Lucky Streak (Lucky 2)

Amber stood.

“Are you okay?” He touched her pink, flushed cheek.

“No,” she said shakily. “But it doesn’t matter. Let’s go see what’s going on.”

He nodded. The immediate connection had been broken, but the heat they’d generated left the promise of more to come.

Together they ran, heading out the front door.

“What’s wrong?” Mike asked, running up to his father.

“Some stranger’s takin’ my jujus off the trees out front!” Edward yelled, storming up to the house.

A car slowly pulled up the graveled driveway, seeming to follow him. Mike didn’t recognize the automobile and from the way Amber perched her hands on her hips, and squinted as she glanced over, neither did she.

“Where were you?” Mike asked his father.

“Out doing my daily check of the property. Once in the morning, once in the evening. And it’s a good thing I stick to routine because I found a trespasser!”

Mike ran a hand through his hair. “This has to stop,” he muttered, glancing at his agitated father.

Amber placed a calming hand on Mike’s back. She couldn’t talk to him now, but Gabrielle was right. They did need to discuss Edward’s mental health and the possibility of having the older man see a doctor.

The car came to a stop and to Amber’s surprise, Clara Deveaux stepped out from the driver’s seat, Edward’s beloved jujus in her hand. Between her own father’s health and Mike’s return, Amber had forgotten all about Clara’s possible visit.

The other woman made an impressive sight as she strode up the driveway, her long, flowered dress flowing around her as she moved.

“Who is that?” Mike asked.

“What is she doing here?” Edward yelled.

Before Amber could reply, Clara spoke to Amber. “It’s a good thing you asked me to come. This man needs saving worse than I thought if he’s relying on black magic to help him keep the curse away.” Clara waved the juju in the air.

“You invited her here?” Edward turned toward Amber, his face beet-red, his eyes deep and accusing.

“Who is she?” Mike asked once more.

Amber’s invitation, which had seemed like an answer to Edward’s troubles, suddenly seemed ill-advised. Not that she knew why.

But Edward glared at her with a look of betrayal in his eyes. Like father like son. His expression reminded Amber of Mike’s the night she’d confessed.

Lord help her, Amber thought, her stomach clenching because she didn’t know what kind of trouble she might have caused by bringing Clara here. Mike, who stood beside her, was as confused as Amber by his father’s reaction.

She opted for the simple truth. “I met Clara when I was buying your gifts,” she said to Edward. “The dreamcatcher, the tea and candles. You liked them, remember? Clara’s lovely, which you’d see if you just give her a chance.”

“I knew those things reminded me of her!” Edward yelled before darting around Amber, and running for the house.

He returned minutes later, armed. “Git going! Leave!” he shouted at Clara. “I don’t need your help!” He dangled Stinky Pete in front of the woman, like a loaded gun.

“Dad!” Mike shouted. “Put that thing away.”

It was like a scene out of some bizarre comedy. Amber expected Clara to run away screaming.

Instead, the other woman strode up to Edward, getting in his face as if she had the right. “Give me that poor animal. A descented skunk?”

“How did you know it’s descented?” Amber couldn’t begin to imagine.

“It’s obvious.” Clara shook her head as if surprised Amber even had to ask. “Even a crazy man isn’t going to live with that kind of odor around him.”