The Right One (7 page)

Chapter Ten

“This is getting serious, Cam. You have to report this. Maybe we should postpone things, let the excitement die down.”

She lifted her head to face Alex, his shoulders broader, face drawn long and tight. “It’s another prank, it’s gotta be. In bad taste, and it unnerved me too, for a minute, but it’s a prank.”

“Cami, don’t be foolish. Don’t dismiss this. I don’t want to see anything happen to you.”

She shook her head. “Nothing’s going to happen. I wouldn’t let it. You wouldn’t let it.” She smiled, knowing the gesture wouldn’t be enough. For her childhood friend, or herself. “We’ll be more careful, keep an eye open. Maybe I can ask Tommy to swing by once in a while to keep an eye on the property.”

Alex pushed off the desk, turned Cami’s chair to kneel in front of her, arms resting on her legs. “I’m sure he would. He’s like a brother to me, and our families have all been friends for as far back as I can remember, but he can’t watch the stretch of land here effectively, cop or not.”

She glanced away, unable to stare into the intense brown of familiar eyes. “It’s something, and besides, once the cats arrive, no one is going to want to come here.” She refocused on him. “Who wants to mess with six hundred pounds of tiger?”

“Caged up, they can hardly be considered guard dogs, Cami. Don’t joke around about this. You don’t have to close the sanctuary, just keep things quiet for a couple of weeks. Let this blow over.”

She sighed, swerved to stare at the email, and shook her head. “No.” She swiveled to face him. “I’m not going to hide. What I’m doing is important, there’s not enough out there as it is. These cats are dying every day, and there’s not enough left to keep losing them. We’ll just be more alert. Once they see I’m not scaring away, the threats will stop. It’s just scare tactics. I’m not folding.”

He stood, staring hard against her. “Cami, you can’t be serious. This –"

“Is what it is. We knew this wasn’t going to be easy, Alex. We knew we were going to make people mad.”

“Yes, we knew, but this is beyond pissing off a few people. This is a threat. Against your life. Do you think I’m going to sit back and let it fly?”

She reached back and rubbed her head, then met him with a hard, dead voice. “You don’t have a choice. I’m moving forward. This is my dream and I’m not letting it go with some idle threats.”

He paced the room, fists clenched, jaw set hard. Cami watched, gut aching as her mind remained firm on its decision. She wasn’t backing down, not even for Alex.

He stopped near the door, stood for a moment and then spun to face her. “You can’t be this foolish. This isn’t dating some idiot who has no idea who you are and isn’t interested in really figuring it out. This is your life.”

She shrugged. “That’s right. It’s my life. And I choose to follow my dreams.”

He scuffed. “That’s the most selfish thing I’ve ever heard. There’s people out here that love you. You get that?”

Her face wrinkled, eyes blazing. “That’s –"

Alex shook his head. “I don’t want hear it, Cami. You do what you want. You’re going to no matter what I say. I’ll be outside.”

Cami watched him storm out of the room, then circled the chair around with her feet and stared at the screen.

SHUT DOWN NOW OR I WILL KILL YOU.

Clicking on the message, she archived the threat and closed the Internet. Idle threats. Overreacting. She shook her head and stood. “Too much drama people. And you’re not going to scare me off. Not any of you.”

Chapter Eleven

Sun beamed high as a weathered truck pulled into the drive, two cages fastened hard within a large enclosed trailer. The white vehicle cleared the gate, and Cami jumped to her feet, pointing at Sadie. “Stay.” She jogged down the steps to the middle of the driveway, waving at two men from a sanctuary in Ohio. The first of the tigers arrived.

Mr. George Lasseter stepped out of the passenger side first. She recognized him from the pictures on the sanctuary’s website: receding hairline, physique unaffected by middle age. He was the patriarch of a sanctuary respected throughout the country, one of the first to begin a home for wayward animals. Admiration swelled in her gut.

He walked along the front of the truck, smile friendly, eyes not as much. Reserved, they spoke of the concern and love for the first two cats Cami was taking in.

“Ms. Lockhart?”

She nodded and offered a hand. “You must be Mr. Lasseter.”

“Yes.” His grasp was firm. “And this is Tyler.” He motioned to the younger man, not as muscular as Alex, but still well-weathered from manual labor.

“Yes, of course. I think I’ve spoken to you a few times as well, Tyler.”

The younger Lasseter nodded, but didn’t speak. Cami understood. A life’s work shut down due to a change of laws in Ohio. All of the cats were being relocated, despite years of excellent care. More of the bureaucratic red tape.

She turned to Mr. Lasseter. “I’m so sorry for what’s happened to your work. There’s not enough hope for the cats like these as it is. It’s unbelievable laws are being enforced to shut down more.”

