by Julia Mills
Before moving to the backass of nowhere, I'd never in my long life tasted tofu. As a matter of fact, I'd sworn off it, made fun of people who ate it, and vehemently avoided that aisle in the grocery store. But, here in the swamp, Miss Bunny can make that soft, white, blob of goop taste like darned near anything. Color me converted.
"Hey, Rosie, how ya' doin'?" Jessalyn, the newest citizen of Hairy Wart and the new counter help at Miss Bunny's asked. The short, thin redhead with freckles and bright blue eyes was also the first Kangaroo Shifter I'd ever met. The lilt of an Aussie accent only added to her overall cuteness.
“I’m good, Jess, thanks. How are you?”
"Hanging in there. You want your tea or are you steppin' onto the wild side today?"
“Yeah, that’s me, wild and wooly,” I chuckled. “I would love a tea.”
“Comin’ up.”
Watching Jess as she made my drink and interacted with the other customers sitting at the counter, I couldn't help but think about the conversation I'd had with Faith. It didn't matter that she was older, that the business, although in all our names, was basically, or that she had my safety and best interests at heart. I wanted to follow my nose, or rather my instincts. Something was going on at the Hayes Arboretum, and I was going to find out what it was.
Having made up my mind, my spirits lifted and my mood right along with it, and Taffy was the first to notice. "What are you cookin' up in that kooky, wonderful mind of yours?" The smile in her voice and her Scottish brogue said she was in for whatever I had planned.
I was nearly giddy by the time Jess returned with my tea. So much so, that I thanked her in a sing-songy tone and practically skipped out of the diner. Taking the long way to the parking spots at the back of the diner, the ones reserved for Southern Fried Sass clients and employees, I jumped on my Pepto-Bismal pink Vespa and slid on my matching helmet.
Waiting until Taffy was safely in the seat Matt had made for her, I reminded her, “No helmet, no ride, my friend.”
With the words still echoing between us, she magicked a bright pink helmet just like mine onto her head and gave me the thumbs up. Placing my large, white, Styrofoam cup of fresh sweet tea in my custom cup holder, I turned the key, lifted us off the kickstand, and off we went.
Taking the backroads, making sure to avoid Beau, who Faith had told me was out patrolling the swamp. (Read that as hanging out with his family on Gator Perch.) Whatever he was doing, I didn’t want to inadvertently run into him and have him saying something to my overprotective, overbearing sister. So, I played it safe.
The ride was excellent, and it gave me time to think about the dreams I'd been having about somebody being in serious trouble in the Marshall Mansion. My memories of that place weren't the greatest, and for a while, I attributed the mess with Wanda the Wench as the reason for my dreams, but it was more than that. Someone was sending out their own psychic bat signal, and I wasn't going to leave them hanging.
Pulling up behind the big plot of overgrown Cypress trees we’d used for cover a few weeks ago, I sat on my scooter wondering if Taffy and I should split up so we could cover more ground more quickly or if we should just stick together. Opening my mouth to ask the Dragonette, I couldn’t get a word out as she answered before I asked, “We are most definitely sticking together, Miss Missy.”
Giving her a mock salute, I teased, “Aye, ma’am.”
Pointing her finger at me, she reaffirmed, “That’s right, and don’t you forget it.”
Laughing together, we took off our helmets, hung them on the handlebars and while I walked Taffy rode on my shoulder. Following the same route Daisy and I had followed the night we threw Wanda the Wench back into Witchy Purgatory, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being watched.
Stopping at the back, right corner of the house, I used what was left of the chimney on the outdoor over for cover as I whispered, “Let me see who’s inside. I don’t want to get my ass fried. We’re here to help. Please, don’t let them whelp. I just need to look. By hook or by crook.”
Little, pink bubbles popped in the air around my head as a plume of grassy-green smoke wiggled and wove its way from the tip of my toes towards the sky and pop I could see through brick and mortar, and walls and stone. Taking a quick peek of the downstairs and finding it empty except for a family of mice I’d rather not tangle with, I let my magical vision glide up the steps to the second floor.
