Principal Joyce Ashcraft glanced up and grinned. “Well, good morning, Holly,” she said. “Mitch is showing me how to package bait. He’s promised to teach me how to fish later this evening when he closes up shop.”
“You’ve never been fishing?” Holly asked.
“I know. Sounds incredible.” Joyce’s grin twisted. “I’ve lived so many years on the bayou and have never gone fishing.”
Mitch shook his head. “She hasn’t even dropped a line from a cane pole while standing on the bank.”
Joyce shrugged. “My dad died when I was young, and Mom wasn’t much for the outdoors. But Mitch has agreed to show me the ropes. We might even go frog-gigging.” She grimaced. “Though I might let him handle the frogs.”
Mitchell wrapped a twist tie around the mouth of the plastic bag and handed it to the man waiting patiently. He wiped his hands on the apron he wore, came around from behind the tank and met Holly’s gaze. “What can I help you with?”
“I need a skiff to get out to Mémère’s house. Do you have one available?”
“All my rentals are out, but you can take mine,” Mitchell said. “You remember where I keep it?”
Holly smiled. “I do. Thanks, Mitch.”
His brow furrowed. “I heard you had another message on your vehicle last night.”
Her smile slipping, Holly nodded. “Yes, sir. Writing on the window and a voodoo doll on my passenger seat.”
Mitch’s frown deepened. “Voodoo isn’t something to play around with.”
“You believe Voodoo is real?” Joyce asked Mitchell.
He nodded, solemnly. “I didn’t until Holly’s grandmother helped me break a curse one of the Fontenots put on my marina a decade ago. Almost lost everything until she did her thing and turned my life and business around. I owe that woman.” He tipped his head toward Holly. “You be careful, now, ya hear? You, Gisele and Madam Gautier are good people. So were your parents. God rest their souls.”
Holly’s heart swelled, and tears burned her eyes. “Thank you, Mitch.” She hugged the older man. “I’ll be careful with your skiff and bring it back before this evening’s fishing lesson.”
He waved a hand. “No worries. I can always take one of the bass boats if you’re not back soon enough.”
“I have to be back for work anyway. I’m glad you’re going to teach Ms. Ashcraft how to fish. I always loved fishing with my dad. Something about floating along the bayou with a fishing pole in your hand… It doesn’t get better than that.” Especially when it was with someone you loved. Her heart hitched at the memories of her and her father fishing at dusk, listening to frogs and cicadas making music in the bayou.
“Simon,” Mitchell held out a hand, “I’m glad to hear you’re looking after our girl. She’s special, like her grandmother.”
Simon shook the man’s hand. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”
Holly led the way out onto the dock to the far end, where a small skiff was tied to a piling.
Simon looked at it suspiciously. “Is it big enough for both of us?”
She laughed. “Yes, of course. I’ll get in first, if it makes you feel better.”
“It does.” He waited for her to step into the small craft and settle on the back bench. Once she was in, he eased into the boat and took a seat, without rocking it too badly.
“See? It’s fine,” she said and pulled the line to start the engine. The outboard motor roared to life. With her hand on the tiller handle, she steered the boat away from the dock and out into the bayou.
“How long has your grandmother lived on her island in the bayou?” Simon asked.
“Most of her life,” Holly answered. “She was born and raised there. She had a place on the mainland after she married and had children. Raised them all and moved back to the island when her mother passed. She took her place as the resident Voodoo queen.”
“What exactly does the job of resident Voodoo queen entail?”
Holly smiled. “Mostly, she uses her skills with herbs and potions to help others with their problems.”
“Problems like?”
“Usually health issues.”
