BayouBabe99er (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Read Free Page A

he wasn’t surprised.
    Another member of the panel took the mike for the handoff. “Please give your undivided attention to our next committee member.”
    The man bounding up the steps to accept the mike was tall, dark, and sinfully handsome. “Good evening, everyone. I’m Drake Cormier, the liaison officer.”
    Sharlene sat straighter on the bleachers.
    Moot snorted. “Tol’ ya he bites.”
    “I know this is a very frustrating time for all of you. It’s my pledge to speed up the payment process. The swifter things move, the faster you get on with your lives.” Drake’s commanding presence caused a lull in the heckling. “Each head of household here should have a packet like this one distributed this evening.” He held up a golden envelope. “In that material is complete instructions on how to place your claim. A website address and telephone numbers are provided to answer questions that may arise.” Pacing to center stage, he added, “Remember, I’m here to help.”
    “The so-called compensation I’ve heard isn’t enough to make up the difference of what we’ve already lost,” a voice in the crowd sneered.
    “Got bills I can’t pay ’cause I can’t fish!”
    “I understand—”
    Drake didn’t get the opportunity to finish.
    “Don’t say you understand how we feel, Mr. Highfalutin!”
    Drake never lost his outward composure. He began his statement, again. “I understand—the importance of returning your lives to normalcy. My intent is to help you do that.”
    “What about the oil collecting in the Pass?” Sharlene was on her feet as the question spilled out. His double-fisted grip on the mike produced feedback when his thumbs did that nervous thump she’d witnessed on the boat. “How does your company plan to ensure for the cleanup? To protect the people’s safety and their health from the effects of the oil?”
    “Health issues aren’t a remote concern seeing that the accident occurred offshore.” He then called her out. “Ms. Mouton, this meeting is for the residents of this community. Do you fall into that category?”
    “Corm-i-er!” All eyes swung in Moot’s direction. He rose with purpose. “Don’t let yo’ mouth get yo’ ass kicked.”
    The shoo-shooing started in the audience.
    “I mean no disrespect, Mr. Mouton.” He wasn’t feeling any Southern hospitality.
    “They might not know who you are. But I do.”
    “You’re right, sir. I should have made my connection known. I’m a distant relative of the Cormiers who used to live here.” Drake tried to relate to Pauchex Pass’s residents. “That means I have a personal stake in helping the people here.”
    “Or—ya tryin’ to smooth over the damage!” Moot challenged.
     
    * * * *
     
    Drake couldn’t mistake the pure hatred Moot displayed when he looked at him. “I’m here to help, not hurt, Mr. Mouton. Give me a chance to prove it to you.”
    “Then answer Sha’s question. When will the cleanup of the Pass start?”
    “Actually, there is no evidence of trouble in that area.”
    “That’s not true, and you know it,” Sharlene argued.
    “Evidence is the operative word, Ms. Mouton.” Drake turned to the panel. “Pauchex Pass is miles from the origin of the spill. But there’s a visible sheen along that route.”
    A panelist contended, “Probably nothing to do with why we’re here.”
    “Here we go,” said a voice in the crowd. The buzz continued around the gym.
    His eyes strayed to Sharlene. Her lovely face relayed none of the angst he suspected she felt. The dead-on glare she hurled his way said more than any words could express. He broke eye contact because now was not the time for a one-on-one debate in front of a hostile audience.
    “Look,” he started. Drake took the steps down and planted himself firmly in their midst. “Now, the panel will present this new concern for investigation.”
    Murmurs from the bleachers grew aggressive. “It’ll get buried just like our little