The Marshall Mansion had been designed and built in the shape of capital ‘L' with bedrooms and bathrooms lining both halls that met at a right angle so far away the broken table at the other end looked like doll furniture. Sure we could get in without too much trouble and really wanting to investigate the entire house, I clicked off my ‘supervision' and told my counterpart, "We're going in."
“Sounds good to me,” Taffy quickly agreed.
Making our way in through the kitchen door that was barely hanging on the top hinge, I carefully picked my way across and around all the mountains of debris and trash left by kids and vagrants over the years. Through the dining room, past the library with all its empty shelves, and up the back stairs, my foot had just landed on the second floor when Taffy's warning burst into my mind, “Someone’s here. At least, was here or is here but not close.”
Being a Dragonette, or whatever the real name of her kind was, Taffy and her sisters had some serious muscle in the magical power department. Therefore, when she sounded lost and confused, the bottom dropped out of my stomach and my heart started beating like a bass drum.
“What do you mean? Nothing you said made any sense. Is someone here? The question begs a simple yes or no answer.”
Stamping her foot on my shoulder, sure to dig just the tips of her talons into my flesh, Taffy growled, “No, it does not, ya’ smartarse. The traces of magic are here - some kind of glamour spell, if I’m not mistaken.” Her paws landed on what I guessed were her hips. "And I am not mistaken. Because of that, I cannae tell if the person is still here or if they are gone, and it is the echo of their power I feel."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you, and if I may say, the claws in my shoulder thing has got to stop. That shit really hurts."
“Would you rather I singe your eyebrows or give you a case of the pox?”
Frantically shaking my head, knowing full well that I was putting off my search by intentionally picking an argument with my Dragonette, I quickly acquiesced, “I’m sorry, Taffy. It’s just…now that we’re here, I’m thinkin’ maybe Faith was right.”
“Dinnae go yellow on me now.” She stamped her foot again, careful not to stick me with her nails, instead letting her tone make me get a move on. “Stop this shite and let’s go and see what’s what.”
Creeping forward, careful to check around every corner and open every door with a zap of my magic, we'd made it to where we had to make a left turn when a something that sounded like a two-ton gorilla playing hell with the good china blast down the hall. Standing perfectly still, not sure whether to rush towards the sound or away from it, I was trying to get my ‘supervision' to click back on when a flash of tawny fur got my eye.
Suddenly, the hall filled with the scent of wild musk as pounding footsteps flew right past me. Looking for whatever or whoever had flown by, I found myself spinning back to the front as Taffy yelled, “Blood! I smell blood! Go! Go!”
Without further thought, I flew down the hall, kicked open the door she told me to and raced across the threshold. Stopping so fast I slid a few feet before grabbing the wall, I could only stare and try to breathe.
“Do you see that?” I whispered to Taffy.
“Yes. Is it what I think it is?” She whispered in return.
“Yeah.”
Stepping closer, I knelt down and magicked on a pair of surgical gloves before adding, "It's a dead body, and it has no head."
“Faith’s gonna skin us both,” Taffy sighed.
“Oh yeah, maybe twice.”
COMING September 27, 2018
Book 2 i
n the Southern Fried Sass Series
NOSEY ROSIE
Thank you so much for reading my book, Later Gator. I sure hope you laughed out loud and have some fun.
Want more of the Laugh Out Loud Paranormal Romances of
Love Spells?
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THE ONE THAT STARTED IT ALL
Book #1 in the Dragon Guard Series
HER DRAGON TO SLAY
ALWAYS FREE on Amazon!
Sassy and stubborn have gotten Kyndel through everything life had to throw at her. Will her moxie help when destiny falls at her feet?
Hundreds of years of loyalty to the Dragon Guard have made Rayne a fearless leader. When the long-foretold pull of his mate rocks the Commander’s world to its core will he be able to save her from his enemies in time?
The chemistry between this strong-willed curvy girl and fierce warrior makes all the difference in the world where nothing is as it seems. The existence of an ancient race of honor-clad, tradition-bound protectors might be hard to accept but now the dead are coming back to life and holding a knife to her neck.
