by Nora Roberts
“Jaguar lady?”
Lil just shook her head. “This is a major contribution. The sort I usually have to go begging for.”
“I have a lot of money. More than I need. You’re a tax write-off, which’ll make my accountant happy.”
“Well, if it makes your accountant happy. Thank you, more than I can say.” She gave his boot, still resting on her table, a friendly pat. “You’re entitled to a number of fabulous prizes. A stuffed cougar, an official Chance Wildlife Refuge T-shirt, and mug. A subscription to our newslet ter, and free admission to the refuge, the education center, and all facilities for . . . with this amount the rest of your natural life.”
“Wrap ’em up. You can use the strings attached to the check.”
“Uh-oh.”
“They’re simple. You use it for security. I’ll help you pick the system. It’s something I know. If there’s anything left after that, go crazy. But you use that to secure the compound, and as much of the refuge as possible.”
“Since I didn’t have this in my hand five minutes ago, I can live with those strings. I do need a new habitat. A home for the panther. Melanistic jaguar from Butte.”
“What the hell is ‘melanistic,’ and when did they get jaguars, unless you’re talking about ones with engines, in Montana?”
“‘Melanistic’means black or nearly black pigmentation, though black jaguars can produce spotted young. And there are no jaguars in the wild in Montana anymore. They may be making a comeback, but in the U.S. jaguars are bred in captivity. I have a woman in Butte who wants us to adopt her cat because it ate the dog.”
Coop studied Lil’s face for a long moment. “I think I need another beer.”
She sighed. “I’ll heat up dinner and explain.” She pushed to her feet, then stopped herself. She waved the check in the air. “See? I’m heating up dinner.”
“No, you’re just standing there talking about it.”
“You give me a big, fat donation and I’m heating up dinner, forgetting to be annoyed that you’re squatting like a homesteader in my living room.”
“There aren’t those kinds of strings on that check, Lil. I told you clearly the ones that were.”
“You don’t have to put strings on it for them to be there. Damn it.”
“Here, give it back. I’ll tear it up.”
“No way in hell.” She stuffed it in her back pocket. “But we do have to set boundaries, Coop. Ground rules. I can’t live like this. It’s too unsettled and stressful.”
“Write them up. We’ll negotiate.”
“Here’s one. If you’re going to eat here, whoever makes the food or heats up the food or whatever, the other cleans up after. That’s basic roommate dynamic.”
“Fine.”
“Did you ever have one? After college and the academy, I mean.”
“You want to know if I ever lived with a woman. No. Not officially.”
Because he’d seen through her very thin smoke screen, she said nothing else, but went back to heat up her mother’s care package.
Since it made for easy conversation, she told him about Cleo while they ate.
“She’s lucky it ate a dog and not a toddler.”
“Actually, that’s true enough. Cleo may—and probably did—start out playing. Then instinct took over. Wild can be trained, and they can learn, but they can’t and won’t be tamed. Rhinestone collars and satin pillows don’t make a pet out of the wild, even when they’re born and raised in captivity. We’ll bring her in, give her a big splash on the website. A new animal always generates more hits, more donations.”
“Will you include her taste for pups in her bio?”
“I think we’ll leave that out. What were you working on? On your laptop?”
“Spreadsheets. Just basic outlay, income, projections.”
“Really?”
“You sound surprised I’d know what a spreadsheet is. I ran my own business for five years.”
“I know. I guess it’s one of those gaps I still haven’t jumped. Private investigating. Is it anything like TV? I know I asked before, but you were being snotty when you answered.”
“I recall being honest. No, it’s not like TV, or not much. It’s a lot of legwork and sitting-on-your-ass work. Talking to people, computer checks, documenting.”
“But still, solving crimes?”
Amusement at her hopeful tone warmed those ice blue eyes. “That’s TV. We handled a lot of insurance claims, checking them for fraud. Divorces. Surveilling cheating spouses. Missing persons.”
“You found missing people? That’s important, Coop.”
“Not everyone who’s missing wants to be found. So it’s relative. And it’s done. Now it’s horses, feed, vet bills, farrier bills, tack, insurance, crops. They need a full-time hand at the farm. They need a Farley.”
She jabbed her fork at him. “You can’t have Farley.”
“If I tried to take him, he’d turn me down anyway. He’s in love with your parents.”
“Among others. He’s got his eye on Tansy.”
“Tansy?” Coop considered it. “She’s hot. Farley’s . . .”—he searched for a word—“affable.”
“And charming and reliable, and very, very cute. He flusters her. I’ve known Tansy since we were eighteen. I’ve never seen her flustered by a man.”
Intrigued, Coop angled his head. “You’re rooting for Farley.”
“Mentally I’m shaking pom-poms and doing C jumps.”
“Interesting image.” He drew his loosely closed fist down her braid. “When’s the last time you were flustered, Lil?”
Since the answer was right now, she slid off the bench, and took the plates to the sink. “I’ve got too much going on to be flustered. Dishes are yours. I’m going up. I need to finish my article.”
He caught her hand as she passed, yanked enough to throw her off balance so he could pull her across his lap. He took her braid again—no loose fist this time—and tugged so her lips lined with his. Took her mouth.
