She always made him smile. He held out his hand, unwilling to keep away from her a second longer. “It was four goats, and I drove a hard bargain for a bushel of the lemons she grows.”

Sylvie’s smile lit up the dreary space, and her hand was warm in his. “I think you’ll find she’ll give us those for free. And to warn you, she’s planning on a good spiritual cleanse of your house. Yeah. I probably won’t be able to stop that.”

His house could stand a good spiritual cleanse. They’d been unlucky for years. “Are you ready to do this?”

She squeezed his hand. “I am. And thank you for the flowers. I love them. Also, I hope it’s okay, but Sera and Hallie insisted on having a reception for us this evening at Guidry’s. I didn’t know if you needed to go into the office since you’re missing most of today. I can—”

He cut her off because she needed to understand that she was his priority now. “I am all yours. I think it’s lovely. Anything you need me to do with your friends, I will make accommodations.”

A brilliant smile crossed her face. “You might live to regret that.”

He doubted it. “All right, Sylvie Martine. Let’s make you Sylvie Martine-Darois.”

She walked with him to meet the judge, and Rene got the feeling that maybe his luck had finally changed.

chapter five

Guidry’s was in full swing as the moon rose over the bay and a band played on the big porch. It was a ridiculously romantic night with a warm breeze coming off the water.

Her wedding reception. Sylvie had to give it to her two best friends. They knew how to throw a party, and they’d put this one together quickly. There had been a lovely buffet and a big cake and champagne. It had been odd to stand by while everyone lifted a glass to toast a wedding that had been planned over the course of a night.

She wished they’d pared down the invite list since she hadn’t gotten to spend any time with her new husband.

“Did you invite Rene’s cousins?” Sylvie asked as Sera joined her, handing her a glass of red wine. She glanced over to the table where Rene sat talking to two of his cousins. She’d also seen one of his uncles at the bar. Charles, though, was nowhere to be seen. Still, she had to think he’d had a hand in bringing this crowd down on Rene’s head.