Page 14 of Bayou Sunset

Pierre looked at Steve. “What did ya do to piss her off?”

Shrugging, Steve pulled his ballcap off and reset it on his head. He sure wished to hell he knew. “Couldn't tell ya.”

“Well,” Pierre said, “fix it,maisshe be taking it out on us.”

The twins walked away from him to their sister. Steve watched the three look over a piece of what appeared to be parchment—presumably the map, which he doubted was the real thing. There was this unknown island, and there was a treasure. Steve kept his mouth shut about it all.

Giving up being alone on the boat, he walked to the others. The twins quickly grabbed the map—like he wouldn't know where they were going. And Daisy Mae glanced at him, then away.

It was hard to believe what Pierre had told him about Daisy Mae loving him. She'd always been there, but he’d taken her jumping at him before he left as her chance to go, not really bewith him.

The hair on the back of Steve's neck prickled, and he looked around. The water appeared clear in all directions, and no other boats were in sight.Mais…. “Hand me the binoculars,” he said, wanting to look at a glint he'd briefly seen.

Daisy Mae only raised her brows at him as if he'd asked for control of her boat.

Instinct had Steve grab the binoculars and search the area behind them. Yes, he'd felt the presence of another boat.

Behind him, Daisy Mae asked, “What it be?”

Without turning, Steve answered, “Anotherbateau.”

Pierre snatched the binoculars from Steve. “Let me see.” After a moment, he said, “Merde, we be followed.”

“Merde,” Daisy Mae said and shook her head. “This be a big pond, and we not the onlybateauto float it, so don't get all paranoid on me. It just be anotherbateauout for a tour or fishing.”

Pierre grumbled. “I know not. Maybe we go a different route.”

Steve watched Daisy Mae close her eyes, and her lips moved as if counting to ten. Something inside him flared to life as he remembered teaching her that the twins would tease her when she was young.

An young, crying Daisy Mae stood in the backyard, breaking Steve's teenage heart. “It's okay,” he'd said, “you must ignore ya brothers when dey be behaving like dat. It be giving dem da power ta do it more often.”

“Mais, mais,” she repeated, “dey made fun of me hair.”

Steve didn't have the heart to tell her it looked pretty interesting with pink stripes, but it was still Daisy Mae. “Try dis when dey makes fun of ya.”

She stopped crying and sniffed. “Que?” She looked wide-eyed like he was about to tell her a secret.

“Here's what I want ya to do. I want ya to close ya eyes.”

“Okay.” She tightly closed her eyes.

“Relax,” he encouraged.

She did. “Dis not work.”

“We not be done. Okay, silently count todixand focus on your breathing. Don't think ’bout ya brothers. Think ’bout being on da water,” he'd added, knowing that was her favorite spot.

She did as he asked and opened her eyes. Then, she surprised him by throwing her arms around him. “Merci, Steve.Merci beaucoup. I feels much better.”

Steve had to push her away before she felt his pants tighten on him. He was a teenager, and control still didn't exist. “Okay,” he said at arm's length, “try dat whenever ya need to control ya temper or deal wit da twins.”

Daisy Mae swung her hand to her right hip and narrowed her eyes at him. “I no have a temper,”she said.

“We not be taking a different route.” Daisy Mae's words brought him from his memories. He agreed with her since he didn't believe there was a treasure. However, his gut was telling him to be wary of other travelers near them. He knew the mention of a treasure sent people into stupid mode.

“They follow us,” Pierre insisted.

“Mais non!” Daisy Mae argued.

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