Broken by Janet Taylor-Perry Page A

me that after her attack, they hurt her too much, she can't have children unless she has a miracle."
    "I see. How do you feel about that?"
    "I feel the need to protect her—to keep her safe." He frowned. "But I made her cry, Ray. She thinks I don't think highly of her anymore because we…"  He gave a rolling hand motion indicating his twin could finish the statement.
    Ray laced his fingers across his middle. "Raif, I can't believe I'm saying this to my brother ." He dropped his hands to his legs with a clapping sound. "Keep it in your pants unless you fall head over heels in love with this woman. But go for it. Give yourself the chance to love and live again."
    "And if I do fall head over heels in love with her?"
    Ray shrugged and spread his hands out, palms up. "Marry her. But if you take off to New Orleans to woo this woman, tell your family where you're going."
    "Okay. I'm going to New Orleans Friday night, and if I stay, it will be on her sofa—for now." A slight smile flickered across his face and he mirrored his brother's earlier expression to perfection. Raif confessed, "I liked her bed."
     

    Friday evening before dark, Raif entered first, Voodoo You Do, Colleen DuPin's shop, with an armload of buttercups. The old woman looked at Raif in utter surprise. He flashed his winsome smile, his dimples etching his face, and said, "Good evening, Miss DuPin. These are for you."
    First stepping back and scowling, Colleen reached out for the flowers, and Raif planted a kiss on her cheek.
    "What these for?" Colleen asked, trying to keep her poker face.
    "To butter you up. I assure you I have no intention of trifling with Neely. I want to see where this relationship will go. I'm hoping it's a chance for both of us to live again. I would like your blessing, not a curse."
    "My, my, my. You are a fine one. Purty man, you better fall in love with that sweet girl. She's been through enough."
    "That's why I'm here, but don't cook up a potion. That wouldn't be fair or real. Colleen, I was married for nineteen years. I loved my wife very much. She died—murdered. When I fall in love again, it'll be forever."
    "Hmm. You been through a lot, too, ain't you, baby? A lot more'n you're tellin' ol' Colleen right now. You got my blessin'. Now, go see my girl."
    "First, I'd like to set up dinner at Amile's place. Will you help me?"
    "Lordy, mercy! Purty, sweet, little Patrick learned from the best, didn't he? Yes, honey, I'll help you. Whatcha want?"
    "Patrick?"
    "I was at Neely's when he came to get his tattoo. Not long after that, he brought a purty little girl to dinner at Amile's. You must've set a fine example for your son. That's a good sign. Now, whatcha want?"
    Raif chuckled. The fact that Patrick actually went on a date pleased him. "I'd like a secluded, romantic table; crawfish étouffée; a nice salad; whatever bread he thinks best; dessert; and his best, most appropriate wine. Romantic music would be good, too. She doesn't know I'm here. I want to surprise her."
    "Give ol' Colleen an hour. Whatcha gonna do 'til then?"
    "What do you suggest? I already have roses for her."
    "There's a special little jewelry store next street over. Her birthday was May 13 th ."
    Raif's mind took a detour at that piece of information. If she was born on a Friday…The thirteenth is strange enough.
    "Wednesday," a voice that only Raif heard informed him. He took a deep breath, wondering if he was losing his mind.
    Colleen's words brought him back. "I believe that's emeralds. Can you swing that?"
    "I can. Much obliged."
     

     
    While Colleen conspired with Amile to create the perfect atmosphere and meal, Raif perused the jewelry at the specialty shop. Finally, he found an emerald four-leaf clover on a delicate platinum chain. He breathed to himself, "A good luck charm. I might just need it."
    At seven, Raif peeked into Colleen's shop. "It's done," she informed him. "And he added his crawfish stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer."
    "Thank you bunches."