“She’s a high-school teacher in Louisiana now,” Gabriel said. “English, I think she teaches. Getting married in a month or so.”
Details spilled. Beauchene had moved to another part of Louisiana toward the end of her senior year of high school. Her grandmother got sick, and her mother and father needed to be there to take care of her. She was back in Natchitoches and had taken a position at the high school. She was engaged to a local man.
“Who?” Violet said, lifting her left hand to see her engagement ring.
“Brandon Stone,” she said.
Scarlett’s eyes connected with mine. The sheriff had numerous brothers, and Brandon Stone was the offspring of one of them. He was one of Nick’s many cousins. I had met him a time or two. He was a year or so older than me.
“Congratulations,” Scarlett said.
“Seems that way,” Beauchene said.
If I had blinked, I would’ve missed the look Scarlett shot Eva and Eva shot back—they seemed to feel her uncertainty.Seemsthat waydidn’t seem like a solid answer.
Beauchene moved a strand of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. “What about you, Scarlett? Did you ever get married? What happened between you and Brando? I’ve been out of the loop for so long!”
Scarlett held up her left hand, her rings glinting in reflection to the soft lights. “Brando and I were married about four years after I left Natchitoches.”
Beauchene searched the pub for a minute, before she found me standing behind Scarlett—I blended in the dim area. She blinked a few times before she turned back to Scarlett. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” she said, taking Scarlett’s hand and squeezing. “He’s even finer now! How’s that even possible? God, he was so intimidating—still is!” She shook her head, her eyes barely meeting mine. “I’m sorry, Brando. I don’t mean to talk about you like you’re not here. I mean…you’re…standing right here.Shit.What I’m trying to say is that it’s nice to see you again.” Her cheeks flushed red.
“Do not let my brother intimidate you,” Romeo said, emerging from the shadows. He came to stand before her, eyeing her in a way that made it clear he liked what he saw. “We are passionate men.”
Her breath hitched at the same time he tilted his head to study her better.
“Coup de foudre,” Scarlett said under her breath.Stroke of lightningin French. I didn’t think anyone heard her but me.
I had never seen Romeo look at a woman that way. Though I couldn’t feel like Scarlett or dream like Eva, and I was a man, it would take a fool not to see that something had started to take root.
Scarlett squeezed my hand. “BrandonStone,” she whispered.
“Yeah,” I whispered back.
Neither of us said another word. The Faustis had taken a lot from the Stones over the years. If Romeo fell in love with one of their women, it might start a war. Well, why not one more? I almost laughed. Fate. The stars. Such a fucking sense of humor.
Scarlett elbowed me in the ribs.
“Tell me your name,” Romeo said after what seemed like an eternity.
“I—” Beauchene swallowed hard and then her hand darted out. She had on a long-sleeved black sweater, but somehow it had gotten pushed up, exposing a tattoo across her left wrist—Romeowas written in intricate script.
He noticed and almost looked perplexed. “Your name,” he said again, almost impatient. “Tell me your name.”
“A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet,” Scarlett whispered. I touched her rib with my elbow, but she wasn’t paying any attention. Not to me.
“Juliette.” She stood straighter when she gave her name. “Juliette Rosetta Beauchene.”
All of the women seemed to exhale at this. Romeo shook his head and finally took her outstretched hand in his.
“Bada bing,” Violet said.
“I am Romeo Piero Fausti.” He kissed her hand. “Tell me, Juliette, why my name is written across your wrist.”
“Oh.” She laughed. “I’m a high-school English teacher. I love Romeo.” Pause. “I mean,Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare is one of my all-time favorites. In fact, I’m going to Verona next week to take pictures for my students. But the last time I checked, the name didn’t belong toyou.”
“Ah, but it does,” he said, smiling at her. “Though I do not like this story.”
“No?” She seemed somewhat dazed.
