Free Charmed Ever After (The Halloween LaVeau Series Book 6) by Rose Pressey Page B

porch. We had to choose between being shot by him or what Monique might do to us if we came out of hiding. This was a no-win situation. It didn’t look like we had time to get away from him anyway.
    The man came up to the car and I rolled down the window. He motioned with the gun. “Get out now.”
    We opened the car doors at the same time and stepped outside. Our hands were stretched up high pointing toward the sky.
    “Please don’t let him shoot us. Please don’t let him shoot us,” Annabelle said under her breath.
    “Just what exactly do you think you’re doing on my property?” he asked with a coarse voice.
    My mother and Annabelle had stayed back a couple of steps. I guessed that meant I was the designated official spokesperson for our group. I supposed since I was the one who’d gotten us in this mess in the first place it was only appropriate.
    With my hands still in the air, I explained, “We’re lost.”
    Based upon his furrowed brow and narrowed dark eyes, I figured he didn’t believe my explanation or he didn’t really care. I wasn’t sure which.
    “It clearly states there’s no trespassing. Can’t you read?” he asked, pointing toward the sign stuck to the rotted tree trunk.
    Again, this was a no-win situation. It was a trick question. If I said no, then he would probably shoot me for being dumb.
    “Okay, I’ll be honest with you. There was someone chasing us and we came back here to hide.”
    “My nosy neighbors,” he mumbled.
    I glanced at my mother and Annabelle. If he wanted to believe that then I would let him. It was probably too hard to explain otherwise. Just then the rain started pounding us. It was coming down with a vengeance.
    “Why didn’t you say they were bothering you in the first place?” he said. “You need to come on in. Get out of the rain and away from those wackos.”
    What had his neighbors done? I was afraid to even find out. I wasn’t so sure we should go in his house, but what other choice did we have?
    The man had the gun pointed kind of in our direction, but not quite as bad as before. He ushered us inside the old house. I was still afraid I would fall through the floor with each step. As we stepped through the door I scanned my surroundings. The place was full of a lot of stuff. Old furniture, newspapers, and just a lot of junk in general. Cobwebs filled in the corners of the room. Annabelle was looking around, probably for a broom and mop. She was already fidgeting and I noticed her straightening a stack of books on the table next to her. The man rushed past us toward the front door. He eased back the dirty old curtain and peeked outside.
    “I can keep an eye out for you, ladies. In case the neighbors show up,” he said.
    I had news for him. We were not planning on staying around for long. There would be no need for him to stand guard.
    “Thanks,” I said halfheartedly.
    “Would you like something to snack on? Maybe some pork rinds? I got some beer,” he said, gesturing toward the tiny kitchen.
    “What a nice host,” my mother said with complete sincerity.
    Sure, the sentiment was sweet, but the calorie count on the refreshments offered was out of control.
    “As appetizing as that sounds, no, thank you,” I said.
    “I am kind of thirsty,” my mother whispered.
    I glared at her. “We really should be going. They’re probably gone by now since they didn’t find us.”
    I wasn’t sure that I was convinced of that, and I was a little torn on whether we really should leave yet or not. I needed my magic back now. What if I gave it one more shot? Maybe I could clear a path for us to get out of here. A force field of sorts that would protect us all the way back to Enchantment Pointe. Since I figured I wouldn’t be able to get through to the New Orleans Coven we would probably be headed right back home.
    Without my mother’s or Annabelle’s knowledge, I recited the words under my breath and waved my arms, focusing on the spell. Instantly, a big