Holly glanced toward the door. “Shh. She doesn’t need to hear us talking about the merits of teaching her all there is to know about Voodoo. She can be as catty and vindictive as any mean girl in high school, or blindly reckless with her own abilities or of other people’s feelings.”
Her grandmother nodded. “I’d hate to think of what might happen if she were set loose with even half of the more powerful tools in the Voodoo spell and incantations playbook. The entire town of Bayou Mambaloa would be at risk.”
The old woman sighed. “Still, she is a Gautier and my granddaughter.”
“And my cousin,” Holly added.
Madam Gautier nodded. “Family.”
Holly nodded. “Only good and beneficial spells for that one.”
“At least until she grows out of her selfish ways. I believe she will one day.”
Holly smiled “You are ever the optimist.”
“Now that you’re back, you should join me and Gisele. I’m teaching her everything. She has a good heart, that one. As do you.”
“You’ll show me all the good spells and potions?”
“And some of the not-so-nice ones,” her grandmother winked. “Some folks need a little reminder to be nice. I can teach you how to give a miscreant a case of jock itch.”
Simon frowned. “You can do that?”
Holly laughed, and her grandmother joined in, the sound warm and joyful.
At that moment, Lissette stepped out on the porch carrying a tray with the pitcher of lemonade and four glasses. “What’s so funny?”
“Jock itch,” her grandmother answered, and laughed again.
Holly stepped forward and lifted the heavy glass pitcher from the tray, while Lissette set everything else on a table. She poured tangy liquid into each glass.
As she filled the glasses, Lissette passed one to her grandmother and the second to Simon, smiling up at him with her big, beautiful brown eyes.
Holly glanced up just as her cousin batted her eyes at Simon.
Not that Simon was interested in her dark-haired cousin in the least.
Holly’s cheeks flushed pink, and her eyes flashed.
Lissette batted her eyes at Simon again and then turned to face Holly. “I heard a rumor that you and Simon are officially together. I heard another rumor that you hired him as a bodyguard. Which one is it, pray tell?”
Holly shoved a glass of lemonade into Lissette’s hand. Holding her own, she stepped between Simon on Lissette and smiled up at Simon.
Yeah, it was tight. Probably forced. But it was a smile.
“The first rumor is the one to go with. The second one is a lucky bonus of having a boyfriend who doubles as a bodyguard.” She leaned up on her toes and brushed a kiss across his cheek. “Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”
He wanted to laugh at her attempt at making them appear to be a couple. Instead, he wrapped his free arm around her, pulled her closer and planted a kiss on her startled lips. “That’s right, babe.” He shot a grin toward Lissette. “Holly’s my little bundle of love.”
Lissette’s eyes narrowed. She took a sip of her lemonade and swallowed before she asked. “What brings you two out to see Mémère?”
“That’s between me and Mémère,” Holly said.
“You’re here because of the curse, aren’t you?” Lissette’s eyes widened, and she turned to her grandmother. “I’d like to be here when you make the spell or potion to undue Holly’s curse. Please say you’ll show me, too.”
Madam Gautier’s brow furrowed. “I haven’t said I’d help her yet. I’m not entirely certain I can.”
“Of course you can,” Lissette argued. “You’re Madam Gautier, Bayou Mambaloa’s Voodoo queen.”
