Branded: Savannah: Sisters Bound By Blood

by Karen Kelley

  He leaned back against the seat, staring out the window but not seeing the passing scenery. He thought of Savannah instead. His blood had turned hot the first time he saw her. He knew that he would make Savannah his.

  Marco closed his eyes for a moment. He knew he was obsessed with her. It didn't matter. He always got what he wanted. She’d been exactly as he'd imagined. Her pale skin flawless, in sharp contrast with his olive complexion. That first time, he'd slowly undressed her, then marveled at her beauty.

  The car hit a pothole. He jerked his eyes open, looking around. He would get her back. She would have to be cleansed. Like the first time, he would have her scrub her skin, and then he would pour bleach over the top of her head until he knew the stench of her poverty was gone. His lips compressed into a thin line. Except this time, he would be removing the stench of another man. A dead man.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  It seemed as if they’d been in the swamp for hours. Savannah saw the beauty that Breaker told her about. When she looked at the tall cypress trees with their roots exposed, the flowers that were growing in the water, some of them blooming, then yes, she felt the area's peacefulness.

  Breaker stood at the back of the boat and pushed through the swamp with a long pole while she sat in front of him.

  “On your left,” he said.

  She turned and saw the blue heron standing on legs that looked as big around as toothpicks. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered as if the bird might take flight.

  As the sun began to slip beyond the horizon, it was as if they were the only two people on earth. She wished that were so, but somewhere behind her was Marco, waiting to attack.

  Something moved to her right. She casually looked in that direction. The alligator stared back at her before slowly sinking beneath the water. She clasped her hands tightly in her lap. Breaker didn't have to warn her to keep her hands inside the boat. She wasn't about to let them trail through the water.

  Breaker had explained that most of the people living in the swamp had switched to motorboats. He’d chosen this one because he liked the fact that no one would know he was coming. He had a point there. Besides, the bottom was flat, and he could go places a boat with a motor couldn't.

  They went deeper and deeper into the swamp. She was okay with that because she knew Marco would have trouble finding them. She secretly hoped an alligator would eat him. She didn't have an ounce of sympathy for him. Marco had made her life a living hell for five years. He’d tried to wash her poverty away with bleach. She remembered it burning her skin. All her life, people had thought they were better than her and her sisters.

  Once, Jade, Savannah, and Rena all went to church one Sunday. Jade had made sure they wore their prettiest dresses. Thinking back, she knew that nothing would have made them look like anything more than what they were; three poor kids from the wrong side of the tracks whose father was an alcoholic.

  The preacher had looked down his stern nose at them, then slowly took off his glasses and wiped them clean as if he wasn't sure what he was seeing. His wife stood next to him at the door to greet the parishioners as they came inside that morning. When Rena stepped closer, the woman pulled away. Jade had quickly taken Rena's hand.

  The preacher grimaced, then motioned for them to take a seat at the back of the church, away from everyone else. People would walk past them, the women pulling their skirts out of the way as if some of the girls' poverty might brush against them. For the next hour, they listened to the preacher yell down from his pulpit at the people before him. He told everyone how bad they were, that they were sinners.

  Then a woman began to play the piano, and people began to sing. Savannah remembered looking at Rena, who sang in her clear, angelic voice. Some in the congregation who sat right in front of them turned to look at her and smile.

  Savannah and Jade raised their chins high. They might be a lot of things. They were poor, and they didn't have pretty clothes like the other children, but the one thing they did know was that they weren't hypocrites like the preacher and his wife and a lot of the people who went to the church.

  As soon as the song ended, Jade had taken Rena's hand, and Savannah took the other, and they left the church. They never went back again.

  Instead of going to church, Jade found their mother’s worn Bible and began to read stories to them. At the end of the story, Rena would start to sing. They had their own church.

  Back then, if she closed her eyes, Savannah could almost feel the angels around them. But of course, that was silly. She didn't think there was any such thing as angels. If there were, then why did they let so many bad things happen to them?

