The Right One (8 page)

Chapter Thirteen

The cats within the first enclosure were lit with unease. Cato, Neptune and Rajah paced back and forth, avoiding close contact with one another, staring out the fencing at Cami and Alex as they rode up. Liz stood at the upper corner, hands on her hips, head shaking.

Cami slid from the saddle, handing the reins to Mason as he gathered Tradewind’s reins from Alex. “Hey Liz, what’s going on?”

She laughed. “I have no idea. I just drove up and those boys over there were swinging at one another like jealous boyfriends. Have a female in heat somewhere?”

Cami shook her head. “No, not that I’m aware of. Maybe we’ll have Jessica check it out. Let’s get these boys into the indoor pens before they hurt one another.”

“I’ll get some meat.”

She nodded. “Thanks, Alex.” She moved across the terrain easily, eyes trained on the uneasy cats. Fights were serious, any injury to the cats could be dangerous. And the way Cato was growling deep and low, she was certain he was priming for a fight.

The heavy metal door screeched as she slid it open, the tunnel to the first indoor closure waiting – this one for Cato.

“All set, Cami.” Alex’s voice sounded in the distance, a flank of red meat thumping against the ground as he tossed it into the solitary refuge for the cranky cat.

“Come on, Cato. Dinner time. Go on, boy.”

The cat snarled and hissed as the scent of meat wafted through the air, ears pinned back, nose rippling as Neptune made a move towards the tunnel. A sharp roar and a single swipe warded off Neptune, and Cato rushed into the tunnel. He ripped at the meat, growling in between each bite.

Neptune crouched on the opposite side of the fence from Cami, hissed, tail twitching angrily. Without warning, he leapt at the barrier, then crouched again, whining in protest.

“Understood, Nep. Hey, Alex, are you ready for Neptune’s snack?”

Another resounding thud and Alex’s tenor voice calling. “All set.”

“Okay, Neptune, go an’ get it.” The hatch slid open with a dull screech and Neptune didn’t need further coaxing. Heavy paws forced dust up as he scrambled across the tunnel into the den, snatched up the meat and carried it into a far dark corner.

She eased the plank down, calling out to Alex. “One more for Rajah in there?”

“Ready and waiting.”

“All right, Rajah, you’re up.” The oldest of the three tigers slumped through the tunnel, in much less of a hurry than his younger two outdoor companions. Once the meat was locked in his jaws, age no longer mattered. He tore into the treat with all the zeal of Cato and Neptune combined. She leaned back on her heels, hands on hips, wide smile lighting her face.

“Crisis diverted, huh?” Alex eased up to her, pulling the heavy nylon work gloves off his hands. “They’ll be sated for a while.”

“Either way, no outdoor time together, at least for the rest of the day, maybe even tomorrow. We might have to do it in shifts, or regroup them. Whatever had Cato’s dander up is likely to strike again, and Rajah doesn’t need to be battling anything out with those two younger cats.” She turned away from the empty outdoor enclosure, Alex at her side.

“Can’t disagree with you there. Maybe we should try moving Rajah in with Reggy. They’ll probably hit it off just fine. Reggy is so laid back, and Rajah’s temperament is pretty similar.”

“Good. Now what in the world do we do about Cato? Cantankerous feline. He’s lucky he has an excuse. Abuse never translates well, no matter the species.” She shook her head. “He’s ruined. We may have to leave him with solitary. He won’t mind, as long as he’s in the sunshine and has a cool pool.”

“Your call boss. I follow your lead.”

Cami stopped, reached for his hand to stop him. “You’re more than an employee, Alex.”

“Yes, I am. Big brother kind of thing, best buddy.”

The comment caught her off guard, eyebrows knitting together. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize …”

He shrugged. “No need to be sorry about anything. I’m not. I better go check on the boys over at tower three. Good here?”

“Yeah, but, Alex –"

“Okay,” he knocked the gloves against a leg. “Catch you later.”

She watched him head past the enclosures with mouth hanging open.

