He nodded. “I know, I know. I guess I just never thought it would happen. I mean we’ve lived in secret for thousands of years. I really didn’t think breaking that secrecy would involve the words ‘goat man.’”
Bael started snickering, which made Jillian snuggle into his side to hide her giggles, while squeezing Sonja’s hand. Sonja started laughing, which led to a chain reaction involving everybody else in the room guffawing until tears ran down their cheeks. Even Akako started cackling. Only Darwin managed to hold it together, until Akako said, “I’m going to have to give a statement to the international press involving the words ‘Pope Lick.’”
That broke Darwin Messina, who threw his head back and howled.
This group hysteria lasted for several minutes until Akako sniffed, wiping at her eyes and said, “Oh dear. I needed that. Well, fortunately, Jillian’s work has helped us prepare for this eventuality. We have stockpiled paper copies of her report at strategic locations all over the world and will distribute it immediately after the announcement. And of course, the online distribution will be considerable. We can only hope that it helps the humans understand. Jillian, you should be prepared to give interviews and statements galore. I’ll have our PR people contact Sonja with any appointments.”
Jillian nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I still can’t convince you to call me by my first name, can I?” Akako asked.
Jillian shook her head. “Not to your face, no, ma’am.”
“Well, if you need anything, any of you, go to Darwin or Alex. The League will do everything in its power to give you the necessary resources,” Akako said.
With that, Akako’s face disappeared from the screen. Darwin tucked the tablet under his arm. “And with that, I’ll leave you. Ms. Canton, get well soon. Jillian, Mr. Mayor, prepare yourselves for chaos.”
The room was quiet as Darwin walked out as each person seemed to contemplate this development and how it would change their lives over the next few months.
“So the world knows,” Will said. “Now what?”
“Well, we try to avoid a panic,” Bael said. “We protect Mystic Bayou. We protect the people here.”
“We live our lives,” Sonja added. “We plan the weddings. Prepare for the baby. Find Brendan and Cordelia somewhere a little more permanent to live. Life doesn’t stop because everything seems scary and out to get you.”
“How is that not our town motto?” Cordelia asked.
“Aw,” Jillian cooed. “You said ‘our town motto.’ We’re your town now.”
“Yes, thousands of towns auditioned, but yours made the final cut,” Cordelia said, waving grandly. “Ow.”
“I don’t know how my family is going to feel about me moving to America,” Brendan said. “But they’ll be so thrilled that I found someone, I don’t think they’ll complain too much.”
“Do you want us to clear out and give you some space?” Will asked. “All this socializing has to be wearing on you.”
Cordelia looked to Brendan, who squeezed her hand. She said, “Nah, I’ve had enough quiet and solitude to last me a lifetime.”
Acknowledgments
Thanks so much to Wayne Keyser, host of “Ballycast,” for permission to use terms listed in the Ultimate Carny Lingo Compendium, which I found to be an invaluable source of information. If you’re interested in the history/culture of carnivals and sideshows, you can find his website at www.goodmagic.com. My gratitude to Louisiana State University and Cajunradio.org, for the online resources they have provided regarding Cajun French phrases and pronunciations
Also by Molly White
**all lists are in reading order**
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The Southern Eclectic Series (contemporary women’s fiction)
Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck (prequel novella)
Sweet Tea and Sympathy
Peachy Flippin’ Keen (novella)
Ain’t She a Peach?
Gimme Some Sugar
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The Mystic Bayou Series (paranormal romance)
How to Date Your Dragon
Love and Other Wild Things
Even Tree Nymphs Get the Blues
Selkies Are a Girl’s Best Friend
Always Be My Banshee
* * *
The “Sorcery and Society” Series (young adult fantasy)
Changeling
Fledgling
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The “Nice Girls” Series (paranormal romance)
Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs
Nice Girls Don’t Date Dead Men
Nice Girls Don’t Live Forever
Nice Girls Don’t Bite Their Neighbors
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Half-Moon Hollow Series (paranormal romance)
The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires
Driving Mr. Dead
Undead Sublet (A story in The Undead in My Bed anthology)
A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses
I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas
The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire
The Single Undead Moms Club
Fangs for the Memories
Where the Wild Things Bite
Big Vamp on Campus
Accidental Sire
Peace, Blood and Understanding
Nice Werewolves Don’t Bite Vampires
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The “Naked Werewolf” Series (paranormal romance)
How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf
The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf
How to Run with a Naked Werewolf
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The “Bluegrass” Series (contemporary romance)
My Bluegrass Baby
Rhythm and Bluegrass
Snow Falling on Bluegrass
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Standalone Titles
And One Last Thing
Better Homes and Hauntings
About the Author
Molly Harper worked for six years as a reporter and humor columnist for The Paducah Sun. Her reporting duties included covering courts, school board meetings, quilt shows, and once, the arrest of a Florida man who faked his suicide by shark attack and spent the next few months tossing pies at a local pizzeria. She is the author of the Jane Jameson series, the Half-Moon Hollow series, the Mystic Bayou series, the Southern Eclectic series, and the Society and Sorcery series, as well as several standalone titles of romance and women’s fiction.
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Twitter: @mollyharperauth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Molly-Harper-Author-138734162865557/