“Hysterical. Never heard that one before. I’m not afraid. I just have a healthy respect for what that animal is capable—Shit!” I suck in a sharp breath and brace myself when she drawsher arm back and casts the fillet across the yard. It lands mere feet from the wolf, who treks the short distance, snatches it up in her jaws, and takes it back to her preferred boundary line.
As the animal starts going to town on her snack, I want to launch into a whole other lecture about domesticating wild animals and/or keeping them as pets, but what’s the point? And it’s definitely too late for me to intervene as it would probably do more harm than good at this point. But…“You feed her like that, she’s never going to learn to depend on herself.”
“No shit.” She rolls both her eyes and her head in my direction. Of all the women I’ve ever attempted to interact with, none were this feisty. “But her time with me did what it did and ever since, she’s only been…half wild.”
“Half wild? That’s a new one.”
“Well, I tried not to baby her, but fat lot of good that did. She prefers the woods but stays close by, within a forty-acre radius, and she never did find a pack. I guess you could say she’s like a pet, but one that lives outside.”
“I doubt you did enough to make her lose her killer instincts. She could turn on you in a heartbeat, and she’ll definitely turn on me in even less time.”
“Please… She’s a big ass baby.”
As if for no other reason than to contradict her, Velvet pulls her lips back and exposes her teeth, gums and all. The low warning growl, I’m convinced, is for none other than my benefit.
“Mutt,” I grumble out.
A faint, scoff-like giggle from Molly has my head snapping back in her direction, only to meet with a smirk that’s so smug it’s infuriating. And yet, it’s also kind of…cute.
The fuck?
“What?” I demand in a growl that doesn’t faze her.
Molly just shakes her head, that smart smile unfaltering. “You love her. And you love that cat that’s recovering in my barn.You love wildlife for all their qualities. This isn’t just a job for you, it’s your heart.”
“What?” My default reaction is trying to kick into gear and defend me. “No, you don’t know what you’re…” I shake my head, trailing off as I look at her.
Her eyes are bright yet soft as they regard me. Her new discovery has her looking at me with something resembling admiration. And even though that comment blew in hot and blasted the roof off the fortress I keep around me, instead of exposed, I feel seen. My brain and chest are clicking together for the first time to realize the difference.
“Your whole tirade when you wrote me a ticket and then this bobcat…” She waves at the barn as her voice softens, and her words float out of her like thoughts rather than convictions. “Any other game warden hardened by the job—you know what they would’ve done with that bobcat after finding him like that. But not you.” Her voice mingles with the balmy night breeze, calming my nerves. Her lips fold together in a serene smile, and she nods to herself before turning and walking in the direction of her house, giving me space to absorb what’s just happened between me and another human being.
7
MOLLY
It’s crazy how after so many years of being alone, two new people have come into my life in the span of one week. One of those people being Lauren, who’s been refreshing. Despite keeping my upbringing upbeat, my grandparents had a definite desire to keep me sheltered. Looking back, they were likely trying to limit any opportunities for me to be influenced and follow the same path their daughter did. I understand it, but I think it wasn’t without consequence. Having a friendly and cheerful presence of someone my age around the last few days, it’s certainly shown me what I’ve been missing.
As for the second new person… The jury’s still out. Wolf Owens seems to be a snarly asshole overall, but I don’t hate that he cared enough to bring me Finnegan, as Lauren and I have named him. Seeing Wolf so motivated by the idiot hunters who designed that inhumane trap peeled back a layer of him for me to see.
“You’re doing good, Finn,” Lauren whispers toward the extra-large crate where he snoozes, hopefully rebuilding his strength to rejoin the wild. “Wow,” she exclaims as I let us outof the barn. “I knew this new life would be beautiful, but I had no idea how exciting! I mean you seriously have a wild animal in your barn! That you’ve touched! And helped!”
I grin humbly and turn to lock the door at the same time I hear some heavy-duty truck tires crunch on the gravel up by the house. I glance up and see the tail end of Wolf’s pickup disappear around the front. He must be here to look in on Finn.
“Who’s here?” Lauren leans over, trying to get a look.
“I’m pretty sure it’s Wolf.” I let out a breath as I slide my hands into the back pockets of my jeans. And when I’m met with a curious look, I add, “The game warden.”
Her eyes go wide, and her mouth drops open like an airplane hangar as she audibly gasps. “The good-looking one who wrote you up?”
I close my eyes against the mild mortification. “God, I never should have told you that.”
No doubt she’s about to make a big scene as he comes around the side of the house. As usual, he’s easy on the eyes in his jeans and ball cap with dark curls peeking out the back. But I don’t want this information to feed his ego. He witnessed my mad veterinary skills the other night, and I want to keep the upper hand.
Sure enough, Lauren can hardly keep still as he approaches, strolling slowly and steadily across the grass like he commands all the land in a fifty-mile radius.
“Hi!” She gives him a friendly wave. “I’m Lauren.”
Wolf regards her under the bill of his cap and gives her a nod. “Afternoon.”