Big Easy (Cowboy Craze) Read online

  BY

  SABLE HUNTER

  COWBOY CRAZE

  Hell Yeah!

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  BIG EASY

  All rights reserved.

  Copyright 2019 © SABLE HUNTER

  Cover: JRA Stevens for Down Write Nuts

  Formatting: Down Write Nuts

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.

  There’s nothing like a first impression.

  Big Easy Blackhawk is used to women falling at his feet. After all, he’s a sexy, free-wheeling cowboy with a devil-may-care smile. Half the women in the Lone Star state would love to rope and wrangle him to the altar – but Easy’s got other ideas. He believes in spreading as much joy to the fairer sex as possible. With a well-earned reputation for loving them and leaving them, Easy has no plans to settle down.

  Needing to put some distance between him and his family, he heads to South Louisiana to work on Philip McCoy’s Belle Chasse Ranch. To his shock, his first day on the bayou brings him face to face with the one woman who changes everything for Easy. He’s knocked for a loop – thunderstruck – completely bowled over by the girl next door, Jewel Baptiste.

  When a man meets his soulmate, he badly wants to make a good first impression.

  Unfortunately for Easy, Jewel is the one woman who can see into his soul. A palm reader by trade, she is the real deal – a woman who lives practical magic. Although she admits being attracted to him, Jewel refuses to date Easy – she doesn’t intend on being the next in his long line of conquests. But the sweet, handsome hunk is one hard man to resist. Jewel finds there are hidden depths to this Casanova. For the promise of true love, a man can change.

  Easy is willing to give up one-night stands for that one woman he can’t bear to be without for even one single night.

  Be warned – this is a hot, passion filled love story – full of adventure, Louisiana lore, the paranormal, and a murder mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat.

  Come join Easy and Jewel on their journey to forever.

  Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  EPILOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  “I’m a big boy, Benjen. You don’t have to worry about me.” Decreasing his speed, Easy drove slowly down the two-lane highway, his eyes taking in the sleepy streets of the picture postcard town.

  “Well, you left under less than perfect circumstances. I don’t want a rift in the family.”

  “Listen, Big Chief, you need to take care of your new bride and let me stand tall in my own moccasins,” Easy muttered to his brother as he read a Welcome sign barely visible in the shade of an ancient oak, the branches spreading out over forty-foot with Spanish moss dripping almost to the ground. “According to Reader’s Digest, I’ll be living in the most charming town in Louisiana.”

  “I thought you’d be staying at Belle Chasse with Philip McCoy and the other guy, what’s his name?”

  “Jed Vincent.” Placing his foot on the brake, Easy pulled into a Texaco service station. “The old plantation house was razed, of course. They’ve moved in a couple of trailers, but I’d rather get my own place. I need my privacy. I won’t be too far. Quick commute to work and I’m sure I’ll soon feel at home, even if the gumbo mud squeezes up between my toes.”

  “I think I’d rather eat gumbo than walk it in. As far as your privacy goes, I’m not surprised. You and your long line of one-night stands. I’ll be glad when you settle on one girl. Daniel and I can heartily recommend the fine institution of holy matrimony.”

  Easy barked a laugh. “Institution is right. I’d have to be crazy to walk into the looney bin voluntarily.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Benjen protested. “I’ve never been happier.”

  “Look, I hate to interrupt this inspiring lecture of yours, but I need to buy some gas. I’ll call and check on you and the others in a few days. Just know I’m fine. I’m good. I’m not mad at anyone. I just need some breathing room for a while.”

  “All right. Just don’t forget where your home is and where you belong.”

  “I won’t. Take care.” Easy hung up before Benjen could say more. Stepping out of the truck to fill up his tank, Easy let his eyes roam around the surrounding area. A Jerry Reed song came to mind about an old Cajun named Amos Moses who lived, “About forty-five miles southeast of Thibodaux, Louisiana,” He sang the words softly, but loud enough to attract attention from a passerby.

  “Thibodaux is where you’re at, for sure, boy. That’s a good song, don’t hear too many like it anymore.”

  Easy turned to see a tiny old woman with twinkling black eyes and a sun-weathered face. She was smiling at him with a toothless grin. When the smell of fish smacked him in the face, he glanced down at the open cooler at her feet. “What you got there?”

  “Crawfish, Gentilhomme. Want to buy some?”

  “Why not?” He shrugged. “Sounds good. Give me five pounds.” Easy hung up the hose once the pump cut off and pulled out his wallet to pay what he owed.

  “Bien!” The little Creole woman knelt down to choose one of the bags she had stored on ice. “You’ll like these. Caught fresh this morning.” After giving him the plastic bag, she quickly jammed the greenbacks elbow-deep into her bra. “Big man like you has a healthy appetite, I’m thinking.” With a big grin, she eyed Easy’s masculine form. “You sure is pretty in your cowboy getup.” Nailing him with a squinty-eyed look, she mused, “And you ain’t white. What are you? Choctaw or Redbone?”

