by RM Alexander
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,
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.”
