Bayou Paradox

by Robin Caroll

  That would mean she was wrong. Who she was, everything she’d been, all wrong. The thought sickened her.

  Her steps dragged across the asphalt, despite the now battering rain. She was sick of coming to this hospital. Tired of this feeling of helplessness cloaking her all the time. Tired of not knowing what to do anymore. Was it time to change her life?

  She addressed the triage nurse in the ER. “Jayden Pittman. He was brought in by ambulance. May I see him?”

  The nurse checked her board. “I’m sorry, the doctors are evaluating him now. Someone will update you as soon as possible.” She motioned toward the groupings of chairs in the lobby. “Just have a seat and someone will find you when there’s news.”

  Tara thanked the nurse and wandered to the chair area. A middle-aged woman held a coughing child, patting her back with each cough. A man, probably in his early twenties, with an icepack on his bruised hand sat across from the woman and child. People waiting for attention. Tara paced, not able to sit.

  She hadn’t meant to cause problems. She’d only wanted to help people. Always had. But now…what if she’d harmed more people than she’d helped? Guilt covered her heart like the thick mud of the bayou.

  Reaching for her cell phone, she realized she must’ve left it in the car. She dug in her pocket and found fifty cents. She located the pay phone, dropped in the coins and dialed her home number. She didn’t want CoCo to hear about the incident from anyone but herself. CoCo would understand. She wouldn’t condone, but she wouldn’t yell, either.

  And right now, she couldn’t take someone yelling at her, judging. Her conscience was doing that enough already.

  TWENTY

  Father, give me the words. Guide me to do and say what will honor You.

  Bubba sat in his truck, staring at the emergency entrance of the hospital through the driving rain, trying to get his heart in line. Night had fallen over the bayou. The rain looked beautiful when highlighted by the security lights.

  Lord, she exasperates me in a way I never thought possible. I don’t say the right things to her. Help me be a living witness to Your love and mercy.

  But somewhere in the middle of all her antics that frustrated him to no end, he was beginning to fall for her. Despite his best efforts not to. He didn’t know how it happened, only that she commanded his every waking thought, and haunted his dreams. Her smile lit up his entire world. His heart pounded every time she walked into a room. Her easy laugh and loyalty to family won him over.

  Is she the one, God? Am I supposed to feel like I love her, or am I only feeling in the flesh? What was he asking? She wasn’t a Christian. A relationship between them would be doomed from the onset.

  No response except the pounding of the rain against the truck.

  He’d have to trust the Holy Spirit to lead him. Stepping out in faith, he opened the door and ran toward the entrance. Rain soaked him. Thunder clapped while lightning sent jagged spears to the ground. Electricity crackled in the air.

  Brushing water droplets from his shoulders, Bubba approached the desk. He flashed his badge at the nurse and inquired about Jayden. The nurse informed him that the doctors were prepping Jayden for surgery to repair a severed artery. He thanked her for the information and then searched the waiting area for Tara. No sign of her.

  Where could she have gone? This disappearing act of hers was wearing really thin.

  Grace. Lord, give me grace.

  He lifted his cell. He would check on Deputy Marsh, and then get a status update from Deputy Anderson.

  Once he’d completed his job duties, he’d search for Tara.

  He knew the Lord would help him when he found her.

  A chapel?

  Tara stepped into the room, waiting for the roof to fall in at her mere presence.

  It didn’t.

  Silence hung in the hospital chapel, but something else lingered, as well. Peace. Love. Comfort. She could feel it in here.

  Her footsteps were muffled by the carpet as she made her way down the aisle. She held her breath, sure someone would yell at her, tell her she didn’t belong here and order her to leave immediately.

  No one did.

  She sank onto the front pew, something inside her not letting her bolt out the door. She stared up at the stained-glass wall depicting Jesus holding a child. She’d seen such images before, but for the first time, she really looked at it. Took in the enormity of the portrayal with an open mind and heart.

  The face of Jesus held all the peace, love and comfort she’d experienced since entering the chapel. His hands holding the child appeared gentle, yet steady, as if He’d carry the child’s burdens, no matter the weight.

