All of them said the same thing. You had to book an appointment, and they would get back to you and confirm the time. None of them offered to come in the middle of the night for an emergency.

  Fern left her cell number on three of the sites and wondered where the rats had come from. “There were no rats here when we moved in.”

  Marigold was the next problem facing her.

  What the hell should I do with Mari?

  “I can’t afford a funeral, and she can’t be lying there blocking the stairs when the exterminator comes. I have to get rid of her body, but how?”

  Fern paced back and forth in her room, waiting for the solution to come to her. “I’ll dig a hole in the yard while it’s dark. No one will see me if I get it done right away.”

  She dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, tugged on a pair of boots, and found a pair of leather gloves in the bottom drawer of her dresser.

  Ready for yard duty, she stomped down the stairs and headed for the back door, kicking rats out of her way as she went. Much easier to kick them with boots on.

  Fern called over her shoulder, “Stay there, Mari. I’m making a spot for you outside. BRB.”

  The last day of October was cold and crisp in New Orleans. Fern should have worn a jacket, but she’d warm up as soon as she started digging. No worries.

  Groping around in the wooden shed that should be torn down, her hand finally came to rest on the shovel handle. “I knew the shovel was in here. I put it away the last time Mari used it.”

  Fern strolled around the overgrown yard, searching for the perfect spot to bury her sister. “How about under the apple tree, Mari?”

  Fern got busy and started digging.

  It had rained a couple of times recently, and the dirt wasn’t too hard. “This is going to take a while. You always make work for me, Marigold. You’ve caused me work and worry your whole life, but this will be the last time.”

  She was two feet down in the hole when the man next door came outside for a smoke. He peered over the fence and scared the crap out of her when he spoke.

  “Kind of dark to be digging in your garden, ain’t it, lady?”

  “I enjoy night gardening,” said Fern wishing he’d go back inside. He didn’t.

  “We haven’t met, but I saw y’all move in a while back. My name is Oscar. I’m your next-door neighbor.”

  “Hi, Oscar. I’d invite you in for coffee, but I’m a little busy right now.”

  “You didn’t tell me your name.”

  “Fern.”

  “Like one of them leafy green things in a pot? My mother used to have those bug magnets hanging everywhere.”

  “The same,” said Fern.

  Oscar leaned on the top of the fence and watched her with interest as he smoked. “What’s the hole for? You burying a body on Hallowe’en?” He chuckled at his own attempt at humor.

  “None of your business.”

  “Now, don’t be nasty, plant girl. Maybe I’ll make it my business. How about that?”

  “Go away, Oscar. I’m busy.”

  “I’m in my own yard. You can’t make me go away.”

  “Do you know any good exterminators?”

  “I am an exterminator. Didn’t you see my truck parked back there in the lane?”

  “Nope.”

  “What’s your pestilence, Fern?”

  “Pardon?”

  “Hornets, bedbugs, mice, roaches, fleas?”

  “Rats,” said Fern. “The house is full of rats.”

  “Nasty,” said Oscar. “I hate rats almost as much as fuckin snakes.”

  “Can you get rid of the fuckin rats?” asked Fern.

  “Course, I can. I’m a pro, Miss Fern. I can get rid of anything unwanted. Can I pop over and assess the degree of your infestation?”

  “Umm… soon. Come for a coffee at eight in the morning.”

  “Why can’t I come now?”

  “I’m too busy.”

  Oscar chuckled. “You got a screw loose under all that black hair, Fern? You’re digging a hole under your apple tree. I wouldn’t call that busy.”

  “You married, Oscar?” asked Fern as she leaned on her shovel to rest.

  “Nope. Never was.”

  “Okay. Come on over, and I’ll give you a peek at my pestilence.”

  Oscar hopped the fence, and they entered the house through the back door.

  Rats ran down the hall to meet them as they came in.

  “Jesus, Louise, I never saw so many rats. Good sized ones too, ain’t they?”

  “Yeah, big and beautiful.”

  He followed Fern down the hallway towards the kitchen, and they had to pass the stairs. “Who’s that?”

