Page 98 of Hell's Gator

“Yes!” she said. “But I want to snack first.”

“There’s food in every room. All the drinks are up here, though.”

“Oh, well, let’s go see what we have to choose from,” Tempest said, taking Brandt's hand and leading him into the next room.

“Where the hell is everybody?” Havoc demanded as he stepped inside with Harley on his left hip and leading Analise with his right hand.

“Some will arrive a little later. It just started,” Daisy said nervously. She was actually worried that no one would show up.

“Can I put her down?” he asked, letting go of Analise’s hand to point at Harley riding on his hip.

“Of course. There’s even a kid’s art room back there. There is nothing she can hurt,” Daisy said, winking at Harley.

“Little Miss!” Havoc said, leaning over to make sure that he was looking Harley in the eye and had her undivided attention. “This is a special day for Aunt Daisy. Do not make a mess of her new art place. Do not make a mess of the food she put out for her guests. You can eat, but do it with manners. Don’t put something back if you don’t like it.”

“Yes, sir,” she said, then stopped briefly to hug Daisy’s thighs and hips as she jetted off to find the room that Daisy had said was for kids.

“She’ll be fine. I even put chicken nuggets and ketchup on a tray on the table in the children’s room.”

“You’ll be fine, too. Breathe, hon,” Havoc said. “And don’t worry. We put flyers out everywhere. People are coming.”

“Did you?” Daisy asked gratefully.

“We did,” Analise said. “And then he went around to everybody he knew and told them to come check it out. He even went to the high school and spoke to the counselor he was close to his senior year and asked for her help. She’s promised anybody that comes to your open house five extra points toward their required community service days. She said she was going to call the elementary school and let them know, too.”

“You guys, that’s awesome. Thank you so much,” Daisy answered.

“We’re not the only ones. We’ve all been out campaigning for you,” Analise said.

“Campaigning for who?” Emmalyn asked, walking into the studio. “Who’s running for office?”

“Nobody. They’re talking about getting word out there about my studio and the lessons and all.”

“Oh, well, yeah. Did you really think we wouldn’t?” Emmalyn asked, then her gaze seemed to go off into space for a minute.

“Em?” Barron asked.

“Hm? Oh, yeah. I’m good. Not lightheaded again. I’m just thinking… campaigning… I should do that. Run for office.”

“Which office?” Daisy asked.

“I don’t know. Does it matter? One that puts me in charge.”

“Lord help us,” Hellen said as she and Lucien walked in. “You as mayor, is frightening. You in any governing position is frightening!”

“I know, right? So much fun!” Emmalyn said. Then her gaze landed on Lucien. “Oh, look. He put clothes on today.”

“You want to challenge me? I’ll take them off right here,” Lucien threatened.

“Not while people are coming to see Daisy’s art studio,” Hellen chided.

“I’ll come to your house naked!” Lucien threatened.

“Please don’t do that,” Barron said.

“I’ll be right back. Going to get one more tray of food,” Daisy said.

Barron turned to Emmalyn. She’d been nauseated and lightheaded off and on for a few days now. “Em, you want something to drink?” Barron asked.

---