Page 7 of Must Love Alligators

Yeah, maybe she was right.Hewasflirting with her, but he wasn’t sure why, either.It seemed like his default mode.“So, about that sticking close thing…”

Bailey shook her head.“Not necessary.He won’t be a problem until tomorrow.”

“I can stay over.”Chase couldn’t help the grin he added.

Now she shook her head in clear disbelief over his audacity.“Unless you’re going to come to work with me and pass yourself off as an expert on the American alligator, I don’t think you’re going to be much good to me.”

“I’ve seen some alligators.”Mitch had told him he had to come back down and go hunting sometime.“Eaten a few too.”

Bailey’s eyes widened.“I’m working to help preserve their habitat along the coast.”

Oh.She was an alligator lover.“It’s not my favorite meat,” he said.“I do prefer chicken.”

She rolled her eyes.

He ran a hand through his hair.He hadn’t had this much trouble flirting in a very long time.“And Justin is some kind of alligator specialist?”Shit.He didn’t want Justin to have the nerdy scientist thing in common with Bailey.

Which was completely ridiculous.Bailey Wilcox shouldnotbe this interesting to him and he definitely shouldn’t care who else she was interesting to.As long as the guy wasn’t a bar dickhead who didn’t understand the word no.

“Justin is my competition.”

Chase dropped his hand.“What do you mean?”

“I’m working on securing a grant from a foundation that is focused on preserving the plant and animal habitats along the Louisiana coast.My proposal includes tagging alligators and watching their patterns over the next year or so.”She studied him for a moment, as if gauging his interest.“I’m working to prove that the erosion of the coastline is affecting the alligator population.As the coastline changes, more and more saltwater is coming up into freshwater areas, including the bayou.Alligators can live in saltwater for short periods, but long term, the increased salinity will push them out.They are an important predator and a key part of the ecosystem.Their absence will further change the coast which will have impacts on the people who live and work there.I’m hoping to use my data to convince partners to invest in protecting the coast and to raise public awareness of the issues.”

“What’s Justin got to do with it?”Chase asked.

“Justin is also interested in that grant money and stole my plans for the program.Whichever of us gets the proposal together first will also be asked to speak at a local conference.It’s completely about ego and a promotion for him.”

“And it’s all about alligators?”Did he knowanyother woman who was into alligators?He honestly couldn’t think of one.

“Well, there are several species that are affected by the changes.I’m particularly fond of frogs and toads.”

She was definitely not his usual type.“No kidding.”

Bailey shrugged.“Nope.”

Something about that niggled at the back of Chase’s mind.“Who’s in charge of the foundation you’re applying to?”

“A guy named Bennett Baxter.”

That was why it sounded familiar.“I know Bennett.He’s one of the co-owners of Boys of the Bayou.”

Bailey nodded.“I know.”

Of course she did.

“I could set up an introduction.”

“In exchange for what?”

Chase blinked at her.“No exchange necessary.”

“Because you love alligators and want to do whatever you can to help protect their habitats?”

He wasn’t exactly surewhyhe was volunteering his help, actually.Clearly this woman was smart and determined, and he had next to nothing to really offer her.Why did he feel compelled to try anyway?

“Uh.Sure.”Protecting wildlife didn’t seem like abadidea.Not that Chase had given it a ton of thought.But there was something about the way Bailey talked about all of it that made him think he wouldn’t mind learning more.From her.Where he could see her eyes sparkling and hear the excitement in her voice.

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