He was damn lucky Noelle showed no signs of leaving. He wouldn’t be able to breathe with her out there. The last time she’d left the comforts of her home, she’d come to his in that wheelchair.

That got Zep sitting up straight. “You didn’t hear about that?”

He didn’t listen to gossip unless it was about an underground drug-running operation. “No. The only thing I’ve heard is that she had a high-profile job in Dallas and that she’s taking over for Doc. I’m not sure how great that’s going to work. I know she’s not married and she didn’t like Remy at one point in time, but I didn’t like him, either. He was an asshole for years.”

“Preach, brother,” Zep agreed. “Remy treats me like I can’t do anything right.”

He did not bother to mention the man was in jail. Zep Guidry wasn’t the most self-aware individual he knew. “So she decided to come to a tiny parish and take over the practice of a doctor whose patients could likely fill a mental ward?”

Zep turned serious for a change. “Something happened. She had this friend named Maryanne she worked with at the hospital. Maryanne’s ex-husband walked in and shot her. He held Lila in a room until he was sure his ex was dead and then he shot himself. I think she’s coming here because it’s as far away from Dallas as she can handle.”

Damn. “So she’s not looking for fun, huh?”

Zep’s eyes found his, a gravity in them he wasn’t used to seeing. “No. She’s looking for something, though.”

Peace. She would be looking for peace. The last thing she needed was some man trying to climb all over her.

He pulled his keys out and made his decision. “You can go on home, man. Stay out of Roxie’s way. She’s a good woman.”

Zep was on his feet in a heartbeat. “I never said she wasn’t.”

“Treat her with some respect or you won’t be in that cell, you get my meaning?”

“I do.”

He let Zep head out and went to find his daughter and his deputy. He would take them all out for supper. They could take a radio and close up the station for an hour or so.

The next time he saw Lila Daley, he would be polite, since he knew what it was like to survive hell.

Now he only hoped she could survive Papillon.

chapter three

“Why would she cancel? It’s time for her yearly. It’s actually past time. She’s three months late.” Lila stared at her receptionist. The day was not going the way she’d planned.