by Amie Nichols
“Adeline, I am not giving you a cent of my money. Your club is nothing but a bunch of stuck up snobs and you don’t help anyone but yourselves,” I shout at her. My reaction makes her face contort in repulsion at the way I spoke to her. My voice raising has triggered Jacob to walk in and I look at him giving him an I’m-all-right-look. He motions that he will be in the kitchen and steps out of sight.
“Well, I’ve never. Jane is probably turning over in her grave right now at the way you just spoke to me,” she yells as her face starts to get the look I know so well. It’s a look of loathing, hatred, and utter disgust. It’s the same way Jane used to look at me. My skin crawls at this sight.
“Get the hell out of my house,” my face red with anger at the way she’s looking at me. I used to have to take it, but not anymore.
“Oh you haven’t heard the last of me little girl, Jane was so right about you. You’re an ungrateful little bitch who never appreciated anything that wonderful saint of a woman did for you,” she shouts pointing her finger at me.
“GET OUT!” I scream directly in her face and she steps back in phony fear. This makes Jacob come back into sight and I put my hand up to him. No way is he going to have the pleasure of throwing her out. This pleasure is all mine.
“So violent, I can’t even imagine what in the world I’ve done to deserve this treatment,” she says now acting wounded and afraid noticing Jacob. She gives him a please help me look.
“Sorry lady, you’re on own,” Jacob shrugs leaning up against the kitchen doorframe.
“Are you bi-polar or something?” Emma chimes in at the 180 in her emotions. “I think someone forgot their meds this morning,” Emma laughs and I can’t help but join in.
“You have five seconds to get out of my house before I throw you out!” I shout again trying to look mean and tough although all I want to do is burst out laughing at the look on her face.
“Is that a threat? Are you threatening me?” She says with her face contorted again trying to look like she is scared.
“Well right now you are an intruder in my house, and according to Louisiana State law I am allowed to shoot any intruder that is in MY house. So I guess if I were you, I would be gone before I get back with my gun!” I shout and start to walk away headed for the study. Even though I don’t own a gun, I figure the study would be a good place to have one if I did. When I am about reach the door, I hear the front door slam and Emma laughing hysterically. I return to her, “Well that was fun. We should do that more often.”
“So what were you going to do if she didn’t leave? Shoot her with a banana?” Emma teases me knowing I don’t have a gun in the house.
“You ladies have fun shopping,” Jacob says shaking his head and laughing at what just happened before disappearing back into the kitchen.
“Let’s get out of here,” I tell her as we make our way to the garage. I press the button on the side of the door allowing the garage door to open, and there he is, my Luke. He is standing just off of the driveway digging a large hole for a tree I want planted. He looks as good as I remember, his hair wet with sweat and his white t-shirt is drenched in it also. It sticks to him so I can make out all of his muscles rippling under his shirt. He looks up noticing us standing there and Emma grabs my arm leading me to him.
My knees feel weak as he looks me in the eyes. I feel an electrical current pass through me when I’m closer to him. My stomach is in knots and I can’t take my eyes off his.
“Good to see you Lilly,” he says not taking his eyes off mine. “You are more beautiful than I remember,” he says shyly. He still has that sideways wicked grin that makes my heart skip a beat. I want to say something but I can’t make my mouth move.
“I just got here and dad put me to work right away. If you have stuff you want me to do just let me know,” he says standing there awkwardly as I’m hypnotized by his gorgeous brown eyes.
“Yes, I like trees,” I mumble like an idiot.
“Miss Finnegan has started a list of a few things needing done,” Emma says shaking her head at me. I must look like a mental patient right now.
“Yes there’s a list,” I finally assemble a few more words together.
“Well I’ll get started on that as soon as I’m done here.” He smiles at me again and I feel faint. “Where you beautiful ladies headed to this nice afternoon?” He asks so debonair I almost faint.
“New Orleans,” Emma finally says after a few seconds of awkward silence.
“Shopping?” He asks, his eyes never leaving me when Emma answers. He’s got me in a trance. If he would just look away for a second I could regain some composure.