The former owner nodded. “Yes, it breaks all our hearts. What hope can there be if there is nowhere to go and no changes to the laws prohibiting circumstances like these from happening in the first place?” Mr. Lasseter shook his head with a frown. “Anyway, I’m glad you’ve opened. It’s not easy finding homes for these guys.”

She nodded, he didn’t need to say more. “I’m glad we were ready in time to help. Can I give you a tour?”

“No, no. We have to get back. There’s still a good half dozen animals to be relocated, we have a lot of traveling to do. Do you have anyone who can help you with getting these guys to their new home?”

“Absolutely.” Dialing Tank’s number, then Alex’s, she tucked the cell phone back in her pocket. “They should be here in a moment. Is it okay to meet the cats?”

Mr. Lasseter shrugged. “They’re your responsibility now.”

She walked around Tyler, who remained outside the driver’s door, and followed Lasseter to the trailer. He opened the side doors, revealing a large Siberian, still sleeping, and another, a Bengal, that curled his nose as she neared.

“The big boy there is as kind as a pussy cat. And the other, well, you don’t want to get too close to him.”

She nodded and chuckled. “I can see that. Their names?”

“The big one, we haven’t had him long enough to name him, he’s been relocated a couple times now. Once from a very good home that could no longer take care of him, and a second time from a sanctuary that was nearly as ill-prepared as the home. Either way, he’s been lucky enough to have never been mistreated. That one,” he pointed to the growling cat, “is Cato. He’s had a bad time of it. He was found malnourished and beaten – how anyone manages to beat a tiger without getting themselves killed - seemed like whips and baseball bats, not really sure. In any case, he’s been safe for about a year now, but his temperament hasn’t changed. He’s all wild, and simply doesn’t trust people.”

Cami watched the cat still drugged from the tranquilizer, pupils enlarged, teeth bore. “Can’t blame him.” Tank and Alex rode along the side of the property in one of the ranch’s pickups. “Here come a couple of my men now.”

Mr. Lasseter stepped back, making room as the two men parked and stepped from the truck. 

“Alex, Tank, this is Mr. Lasseter. And this,” she nodded to the cats, “is Cato and … Regellius.”

Mr. Lasseter nodded. “That’s a good name for him. Certainly fitting. Do you boys need help?”

Alex smiled. “Cats like Regellius there, I reckon we’ll need all the help we can get. If you would mind helping us get them in the truck, you can follow us to the clinic and vet can start getting them checked out.”

Mr. Lasseter turned to Cami, friendliness wiped away by the scorch of scorn. “Ms. Lockhart, I assure you, having them checked out is completely unnecessary. If there were problems with the animals, we certainly would have let you know.”

“I’m sure you would have. And I’m not at all concerned, but it is a step we plan to take with each animal we take in. It protects each of the cats, and helps us get a feel for any specialized care required.”

His face softened as he exhaled a heavy thrust of air. “My apologies. You’re protocol is none of my business, and I have to admit, is good procedure. It’s good to hear the cats will be in such good hands.” He stepped forward, knocking on the side of the trailer. “Tyler, need a hand out here.”

He edged along the truck and stepped in with ready hands, still silent, without a smile.

Five pairs of hands and varying levels of strength eased the cats from one truck to another, and then, after a passing three minutes, transported the animals into the clinic and temporary cages where they’d stay until exams were passed with flying colors. Mr. Lasseter and Tyler left without further exchange.

Cami walked back into the clinic, nearing Regellius’ cage with a warm smile, the cat easing out of sedation as he lay on a bed of straw. 

She stooped lower, resting fingertips on the gray concrete floor. “Hi Regellius. Welcome home.”

The doorbell caught Cami’s attention as she wiped a rag over a set of wall shelves. Placing the tiger figurine back in its roost, she hurried across the gray berber, opening to a full bouquet of flowers.

“Ms. Cami Lockhart?”

She reached out and took the arrangement. “Is this for me?”

“Yes.” The delivery man handed her the black handheld computer. “I’m going to need you to sign here, please.”

Cami juggled the vase and pen, signed her name.

“Thank you. Enjoy the flowers.”

“Thank you.” She closed the door, carried the vase to the coffee table, set it down and poked around the blooms and greens for a greeting. Finding the small card, Cami pulled it out and read, dropped her shoulders. “Unbelievable.” Scratching her head, she looked to the flowers. “Paul Schotter. You get an A for effort, don’t you?”

A knock and she chuckled, tossing the greeting against the table. She opened the door to Alex leaning against the frame with one hand, single rose in the other. “Alex? What’s … what’s this?”

“A congratulations. And a thinking of you.”

Cami smiled. “My day for flowers.” She took the rose, holding the flower beneath her nose. “My favorite, thank you. Do you want to come in?”