  “My sister got scared and fell down the stairs when she saw the rats coming for her. I have to bury her.”

  “Should you call somebody first?”

  Fern got her first look at Oscar under the light. Not bad looking, but he needed a shave. About forty-something and the same height as her. Dark hair. No gray. He’d do.

  “I can’t afford a funeral.”

  “Oh.” Oscar appeared thoughtful for a moment. “Can you afford to pay me to get rid of the rats? I don’t work for nothing, and I have men to pay.”

  “Nope. Can’t pay you in US currency,” said Fern. “I’m just starting a new business, and all my capital is tied up in product. We’ll have to work out another kind of payment plan.”

  “What kind?”

  “Think about it. What do you think I’m offering you?”

  A smile played around his lips and spread across his entire face. “You gonna pay me off in booty?”

  “Now, you got it. You’re a sharp one, Oscar.”

  Seeming infused with new interest, Oscar said, “Let me help you get your sister out to the hole. Nice pajamas.”

  “Thanks. You’re my man.”

  He chuckled. “Guess I am, ain’t I? At least until you get your rat bill worked off.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Thursday, October 31st.

  Samhain.

  Nine Saint Gillian Street.

  Dampness seeping under him woke Luke out of a restless sleep. Misty had been uncomfortable all night and made numerous trips to the bathroom. She’d slept poorly and finally dozed off closer to morning.

  Luke ran his hand underneath his boxers, and the sheets were wet. “Misty, I think we should get up. The bed is wet.”

  “What?”

  “The sheets are wet, sweetheart.”

  “Oh,” Misty struggled to get her elbows underneath her and sit up. “Did I pee?”

  Luke rolled out of bed and ran around to help her. “No love. I think it’s the fluid. Our baby is coming.”

  “Yes, he’s arriving today, and he still has no name.” Misty felt her nightie. “You’re right, sugar. I’m wet. Look at that. He surprised me already.”

  “Surprised both of us.” Luke helped Misty into the bathroom, pulled on a pair of jeans, and went to get Claire. He tapped on her door. “Claire, are you awake? I think Misty’s water broke.”

  Claire opened the door, pulling her robe on. “Oh, my. We better get dressed.”

  “I’m half-dressed. Misty is in the bathroom.”

  “I’ll throw on some clothes and come help her.”

  “Thanks.” Luke ran back to the bathroom, and Misty was washing her face at the sink. “Claire is coming to help you get dressed. Do you want tea before you go to the hospital?”

  “Am I going now? Nothing has started.”

  Luke grinned. “I think you should.”

  Misty laughed. “Make tea, sweetheart, and tell Angelique to make me a huge breakfast. I’m starving.”

  “Should you take time to eat?” Luke felt panic mounting in his chest.

  “I’m eating, Lukey. I’m going to need carbs for energy. You should eat too. It might be a long day.”

  “Okay, I’ll help Angelique.”

  Ben walked into the hall. “Why are you dressed, Luke? It’s still dark.”

  “Misty is having our baby. We’re eating breakfast extra early.”

  “Can I eat early too? I’ll get dressed.”

  “Sure. Tell Row to get up. She’ll want to come to the hospital.”

  Ben ran back in his room and plopped down on Rowanne’s side of the bed. He touched her arm. “Rowanne. Wake up. We have to go get the new baby now.”

  Rowanne slowly opened her eyes. “We do? Is it time?”

  “Luke said we have to eat breakfast and hurry up if we want to go to the hospital.”

  Rowanne sat up. “Okay, I’m hurrying. I want to go.”

  Ben pulled a shirt over his head. “I’m going to eat with Luke. You hurry up.”

  Rowanne laughed. “I am Ben. See, I’m running into the bathroom right now.”

  The kitchen was chaos. Angelique and Luke were cooking in four different skillets on the huge six-burner stove.

  “We likely have plenty of time,” said Claire. “The first baby is usually slow arriving.”

  “Uh-huh,” said Luke. “I don’t want him arriving here and us not knowing what we’re doing.”

  Claire laughed. “I think I could manage, Luke. I’ve been present at a few births.”

