The Texan's Twins. Jolene Navarro

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       Chapter Two

      The patrol car slowed down in what looked to be the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing. Perfect place for activities that needed to be hidden from the law. Except they found this one.

      “Is it safe for you to be out here?” He didn’t like the idea of her being around these kinds of lowlifes, the kind that made up his family.

      With a quick glare, she gave him his answer loud and clear. It left a bitter burn in his gut to see the hostility coming from eyes that used to look on him with love.

      They followed the county car down a narrow, overgrown dirt road. It was another five or six miles deep into the wooded ranch before they came up to a fortress-like structure. Who would want a home that looked like a prison on the outside?

      Once through the gate, a building that looked more like a Malibu beach house appeared before them. Several different types of law enforcement were coming in and out of the house. Boxes and computers were being loaded into vans.

      Cold sweat broke out over Reid’s entire body, and his skin shrunk around his bones. Three breaths in and one long exhale helped a little. They were not here for him. They weren’t taking him back to the small windowless concrete cell. He was free and not doing anything that would put him back there.

      “Reid? Are you okay?” Hearing her voice calmed him better than all his coping techniques and self-induced pep talks.

      Trying to give her a reassuring smile, he nodded. “Just a few too many uniforms with weapons for my peace of mind.”

      Officer Bolton tapped her window and waited for her to roll it down. “Dr. Ortiz is right behind us. I’ll find out the location of the animals so you can park the trailer close.”

      She opened the door. “I’ll come with you. I have a couple of questions before we enter the area with the jaguar and bear.” Over her shoulder, she talked to Reid. “Wait here. When I get the information, can you move the trailer up to the area we’ll be exiting with the animals?”

      With a nod, he got out of the truck and moved to the driver’s side. A few of the officers glanced at him. He kept his head down and counted his breaths.

      The ex-con label would be attached to him until the day he died and beyond. He gritted his teeth. It would be part of his life forever now, so he’d better get used to it.

      Nothing new. Every male in his family carried the stigma. Being the only one to finish high school hadn’t saved him from his family tradition. He popped his knuckles. Could they tell by looking at him?

      Before he hid inside the cab, a large white truck with several compartments in the back pulled up next to him. A tall Hispanic woman stepped out. She came straight to Reid with an inviting grin and her hand out. Reid had to wonder if she bleached her teeth or if they were naturally so white and perfect.

      “Hi, I’m Sandra Ortiz. I’m Danica’s on-call veterinarian. Since I’ve never met you, I’m hoping she finally found a vet tech with an animal husbandry degree.”

      “Reid McAllister. Yes, I’m her new vet tech. For now.”

      The woman’s smile went bigger as they shook hands. “Good, good. I told her not to worry. God would provide.”

      Reid wasn’t sure if it was God or his selfish desire, but he didn’t say anything.

      “Hey, Sandy.” Danica returned and gave the other woman a quick hug. “Seems we have a full-grown male jaguar and a very young bear cub in the basement.”

      With quick, efficient motions, the vet started pulling equipment from the back of her truck. “Congratulations on the new vet tech. I’ll call Gloria and let her know to close the search.”

      “Oh, no. Don’t do that. Reid is one of James’s parolees. He’s here temporarily, so the faster I can get someone in full-time the better.”

      Reid saw it. The friendliness turned to suspicion the second the doctor learned she was talking with a convicted criminal. He needed to get used to it.

      Every time he started over, people would know, and he’d be an ex-con for the rest of his life. An ex-con without a home or family.

      * * *

      Danica loaded the rifle with the dart Dr. Ortiz had prepared, taking careful aim at the black jaguar as it paced and growled in the small enclosure. There were white patches of hair sprinkled over his coat, indications of old wounds and injuries.

      They would have to move fast once she shot him. Anger welled up at the humans who had caged this beautiful wild animal and removed his front claws. His fangs were coated with gold, and a gaudy diamond collar was too snug around his neck. One of his hind legs was not bearing weight.

      They’d already removed the young bear cub. She was small enough for Reid to carry her to the large crate secured in the trailer. He now hung back from the other men. Backed into a dark corner, much like the young bear they’d found huddled in her cage.

      “Is she going to shoot the cat through the bars of the cage?” She couldn’t see who Reid asked, but her husband’s low voice caressed her skin.

      It had taken her almost two years to get him out of her mind. She stopped missing him four years ago, but it seemed as if parts of her heart had already forgotten she didn’t love him anymore.

      She sighed. “Some of us are working over here if you don’t mind. The big guy is already scared, and I want to make him as comfortable as possible.” Bringing the rifle back to her shoulder, she cast the big cat in her sight. As soon as she pulled the trigger, the jaguar snapped at the spot she hit on his rump. It didn’t take him long to go down.

      “We need to move fast.”

      Reid didn’t hesitate a minute. He attacked each of the steps like a pro. Dr. Ortiz was working right alongside him as he finished securing a cloth over the animal’s eyes to keep the cat calm when he woke. With James and a couple other men, they lifted the cat onto a long board and carried him out.

      The entire time, Reid talked in a quiet voice to the animal while they moved him. The same voice that calmed her when she was upset or stressed.

      First thing in the morning, she would start calling her contacts and get the application to the National Wildlife Federation turned in ASAP. She needed to get Reid out of her life, the sooner, the better.

      With the animals secured, Reid disappeared inside the truck as she went to touch base with the lead officer.

      Unfortunately, he was waiting for her with three more crates. The day was not quite over. She would be leaving with more than the two in the trailer. “The animals are secured. The basement is all yours. What do you СКАЧАТЬ