Sweet Mystery Read Online Free

handsome face on sight. Life had made her wary of
good-looking men. Still, she was quite content to watch this man
walk by. He smiled, revealing even, white teeth. Rae nodded a
greeting, expecting him to continue on his way.
    “Hello, Miss Dalcour,” he said in a voice
that hinted he sung bass.
    “Hello.” Rae took his outstretched hand. The
flesh was smooth and cool.
    She tried to recall his face and voice.
Strange, but she liked the solid feel of his hand in hers. It
seemed to steady her, giving a hint of how good the rest of him
would feel. His broad chest seemed perfect for touching. Rae
wondered if he was single. Being home might be even better than I
thought.
    “You probably don’t remember me. We met only
a couple of times years ago. I’m Simon St. Cyr.” He smiled at
her.
    So that was it – the St. Cyr clan. Now she
recognized him. His grandfather was the third partner in the
ill-fated venture that had left a stain on the Dalcour name all
these years. Joseph St. Cyr, Henry Jove and Pawpaw Vincent had been
best friends. As young men, they decided to go into business
together. Things had gone terribly wrong; all of it blamed on
Vincent Dalcour. Yet the St. Cyrs and Joves not only survived, but
prospered.
    Rae gazed at the strong profile. Cold dislike
crept over her. This well-dressed pretty boy could not help but
strut in front of her.
    “Oh yeah,” she said in a short tone. All
amorous thoughts of snuggling up to him vanished. “Sure you want to
be seen talking to me in public?”
    Simon stopped smiling. “Ms. Dalcour, what’s
past is past. I don’t have any interest in a fifty-year-old feud.
When you get situated, give me a call.” He took a business card
from his shirt pocket.
    Rae did not take it. “Why?”
    “You might be interested in the discussions I
had with your father several months ago. He was planning to work
with me on developing your family’s property.”
    “I have a hard time believing my father would
give you the time of day,” Rae replied, but she was intrigued
despite her words. Lucien had spoken to a St. Cyr? More to the
point, why would a St. Cyr talk to a Dalcour?
    “Meet with me and I’ll explain it all to
you.” Simon nodded. He still held out his card, his expression
behind the sunglasses hinted at a challenge to her.
    After a few seconds, Rae took it, and read,
“Heritage Contractors and Dirt Service.”
    “Thursday morning at ten okay?” Simon pointed
to a building. “My office is down on Front Street, just a short
distance from here.”
    “Okay.”
    Rae watched him walk away. She definitely
liked the way the man moved. While her body reacted to the sensuous
presence of Simon St. Cyr, her mind issued a strong warning. What
could it hurt to listen for a few minutes? What she remembered of
him was neutral. Being four years older, Simon had been away at
college during her high-school years. Besides, she’d been too
infatuated with Darcy to notice other boys. Darcy. That experience
alone should have taught her that men from those two families were
trouble.
    A stab of regret and pain made her wince at
the memories. Maybe she shouldn’t meet Simon. Keeping her distance
could be the best plan if she were to remain in Belle Rose. Rae
ground her teeth in frustration. Within ten minutes of seeing
Simon, she was torn with confusion. Trouble from the St. Cyrs and
Joves already! She sat down on a bench to wait for Wes and Jamal to
finish shopping. The small business district was quiet, with a few
tourists wandering from shop to shop. Rae was still lost in thought
when a shadow fell across her. Rae gazed up
    “Look who’s back in town.” Toya stood over
her, a tight smile on her face. “Hello Raenette.”
    “Hello Toya.” Rae resisted the urge to stand
up. Toya always had a way of making her feel outnumbered; somehow
at a disadvantage.
    “Sorry to hear about your daddy. Mr. Lucien
was a real character; amusing in his way.” Toya wore a smile of
indulgence as she sat