The Right One (4 page)

Paul rested his chin between a thumb and finger. “And that causes a great deal of disappointment for your family.”

She nodded, unsure why the confession needed to be said to him, of all people. “My family expects the family name and big money ways to carry down to the next generation. Luckily, I have a brother and sister that may be ready to oblige.”

“You black sheep you.”

She shrugged. “Yes, I guess so. But I’ve never been much of a people pleaser, and I’d rather be happy than a robot. And what I’m doing is important.” She paused as the waitress carried over the hamburger and sandwich, placed them down and inquired if there would be anything more. After being assured there wasn’t, she rushed away.

Paul poured a trail of ketchup across his fries as Cami watched. “What about you, Mr. Schotter? What interests you, besides getting in the way of someone’s hard work and dreams?”

“Contrary to popular belief,” he nodded in her direction. “I enjoy neither. I’m a bit of an outdoor guy myself, although I do prefer to keep a respectable distance from the wildlife. I enjoy hiking the mountains, getting deep into the forests away from everyone else, listening to the sounds of nature and breathing in the fresh air.” He looked up as Cami snorted. “That surprises you?”

“I guess it does. I expected you to be a desk man, someone who goes to a stuffy gym to work out, then goes home to plop on a couch and stare at the television to wind down.”

“Well, now, to be fair, I do watch TV at night to unwind, and do go to the gym, at times, especially during the winter months. Let me guess, the snappy cold air is invigorating to you?”

She gushed a rush of air and shook her head. No way was she going to answer that and admit she preferred hot summer nights to frigid arctic ones. “I’m going to have to like them, to take care of the cats. Horses need care too.”

He shoved a fry in his mouth, chewed, and swallowed. “And how are the horses going to like being so near to meat-lovers?”

“They will be on the far other side of the property, and not ridden near the sanctuary fences.” Cami stirred the cole slaw, thinking of Nugget. “No sense tempting anyone.”

Paul took a bite of his hamburger and chewed thoughtfully. “I have to admit, Cami, you really seem to have thought of everything.”

She dipped the sandwich twice in the au jus, watching the liquid drip from the toasted bun. “I’d like to say that I have, but, and if you use this against me, I will deny ever saying it, there is no way I can think of
everything
. These are live animals, and humans who are caring for them. We can only take every possible precaution. And that is what I’m trying to do. That, and give these majestic animals a good place to live for as long as they are alive. They have nowhere else to go.”

They finished their dinner, paid separate tabs, and headed to the parking lot.

“I’ll follow you then.”

Cami nodded. “Yes. I’ll see you back at the ranch.”

Turning on a heel, Cami headed to her car, and climbed inside. She sat there quietly for a moment, hands on the steering wheel, staring forward, uneasy. Paul Schotter was nearly likeable, but she wasn’t about to let her guard down. “Easy enough to feign likeability. Remember that Cami-girl.”

Cami pulled into the driveway, Paul Schotter close behind. She drew in a breath and looked ahead, to where Alex sat on a porch step, shirt opened to show a chest built hard and strong by years of working on his parents’ ranch and now the sanctuary. Her heart skipped as she ran her tongue over parted lips, bit the bottom lip and looked away.

She smiled, remembering the boy she’d known as a child. Tall, lanky, somewhat awkward, but always with a heart of gold. Looks have changed, the body grown into, the heart the same. They’d known each other a long time, mostly she found it hard to believe how long. Cami wondered for a passing moment how he remembered her, and imagined nearly the same way. They had shared each other’s lives in every way that was important, never dated, and she figured they’d likely watch each other get married one day, knowing marriage would change the friendship forever. When it happened, it would be sad.

The dull sound of a closing pickup door broke Cami’s reverie. She fetched the key and stepped out of the car.

Alex eased back, allowing her comfortable berth. “Did I tell you before, this is beautiful land you have here.”