  “I’m coming to the hospital,” said Josiah. “I’m not missing the birth of my grandson.”

  “Certainly, dear. You can come.”

  Angelique set plates and cutlery on the table and put a glass of water in front of Ben.

  “Is Row getting up?” Luke asked Ben.

  “I told her to get up and hurry,” said Ben.

  Luke chuckled. “I’ll be a head case by the time I get to the hospital.”

  Ben drank his water, set the glass down, and waiting for his breakfast. “I saw people bury a body.”

  Luke spun around from the stove. “What? When did you see that?”

  “In the night. I went for a run down the lane and saw them. Man and tall lady putting a body in the hole.”

  “Which house was it, buddy?”

  “The old broken house Rowanne showed me. The ladies who steal from Misty.”

  “Number seventeen?”

  Ben shrugged.

  “Don’t have time this morning, but we’ll have a look later. Good eye, Ben.”

  “Thanks.” Ben grinned at Luke. The kid lapped up praise like a thirsty dog.

  Misty hollered from the top of the stairs. “Somebody come and help me get down these stairs.”

  Luke dropped his spatula on the floor and ran at top speed. “Wait, wait for me, sweetheart. Don’t try it on your own.”

  Misty hung onto the newel post at the top and giggled. “I’m waiting, Lukey. I’ve been careful for nine months. I’m not falling on my last day and blowing it.”

  Luke wrapped a strong arm around her. “Hang onto the railing on that side.”

  After breakfast, Misty groaned as Luke helped her into the front seat of her truck. “I’m too fat and too tired to do this. I want to stay home. I want ma cher to deliver young Harry.”

  Luke barked out a laugh. “Really, we’ve devolved to Harry Potter.”

  “I’m desperate. It’s time we make some decisions.”

  Luke buckled up and started the truck. “We’ll brainstorm on the way to the hospital, Mist. Doctor Maynard is waiting at for you. Once we get there, you’ll feel better. The nice nurses will take care of you.”

  “Don’t placate me, Luke Hyslop. No matter what you say, this isn’t going to be fun.”

  Luke smiled.

  “How long does a baby take to get out?” asked Ben from the back seat.

  “Only a minute, if I have anything to do with it.” Misty giggled, then let out an ear-piercing scream. “Ow, that hurt so much. Hurry, Lukey.”

  Luke’s hands shook as he held tight to the steering wheel and powered the Expedition down the narrow back lane and into the street, narrowly missing a black and white dog.

  “How far is the hospital?” asked Rowanne.

  “About fifteen minutes.” Luke stepped on the gas. “I’ll try to make it in less.”

  Another contraction hit Misty, and she groaned and gripped the armrest. Luke tramped on the gas.

  Ben growled. “I don’t like going fast in the truck.”

  “We have to go fast,” said Rowanne holding his hand. “Uncle Luke doesn’t want Misty to have the baby in her seat.”

  Ben made a face. “Don’t do that, Misty.”

  “Okay, sugar. I’ll try not to.”

  Seventeen Saint Gillian Street.

  Oscar got out of Fern’s bed and pulled his jeans on. “Yep, that was a damn good down payment. I’ll get on home and call my guys and be back here in an hour to start on these fuckin rats.”

  Fern pulled on her robe and walked him to the top of the staircase.

  Oscar glanced around as he headed down. “Seems to be more of them than there was when I got here.”

  “They breed fast.” Fern watched with disgust as they swarmed and chattered in the front foyer. “But not that fast.”

  Oscar chuckled. “This is gonna be the best paying job I ever had. Hope you never run out of vermin, Ferny.”

  “I hope I do. I hate the little bastards.”

  New Orleans Hospital.

  Luke parked at the emergency entrance and ran inside for a wheelchair. “My wife is having a baby, and I need help,” he hollered to anyone who would listen.

  A nurse grabbed a wheelchair, followed Luke outside to the truck, and helped Misty down from the step side and into the chair.

  “My water broke,” said Misty.

  “How long ago?” asked the nurse.

  “I’m not sure. It was in the night.”

