Bayou Shadow Protector. Debbie Herbert

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      “How about I spike it with brandy?”

      April drummed her fingers on the worn tabletop. “I guess. Sure.”

      Interesting. She wasn’t afraid of roaming the woods alone, yet ordering a drink appeared to make her nervous. He needed to know more about this unusual woman. “Where are you from?” he asked. “You’re new here or we’d have crossed paths before now.”

      “I used to live in Tillman’s Corner, about thirty miles east of here.”

      “I know where it is. I have a cousin who grew up there. You know Drew Lattimore?”

      She tilted her head to the side and pursed her lips, thinking. “No. The name isn’t familiar.”

      Chulah studied her, a niggling unease prickling his skin. Something about her seemed familiar, but surely he’d remember such an unusual woman if they’d met before. “What brings you to Bayou La Siryna?”

      “I’m opening a store. You saw it.”

      The woman wasn’t very forthcoming. Most business owners he knew had a passionate entrepreneurial spirit. She mentioned her store as if it were as exciting as eating a piece of toast. “I know. But why here, why now?”

      “Seemed like a good idea.” She squirmed in her seat. “What got you interested in repairing motorcycles?”

      “How did you know that?”

      She blinked. “You mentioned it.”

      “No.”

      Her lie didn’t sit well with him. He was a man of few words, so it was easy to remember them. And he hadn’t said a word about his bike shop.

      Karlee returned, setting down their drinks. “Here ya go. Enjoy.”

      Chulah swallowed a mouthful of stiff whiskey, watching April, trying to figure her out. The woman had a secret.

      She took a tentative sip of her drink and licked her full lips, testing it. An unexpected volt of pure sexual desire speared his gut, more potent than the alcohol. She took another, longer sip and nodded her head. “It’s good. Strange, though, like a fire going down your throat to your belly.”

      “About my repair shop—”

      “—I want another one.” She downed the entire glass and gave him a lopsided grin.

      “Whoa. Maybe you should slow down. Pace yourself.”

      But she was already waving at Karlee and pointing to her empty glass.

      Although a complete stranger, Chulah suspected this wasn’t her normal behavior. After all, she’d ordered water to start with. Unless she was a recovering alcoholic and he was responsible for tempting her beyond her control. The thought made his skin draw up tight. “Do you drink often?”

      “First time.” She set her elbow on the table and put her chin in one palm, giggling.

      It occurred to him that now would be a good time to press her a bit, discover what made her tick. “So what brings you to this town?” he asked again.

      “I’m on a mission.” She wagged a finger in front of his face. “And when I make up my mind, I can’t be stopped.”

      “What kind of mission?”

      “To save the world.”

      “From what?”

      She stopped smiling. “Evil. There’s so much evil.”

      Didn’t he know it. Had battled against it for years with his fellow shadow hunters. But, at least in this corner of the universe, the evil was now contained. They had stopped Nalusa Falaya, the supreme evil being, although a few wisps and other nefarious creatures still remained to be hunted. There would always be some around. Their Choctaw ancestors were testimony to that cold fact.

      He leaned in close to April. She smelled like flowers and something...earthy, like moss or a freshly mown lawn. Her face was heart-shaped and her complexion a peachy pale color with dots of freckles sprinkled across her nose, and her full lips were rosy. Her eyes were an impossible purple-blue color. Contacts, perhaps? Altogether, she looked innocent and fresh.

      But looks could be deceiving. “What would you know of evil?” he asked softly.

      She matched his low tone. “It’s out there. Deep in the woods.” She raised a slender finger to her lips. “Shhh...it’s a secret.”

      His entire body flushed hot, then chilled. Who was this mysterious woman who appeared out of nowhere and was no stranger to the danger in the woods? She’d deliberately sought him out and knew entirely too much about him.

      “I can keep a secret.” He pushed the spiked OJ into her hands. “Does this evil have a name?”

      April raised the glass to her lips and took a healthy slug. “Mustn’t tell.” She burped—a tiny effervescent bubble burst that was more charming than vulgar.

      “Sure you can. You came to tell me something. Go ahead.”

      Blue eyes widened and she shook her head. “You are so smart. And handsome. And kind. Tallulah must be the biggest fool in the world.”

      He clasped her arm. “How could you possibly—”

      “Hey, man, what’s up? Who’s your new friend?”

      Leman Jones kept his gaze on April, even though his words were addressed to Chulah.

      Irritation flashed through Chulah as he released April’s arm and made the introductions. His old friend had no right to leer at her like that, even if she was the prettiest woman in the place. He shifted his gaze past Leman’s shoulder and saw four other males approaching their table.

      “You’ll have to excuse us—we were just leaving.” Chulah slapped a handful of bills on the table to cover the drinks, plus a hefty tip for Karlee.

      “But I haven’t finished my drink,” April complained.

      “You heard the lady.” Leman grinned at Chulah and turned to April. “If you want to stay and finish your drink, I’ll see you home.”

      Chulah helped a wobbly April to her feet. “Thanks. We’re good here.”

      “Can’t blame a guy for trying. She’s hot,” Leman whispered in his ear.

      Chulah guided April past the sea of men with disappointed faces. Outside, the breeze was refreshing. “Doing all right there?” he asked.

      She nodded. “A little dizzy, but okay.”

      “Do two drinks always affect you so much?” he asked, trying to trap her in a lie.

      She walked slowly, considering. “I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve had alcohol. I’m not sure it agrees with me.”

      “I СКАЧАТЬ