  Tara found tears streaming down her face. Could peace and love be so easy to claim? Hadn’t CoCo told her many times it was a gift, free, with no cost? Only to accept Jesus and love Him?

  Her heart surged as the thoughts ran through her mind.

  Peace. Love. Comfort.

  Could she have it? Was it really hers for the asking? Would He grant it to her, even though she’d denied Him for so long? Could He forgive her for all she’d done? All she’d clung to and represented?

  She bowed her head, allowing the sobs to overtake her.

  Tara started when someone touched her shoulder. She hadn’t heard the chapel door open and now looked into the tearful faces of both CoCo and Alyssa. CoCo nudged her down the pew, and a sister sat on either side of her. Their hands interlocked with hers.

  She stared at their hands, hers still stained with Jayden’s blood. A stain of her wrong, it repulsed her. But not her sisters. No, they didn’t even question the blood on her hands. More tears fell, heartfelt ones. Ones she couldn’t even explain.

  “Are you okay?” CoCo asked softly.

  “I don’t know what to say. How to ask.” She lifted her face to the stained-glass wall, her heart splitting. “I want to accept Him, but what if He won’t have me?”

  “Oh, Boo. God loves you so much. I’ve seen how He’s been working on your heart.” CoCo squeezed her hand.

  “He’ll never deny you, if you don’t deny Him,” Alyssa added, her voice hoarse with emotion.

  Their words filled Tara’s heart with hope. “What do I do?”

  CoCo held her hand tightly. “You confess your sins, ask Him to forgive you, accept Jesus as the Son of God, believe He died on the cross for your sins and invite Him into your heart as your Lord and Savior.”

  Tara took a deep breath, gripped her sisters’ hands and bowed her head. Her heart opened, pouring all the regret, sin and condemnation into her prayer. As she spoke the words aloud, she felt the love, peace and comfort cover her.

  And the acceptance. Grace extended.

  “Bubba.”

  Her voice was so soft he barely heard her in the ICU hallway. He turned to face Tara.

  Her cheeks were tear-streaked, yet almost glowing. She had a look of peace. “Is there any news on Jayden?”

  “He’s in surgery now to repair a severed artery.”

  “What’s his prognosis?”

  “Too early to say.”

  She nodded. “I suppose you need to take my statement.”

  “Why’d you disappear from the club?”

  “I had to get away. I couldn’t face what I’d done.”

  How did he respond to that?

  She blinked and tears seeped out from the corners of her eyes. Without further thought, he drew her into his arms and held her tightly against his chest. Her body shook as she sobbed in his embrace. He ran his hand over her head. Her hair was so soft to the touch. Silky. He clenched his jaw.

  Sniffing, she backed out of his hold. Over her head, he could see CoCo and Alyssa watching. Their faces were also tearstained. What had happened? He lifted Tara’s chin with his forefinger. “What’s wrong? Is it your grandmother?”

  “As far as I know, she’s fine.”

  Then, why…?

  “Sheriff.”

  He spun to see Deputy Marsh holding his clipboar
d. “Sir, I’ve completed all the statements.”

  Bubba glanced at Tara. “There’s one more you need to take.” While he wanted to comfort her now, he knew he wouldn’t be able to remain detached. Not when his heart had already been ripped from his chest and laid at her feet.

  Tara nodded and stepped forward. “I haven’t given my statement yet.”

  Deputy Marsh, unaware of the emotional undercurrents sizzling between Bubba and Tara, motioned her toward the chairs in the corner. She flashed a parting look at Bubba and then followed the deputy.

  Bubba forced his feet to remain planted to the spot, despite the overwhelming urge to rush to her side.

  “Everything okay, Sheriff?” CoCo asked quietly.

  “Yes.” He glanced at her inquiring face. “No. I honestly don’t know anymore.”

  She smiled, as did Alyssa. “We’re going to go check on Grandmere. Luc and Jackson are on their way. If you see them, will you let them know?”

  “Sure.” He watched them slip into the elevator, secretive smiles decorating their faces. What was up with these women? They were all acting touched in the head tonight.

  His cell phone rang, snapping him from his wonderings. “Sheriff Theriot.”