  “Okay. And have contractions started?” Jane pushed the chair to the elevator, pressed two, and they rolled out on the second floor.

  Misty doubled over groaning as another one took hold.

  “That would be a yes,” Luke said.

  The nurse pointed as she zoomed down the corridor. “Y’all can wait in there until we get Mom prepped for delivery. Dad, you come with me.”

  “I’m coming,” said Luke and broke into a jog.

  “I want to watch the baby get out,” said Ben.

  “We will,” said Claire finding a seat in the waiting room. “They have to get Misty ready first.

  “Isn’t she ready now?”

  Claire laughed. “I think she is.”

  “I’m going into the delivery room,” said Josiah. “I’ll come back and tell you if anything is happening.”

  “Thank you, dear,” said Claire.

  “I want to go with him,” said Ben.

  “We have to wait,” said Rowanne. “Sit down, and I’ll read you a story.”

  “What’s it about?”

  Rowanne picked up a magazine and glanced at the pictures on the cover. “It’s about stupid people and how they ruin their lives trying to get rich.”

  Ben screwed up his face. “I don’t like that one.”

  Rowanne laughed. “I’ll pick a better one.”

  Luke sat frozen in the delivery room watching the nurses buzz around, getting Misty ready to deliver his son. His heart was beating in his chest so fast, he figured by the time his son arrived, he’d need medical assistance himself.

  When the nurses finished prepping Misty, one of them pointed him. “Sit up there, Dad, by Misty’s head and hold her hand. You can give her ice chips or water when she wants them. You’re the emotional support team.”

  “Thanks.” He moved his chair.

  “Is this your first child?” She asked with a smile.

  The pain shot through his heart, and he had to wait for enough air to answer. “Second.”

  “You know what to do then.” She left the room.

  Misty reached for his hand. “You okay, Lukey? I’m sorry this is so hard for you. You don’t have to stay if it’s too much.”

  “I’m okay. I’m not leaving you, Mist, or our son. Do you want some ice?”

  She nodded her head.

  The nurses were in and out of the room, checking on Misty every few minutes as the contractions grew closer together.

  Claire came in and held her hand on the other side of the bed. Ben and Rowanne came in for a visit, and Ben was pacing and getting antsy.

  “Take Ben for a quick lap of the park outside,” said Misty. “I’ll wait until y’all come back.”

  They left, and Luke laughed. “Can you wait?”

  “I think you’re asking the wrong person.”

  The doctor breezed in to join them. “Let’s see how things look. The nurses tell me that Mom is almost ready to deliver this big boy.”

  Misty laughed. “Not almost. I’m ready. I can’t wait to be ten pounds lighter.”

  Claire’s eyes widened. “You think he weighs ten pounds? That’s an awfully big baby.”

  “Any bets?” asked Doctor Maynard. “Now’s the time to write down your guesses and put up your money.”

  Misty giggled, then her laughter turned into a yell. “Okay, that one hurt.”

  The doctor finished with his examination and smiled. “You, my dear, are ready to push Your son is eager to make his entrance.”

  Misty had two more long hard contractions, and the doctor nodded his head. “Dad, if you want a better view of the arrival, you better come down here and get ready.”

  Ben and Rowanne came running in. “Are we late?”

  “Nope,” said Luke. “Take my spot and stand up here.”

  Misty screamed, and Ben’s face drained white. He was about to cut and run when Rowanne grabbed his hand.

  “Wait a minute, Ben. He’s coming.”

  The lights in the birthing suite grew brighter and brighter until the doctor had to shield his eyes. Misty let out a little squeal, and then, without her putting too much effort into it, her son slid out into the doctor’s waiting hands.”

  The room grew warm, and a royal blue glow surrounded the baby. Claire smiled, and so did Luke. Their boy was already showing his power.

  “Here you are, Dad,” the doctor said, handing him his slightly gooey boy. Unable to see the baby’s brilliant display of color, the doctor smiled at Misty. “That was an easy one.”

  Misty laughed. “Yeah, piece of cake.”

  The nurse rushed over and put her hands out to take the baby from Luke, but he wasn’t giving him up that easily.

 

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