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“I used to live in Alaska.” I share, and her face lights up.
“I worked at the Wildlife Conservation Center outside of Anchorage,” she says. “I also spent time in McNeil Creek, Denali, and Kodiak to study the differences in the bears in those areas. That’s why I was certain this little guy is a Kodiak.”
“Okay, enough, we need to get this guy on some fluids. A bottle and probably some plasma. It’s a good thing we got some from our males here,” Hal interrupts us.
I set the kennel down and open it. The vet carefully reaches in while Lydia—her name fits her—gloves up and helps check him over too. They look him over and take measurements before they start treating him, ignoring me as I stand and watch them work. I begin to worry when I notice the vet isn’t making jokes anymore but keeps shaking his head and sighing. Another woman joins us and helps with getting meds and an IV in the little guy.
“Is he going to make it?” I heard the little sounds he was making. He didn’t deserve to be taken from his mother.
Lydia turns to me and removes her gloves. “May I see the file? We need to determine how long he’s been without his sow and what they were giving him before you got him.” She holds her hand out to me as her phone starts to ring from her back pocket. “Excuse me.” She retrieves it and looks at the screen. “Shoot. Just a moment. I can’t ignore this.”
I hand the file to Hal, and he quickly skims it. I try to focus on him and the bear cub, but I can’t help but eavesdrop on Lydia’s phone conversation.
“Okay, I’ll meet you there.” She pauses. “Krystal can stay with them. I’m in the middle of something and have to get back to work. I’ll look into setting up a moving van and crew as soon as I’m free.” She hangs up and returns to helping with the cub. From the sounds of it, her separation is still really new. I’m going to have to let her go because I don’t want to be a rebound.
I reach into my pocket and pull out a couple of business cards and set them on the counter.
“Looks like you’ve got him, but could you keep me updated? Here’s my card.” I tap the counter and then take one last look at Lydia before I leave. Maybe someday we’ll meet up again. It’s a stupid thought, but it’s for the best. I don’t turn around because if I do, I’ll walk back and ask her out.
CHAPTER2
LYDIA
As I sit in traffic on my way to the house I shared with Colton, I go over everything that happened today. Sydney was sent home without pay for not talking about an incident that happened on her last conservation project. The president of the zoo board put her on the spot during a live television interview, even after being told she couldn’t discuss the matter. She walked out, and he suspended her. I need to talk to her. I hope she can tell me what’s going on.
Getting ready to dial her number, I see a Tennessee Highway Patrol rig in the other lane and instantly think about Sergeant Whitlock.
Maverick Whitlock.
Even his name is sexy. I wish I grabbed one of his cards, but I left them behind. What do I need with his number? Up until two weeks ago, I was prepared to seduce my husband in an attempt to reignite the spark in our marriage. Now here I am thinking about a man I just met. So what if he stirs something in me Colton never did. My life is too chaotic to start a new relationship. As a case in point, the phone call I got earlier was from my attorney informing me the judge has granted me access to the house to retrieve the kids’ things and mine. Colton shouldn’t be there, but my attorney is calling the police for protection anyway. I only have a few hours to grab as much as I can. Unfortunately, no moving companies were able to assist me. It’s okay, I’ll load all that I can into my car, and my attorney said she would help too.
Less than half an hour later, I pull into the gated drive and follow the brick path around the two center fountains. The house is ostentatious and overly done. It’s not at all my taste, but Colton insisted we get it. I’ve never felt at home here. It was like living in a large museum. My attorney is waiting on the porch beside a man. This must be Colton’s lawyer. Movement behind me catches my eye, and I look in my rearview mirror to see a state trooper rig pulling in, followed by the local police. My thoughts flash to Maverick. The odds of it being him are astronomical.
I step out of my vehicle in my heeled cowgirl boots. I’m glad this will be the last time I have to come here. I changed into a pair of ripped jeans, a band T-shirt, and a long cardigan after work since my original meeting with my attorney got rescheduled to this.
“Mrs. Rorke, I’m Wallace Brumfield. I represent Mr. Rorke in this matter.” He holds out his hand.
“Hello, Mr. Brumfield, it’s Doctor Rorke.” I can’t stop myself from correcting him. I earned the title, and I know he didn’t use it as some sort of power play.
I turn to Nadya, one half of my legal team. She and her wife were referred to me by Sharon as the top female divorce attorneys this side of the Mississippi.
“Hey, girl.” Nadya steps forward and hugs me. “It’s bad,” she whispers in my ear, and I pull back, stunned.
“Shall we? It appears after you left, you failed to secure the home, and it was broken into. It’s a complete destruction,” Mr. Brumfield says as he sweeps open the door.
“I secured the house as best as I could. Police escorted me off the premises. They said I was breaking and entering when I tried to get my kids’ clothes.”
“Kids?” a deep, gravelly voice says behind me, and I turn to see Maverick standing there. His face is hard and void of emotion.
I nod and step through the door.
“Oh, sweet baby Jesus,” I exclaim. I want to cuss, but I’ve been trying so hard not to. The house is in complete disarray. Furniture is destroyed and overturned. A hand grips my arm and pulls me back.
“Let us clear the home before you enter.” Maverick pulls me outside to stand next to Nadya. She wraps an arm around me as tears roll down my cheeks.
I can’t believe this is happening. Colton’s attorney said the house was broken into. But thieves would have stolen things, not destroyed them. From what I could see of the family room, the television was shattered. This has to be Colton’s doing.
I stand there trying to process everything until Maverick steps back outside. The look in his eyes is grim, and I know the house is worse than what I glimpsed.
