Southern Fried Christmas

by Marian Merritt

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  copyright

  Un

  Deux

  Trois

  Quatre

  Cinq

  Six

  Sept

  Huit

  Neuf

  Dix

  Onze

  Douze

  Treize

  Quatorze

  Quinze

  Seize

  Dix-Sept

  Dix-Hiut

  Dix-Neuf

  Epilogue

  thank you

  Southern Fried Christmas

  Marian Merritt

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Southern Fried Christmas

  COPYRIGHT 2012 by Marian P. Merritt

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or Pelican Ventures, LLC except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  eBook editions are licensed for your personal enjoyment only. eBooks may not be re-sold, copied or given to other people. If you would like to share an eBook edition, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with.

  Contact Information: titleadmin@pelicanbookgroup.com

  Cover Art by Nicola Martinez

  White Rose Publishing, a division of Pelican Ventures, LLC

  www.pelicanbookgroup.com PO Box 1738 *Aztec, NM * 87410

  White Rose Publishing Circle and Rosebud logo is a trademark of Pelican Ventures, LLC

  Publishing History

  First White Rose Edition, 2012

  Electronic Edition ISBN 978-1-61116-224-0

  Published in the United States of America

  Dedication

  To Scott, thanks for your unfailing love and support. And to my Lord and Savior for all I have and all I am.

  To Bee, your memory lives on.

  Praise for Marian Merritt

  Marian’s writing has won first place in the Women’s Fiction category of the ACFW’s 2006 Genesis contest. Her work has also placed in the San Gabriel’s Writers’ League contest.

  Un

  December 19

  Kelly Shepherd followed the bustling passengers through the New Orleans terminal and toward the signs to baggage claim. Colorful posters of boiled seafood advertising famous restaurants lined the walls and the faint sound of jazz drifted to her ears. Regret rolled through her stomach, along with her meager in-flight snack.

  Lord, why did I agree to do this?

  As she descended the escalator, her gaze scanned the sea of awaiting faces. She noticed the sparkle in a young man’s eyes when he spotted the beautiful blonde standing on the step below her. When they embraced, longing filled Kelly’s heart. The person waiting for her was an editor who had volunteered to share his home and family for eight days while she wrote her Cajun Christmas story.

  Kelly searched the crowd, but failed to see a brown-haired man with a receding hairline. At least that was how Carroll Labouve had described himself over the phone.

  “Miss Shepherd? Miss Shepherd?” The high-pitched child’s voice echoed above the hum of conversation in the busy airport. Kelly followed the sound to a little girl standing on tiptoes next to a row of chairs. She seemed to be about ten and held a brightly wrapped package. Mr. Labouve hadn’t mentioned a daughter. Kelly’s heart leapt at the sight of the candy cane taped on top the gift. Even though they didn’t know what the candy cane meant to her, it was a comfort.

  A tall, muscled man stood next to the child. Although, his full head of dark hair didn’t match the receding hairline description, he held a small poster with her name written in red print. His dark eyes searched the group of arriving passengers until his gaze settled on hers. He mouthed, Shepherd?

  She nodded.

  As she approached, the corners of his mouth tilted. More on the left than the right.

  “Miss Shepherd.” He tossed the poster into a nearby trashcan then extended his hand—a solid masculine hand. “Denny Labouve, I’m Carroll’s brother. He sends his apologies for not being here. His father-in-law was rushed to the hospital this afternoon.”

  “I’m so sorry.” She shook his hand. “Is he all right?” Even at five-nine, she had to tilt her head back to meet his brown eyes. A scar interrupted the smooth hair of his left eyebrow.

  “Heart attack. He’s in surgery right now. Our whole family has been praying. Carroll will call when they have more information.” He turned toward the child standing next to him. “This is my daughter—”

  “I’m Chelsea Labouve.” With an erect posture and brilliant smile, she extended one hand toward Kelly.

  Kelly smiled and leaned toward the girl. “It’s nice to meet you, Chelsea, I’m Kelly Shepherd, but you already know that, don’t you?” Chelsea’s small hand warmed her own for the brief moment they touched. Either this child resembled her mother or she was adopted because with her fair hair and blue eyes, she looked nothing like her father.

  Chelsea pointed toward the trashcan where Denny had ditched the hand-made poster. “Yes, ma’am, Miss Shepherd, I do.”

  Kelly cringed then smiled. She’d never been called ma’am before. Suddenly, at thirty she felt old.

  “This is for you.” Chelsea extended the package toward her.

  Kelly accepted the gift and paused to rein in her emotions. If only this child knew what the candy cane meant to her. She stole a glance toward Denny Labouve. The loving look and gentle smile he showered on his daughter melted Kelly’s heart. Her father used to bathe her with the same smile whenever she went home for Christmas. An ache too deep to dwell on pressed her heart. Each Christmas morning started with a peppermint candy cane from her father. Thank you, Lord, for this small gift. You know just what I need.

  “Thank you, Chelsea. This is so sweet of you. I love candy canes.”

  “You’re welcome, Miss Shepherd.”

  “Please call me Kelly.”

  Chelsea shot her father a questioning look.