She looked over to Alyssa. “Can you do me a favor? Check on Regellius, Xena, Shikar and Bianca. I have to …”
Do what, exactly? Chase after him? And tell him what
?

Alyssa nodded. “Sure, boss.”

Cami ignored the traces of a grin playing on Alyssa’s lips and jogged towards the tower, then stopped when her parents’ SUV pulled into the driveway. Glancing in the direction where Alex would be, and again at the vehicle, she rolled her eyes. Alex would have to wait. “What am I going to say anyway?” She pinched her nose. They were good friends, always had been, always would be. So why did it feel like it just got more complicated than that?

Cami strode to the house, putting on the best forced smile. “Hi Mom, Dad. What brings you by?”

“Just wanted to check on you, make sure you’re still alive.”

“Why wouldn’t I be, Mom?”

“Because you have those beasts here, why else? Any of them get loose yet?”

Cami chuckled, though her insides rolled. “Get … loose? No, not a one. I have things planned out well, wouldn’t hurt to have a little faith in me, you know.”

“Of course we have faith in you, darling. But you know, we’re parents and all.” Her father leaned over and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “How’s everything else going? Your staff all in order?”

“Yep, ducks lined up, even have food on the table.”

“That’s good. I imagine you’re busy. How often do you have to feed those things?” He stepped back, stuffed hands in his pockets, the gold Rolex glistening in the sun.

Cami drew in a deep breath. “How often do I … Now you’re interested, Dad? I’m not understanding.”

“We’re just trying to understand, that’s all. You want support, I’m trying to give you support. What do you feed them?”

She laughed. “All these questions about food. Do you all want to come in and grab a bite to eat? We can sit on the porch, if you’re hungry. I have quite a view these days.” She knew she was egging them on, yet couldn’t hold back.

“Cami, we don’t come here to argue. Our visits seem to be –"

She held a hand up. “I know, I know. I’m sorry. Seriously, I have some cold cuts, tea, lemonade. Would you like to come in?”

Tires popped against the driveway and they all turned their heads. Her heart sank as Paul’s truck pulled in behind her parents’ SUV.
Could go back to the tiger pens. Maybe climb in with Cato for a moment. It’d be less painful than what’s coming.

He stepped out of the vehicle, jeans and button up, top two buttons comfortably loose. Black cowboy boots, belt. A sigh escaped her lips. Handsome man, infuriating, untrustworthy, and about to earn her another third degree from willing parents.

He wasn’t scoring any points.

“Hi Cami. Hope you don’t mind my stopping by. I see you have company, would you like me to come by another time?”

Best I can hope for now is that he outstays Mom and Dad. At least that will postpone the interrogation.
“No, that’s okay, Paul. This is my mother and father.” She turned to the pleased faces evaluating the man she knew would pass muster. She’d have to save the disappointment for another time. “Mom, Dad, this is Paul Schotter.”

“Very nice to meet you, Mr. Schotter.” Her mother offered a hand, voice dripping with honey, turning Cami’s stomach.

“Paul, please ma’am. Hello sir.” He shook Mr. Lockhart’s hand with a strong, sure grip, something Cami knew her father appreciated. Definitely should go hang out with the cats. She felt like she was going to the prom or something. Ridiculous. “You have a special daughter here.”

“We sure think so.”

Mr. Lockhart eyed Cami, and she didn’t have to glance at her mother to sense the appraisal. Maybe she should change her address, transfer the cats to another state. Join the witness protection program. She smiled at the thought.

“We’ll leave you two kids to your afternoon. Cami, we’ll take a rain check on that lunch. I’ll give you a call later tonight.”

Her mother’s meaning didn’t escape her, and Cami cringed at the thought. She  mustered the best grin she could as both parents smiled like cats swallowing the canary and returned to their car.

They can call, doesn’t mean I have to answer
.

“Did I interrupt anything?” Paul asked as the vehicle pulled out the driveway.

She tightened the ponytail. “You did, and I’m not sure whether I should thank you or tell you to call first. You set me up for hours of interrogation later. That’s nearly as unforgivable as attempting to take my sanctuary away.”

