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However, for some reason she wanted to get to know him better. He intrigued her. She sensed there was a softness, a vulnerability deep inside him, and she wanted to unpeel all the layers he had.

She hadn’t felt this kind of interest in a man since she’d dated Brody Beador for a year. Brody, a fisherman in the swamp, was the only man she’d ever slept with, and she’d believed he was her person. But when he’d gone to work on a big fishing boat for two months, she quickly learned that distance didn’t make the heart grow fonder. Eventually, the two broke up. That had been two years ago.

“We heard you had dinner with him at the café,” Angelique said, pulling Monique back to the conversation. “That certainly sounds a little deeper than just getting donations for a reading program.”

Monique laughed. “Trust me, that dinner meant nothing. We were just out getting donations, and we got hungry.”

“Well, you two are certainly all the gossip around town,” Dominique said. “Everyone’s shocked to see the mystery man out and about and in your company.”

They paused the conversation as the waitress arrived with their breakfasts. Angelique had ordered pancakes, Dominique had opted for French toast, and Monique had gotten a cheese-and-bacon omelet.

“Thanks, Glenda,” Dominique said to the older waitress.

“Just let me know if you need anything else,” Glenda replied with a smile.

“Do you know where Jacque is from?” Angelique asked the moment they were alone again.

“Baton Rouge,” Monique replied. “He moved to the swamp about four years ago.”

“What did he do in Baton Rouge? What was his job?” Dominique asked as she cut into her French toast.

“He’s never said, and I haven’t asked him,” Monique replied.

“Don’t you think that’s important to know?” Dominique asked.

“Not really. I don’t care about where he worked in the past,” Monique replied even as she admitted to herself she’d like to know everything about him.

She was relieved when they all began to eat and the conversation turned to the upcoming fall festival.

It was a day of celebration that took place on Main Street. A bandstand was set up in front of City Hall, and the businesses all held sidewalk sales. A local band provided music, and along with the café, other people set out fun specialty food to sell. Local artists also sold their wares.

“Are you planning to have a sidewalk sale?” Monique asked Angelique. Angelique now owned a business. Mystique’s Magic sold not only luxury bath products but also ointments and medicines made of swamp plants and flowers. The store was a tribute to their mother. As always, thoughts of her mother brought up an aching grief inside her. Monique was more determined than ever to somehow find her mother’s book and identify the killer.

“I’m definitely planning on having a sidewalk sale,” Angelique replied. “In fact, I’ve already made a list of things I’ll be selling at special prices that day.”

“What about you, Monique? How are things going with your work?” Dominique asked.

“Very well. In fact, Debbie told me she’s coming in around ten today to have an important chat with me,” Monique replied, referring to Debbie Waltrip, the owner of All That Jazz. “I’m pretty sure she wants to offer me the manager job.”

“That would mean a lot more responsibility on your shoulders. Are you sure you can handle it?” Angelique asked.

“Of course I can,” Monique replied, grateful that she betrayed none of the irritation she felt that her sister would even question her capabilities. How surprised they’d both be when she ended up being the one who brought down their mother’s killer, she thought.

“Then congrats are in order,” Dominique said.

“It’s a bit too soon for congratulations,” Monique replied. “She might be coming in to offer me the job of wearing a clown suit for the fall festival.”

Both Angelique and Dominique laughed. They finished eating, with her sisters talking about how happy they were in their relationships.

“Being with Daniel makes me feel complete,” Angelique said.

“You were pretty complete without him,” Monique replied dryly.

“Oh, you know what I mean,” Angelique replied. “Don’t you want to find your one true love?”

“Someday,” Monique replied. “But I’m not in any hurry. I need the murder solved before I can even think about love.”

“We all need the murder solved. I know how hard Daniel and Luke are working on it, but it’s difficult without any clues to follow,” Angelique said.