Chapter 48

The next morning, Remy carefully tested the amulet around his neck to be sure it would keep him safe in the sun. It did. Ephie tested her daywalking abilities by sticking her fingertips into the sun. Also good to go.

With that done, they jumped in his car, with Jean-Luc, of course, and went by the hotel to pick up Darryl and Leonie for breakfast.

Once they were in the car, Remy headed for Main Street. "I've always wanted to do this, you know."

"Do what?" Leonie asked from the seat behind him.

"Go to Mummy's Diner for breakfast. You can get it anytime, but having breakfast at breakfast time was never something I could do before."

"How are you able to do it now?" Darryl asked. "Be out in the daylight, I mean."

"I can't tell you," Remy said. "It's a secret that isn't mine to share, but if I just say magic, is that good enough?"

Visible in the rearview mirror, Darryl nodded. "All the answer I need. I probably wouldn't understand it anyway."

"You can still ask me anything you want to. If I can answer, I will. If I can't, I'll tell you that much."

"All right," Darryl said. "Here's another one for you. What's this diner known for?"

"Just some of the best food you'll ever eat. Pancakes and cinnamon buns are two of their best breakfast items, though."

"I'm in," Darryl said.

Leonie sniffed. "Those sound rather heavy."

Ephie turned to look at her mother. "Mom, you eat grits and rice on a regular basis. Pancakes and cinnamon buns are just different forms of carbs. You'll be fine."

Remy smiled to himself. Ephie sure wasn't bothered by standing up to her mother anymore. It was interesting to see.

He found a parking spot, and they went in, managing to snag a booth after only a few minutes. Darryl and Leonie sat on one side, Ephie and Remy on the other. Jean-Luc sat between them. Fortunately, he took up very little space.

A server dropped off menus and waters, then left them to peruse the options.

"This place must be good," Darryl said. "It's crowded. And a deputy just came in to pick up an order. Always a good sign if the police like it."

"I've had the cinnamon bun," Ephie said. "Ah-mazing."

Remy turned, saw Deputy Jenna Blythe, and gave her a wave. She waved back. He'd sent an email to the sheriff"s department loop before going to bed, letting them know they'd be seeing him during the day from now on and not to be alarmed.

Maybe it was a cliché, but today really was the first day of the rest of his life, and he was thrilled to be sharing it with Ephie.

The server returned with coffee, filling everyone's cups, and they placed their orders. Ephie picked blueberry pancakes with a side of bacon, Leonie had a veggie omelet with grits, Darryl had the special—devil's food pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream—and Remy had the bananas foster pancakes. He also ordered a cinnamon bun for the table.

Tuna, Jean-Luc said, his voice loud and clear in Remy's head.

Remy glanced down at the cat and whispered, "I am not ordering tuna just so you can smell it."

Hearing Jean-Luc was pretty cool, but having to answer him in a crowded, public place was not something Remy had taken into consideration.

The server gave him an odd look but said nothing. Ephie snorted, covering her face with her menu.

Fortunately, he and Ephie had explained the new development to Darryl and Leonie last night.

As the server left, Leonie got a curious gleam in her eyes. "I have a question for you, since you said to ask."

His guard was already up. "I did. What would you like to know?"

"What your intentions are toward my daughter."

He should have seen that one coming.

"Mom," Ephie started. "I really don't think this is the time or place."

"Why not?" Leonie asked. "It's a perfectly reasonable question."

Ephie sighed, but Remy wasn't bothered. "You're right. It is. I'll tell you what my intentions are. My intentions are to marry her and spend the rest of our lives giving her the royal treatment like the queen she is. Are you all right with that?"

Darryl and Ephie were all smiles. Leonie, not so much. She frowned. "On a deputy's salary?"

"Mom." Ephie's voice held a warning.

Remy doubted that would have much effect on Leonie.

It didn't. Leonie stirred her coffee. "It's a valid concern."

Ephie leaned forward. "When I accidentally destroyed a good part of that motel with my magic, who do you think compensated the owners? Because it wasn't me."

Remy put his hand on her arm. "Eph, you don't have to—"

"Yes, I do." Ephie's brow furrowed. "She needs to know. I don't want this to be a thing our entire marriage, her believing you don't make enough to take care of me the way she thinks I should be. I mean, let's just ignore the fact that I make my own money. For a liberated woman, my mother has some very old-fashioned ideas. You'd think she'd love you because of that, but no, no man's good enough for me. Heaven forbid." Ephie punctuated her words with a dramatic roll of her eyes.

Darryl laughed, then quickly stopped when Leonie shot him a look. "She's not wrong, Leonie. You've never thought a man good enough for Ephie. Now she's got one who's saved her life not once but twice. If that's not good enough, no man ever will be."

Remy could have kissed Darryl, but he refrained. He spoke to Leonie. "Would you like to see my bank statement? Or have a peek into my safety deposit box? I assure you I am able to fulfill any need Ephie might have."

Leonie sat quietly for a few moments, her gaze downcast. Tension spread across the table like a dark cloud. She lifted her chin, and Remy braced for the storm that was about to break.

Leonie took a breath and looked at Ephie. "You're not coming back to New Orleans, are you?"

Ephie shook her head. "Not permanently, no." Her voice was soft, the tone gentle. "I want to be here, Mom. With Remy. I've already fallen in love with this place."

Leonie nodded. "I can see that." She swallowed. "Will you at least let me help you plan the wedding?"

Ephie grinned. "No, because I want us to stay friends. But you can go with me when I shop for the dress. How's that?"

Leonie smiled. "That sounds wonderful." She glanced across the table at Remy, her smile tightening a bit. "You did save Ephie's life. And paying her debt to the motel was … exceptionally generous. Thank you for all you've done for her. I will do my best to not be the mother-in-law you think I'm going to be."

Remy relaxed. "I appreciate that. We're going to be great friends. You just wait and see."

Leonie snorted. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Lafitte." She sipped her coffee before looking at Ephie again. "How soon can I expect to be a grandmother?"

Jean-Luc sat up, glaring at Leonie. I'm the bebe.

"Mom!"

"Leonie," Darryl said. "Good heavens, woman. Let them at least have a honeymoon first."

With utterly perfect timing, the server arrived with their food, completely oblivious to the fact that Jean-Luc was now perched gargoyle-style on Darryl's head, staring down at Leonie.

While Darryl and Leonie chatted with the server about how good the food looked, Remy reached over to take Ephie's hand in his and kept his voice low, for her ears only. "Is that something you're interested in? Kids, I mean? You were at one time."

Ephie grinned and gave him a shy nod. "Still am. But maybe we could just practice for a year or two first."

He kissed her cheek. "You have the best ideas. Besides, I don't think Jean-Luc is ready to be an older brother just yet."

Smirking, she glanced at the cat. "Definitely not." Her gaze turned pensive as she looked at Remy again. "Do you really think children will be possible for us?"

"A few days ago, I thought you were out of my life for good. Now look at us." He'd never felt so alive, so ready for what came next. Ephie really was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. "Whatever we set our minds on, we'll make it happen. You have to admit, the two of us are a pretty incredible team."

Jean-Luc meowed.

"Pardon me," Remy said. "The three of us."

"That's right." Ephie laughed. "Then here's to whatever comes next. So long as it's together."

"That's all I've ever wanted." Remy lifted his coffee cup. "And what comes next is ring shopping."

"Remy, I have a ring." She smiled at the sapphire and diamond pansy on her finger. "One I love very much."

"Don't worry, we'll find another one that you love, too. A ring that complements that one." He winked at her. "And leaves your mother speechless."