most of his money with an importing and exporting business and something about that caused a bit of tension between Douglas, Antoine, and Michael.
    Finally they got to Pierre, and she learned that he dabbled in everything and was some sort of entrepreneur who owned restaurants and other businesses.
    “Two of my sisters own a restaurant and now a third sister of mine is expanding the business with them,” Mikayla offered.
    “Really? Where is this restaurant?” Pierre asked.
    “Oh, it’s in Orchidea.”
    “Orchidea is a desolate town isn’t it?” Pierre asked, and Mikayla smiled.
    “If that’s what the word is on the streets, then so be it,” she replied with sarcasm. That was one of the reasons why it stayed so pleasant and nontouristy. But once Secret Pleasures opened, there would be lots of visitors. Of course all the surrounding land was not for sale. The late Frederick Parkinson ensured that the land would remain in the family name and undeveloped.
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” Pierre asked, sounding very intrigued.
    “Well, Orchidea is a nice private town and community that strives on remaining close knit and small. Only recently have some businesses been branching out and advertising outside of the town to bring in more business.”
    “Mikayla’s sister Angelique has a franchise of lingerie stores and is opening up the main one in Orchidea. It’s called Secret Pleasures,” Michael stated.
    “Lingerie, huh?” Douglas asked, eying her over again then smiling. Damn, did that man know how to give sexy looks.
    “Yes, it’s going to be great. Then of course Illeanna, along with Angelina and Ellena, will open up and expand Aubert’s to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s even going to be entertainment eventually. We’re all contributing financially so that it’s a family investment.” She was proud of that.
    “That’s really nice, and how many sisters do you have?”
    “There are five of us.”
    “And your parents?” Douglas asked.
    She lowered her head and played with her fingers a moment. She hated talking about them. Life had always been rough because they were on their own.
    “We don’t have any.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Douglas was shocked. Here he was thinking that Mikayla was well used to having things at her disposal. She seemed so down-to-earth and it kind of bothered him that she could take not eating so lightly. He had known what it was like to starve and not eat for days at a time. People took simple things for granted. But it appeared that Mikayla was resilient. He really wanted to get to know her.
    As Antoine began to talk about the hospital and some of his upcoming surgeries, it gave Douglas another opportunity to watch Mikayla. She was striking and wore hardly any makeup at all. He recalled finding Michael’s description of her appearing like a porcelain doll humorous at the time, and he’d thought the man was out of his mind. Douglas had seen plenty of beautiful women but none as lovely as Mikayla.
    She stared at Antoine as he spoke about his profession. He was impressive just as Pierre certainly was. He and Pierre shared a similar childhood before the Fromms had taken them in. Being an orphan and living on the streets with gangs and criminals had made them rough and heartless at times. He felt the sting of reality. Could he ever get over his past and focus on his present and perhaps his future? He smiled as Mikayla laughed at something Michael said, and he wondered if his future was right in front of him and whether he was ready to open up.
    “How about we head back into the living room for some cognac and dessert?” Pierre suggested as Mrs. Spencer entered the dining room.
    “Are you sure I can’t help you clean up the dishes? I’m used to doing it, really, and it’s no bother at