One Love

by Emery, Lynn

  “I hated to have to tell you. But I just had to. The man is garbage in a fancy suit, babe.”

  “You’re wrong,” Shauntelle said in a small voice.

  “No, I saw them together.” Alex was so caught up in being relieved, he’d forgotten that his work had just begun. The stricken look on her face reminded him. “Aw, Shaun, I’m really sorry.”

  “Are you?” She looked at him.

  “Look, you’re too good for him anyway. And like you said, it’s for the best you found out so soon.”

  “So you just couldn’t stand it? I found a man who wants me.” Shauntelle glowered at him. Her eyes glistened with tears.

  “What are you talking about?” Alex was genuinely confused.

  “You’re jealous!” Shauntelle hissed at him.

  Alex gaped at her in astonishment. “You can’t be serious!”

  “Lanessa dumps you. So you creep over here to spread the misery.” Shauntelle’s voice quivered.

  “You know better than that.” Alex could not be angry, not when he saw the naked anguish in her eyes.

  “Jealous. You can’t stand to see another man make me happy,” She cried.

  “You know I’m not lying or just.” Alex spoke to her gently. He got up and sat next to her on the love seat.

  “No, no.” She kept saying the word, her voice muffled by her hands and tears.

  At first she pushed him away when he tried to put an arm around her shoulders. Alex persisted in trying to comfort her and she gave in. She rested her head on his shoulder.

  “I wanted to be wrong,” Alex said.

  Shauntelle pulled from him and wiped her eyes with a napkin. “I’m okay.”

  “Listen, if anyone wants you to be happy it’s me.” Alex sat on the sofa again near her.

  “You know what? I knew. I don’t mean I knew who she was, but deep down I knew he was a player.” Shauntelle gave him a weak smile that faded quickly. “I shouldn’t have said those stupid things to you. Please forgive me.”

  “I’ve already forgotten what you said.” Alex waved a hand. “So there’s nothing to forgive.”

  “The romantic fantasy was so heavenly. I didn’t want it to end.” Shauntelle stared out the through the patio doors to the lush green of the garden. “He was like the charming prince from fairytales my mother used to read to me. I’d never met a man with his finesse, his irresistible sexy way of romancing.”

  “Oh, well.” Alex cleared his throat.

  “I didn’t mean you were boring. I meant,” Shauntelle stammered, her eyes wide.

  “Please, don’t try to make it better.” He grinned. “I understand. There were never any sparks for us, were there?”

  “The truth is, the only sparks you felt were with Lanessa.” Shauntelle cut off his denial. “Don’t even try it. I was never competition for that lady.”

  “So here we are; lots of sparks and we both got burned.” Alex leaned back against the cushion of the sofa.

  “Things are really different with you and Lanessa, Alex.” Shauntelle sniffed a few times and dried her eyes. “At least she didn’t stab you in the back.”

  “Oh no, just put her career and social life ahead of our relationship. Nothing too serious.” Alex wore a stern look.

  “Kid stuff compared to getting involved with the great Charles Metoyer. A master liar, slut and even a crook.”

  “Okay, so it’s not that bad. But it’s enough to stop any chance of us being together.” Alex picked up his glass of lemonade.

  “Listen to you.” Shauntelle rolled her eyes. “I thought I was a tight butt.”

  “Hey, wait a minute!” Alex wore an injured scowl.

  “No, you wait a minute. You’re in love with her because she’s exciting, independent and strong. And what do you do once she’s back in your life? Try to re-make her in your own image. Men!”

  “I didn’t…” Alex’s voice trailed off. “I just wanted her to—”

  “Be like you. To change according to your specifications.” Shauntelle shook her head. “And then you would have wondered where the sparks went once she’d changed.”

  “Sounds like you’ve been talking to my father. He said the same thing.” Alex groaned. “What is the matter with me?”

  “Nothing except you’re human. I think you should go find that woman and make up.” Shauntelle gave him a melancholy smile. “Life is short a wise woman once said. And true love is too hard to find.”

  “Never mind me.” Alex took her hand. “Are you really going to be okay?”

