He walked off and disappeared in the trees. After a moment she heard a boat motor turn over and he was gone.

Remy took a deep breath. “I can believe that man is descended from vampires.”

Lisa wrinkled her nose. “They don’t have babies, and now you sound like your momma. I have to say I love that my future mother-in-law thinks she can vanquish demons with sage and some Latin that I’m pretty sure she doesn’t even understand what the words mean.”

Remy pulled her close. “Latin? I’m fairly certain she made that shit up. God, Lisa, I’m glad you’re here. Don’t ever leave me.”

She let her head find his chest. “Never. It’s you and me and possibly Otis forever.” She laughed, but the truth was they had battles ahead. “I know Zep is doing okay, but we have to help him get back on his feet.”

“And we will. I promise. I’m going to make sure baby brother is back to normal. It’s time we were a family again.”

She held him for a moment longer, but then she yawned. This place was…very bayou. And they could seriously be home in bed. One of Remy’s second cousins was opening Guidry’s for them for a week so Remy could recover. They could be in bed, cuddling, maybe having some very careful, don’t-pull-the-dude-who-got-shot’s-stitches fun. “This place is nice. Let’s head home. I want to spend some time showing my sisters around town.”

He sighed, a long-suffering sound. “Will you be patient? There’s a reason I brought you out here. It’s the perfect time of year.”

“The perfect time for what? Is Otis going to make an appearance? We’re in the middle of a swamp, Remy. I’m a little worried about your wounds. There have to be like a million bacteria running around here.”

He chuckled. “I’ll try to avoid swimming. Now be quiet. I don’t want to scare them. It’s almost time.”

“Time?”

He turned her around and held her close. “Dawn’s here. Look at that light coming up. Be quiet and listen to me. Did I ever tell you that when I’m out here the words in my head… Well, they’re never louder than they are right here.”

Okay, he was right about that. The world was suddenly orange and pink and red, the sun coming up and lighting the world with energy and hope. All around her, day rose from the bayou, lifting the world with it.

“Do you know why we call it Papillon Bayou, my love?”