“You’re needed here. I can handle it.” But could she? There hadn’t been time to hire a new vet tech to replace Warren. She rejoined Evan. “Do you suppose Honey could come help with the anesthesia?”
“She’s at a school meeting. She won’t be free until later today. Maybe it could wait.” His forehead creased with doubt.
“I’ll do it now. I don’t want to lose the jaguar.” She walked the oyster path back to the clinic building. “Is he already caged?”
“Yes, I coaxed him into a crate with some meat. He was agitated though, so I tranquilized him, and he’s sleeping in the clinic.”
Her fingers curled into her palms when Evan opened the door to the medical facility. She could smell the big cat before she saw him. Watching him breathe in and out took her back to the moment she’d been injured. Her mouth went dry, and she nearly turned and ran. She held her breath and forced herself to take a step closer, then another.
“We’ll need help to get him out of the crate to be examined. Can you get Clark and a couple more keepers?”
“No problem.”
The big cat stirred, and she went to get the anesthesia to put him all the way under. She checked his weight and pulled the dose he needed into the pole syringe, then administered it. He didn’t flinch.
Please, God, please.The constant prayer filled her head, and the longer she worked, the steadier her hands became. She didn’t have to do this alone. This time she knew God was here.
By the time the men returned, the big cat was fully sedated. Paradise checked his vitals and they were perfect. The men got him situated on the table, and she inserted the general anesthesiathrough the breathing tube into his trachea. The gas and oxygen flowed smoothly. He was out so she went to work with steady hands.
An hour later she stepped back and exhaled. “Let’s get him into his den to let him wake up. I hate that we had to take his tooth, but he won’t need it for live prey anyway. I gave him an antibiotic to handle the infection. He should be fine.”
And she was more than fine. She’d done the exact procedure that had caused her injury, and she’d made it through. This place had accomplished the healing she’d hoped and prayed for when she agreed to come here. It had brought more than that though—it had brought love and family in abundance.
Blake watched in fascination as the governor did take after take with seemingly endless patience and energy. Mom and Frank had taken the boys and Jackson off to see the lemurs and the otters. It was nearly lunchtime, and the camera crew started to pack up their equipment while the lunch crew set up tables and chairs upwind from the big cat smell.
He spotted Paradise heading their way and waved. She was out of breath when she reached him. “How’d it go?” he asked.
“Great. The tooth had to come out, but he’ll be all right.” She held out her hand. “Look, steady as a rock. I wasn’t sure I could do it, but I prayed and remembered that I didn’t have to do it alone. The jaguar is back in his den waking up. I’ll check on him later, but I think I’m getting past my fear. I’ll always use caution with the big cats, but I’m not paralyzed with terror.”
“I’m so proud of you. I knew you could do it.” He nodded toward the governor. “They’re already done. I think the campaignads will be great, and we’ll get some amazing publicity out of it all. Want some lunch? They’re setting the food out right now.” He motioned to the crew bringing in barbecue and all the fixings on the nearby tables in the grassy area. The aroma had already begun to push away the stench of big cat.
“I’m starving. I was too excited this morning to have more than coffee.”
He’d wolfed down a bowl of cereal, but it was long gone. “Governor George wants us to sit with her.”
She slipped her hand in his. “I thought we should ask her if she knows the Collins family. She might have some political insight. I know they’re in Mississippi, but it’s not that far way, and it’s worth a shot.”
He prayed she didn’t have her hopes up. It was all a long time ago, and he doubted neighboring states got that involved with each other.
The governor and her manager hailed them from the front table. Angela pointed to the spots across the table from them. The rest of the family sat farther down the table. He pulled out Paradise’s chair and slid it in for her, then settled at the end chair across from the governor. “I think it went well. Are you happy with the spots?”
“Thrilled. Angela tells me she thinks they’re fresh and innovative. I was able to articulate my policies as well, and who doesn’t love big cats. You’ve got some beauties here.”
“I’m going to vote for you,” Paradise said.
The governor laughed. “Well, I should hope so! I heard you had to leave us for a little emergency surgery. Did the jaguar make it?”
“He did. He should be waking up about now.” Paradise leaned forward. “I’ve never paid much attention to politics. Do youknow the Collins power family in Mississippi? We met them over the weekend.”
The governor lowered her barbecue sandwich to her plate. “Oh my, yes. Pamela and I were sorority sisters back in the day, and we stayed in touch until her death. How did you meet them?”
“We’re investigating the murders of my parents and my brother Drew’s father.”
Governor George gaped, but she quickly recovered her composure and stared at Drew sitting on Paradise’s right side. “Benjamin Collins was your father?”
“That’s what I’m told.”
The governor frowned in perplexity at Paradise. “How are you two brother and sister?”