  “Sheriff, it’s Missy. Just got a report on that APB you put out on Vincent Marsalis.” Would the woman ever learn to use the radio and not his cell phone?

  “Yes?”

  “We got a report that he was seen at the Lagniappe motel.”

  “Merci. I’m on it.” He closed his phone and glanced at Tara sitting calmly with Deputy Marsh. As much as he wanted to stay and talk to her, be with her, clear the air between them, duty called.

  He headed to the parking lot in the driving rain, grabbing his radio. He ordered Deputy Anderson to leave his post outside his aunt’s door—if Hannah was with Vincent, about to blow town, she wasn’t in the hospital posing as a nurse—and meet him at the motel.

  Once in his truck, he made fast tracks to the Lagniappe motel. Well, as fast as he could drive in the pouring rain.

  Not wanting to give Vincent a heads-up, Bubba didn’t activate his police lights or siren. The man had already proved his violent tendencies, so no sense provoking him unnecessarily.

  As he sped along, he called Missy. “Connect me to the motel, please.”

  A twenty-second pause ensued before Anna Grace answered.

  “Anna Grace, this is Sheriff Theriot. Is Vincent Marsalis still on property?”

  “Yes, sir. But they’ve about got that SUV packed full. I don’t think they’ll be here much longer.”

  “I’m on my way.” He should make it just in time to cut Vincent off at the driveway. Which could push a desperate man into doing something drastic. “Anna Grace, right now, I want you to go lock the office door and get yourself into the back room.”

  “But, Sheriff, what if someone comes in needing a room? It’s raining and out-of-towners driving through the area might need to stop and stay over because of the storm. Business has been slow and I don’t think my bos—”

  “Anna Grace, do as I say. Now.” He closed the phone and increased his speed. He grabbed his radio. “Anderson, what’s your twenty?”

  His radio squealed. “Turning off Main Street now, Sheriff.”

  Not even a mile behind him. Good, the deputy hadn’t wasted any time getting out of the hospital and on his way. Maybe it was time to promote Anderson to chief deputy, after all. He’d have to review the man’s file when he had time.

  “I’m about to turn into the motel now. Use caution. Suspect is considered armed and dangerous.” Well, he didn’t know about the armed part, but Vincent Marsalis was definitely dangerous.

  “Ten-four, Sheriff.”

  Bubba whipped his truck into the narrow drive of the motel just as a white SUV barreled straight for him.

  Activating his lights, Bubba slammed the truck into park and stepped out. Rain pelted him like little splinters. He drew his weapon and used the driver’s door as a shield. No telling what firepower Vincent might have.

  He aimed the barrel of the Beretta at the SUV’s grill. “Lagniappe Sheriff, Mr. Marsalis. Turn off your vehicle and slowly exit. Keep your hands where I can see them.”

  The engine slammed into reverse. Tires spun on the soaked pavement.

  Bubba shook his head. There wasn’t another exit from the motel.

  Strobe lights flashed behind him as Deputy Anderson pulled his cruiser alongside his. “What’s the status, Sheriff?”

  “Mr. Marsalis is trying to find another way out.” He shot a grin at his deputy. “There’s not another way.”

  The SUV stopped and sat idling in the middle of the lot. A rapid succession of lightning bolts lit up the entire area.

  “Come on, Marsalis. Just get out of the vehicle and make this easy on us all,” Bubba whispered.

  The engine revved and tires spun as both the gas and brake were held.

  “He’s going to try to ram his way out,” Bubba shouted to Anderson. “Get out of the way.”

  The brakes released. Tires squealed. The SUV raced toward them, fishtailing and spinning.

  Bubba jumped to one side of the road, while Anderson leaped to the other. The SUV hit Bubba’s truck head-on and kept pushing. The Ford truck didn’t budge. The SUV kept spinning its back wheels.

  Bubba picked himself up off the saturated ground, ignored the wetness seeping through his clothes and nodded across the action at Anderson. “Now!” he yelled.

  He approached the driver’s door, his gun aimed directly at the driver. Anderson did the same on the passenger’s side.

