Wild Cowboy Country

by Erin Marsh

  “I clean up crap. Literally.”

  “Then show me the crap.”

  Zach sent him a sidelong look. “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a weirdo?”

  “You do. Constantly,” Clay said.

  “Well, if you want to see shit, come this way.”

  “Crap.” Clay kept his tone easy and relaxed like Lacey did when she corrected the kid’s language. He was trying to ease into a more parental role, and to his surprise, his nephew hadn’t pushed back. He might roll his eyes or give him an exasperated look, but Clay sensed Zach ultimately wanted someone to show a consistent interest.

  “You do know I’ve heard you speak?” Zach asked.

  It was Clay’s turn to lift his shoulder and then drop it. “Lacey might be on me about being a better role model in your presence.”

  That surprised a snort out of Zach as he led them to the camel enclosure. At their approach, the woolly animals raised their heads, pausing in their chewing. Lulubelle had a particularly large clump of hay in her gaped mouth. She shook it off with a mighty flourish before loping in their direction. Savannah, however, beat her mother to the fence.

  “I see you’ve made a friend,” Clay said as the juvenile camel rubbed her long cheek against Zach’s hair, causing the blond strands to stand up.

  His nephew couldn’t completely hide his grin as the young camel continued to nuzzle him. He managed to keep his voice studiously nonchalant. “She knows I bring her favorite treats. Abby taught me that.”

  Clay wasn’t sure, but he thought the teenager’s face momentarily reddened when he mentioned the zookeeper’s daughter. Clay didn’t remark on it even if he did think Abby would make a much better friend than the troublemakers Zach normally hung out with.

  Zach reached into his pocket and produced an alfalfa pellet. Savannah eagerly suctioned it from his hand. Lulubelle made a raspberry sound, sending spit flying. Zach ducked. Clay wasn’t so lucky.

  “Shit.”

  “Crap,” Zach corrected, his voice strained from holding back his laughter.

  Clay shot him a quelling look before he cracked up himself. Reaching into his pocket for the handkerchief he carried, he wiped off the saliva. “You’re sure you prefer camels to horses?”

  “And miss out on stuff like this?”

  “Point taken.” Clay reached out and rubbed Lulubelle’s long neck. “No hard feelings.”

  The camel gave him a mournful stare with her huge brown eyes. Zach put a pellet into Clay’s hand. “She wants this, not just pats.”

  After they finished giving the camels their treats, Zach led Clay toward a long, narrow building. “This is where Bowie keeps the snakes, the nocturnal animals, and a few birds.”

  “I haven’t been in here before,” Clay said when they paused to let their eyes adjust to the dimly lit building.

  “It’s pretty cool.” Zach led them through a hallway lined with terrariums. A rattlesnake shook its tail as they passed, and a couple of green ball pythons lounged on branches. “Abby showed me how to handle the reptiles. None of the animals scare her, even the venomous ones. I mean, she respects them and all, but I’ve seen her walk around with a tarantula in her hand like it was a kitten.”

  Yep. His nephew was definitely nursing a crush, but Clay decided against teasing the teenager. He wanted Zach to feel comfortable talking about anything with him, and that wouldn’t happen if he razzed him, especially when the kid hadn’t even confided in him. Instead, Clay asked as an iguana eyed them with an aloof expression, “Is this one of your favorite exhibits?”

  “Snakes and lizards are okay,” Zach said. “But I like things with fur the most.”

  An offended squawk filled the air just as they passed the chinchillas. A sulphur-crested cockatoo sat on her perch. When they finished rounding the corner, the bird let out another indignant cry.

  “I think you offended this one,” Clay told his nephew with a grin.

  Zach gave the bird a surprisingly affectionate smile. The teen really had become close to the zoo’s residents. “Nah, that’s just Rosie. She loves attention almost as much as dancing.”

  “She really does dance?” Clay asked in surprise. “Lacey said the cockatoo loved to boogie, but I thought she meant it as a joke.”

  “She was serious. Mr. Wilson says a lot of parrots dance naturally. There’ve been studies on it. Rosie’s also a drama queen.”

