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The woman is far more forgiving than I am at this moment.
Not that I blame the jaguar one bit for defending its territory and cubs. No, I blame the incompetent staff for not researching the local wildlife breeding habits and patterns before offering unprotected excursions that intrude right into a nursing mother's domain. My anger burns at their carelessness that could have ended in tragedy.
I move to give the managers a piece of my mind, but Kat silences me with a sharp–somehow intimidating–glare that shuts me right up. If anyone could smother my roaring ire with just a look, it's her I guess. She smooths the whole incident over with grace and poise, reassuring the distraught staff that she doesn't hold them liable and knows such risks are part of exploring the unpredictable jungle. Then, she’s practically shoving me in the direction of the resort, probably trying to prevent me from interjecting.
After walking for a while, she finally breaks the silence. "Emrys?" Her voice interrupts my turbulent thoughts. "Can I ask...are you really a veterinarian? Or was that just part of your cover story?"
"I was," I reply after a weighted pause. "I worked as head veterinarian at a wildlife sanctuary and rescue. But it was recently bought out and...I lost my job."
Kat's brows furrow in concern and she comes to a stop, turning to face me fully. "That's awful, I'm so sorry. What happened?"
I sigh, the familiar ache of regret and guilt hitting me. "The sanctuary was struggling financially. My friend David, the owner, was doing everything he could to keep it afloat. But eventually a larger corporation approached him with an offer."
My hands clench at the memory. "David didn't want to sell, but he was out of options. He made me promise to look after our animals no matter what." I shake my head ruefully. "But the new owners cleaned house completely, brought in all new staff. It’s how I ended up with Book-A-Boyfriend. I needed to make ends meet until I found another job."
Kat reaches out and takes my hands in hers, expression open and sympathetic. "You must miss working there terribly. What was the place called?"
"Stevenson Sanctuary," I answer gruffly.
At my words, Kat stills, her face paling. I stare at her in confusion as something like dread flashes across her delicate features.
"Emrys," she begins haltingly. "The company that acquired Stevenson Sanctuary...that was my company, Sharpe Enterprises."
Shock robs me of speech as the implication of her words sinks in. After a strained silence, Kat steps back, turmoil swirling in her gaze. In that moment, the heat between us feels impossibly cold.
She looks up at me, turquoise eyes filled with distress. "Emrys, I am so sorry. I had no idea about the circumstances." She shakes her head, clearly grappling with this revelation.
For a moment, resentment threatens to choke me. My sanctuary, my animals, my purpose–all ripped away in one cold business deal. And by the woman who is somehow enticing in a way no one else has been before.
I turn away, jaw tight. Kat reaches for me hesitantly. "Please, let me try to make this right. I never wanted Stevenson's staff treated that way during the acquisition process. Things clearly got mishandled."
At the genuine remorse in her voice, my anger loses some of its bite. For some reason, I know that Kat is not cruel or careless. Her passion for animal welfare matches my own. If she had known, surely she would have handled things differently.
I let out a heavy sigh, the fight going out of me. "You couldn't have known. But losing that place, those animals...it gutted me." I finally meet her earnest gaze. "Especially the pack of Amur leopards. They were my charges and now..."
Understanding lights Kat's face. "The bonded pack of four from the cartel seizure," she breathes out. "They were yours."
I nod silently, surprised that she can even remember a specific group of animals among many. She steps closer again, tentatively touching my arm. "Let me look into what happened during the acquisition. I can get you access to see them, so you can make sure they're properly cared for."
The offer takes me aback. I search her face, seeing nothing but sincerity gazing back at me. "You would do that?" I rasp in disbelief.
Kat smiles then, a glimpse of her resilient spirit returning. "Of course. Consider it a thank you for..." She blushes fetching pink. "Well, for today's adventure."
Despite the heavy emotions, I feel an answering smile tug at me. This fascinating woman continues to surprise me at every turn. Impulsively, I pull her into my arms, relief washing over me. "You are full of surprises, Kitten."
She beams up at me, brighter than the tropical sunshine, and something seems to shift in my chest at the sight.
Chapter 19
The sticky tropical air does nothing to ease the simmering irritation burning through me as I wait with Wyatt-the-stick-in-the-mud for Kat and tall-dark-and-brooding to get back from their little jungle tryst.
What was Kat thinking, running off alone into the wilderness with that overgrown brute? Sure, I may not be able to name every exotic plant and animal like Emrys probably can in that rumbling baritone of his. But I know how to show a woman a good time.
My foot taps restlessly on the patio stones as I sneak a glance at Wyatt. Mr. Perfect Posture is sitting there calmly sipping an iced tea like he hasn't got a care in the world. Even with that ridiculous, stained and stiff chicken suit on which has been subject to not one, not two, but three pie strikes, and one random dump of chocolate pudding. He’s surprisingly taken it all in stride, maintaining an aloof unaffected air the entire time.
He sits there now completely at ease and relaxed, but I see the tightness around his eyes. He's just as jealous as I am about being left behind, he's just too polite to show it.
Well, time for this country boy to stir things up a bit.
