Bayou Paradox by Robin Caroll Page A

choice in training a replacement. “But I thought once you were a Christian you forgot all this stuff.”
    â€œBecoming a Christian didn’t erase my memory, Tara, only my sins.”
    Whatever. “Well, I guess I’d better be getting up to the hospital. You know how Alyssa will gripe if I’m late.”
    CoCo laid a gentle hand on Tara’s shoulder. “You know your sins can be erased, as well, right?”
    A lump the size of a lily pad filled her throat. Tara swallowed, pushing it back down. “I’m fine.”
    CoCo’s eyes were soft. “Deep inside, you know I’m telling you the truth. I’ve never lied to you, nor will I start now.”
    The words wouldn’t come, nor would the sarcasm she relied on so often when someone pressed her back against a wall.
    â€œThat potion isn’t the answer.” CoCo gestured around the room. “None of this is. But there is a definite answer. Positive. Full of hope and life. Promises.”
    Tara’s eyes stung. The fumes from the burner must be getting to her.
    CoCo enclosed her in a hug, then tightened the embrace. “God loves you, Tara. He’s waiting for you to accept Him and His free gift.”
    Tara jerked away from her sister and pawed at her eyes. “Don’t try to fill my head with that nonsense. You’ve already brainwashed Grandmere and look where that’s gotten her.”
    â€œOh, Boo , you can’t think that.”
    â€œThen explain to me how your precious God can let this happen to her. She bought into the whole Jesus tale. What has that gotten her?”
    CoCo took a step toward her. “Eternal salvation, that’s what accepting Jesus has gotten her.” She reached for Tara, only for Tara to take another step backward. “We can’t always understand why things happen, but we need to accept that God’s master plan is what’s best for us. You can have the peace and salvation, too.”
    Why did she even bother to stand and listen to such nonsense? “No, thank you. I deal with the cold hard truth. I can see potions working, touch the plant life I work with, feel the earth under my nails. What can you feel with your God?”
    â€œThe wind blowing. The clouds rumbling.”
    â€œThat’s nature, not God.”
    â€œHe created it all, Boo .”
    â€œYeah, well, he can create me gone. I’m heading to the hospital.” Tara grabbed her keys and shoved her feet into the clogs by the door. “Lock up for me, will ya?”
    She made it into her Mustang and down the driveway before her tears spilled. What was wrong with her? Crying because her sister had become delusional? No, it couldn’t be something so silly.
    Bubba.
    That’s what had gotten her emotions all out of whack. Him accusing her, casting shadows on her voodoo abilities. Making her feel less confident. It was all his fault.
    She whipped into the hospital parking lot and stomped inside. After checking her watch and noticing she had a few minutes until she could see Grandmere, Tara slipped three doors down and stuck her head in Tanty’s room. There was no one with her. Tara crept inside, withdrawing the vial from her pocket as she looked around.
    She administered four drops of the potion to Tanty, planted a kiss on her cheek, and then exited the room just as the doctor rounded the corner of the hall. She made a beeline for him. “Doctor?”
    He stopped, squinting. Probably trying to place her. “Yes?”
    â€œI’m Tara LeBlanc, Marie LeBlanc’s granddaughter.”
    â€œOh. Yes. How can I help you? I’m afraid there’s no change in your grandmother’s condition.”
    Big surprise. “Has the sheriff contacted you in regards to running tests on my grandmother and his aunt, Tanty Shaw, to look for a particular, undefined substance?”
    His brows furrowed. “No. But it’d be hard to test for something undefined. Why