Shutting my eyes, I forced all nagging thoughts away and listened.
She’s one beautiful bitch.
What —? My eyes flew open in time to see one of the park’s free-wandering goat’s lips part, ready to nibble.
I lifted the goat’s head and gazed into her eyes.
I’m so hungry. I’m so hungry. Just a little bite … The goat’s mind reflected her desire to chew on my clothing, just as I’d expected. Goats weren’t the most intelligent beasts on the block.
I scanned the area. The one animal looking my way was a beastly but very human veterinarian.
I couldn’t read humans, no matter how hard I tried. After discovering my post-coma ability, I’d expended a ton of energy attempting to reach my own species. It just didn’t work. So, what or who had formulated such a crude thought?
For the first time, which added to the mystery, there weren’t any pictures accompanying the words. In general, animals didn’t use words in the traditional sense. Their thinking revolved around their senses, and what they both saw and heard, sort of like a video preview. With this latest development, I’d entered uncharted territory.
Today, I’d heard, without a doubt, the worded thought of an animal. My gift was expanding, transforming again. The capricious ability seemed to evolve without notice. An animal using the “B” word was beyond baffling. It was bizarre.
“Sorry to interrupt your coffee break, but I thought we should get moving. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover.” Zane’s commanding tone implied that he was used to getting what he wanted.
I gasped, almost spilling my coffee.
Towering over me, it was evident he’d left his newfound followers to their own work.
How such a large man could approach with such stealth was unnerving. He’d advanced without my knowledge — something that never happened. Having a cop for a parent had taught me to be ultra-vigilant. Bottom line: I should have heard him.
“Excuse me, but I’m not on a break, as you so quickly assumed. My shift,” I glanced meaningfully at my watch, “doesn’t start for ten more minutes.” I swallowed my uneasiness with a long drink.
“Fine, I’ll join you.” Without waiting for an invitation, he took a seat on the bench. Stretching his legs, he rotated his shoulders. I was overwhelmed by a masculine, musky fragrance. Shampoo? Whatever it was smelled way too good. I inched away, hoping to put a safer distance between us.
What’s with her? Do I stink?
“What?” I stammered. This couldn’t be happening. Of all people, why him?
Seeming to realize that I’d infiltrated his thoughts, he grimaced.
Just Great! Considering we’d be working together, good ole Luke had explained my talent to our newest employee. But why Zane would assume that my animal-reading-ability extended to him, a human being, was beyond me.
I leaned closer, this time forgetting to hide my intentions.
Attempting to slide into his mind, I was met with a brick wall — a very vivid image of a brick barrier blocked my probing, making it impossible to sense anything.
I was shut out, on purpose, it seemed.
No animal had ever stopped my snooping. They seemed eager to comply. Apparently, humans were different.
Between my latest encounter with death, my ever-expanding talents, the murders, and Zane’s sudden appearance, I felt my stress level rising. I had to make a decision: Stuff my feelings until later, when I could sort through them alone, or go bonkers and lose my job.
The example my parents' had set once again guided my decision. For now, I’d ignore the strange incidents and pretend my world was standing right side up.
Gulping down the last of my coffee, I handed Zane a park map. “Let’s go.”
Forcing myself to treat Zane as I would any new employee, I babbled on about the various animals, citing their unique traits, histories, and dispositions. Zane took careful notes and remained silent other than a number of questions about the black bears. I was grateful that he hadn’t attempted to bring up our earlier mind reading encounter or yesterday’s lion taming/Chloe shaming incident.
The few times I tried to tune in to his thoughts left me disappointed. The brick wall remained strong, shielding his mind. The good news — he didn’t seem aware of my failed intrusions, at least he didn’t acknowledge them. Maybe the barrier he’d managed to erect was permanent, although I wasn’t sure how that would work. It wasn’t like I’d found a how-to-manual for my condition.
“What’s going up over there?” Zane stopped to watch several men working on a new exhibit building.