  Sure enough, as they continued through the building, the cockatoo flapped her wings and let out a string of complaints. Zach turned around before the cage was out of sight and said, “Don’t worry, Rosie. There’ll be plenty of dancing at the wedding reception.”

  The bird responded with another offended cry. Zach ignored the parrot as he led Clay past the main exit to a closed door.

  “Where are we headed?” Clay asked.

  “This is a new addition to the building. I helped Bowie with the finishing touches. It isn’t open to the public, but he said I could bring you back here.”

  Zach unlocked the door and carefully pushed it to reveal a pitch-black room. Chattering filled the air, sounding even more disgusted than Rosie’s squawks. Clay could hear the scampering of tiny clawed feet before his nephew flicked on a low, red light. About a dozen masked faces greeted them. Black eyes watched accusatorily, the animals’ long bodies quivering in anticipation of flight or attack.

  “Meet the black-footed ferrets,” Zach said. “They look all cute and stuff, but you should see them when they go after prey. They can be tough and a little nasty.”

  As Clay moved closer to the exhibit, he noticed a few human-made burrows against the glass. Inside, he could see kits wiggling around. He crouched down to get a better look at the furry little tubes. They twisted and climbed over each other in their excitement.

  “Mr. Wilson says they won’t leave the burrow until about July, but their eyes are open now.”

  “I wouldn’t mind a colony of these little guys on the ranch,” Clay said.

  “Really?” Zach’s face was etched in such comical surprise that Clay stifled a laugh.

  “You know I’m not opposed to living creatures on my land.”

  “Well, yeah, but I thought that just meant cows, horses, and dogs.”

  Clay glanced at his nephew. “We need to communicate better. I’m bringing more biodiversity back to the ranch. It used to be a wetland, and I’m in the process of restoring it. We’ve been overgrazing for years. Lacey and I are talking about reintroducing beavers. We already have a young male building a lodge near the ciénega.”

  Zach’s eyes grew wide. “Really?”

  Clay nodded. “Unfortunately, we have a prairie dog problem in the north pasture. They’re the black-tailed ones and not the more threatened species.”

  “You know the difference between prairie dogs?” Zach was looking at him with newfound respect. If Clay had known his knowledge of animals would’ve impressed his nephew, he would have talked about this months ago.

  “I majored in ecology along with ranch management,” Clay said.

  “I didn’t know that.”

  Clay stood up. “Like I’ve said before, we’re more alike than you think.”

  “You and me.” Zach jerked his thumb between the two of them. “I’m still not seeing it. We’re interested in animals, and Dad screwed us both over when he got hooked on drugs, but that’s about it.”

  Clay took a breath before he spoke. He knew he was taking a risk. He wasn’t sure if Zach was ready for a conversation like this. Hell, he didn’t know if he was ready. But it felt right. And if he was going to become a father figure to his nephew, he needed to start relying on his gut instead of worrying that he’d push the kid away.

  “We both spent years looking for a place to belong before we found it. Mine’s the ranch, and your place is here at the zoo.”

  Shock rippled throug
h Zach’s gaze like fire. He glanced away quickly, as if not sure how to deal with the emotions. He rubbed at his upper arms, but he didn’t walk away.

  “I never fit in…unless I was making trouble.” Clay cleared his throat before he continued. “I see a lot of me in you. Maybe that’s why it’s so easy to care about you.”

  Zach moved closer to the ferret exhibit. He didn’t say anything for a long time. Clay quietly walked over beside him. In silence, the two of them watched the mustelids scurry back and forth. One of the long animals stopped to look at them, its little whiskers twitching inquisitively.

  “You care about me?” Zach’s voice was unusually deep, but it rose on the last word and almost cracked.

  Clay tentatively laid his hand on the boy’s shoulder. To his relief, the teen didn’t shrug him off. “Yeah. I do.”

  “Even with all the shit I’ve pulled?” Zach still didn’t turn, and neither did Clay. It was easier for both of them to have this conversation while staring ahead. The ferrets had lost interest in them again and chattered among themselves.

