Mischief in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon Read Free Book Online Page B

don’t even know if I’m a match or if you’ll ever need me. You’re a really good person, Sabine. You’ve always looked after Maryse, and I know neither of you believe me, but I do care about her.”
    Sabine sniffed. “Just not enough to be her husband.”
    Hank sighed. “I’m not in any shape to be anyone’s husband. I’ve got too many issues, Sabine. All I could do is bring her down. And the reality is, I care about Maryse a lot, but I don’t love her like that DEQ agent does.”
    “How do you know about Luc?”
    “I’ve seen them together out on the bayou, but they didn’t see me.” Hank smiled. “They look good together, Sabine. Right. Like two pieces that fit perfectly together. And after everything I put her through, I’m really glad she’s happy.”
    Sabine sniffed again. “Me, too.”
    “So…I wanted to let you know that I saw a doctor in New Orleans this morning to do the tests. Wheeler called in a favor, so it’s all sorta anonymous…you know, given my situation. The doctor will send Wheeler the results and he will contact you. If that’s all right, that is.”
    Sabine smiled. “That’s fine, Hank.”
    Hank rose from his chair. “Then I guess I best be clearing out of here before anyone sees me.”
    Sabine rose and followed him to the shop entrance. Hank opened the door just a crack, but before he couldslip through, Sabine grabbed his arm. “Thank you, Hank.”
    Hank stared at her for a moment, then leaned over to kiss her forehead. “You’re going to be fine, cousin. I can feel it.” He smiled and slipped out the door and into the night.
    “Thirty damn years,” Helena’s voice boomed, and Sabine spun around. “Thirty years for him to grow a conscience, and technically, I’m not even around to see it.”
    Sabine sighed. “Where are you, Helena?”
    “At the counter.”
    Sabine saw her stapler hovering a foot above the counter. Great. “Exactly how much did you hear?”
    “Well, since I saw Hank sneaking into your shop and followed him in, everything. Nice pistol, by the way.”
    Sabine groaned and leaned against the shop wall. “I could have shot him, Helena! Why didn’t you yell or something?”
    “If you’d have gotten to the actual shooting part, I would have said something. Maybe. Probably.”
    “He’s your son, Helena, and he did take a bullet that wasn’t intended for him. Can’t you cut him a little slack?”
    “I’m not ready to move on yet. Seem to be having that problem everywhere.” Helena began to laugh.
    “If you’re done enjoying the show, I’m going back to bed.”
    “So,” Helena said, “I guess now I know why you dragged me to New Orleans and had that nutbag draw your parents. You’re looking for a match, right?”
    Damn it. The very conversation she’d been hoping to avoid. Sabine sighed. “Yes.”
    “Well, why the hell didn’t you say so? I’m sure I can help.”
    Sabine rubbed her temples with her fingers, trying to stop the rush of blood into her head. “That’s sorta what I was afraid of.”

Chapter Four
    Beau slammed the journal shut and tossed it onto the floor with the rest of the pile. Nothing. Eight hours of reading his own scribbles and he wasn’t any closer to identifying the man in the drawing now than he had been when he started. At this point, he’d welcome a spiritual intervention. Hell, right now it might be the only way to locate the man.
    Her father was the key to it all, Beau was certain. There was little information on Sabine’s mother. It seemed she’d never held a job and didn’t drive, but her name was accurate and he’d traced her back to high school photos. No secrets there. Mom was who she said she was, and Sabine’s aunt had been correct in thinking the Sabine’s mother was the last of her family line.
    But her father had no past to speak of except a license that wasn’t even a year old. Skinny amount of data for an American, even for that day and age. After hours of searching boxes full of