by RM Alexander
“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.”
“Can you go inside with him?
She shook her head. “No, this is as close as we can get unless he’s drugged. He’s as tame as a wild animal can ever be, but he’s still very much a wild animal, and dangerous to be too close to one another.”
Paul dropped his hand, looking at Cami. “So he’d hurt you, then?”
She shrugged, scratching the cat’s neck. “Probably not. But there’s a risk, even with my boy here. Anything can happen, something can put him on edge, it could be a bad day, or just a freak accident.” Regellius let out a soft mew and Cami pulled her hand back while he walked away from the fence. “Animals like this, you have to respect them, never take for granted they’re wild. They are born with certain instincts, one is to kill. Being careless is dangerous.”
Paul crossed his arms, and Cami watched as he studied her with a faint smile.
“What?”
A deep breathe and a wide grin. “You’re right, all along. I was underestimating you. It’s … really something, seeing you like this, with him. You’re a special woman.”
She smiled. “I don’t know about special. I’m doing what I was meant to do. This isn’t just something I decided to do on a whim. Doing this means giving up a lot. I can’t leave the sanctuary without putting some very special plans in place. The cats always need care, and someone who can provide that care without getting reckless. So vacations, and weekend trips,” she shrugged. “But I made that trade, for something else very unique and special.”
“I can see that. You glow around him.”
She smiled. “Would you like to meet the others?”
“Are they at least somewhat friendly?”
She laughed. “Mostly? No. Not even close. But you’re safe. I won’t throw you in the cages.” She winked. “Not yet anyway.”
Back inside the house, Cami handed Paul a cold cola. “So those are the cats. I still have room for three, maybe four, more. And we’ll expand more in the future. Right now, I might have cubs coming in a couple weeks, waiting to hear the final word.”
He leaned back, elbow resting against the counter. “I thought I was impressed when you showed me the cages and empty enclosures. But this, it’s pretty –"
“Thanks.”
Placing the can on the counter, he stepped closer to her. “Thank you for introducing me, especially Regellius. I’m guessing that wasn’t easy for you to do.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers.
As Paul pulled away, Cami pulled her lips over her teeth, watching him carefully.
“And thank you for not slapping me just now.”
She
laughed. “Don’t be so confident. Jury is still out.”
He leaned forward, lips inches apart. “Maybe I can try one more time, then.”
His lips pushed against hers, soft and gentle, with all the ease of a first kiss, without the hunger of burning lust. A moment later, he lifted his head. “And the verdict is?”
“Jury will remain adjourned until further notice.”
Paul smiled and nodded. “Then I won’t press my luck.” Backing up, allowing her room to breathe, he smiled. “Listen, you’ve been so wonderful, opening yourself up to me with the cats, I’d like to take you somewhere tomorrow. Can I pick you up in the morning, say, ten o’clock?”
“Okay. Do I need to wear anything special?”
“Something comfortable. Some gym shoes. I’ll take care of the rest. Can you be gone from here for a few hours?”
She took a sip of cola. “How many is a few hours?”
“Five, maybe six.”
She nodded. “Sure, I’m sure Alyssa and Alex can hold the fort down for that long.”
Paul smiled. “Wonderful. I’ll see you then.” Picking the cola up from the counter, he walked sideways towards the back door. “I’ll just take this with me.”
She smiled and nodded, watching as he left. Tracing her lips with an index finger, Cami considered the kiss. Sweet, a little forward, dangerous. “What was I thinking?”
Whatever it was, it was nice. Turning away, she returned to the office. Now was as good a time as any to make those final arrangements to receive the cubs.
Outside, Alex leaned casually against a fence, listening to Paul Schotter’s truck pull out of the driveway. He growled under his breath, struggled to gain composure as Cato began pacing around the den. Alex knew the cat sensed his mood. “What’s she doing kissing him?” He gritted his teeth, righted the hat. None of his business anyway. He never even attempted to kiss Cami, and had no right to be jealous. The burn on the back of his neck said otherwise, and Alex stomped to the stables, needing a good long ride on Tradewind.
Chapter Fourteen
Cami stepped on the porch, drew a deep breath of fresh air. The birds chirped in the distance, dew still glistening on the wood planks of the porch. Sipping a cup of hot chocolate, she arched her back, eyes closed, swallowed and drew in another deep breath. The freshness of morning. A favorite time of day, before everything and everyone was spent, the quietness, the preparation for what lie ahead. Good, bad or indifferent, every day started the same way, with softness, stillness, and hope.
Another deep breath, her mind pushed forward to the upcoming morning. Paul was supposed to arrive in three hours, taking her away for the day. Cami knitted her eyebrows tight, swallowed hard. The promised five to six hours with him and the kiss the day before battled her thoughts. A grimace played across tightening lips. None of it was a good idea.
She took a step forward without looking where she was going, toe stubbing hard against something. “Ouch!” Cami looked down, a brick lying in her path. Stooping down, she rested the cup on the porch and picked up the cooked clay. She turned it over in her hands, pausing as big black letters became visible on the bottom. Brows narrowed as she studied the letters, each distorted in the uneven surface.
STOP
Cami bit the inside of her lip, scanned the front yard, unsurprised to see she was alone. Whoever left the brick wouldn’t have the guts for a face to face confrontation. Foot prodded the cup to the side, careful not to spill the warm contents, then stepped onto the concrete walkway. Turning around, she studied the porch and house, content there was no damage, laid the brick on a step and circled the house, walking the grounds.
Ten minutes later, she stood before the enclosures, perusing the fencing, doorways and barriers. All intact. No doubt the animals were fine as well. The fencing would’ve been damaged before anyone could to get to the animals. And she would’ve heard something had someone tried to hurt the cats.
