Bayou Dreaming (Butterfly Bayou 3)

“My point is, I have to deal with weird stuff all the time because the people of this town are all crazy and stubborn, but I am not supposed to have to deal with werewolves,” Lila explained.

“According to my mom, it’s actually a witch,” Sylvie added. “You see, only a witch can turn a person into a rougarou, so until we find the witch, we’ll have the problem. But then my mom is one of the crazies, so we should probably talk about how to put down the rumors. It’s not like anyone actually thinks there’s something roaming the bayou with the head of a wolf and the body of a man looking to suck someone’s blood. Cajuns can be on the superstitious side. They don’t really believe it, but it makes them nervous that the story is going around. I’m getting calls about people hearing things at night.”

Armie nodded. “My guys responded to two calls last night about something prowling around backyards. They couldn’t find any evidence of even animals running around, though I think we’ve found a new make-out spot. We’re going to put the lot behind Gene’s store back on the patrol list. I don’t care about kids making out as much as I want to make sure they’re not doing anything else.”

Roxie had her phone out, making notes to herself. “I find that when I come across a couple of teens hanging out, offering them condoms makes them run as fast as they can. Of course, I tell them what I’m really going to do is have a talk with their mothers about safe-sex practices. That was how I shut down the party spot out by the B and B.”

Sylvie nodded. “That is brilliant.”

Well, it would have worked on Zep when he was a kid. Though now that he was an adult, he got a lot of talk about condoms still.

He wondered if his momma would be all about the safe sex if he and Roxie were truly living together.

He was still going there. Even after everything she’d said the night before, he was still thinking about how to keep her. Or go with her if she left.

“Did either one of you see any evidence that we’ve got a loose animal running around?” Armie asked.

It was so odd to have everyone looking to him for answers that didn’t include how a fight started. “I think the only thing running around out at Archie’s was Daisy and whatever asshole dumped her in the woods. As for Dixie’s, that was a bunch of kids who say they were working on a project but were probably making out.”

“And at least two of those kids are grounded,” Roxie added. “I don’t know about Ashlyn, but the other two won’t be seeing the light of day outside of school for a while.”

“Why didn’t anyone call me last night?” Zep had had his phone with him.

“Both of the calls were here in town, and given the stories going around, I expected nothing would come of them. Also, I knew you were at dinner with Roxie’s parents,” Armie explained. “Having talked to Roxie’s dad this morning, I’m glad I didn’t call you out and leave her alone with them. I now understand why you came up with that story about having a boyfriend,” he said to Roxie. “You needed the backup.”

Her face went a flaming red and her whole body tensed. “When did you talk to my dad?”

“Your mom and dad were at Dixie’s this morning,” Armie admitted. “He came over to our table. He wanted to introduce himself.”

“Why would they leave the B and B?” Roxie looked a little panicked. “It’s literally in the name. Bed. Breakfast. They didn’t have to go out into the town.”

“Oh, they’ve been all over the place,” Sylvie admitted. “I saw them outside the library. Your mother wanted to know where the mall was. She was surprised when I explained there wasn’t one for fifty miles.”

Zep needed to get Sera to text him whenever they left so he could keep Roxie updated.

“I think they were trying to get a feel for where you live now. I can imagine it’s a culture shock.” Armie looked entirely amused by Roxie’s embarrassment. If he was anything like Zep, he likely hadn’t thought she could be embarrassed at all. “Your mom didn’t talk to me. I think she was snubbing me.”

Lila’s eyes lit up. “Oh, she was definitely snubbing us. She actually turned her nose up at me. It’s been a long time since I got treated like I’d done something terrible.”

“I’m so sorry.” Roxie’s eyes had gone huge, and Zep got the feeling she apologized for her mother a lot.

It was an interesting relationship, and one he’d thought about last night.

Lila shrugged. “I probably have done some of those things. Ask my siblings. I’m not known for my Southern charm. But this is the first time I got in trouble for breaking up a couple that never dated. Miranda Jossart had too much fun with it, though. I heard her telling your mom that once I got my claws into Armie, I wouldn’t let go. I believe the term ‘gold digger’ was used. Has she seen Armie’s place? There is no gold there. None.”