  A frog croaked loudly, the sound echoing in the silence of the swamp and drawing her attention back to the present.

  When she thought they must surely run out of swamp soon, Breaker pulled near a bank and jumped out of the boat. He grabbed the rope and tied it around one of the trees.

  “We’re here then?” she asked.

  “Nearly. We’ll walk a ways.”

  He brought a flashlight out of his backpack and turned it on, and then held out his hand for her to take. Before she stepped out of the boat, Savannah looked around to make sure there were no alligators. When she didn't see any, she stepped out onto dry land.

  "We'll travel the rest of the way on land. It's not too much farther now."

  He was right, they didn't have far to walk before seeing a light in front of them. As they drew closer, Savannah spotted a kerosene lamp hanging from the porch of what looked like a very old house that was about three feet off the ground on stilts. The lamp worked much as a porch light would.

  There was a woman with gray hair sitting in a rocker. She was small, and when she stood, Savannah didn't think she was much over five feet, two inches. When she smiled, it lit up her whole face.

  "I know’d you'd be comin’ home today. I read de tea leaves, but I've been feelin’ you around me for a while now. Welcome home, boy."

  Breaker was almost taller than the woman without going up the three steps that led to the porch. He wrapped her gently in his arms and held her for a moment.

  "I've missed you, Granny."

  "And who dat be what you bring with you?" she asked.

  Breaker was smiling when he looked at her. Savannah could tell that he was pleased to see his grandmother again.

  "This is Savannah, and Savannah, this is my grandmother. Savannah is a friend of mine."

  The woman studied her for a moment. Savannah immediately knew his grandmother didn't think they were just friends. She could feel the heat rising up her face, but she didn't look away from her knowing eyes. The woman nodded, as if giving her approval.

  "Come on up here, girl and sit a spell," she said. "There's always a chair for family or friend. I have sun tea and some gator stew if you be hungry.” She turned to Breaker. “Since your uncle fix me up with de propane refrigerator, I can save my leftovers. I even have ice now." She smiled. "I've been blessed, you know."

  "Maybe in a bit," Breaker told her.

  "Then we'll talk. You can call me Granny, Savannah. I wouldn't know how to answer to anything else."

  Savannah smiled as she sat in the rocker beside Breaker, then automatically pushed with her foot and set the chair in motion. There was something relaxing about sitting on this woman's front porch and listening to the sounds of the night: bullfrogs croaking, crickets chirping, a small animal scurrying around in the underbrush. She frowned, hoping it wasn’t a snake. Right now, she would pretend it was only a squirrel.

  "This is my favorite place to be," Granny said. "I come out here every night, usually so I can talk to Aubin. That be my husband. He's been gone for a long time, but I still be talkin’ to him. He never was much of a talker, so it still feels like he's here next to me." She sighed deeply. "But that's not why you be here," she guessed.

  "There are going to be some bad men coming to the swamp looking for us," Breaker told her.

  Granny nodded. "It wouldn
't be the first time. I'll get the word out."

  “You have phone service?” Savannah asked.

  Granny’s brow creased, then she smiled again. “Don’t be needin’ no phone. We got other ways.”

  Savannah wondered exactly how she would accomplish letting other people know about Marco and his men. Whatever plan Breaker had, it couldn’t work. Marco was smart and cruel. How many people would have to die because of her?

  This wasn’t the same as when he’d gone undercover in Mexico. He’d had a team of highly trained men with him. How could a handful of relatives stop Marco? They couldn’t. She would talk to Breaker in the morning. Explain that maybe it was best if she returned to Marco. She suddenly felt empty inside.

  When Granny began to speak again, Savannah concentrated on the conversation. She didn’t want to think about what she knew she had to do.

  Granny crossed her arms in front of her, slowly rocking back and forth in her chair. “I don't suppose you've gone to your father’s place."

  "I came here first."

