“Will you ask, will you see if maybe Knox and Blair told him about me?”
“You could ask him yourself,” said Julia. “Go with Matthew and you can ask him yourself.”
Matthew cradled the woman, his arm around her and slowly walked her toward the bayou. Like all the others, they disappeared into a cloud of golden dust and sparkle.
“She was his mother,” whispered Cassidy. “I should have seen it. I should have seen the resemblance.”
“It was hard when she was so sad and he was always smiling,” said Cade. “But now you have an image in your mind. You’ll be able to finish that portrait.”
“I definitely will.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
“Cassidy,” gasped Blair. “It’s perfect. It’s, it’s spectacular.”
“Cassidy, it’s absolutely amazing,” said Knox. “It looks so much like him, so much like what I thought he would look like as an adult. We will treasure this always.”
“I’m so glad you like it,” said Cassidy. Cade has his arm around his wife, pride for her evident by the look on his face.
“Here’s the check for the remainder of the commission,” said Knox.
“No,” said Cassidy. “I’d rather you donate it to a charity of your choice. Something that would have meant something to Fletcher.”
“That’s incredibly generous of you, Cassidy,” said Blair. “We were planning to give a large donation to the home where his mother lived when we adopted him.”
“I’m sure she’d like that,” said Cade. “Did you, did you ever get an opportunity to meet her?”
“No. We didn’t even know what she looked like. The home thought it was best that way. But we’d look at Fletcher and see her sometimes,” smiled Knox. “We pictured her as a gentle, kind, creative soul.”
“I’m sure she was,” said Cassidy. “Please let us know if we can ever do anything for either of you.”
“We will,” said Knox. “We’re going to take some time and travel, just get away and try to find our new normal.”
“I think that’s a great idea. Best of luck to you both,” said Cade shaking their hands.
In the car, Cassidy held tightly to Cade’s hand.
“Do you think she’s found her peace? That she’s spoken to him?” she asked.
“I think so. She hasn’t returned to the property and I feel like that’s a good sign.”
Cade and Cassidy told the team about their meeting with the Cordels. Everyone seemed pleased that things had worked themselves out. With the cold beginning to lift and discussions turning toward plans for Mardi Gras, Belle Fleur seemed to be returning to normal.
When they spotted Gaspar walking with intent toward the cafeteria, he opened the door as if looking for someone to kill.
“Mother!”
“Mother?” murmured Baptiste. “This must be serious. He never calls her mother.”
“Mama!”
“Gaspar, really. Do you have to make so much racket?” said Irene gliding toward him.
“Mama, do you want to explain to me why I just had to sign a bill of acceptance for a truckload of animals I did not approve or order?”
There were soft chuckles in the room and Gaspar glared at them, hoping to quiet their mocking. Instead, it only made it more palpable.
“Gaspar, how would you know that I had anything to do with it. After all, I’m not a living person,” she smiled.