Paul grinned. “I’m sorry. Maybe this one will be a bit more forgivable than the first.”

“Maybe. I’ll have to let you know on that. Since you’re here, would you like to come in? Tell me the reason for the visit.”

“I’d like that. Thank you.”

She nodded and led him into the house, gesturing to a chair as they made their way into the living room. “Make yourself comfortable.”

He settled against the loveseat and motioned to the bouquet. “I see you received the flowers.”

“I did.” She settled in the armchair across the room. “They are beautiful. Thank you. You didn’t need to.”

“Of course I did. And they are beautiful, but not nearly as much as the woman they’re meant for.”

Cami sucked her lips across her teeth. “Thank you, although that’s another one of those bad lines.”

Paul shifted, looked to the carpet. “I seem to be full of them when it comes to you.” He lifted his eyes. “Bad or not, I mean it. Sincerely.”

The melting inside was not welcomed. “Thank you,” she whispered, reaching for Sadie’s ear as the dog slept soundly beside the chair.

“Not close to your parents?”

“What? Oh. No, we have a tenuous relationship, I’m sorry to say. But you’re not here to ask me about my relationship with family. I don’t remember having a date, so why are you here?”

Paul’s shoulders dropped. “Still don’t trust me.” He shook his head. “Don’t forgive easily, do you?”

She smiled. “Guess not.” She thought for a minute. “Would you like to come outside, meet Regellius?”

He leaned forward. “Who’s Regellius?”

“You’ll see.” She stood. “Come on.”

Back outside, she smiled and nodded at Alyssa, who turned and walked back to the vet office with a simple nod in Paul’s direction. Cami sidled next to enclosure and searched the trees and stream for the cat, spotting him camouflaged in the bushes to the left. She nodded in his direction. “
That’s
Regellius.”

Paul rubbed his neck and stuffed both hands in his pockets.

Cami smirked, trying not to laugh. “He’s behind the fence. He can’t hurt you.”

Paul walked to the fence, followed the direction of Cami’s focus. “He looks like a big boy.”

Head tilted, a playful smile played on her lips. “Oh, he is. Six hundred pounds of big Siberian boy. He’s the largest cat we have so far. And my favorite.”

“You like dangerous.”

Cami laughed softly. “Dangerous? Regellius? No,” she drew the word out into a soft whistle. “He’s a pussy cat. The gentlest cat we have.”

Regellius lifted his head and stood to trot to the fence. Paul took a step back as the cat rubbed against the metal, chuffing in greeting.

“Don’t let him think you’re afraid of him.”

“Think? He’s more than half as tall as I am. And those paws. He doesn’t have to think anything. I’m a little nervous.” Paul chuckled, and fell silent as Cami poked a finger through the rungs. “What are you doing? Don’t,” he pointed, “Don’t do that.”

“Well, now see, Mr. Schotter, with Regellius here, we’re kinda on first name basis, aren’t we, boy? He likes a little scratch here and there.”

“He’s big enough to break your finger without trying.”

She nodded. “Yes, he is. And if he weren’t careful, if
I
weren’t careful, he most likely would. But with him, it’s not much of a concern.”

Paul watched for a moment. Stepping forward, the awe lacing his words. “He’s huge.”

She giggled. “This is nothing. You should see him on his hind legs.”

Paul’s eyes grew wide. “No, no, that’s okay. I’ll take a pass on that. Can I?”

Cami shook her head. “No. This is a personal thing between me and him. Not even my ranch hands can touch him. But if you want, put your palm flat against the links, let his fur rub against your skin. It’s softer than you might think.”

Paul followed her instruction, smiling as Regellius rubbed the fence, the thick fur poking through the rings as he did. “You’re right, it is soft. Can you do this with all your cats?”

“No. He’s a special cat. He wasn’t abused, the owner took good care of him until Regellius became too large, then willingly called for help instead of neglecting him. He was a lucky one, and has a good disposition because of it.”