“Yes,” I answer finally after a couple of seconds.
“Drive safe, I want you back in one piece,” he says only to me again. Emma pulls me away finally and I can talk now that I’m not looking at him. “See you later, Luke,” I chime and all Emma can do is laugh.
“Damn girl, I knew you had it bad for him, but I never knew you had it this bad,” she says rolling her eyes at me. “And you’re not the only one who’s got it bad either,” she says getting in the passenger seat of my Aston Martin.
“I’m sure he has a super model girlfriend. Look at him for heaven sakes! He probably has to beat them off with a stick,” I say climbing in the driver seat. I fire up the engine of my cherry red Aston Martin V12 Zagato. This was the first big purchase that I made as a millionaire heiress, and I have loved every minute I’ve spent driving it. Not a bad car to learn how to drive in and get your driver’s license with. Jeffrey taught me and was very patient with me. He would tell me stories of when he taught Luke and his daughter Sarah how to drive. It kind of made me feel like part of the family.
“Umm well if he does then she better watch out because he didn’t take his eyes off you the whole time,” Emma states fiddling with the radio, while I back out of the driveway. Luke gives us a salute that makes my breath catch in my throat. Not wanting him to see the look on my face I speed through the live oaks to the end of the lane.
“So you think he has a girlfriend?” I turn to Emma in horror at the thought, even though I’ve tried to prepare myself that he might have lost all feelings for me. The thought of another girl with Luke makes my stomach turn.
“I don’t know. You’re the one who said it. You need to get a grip sister,” Emma says rolling her eyes at my insane behavior.
“I can’t help it. I had no idea seeing him again would do this to me,” I tell her giving her my most pathetic help me look. “How DO I get a grip around him?”
“Got me, I’ve never had a guy render me speechless before. My best advice is to try to relax.” Her words don’t help at all. “Whatever is meant to be, will be.” She says in a low hum.
“Ok, fine relax. What am I going to do if he has a girlfriend and he brings her to the guest house?” Suddenly panicked again, I don’t think I can handle that.
“Scratch her eyes out,” Emma giggles and I look at her stunned. She’s got her fingers up like claws scratching and hissing like a cat. This makes me laugh and she is able to keep my mind off of it for a while.
Chapter 7
It takes about an hour to get to the out skirts of New Orleans. We spend the whole trip singing aloud to the radio and giggling. As we reach the French Quarter, I find a parking spot and we get out to head down the street.
“I need to get some oils for Maria,” Emma says as we head into Bon Dieu’s, a small voodoo shop in the quarter.
Maria is Emma’s parent’s housemaid. She is a short Haitian woman whose great grandmother was a voodoo priestess back in the day. Maria practices it and I am fascinated by the history and lore of it all.
As we head into the little shop, there are rows and rows of incense, herbs, and oils. Amulets and charms line the back wall. I know enough that you can use these to protect yourself or harm others. Some of the rows are just for tourists with trinkets and souvenirs. The place gives me the shivers. I have always wondered what true “black magic”
really is about. Maria would talk about rituals and sacrifices that would give you nightmares. The store is dark. Wind chimes made of bone, human I think, clink together making a haunting sound as the breeze comes through the open doors.
Emma heads for the row of oils picking up one and searching for what else she needs. I start to browse the store and see a shelf full of herbs, bloodroot, blessed thistle, and celadine. I saunter slowly toward the back and see Frankincense tears. I wonder what those are used for. The closer I get to the back the darker the items are. I look up and see a vial of brittle yellowish pieces. I pick it up and study it. I read the label, “Toenails of a dead man.” I put it back on the shelf fast with a shiver. That is NOT normal. As I come around the corner I meet Emma who has her hands full of a few vials and some bundles of herbs.
“You ready?” I ask her, my stomach growling ready to eat.