Irritated at being caught off-guard, she pushed, twisted. He was much stronger, his body a lot tougher than it had been once upon a time.
And his mouth, his hands, considerably more skilled.
Lust wrapped around irritation. Need lit a fire to the mix.
Then he softened the kiss, enough to add a layer of sweetness that bruised her heart.
“’Night, Lil.” He murmured it against her mouth before drawing back.
She pushed to her feet. “No physical or sexual contact. That’s a rule.”
“I’m not going to agree to that one. Pick another.”
“It’s not right, Coop. It’s not fair.”
“I don’t know if it’s right or not. I don’t care if it’s fair.” His tone was the equivalent of a shrug. “I want you. I know how to do without what I want, and I know how to go after what I want. It’s about deciding.”
“And where am I in this decision?”
“You’ll have to figure that out for yourself.”
“You’re not going to do this to me. You’re not going to break my heart again.”
“I never broke your heart.”
“If you believe that you’re either seriously stupid or emotionally stunted. Don’t bother me anymore tonight. Don’t bother me.”
She strode away, up the stairs, into her bedroom, where she shut—and locked—the door.
14
Lil waited until she heard Coop start his truck in the morning before she came downstairs. The delay put her a little behind, but the lack of stress made it worthwhile.
She’d done a lot of work, and a lot of thinking, locked in her room through the night. Clearheaded work, she decided. Clearheaded thinking.
She smelled the coffee before she reached the kitchen, and could—clearheadedly—consider that a benefit of having him stay overnight. There were benefits, and she’d weighed them against the difficulties.
Her kitchen was clean. The man was no slob. And the coffee was hot
and strong, just as she liked it. Alone in the quiet, she zapped a bowl of instant oatmeal, shoveled it in. Dawn lifted the light when she’d finished, and interns and staff began to arrive for the day’s work.
Enclosures and stalls needed to be mucked out, and the enclosures disinfected. Interns would collect samples of scat from each animal, which would be tested for parasites.
Always, Lil mused as she manned a hose, a fun job.
According to her daily chart, it was time for Xena’s leg to be examined, which meant immobilizing the old wolf and transporting her to Medical. While she was out, they’d give her a full exam and take blood samples.
The little zoo animals required feeding and tending, and fresh hay laid. Horses needed feed and water, exercise, and grooming. The sheer physical labor of a routine morning at the refuge sweated out any lingering tension.
By mid-morning she had assigned some interns to inventory the fencing, the poles, and other materials needed to create a viable temporary habitat for the jaguar before Lil went into the office to contact Butte.
When she’d done all the plans and preparations she could, she went out to find Tansy.
“Elementary school field trip,” Tansy told her, gesturing to the kids being herded down the path. “I put Eric and Jolie on them. They work well together. The fact is, Lil, Eric’s one of the best interns we’ve had in the program.”
“I agree. He’s smart, willing to work, and he’s not afraid to ask questions.”
“He wants to stay another term. He’s already contacted his professors to ask if they’d clear it.”
“We’ve never had a second-term intern. Could be useful.” Lil considered. “He could help with training the newbies, and we could put his own training up a notch or two. If he can make it work with the university, I’ll clear it.”
“Good. We’ll be switching over very soon. Lose this group, start over with the next.” Tansy tipped her head. “You don’t look like you got much sleep.”
“I didn’t. Because I was working, fiddling and finagling, plotting and planning. I’ve got to head into town shortly, and deposit this.”
She pulled the check out of her pocket, held it by the corners, tipped it back and forth as if it danced.
“What—is that—Holy shit!”
Tansy threw her arms around Lil, and the two of them bounced in a circle. “Lil, this is amazing and wonderful and out of the blue. Coop? How many sexual favors did you have to offer and/or provide? Does he have that kind of money?”
“I didn’t offer and/or provide any sexual favors. But for this kind of dough, I would have. And yes, apparently he does have this kind of money. Who knew?”
“Does he have more? We can both offer and/or provide. I’m in.”
“We’ll keep that in reserve.” Because it still dazzled her, Lil studied all the zeros again. “I’ve spent this about ten times in my head overnight. I’ve got prices on security systems, security lights, cameras. New gates. We’ll see how far it goes. And to add to it, Montana is donating ten grand, with the stipulation we use at least part of it to build Cleo a spiffy new home in the spring.”
“When it rains, it freaking monsoons.”
“My mother always says life’s made up of cycles, of checks and balances. I like to think this is to balance out the horrible. Matt spoke with the vet in Butte, and we’re good there. I’m dealing with the permits, documentation, the paperwork, the logistics.”
“Jesus, Lil, we’re getting a jag. We’re actually getting a black jaguar.”
“And I need you to go to Montana and bring Cleo to her new home.”
“Sure, but you always go to check out the animals.”
“I can’t leave now, Tans, not even for the two or three days this’ll take.” She scanned the compound, the humans and animals. “I can’t take the chance that something could happen while I was gone. And since this is moving so quickly, I want to be here to help with the temporary habitat, and finalize plans for the permanent one. I’ve arranged for the crate and the box truck.”
