Page 41 of Witch
“Yes, ma’am. Finest in the parish, if you ask me.”
“I want five jars,” she said, handing them to the younger man.
“This must be Shay’s new design of jewelry,” said Adele. “Look how beautiful this is! She’s using oyster shells, natural stones, and cypress wood for these. They’re remarkable!”
Bridge and Beau stared at one another, thinking that the women were laying it on thick, but they were actually genuine in their admiration of Shay’s work. None of them had been in the store in ages, so this was a special treat on many levels.
“I want those pink oyster shells,” said Rachelle.
“I’ll take the cypress necklace,” said Claudette.
By the time they were finished walking around, Beau had seen their peeping Tom looking through the windows at least a dozen times. He and Bridge just ignored him, packing up the things for the women.
When Camille stood at the counter to pay for everything, she couldn’t resist her urge.
“Beau? Can you give me a sack of toadstools, a pound of snake powder, a bag of eye of newt, and six new crystals? Mine are all worn out.” Beau wanted to burst into laughter, but stared at her, giving his head a little shake.
“Yes, ma’am. Whatever you want,” he grinned. Below the counter, he filled a bag with candy and jerky, sealed it, and handed it back to her. “There you are.”
“You’re the best, honey. I hope that little ointment is helping you,” she winked.
When they got into the car, the other women just laughed at their sister. But now it was time to get serious.
“Okay. Now, we head to the cottage,” said Marie. “Camille? Hand me some of that candy and don’t pretend that’s not what Beau gave you. I know that boy.”
“I was going to share,” she laughed.
As the car pulled away, Hopkins got into his rental car and followed the women.
“Laugh all you want, witches, but you’ll be dead by sunset.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
“He took the bait,” said Beau into the cell phone. “He’s right behind ‘em.”
“We owe you, cousin,” said Antoine.
“Y’all don’t owe us shit. We just wish we could have a little fun with the prick as well,” smirked the man. “We’ll watch the store. Y’all get them beautiful cousins home safe.”
Miller watched out the front window, waiting to see the SUV coming down River Road. Once they pulled into the driveway, the men would hide to ensure they weren’t seen by Hopkins.
“It’ll take ‘em a few minutes, Pierre,” said Luc.
“I know. I know. I’m just worried.”
“Why?” asked Gaspar.
“Why? Because you’ve been worried like an old woman all day, and now you’re making me nervous and worried!”
“I wasn’t worried like an old woman. I was worried like…” he stopped.
“Like a big brother,” said Trak, staring at him. Gaspar nodded quietly. “You all are thinking about when you weren’t there for Rachelle, Marie, Claudette, and Camille. But you were. You were there to help save them and give them this beautiful life that they have. You’ve succeeded as brothers. All of you.”
Gaspar stared at the man, realizing he was thinking of the sister he couldn’t save as well.
“You tried to save her, Trak. You couldn’t have done anything different,” said Jean.
“Maybe. I’ve made peace with it now. I know that I did what I believed was best. That’s what we’ve all done in our lives. We did what we believed was best at the time. I think sometimes we forget that we were kids as well.”