“Yeah. I’ll pay then we can go get something to eat,” she laughs as she hears my stomach growl then starts to head for the counter. As we pass the back of the store on our way to the counter, an elderly Haitian looking woman comes through some beaded curtains that cover the back of the store. She has very dark skin and wrinkles all over her sullen face. Stopping short she looks at me, her eyes wide in pure terror. She clutches her chest and I notice her face turns pale and white. I stare back then look behind me wondering what it is she is looking at that is making her this scared.
She grabs my wrist and I jerk back trying to free myself from her grasp. I look down as her long yellow fingernails dig into my skin. It hurts and I feel dread and terror from the look in her eyes.
“Samantha,” she whispers in a chilling tone. Her head tilts up as her eyes roll back in her head, and all you can see is the whites of her eyes. “Mourioufantom o diab,” she says in an otherworldly tone. It paralyzes me. What is she saying, is she talking in tongues? The woman straightens back up and looks down at her hands. She lets loose of me whispering, “Bondyesovem,” as she hurries out of the store.
I rub my wrist looking at Emma whose eyes are about as big as quarters. “What in the world was that?” I gasp. “What did she say, and who’s Samantha?”
Emma stares at me blinking rapidly, mouth open. “It was Haitian Creole,” she explains. “The only word I made out was dead. I’ll ask Maria when I get home,” Emma mutters saying the words over and over again so she doesn’t forget them as she hurries to the counter.
“Let’s go,” Emma says as she grabs my arm. “Just some crazy, superstitious old woman I’m sure.” Although she is trying to keep it together, I can tell she’s a little shaken.
We do some more shopping hitting a few clothing stores, but I can’t get that woman out of my head. The rest of our afternoon is darkened with the experience at Bon Dieu’s. We decide to head home after a late lunch.
Chapter 8
We pull back in the driveway of the plantation right at dusk. I stop at Emma’s red VW bug that’s parked in front of the garage. She gets out grabbing all her shopping bags as she goes. I pull the car into the garage and walk out to hug her goodbye.
“Hey, forget about it,” Emma consoles as she gives me a quick hug then goes to get in her car. “I’ll be over tomorrow and we can start working on redecorating ideas.” I know she is trying to get my mind off the old woman.
“Yeah, that would be great,” I say not wanting her to leave. I have been chilled to the bone ever since the encounter. I rub my wrist where the woman’s imprints from her fingernails are still left in my skin.
“Forget about it. She was crazy,” she says seeing me rub my wrists and gives me a smile. I can tell she doesn’t want to tell me something, like she knows it would creep me out further. “I’ll see you mañana,” she waves again as she drives away.
Jacob meets me at the door grabbing my shopping bags before I walk in the house. I am so glad he is here. I don’t want to be alone.
“I see you had some luck,” Jacob says lifting the bags off my arm. When I go shopping with Emma she makes me buy all of the clothes I try on and items that she likes. Thanks to Emma my closet is now teaming with designer clothes and shoes.
“I really need to get the master bedroom remodeled so I can move in there. I need more closet space,” I tell him throwing my purse on the chair that sits in the side entry. I refuse to move into the master bedroom until everything of Jane is gone. I did have Miss Finnegan get rid of all her things, but I want the walls, floor, and everything in the bathroom to be new before I sleep in that room.
“I met Luke,” Jacob chimes as we walk into the great room setting the bags at the bottom of the steps. “He is very confused as for the need for security. I take it he doesn’t know about the intruder. I think he is also a little jealous that I am a live in,” he says looking at me for a reaction.
“I haven’t told him because I haven’t talked to him. I don’t know why he would be jealous.” I am very pleased at the thought of Luke being jealous over me.
“I don’t know, but he was giving me the third degree asking me if I had a girlfriend and what I do here all day and “night.” He puts emphasizes on night like there is something going on between us.
“So what’d you tell him?”
“I told him that we are lovers and I ravish you every night,” Jacob teases.
“You did not!” Even though I know he is teasing, does Luke think that?
“I didn’t, but I told him that you are like a sister to me and all I am here to do is protect you,” Jacob says still laughing at my reaction. “He kept pushing me on what I am protecting you from so I told him he needs to talk to you. It’s not my place to tell him anything.”