  His right eyebrow darted upward.

  “Uh…how about Miss Kelly?” Chelsea asked.

  Kelly nodded then smiled.

  “OK, Miss Kelly it is.” Chelsea placed her hand into her father’s as though the act settled everything, and it was now time to leave.

  Denny turned toward Kelly and grinned. “Does that count for me, too?”

  She paused, not sure what he meant but decided to have a little fun. “Oh, yes. You can call me Miss Kelly, too.”

  He laughed. A deep, throaty, genuine laugh. “OK, Miss Kelly it is.”

  “Just kidding. Please call me Kelly.”

  “Only if you call me Denny.” His eyes twinkled when he smiled. At the baggage carousel, he hefted her overstuffed suitcase.

  Chelsea nodded then grabbed Kelly’s hand as they walked through the double-doors and into the afternoon heat toward the parking garage. Perspiration formed in her palms. How would she ever get into the Christmas spirit in this heat and humidity? A stark contrast to the crisp air she’d left in Denver barely three hours ago.

  The little girl chatted nonstop about her family, especially her Mawmaw Eula and her Mameré Milla. “That’s short for Camilla. You’ll love her, she’s eighty-six years old but doesn’t act like it.”

  “Chelsea, honey, I think it’s time we give Miss Shep…er …Kelly a break. I’m sure she’s tired from her flight.” In a smooth move, he lifted her bag into the back of his white Suburban and headed for the pass
enger side of the vehicle where he opened the front door for her.

  Kelly climbed into the truck and slid onto the beige leather seat. She tried to remember, in the four years they dated, the last time her ex-boyfriend, Brent, had opened her door.

  Denny slid into the driver’s seat.

  “My plans were to stay with Carroll and his wife—”

  He swatted his forehead. “I’m so sorry. I forgot. Carroll wanted me to tell you that he’ll be staying at his in-laws’ house in Baton Rouge so they can be close to the hospital. He planned to bring you to our mother’s house for Christmas dinner, so my mother insisted you stay with her and my grandmother.” He navigated the Suburban out of the garage, paid the parking fee then merged into Airline Highway traffic.

  “I don’t want to impose. Why don’t you just drop me off at the closest hotel, and I’ll stay there.”

  “That’s a bit of a problem. Caneville is a very small town, and the one motel in town is… Well, let’s just say you would be much better off at my mother’s house. Besides you’re writing about the culture and food of the area and our Christmas traditions, right?” He glanced her way before exiting off the main road and onto a highway that towered above the swamp.

  “Right.”

  Along the highway, cypress trees hosted large birds and Spanish moss hung from the branches as though decorated for the holiday.

  “Well, what better way to experience the culture and food than to stay with two of the nicest Cajun women you’ll ever find?” He flashed his radiant smile toward her.

  “Really, I don’t want to be a burden.” She had agreed to do this story back in October when the thought of spending Christmas alone in her apartment had sent her senses reeling. Though her mother had died when she was ten, this would be the first Christmas without her father.

  “It’s not an inconvenience. Trust me, these two love the opportunity to show off their cooking and culture. They can’t wait to meet you.”

  She didn’t want to seem ungrateful by pressing the motel issue. Maybe she could spend tonight with his mother and then move into the hotel. How bad could it be?

  Chelsea stuck her head between the front seats. “Yeah, and be prepared to eat a lot. They’ll feed you ‘til you want to bust open.”

  Denny turned toward Chelsea. “Are you buckled in?”

  “Yes, it just stretches real far. See?” She held the extended seatbelt in her hand.

  “Chelsea Rae Labouve. Please sit with your seatbelt in place.”

  “Yes, sir.” She leaned back and the belt retracted to its proper position.

  Denny gave Chelsea a sideways glance then winked at his daughter. “Thank you.”

  She crossed her arms. “You’re welcome, Dad.”

  He leaned toward Kelly and lowered his voice. “She’s right. They do love to cook, so beware. They’ll shower you with every possible Cajun dish.”

  “That’s what I came for—to experience the food and culture.” Although eager to write her story, she would much rather have her father’s baked ham and home-made cranberry sauce while sitting in her childhood home in the Rocky Mountains.

  “Open your present, Miss Kelly.” Chelsea said.

  “Oh, OK. I can’t wait to see what’s in here.” She tore the bright red paper from the gift. “Wow, A Cajun Night Before Christmas. I don’t think I’ve ever read this version.”

  Chelsea leaned forward again. “Welcome to Louisiana.”

  “Thank you so much.” She flipped through the colorful pages and noticed the accented words. “I’m not sure I can read this like it’s written.” She laughed and tried to imitate the Cajun accent.

  “You have to let my dad do it. He sez the words how you’re supposed to.”

  Kelly glanced toward Denny.

  “I’ll read it Christmas Eve when everyone’s at Mawmaw’s.”

  ****

  Denny steered the SUV along the highway that cut through the swamp. He enjoyed watching Kelly’s reaction to the moss-draped cypress trees. “Have you ever visited Louisiana before?”

  “No, I did visit an aunt in Georgia once. I was six at the time. All I remember is how hot and sticky it was and that we ate the best peach cobbler and homemade ice cream.”