“Thank you. I hope the tigers like it as much as you do.” She waved to Alex, who waved back and patted Sadie’s head as the dog slept at his side. Cami smiled and looked to Paul. “The stables are this way.”

She led him past the house to the east side of the property, past scattered trees and a cute wood bridge which crossing the winding brook. The extent of landscaping she spent time on existed of a few splattered flower beds. Her ranch hands did the rest of the upkeep, and she nearly giggled at vision of Alex hunched over somewhere planting marigolds and tulips.

“Have you lived here all your life?”

She laughed as the thought of her parents owning land like the ranch. “No, no, I grew up on the other side of Knoxville. We owned horses, but my father’s a lawyer, my mother a stay at home wife and mother.”

Paul chuckled. “And they like the grander things in life.”

Her parents managing a ranch full of animals. Cami shook her head. Her mother’d be outcast by the luncheon group. “You could say that.”

Opening the stable door, she led Paul past the tack room and to a stall next to Nugget. “This is Tradewind. He’s one of my best, and very strong-willed. Think you can handle him?”

“Of course I can.”

“Do you know how to tack a horse?”

Paul smiled. “I told you, I’m familiar enough with horses. This the lead rope you use?” He pulled a blue rope from a hook hanging on the stable doors.

She nodded. “Hmm-mm.” Cami watched as he opened the stall door and clipped the bridle, coaxing and talking to Tradewind like an old friend. She shook her head. Paul was trying too hard.

She entered Nugget’s stall and patted the horse on the neck. “Come on, girl. We’re going for a ride. You’re up for a ride, aren’t you?”

The mare neighed and tossed her head, and Cami smiled. It didn’t matter who she was riding with, time spent on Nugget’s back was always good.

Horses tacked and ready, she led Nugget by the reins and Paul followed closely behind, leading Tradewind. “So that’s your baby, huh? That’s the one I saw you riding the first time I came the ranch.”

She nodded. “Yes, this is my girl. Nugget. She’s Tradewind’s sister, and loves to give her brother a run for his money, don’t you, girl?” The horse snorted and Cami smiled. “That’s right.” She turned to face Paul. “We’ll head out northwest, and then wrap back around. There’s some old chicken wire on the far north side, so stay with me and follow my lead. Don’t hurt my horse.”

Paul nodded. “Understood.”

Cami slung her body onto Nugget’s back. “Okay then, the first stop will be where the indoor enclosures are going in. About three miles out.” She pointed in the direction and waited until Paul was on Tradewind’s back. The horse pawed the ground in response to an unfamiliar rider. Paul gave him a moment to settle, Cami nodded and tapped Nugget with both heals. The mare broke into a trot and then a gallop, following terrain she knew well. Tradewind’s hooves followed in pounding rhythm.

They covered the three miles in short minutes, and Cami slowed Nugget. The full run had been good for the horse, but they would take the rest of the afternoon at a slower pace. They were on the tiger’s land now, and she didn’t want her horse to be too comfortable there. It wouldn’t be long, and the horses would no longer brought to the west side of the property. Public trails to the east would be sufficient running grounds.

She dismounted, and draped the reins across the saddle. Nugget abandoning her was not a concern.

Paul dismounted, mimicking Cami’s trust with Tradewind, and walked to her side. He circled around, surveying the land with rolling hills and the natural creek rippling across the landscape. “Very nice. That framework there, is that the start of the enclosures?

She nodded. “Yep. The indoor housing will stretch from about where we are standing down in that direction,” she pointed, “and when the cats are let out during the day, they’ll be left out in doubles or quads, into wilderness settings beyond the creek. The creek is a natural border between the indoor housing and outdoor areas.” She turned to face him, and Paul nodded. So attentive. Alarms sounded in her head as Cami continued. “The first guard tower will stand there,” she pointed to an area about midrange of the indoor housing. “And then within each outdoor area, one in the middle of each area, and one along each of the far boundaries.”

He nodded again.

Brows furrowed. “No questions?”