I haven’t seen him in over two years. He has no right to question how I live. I’m suddenly angry with Luke. Where has he been? The reason he left was because of Jane and where has he been since she’s been gone?
“Do you want to tell me about what happened at Bon Dieu’s?” Jacob asks me. I remember then that I had texted him after it had happened telling him the strangest thing had just occurred.
I tell him what had happened and he listens attentively.
“Well you know how I feel about the whole voodoo thing, but I think Emma’s right. Sounds like a crazy old woman,” Jacob tells me and for some reason it makes me feel better when he says it.
“Like I’ve told you before, maybe you should stay out of those kinds of shops,” Jacob lectures. Knowing that voodoo gives him the heebee geebees, this story just drives his point home.
“I’m beat. I’m going to bed,” Jacob says giving me a kiss on the cheek goodnight.
“Night,” I say as he walks away.
I walk into the kitchen and see the cottage lights aglow causing my insides to instantly warm. Any feeling of anger that I had disappears as I think about Luke being here and so close. I pour myself a glass of wine. It is such a beautiful night I walk out on the patio and sit in one of Adirondack chairs to look up at the stars. There are so many tonight, it’s so clear. I hear the cottage door open and look to see Luke walking my way. Here we go again. Hopefully I can talk this time. I take a drink of wine, then another as he gets closer. I see he is freshly showered and his hair is still wet. He is wearing faded Levis, a loose fitting white cotton button down shirt with the sleeves rolled halfway up his arms, and he’s barefoot. The sight of him makes my whole body tingle.
“Mind if I join you?” He asks pointing to the chair next to me.
“Please,” is what comes out of my mouth. I’m shocked that I was able to form a word. He sits down and scoots the chair a little closer to me so the chairs are touching. I can smell him he is so close, and he smells fresh, clean, and well amazing.
“What a nice night,” he says looking up at the stars then to me. “Did you have a good time in New Orleans?” He asks.
“It was very interesting to say the least,” I answer, but don’t go into detail. “I’m surprised you’re not hanging out with your girlfriend tonight,” I blurt out wanting to get it out of the way. I
drink half the glass of wine to prepare myself for the answer.
“No girlfriend,” he answers shaking his head and moves in his chair so he can see me better. “Why do you think I have a girlfriend?” His question throws me and I don’t know how to answer. I look at him and he is staring at me waiting for an answer. So I mirror him and turn sideways in my chair. I pull my knees up to my chest and wrap my arms around them so we are facing each other. He has that wicked grin on his face that makes me almost lost for words. I can do this, I can have a conversation with him. Get a grip Lilly.
“I don’t know, I just figured you did. A good looking guy like yourself, you probably have them lined up,” I divulge wanting to say, “If you don’t have a girlfriend why didn’t you come back sooner?”
“Well, if that’s the rule, how come you are not with your boyfriend tonight?” He inquires one eyebrow raised, staring at me in a way that turns my insides to mush.
I don’t have a boyfriend because no one will ever compare to you is what I want to say.
“No boyfriend, what do you mean if that’s the rule?”
“I mean, if I should have a girlfriend because I’m a “good-looking guy,” he says making quotation marks with his fingers, “Then you should have a boyfriend being the smart, sexy, and beautiful woman you are,” he smiles at me and I instantly blush.
“I know it’s dark out here, maybe you think you are speaking with someone else. It’s me, Lilly.” His head goes back and a loud laugh escapes his throat.
“Oh and also very cute and funny,” he adds still laughing. “I know exactly who I’m talking to, Lilly flower,” he says not laughing now, and my belly tightens as he goes serious.
“Oh,” is all I can muster. My face has to be bright red and my insides are on fire.
“So no boyfriend, huh,” his lips twitch in a mind blowing smile. “Good, no competition then,” his voice is low and sexy. He gets out of the chair facing mine, placing his hands on the arms of my chair, he bends at the waist so his face is close to mine. I smell his minty breath and his fresh clean scent. I feel like I’m going to melt. He places a feather light kiss on my forehead before he turns to head to the cottage.