  “Maybe even because of it,” Clay said. “Life certainly isn’t boring with you around.”

  Zach let out a huff of laughter, but he sobered fast. “I’m sorry about what happened at Rocky Ridge.”

  Clay gently squeezed his shoulder. “I know you never wanted to hurt those wolves.”

  Zach drummed his fingers against the railing meant to keep visitors back from the glass. “I’m also sorry about the crappy situation I dragged you into.”

  “It all worked out for the best,” Clay said. “You’ve found your place here, and I found Lacey.”

  “She…” Zach paused and then rubbed his thumb against the railing. Stripped of his normal bravado, he looked nervous…and young. “She doesn’t mind having me around, does she?”

  Clay felt a rock-sized ache in his heart at the boy’s question. Damn, he should have thought about that. “Naw,” Clay said. “In fact, I think she might have a soft spot for reformed bad boys with the Stevens last name.”

  Clay heard Zach swallow. He finally hazarded a glance at his nephew and saw him bob his head. This was hard for the kid. A lot more than it was for Clay, and it wasn’t easy for him either.

  “And, Zach, if she did have a problem with your presence, that would be a nonstarter. You and I, we’re a package deal now.”

  Zach looked at him then, and the kid’s blue eyes blazed. Clay thought he might have even detected a sheen of tears, but he’d never embarrass his nephew by mentioning it.

  “You mean that?”

  Clay nodded. “I do, Zach. You and me, we’re family.”

  He stepped forward and hugged his nephew. The embrace wasn’t without its awkwardness. Both of them held themselves too stiffly. But the emotion was right, and Zach didn’t shift away.

  When they stepped away from each other, neither of them said anything more. But something had changed between them. Clay sensed it. They’d crossed some invisible barrier, and there was no going back. They’d formed more than just a truce or an understanding. There was a bond now.

  “So this tour wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the wolves,” Clay said. The mention of the pups immediately put Zach at ease. It was amazing how much this place had broken through his surly husk. He almost seemed enthusiastic as he led them out of the reptile house and through the main part of the animal park.

  “Perseus and Theseus look like mini wolves now,” Zach said. “Lacey says they’re starting to grow their guard hairs and stuff. They’re always howling, and Bowie and I are working on getting an exhibit ready.”

  “He mentioned that you were a big help.” Clay thought he saw a proud smile drift across his nephew’s lips, but it was gone before he could be certain. But there was no doubt that the kid moved confidently through the deserted zoo. Working with animals could do that, even with people with pasts as troubled and complicated as theirs. In Clay’s mind, he couldn’t think of a greater lesson in humanity than caring for and protecting another living creature.

  When Zach opened the nursery door, the pups looked up from their game of tug-of-war. The bigger of the two immediately scrambled in Zach’s direction, making happy sounds.

  “Which one is this?” he asked as his nephew bent to greet the animal.

  “Theseus,” Zach said. “He likes people. Bowie says maybe a little too much, but since he’s not going to be released, it’s okay.”

  Perseus loped more cautiously over to Zach and sniffed his shoe. His limp was pronounced, but it didn’t seem to bother him. Neither lobo would be a good candidate for life in the wild though. Lacey had made the right decision to bring the pups to the zoo rather than the rehabilitation center.

  “I brought in a couple sticks earlier for them,” Zach said. “Do you want to watch the lobos play?”

  Clay nodded, suppressing a smile at the kid’s obvious enthusiasm. Zach had completely forgotten to hide his emotions this time. He moved excitedly over to the cabinet and pulled out a couple of large twigs. Although he placed several on the ground, the wolves decided to fight over the largest one. Their play growls filled the room. Theseus spread his paws, trying to get more traction as he yanked. Perseus chose that moment to let go of his end, causing his brother to somersault backward. For a moment, Theseus’s large black pads waved in the air before he managed to right himself. He blinked, a befuddled expression on his long face. His gold irises had just begun to clear when his brother barreled into him, knocking him right over again.

