False Pretenses - Kathy Herman [90]
“I miss Zoe and Pierce,” Father Sam said. “Seems a little strange today, with both of them out.”
Hebert looked up at Savannah. “When dey come back?”
“I’m not sure. When Zoe left, she didn’t even mention Remy’s funeral tomorrow. She sounded … I don’t know, almost detached.”
“When I was workin’ for the oil company,” Tex said, “I took on a stress-mode demeanor that my wife said made me seem detached from people. Maybe that’s all it is.”
“Probably so.” Savannah picked up the menus. “Benson is happy to cover the kitchen in Pierce’s absence, so we’re good to go. If you fellas change your mind about lunch, let me know. Otherwise, stay as long as you like. Coffeepot’s on all day.”
Zoe sat on her air mattress, hugging her pillow. Was Pierce scared or angry—or both? He hadn’t said anything to her since they hung up the phone after talking to Jude.
“I wonder why Vanessa hasn’t called,” Zoe said, talking more to herself than to Pierce.
“Let’s hope there’s a logical explanation,” he said quietly. “If anything happens to her, it’ll be our fault.”
“You mean my fault.”
“All right, your fault. I couldn’t believe the Langleys were willing to get involved in this in the first place! They have a whole lot more faith in God to get us out of this than I do.”
Zoe rocked back and forth. “I thought we had it worked out so that Shapiro—Cowen—wouldn’t suspect they knew anything. I would never have intentionally put them at risk.”
“There’re a lot of things you didn’t think would put anyone else at risk, Zoe. Yet look at the mess we’re in.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe we’re hiding from a drug dealer who’d just as soon carve you up as look at you—all because you lied about who you are.”
“There’s no way I could’ve seen this coming. I just wanted a different life.”
“Did you honestly believe that changing your name, adopting the Cajun ways, and operating a Cajun eatery would make you Cajun? You’re still the same person on the inside. Why didn’t you just hold your head high and be proud of who you are?”
Zoe sighed. “Have you heard anything I’ve been trying to tell you? There was nothing worthwhile about Shelby Sieger! I needed to put an end to her and to that part of my life.” She paused and composed herself. “I’m sorry for deceiving you, Pierce. I am. And I’m sorry I stole the ring from Mrs. Woodmore. But I’m not sorry I changed my name or that I disowned my family. I deserved to be free.”
“Free?” His resonant voice went up two decibels. “All you did was trade your secrets for a whole new set of secrets—and shame that you are responsible for. You weren’t responsible for your father’s sick behavior. But you are responsible for using it as an excuse to lie to get what you wanted.”
Zoe hung her head and wiped her eyes. Pierce was right. Had she ever been free? Hadn’t she, on one level, been in a perpetual state of worry that one day he would find out she was a fraud? Wasn’t the reason she confronted Adele Woodmore ultimately about preserving the perfect life she created for herself—and not about remorse?
“Pierce, you wouldn’t have given me the time of day unless you thought I was Cajun.”
“Don’t you dare put that on me!” He combed his hands through his hair. “I fell in love with your heart, not your pedigree. Did the fact that you said you were Cajun have some appeal? Sure. I’m as proud as they get. But it was never a prerequisite to finding a soul mate—though honesty and integrity were! Congratulations. You succeeded in faking all three.…” Emotion stole his voice, and he turned and stood in the doorway, his back to her.
Lightning flashed, followed by a boom of thunder that rattled the windows. It was as though God agreed with him.
Zoe hugged her pillow tighter. What could she really say in her defense? She thought of Vanessa. What could have happened to delay her phone call?
Vanessa stepped through the tangled weeds on the path between two rows of sugarcane, trying not to lose her sense of direction. It was darker. The wind had picked up and the temperature cooled. The smell of rain was