Page 66 of A Curse On Black Lake
The corner of his mouth tips up. “LikeI said,I can fix it for you.”
My lips tingle and my hands ache to touch him. “Thank you,” I rasp.
“My pleasure.”
After we finish up with my chores and take care of the animals. I prep a few things to dry, and distill oils. Smashing rose petals into a large jar full of vodka, I put the lid on and slide it into the corner. I need to make more goat’s milk soap and lotion to take to the stores because they are likely out. The peppermint, lavender, and chamomile drying isn’t quite there yet, and will need a few more days.
I glance at Killian sitting on the front porch in one of the rocking chairs, wondering if he’ll help me deliver soap and lotion. I sound like a wuss, but I’m tired of people trying to hurt me. I was run off the road not that long ago. Maybe Idoneed him.
“Are you almost ready in there?” Killian calls.
I grab my keys and double-check the back door, making sure it’s locked.
“Yep,” I sigh, closing the door behind me.
“I took a look at your truck. It looks like more than a few things need to be fixed,” he says, going down the stairs.
I groan, following behind him.
“Well, I need to pick and choose right now. And now, I need to replace some of the siding on the house, plus fix that damn shutter that doesn’t want to stay up. Grams also mentioned getting some windows replaced. Nothing really seemed to matter when she died, but I know it needs to be done.”
Killian grunts and opens his truck door for me. “One thing at a time,” he says and closes the door.
You should listen to him. He’s right.
“Yeah, what do you know?You don’t have to keep up with a house and a truck, and basic forms of survival,” I mutter.
“Are they being rude to you?” Killian asks as he backs out of the driveway.
I huff a laugh. “Always.”
Tell him you are nervous.
“Absolutely not, he doesn’t need to know that,” I spit, and mentally slap myself in the face because I said that out loud and I can feel Killian’s eyes on me every five seconds, splitting his attention between me and the road.
“Doesn’t need to know what?” he asks slowly.
I cross my arms and try to ignore the paranoia building in my body.
Killian pulls into a parking space a block down from the small library, and I take a deep breath before getting out.
He walks on the side closer to the street, and I can feel the eyes on me as we walk up to the library. There aren’t many people in this town, so it’s not like we’re walking through crowds. Though I think that would be preferable, maybe I’d be less noticeable. We go past the small bakery, and a few older women stare at me from behind the glass.
Mary King and her daughter come towards us, and I swear she crosses the street because of me.
Killian steps in a little closer in encouragement, and it’s not so bad when he’s right next to me. My protector.
Finally, you understand.
I roll my eyes and keep walking. My neck tickles again, and I know I should ignore it, but I can’t stop myself. Glancing over my shoulder, I spot a man and do a double take … that’s not possible. He looked like Eddy.
Shaking my head, and keep moving forward. He’s been on my mind, and it’s likely the anxiety talking. Coupled with no desire to be here, and total exhaustion, my brain is playing with me, and it wouldn’t be the first time.
Killian holds the library door for me, and a blast of cool air hits, drying the sweat. We go past the front desk, and Violet Boudroue, Harper’s sixteen year old sister, glares at me in disgust.
Cool, even the kids know about me.
Well, you have made a name for yourself.The Spirits say.