  Zach laughed. “I miss their blue eyes, but they look so smart with their yellow ones.”

  “They grew up faster than I expected,” Clay said.

  Zach nodded. “They don’t stay kids for long.”

  “No, they don’t,” Clay said, suddenly thinking no longer of the lobos but of Zach. His nephew would be college-bound in only a few short years, but this place, this zoo, had given the boy back some of his childhood. And for the first time, Clay didn’t feel uncomfortable in the role of guardian. Standing in this room, witnessing all that his nephew had accomplished…it felt natural.

  It struck him that ever since Zach had arrived at the ranch, Clay had felt like an imposter. He hadn’t known anything about raising a child, especially a kid with Zach’s history. There’d also been an underlying guilt that he was trying to replace his brother…that by taking in Zach, he was acknowledging that Greg could never be a real father.

  But finally those doubts had vanished as thoroughly as low-lying clouds burned away by the hot morning sun. Life with Zach wouldn’t always be easy. They still had plenty of rough patches ahead, but they had started to put down their own ruts, forming a groove that worked.

  Clay only wished he felt as certain about his relationship with Lacey. He knew she’d made his connection with Zach possible. Oh, they would’ve made it here eventually, but it would have taken longer. But even though she’d helped smooth things over with his nephew, Clay couldn’t shake the feeling Lacey and he were headed for a tangled mess. Navigating the town’s hatred of the Stevens family wasn’t going to be easy, even if she fully trusted him. And Clay worried very much that she didn’t…at least not completely. Something had broken between them when she’d learned about the wolves’ disappearance. It bothered him that she’d believed he’d kill one of her wolves and then keep it a secret. And worse, he sensed she’d begun to doubt him again. She’d spent years considering him the enemy, and he feared she might once again. It didn’t help that their relationship would be forced into public display at the upcoming wedding. He just hoped their newly formed bond was strong enough to endure the increased pressure.

  * * *

  June and Magnus had taken a risk with an outdoor wedding in late spring. But the sun shone brightly over the huge tent the men had erected. Lacey knew June had rented heaters, but her friend wouldn’t need them. The air carried a warmth that
whispered of summer adventure.

  Normally, on a day like this, Lacey would pull on hiking boots and head into the wilderness, but she wouldn’t miss her friend’s wedding day. Plus Clay had promised they’d check on the wolf pack tomorrow as long as she felt up to it.

  But Lacey didn’t want her worries to ruin her enjoyment of the ceremony, especially since the tent overlooked the bear exhibit. June had joked that Frida, the zoo’s grumpy grizzly, should’ve been a groomswoman for Magnus since she’d been his confidant during some critical points in their relationship. The elderly bear, however, had no interest in the festivities. Instead, she snoozed happily, her head resting on her favorite rock. Once or twice, her nose would twitch or one brown eye would pop open, but she otherwise ignored the commotion.

  The one-year-old Sorcha wasn’t so cavalier. She’d moved to the edge of her exhibit to watch curiously. A couple of times, she’d grown bored and played with her rubber toys. The last time, she dragged one over so she could entertain herself and keep her eyes on the milling humans.

  Beside Lacey, Clay shifted uncomfortably in his chair. She glanced at him, and although he kept his face impassive, she could sense his tension. To his left sat Zach, who’d just joined them after helping with the animals participating in the ceremony. The teenager looked as uneasy as his uncle. She didn’t blame either of them. As people waited for the ceremony to begin, everyone’s focus seemed locked on the two Stevenses. Ever since Clay had sat down, a low buzz had spread through the gathering. Lacey just hoped June hadn’t miscalculated when she’d extended the invitation to them. Clay and Zach didn’t need more town gossip, and June and Magnus deserved to be the center of attention.

  Thankfully, when Abby appeared leading Savannah, the crowd collectively turned to watch her. Lacey didn’t miss the way Zach’s face reddened when he caught sight of the other teen. The girl’s lavender-colored cocktail dress complemented her gray eyes and upswept black hair. Although the style was youthful, she looked elegant as she made her way to the front of the tent with a wide smile on her face.