  Chelsea leaned forward and tapped Kelly on the shoulder. “Are you married?”

  “Chelsea, honey, manners.” Denny shook his head. His ears warmed.

  Kelly laughed and reached around to show Chelsea her left hand. “Not yet.”

  She leaned back and raised her voice. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

  “Chelsea.” He would have a long talk with her when they got home.

  “It’s OK. No, I don’t have a boyfriend.”

  For some reason he didn’t understand, he enjoyed hearing that bit of news.

  “Chelsea, tell Kelly about the Labouve family’s plans for Christmas.” He watched through the rearview mirror.

  “O…K… Well, it’s like this. We have everybody over at MamMaw Eula’s house. Like five hundred people.” She rolled her eyes. “And we eat a gazillion tons of gumbo and fried shrimp then Mameré Milla tells her special Jesus story and hands out candy canes with dollar bills. Later the old people talk while the kids play hide-n-seek out in the yard and the boat house.”

  Denny stole a look toward Kelly. Her eyes sparkled in the sunlight, making the brown glow like pieces of amber. When she smiled at Chelsea, the corners squinted just enough to allow tiny lines to form. She seemed amused by the theatrics of his drama-queen daughter.

  “It’s not quite like that.” He laughed. “But she’s not too far off.”

  “Sounds like a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to it.”

  For the first time in five years, a spark of anticipation for Christmas stirred in his heart. Maybe the pain of past Christmases would begin to heal.

  Deux

  As Denny turned into the long driveway, Kelly scanned the Labouve property. Majestic oaks stood as silent sentinels throughout the acreage. Spanish moss hanging from their beefy limbs waved in greeting.

  Among the mighty trees, a quaint cottage with a front porch and tall roof came into view. “Is this your house?”

  “It’s my mother and grandmother’s place. Where you’ll be staying. My house is next door.”

  “Next door?” There was only a large hedgerow along the driveway.

  “About one hundred yards past the Ligustrum. If you look right about there.” He pointed to an opening. “We walk through there.”

  “Oh.” He built a house next door to his mother?

  “After my wife passed away, I bought the property next door and built my house.”

  His loss tore at her own recent wounds. How long had he raised Chelsea alone? “I’m sorry.” No sooner had the words escaped her lips, she regretted saying them. They seemed trite and cliché. How many times had she heard those same words years ago when her mom died? Then again, this past year after her father’s death? Somehow, the words, though spoken with good intentions, never helped.

  Denny maneuvered his vehicle around the back of his mother’s house and parked. He turned to her. Eyes filled with peace. “It’s been almost five years. And between my mother, grandmother, and especially the Lord Almighty, Chelsea and I are doing well.” His lip curled on the left as he slid off the seat. “Ready to meet Eula and Camilla?”

  “I guess so.” A man who freely admitted his reliance on God was a rare thing in her world. She liked this. But she shouldn’t be surprised. All Denny’s brother had asked when she’d spoken with him about doing the article was whether or not she was a Christian. He’d told her how important it was for his family that anything written about their Christmas traditions should be written from a Christian viewpoint.

  He stood next to the opened door and leaned in. “Listen, if at any time during the day my mother and grandmother get to be too much and you need a quiet place to write, just walk through the hedge. You’re welcome to use my house.” He turned toward his daughter in the back sea
t. “I’m sure my precious daughter will be generous enough to give you some privacy. Right?”

  Chelsea closed the sticker book she’d been working on. “Duh, Dad. I’m ten years old. I’m not going to follow her around like a puppy dog.”

  “My bad. I keep forgetting that you’re ten now. I’m glad you’ll treat our guest so well.”

  She couldn’t believe the generosity of this family. They had taken her in without knowing her.

  “Thank you. I’m sure I’ll be OK.” She lifted the door handle and pushed her door open. As she stepped around the vehicle, a female voice filled the air.

  “Well, it’s about time. I been simmering this etouffée for the pas’ two hours.”

  A petite woman with gray-streaked black hair and a hundred-watt smile stepped off the back porch and walked toward Kelly, her arms outstretched.

  “Welcome to Caneville. I’m Eula Labouve.” She embraced Kelly. “We’re so glad to have you wit' us.” Her Cajun-accent seemed foreign while the strength of her hug caused Kelly to pause. Something she had not expected from such a small woman. Eula’s hair held the aroma of cooked onions and gardenias. When she stepped back, Kelly gazed into twinkling brown eyes. Creased lines in the corners added an element of endearment and beauty, not age.

  “Mrs. Labouve, thank you for allowing me to stay with you. I’ll look for a hotel tomorrow.”

  Eula flipped her hand through the air. “Phffff. I won’t listen to dat kind of talk. You are more than welcome to stay here. Me and Mama have been working hard to get the guest room ready for you. We would be disappointed if we did all that work for nothin’.” She linked her arm through Kelly’s and propelled her toward the porch where Chelsea ran to embrace an elderly lady.

  Eula glanced back toward her son. “Denny, put her bag in the red room.”

  “You got it.”

  Kelly turned to see Denny watching. He smiled and pointed toward his house then mouthed the word whenever.