  “Give it up, Marsalis. Turn off the ignition and step from the vehicle. Keep your hands where I can see them.” Bubba kept his firearm pointed directly at Vincent’s face.

  The man paused, and then the engine died. Both doors opened slowly.

  “Don’t shoot. We’re unarmed,” Hannah squealed.

  Bubba kept his attention focused on Marsalis. He wouldn’t put anything past the man. But Vincent stepped slowly from behind the wheel, his hands in the air.

  “Put your palms on the hood and spread your legs.”

  Vincent complied and Bubba frisked him for any weapons. Finding none, he holstered his gun and handcuffed the man.

  “Vincent Marsalis, you’re under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon, fleeing police and the attempted murder of Tanty Shaw and Marie LeBlanc. And that’s just for starters.”

  He turned Vincent to face him. “You have the right to remain silent…”

  TWENTY-ONE

  “Have you seen Tara?” Bubba asked Luc and Jacks, hovering in the ICU hallway.

  Luc turned to him first. “She’s with her grandmother, CoCo and Alyssa.” The smile he wore looked suspiciously secretive like CoCo’s and Alyssa’s had earlier. What was going on around here?

  “I need to talk to her.”

  “I’d wait a few minutes,” Jacks advised, a small smile sneaking onto his face.

  Was he missing something? Something everyone else was in on but him? “Why?”

  A pregnant pause.

  He couldn’t stand it any longer. “Will someone please tell me what’s going on?”

  “They’re inside praying,” Luc said.

  “What?” Tara, with three praying women? Very unlikely. Even though she’d been contrite when she’d sought him out in the ER waiting room, he didn’t think she’d go so far as to stand with a group of women praying. Even if they were her family.

  Luc flashed the cocky grin he reserved for times when he knew something no one else did. “They’re praying—together.”

  Surely he was missing something. “Tara?” The idea was preposterous.

  Jacks threw a mock punch at Bubba’s shoulder. “CoCo and Alyssa found Tara in the chapel when they got here.”

  Tara? “In the chapel?” Bubba’s knees suddenly felt weak. He’d taken down Vincent Marsalis without a quiver, but this…this took the wind right out of him.

  Luc laughed
and led him toward the waiting room. “I think you need to sit down and process, man.”

  “Yeah, pardner, you aren’t looking too hot,” Jacks added.

  Bubba dropped into a chair. “I don’t understand.” Confusion muddled every coherent thought he could possibly form.

  Tara, in a chapel. Praying.

  Jacks gripped his shoulder. “Tonight’s definitely a night for miracles, my friend.”

  “Has Tara…?”

  “Become saved?” Luc finished. He smiled and nodded. “This very night. In this very hospital.”

  Jacks squeezed Bubba’s shoulder. “Isn’t this an answer to prayer?”

  “You have no idea how hard CoCo and I’ve prayed for her.” Luc’s eyes glistened with moisture. “And you should have seen Mrs. LeBlanc’s face when Tara told her.” He shook his head. “I thought the woman was gonna hop outta that bed and dance a jig.”

  Jacks picked up the story. “That woman cried buckets. I was afraid she’d become dehydrated.” He chuckled.

  “I just can’t believe it.” Bubba couldn’t wrap his mind around the concept.

  Tara, a believer.

  “Believe it, buddy. And praise God for touching her heart.” Luc patted his back.

  “Oh, I definitely praise Him. It is a miracle. I just don’t know what to say.” Or to feel or think. This had totally thrown him for a loop.

  Luc gave him a friendly nudge. “Don’t say anything. Just be thankful our Father gives us miracles every day.”

  “Amen,” Jacks added.

  Amen and amen. Bubba’s heart quickened and he felt his own eyes fill with grateful tears. Tara, saved.

  Could this mean there was a future for them? Had God given him a sign that she was the one for him?

  Thank You, Father. Thank You!

  “To try and get a recipe to cure cancer, he was willing to kill Grandmere and Tanty?” Tara sat on the edge of her grandmother’s hospital bed, picking at the edge of the blanket.

  The private room accommodated the group, as well as provided a more comfortable atmosphere. No machines beeping and whirring. A window. Pictures on the wall.