“Come on. I’ll show you.” I hurried ahead eager to see the latest developments.
Luke’s dream to add a mini-aquarium was becoming a reality. I was amazed by the progress.
“Hey, Chloe!” Joel, one of the younger workers, turned to wave from his rooftop perch, bumping several nearby metal poles in the process.
One of the huge rods was catapulted my direction.
With no time to move away, I dropped to my knees, covering my head with my arms. I felt a gust of air.
I froze, waiting for impact. Nothing hit me but relief and curiosity.
I opened one eye than the other.
What I saw made no sense. Zane was lowering several poles to the ground without any effort.
“Man! How’d you do that?” The worker stared at the rods, awed.
“You should worry less about me, kid, and more about keeping this work site safe. You could have killed her.” Zane glanced back, his concern obvious, causing my heart to do an unfamiliar flip flop.
Severe shock, again … that would explain my increased heart rate. Of course, I was in shock. What else could it be? The guy had saved my life twice in less than twenty-four hours.
Before I could even begin finding my feet, Zane was lifting me up, holding my elbow to keep me steady. My legs wobbled, but with his help, I remained standing.
Several workers offered apologies.
Joel rushed to my side. “Chloe, I’m so sorry. I messed up. Can you forgive me?”
I nodded and turned toward Zane, more interested in his heroic actions. “How did you get to me in time?” I asked, lowering my voice.
I tried to gauge the distance he must have traveled to reach me. Last I remembered he’d been several long paces away, and I was convinced the steel beams weighed far more than any one man could lift. He’d laid them down like putting pencils on a desk.
This latest occurrence reminded me of yesterday’s rapid rescue effort, and it made no sense. Men just didn’t move that fast, nor could they subdue lions with their bare hands. The whole incident seemed to have a surreal quality to it. And to think I’d wished for excitement.
“Well?” I pressed, waiting for his explanation.
“I’ve been known to respond with adrenaline a time or two.” He shrugged. “No big deal.”
“No big deal. You’re kidding, right? You saved my life, not once, but twice.” The idea that I was indebted to this massive man didn’t sit well in my gut. “Thank you,” I stammered.
Seeming to read my mind, he shrugged. “I’d have done it for anyone. In spite of what you might think about me, I’m a pretty helpful guy.” He released my arm.
“You can help me anytime,” I said, making sure I sounded serious; because I was.
“You can count on it.” Looking uncomfortable, he turned to gather my scattered papers.
“Do you want to continue the tour?” I asked, hoping we could move on. I didn’t want to dwell on my latest dance with death.
“If you’re able, I’m willing.” He smiled, a broad smile that reached his eyes, softening his features.
“Thanks to you, I’m able.” I accepted my paperwork and moved to the next exhibit, trying to ignore the warmth spreading through me like liquid heat. His smile had the same effect on me as the sun had earlier.
Sun lover equals Zane lover? No way! Not a chance. I shoved the ridiculous idea away.
We’d reach
ed the wolves, one of my favorite exhibits in spite of my aversion to dogs. A male and three females lived in the wilderness-inspired enclosure.
Unlike many zoos, the park’s animals had large areas to explore, making their confined existence more bearable. At this point, all the animals had been born in captivity, and I’d never heard any complain about their surroundings.
For the most part, the wolves watched from a distance. They stuck together and avoided human contact, forming their own little pack. Feeding time was the one exception.
Zane fixed his gaze on the big male and made a funny growling noise deep in his throat. Much to my surprise the grey wolf trotted toward us.
“Magnificent creature,” Zane acknowledged. He squatted and faced the wolf through the gaps in the fencing.
After a few minutes of silent staring, the wolf retreated.
Randall, I spoke the wolf’s name in my mind. What did the man say?
All I could decipher was a picture of an enormous black wolf and the word, brother. Another actual word? My ability was morphing from the caterpillar phase into a fully developed butterfly, and I had no clue how or why it was happening, or when it would stop.