  Easy raised one eyebrow and laughed heartily. “Apache. You’re not much for political correctness. I like that.”

  “Pshaw.” The old lady waved her claw-like hand. “I don’t see no use beatin’ around the bush. I’m a coonass and proud of it.”

  “Well, thanks for this.” Easy held up his bag. “I’d best be on my way.”

  The ancient sprite wasn’t quite ready for him to go. “Where you headed? You new in town?”

  “I’ve rented a place on Gentilly Road. Just out of town a few miles.” Amused, Easy wondered if his information would be taken as an invita
tion.

  “Oh, my.” She eyed him closely as she picked up the handle of her rolling cooler. “You be careful over there.”

  “High crime area?” he asked with a frown. “I didn’t get that impression from the description of the place.”

  The old lady frowned and crossed herself. “Bad mojo. Witch Hazel haunts Bayou Lafourche.”

  “Witch Hazel.” Seriously? He chuckled and shivered. “Oh, I’m so scared. She’s sounds terrifying…for an herb.”

  “Don’t make light of what I tell you, son.” She shook a crooked finger at him. “Old Alzophine’s been around for many a day. You’d best watch your step over that way.”

  “I’m sure you’re very wise, Alzophine. Thanks for the crawfish.” Easy waved at the old woman as he made his escape. “Witches and mojo.” He thought of Benjen’s shaman beliefs. “Might as well have never left home. Can’t seem to escape the weird stuff.”

  Checking his GPS, Easy rolled down his window to enjoy the warm breeze that carried the tantalizing aroma of jasmine and honeysuckle right up to his nose. With the whole weekend ahead of him to get settled, he was feeling pretty good about his situation. Leaning back against the headrest, he enjoyed the passing scenery. After noting several homes with stately columns and intricate capitals, he mumbled to himself, “Feels like the next house I see might be Tara from Gone with the Wind.” These mansions reminded him of the McCoy’s Highland house, the one they’d built in tribute to their mother and to Belle Chasse.

  After traveling a few more miles, the fancy estates disappeared, and the countryside took on a more rustic feel. He remembered Alzophine telling him Gentilly was located near a bayou. Easy was glad of that, he was a country boy who needed a few trees around him so he could breathe. “Should be getting close.” Picking up his phone, he frowned when he saw there was no service. “Well, hell.” He didn’t think he’d passed the turn off, but he wasn’t sure. “I’ll go a little further.”

  Leaning forward, he kept his eye out for a street sign. The weeds were so high, he almost missed it. “There it is. Gentilly.” Slowing down, he put on his blinker and turned off the asphalt onto a macadam road. His tires protested the difference as his shock absorbers grumbled at the uneven stones. Slowing down, he looked ahead for any sign of a mailbox or a side street. He saw nothing ahead of him as far as his eye could see.

  After traveling for about ten minutes, Easy began to wonder. Gone were any signs of civilization. Cypress and water oaks grew on both sides of the road and he could see brown swamp water not too far in the distance. “Huh. I couldn’t have taken a wrong turn when there hasn’t been anywhere to turn,” he muttered as the road cut a wide swath to the right, then wiggled around into several small dipsy-doodle curves.

  Picking up his phone, Easy checked the address one more time. “It should be right…close.” This area looked to be as desolate and wild as Belle Chasse. “And I thought I’d be staying near town.” Easy frowned. “This could put a serious crimp in my social life.”

  Finally, he saw what looked to be an old home place. There were large trees and a hurricane fence. Easing nearer, his eyes landed on the house he’d rented online. “Looks just like the picture. Home sweet home.” Putting on his blinker he turned onto a clamshell drive, his truck tires scrunching across the rough, bumpy surface. A small, raised blue cottage sat in thick shadows cast by a cool canopy of leaves overhead. “Well, this isn’t so bad.” He glanced around to see if someone was waiting for him. The owner knew what time he was arriving and was supposed to be here with the key. “Where are you Mrs. Frank Baptiste?” Cutting his engine, he bent over to adjust the bag of crawfish resting on the passenger side floorboard. “Ice is melting fast. I need to get this in the fridge.”

  Tap! Tap!

  Jerking upright, Ezekiel found a young woman with long dark hair leaning on his door with her hand on the side of the window.

  “You must be Ezekiel Blackhawk.”

  He opened his mouth to say something, but when his brown eyes crashed with her blue ones – all coherent thought abandoned him. He recognized his name, but for the life of him, Easy couldn’t remember a proper English word of agreement. Instead of speaking, he simply nodded like some imbecile.

  “Well, good. Here’s the key.” The woman held the fob, dangling on the end of one slender finger. Easy accepted it with a hand that shook ever so slightly. Why, he didn’t know. Easy considered himself to be a connoisseur of the fairer sex – and this woman, while reasonably attractive, wasn’t in the same league with his usual conquests. Licking his lips, Easy tried to find his voice.