He nodded, leaned in to peck her cheek, walked into the room, stopping short to see the bouquet on the coffee table. “Someone beat me to the punch I see. They’re …” Alex glanced at the single rose in her hand. “Beautiful. I guess I needed to aim a little higher, huh?”

She shook her head. “No, not at all. Yours is beautiful. These,” she gestured to the bouquet. “They’re just –" A kiss? He’s never done that before. She walked to the thermostat, studied the numbers. Cooler than it felt.

“They’re from Paul.”

Cami nodded, tapping the thermostat, then turned to face him.

Alex nodded. “Of course. I’m … Congratulations again. I better get going. Listen, you can just toss that rose. It’s … " He shook his head. “See ya later.”

She stood in the middle of the living room, staring at the closed front door. What just happened? She laid the rose against the table, picked up the bouquet and dropped it in the kitchen garbage. Carrying a small vase filled with water back to the living room, Cami slid the rose inside. Standing back, hands on hips, she stared at it for a moment, then retreated back to the kitchen, dug the bouquet and rested it on the table next to the rose, adjusting the blooms.

Silly to ruin beautiful flowers, even if Paul was barking up the wrong tree. She glanced at the rose, shook her head, bit the lower lip. No more complications. Cheeks inflated and released, and Cami headed for the office.

Chapter Twelve

Regellius chuffed through the fence as Cami neared him, the smile automatic across her lips. “Good morning Regellius. How’s my favorite boy?”

Orange and black striped fur rubbed against the fencing as he ran his body alongside the metal, chuffing and wanting. Poking a finger through a link, she scratched a small part of flesh behind his ear. Dangerous with most of the cats, their bodies easily capable of breaking the finger by pressing too hard against her. Neptune, Cassius and Cato would likely bite her. She smiled. “Not you though, huh, boy? Not Regellius.”

The tiger chuffed once more, and allowed a good hard massage. His long tail twitched and she pulled her finger back, stepped back as he moved away, circling the visible enclosure before finding his way back.

She smiled. “We’ll get you out of there in just a bit. Hang in there, boy. Rounds first. You know the drill.”

His tail swayed side to side. Regellius stood proud, looking in the direction of the larger outdoor field where trees, the brook and room to roam beckoned him.

Cami drew in a breath and grinned. Nearly a month after his arrival, the connection between sanctuary owner and wild animal was unheard of, one which usually didn’t happen after years of husbandry. She didn’t understand it, something so unheard of. He climbed on the wood platform, and laid down, paws hanging over the edge. Beautiful, still wild.

“How’s Reggy this morning?”

Cami turned to face Alex. “Regellius is doing great. As he always is. Surprised to see you here.”

“Overgrown housecat is all he is. Forgets he’s wild.” Alex turned to face her. “I’m sorry about yesterday. The way I reacted was ...”

She raised an eyebrow. “Don’t worry about it. No harm, no foul.”

“What you’re doing is none of my business. I don’t get it, but it’s none of my business. Paul Schotter … I’m just … worried about you is all.”

“Alex …”

He reached out, wrapping her hand in his. “Cami, listen to me. I want you to have your dream. You’ve wanted this for nearly as long as I’ve known you. But I care enough about you to want you safe. That’s the only reason …”

“And I get it. But I’m fine. And I’m smart enough not to let something happen to the sanctuary …”

“I’m more concerned about something happening to you.”

“Which it’s not going to. Just trust me Alex. Is that too much to ask?”

“No, I guess it’s not.”

A heavy sigh, and Cami glanced to Regellius. “Good. I’m going to make the rounds to see Cato and Major, Neptune and Cassius, then take a ride on Nugget. How’s the rest of the touches coming along on the ranch?”

“Men are done with the second tower, and beginning the third. Should be all but done by the end of the week.”

She nodded. “Great. That’s wonderful news.”

They both stood still for a moment, words lost. Alex cleared his throat. “Okay, I’m going to get going, head over to tower three, see how the base is coming along.”

“Okay. Catch you later then.”

Xena, Shikar, Bianca, Cassius, Major, Neptune. Seven cats in three weeks’ time and Cami was not yet fully populated, but getting closer. Alex, Tank, and other ranch hands pounded with hammers and nails in the distance, the hollow sounds mere echoes in the distance, and she was sure the new enclosures would be completed in a few short weeks. A few more days, and she’d be able to make some more phone calls, make more arrangements to take in more cats. There was no shortage.

She smiled as wind swept across her face and shoulders, Nugget rushed across the open pasture, away from the tigers and construction, to an open field far beyond the stables. Hooves pounding on the ground, roars behind them an echo across the landscape. Her whole life, everything that mattered, on the fifteen hundred acres around her. A refuge.

Pulling against the reins, she slowed Nugget to a halt, and slid from the saddle to the soft earth. “There you are girl, a good long break to graze. Enjoy.”

