Wanted: Zookeeper (Silverpines Book 19)

by Lynn Donovan

  CHAPTER TEN

  Niles joined Ellen and her grandpa for breakfast each morning. Walter reaped the benefits of having Niles attend meals with them because Ellen went out of her way to prepare special dishes for Niles. “The way to a man’s heart and all that,” she professed when he teased her. Today, she was anxious to hear what had happened while Niles had joined several council members as they walked the Timber Town area.

  Ellen nervously prepared a huge breakfast with fried ham, bacon, shredded taters, biscuits and jam, and a dozen fried eggs. When the knock came to their front door, Ellen hurried to answer.

  Niles smiled, but his face looked sad.

  “What is it?”

  He shook his head and entered their home. “I don’t think they’re gonna go for it, Ellen. The council members just don’t seem willing to let that area get rebuilt.”

  “I’m so sorry. Come eat. We’ll talk to grandpa. See if he has any ideas.”

  Niles handed her his hat and overcoat. “Thank you.” He tilted his head, as if he just realized she stood before him. “Gosh, you look pretty today.”

  Heat filled her cheeks. She patted her hair. “I tried a new style with my hair.”

  “It’s really nice.” He took her hand and held her out away from him, looking at her better. “You’re the prettiest woman in town, Ellen. I’m the luckiest man ever.”

  She waved a hand at his compliment. “Oh, you. Come eat, afore it gets cold.”

  Niles entered the kitchen as he had done for the past week. “Listen, let’s forget about all this waiting to hear if I can buy that land, and let’s go on a picnic or something. What do you want to do?”

  “Oh Niles. You’re so sweet.” The thought of spending time alone with Niles thrilled her. But she knew it was imperative to get this matter with the land worked out. The animals were restless and needed space to spread out, not to mention they needed adequate buildings to keep them warm and safe from the Oregon winters. “Let’s talk to grandpa for an idea to persuade the council, and then we can worry about taking a holiday from our worries.”

  “You’re amazing.” Niles smiled warmly, this time the joy shone in his eyes.

  “Ask grandpa what?” Walter poured three coffees and sat at the table.

  “I walked around the area that was Timber Town with Mr. Henderson and some of the council members yesterday. They didn’t say yay or nay, but I didn’t get a good feeling they were going to let me purchase the land any time soon.”

  “Hmm.” Walter leaned back in his chair while Ellen served generous portions of everything on their plates and sat them in front of each of them. “I really thought the memorial idea was the way to go.”

  Niles nodded and bowed his head. Walter said grace and they ate in silence. Each was obviously searching for a solution.

  “Pardon my asking.” Walter put down his fork. “But you seem to be… you don’t seem to be hurtin’ none for money—“

  “Grandpa!”

  “Well! He don’t! I was just thinking there’s a way to influence a council… when you can make a contribution… to something that’s important to them… like, oh I don’t know, the Pikes Mining Memorial.”

  Niles’s brow peaked. “I would think the Memorial moniker for the Zoo would be honor enough.” A frustrated thin line replaced his usually smiling lips. “If this council refuses to let me buy that land for my zoo, I’ll build a bridge across the river and put my zoo over there.”

  “But… “ Ellen glanced between her Grandpa and Niles. “You’d be across the state line, in Washington.”

  Niles shook his head. “It’s not where I want our menagerie to be, Ellen. But… if they leave me no choice. Those animals have got to be moved soon.”

  She dropped her gaze to the table. She knew he was right. The animals needed to be moved out of the warehouse and into a series of buildings designed for their comfort. “Is there anything you can do, Grandpa?”

  Walter shifted his eyes, and rubbed his unshaven chin, deep in thought. “I don’t know.”

  Niles put down his fork, his food hardly touched. “Ellen, honey. I have to do what’s best for the exotics. If Silverpines doesn’t want to work with me to build a zoo, then I have no choice but to go somewhere else. My brother already has an area set up for the animals I told him I’d be bringing.”

  Ellen turned to Niles. “You’d go to Seattle. But what about our… courting?”