  "I figured you would. There's never been much love between you two. I often wondered why my Sylvie married him. He wasn't one of us and meaner than the day is long. But he was good looking. He was that. He turned her head, and her bein’ a good girl. You took after her." She sighed deeply. “Besides, your father left. Went back to Tennessee.”

  Breaker sat a little straighter. “What happened?

  “Got in an argument with a big, old gator. Dat gator took a chunk out of his leg.” She chuckled. “Said he’d rather fight a bear than look at another reptile.” She was thoughtful for a moment. “Dat be about three years ago. Can’t say dat anyone misses him. The place is yours now. Maybe come back now and then. Don’t forget your roots.”

  "Have you been doing okay?" Breaker asked.

  Savannah couldn’t tell what he thought about his father leaving, but from what he’d told her about him, she had a feeling he was glad that he didn’t have to worry about running into him.

  "I be doin’ okay. My bones get to hurtin’ sometimes, but I be doin’ pretty good. The boys keep me stocked up on food.”

  “And the rest of the family?”

  “Your cousin Leonie got married a few years ago. He's a fine man, and she's got two boys and a girl. All your cousins will be anxious to see you." She got up from her chair. "You keep your seat, boy, me and de girl will heat up dat stew. I don't need any man in my kitchen."

  Savannah followed her into the house. Breaker gave her a smile on the way by, and she returned it. Letting him know she was fine with his grandmother.

  The door screeched when Granny opened it. "I don't oil it. Dat way, I know if anyone be sneakin’ in on me. Keep my gun loaded and by de bed."

  The house might not look like much on the outside, but it was warm and cozy on the inside. There was a stone fireplace on one side to chase away a winter chill. Right now, the windows were open to let the breeze in.

  A beautiful old quilt covered the couch that had probably been there as long as the house. Crocheted doilies decorated furniture, and there were a few pictures in frames that Savannah figured were relatives. There was an accordion sitting on a small table. She wondered if Granny could play it. There were no other signs of entertainment.

  The kitchen and living room were all one room and not very large. The cabinets had no doors on them, just open shelves. The refrigerator she'd been bragging about was against one wall. It wasn't very big, but Savannah figured it would meet her needs.

  Granny opened one cabinet and brought out a pot. "I knew I'd be getting company today, so I be fixin’ enough for all of us."

  Savannah was curious. "How did you know?"

  Granny set the pot on the propane stove, then lit the burner beneath it. She turned and leaned against the counter, looking thoughtful. "I don't know. Mama used to tell me it was a gift I be havin’. I would just know when somethin’ was about to happen. I knew Breaker be comin’ home for a few days now. I couldn't tell you the exact day, though. Dem tea leaves what be in de bottom of de cup dis mornin’ looked promisin’." She grimaced. "I also knew trouble wouldn't be far behind."

  Savannah looked down at her feet, then back at Granny. "That's my fault. My father sold me to this man when I was fourteen. He was mean. When I got the chance to run away, I did. That's when I crossed paths with Breaker."

  "He always be a good boy growin’ up. I knew he would make a fine man." She looked around. "I don't have any crackers or bread to go with de stew. Usually, Leonie gets my groceries, but this is almost gator hunting season, so she’s been busy getting’ ready."

  “She hunts alligators, too?”

  "Her man hooks them, and when he gets the gator near the boat, she shoots it, then they both haul it over the side. It be dangerous. Sometimes the gator wins."

  “Why do they do it?”

  “They make enough money to last them all winter and into the spring.”

  “You said she has children?”

  “Her sister’s expectin’, so she watches de kids. That’s what family be doin’ around these parts. They be helpin’ each other. That’s why de boy come home. He knew we would be helpin’.”

  Savannah nodded, then looked at the open shelves. One section was dishes, but the other was tin cans in various designs.

  "If you have some flour, salt, baking powder, and maybe a little bit of shortening, I can make some fried bread."

