Free Of Water and Madness by Katie Jennings Page B

his pockets and smiled politely.
    “Yup. Just came down to take a look,” he told her, staring over her shoulder toward the trees where he had arrived only minutes before. He tried to work out in his mind a polite way to evade her and get home, but she spoke before he had the chance.
    “It’s a shame, all those poor little creatures in the water that are gonna die from all that oil.” She eased toward him a bit more, her eyes focusing intently on his face. “Don’t you think it’s sad?”
    “Everything will be okay, don’t worry.” He felt bad that she was so distraught, so he turned to her and smiled. And when his eyes locked on hers, he found it very hard to look away or even move, as if his entire body had almost instantly gone numb. His thoughts were frantic for a brief moment, before those too seemed to slow, as if his head was suddenly full of thick molasses, and all his thoughts were jumbled around inside, floating in chaotic disarray.
    Her luminous blue eyes held his as her lips curved into a smirk, and suddenly he heard a voice inside his head that sounded like his own.
    She’s beautiful. I wonder what her name is?
    As if on cue, he felt his mouth open and the question pour out. “What’s your name?”
    “I’m Stella,” she replied, smiling again and holding out her hand for his. Instinctually, he took her hand and heard himself tell her his name, even as he stared down at their joined hands dully. What was happening to him? He had to get home…
    “Are you from around here, Liam?” she asked, not releasing his hand immediately, as if she enjoyed his touch too much to let go. “I’ve never seen you before.”
    “No,” he heard himself say, though he seemed to be floating in some kind of foggy haze inside his own mind, and even though part of him knew he should be concerned, he couldn’t quite seem to summon the emotion. He couldn’t seem to do much at all, except listen to the voice inside his head and listen to the words leave his mouth, without any concept of where they’d come from.
    I’m just visiting….but I’d love to see New Orleans. Maybe she can show me around…
    “I’m here visiting. I’ve never been to New Orleans before,” he said as she finally released his hand. The skin where she had touched him felt odd, as if his hand had fallen asleep and the blood was finally working its way back into his fingers.
    “I could take you on a little tour if you’d like, if you’re not too busy?”
    Not at all. I have nowhere to be today.
    “No. Let’s go.”

    Rhiannon sat at the butcher block island in the kitchen, working out a new recipe she wanted to try. Beside her were samples from her herb collection and a compilation of spices.
    Since fall was just around the corner and it was Thea’s favorite season, it was expected that there would be the usual dishes that came with the late harvest. Butternut squash, apples, cinnamon, sweet potatoes, pumpkin…she wanted fresh new ways to incorporate them all and still somehow maintain a healthy menu.
    She sampled a bite of boiled squash with a mixture of a few herbs and some cinnamon, and was pleasantly surprised. It could make a good casserole, she mused, jotting down notes as she went. Liam loved squash…
    She heard the door open and glanced up to see Brogan come in, a quiet smile curving his lips.
    “Good afternoon,” he said, bowing his head slightly as he walked toward her.
    “Good afternoon,” Rhiannon repeated, pointing to the chair beside her. “Have a seat.”
    He did as she requested, his eyes fixed on the ingredients in front of her.
    “What are you working on?” he asked curiously, unsure he could even name half the things on the table.
    She smiled warmly at him. “Fall recipes. I’m getting an early start so I don’t have to worry about it later.”
    “We’re barely through September yet.” He chuckled, his dark eyes amused as he watched her. “But I know how you like to prepare.”
    “Indeed,” she mused,