  “Sure. In the long run I’m better off without the worm. You’re right, he doesn’t deserve me.” Shauntelle lifted her nose in the air.

  “Go, girl,” Alex said with force.

  “One thing I did get out of it, my new attitude. I’m going to go out more and stop staying at home baking cookies. Even the girls said I was more fun.”

  “Really?”

  “Sure. Taking care of myself once in a while is just as good for them, too.” Shauntelle sighed. “So I guess I shouldn’t be so down.”

  “Yes,” Alex said in a distracted tone. His mind was in another place.

  Alex thought back on the way Lanessa engaged Tia and Nia with stories about her work. Her enthusiasm for her work rubbed off on the girls. They became excited about being in control of their own destiny. So maybe what his father and Shauntelle said was right. Too bad he found out so late. Lanessa would not be able to forgive the way he’d acted.

  “We’re in the same boat for different reasons,” Alex said.

  “Good Lord! You’re being especially dense these days,” Shauntelle blurted out.

  “Are you going for some kind of insult record?” Alex pulled a long face and crossed his arms.

  “Cry baby,” Shauntelle teased. “Oh, alright. Maybe I was a little too rough on you. Guess facing the truth about that lying bum has me in a nasty mood.”

  Hearing his name nudged a flicker of something at the back of Alex’s mind. “What did you say about him?”

  “He’s a lying bum, something we both know. But it feels good to say it. He—”

  “No, no, a few minutes ago. You called him a crook. How did you know about Paxton-Waite and the Commerce Department investigation?” Alex sat forward.

  “I didn’t know about an investigation, but I’m not surprised.” Shauntelle’s arched eyebrows pulled together making her look especially fierce. “One more thing I have to be ashamed of. Letting him use me like that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Please, don’t make me admit to more humiliation than I have to.” Shauntelle started to get up when Alex put out an arm to stop her.

  “This could be important. He’s after Lanessa.”

  Alex gave her the background on how Metoyer was connected to Paxton-Waite and Lanessa’s work for them. As he talked, Alex gained a clearer picture for himself. This was the first time he’d talked out the entire scenario.

  “That was part of the reason I decided to tell you about him. I didn’t want you to hear it from some gossip.”

  “Whoa, Charles is in deep doo-doo,” Shauntelle said with an evil smile. “I like it.”

  Alex struck a fist in his palm with a solid thump. “And I’ve got to stop him from hurting Nessa.”

  “I can help.” Shauntelle wore a look of malevolent anticipation. “After the way he used me, I’m more than happy see that he gets his.”

  Alex looked at her eagerly. “Come on, tell me everything.”

  “My company has a big contract with a marine barge outfit. Charles and I met when he came to a meeting at the office with my bosses,” Shauntelle said.

  “That fits in with everything else I know so far. Some product he’s developed is going to be exported.” Alex could almost hear the click as another part of a complicated picture snapped into place.

  “Right. We outfit and repair the barges but, and here’s where it gets interesting, we’re expanding.” Shauntelle squinted. “He started romancing me right
about that time.” She seemed to go off into a reverie about the handsome man.

  “Expand into what?” Alex said to steer her back.

  Shauntelle blinked at him as though awakened from a dream. “Starting in the fall we’ll have contracts to load and unload cargo at two ports. Eventually we’ll have our own trucks to transport cargo inland.”

  Alex nodded slowly. “And one of those ports is the Port of Grand Isle.”

  “How did you know?” Shauntelle looked surprised. “We haven’t done a press release yet.”

  “Because it’s south of Pleasure Island and maybe they figure slipping around regulations will be easier there.” Alex clapped his hand once. “Gotcha!”

  “Oh please tell me. I want to know every delicious detail of how we can kick Charles in the nuts.” Shauntelle cackled.

  “Ouch, baby girl! You’re mean.” Alex did a dramatic cringe.

  “Lover boy mistook kindness for weakness. Now he must pay!” Shauntelle assumed a look of concentration. “Now what can I do?”

  “This is only a theory but, I think Charles is working on some kind of export con game. He used Yasmin to get close to the Senator—“

  “Senator Trent chairs the Commerce and the Revenue Committees. But who’s Yasmin?” Shauntelle gazed at him.