Nugget pawed with a hoof, strayed a few feet, and bowed her head to the green grass, nibbling at the shortened blades. Cami grinned at the mare and sunk to the ground, sitting with legs crossed, picking a dandelion white with fuzz. With another happy sigh, she blew the seeds into the air and fell back across the grass. Legs stretched out, arms at her side, hair fanned out in every direction, a yellow halo of soft curling strands. She closed her eyes, breathed in the fresh air lighting her lungs. Regellius roared in the background, his voice as distinct to her as any other. The wind kissed her face as it swept across the land, tickling the grass into a swaying waltz as it passed through.

Slow and easy, sleep crept in.

The presence of someone else easing into her space broke her from the light snooze, and she turned to see Alex laying next to her. She smiled. “Hi there.”

“I’m sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.”

“No, that’s fine.” She turned to look at the blue sky. Cloudless. Perfect. “I’m sorry if I’ve been hard to get along with lately.”

He grinned and gazed at her with softness. “You’ve been Cami. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Her heart hitched and she turned to the azure sea above, the words of friends and family playing their part in the moment. “Alex?”

“Yeah?”

“Why isn’t there anyone in your life?”

His brows wrinkled together as a tight smirk played across his lips. “Now that’s some question. Guess I deserve it after how I’ve been about that Paul guy, huh?”

She shrugged. “Maybe.”

He rolled to the side, pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “The last relationship didn’t go so well. I was distracted, she was too eager.”

“I thought guys liked that kind of thing.”

“Not when we’re distracted.”

“Dare I ask?”

He chuckled and lay on his back, Stetson comfortable on his stomach, rising and falling with each breath. “Maybe you won’t like the answer.”

“Maybe I would.”

Alex turned his head, studied her for a moment. “Why haven’t we ever gone to dinner? Or gone for a hike? A picnic?”

A tremble surged through her gut. Was what everyone said true and she never saw it? Surely she wasn’t that blind.

“We’ve gone for lots of dinners, movies. We’ve shared our lives together.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

She sighed and turned back to the sky.
What do I tell him? That I want something more exciting than the world we share? Some kind of fire I don’t see?
She closed her eyes, unable to look at him. “I don’t know. Never seemed like the right time, I guess.” She heard a sigh, and wished she could sink into the ground.

“No, I guess not. Don’t want to mess up the good thing we’ve got going, right?”

“Friendships last longer than relationships, at least in my experience.”

“Yes, until you find the right one.”

She didn’t say anything. Couldn’t. He was making a little too much sense. Edging too close to emotions she wasn’t ready to face. Alex was like an old pair of shoes. Known. Comfortable. Easy to be with. But no excitement. No moment of wanting to stand on the mountain top and scream to the world about the relationship. She slowly turned her head, studying the man at her side. His eyes were closed, lips shadowed by the dark scruff along his jaw. A gorgeous man. Always had been, even as a boy, when she had a crush on him. But his heart. Giving. Loving. Always open and ready for her.
What’s wrong with me? He ought to be the one
.

Somehow, it didn’t feel like he was.

Disturbed by the thoughts, Cami rested her head against his arm. “Alex?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you for everything. The sanctuary never would have made it this far if it wasn’t for you.”

He kissed the crown of her head, and she couldn’t sweep the big brother feeling of the kiss away. “Where else am I going to be, Cam? You know I’m always here for you.”

A chorus of roars filled the air and they both sat up to look in the direction of the holdings.

“Reggy and Cato you think?”

Cami shook her head. “Not Regellius. Those were more threatening than his temperament. Cato is a good bet, maybe Neptune.” She stood, brushing off the back of her jeans. “Better head back and see what the commotion is about.”

“Want me to head back with you?”

She shook her head. “It’s probably not necessary. A good scuffle between a couple cats, probably territorial. Nothing you can do anything about, I’m sure. You can ride with me, though, if you like.”

She walked to Nugget and gathered the dangling reins, threw her body up into the saddle in one easy motion. “Why do you call Regellius Reggy anyway?”

He laughed as he mounted Tradewind, the horse whinnying at the familiar weight of the rider it preferred. “Well, Cami … Regellius … It is a mouth full.”

She smiled with pinched lips. “He’s royalty. Deserves a royal name.”

He trotted alongside Nugget, laughter lacing his voice. “See, I knew it.”

“Knew what?”

“That you’d get attached to these rescue cats.”

“Did I ever say otherwise?”

“No, but I bet had I asked, you would’ve denied it.”

She giggled. “Maybe.”

“Race you back?”

He didn’t wait for a response before kicking Tradewind’s side and galloping off.

Cami laughed. “No fair, Alex!” Lowering her voice, she leaned forward. “Come on Nugget. We can’t let him get away with that.”

The horse neighed and picked up speed until they sailed across the ground after Alex and Tradewind,