  Granny grinned. "That sounds mighty tasty. I haven't had fried bread in a long time. While you're cooking it up, you can tell me ‘bout dis man what's comin’ after you. It's better to know than not."

  As Savannah mixed up the dough for the fried bread, she told Granny about Marco. "He's a drug dealer in San Antonio. He'd just as soon shoot you as argue with you. He's not someone you can trust. And he doesn't play fair." She nibbled her bottom lip. “I'm afraid Breaker might be underestimating him."

  "Don't you worry none about Breaker. He be a smart boy. I figure he be an even smarter man."

  She only hoped Granny was right. She dropped dough by the heaping spoonful into the hot grease. By the time the bread had fried, the stew was bubbly hot. They dished it up in bowls and put them on the table, then added the platter of fried bread in the middle of the table.

  The alligator stew was better than what Savannah had expected, and she cleaned out her bowl. She recognized some of the vegetables in the stew, but others she didn't. Since she wasn't sure she wanted to know everything in the pot, she decided not to ask.

  "Grab dat squeezebox and take it out to the front porch whilst we clean up," Granny told Breaker. "Unless you’ve forgotten how to play."

  "It's been a while, but I'll see what I can do." He picked up the accordion and took it out to the front porch.

  Savannah was finding out a lot about Breaker that she hadn't known. As they washed up the dishes, Breaker tested the accordion until he finally began to play a song.

  Granny smiled as they finished washing the dishes. “Now de family will know he’s come home. They’ll be showing up in the morning.”

  Savannah was afraid Granny might be showing signs of dementia.

  "I'm not crazy," Granny said as if she read Savannah’s mind. "Just you be listening now, you hear?"

  They stepped out on the porch. For just a moment, Savannah thought she heard the sound of another instrument. She listened a little closer. “What is that?”

  "That would be one of my sons. Breaker's Uncle Bastian. He can sure play that fiddle. They get their music playin’ from Aubin. My husband's side of the family is all gifted. I just like to listen to it." She sat in her rocker again. "Don't you be worrying anymore, girl. That bad man who's comin' after you has never met up with people who catch gators for a living."

  Savannah had a feeling she might be underestimating these people.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  It was barely daylight when Breaker got up the next morning. His grandmother was already seated at the wooden table having her cof
fee. He poured himself a cup, and they moved to the porch so they wouldn't wake up Savannah.

  "It be good having you back, boy. I've thought of you often over de years. Where life be taken you now?" She raised her cup to her lips and blew across the top before taking a drink.

  He took a drink of his coffee that was so strong it could almost walk on its own. Some of the men on his team just thought they made strong coffee. They’d never tasted Louisiana chicory made by an authentic Cajun.

  "After I left here, I made my way to New Orleans. I lived on the streets, helped a few kids along the way, and got into a little bit of trouble now and then. I ended up going into the Army.” He chuckled. “The judge gave me a choice. I figured the Army was better than jail."

  "Yep, you’re a Trahan. As long as you didn't hurt anyone, I guess it be okay. That's de main thing. What you put out in de world always comes back. How'd de Army treat you?"

  He'd heard her say that about karma for as long as he could remember. He supposed he'd tried to live that way most of his life. "I did a few tours overseas and ended up in the Special Forces. I still work for the government when it needs me. Otherwise, I bought a bar not too far from New Orleans."

  She nodded. "You done well for yourself."

  "I like to think so."

  They grew silent for a moment, watching the sun begin to light the day. Listening to small animals that had been foraging all night scurry to their beds. An owl hooted, and a squirrel fussed at something.

  "So, most men would give up trying to get a woman back,” Granny said. “I figure you must've done something to make dis one some kind of mad, you."

  Breaker laughed lightly, then took another drink of his coffee. "Yeah, you could say that I did something. I called my team together, and we blew up one of his drug shipments that was coming in by boat and one of his warehouses near San Antonio. He lost millions of dollars. Yeah, I'd say he's furious with me."