“I parked the car across the intersection and I made the diagonal now on legs that didn’t feel, they just guided, and with the huge bouquet in my arms, breathless to offer it to her.

“The iron fence wasn’t high and there was the doorbell. I debated. What would I say to the person who answered? Mona, I’m desperate to see Mona.

“But I didn’t have to face this complexity. One half second after I appeared at the gate, the big white front door opened, and out she came, quickly closing the door behind her and rushing down the steps to the gate. She had a key for it and turned it quickly, and then we stood facing each other outside the bounds of the fence and I thought I was dying.

“She was about one hundred times more lovely than I remembered her. Her green eyes were much larger and she had a naturally rouged mouth that I wanted to kiss immediately. Her hair was clear red, and to cap it off she wore an exquisite white cotton shirt, unbuttoned way low, and skintight white pants that showed off her small rounded thighs beautifully. I was even in love with her toes. She had on thick sandals and I could see all her red toenails. I adored her.

“ ‘My God, Mona,’ I said, and I took the plunge, covering her mouth with mine and grabbing for her tiny wrists, but she broke away gently and said,

“ ‘Where’s your car, Quinn? We have to get out of here quick.’

“We ran across the street like newlyweds running from a rice storm. We were driving out First Street towards the river in a twinkling.

“ ‘So where can we go? Oh, God, I don’t know where we can go,’ I said.

“ ‘I do,’ she answered. ‘You know how to get to the Quarter?’

“ ‘Absolutely.’

“She gave me an address. ‘The LaFrenière Cottages,’ she said. ‘I called them this morning.’

“ ‘But how did you know I’d come? I mean I’m thrilled that you called them, but how did you know?’

“ ‘I’m a witch,’ she said. ‘I knew when you left Blackwood Farm just like I know that Goblin’s in the car with us. He’s right behind you. You don’t even know it, do you? But I didn’t mean that. I meant only, I wanted you to come.’

“ ‘You put a spell on me,’ I said. ‘I haven’t slept since I saw you last, and half my night’s ravings have been about you and wanting to come to you.’ I could hardly keep my eyes on the road. ‘Only lawyers and wills have kept me from you, tales of infidelity and orphan children and roaming in ghostly furniture and forging alliances as strong as the one I mean to forge with you.’