Can these fated mates defeat their greatest enemies and get their happily ever after?
Fate Will Not Be Denied!!
About Julia
Find all my stories on Amazon!
Hey Y’all! I’m Julia Mills the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Dragon Guard Series. I without a doubt admit to being a sarcastic, southern woman who would rather spend all day laughing than a minute crying. Living with my two most amazing daughters and a menagerie of animals, keeps me busy but I love telling a good story. Now, that I’ve decided to write the stories running through my brain, life is just a blast!
My beliefs are simple. A good book along with shoes, makeup, and purses will never let a girl down and no hero ever written will compare to my real-life hero, my dad! I’m a sucker for a happy ending and alpha men make me swoon.
I’m still working on my story but I promise it will contain as much love and laughter as I can pack into it! Now, go out there and create your own story!!! Dare to Dream! Have the Strength to Try EVERYTHING! Never Look Back!
I ABSOLUTELY adore stalkers so look me up on Facebook, sign up for my newsletter at JuliaMillsAuthor.com and follow me on Amazon.
Send me a message!
XOXO Julia
Also by Julia Mills
Find Them All on Amazon
*****
The Dragon Guard Series
Her Dragon to Slay, Dragon Guard #1
Her Dragon’s Fire, Dragon Guard #2
Haunted by Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #3
For the Love of Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #4
Saved by Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #5
Only for Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #6
Fighting for Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #7
Her Dragon’s Heart, Dragon Guard #8
Her Dragon’s Soul, Dragon Guard #9
The Fate of Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #10
Her Dragon’s No Angel, Dragon Guard #11
Her Dragon, His Demon, Dragon Guard #12
Resurrecting Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #13
The Scars of Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #14
Her Mad Dragon, Dragon Guard #15
Tears for Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #16
Guarding Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #17
Sassing Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #18
Kiss of Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #19
Claws, Class and a Whole Lotta Sass, Dragon Guard #20
Dragon with the Girl Tattoo, Dragon Guard #21
Dragon Down, Dragon Guard #22
Twinkle, Twinkle, Sassy Little Star, Dragon Guard #23
Dragon Got Your Tongue, Dragon Guard #24
Her Dragon’s Fury, Dragon Guard #25
Dragon in the Mist, Dragon Guard #26
Dragon Got Run Over by A Reindeer, Dragon Guard #27
Tangled in Tinsel, Dragon Guard #28
Cupcake Kisses & Dragon Dreams, Dragon Guard #29
Her Dragon's Treasure, Dragon Guard #30
Aww Snap, Dragon, Dragon Guard #31
Imagine Dragon, Dragon Guard #32
Save a Horse, Ride a Dragon, MacAllen Clan 1, Dragon Guard #33
Burn Dragon Burn: Dragon Protection Agency 1, Dragon Guard #34
Her Love, Her Dragon: The Saga Begins, A Dragon Guard Prequel
*****
Dragon Guard Berserkers
BANNING
ASHER
RAYNOR
*****
The ‘Not-Quite’ Love Story Series
Vidalia: A ‘Not-Quite Vampire Love Story
Phoebe” A ‘Not-Quite’ Phoenix Love Story
Zoey: A ‘Not-Quite’ Zombie Love Story
Jax: A ‘Not-Quite’ Puma Love Story
*****
Kings of the Blood
VIKTOR: Heart of Her King ~ Kings of the Blood ~ Book 1
ROMAN: Fury of Her King ~ Kings of the Blood ~ Book2
ACHILLES: Soul of Her King ~ Kings of the Blood ~ Book 3
*****
CAUGHT: A Vampire Blood Courtesan Romance
CONDEMNED: A Vampire Blood Courtesan Romance
*****
MARROK: A Wolf’s Hunger
*****
Out of the Ashes: Guardians of the Zodiac: Pisces ~ Book 1
Scorched Ember: Guardians of the Zodiac: Taurus ~ Book 2
*****
Alaric: A Vampire’s Thirst