  “Those exotics have been through too much to get this far and end up not having a suitable habitat to live in.” He took her hands into his. “You understand, don’t you? I have to do what’s best for them, then I can come back here and… and court you.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “I understand. I do. But… how long will you be gone?”

  Niles looked at Walter, then settled his gaze on Ellen. It broke his heart to tell her he may have to leave Silverpines. But his priority had to be with the animals. “I don’t want to leave at all. But if I do, I’ll have to stay long enough to get the animals settled and teach my brother how to care for them. It could take months. But I’ll be back. I promise.”

  “Of course.” Ellen rose and cleared the table. Sadness filled her face.

  Niles closed his eyes. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he’d be tempted to place a woman’s affections ahead of the welfare of exotic animals. He knew it broke her heart to consider him needing to leave Silverpines in order to take the exotics to Seattle as he had originally planned. And breaking Ellen’s heart caused his own to knot up like snake. “Ellen, I’d never hurt you, not intentionally. Please know that I’ll go talk to the council one more time, but if they refuse me that land, I’ll have no other choice.”

  She nodded. “I understand. I’d do the same for my critters.”

  Niles took her into his arms and held her against his chest. He kissed to top of her head. “I’ll try again. I don’t want to leave Silverpines… or you.”

  She tilted her head back and met his eyes. “I know. At least, I think I know.”

  “You trust me, don’t you?”

  Ellen’s lip quivered. “Of course I do. I know how important your exotic animals’ safety and comfort are to you. Let’s not jump to any disheartening conclusions until you talk to the council again.”

  He squeezed her close. “Agreed.”

  #

  Mayor Garrison, slammed his gavel down hard, drawing the council’s attention. The discussions that Ellen could make out among all the chatter sounded as though they were against doing anything with Timber Town’s land. She and Niles stood ready to defend their proposal anyway.

  “Two meetings in one month and neither one requires the reading of last month’s meeting minutes.” Mayor Garrison expressed his frustration. “All right, so…” He sighed. “Several of us met with Mr. Niles Phinney and walked the perimeter of Timber Town’s ruins to consider his proposal of buying the land and turning it into a zoo of exotic animals from Africa. An intriguing idea, if I do say so myself.” He scanned the council members’ faces. “But what say you?”

  Flora Adams stood. “I agree it’s time to move on and clean up the Timber Town ruins. I move we accept Mr. Phinney’s request to buy the land with the intention of building a zoo.”

  Mac McMillan raised his hand. “I second it.”

  Brawny Winter shot to his feet. “Hold up there, Mac. A wife and husband shouldn’t move and second a motion.”

  Fannie Pearl lifted her arm. “Well, then I second the motion.”

  Brawny turned a sharp glare, realized it was the town matriarch who spoke, and softened his gaze. He nodded.

  Mayor Garrison kept his eyes on Brawny. “Is there discussion, Brawny?”

  Winter rubbed his hand down his face. “It’s just… I lived there, in Timber Town. Only by the grace of God I was out surveying when the earthquakes and landslide did so much damage. Everybody I worked with was killed. They were there that morning and gone that evening. I returned to find—”

  He swallowed h
ard.

  Flora stood. “Mr. Winter, I lost people too. My saloon was wiped out. I understand how you feel. Why them and not me. If I’d been on site that day, I wouldn’t be standing here. And Mac…” she too was overcome with emotions. She sat down hard.

  Mac McMillan stood. “That’s all the more reason we should move forward and re-build out there. Flora and I discussed Mr. Phinney’s proposal and we think a zoo would be the perfect way to honor the families that were lost that day.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. You didn’t know any of them, Mr. McMillan.” Tonya Watts’s lip quivered. “Ellen, honey, I wish you and Mr. Phinney all the best, but I just don’t know that we are ready to take such a sacred memory and abolish it into a frivolous afternoon in the park. It seems there should be a more serious memorial erected out there.”

  “Tonya.” Ellen began.