Deciding to check on the tigers later, Cami returned to the house, heart dropping as Alex came into view. She didn’t have to talk to him to know how he’d react about a brick with a veiled threat written on it.
Don’t have to tell him. I’m not looking for a knight in shining armor to come in on his steed and rescue me. She grimaced. Ugh, fairytales.
He wasn’t standing near the porch. Maybe he hadn’t seen the brick yet.
“Alex. Up and at it early.”
“Being a bit casual, aren’t you?”
Oh no. “What do you mean?”
“I saw it.”
Crap. “It’s no big deal. Just a prank or something.”
He snorted. “A prank? Is that what you call it?”
“Well, I admit it’s a bad prank, but that’s gotta be all it is, right?”
“Then why would you go along with it?”
Cami’s head jerked back. “I’m not exactly going along with it, what else … wait. What? What are you talking about?”
“The …” He paused, studying her face. “What are you talking about?”
“Why are you acting so crazy? The brick, of course.” She stopped. Double crap. “You weren’t talking about the brick?”
He looked around in amazement. “Brick? No, I wasn’t talking about some brick.” He stared at her. “What brick, Cami?”
Shoulders dropped hard. Triple crap. “It’s nothing. I’m going to let the police know, and it’s going to be nothing. The cats are all fine, the house is fine, so, no big deal.”
He stepped forward, hands gripping the sides of her arms. “I want to see this ‘no big deal’.”
“Alex, really, I don’t need you to …”
“Save it, Cami. Show me what you’re talking about.”
With a heavy sigh, she led him to the front of the house and pointed to the brick on the first step. “See, a stupid prank, masquerading as a threat. Nothing to worry about.”
Alex leaned over and picked it up, face chiseled and hard. Holding it in the air, he turned to face her. “No big deal? First emails and now this? What are you waiting to get concerned? Someone to break into your house? This to come sailing through a window and hit you on the head?” He hurled the brick across the front lawn, and Cami watched with wide eyes as the baked clay landed with a hard thud in the grass. “What you’re doing is good, Cami, I don’t deny the cats need you. But nothing is worth you getting hurt.” He picked his cell phone from a front pocket of a black t-shirt and began dialing. “I’m calling Tommy out here. If he thinks we need to shut this place down, then that’s what we’re going to do.”
“Screw that, Alex.” She stepped forward, hands in the air. “Where are the cats supposed to go if we did that? They’re not just rescue dogs, or guinea pigs. There is no other home for them.”
“I don’t know, Cami, but we sure aren’t –" He turned his back to her. “Hi, Sergeant Thomas Wilson please.”
She rolled her eyes. “Over my dead body.” Rushing at Alex, she grabbed the phone from his hands.
“Cami!”
Putting the phone up to an ear, her voice dripped of honey as she spoke. “Oh, hi Tommy. It’s Cami. Alex just overreacted a bit, everything is fine.”
“Cami, I’m at the precinct. I don’t have time …” His voice trailed off. “What happened?”
She glared at Alex, and he glared back. An impasse. “It was nothing, really. Just some dumb kid’s prank and Alex is getting all heated over it.”
“He wouldn’t be calling me if it was nothing, and you wouldn’t be trying to pacify me either. Do I need to come there?”
Crap again. “No, you do not. Why doesn’t anyone think I can handle things? Good grief. You men think you have to rescue the damsel in distress. I’m not a damsel, and I’m certainly not in distress.”
“I’m on my way.”
The line went silent and she tossed the phone at Alex’s unprepared hands. “Great. Thanks. Just … thanks.”
He fumbled and finally caught the phone in his broad hands. “You don’t have to be p
issed. I’m looking out for you. And I’m pretty pissed at you right now.”
“I don’t need you to look out for me. I didn’t hire you as my bodyguard. You’re here to help with the construction, the cats, take care of business. That’s it.”
He looked away, sliding the phone in the pocket. “Nice, Cami. Thank you for that. I guess I figured that out yesterday afternoon, but thank you for spelling it out. Now there won’t be any confusion in the future.”
Cami threw her hands up in the air. “What’s. That. Supposed. To. Mean.” Her voice climbed decimals, and ended with a chorus of roars from cats.
Alex smiled ruefully and rubbed his eyes with a thumb and forefinger. “Unbelievable. Just completely unbelievable.” The hand dropped to his side. “The kiss, Cami. That’s what I’m talking about. You kissing that stuffed shirt. Isn’t that how you referred to him when we saw at the courthouse when he was trying to shut you down? You can kiss him and get pissed at me?” He waved her off and turned to walk away.
“Don’t walk away from me.” She rushed to his side. “What are you doing? Spying on me?”
He didn’t look at her, the stride quickening. “Why in the world would I be spying on you? I never realized you were so conceited.”
“And I never realized you were such a jerk. If that’s how you feel, you don’t have to come back.”
Alex stopped and spun to face her. “What are you talking about?”
She shrugged. He didn’t intimidate her, any more than the brick did. “If you think I’m conceited, and so incredibly reckless, why be here?”
“You are unbelievable. All the years we’ve been friends, and you’re going to say something like that?”
“Yeah, I am. I never thought I’d have to fight you about all this,” she waved an arm in the direction of the tigers. “You. And really, a voyeur now? That’s a new hat for you, Alex. Maybe I don’t even know who you are.”
He snorted and looked up, scanning the yard, looking lost. When his eyes met hers again, darkness swallowed them, and a ping of pain flushed through her. Dismissing it, she crossed her arms, widened her stance.
