Spells (Bayou Magic 2)

“You’re being stubborn,” Brielle adds. “Of course, you know who. You’re just being difficult.”

“I hate to burst your fairy tale bubble, but Jackson and I aren’t together.”

“That doesn’t mean he isn’t for you,” I say, my voice gentle. I know how bad it hurt when Jackson walked out of Daphne’s life, and how she’s longed for him ever since. “It just means it was bad timing. You were hardly more than children when you met, Daph.”

“I don’t want to talk about him.”

We hear footsteps coming from the dining area, and we all immediately stop talking, not wanting anyone to be privy to the conversation.

And then, I’m quite sure my eyes just about bulge out of my skull when Jackson himself walks into the room.

“Hello, ladies.”

“Hey there,” I say, glancing at my sister, whose face has gone paper-white. “This is a surprise.”

“I wanted to stop in to see how you’re doing and ask if it would be possible for you to get a message to Daphne for me, but…here she is.”

“Here I am,” Daphne says coldly. “I don’t want your message, Jack.”

“I need to talk to you.”

“I changed my number for a reason.”

“Yeah, because you’re stubborn, and you won’t let me talk.”

Daphne studies her fingernails, avoiding looking directly at the handsome man. He’s tall and muscular, and to top it off, a military hero.

I couldn’t make this up if I tried.

And right now, he’s gazing at my baby sister as if she hung the moon—blue or otherwise.

“Fine. I see nothing’s changed here. But I didn’t do anything wrong, Daphne.” He leans in and whispers something in her ear that has her lip quivering, then he nods at Brielle and me and walks right out.

“What did he say?” I ask, though I already know. I’m not ashamed to say I dropped my shield long enough to eavesdrop.

She’s my baby sister.

“It doesn’t matter,” she whispers.

“Daphne, you’re only torturing yourself and him.”

Daphne brushes her red hair over her shoulder and then wipes a tear from the corner of her eye.

“I can’t give him what he wants.”

“And what is that?” Brielle asks.

“Forgiveness,” I reply for her and reach over to wrap Daphne in a hug.

“No, that’s not it,” Daphne says, shaking her head. “I forgave him long ago.”

“Then what is it?” I ask.

“Truth. I can’t give him the truth he seeks. And that means we don’t have trust. We can’t be together, you guys. Which means, Jack isn’t one of the six.”

Oh, baby sister, you’re so wrong.* * *“I should go with you.”

I lean against the kitchen counter and stare at Lucien. The man is giving me a headache.

“I’m a grown woman. I don’t need a babysitter. Yes, I’m going to a mental hospital, but—”

“I’m not patronizing you, there’s a madman out there who very much enjoys torturing you psychologically, and we don’t know what he’s planning next. A mental hospital is a breeding ground for vulnerable psyches, which means he could hurt you there. I’d rather be nearby.”

I slip my hand into his and squeeze it three times, immediately softening at his concern. I know he’s not trying to control me, he’s trying to look after me. “If it makes you feel better, you can drive me. But I really want to go in by myself to see Mama. I have questions, and if you’re there, I’ll just be distracted.”

“Why is that?”

“Because you’re hot. Don’t act like you don’t know.”

He laughs and brushes his thumb across my forehead, taking away any trace of my headache.

“I’m just an average guy, darlin’, but it’s good for my ego that you think I’m more than that. I can do some work from the car while you’re in with your mom.”

“You have a microscope in your car?”

“No, smartass, I have a phone, and I can answer emails and make some calls.”

I nod and gather my bag and keys, along with the gift I got to bring with me, and we walk out to the car. Thanks to traffic, the drive over to the hospital takes longer than usual, but we make it all the same.

“I won’t be long,” I assure him and lean across the console to kiss his lips. “Less than an hour.”

“I’ll be fine,” he assures me.

I walk inside, check in with security, and pass through the metal detector, then make my way up to Mama’s floor. I’m nervous. I haven’t been here to see her alone since she came to live here last year. Usually, I have one or both of my sisters with me.

But I’ve been thinking about what Miss Sophia said. I need to talk with Mama, to explain some things and ask some questions so we can both heal. I can’t continue harboring animosity toward her. That will only fuel the hate and anger from him, and in the end, help him win.