  “Mrs. Watts is right.” Anna Mae Gillham, the gunsmith’s widow, didn’t stand, but spoke from her chair. “This idea of an exotic zoo, while named for the Timber Town resident’s, is just too flippant to be a proper memorial for all those women and children. I just don’t think it’s appropriate for Silverpines.”

  Several people talked on top of the other. Some were in agreement with the zoo and others were against it. The room filled with voices, growing louder and louder.

  Ellen could feel a tension ripple down Niles’s arm and settle in his fist. He shot to his feet. “Look here! I had no intention in settling here in Silverpines. It was the blizzard that forced me to stop here. But as fate would have it, I met Ellen Mae Myers and every priority in my life chanced. I understand your grief. I too lost my own father several years back, while I was in Europe. It’s taken me until now to get back here to America, to my brother… and yet my heart has been captured by this beautiful woman. If you will not let me buy that land and build a zoo, I’ll go across the river. I’ll build a bridge to get there and build my zoo over there. All I want is to find a way to marry Ellen and settle here in Silverpines. I’m just asking you to give me that chance. I promise to honor the—“

  “Wait!” Ellen stood at his side. “Say that again.”

  Niles turned startled eyes toward her. “All of it?”

  “No. Just the part about you want to marry me and settle here…”

  Silence filled the town hall. Everyone waited for Niles to repeat his proposal to Ellen.

  Niles glanced at all the eyes that gawked at him. He opened his mouth and closed it again. Then awkwardly knelt down on one knee. “It’s true. Ellen Mae Myers, if you’ll have me. I wish to make you my bride and to settle here in Silverpines to live out our lives, happily ever after, as the saying goes.” He smiled nervously.

  “Oh Niles. Yes, I’ll marry you.” She lifted her eyes to the town council members. “But you have to approve for Niles to build a zoo, if you won’t approve it being built where Timber Town was, then decide where it can be. Because those exotic animals cannot stay in that warehouse forever, or even much longer. We’ve gotta make better habitats for them, and soon!”

  Brawny Winter slowly rose. “Look, this is all mighty romantic and all, but… all I’m asking is there be some respect for the men and woman… and them children who died.” He dipped his head, taking a moment to gain composure. “I tell you what. I move that the town council approve Mr. Phinney’s proposal to buy Timber Town’s land and build a zoo, but with me and… some of the survivors of the Timber industry, on a board or something like that to help advise and plan the design. That way we got some say in how those folks are honored and how that zoo comes together.”

  Niles struggled to stand from being on bent knee, still holding Ellen’s hand. “I can agree with that.”

  Ellen smiled. “Me too.”

  The Mayor’s gavel banged on the base. “Motion passed. Congratulation Mr. Phinney. Now, when’s the wedding?”

  Ellen blushed.

  Niles’s eyes widened. “I’m not sure. We’ll discuss it and get back with you.” He turned to Ellen. She nodded agreement. “I think it’s more pertinent we get these animals settle in a permanent habitat first.” Glancing between Ellen and the Mayor. “If that’s alright.”

  “Brawny?” The mayor directed the decision to Winter.

  Mr. Winter gave a half grin. “I reckon a wedding can wait, the animals cannot.”

  “Well then, this meeting is adjourned.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  “Oh Niles.” Ellen fell into his arms. The town hall was empty. He had no idea he would propose during the town council meeting. She seemed as surprised as he.

  So did the council.

  Niles had been consumed with frustration. He needed them to approve his purchasing the land and to move his exotics as soon as the habitat buildings could be built. They were stonewalling him with their stubborn sentimental lack of progress.

  Next thing he knew, he was spouting his intentions to marry Ellen and threatening to build a bridge…

  He had proposed to Ellen… in front of everyone!

  And the council agreed to let him build his zoo. Some man named Brawny Winter volunteered to put together a board of directors and help design and build. Niles’s heart was so full. Ellen was the woman of his dreams. She’d said yes. The council had said yes. Things were working out in a way he had never planned, and yet… it was perfect.

