Page 23 of Must Love Alligators

He recognized that look of fascination on her face.He loved that she felt that way about his story.

“I like the idea of helping people overcome things that happen to them.”

Bailey just looked at him for a long moment.Then she said, “That’s really great.”

For some reason, from her, that meant a lot.This woman didn’t impress easily.“Thanks.I often felt a little like an afterthought in my family.”He frowned.Why had he just said that?

“Really?How so?”She didn’t look like she was teasing him.Or like she was really sympathizing exactly.She just looked interested.

Bailey Wilcox was very easy to talk to.

“I was a lot younger than my brothers so I didn’t have much to do with them.When it came to me and my sister, she needed a lot of extra attention and time.My mother insists I wasn’t an accident, but I have my suspicions.”

Bailey smiled.“Accidents can turn out way better than the things we intend sometimes.”

That was for sure.

“Well, then I kind of struggled to figure out where to fit as I got older.I didn’t want to go into business with my dad and brothers.I went into medicine with my mom and sister’s blessings and my dad’s general acceptance.But I wondered if that was where I should be or if it was something I chose because I didn’t have a better idea, or just because I was interested because of Juliet, and if it was just a way to rebel against my dad.”

“Do you still feel that way now that you’re there?”

He shook his head.That was a great question and one he was very happy to have an answer to.“No.I think I’m finally in the right place.”

She just looked at him for several heartbeats.“I’m glad.”It seemed that she wanted to say more.But in the end she just looked down at the wreath.“This stuff is pretty great.”

“I’m guessing there are stories that go with all this stuff.”

She nodded.“Why did they send it all out here?They don’t use it at home?”

Chase shrugged.“I stopped in at Ellie’s bar the other night and it was decorated.I’m sure their houses are, too.”He pulled a Santa statue out of the box.Except this Santa was sitting in a wooden boat that looked like a long canoe that was being pulled by eight alligators.“Maybe they have two of everything?”

“They probably have more than two of those,” she said with a grin.“That’s Papa Noel.”

“Papa Noel?”

“Well, kind of the French version of Santa Claus,” she said.“Though lots of cultures have some form of Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas.But in the Cajun culture here in Louisiana, he comes in a pirogue—that type of boat, which came from the French who settled here—that’s pulled by alligators.”

He looked at the statue.“You know a lot about the Cajun culture?”

“I’ve been down here for two years,” she said.“It’s hard to not pick up.I love it.And I looked up some stuff about Christmas since I was hoping…” She trailed off.

Chase lifted a brow.“You were hoping what?”

“Nothing.”She was now studying the ornament she held.An alligator dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and holding a candy cane.

“Bailey,” he said, low and firm.“What were you hoping?”

“To see you and have hot sex under the Christmas tree.”

He’d love to believe that.His body definitely liked the idea.A shaft of heat went through him.But it was bullshit.She still wasn’t looking at him.

“Bailey.”

She blew out a breath and looked up.

“What were you hoping?”

“To maybe get a Christmas dinner invite from the Landrys,” she confessed.“I know that’s a little pathetic.”

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