  “Cat got your tongue?”

  No, but he wished she did. He’d give his right nut to lick those rosebud lips. As far as he could tell, she wasn’t wearing a hint of lipstick – yet, her lips were the prettiest coral color he’d ever seen. Easy could imagine her eating sweet berries to stain that luscious mouth such a delicious color.

  Whoa – where did that thought come from? While he didn’t claim to be perfect, he did draw the line at married women. “Nah.” He coughed, shaking his head, half expecting to hear marbles rattling around. “Sorry. Frog in my throat.” He glanced around for her car. “I didn’t hear you drive up, Mrs. Baptiste.”

  “Oh, I didn’t.” She nodded her head toward the property next door. “We’re neighbors.”

  “Oh. Good to meet you.”

  “Come on. Let me show you around, then I’ll leave you alone to get settled.”

  She stepped aside so he could climb down from his truck with his crawfish. “Thanks, I’m sure everything will be great.” Opening the back door of his double cab dually, Easy pulled out his one large duffle bag. “I travel light,” he offered by way of explanation.

  “Most men do.” She moved ahead of him to lead the way. “So, you’re from Texas?”

  “Yea. I’m working at Belle Chasse.”

  She opened the gate and held it for him as he walked through. “I know the place. I’m glad they’re bringing the plantation back to life. We all remember Katrina, but I also remember beautiful Carolyn McCoy. Her death devastated so many people.”

  “Her children have kept her memory alive.” Easy didn’t get a chance to say more on the subject, not after his landlady suddenly squealed bloody-murder.

  “Oh, my God!”

  As he looked on in confusion, she ripped the oversize black T-shirt she wore over her head and threw it onto a bush, leaving her surprisingly good body adorned in shorts and a sleeveless tank. Being the gentleman that he was – Easy stepped up to see if he could help as the woman frantically brushed her hands over her body. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “Something bit me.” She squealed again and this time she ripped off the tank top, then tried to look over her own shoulder as she reached an arm behind her back, trying to run her fingers beneath the clasp of her bra. “Ow! Ow!”

  Seeing her distress, Easy did his best to help. “Hold still.” Taking her by the shoulders, he unclasped her bra, uncovering a small bee. “Dammit!” He brushed aside the insect, alarmed to see several big red welts on her skin where she’d been stung. “He gotcha good!”

  Crossing her arms over her breasts, the woman looked completely mortified. Tears were flowing down her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you can find your own way. If you have any questions…let me know.” All of this was said as she turned to go. “I need to put something on this sting.”

  “Is Frank or someone around to help you?”

  “No.” Even though she didn’t stop, she did give him a confused look over her shoulder. “Frank was my father. He’s dead.”

  “Oh. I’m sorry. I thought…”

  “You thought I was my mother.” As she moved ahead of him, she struggled to refasten her bra.

  “If you don’t mind, I’ll come doctor it for you.” Without waiting for permission, Easy followed along behind her. “There’s no way you can reach back there to put medicine on the spot by yourself.”

  “I don’t know�
�”

  “Hey, you have all my info. You can report me if I get out of hand – which I won’t. I promise.”

  “Okay.” As she walked, she pulled the big shirt back over her head.

  “You’re just going to have to pull it all off again,” he observed as they moved across the grassy yard full of lush shade plants. He could identify variegated hostas, white ginger lilies, and orange birds of paradise. Once past the dividing fence, he could see her dark green clapboard house just down the hill. This house wasn’t just elevated, it was built on stilts and situated much closer to the water. “Nice place. Unique.”

  The only comment she made was a soft “Thanks”.

  “I know you’re in pain. I’m sorry. You’re not allergic, are you?”

  “No.”

  “Good.” He cleared his throat, picking up his pace as she picked up hers. “Uh. If you’re not Mrs. Frank Baptiste, would you mind me asking what your name might be?”

  “Remy Jewel Baptiste. People call me Jewel.” She started down a flagstone path, each flat rock was partially covered with vibrant green moss. “Watch the ground. We have snakes.”

  Easy curled his lip. “Great, but to be expected.” He glanced out toward the swamp filled with cypress knees protruding from the dark water. “I guess there are alligators too.”

  “Hundreds,” she muttered dryly as she came even with the walkway leading to the front of the house.

  As Easy dogged her steps, he noticed something strange. A sign depicting a large multi-color hand. “What’s that?” he asked before thinking.

  “I’m a palm reader.” Jewel didn’t look around, she just started up the steep stairs leading to the main floor. “I apologize for the mess. I’m not the greatest housekeeper.”

  “A palm reader. Interesting.” Once inside, Easy didn’t notice anything amiss, he was too busy watching her. Her long curly hair held him completely entranced. He’d always been a sucker for girls with long hair. “Let’s don’t worry about anything but tending to those bee stings.”