“Problem there would be I’ve never driven one of those rigs.”
“You won’t be driving. You’ll be in charge of the cat. Her safety—public safety—her health. It’s about a seven-hour drive—eight, tops. Farley will handle the rig.”
“Oh, Lil.”
“Big picture, Tansy. He can handle the truck, and he’s a top-level volunteer. He’s the best one for it, and he’s got enough experience helping around here to assist you in any way you might need. I don’t anticipate any problems.”
“Your big picture’s logical. But what about the yen? What about that?”
Lil knew exactly how to play it. She widened her eyes. “Are you telling me you can’t handle Farley and his yen?”
“No. Not exactly.” Trapped, Tansy hissed out a breath. “Damn it.”
“You could be there in six hours if it goes well,” Lil continued, talking fast, “check out Cleo, charm and reassure the owner. Spend the night, load her up the next morning, and be back here before feeding time.”
Now, shamelessly, Lil added the big guns. “I can’t do it myself, Tansy, so I need you to do me this really big favor.”
“Of course I will. But it’s a situation.”
“Then why did you have dinner with him last night?”
Scowling, Tansy stuffed her hands in her coat pockets. “How do you know I did?”
“Because interns eat, too, and talk.”
“It was just a burger.”
“And this is just transport. I’ll put everything together for you before the end of the day, and you can go over any medical stuff you feel you might need to with Matt. You can leave in the morning. If you get here by six, you can get an early start.”
“You’ve already talked to Farley.”
“Yeah. He’s bringing the rig over here tonight.”
“Tell him to plan on leaving at five A.M. It’ll give us a good jump on the day.”
“Done. God, Tansy, you’re bringing home a jag. Now I’m going into town to swell our coffers before I deplete them.”
SHE HAD a number of errands to run in Deadwood. The bank, the store, the contractor, the post office. Since it would save time later, she loaded up at the feed-and-grain.
She saved Coop for last, since she saw his truck outside the stables they kept on the edge of town.
She took the folder with the information and specs she’d gotten off the Internet and went into the smell of horses and leather and hay.
She found him in the third stall, sitting on a stool as he wrapped the right foreleg of a chestnut gelding.
“Is he all right?”
Coop nodded, his hands steady and competent. “Just a little strain.”
“I had some business in town, and thought I’d drop this off when I saw your truck. I got information on a couple of security systems I think would work for us. I’ll leave it on the bench out here.”
“Go ahead. I made a call earlier. Contact I have in the business. I like their system, and he’d shave a little off the cost for me.” He named the system.
“That’s one of the two I have in the folder.”
“It’s a good one. If you go with that, he’ll give us the contact for the closest rep out here. They’ll come out, help you design and install.”
“All right. Let’s just go with them.”
“I’ll give him a call when I’m done here, have him contact you.”
“I appreciate it. I’ve also got an official letter of thanks from the refuge acknowledging your generous donation. Your accountant may want that on file. And Farley will be staying overnight in the compound.”
He looked over then. “Okay.”
“I’ll let you get back to work.”
“Lil. We have more to talk about.”
“I guess we do. Sooner or later.”
SHE WAS UP to see Tansy and Farley off in the cold dark. Farley’s easy cheer started her day with a smile, despite the occasional dirty look fr
om Tansy.
“Try to avoid speeding tickets, especially coming back.”
“Don’t worry.”
“And call me when you get there, or if you run into any problems, or—”
“Maybe you should remind me not to leave the keys in the rig and to chew my food thoroughly before swallowing.”
She poked a finger in his belly. “Don’t speed—too much—and stay in contact. That’s all I have to say.”
“Then let’s roll. You all set, Tansy?”
“Yes.” She sent him a brisk, businesslike nod.
And he sent Lil a grin and a wink.
Knowing both of them, Lil would’ve laid odds the wink would cut through the businesslike before the first sixty miles.
Waving, she stood and listened to the diminishing sound of the truck as it curved toward the main road.
It occurred to her that for the first time since she and Coop had camped she was fully alone in the compound. For another two hours—give or take—she had it all to herself.
“Just you and me, guys,” she murmured.
She listened to the carol of her old lion, who often called out to the night before dawn struck. In those acres of sanctuary, the wild was awake and alive.
And hers, she thought, as much as they could be.
She looked up, happy to see the night sky brilliant with stars. The air was apple-crisp, the stars like jewels, and Boris’s roar joined Sheba’s.
In that moment, Lil, realized, she couldn’t have been more content.
A sane woman would go back to bed for an hour—or at least go inside in the warmth and have another cup of coffee, maybe a leisurely breakfast. But she didn’t want bed, or indoors. No, she wanted the night, the stars, her animals, and this small slice of solitude.
She went in to fill a go-cup with coffee, grabbed a flashlight, shoved her cell phone in her pocket out of habit.
She’d walk her land, she decided, her place. Wander the habitat trails before the sun rose, before it wasn’t all hers again.
As she stepped outside, a sudden, high beep-beep-beep stopped her in her tracks. Cage door alarm, she thought, as her pulse jumped. The coffee splattered when she dropped it to streak down the steps, to race to the other cabin.