  “Er, the other lady he was seeing.” At the wrathful expression this brought, Alex rushed on. “Now don’t do anything crazy like call the woman.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’m not mad at another hit and run victim.” Shauntelle huffed. “But if I could just get my hands on him…” She had a dangerous glint in her eyes.

  “Calm down. We need to think clearly.” Alex patted her shoulder. This was a side of her he’d never seen before, even at the lowest point before their divorce.

  “Okay. Just let me stop fantasizing about strangling him.” Shauntelle closed her eyes for a moment then looked at him. “Sorry, it’s just when I think of what he’s done…”

  “I know, babe. He’s smart, I give him that.”

  Alex stared through the glass of the sliding patio doors. Tia, Nia and two friends were in the back yard playing. When Tia waved, he waved as an automatic response. His thoughts were travelling the tangled web of schemes woven by Charles Metoyer and Caine Dawson. Alex had not really thought of Dawson as an individual. He’d always referred to Paxton-Waite. Yet now was the time to consider the individual actors in this drama. He’d only heard of the CEO by reputation. Dawson was supposed to be a man who was known for making bold business moves. If what Alex suspected was the case, then what they’d planned was beyond bold. When he spoke again, it was as much a process of arranging his thoughts as informing Shauntelle.

  “Lanessa said Caine Dawson, the CEO at Paxton-Waite, goes for the local connection. That’s one of the reasons he hired her.

  “No surprise he went straight to Charles,” Shauntelle put in. “They’ve got political and business pals all over south Louisiana.”

  “Dawson has his sights set on making a name for himself here. And millions of dollars.” Alex felt the weight of dread on his chest. “And with that kind of money and power at stake…”

  “You’re really worried about Lanessa,” Shauntelle said. Now her expression clouded over to match his mood.

  “I’m told Charles Metoyer can be ruthless.” Alex wanted to wrap Lanessa a protective shield somehow. If only he could.

  “Maybe we can find his weak spot.” Shauntelle smiled at him. “My boss maybe into the old boy network, but just wait until I mention the word investigation. He’ll run like a jack rabbit with its tail on fire.”

  “Which might push Dawson and Metoyer into a corner. One part of their plan gets wobbly just at the worst time.” Alex smiled back at her with relish.

  “Every little bit helps,” Shauntelle quipped.

  “We can distract them so they’ll leave Lanessa alone.” His smiled faded again. “Then again…”

  “Hey, one thing at a time. How’s she holding up?” Shauntelle took a sip from her glass.

  “I have no idea. We’re haven’t seen in other in weeks.” Alex shifted at the twinge those words caused. It had seemed like years with all the sleepless nights. The arguments kept playing in his head at the worse times, usually two in the morning.

  “Maybe you should call her and—”

  “She doesn’t want to see me.” Alex cut her off. He did not want the sting of dashed hopes again. “She’d probably tell me stay out of her business if she knew.”

  “But you won’t.” Shauntelle spoke with certainty as she gazed at him. “I can tell by that look in your eyes.”

  “No. She deserves better.” Alex looked at her. “My father said I kept judging her and he was right.”

  “Don’t beat yourself up about it. I mean, you were with her through four or five attempts to stop.”

  “How did you know?” Alex said.

  “Honey, Baton Rouge is a nothing but a big small town.” Shauntelle waved a hand. “My point is you’ve got nothing to feel guilty about.”

  “Yeah, sure.” Alex did not feel that way at all. Even now he wondered if the pressure would get to Lanessa and drive her back to old habits.

  “You’re a modern knight in shining armor. Not many guys would do what you’re doing for an ex-girlfriend.”

  “And you’re a real lady. Metoyer isn’t fit to kiss your shoes,” Alex said with sincerity.

  “I agree totally,” she shot back. “Now I’m going to cook your favorite, garlic roasted chicken with mashed potatoes.” Shauntelle stood up.

  “Thanks, but I’m not good company right now.” Alex stood, too. “I’ll go out and say goodbye to the girls.”