  The zoo he had thought would remain in Cameroon, Africa, would now be built in Silverpines, Oregon. Not even Seattle, Washington where he set out to deliver his menagerie when his twin begged him to come home. Everything tried to stop him, the storm at sea, the blizzard, and then the love of the perfect woman. Everything stopped him from getting to Seattle.

  Because he was meant to be in Silverpines.

  He was meant to be with Ellen.

  She changed everything. His twin would surely understand Niles not fulfilling their father’s wishes to return to Seattle. Besides, Silverpines was only a day’s train ride away. He could visit Charles any time.

  Ellen’s small menagerie brought them together. Her menagerie would add to his exotic zoo with a domestic, hometown petting zoo. A zoo within the zoo. It was perfect. She was perfect. He was truly happy for the first time in… forever.

  “I’m so proud of you. And…” Her eyes filled with happy tears. “I’m so happy.” She rose on tippy toes and kissed his cheek.

  “I was just thinking the same thing.” He turned his face, catching her lips with his. She paused a moment, surprised he had turned into her discreet affections, and kissed her. But then their passion blazed and they pressed into one another’s consuming kiss.

  “You two might want to save that for the wedding.” A rough voice broke through their fervor.

  Ellen stumbled back from Niles, embarrassment flushing her cheeks. “Mr. Winter. Thank you for swaying the council to agree with Niles.”

  “Don’t make me regret it, Phinney. Let’s meet this afternoon and discuss your plans.”

  Niles nodded. He turned back to Ellen and forced himself to release her. “Go tell Walter the news, and I’ll go meet with the Chinese crew I brought here. We’ll need their help to dig and build those habitats quickly.”

  A huge smile brightened her face. “I’ll see you for supper?”

  “Just try to keep me away.” He laughed. “Mr. Winter, where do you want to meet?”

  “Here’s as good a place as any, I reckon.” Winter pulled the Mayor’s desk drawer open and lifted out several pieces or paper. “Give me an idea of what you have in mind.”

  Niles sat on the opposite side of the desk and drew the plan he had been considering for these twelve animals for some time. Brawny looked it over then squinted his eyes. “This is doable, with the stonemason’s help. So, you want to make it appear to be a tropical forest, a uh, natural habitat for the African animals?” He glanced up to confirm with Niles. “What were you figuring on the digging labor, the Chinese workers?

  “Yes. I brought eight men with me from Montana. I was hoping I could round t
hem up, or some of their people, to clear the debris and dig these pens. Lumber for the fences shouldn’t be difficult.”

  “Have you looked out across these mountains? There’s more lumber than you could shake a stick at.” Brawny leaned back and bellowed a laugh.

  “You make a good point. But we need to talk to the stonemason for the habitat buildings. It’ll be more efficient and safe for the exotics and the people.”

  I agree. We can go talk to Mallet Thorne this afternoon, if you want.”

  “Could you take this drawing and talk to him, while I go see Zhang in Chinatown? I’ve been told he’s in charge of the workers here. My guys integrated into their community, so out of respect, I’ll need to speak to him first.”

  “Sure. Meet you back at the Timber Town ruins first thing in the morning?”

  “Yes. See you then.”

  #

  “Isn’t it a beautiful day, Grandpa?” Ellen flitted between the cupboard and the stove, frying steak strips and potatoes. She cold-steeped tea and crushed some blackberries to flavor it, poured them both into two mason jars and sat them on the back porch to cool. She transferred the meat and potatoes into a crock with a latch-and-seal lid and placed it in the picnic basket along with two plates and flatware, linen napkins, and a quilt she planned to spread out on the ground. It was a warmer-than-usual day, and perfect for a picnic.

  “Yes, princess. It’s a beautiful day.” Walter mocked her, but there was a twinkle in his eye that told her he was tickled about her news too. “You think Niles will have time to sit down to a picnic with you?”

  Grandpa’s words caused Ellen to chew on her lip. It had never occurred to her that excavating Timber Town would keep Niles from spending a few moments with her to eat a meal. Maybe she should have made sandwiches instead. Or a meat pie, so he could eat it quickly and get back to work. She stalled in the kitchen, not knowing what to do. Should she start over?