“You’re not the only one with a special animal connection,” Zane boasted.
“I’ve never claimed to be the one and only!” I shot back, feeling defensive.
Regardless of his rescue efforts, he still annoyed me on several levels. Later, I’d give Luke my ultimatum: Zane or me. As for the wolf’s strange mental impression, I’d explore that later as well, right along with my growing list of crazy and impossible things to consider.
“You are high-spirited, aren’t you?” he teased.
“What did you expect, another pining woman?” Why did I feel the need to be so mean? He’d saved my life — two times. It wasn’t his fault more of my coma-acquired-gift was being unwrapped without my permission.
“Chloe, I’ve managed to offend you. I’m sorry. I’d hoped for a compatible partnership with a coworker. I’m guessing that’s not in the stars.” He sounded disappointed.
Before I could process his apology, he reached for my hand. “Hello, my name is Zane Marshall. Can we start over?”
The moment our hands touched an electrical current coursed through my veins like an illicit drug. I quizeredquivered as I stumbled backward, almost falling. The strained look on his face was evidence enough that he, too, had felt the intoxicating sensation.
As much as I hated to admit it, there was something both alluring and odd about Zane Marshall. And I was desperate to know more.
Zane tensed. Our moment ended as Rhonda, a cat in heat, sashayed toward us,
“How’s it going? Enjoying your tour?”
“Very much so.” His eyes traveled down my frame, lingering on my breasts then legs. My face burned in what was surely a very brazen blush. I doubted my darker coloring could hide my heated reaction this time around. I didn’t care.
It gave me an odd sense of power to see him focused on me with the curvy, platinum-blonde batting her lashes. When Rhonda found a man she wanted, she made no effort to hide her intentions. Zane was the latest man on her hit list of hunks.
“What are you doing for lunch?” Her question was for Zane alone. She made that clear by sliding closer to him while ignoring my presence. I should have been happy to see him vanish for awhile, but instead, an unexpected stab of jealousy pierced between my ribs.
The next words tumbled out of my mouth shocking us all. “Zane’s having lunch with me. We’ve still got some animals to visit anyway.” I waited for his sure-to-follow rejection. Why would he want to have lunch with a sourpuss like me when Rhonda would stroke his ego and a whole lot more if he desired.
“That’s right, I’m sorry, but Chloe and I have more work to complete before we can head out. If you’d like to join us, it’ll be awhile.” His attempt at diplomacy was lost on Rhonda.
Her face scrunched into a mask of fury.
I knew right then that our treaty of common dislike had just expanded to hatred on her part. I’d have to watch my back more than ever.
“I’ll take a rain check.” She softened her features before turning to smile at Zane, and then strode away, making sure to sway her ample hips.
“Wow — is she always like that?” Zane grimaced.
“Do I have to answer?” I tried to conceal the excitement I felt knowing that this Hercules of a Man preferred me over a sure roll in the sack. This latest development added to my growing belief that there was more to Dr. Marshall than I’d originally thought.
“So, you’re treating me to lunch?” His face lit up with a boyish grin that just about won me over on the spot.
“Co-workers go Dutch. That’s the rule around here,” I joked
“Fair enough. I saw a little seafood place down the road.”
“Which one?” This was the Oregon Coast. Seafood was the main staple. Where was this guy from anyway — Mars? I’d once read a book about men being from Mars.
He seemed to catch my attempt at humor slash sarcasm. “All right now, play nice. I’m the outsider. You pick.”
Twenty minutes later, we were seated across from each other at the Plum Beach Fish and Steak House. I eyed the menu, trying to keep from gawking at Zane, who looked larger than life in the small booth. Every female in the place was stealing glances our way. Zane seemed oblivious to the attention, another plus for my new partner.
An afternoon newsbreak filled the flat screens mounted on various walls throughout the restaurant. Several patrons called for the staff to turn up the volume.
