“You grew up in the foster system?” Phineas asked, alarmed.
“No, I was eventually adopted by a nice older Cajun couple from Jeanerette. They didn’t care I was a gill man.” Pierre smiled. “They had no family of their own and I had no memory of mine. They raised me, took care of me, and sent me to school. It was then that I got into another little accident and my memories returned. I searched for a long time and then learned Mom and Dad were killed by a mob near Tallowfield.”
“Yes,” Phineas responded dryly. “I was just a boy.”
“It broke my heart.” There were tears in Pierre’s eyes. “I thought you were gone too, and then I heard something about a gill man living near Harmony Glen. Not many gill men go north, and since Harmony Glen was close to Tallowfield, I had to come and see for myself.”
“How long have you been in town?” Pearl asked. “You’ve bought a bistro and well why haven’t you looked for Phineas before this, before investing in this building?”
Pierre’s expression softened. “I’ve been in town for two weeks. No one in town would tell me where Phineas was. They’re very protective of you, Phineas.”
Phineas appreciated that. Harmony Glen had his back. “They are.”
“I knew you were here. I could feel it.” Pierre touched his chest, closing his eyes. “I decided to buy the building and move here because my adopted family are gone, and Louisiana wasn’t particularly receptive to a gill man opening up a bistro. Especially one named after his dog. Harmony Glen is accepting and since I knew you were around town, I knew I would eventually bump into you. Not many gill men up this way. I also didn’t want to come on too strong and scare you away by searching every swamp. I want to have a relationship with you. I wanted to find you, but not come on too strong. You are my brother.”
So many emotions were rushing through him. He looked at Pierre and saw the reflection of his father. Without having to ask, Pearl slipped him the photograph and he set it on the table, next to the piece that Pierre had.
A tear slipped from Pierre’s eyes. “Mais, it’s Mom and Dad. And my brother.”
Phineas nodded. “I’m still not sure…”
“I will do a genetic test,” Pierre said. “Whatever you need to feel comfortable. I’m sorry it took me so long to find you, to remember you.”
“I can speak to Dr. Mishra about doing a swab, but it might take some time to get the results back,” Pearl offered.
Pierre nodded. “I have all the time in the world now. Harmony Glen is nice. Not sure how I’ll be able to handle northern winters, but if Phineas has managed, I can too.”
“You’ll need a coat,” Phineas said and smiled at his brother. “Maybe a beanie.”
“Mais. Is it really that cold?”
“It can be,” Pearl said.
Pierre shuddered. “Okay, enough talking about the cold. I’m going to bring us some café au lait and beignets. What do you say about that?”
Phineas nodded and smiled. “I’d like that…brother.”
Chapter
Seven
Phineas and Pierre continued to chat. Pearl could tell by Phineas’ body language that he was relaxing with Pierre, maybe even trusting him. Actually, Pearl was pretty much at ease around Pierre Lafontaine, too.
She was a good judge of character. Her unicorn was drawn to good and kind people and there was nothing warning her about Pierre.
He seemed to be the real deal and his story was kind of amazing. She could see how it might not be believable, but he was willing to do a genetic test, and she’d go to the hospital and get that arranged for the brothers.
When he brought out the beignets, well, she completely forgot about all the genetic tests and any misgivings, because the powdered sugared pastries were to die for. But the café au lait this late at night ensured she wasn’t going to get much sleep. Still, she couldn’t stop indulging.
Finally, Phineas and Pierre said good night. It was almost midnight, and she was pretty sure there would be a lot of texts from her mother or possibly Finn wondering where she was.
She didn’t have a curfew, but they liked to keep tabs on her.
“Sorry for keeping you out late,” Phineas said as they walked hand and hand up the darkened street toward her car.
“It’s okay. I’m glad you and Pierre were getting on so well and honestly, his food is delicious. Just don’t tell Magnus I said that. Or my mom, for that matter.”
Phineas laughed. “It was good. That vegetarian boudin was amazing.”
