Free Destiny's Magic by Martha Hix

strangers.”
    â€œI’m not a stranger. I’m the captain.”
    â€œWell, I’m not sure I like you.”
    â€œWhy is that?”
    â€œYou’re crabby. July people are that way. And I don’t like people who get mad and hit other people.”
    â€œBelieve me, I’ve never hit a woman or child in my life.”
    In hindsight Burke wasn’t too proud of breaking Rufus West’s fingers. Should’ve let the law deal with him. That might have saved lives.
    â€œYou never hit nobody?” Pippin asked.
    â€œNever a child or a woman.”
    Burke understood why the thrashed boy had asked such a question, but he couldn’t understand why a mention of “July people” had come up. “What makes you think my date of birth has anything to do with how I am?”
    â€œCarmelita says people’s ways are set by the stars.”
    â€œCarmelita?” Burke took a guess. “Sounds like a fortuneteller. Did you visit the carnival in Natchez?”
    Pippin whitened. “No, uh, naw. Don’t know nothing about no carnivals.”
    Why was the lad lying? “I know a lot about the constellations,” Burke announced. “You enjoy studying them?”
    â€œWhat’s a consultation?” Pippin didn’t give time for an answer; he asked, “Cap’n . . . where’s St. Something-or-the other? That place you’re gonna leave me and Momma.”
    â€œIt’s St. Francisville. We’ll reach there in a couple of days.” Provided that rod assembly cooperated.
    â€œMomma and I really need to get on to New Orleans.”
    â€œWhy’s that?”
    â€œ ’Cause we really do. Papa Legba! Will you promise to take us on to New Orleans? I gotta be the man for Momma, so I need to know if you’ll do that for her. Willya, Cap’n, willya?”
    â€œEver been to New Orleans?”
    â€œNo.”
    Strange. A grandson had never visited his grandfather. “Looking forward to seeing old Granddad again?”
    â€œI don’t have any gran—I mean, sure. I’m lookin’ forward to it.” Pippin backed up. “I gotta go.”
    â€œNo need to rush. How about that offer of licorice? Will you have some?”
    â€œWell, I, well, I better not.” Pippin’s line of sight cruised the deck. “I’m not finished lookin’ around.”
    â€œAw, now. You’ve got a couple days to explore the Yankee Princess, and this licorice sure is good.” Burke helped himself to one, then bit into it with gusto. “Yum, yum.”
    Pip licked his lips. “Maybe I could take time for one.”
    â€œThere’s a good lad.”
    By the time the boy consumed three sticks, he was much more talkative. In fact, he had quite a bit to say. Burke was learning more than he ever wanted to know about Black-eyed Susan. Still and all, a lot wasn’t adding up.
    â€œTell me about your father,” Burke prompted after a particularly riveting part. “How does he stay out of jail after assaulting people?”
    â€œHe don’t beat up nobody but ladies.” Pippin slipped his fingers into the candy jar again. “And me.”
    â€œWhy you?”
    â€œHe don’t like me.”
    â€œYou exaggerate, son. How can a father not like his child? You’re a fine young man. What made him strike you?”
    There was no time for finishing the puzzle of Susan. A high-pitched scream pounded at Burke’s ears: “Snake!”

Seven
    â€œYou brought a snake aboard!”
    The captain’s roar echoed along the narrow length of the brick galley. It caused Susan to stop pedaling the ceiling fan and drop the dull knife she’d been using to frost a banana cake.
    She whirled about to clutch the table edges behind her for support. He filled the entryway. His booted feet were planted not too far away. His face had whitened, yet his expression appeared as black as his shirt and