“Oh, wow. I think that’s a green boa constrictor, and the other two are albino burmese pythons.” He sounds excited, so I’ll leave him to it. I will happily take care of the big cats instead.
A sound on the other side of the shed has me spinning around and stepping forward. This cage isn’t as well lit as the others, so I need to close to the bars to see into the depths. On the floor is a black form; the only reason I can see it is because Thomas takes out his cell and shines the flashlight into the back corner until its eyes light up.
“How the hell did these two get their hands on two white tigers and a black jaguar?” I’m astonished at them having not one but two rare species of big cats. Well, actually, I’m stunned they have big cats in the first place, but these are just amazing. I was expecting the normal spotted jag, not this gorgeous creature. The pitch black animal is watching us with curiosity. It stands up, stretches, and pads its way over to the bars of the fence where it proceeds to rub against the bars, purring. It doesn’t look like it’s quite fully grown yet, so I decide I need to get all the information I can from that stupid woman before they drag her away.
“Well, this one seems a lot friendlier than the tiger was,” Thomas quietly says from behind me, not wanting to startle the animal.
“The tiger was protecting her babies, and Jim was an idiot. But yes, this one seems like it’s an overgrown house cat.” Then I notice something horrifying. I bend down and hold out my hand in the hope that maybe it’s had some training, and the animal pushes its big paw through the bars, placing it in my hand.
“Harlow, what are you doing?” Thomas asks in a low, urgent tone.
I ignore him for a moment, and as I run my thumb along it, I confirm that the poor baby has been declawed. I try to get a look into his mouth, but he doesn't open it for me, so I can’t see if they defanged him too. God, I hope not because it might be kinder to euthanize this one if they have. Declawed and defanged cats almost never have easy lives.
Another sound carries through the shed, and I give the cat back its paw and stand up. It’s like a high-pitched screeching roar, and I’m pretty sure I know what it is.
I hurry over to the open cage door, gagging at the smell of Jim, even while avoiding looking at his body.
Pushing the door open, a huge smile takes over my lips when I find the cause of the sound. “Holy shit, there are five of them!”
ChapterSeven
Jaxon
Oliver had torn into the house, yelling for Declan, and we all listened breathlessly as he told us about Harlow being called out to take care of a bobcat that had trapped a lady in a car. Our older brother had hurried out to assist her and Thomas, leaving us behind.
In the meantime, I’ve done nothing but pace back and forth across the living room while we wait to hear how everything went.
“Jaxon, relax,” Chuck says, smiling. I have no idea what the fuck life is like in Connecticut, but I have a strong feeling that he should not be nearly as calm as he is right now. “Trust me, Harlow lives for this kind of thing. Last year, she brought home a cougar to rehabilitate. It had escaped a wildlife refuge, and someone had taken a shot at it with a bow and arrow, but the arrow had hit its shoulder and snapped off. Because it was injured, it started to look for easy prey and was tearing up the neighborhood chickens. Animal Control caught it and Dr Davis had them bring it here so they could fix it, and then when it was healed, they returned it to the wildlife refuge it had escaped from. That girl loves a challenge, always has. Didn’t think twice about taking in a wild cat.”
“Yeah, it was all snarly and grumpy, but she was never scared. You could see the thrill in her eyes when she was feeding it. Should have known horses and domestic animals weren't going to be her thing.” Melinda smiles fondly at the memory, but I’m already shaking my head by the time she’s halfway through the sentence.
“It’s easy to say that, and I know she’s capable, but...” I don't really want to tell them all that I love her before I’ve even had a chance to say it to her. “It’s easy to say don’t worry, but we don't know what they're actually walking into.”
The two of them exchange a glance, with one of those expressions that says, “Oh, isn’t he cute?” Then Chuck goes over to the sideboard and pulls out a pack of cards. “Let’s play a hand of poker while we wait, shall we?”
Melinda doesn't join us, but Holden, Oli, Kai, Jacinta, and Jace all take a seat at the table while Chuck deals out the first hand. I’d say he must be a brave man, but he knows all about the competitive nature of the Summers, and his own competitive streak is almost as fierce.
We play a few rounds, but my mind just isn't on the game, so I fold and take a seat on the sofa with Melinda, who’s curled up with a book. At least I can be productive while I’m sitting here. With a few taps on my phone, the notes app is open, and I’m working on the notes for our wildlife rescue surprise.
There are rules and regulations and licenses that need to be applied for, feeding logistics to work out, as well as disposal of waste. So many things to consider that I bet Count Bucataru didn't have to worry about twenty-five years ago. I’m so deep into my research that I jump when my cell starts ringing.
“Hey, Declan, how’s it going?” I answer, and despite their assurances not to worry, I notice Chuck and Melinda are paying just as much attention as my siblings.
“Dude, you arenotgoing to believe this. It wasn’t a bobcat like Doc thought! It’s a fucking tiger.”
“Did you say tiger?” I ask, not sure if I heard him right. Melinda gasps and tosses the book she was reading on the coffee table in front of us.
“Yeah, it’s a mess here. She tranq’d it, but it’s in rough condition. I think she said she’ll bring it back there while they figure out what to do with it. There may be some more animals, but she and Thomas have gone to check out the rest of the buildings with an Animal Control officer while Doc Davies monitors the tiger until they can get a transport crate here. Listen, when we get back, I think you need to tell her about your idea. This could be the start of it all. Let’s do this for our girl, make her dream come true. If she hates the house, we’ll gut it, and she, Jacinta, and Nana can have fun decorating. Call Dad and get the ball rolling.”
Sometimes it drives me nuts when my big brother gives the orders, but this is one I can jump on board with no questions asked, mainly because it was my idea in the first place.
“Ok, I’ll call Dad now, but I want to make sure the DNA results come back before I say anything to Harlow. It would be devastating if we told her, only to have the trust come back and say we weren’t the count’s grandkids.”
“Pfft, then we’d just buy her something else or build her something else. Call Dad.” He hangs up, not giving me a chance to respond.
To no one’s surprise, Jacinta is the first to break the silence. “Did you say tiger?”
A loud sigh comes out before I can stop it. “Yeah, apparently. Listen, are you sure you’re okay with me giving Harlow the property? I’m going to call Dad to ask about the results and get the ball rolling. I think Declan wants Harlow to be able to keep this tiger as the start to her sanctuary.”