He shook his head and smiled. “Sounds good.”

She laughed. He has nothing to say? “Okay, well, look, here, the indoor housing starts at the kitchen room, where we will prepare the food, store the vitamins for the cats, things like that. The vet clinic will be across from the housing. It’ll be large enough to care for the majority of the cats at any one time, if need be, although that shouldn’t be necessary.”

“And how many vets?”

“One full time, along with an assistant. Three on standby should we need them.”

He nodded. “I like what you’re doing here. I should have come out here in the beginning, it would have saved us both a lot of time and aggravation.”

Cami smiled. “I can’t disagree with that.” She climbed on Nugget. “Do you want to finish the tour?”

Two hours later, Tradewind and Nugget trotted up to the house, Cami and Paul smiling. The tour went better than she’d expected. Showing off the ranch, explaining her plans – hard not to enjoy the time.

The horses both pulled short of the driveway, and Cami and Paul dismounted. He looked out across the property, the gaze falling on her. “Thank you for the ride, and the tour. I’ve learned a lot today, and I have to apologize again. What you’re doing here is astounding, and admirable. I’d like to come back again, as things progress. Maybe beforehand, if you’ll join me again for dinner?”

Cami patted Nugget’s neck, focusing on the strands of tousled ebony mane, mind turning the invitation over, all the reasons why not, and the fact there was nearly no reason to accept.

She nodded in slow motion. “Maybe. We could sometime.” Or not. Dinner with the enemy – probably not a good idea.

Paul smiled. “Great. I’ll call you then?”

She shrugged. “Okay.”

“Okay.” He handed Tradewind’s reins to Cami. “We’ll talk soon then.”

She nodded as Paul shook her hand. With an arm wrapped around Nugget’s neck, she watched as he walked to the car, turned, smiled and waved, and then drove away. Truck out of sight, she frowned. He would have a lot to learn if he thought winning her over was going to be that simple. It took more than good looks and a charming smile to rattle her tree.

Cami jumped when Alex’s voice snorted in her right ear. “So what’d he want? The grand tour to learn how to tear us down?”

She shrugged, looking to her friend. “Maybe. I’m not really sure what he’s doing.”

Tradewind nudged Alex’s arm and he patted the horse. “Hey there, boy. As long as you still know what you’re doing, Cam, I won’t worry.”

“What does that mean?”

He shrugged. “It just means, I don’t like him. I don’t trust him. But I know you, better than anyone, I’d like to think. And I know you won’t give him an inch.”

She gave Alex a half-cocked grin. “Thanks for the faith in me.” She swallowed hard. Talk about charming smiles, Alex overshadowed Paul in laps.
What am I thinking
?

Time to change the subject. “How’s things coming along?”

“The guys are making real progress.” He took Tradewind’s reins. “Nearly stretched out to the far pasture, and they’re packing up for the evening. Tomorrow we’ll wrap up on those enclosures, or at least, get close. How about yourself? Getting closer to being ready for the cats?”

“Closer, but still a long ways to go. So many things to get in order.”

Alex nodded and put an arm around her shoulder as they turned and strolled towards the stables, horses walking behind them. “Let me know if you need anything, okay?”

“I always do. Sometimes I think you make it too easy for me.”

Alex pulled Cami tight into a single–armed hug. “No such thing. That’s what friends do. Here, I’ll take Nugget for you.”

She handed over the reins and rubbed the mare’s nose. “Then I think you’ve been a better friend to me than I’ve been to you.”

He laughed and shook his head. “Night, Cam. I’ll be back at first light, get going with those enclosures. We’ll have those completed by the end of the week, easy, and I’m pushing the guys to have ‘em completed before that.”

She nodded. “Thanks Alex. Couldn’t do this without you.”

Alex tapped her hat. “I know.” She giggled. “See you tomorrow.” He turned, glancing over a shoulder, horses in tow.

She nodded, waved, and headed for the house.