Police Chief, Robert Daily, dabbing his face with a handkerchief, waited behind the podium, prepared to make an official statement. He shuffled through a pile of papers. Another man, wearing a tasteful business suit that boasted a major designer’s label, waited nearby. He gripped his own stack of papers.
I didn’t recognize him. Of the two men, he appeared the calmest.
“Friends,” Chief Daily began. “It is times like these, when drawing closer as a community is more important than ever. As you are aware, two of our town’s young men were needlessly murdered.”
The word needlessly struck me as the wrong word to use when describing a murder victim; however, Police Chief Daily wasn’t the type of person that garnered respect. Today was no exception. He’d always seemed out of his league making public announcements. If the situation weren’t so dire, I might feel sorry for him.
“We are working overtime to solve these cases and bring justice for these crimes and peace back to Plum Beach. I understand your concerns about the tourist season, and realize that many of your livelihoods are being affected by these events. …”
“Why can’t you catch this creep?” Someone yelled from the crowd of onlookers surrounding the podium.
“We heard there was another killing!” a woman shouted.
“Hold on, folks, please, let me finish,” his voice trembled.
I looked at Zane to see if he was watching the news like everyone else. Sensing my scrutiny, he turned away from the screen. “Did you know either of these men?” His eyes mirrored the concern in his voice.
Thankfully, I could answer no. We turned back to the report in time to see the well-dressed man replace the chief at the podium.
“My name is Agent Green. I’m from the Portland FBI Field Office. I will be working with your local police department to bring a rapid resolution to these events. To answer your question about an additional murder; you are correct.”
People gasped, both on and off the screens. Hushed conversations broke out around the restaurant. I held my breath waiting for the details, hoping that once again I’d be a stranger to the victim.
I should have known my luck would run out.
“Our latest victim has been identified by family members as Seth Johnson, a local fisherman who worked part time for Tim’s Tackle and Treasures. If you are a single man, between the ages of eighteen and thirty, we advise you to remain vigilant.”
A throng of reporters pushed forward as the officers turned to leave. The local anchorman returned, providing a press conference summary.
“I knew Seth Johnson,” I said, surprised by the hitch in my throat. “It wasn’t like we were close or anything, but he helped me pick out fishing gear for my stepdad when he visited last summer. Seth was just a kid. He couldn’t be, have been, more than eighteen or nineteen.”
“I’m sorry. Do you want to leave?” He asked with genuine concern.
“I don’t think so. My stomach’s still growling and there’s nothing not eating will fix.” I hoped I didn’t sound callous, but by the twinkle in his eyes, I knew he agreed.
Avoiding any further discussion about the murders, we instead discussed park procedures between huge bites of grilled salmon and steak, cleaning our plates like two people ravished by an inhuman hunger. I almost choked, considering just how much I’d like to be ravished by the man inclined over his plate.
Seeming to read my thoughts, he glanced up, running his tongue over his upper lip. I couldn’t help imagining what his tongue would feel like gliding down me.
I scolded myself. Thoughts like those belonged to a sex-starved woman, not a twenty-four-year-old-virgin. I had every intention of keeping my purity intact until my wedding night, but for the first time, ever, I wondered if I’d make it.
Zane, if he uncovered my internal battle, was certain to rise to the challenge of deflowering me. Keeping a safe distance had become more important.
Being raised a good Baptist girl made an impact on my beliefs. My religious upbringing was like a safety net keeping me from losing control and following after what my mother referred to as desires of the flesh. I’d never understood the whole temptation principle, until this moment. I wished now that I’d paid closer attention in church.
“Delicious!” He reached for his water.
“Amen to that!” I agreed, sounding far more spiritual than I felt.
Zane gave me a lopsided grin. I couldn’t blame him. Typically, I didn’t shout amen after a meal — although my steak had been flame-broiled to perfection.
I Kissed a Dog Page 3