  “Why go home to brood?” Shauntelle pointed to the gray cordless phone. “Besides, you can work your rescue mission from right here. What do you say? The girls will be thrilled.”

  His already weak resistance melted. Nothing would comfort him more than the unconditional love of his daughters. When they squealed with joy at seeing him, all sadness faded. At least for a time.

  “You convinced me.” He grinned at her. “And you’re right again. I’ll call dad and a few other folks. They’ll be interested in what you told me.”

  “Good.” Shauntelle headed for the kitchen.

  Alex picked up the phone. Maybe this would be the last thing he could do for her. She’d kept her vow to live a different life. He could at least show his faith and support, even if she never knew it. A few moments later he dialed the first number. If nothing else, he would atone in this way.

  Chapter 20

  “What do you mean where is Lanessa?” Jackie gazed at Robyn.

  Robyn twisted her hands for the fifth time. “She hasn’t been in or called.”

  Jackie glanced at the clock on the wall. It was two in the afternoon. “Maybe she decided to go straight to a meeting and forgot to tell you.”

  “No way. I have all her appointments right here.” Robyn pointed to the computer. “She always calls me if there’s a change.”

  Jackie chewed on a fingernail while she paced for fifteen seconds. “I’ve got it, she’s with Jade. Maybe they’re shopping for more baby junk.”

  “She would have let me know,” Robyn insisted. “She’s missing. Lanessa’s been gone all night.”

  “Calm down,” Jackie said. “How do you know she was out all night? Lanessa probably went to some swank party and didn’t get home until—”

  “I called her three times, the last time after midnight.”

  “Girl, stop. When it comes to partying, Lanessa is just getting started at midnight.” Jackie started to laugh but stopped at the alarmed expression Robyn wore.

  “Lanessa doesn’t party hard on a work night.” Robyn’s lips trembled. “I don’t like it. It doesn’t feel right, Jackie.”

  “Come on.” Jackie tried to sound reassuring. She put an arm around the younger woman. “You’re getting yourself freaked out over nothing.”

  “That creepy guy came by and got her ups
et.” Robyn stared at her wide-eyed. “I think he threatened her,” she said in a hushed voice.

  “What guy?” Jackie’s voice was sharp.

  “Charles Metoyer.”

  “Damn!” Jackie sat down hard. “Okay, let’s not jump to conclusions. Tell me exactly what he said.”

  “I didn’t hear it all, but he said something about going after her.” Robyn pulled at her hair. “I should call the police.”

  “Whoa, slow down now. Let me think.” Jackie tapped one foot nervously. “Let’s call her family. Like I said, she could be with her sister or her parents.”

  “And say what? They’ll get in a panic if I don’t know where she is. I see her almost every day, more often than they do!” Robyn said.

  “Good point. But if I call, I could say…” Jackie’s voice trailed off. “What?”

  “That you tried her at the office and— That won’t work. They’ll wonder why you didn’t just call me. They know I have her schedule hour by hour.”

  Jackie snapped her fingers. “I know. I’ll say she mentioned coming by their house after lunch and I thought she might be there.”

  “Good, good.” Robyn nodded. “Then say she must have run out of time and had to get to her next meeting.”

  “Excellent. I’ll call Jade, you call Mrs. Pellerin.” Jackie went to Lanessa’s phone.

  “Okay.” Robyn rushed off to her desk.

  ***

  “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Pellerin. I’m glad you could see me.” Alex felt more than a little uncomfortable sitting in their living room.

  Not for the first time, he wondered exactly what they thought of him. Mrs. Pellerin greeted him with warmth. Mr. Pellerin, while not hostile, was more restrained.

  “Of course we’re happy you’re here. Aren’t we, Alton?” Clarice threw her husband a glance.

  “Uh-hum.” Mr. Pellerin’s response was more grunt than assent.

  “So how have you been? Lanessa says your company is doing very well.” Clarice beamed at him.

  “Well, I don’t own the company—” Alex began.

  “You practically run the place. Same thing. Besides, who knows? You could very well buy it one day. A sharp young man like you.” Clarice seemed to have already decided on his future.