Cajun Magic 01 - Voodoo on the Bayou Read Online Free PDF Page B

when you get back, we need to talk,” Craig said, his expression serious.
    She stared from the older man to the younger one. What was that all about? She didn’t know, but she’d do well to keep a close eye on the younger Thibodeaux…and keep her hands and thoughts to herself.
    …
    An hour later, Craig had tied up Bernie’s boat, topped off the gas tanks, and cleaned the seats and floors of all trash. Although it had been eight years since he’d visited his uncle, the activities were still second nature from all the summers he’d spent helping at the marina.
    When Uncle Joe still hadn’t returned, Craig paced the length of the dock. At every light pole, he stopped and held an arm up in the circle of light. He batted away moths and mosquitoes to get a glimpse of his skin to make sure he wasn’t turning green. Occasionally, he ran a hand through his hair to reaffirm it was still there.
    “What bug have you got up your butt, son? You’re as twitchy as a trapped ringtail.”
    Craig spun to face his uncle, all the pent-up emotions of the past twenty-four hours gushing out in four words. “I’m in deep shit.”
    “Your daddy comin’ down here?” Uncle Joe asked. “’Cause if he is, I’m leaving. I can’t take two minutes of his high-and-mighty bullshit.”
    “No, it’s worse.” Craig said.
    Uncle Joe scratched the gray stubble on his chin. “Can’t think of anything worse than that stiff-necked brother of mine comin’ for a visit. So, spit it out.”
    Craig pushed his hand through his hair again. “You’re not going to believe this.”
    With a frown, Uncle Joe laid a hand on his shoulder, concern reflecting in his pale blue eyes. “Try me.”
    How did he tell his uncle that he was related to an amphibian? “Have you ever heard of Madame LeBieu?”
    Uncle Joe nodded. “Seen her once or twice out in the swamps. She’s been known to practice Voodoo on occasion. Had a buddy of mine who swore he’d never get hitched. Said he had too many women to love before he saddled himself with a ball and chain. But Madame LeBieu slipped him a love potion and he went and married dog-faced Darlene Dubois.” Uncle Joe smiled. “Dangedest thang. Every one of their poor kids looks just like Darlene.”
    “Well, I had a personal invitation to visit with the priestess last night.”
    Uncle Joe’s shaggy brows climbed up his forehead. “She asked for you in person?”
    “No, she insisted on my coming. Mo and Larry delivered an invitation I couldn’t refuse.”
    “Holy cypress knees.” Uncle Joe clapped a hand to the top of his head, looking worried. “Did you do something to piss her off?”
    Craig paced a few steps away. “Not that I can remember. I went out with her granddaughter, Lisa LeBieu, earlier that evening. When Lisa came on to me a little too strong, I took her home.”
    Uncle Joe scratched his whiskers. “That’s gotta be a first.”
    “That’s just it.” Craig smacked his fist into his palm. “Lisa was mad I didn’t take her up on what she was offering, so she got her Voodoo-practicing grandmother involved.”
    “Not good.”
    “No, it’s not.” An image of the old Voodoo witch materialized in his head along with the thrumming of the drums tapping a tattoo at his temples. He pinched the bridge of his nose to dispel the picture. “It’s real bad. I think she put a spell on me. Last night when I went to bed I was a man. This afternoon when I woke up, I was a frog.” His lips tipped in an ironic smirk. Jesus. He sounded crazy even to himself.
    “Say again?”
    Craig looked his uncle in the eye. “That old witch put a spell on me. When I woke up earlier, I was a frog.”
    “You don’t say.” Uncle Joe slapped his hand against his leg and hooted with laughter.
    “Maybe you didn’t hear me.” Craig frowned as his uncle chuckled. “When I woke up this afternoon, I was a frog . As soon as the sun set, I turned back into a man.”
    “Got to admit that’s the lamest excuse I ever heard