Gator Aide

by Jessica Speart

  “Hey! Get outta my jambalaya! Damn cat.” A voice roared out of the kitchen as Rocky came flying over the sofa to land in my lap.

  Terri looked at me and winked. “What do you plan to do about the main course in there?”

  I could see Santou cooking up a storm in Terri’s kitchen. He seemed to sense the attention. Turning around, he grinned and walked out, holding a spoon in his hand. Leaning over, he brought the spoon to my mouth.

  “Taste this, chère. Good?”

  I nodded. “It’s great.”

  Santou kissed the top of my head and motioned to Terri. “Set the table and we’ll eat.”

  Curling my legs under me, I waited until Jake had disappeared back into the kitchen. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. Maybe too much has happened. Especially that business with Valerie.”

  Terri moved closer and put his arm around me. “Now, listen to Mama. People get bruised. It happens with age, Rach, and there’s nothing you can do about it. So he’s got his battle scars. God knows, you have yours. You think he’s more damaged goods than white knight? Well, sweetie, we’re all damaged people in our own way. But take a good look. He’s here, and he cares.

  “Now you’ve got a choice. You can stay alone, holed up in your safe little tower. Or you can take a chance. It’s worth it, Rach. Think about it.”

  Terri began to set the table, and I put Rocky down and headed over to take my place.

  About the Author

  JESSICA SPEART is the author of ten Rachel Porter mysteries, as well as the nonfiction thriller Winged Obsession. Speart created her mystery sleuth — U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agent Rachel Porter — after years of investigating wildlife and drug-trafficking crimes for publications such as The New York Times Magazine, Omni, Travel & Leisure, Audubon, National Wildlife, Mother Jones, Wildlife Conservation, Earth Journal and Animals Magazine.