“Can you call it off?” he cried out.
“He’s only protecting his hens,” Holly said.
“Watch out,” Simon moved to stand between her and the rooster. “His talons hurt.”
Holly touched Simon’s arm. “Move aside. I’ve got him.”
“But he won’t stop,”
“He will,” she assured him.
Simon refused to let her by, all the while the rooster continued his attack. Simon continued to dance and kick as the rooster flapped his way backward and then quickly darted forward to sink his spurs into the man.
Holly stepped around Simon, scooped the rooster up in the fish net and carried it to the porch, where she hung the net, rooster and all, on the hook. “He won’t bother you now. Come. Meet my Mémère.” She ascended the steps and stood beside her grandmother, whose lips were twitching as if she fought a smile.
Simon brushed dust from his jeans and mounted the steps, steering clear of the rooster trapped in the fishnet.
Holly waved a hand toward her grandmother. “Simon, this is my Mémère, Madam Gautier. Gran, this is Simon Sevier, my...bodyguard.”
Her grandmother’s eyes widened as she held out her hand. “Bodyguard, is it?”
Simon smiled as he took her hand and gently shook it. “Yes, ma’am. Until we find out who left the messages and the voodoo doll and put an end to the threats, I’ll be with your granddaughter.”
“Twenty-four-seven?” Madam Gautier’s eyes narrowed.
“Yes, ma’am.”
For a moment, she met and held Simon’s gaze, using her famous stink-eye intimidating stare.
Holly almost laughed, but didn’t because she was impressed with how Simon held his own, refusing to blink or look away.
Finally, Madam Gautier nodded. “All right then. I’m glad someone will help to protect my granddaughter. Now, tell me everything.”
Holly told her about the message on the car the night before and gently pulled the voodoo doll out of her pocket, the pin still stuck firmly in the doll’s body.
Madam Gautier took the doll in her hand and studied it for a long moment. Then she handed it back to Holly. “Cheap trick.”
“What do you mean?” Holly asked.
Her grandmother turned the doll over, parted some of the twine and pointed.
Written in small letters, barely noticeable, were the words MADE IN CHINA.
Simon chuckled.
Holly shot a frown his way. “Okay, so it might not be part of the curse, but it is a threat.”
“The only way that doll will hurt you is if you prick yourself with the pin, which is probably also made in China.”
“What should I do?” Holly asked.
“Toss the doll in the garbage and go to work?” her grandmother said. “Has anyone shown any sign they aren’t glad you’re back in town?”
Holly shook her head. “The only person who has given me any grief is Cody West. He can’t seem to accept that I have no desire to be with him. None. Zip. Nada.”
“Caused you some trouble, did he?”
Holly nodded.
