Page 11 of Must Love Alligators

Chase felt his eyes widen.“That’s…wow.”

Josh chuckled.“Yeah.Tori is over the moon.And thankfully Gus likes Kennedy best, so it’sherhouse that he’s decided is also his.And thankfully Bennett is into all the animals and stuff about the bayou so he’s putting up with having an otter family shacking up in his back porch and using a kid’s swimming pool in the backyard.”

“I thought Kennedy lived with Ellie,” Chase said, running a hand over his face.This family was hard to keep up with even when he was here every single day.A few months away and he was completely lost.

“Now that she and Bennett are together, they wanted a place of their own when they’re here.So even though they spend time in Baton Rouge and here, they bought a house,” Josh said.“Of course, it’s about a block away from everyone else.”He said it with a grin.

The Landry clan all lived in a cluster of houses that spanned only a few blocks in the little town of Autre.It would have seemed a little weird if Chase didn’t love it so damned much.Plus it was handy for them all, considering they ate each other’s food, borrowed each other’s tools, clothes, and vehicles regularly, and just generally loved being completely immersed in each other’s lives.

Chase’s family just wasn’t like that.He and Juliet were close, but it was almost as if their older brothers were mere family friends or acquaintances.Chase knew that was part of the reason he loved the Landrys and the way they’d pulled him into their family fold immediately and effortlessly.And yeah, he didn’t want that to change at all.

Which was why he said, “Okay, what do you need me to do with Bailey?”

Owen waggled his eyebrows.“Whatever you want.”

“As long as it’s away from Boys of the Bayou.And Ellie’s.And all of our houses.And maybe even Autre,” Josh said.“We’re not really supposed to have an otter for a pet, you know?And now we’ve got seven.I mean, they kind of choseus, but Gus and Gertie have gottenreallycomfortable in the beds and shit Kennedy has put together for them.I’m not sure their babies are even gonna learn to fish or anything.They’re all just hanging out in the kiddie pool and eating the stuff Kennedy, Tori, and Maddie are feeding them.It’s ridiculous.”

But Josh didn’t actually look that bothered.Probably because his fiancé, Tori, could do no wrong in his eyes and he’d move mountains for her if needed.

“So you’re trying to keep Bailey from finding out that you have a whole bunch of supposed-to-be wild otters living the good life over at Kennedy’s?”Chase asked.

“Yeah.And that would be easier if they were allatKennedy’s,” Owen said.“But a couple of the pups have gotten adventurous and are missing.”

“Yeah.One’s over here somewhere, I gather?From what I overheard through my open window while I was trying tosleep.”

Owen clapped him on the shoulder.“It’s almost noon, sunshine.Time to rise and shine.”

That was even funnier from Owen, who was in love and lived with Maddie, the least morning person Chase had ever met.“My booze tolerance isn’t what it was a few months ago,” Chase admitted.“Was really hoping for some grits.”

“Yeah, you should get some grits,” Josh said, taking him by the shoulders and turning him toward the stairs.“Somewhere that’snotin Autre.”

But Ellie’s place had the best grits and was definitely in Autre.In fact, Chase would be able to see it if he went to the window and leaned out just a bit.

“But…”

“And take Bailey with you.”

“Okay, hang on.”Chase dug his heels in at the top of the steps.“If you want me to have any chance of distracting Bailey for more than thirty seconds, I’m jumping in the shower, getting some caffeine, and brushing my teeth first.”Frankly, he was a little afraid that she’d see him coming and duck around the other side of the building.

Owen and Josh grinned.

“You sure that’s enough?”Josh asked.

“No,” Chase said honestly.“But bedhead and morning breath sure won’t help.”

“Fair enough,” Owen said.“I’ll make the coffee and Josh will run over for grits.”

“What about the otters?”

“You better shower fast.”

3

“So you actually helped withthe tagging?”

Bailey smiled at Maddie Allain’s clear horror at the idea of being close enough to an alligator to tag it.

“I did.It’s quick and painless.As long as we can get their jaws clamped shut for a couple of minutes, it’s done and over fast.”

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