her tea. “You should all drink this. I prepared it in anticipation of what I’m sure you’re going to ask of me.”
We glance at each other and then at Mama, who nods. “I want to go to the house.”
“No,” Brielle says immediately, shaking her head. “It’s not safe.”
“It’s toxic, and I’m not just talking about the smell,” Daphne adds.
“I don’t know if you’re strong enough,” I agree.
“I need to go.” Mama’s voice is strong but quiet. “I need the closure, girls. I don’t want to live there again, of course. But there are a few things I’d like to gather, and I need to say goodbye.”
“I think it’s healthy,” Miss Sophia adds. “I’ve put a strong protection spell on the tea, and I’ve asked Lucien to join us as he and I, along with Millicent, will cast a circle to protect you as you walk through the house.”
I want to ask, “Why Lucien?.” But before I can, a knock sounds on the door.
“There he is now,” Miss Sophia says.
“I haven’t asked all of my questions,” I say.
“But you’ll get all of the answers in time,” she replies. “Why don’t you see to the door, Millie?”
I nod and open it to find Lucien standing on the porch, dressed in jeans and a green button-down, his dark-rimmed glasses on his nose. I want to climb him like the tree of life. His lips twitch as if he can read my mind, but I know he can’t. My thoughts must be written all over my face.
“Hi,” I say. I sound lame even to my ears.
“Did you miss me this week?” he asks and reaches out to brush his thumb over my forehead. “No headache?”
“No, no headache. I might have missed you a little, though. Also, this doesn’t count as our date.”
“Of course, not.” He looks over my shoulder. “Hello, ladies.”
“You’re going on a date?” Daphne asks with an innocent blinking of the eyes. She’s not innocent at all. “Where are you goin’?”
“I don’t even know,” I say and close my eyes in defeat. I didn’t intend to tell my sisters about Lucien and me until later, when I could explain everything more clearly.
Looks like that plan didn’t exactly pan out.
“So, are you two, like…a thing?” Brielle asks.
“We’re not here to talk about Lucien and me,” I remind the group, who are all grinning at me now, including the man in question. “Let’s stay on task, shall we?”
“I’m Ruth,” Mama says, reaching out a hand to shake his. “Are you Lucien Bergeron?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He glances at me and then back at Mama in confusion. “Do you know me?”
“Well, I haven’t seen you since you were a small boy, but I know your parents, of course. How are they?”
This is surreal. My mother knows Lucien and his family. Considering she didn’t recognize me just a year ago, I don’t know what to say.
“They’re doing just fine, thank you, ma’am.”
“Well, you let them know I said hello.”
Lucien nods, and I just turn around and walk out onto the porch. “Let’s do this.”
Miss Sophia catches up with me and wraps her arm around my waist as we walk to the car.
“None of this is her fault, any more than it is yours, child. She didn’t ask for it. Punishing her for something that isn’t on her will only blacken your heart and make it easier for him to win.”
I blow out a breath and glance back to see Lucien and my mother talking together.
“I know. I’m working on it.”
“Doesn’t seem to me that you are,” she replies. “Maybe you need to have a conversation with her. You need to heal just as much as she does.”
“I keep seeing her with that broom in her hand, beating me with it.”
“It might have been her face, but it wasn’t her will that did that. You need to think of that. And you need to set the anger aside for the next hour, or all of us could be in danger.”
I nod and take another deep breath. Lucien appears by my side.
“Millie can ride over with me.”
He slips his hand into mine, and I’m instantly calmer. It’s as if I’ve just sunk down into a warm pool of water.
Miss Sophia nods, and we all climb into the two vehicles and drive toward my family’s property.
“It’s not pretty,” I say immediately. “The house is dilapidated. It looks like something out of a horror movie, Lucien.”
“Are you warning me because you’re embarrassed?” He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles, which would