George bit his tongue, knowing that Mike was right.Yes, he’d broken in a few girls in his day.Made sure they would cooperate.He had the pleasure of stripping them all and forcing them into the cotton nighties that Florence picked out for all of them.
“You’re right.I have no grounds to act like I’m innocent in any of this.And I’m not.I’m just saying we have enough money so that we could get your boys and get out.Make up something to Florence and leave again.A reason we have to go back to Nebraska.”
Mike was quiet for a long time and something inside of George shifted.He’d said too much, talked too much.
“You know what?Never mind.You’re right.This was the plan and we’ll stick to it.”Mike just nodded at him, staring straight ahead at the road.
“I think that might be best.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“You’re going after all of them, aren’t you?” asked Saylor.
“You know we have to, honey.We can’t let them get away with what they did to these poor animals.”Saylor, Remington and dozens of others were watching as Gaspar and Luke worked to calm the frightened new animals at the sanctuary.
There were several zebras, a few giraffes, a rhino, a few bison, and a very sad, very sick looking tiger.
“That poor thing,” she said watching as Gaspar sat on the ground beside him.The tiger lifted his massive head, laying it in Gaspar’s lap.To his credit, Gaspar said nothing, did nothing.He leaned forward, kissing the tigers head, stroking him.
“Is there anything I can do?” she asked standing a few feet away.
“He just needs comfort and reassurance right now.He’s very sweet and very scared,” said Gaspar.“Had he been out of control we might not be sitting here with him.”
“Does he have a name?” she asked.
“I’m almost afraid to say it,” frowned Gaspar.“It’s not the kind of majestic name a tiger should have.”
“But it’s his,” smirked Saylor.“If he likes it, that’s all that matters.”
“True.Everyone, this is Steve.”Ghost raised his brows staring at the massive animal, the coat a bit dirty but he was impressive.
“Steve?Someone named this beast Steve?” he asked.
“It wasn’t me and he likes his name, so we’re keeping it.Steve here has some stomach issues…”Suddenly there was a loud sound of gas being expelled from Steve.“Right on cue, Steve.Nice job.As I was saying he has stomach issues but Lucy gave him something to help.He’s on a soft diet for now.”
“A soft diet of what, limburger cheese?” frowned Ian holding his nose.
“Don’t make fun of him.He’s sensitive.”Even Gaspar shook his head, laughing at himself.“What has the Robicheaux Ranger become?”
They all just smirked, smiling at the two giants on the ground.When Luke came forward with the bison, they all stared at him.
“She wouldn’t get in her pen until she knew that Steve was okay,” he said.“Okay, Coco.He’s fine.See?”
“Coco.Dear lord the bison’s name is Coco?” asked Nine.
“Yes.Why?It’s a good name.Anyway, Coco and Steve are good friends.She hid him from the hunters in the Dakota’s.Rusty thinks Coco should date her own kind but she told him where to get off.”
Everyone stared at the father and son, one comforting an ailing tiger and one holding a leash around a fifteen-hundred-pound bison.No one who ever witnessed the famous Ranger and SEAL in action could have predicted this.
“What?Y’all know the animals have a mind of their own.Let them be friends.The zebras are making friendly with the other ones we already had.The giraffe, Shorty, she’s getting used to being near Elvis, the male.Everyone else is finding their comfort zone.”
“This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen,” smiled Zane.He was holding his brothers’ arm, the medical team nearby if needed.“I can’t believe how cruel our parents were.”
“We believe in all creatures, great and small, living in peace with one another.Not all wild animals respond to us this way, but most know that we won’t harm them and only want to help,” said Luke.“This, is one of the greatest gifts ever given to me by my grandmother.”
“It’s so awesome,” smirked Zane.“I think this is incredible.”
“Zane, this is one of our many secrets that you need to keep.No one can know that this exists or that Luke and Gaspar can speak to the animals,” said Remington.
