Of course, a glass-half-empty man would say that meant he’d lose either way, too.
Both results shared a common outcome: Kelli would return to Denver. A surprising wave of sadness lapped gently across the shores of his mind. He thrust it away and focused instead on the task at hand. The flashlight beam swept the peccary pen until he located the pair of occupants snoozing deeply in the far corner. Jason snapped off the light and headed for the zoo exit.
Sometimes he thought life would have been less complicated if he’d become a brain surgeon instead of a zookeeper.
Chapter Nine
On Sunday morning Kelli drove Lillian’s car to Redeemer Community Church for the eleven o’clock service. She’d passed the church on her way to the grocery store Saturday, after a long, dull day spent reading zoo procedures from giant three-ring binders. The marquee out front displayed the same sort of pithy saying her minister in Denver might select. HELP IS JUST A PRAYER AWAY. Kelli figured she could use all the help she could get.
The first person she saw when she walked through the door was Jason Andover.
Kelli stopped short. He stood in the doorway to the sanctuary, talking to a stout elderly woman. He hasn’t seen me yet. If I leave now—
But in the next instant, he looked up, and their eyes locked over the top of the woman’s satiny red hat. He said something to excuse himself and then crossed the distance between them.
“Kelli, what a surprise.”
For a moment she thought he might sweep her into a hug by way of greeting, but he stopped just in front of her and, after an awkward half second, shoved his hands into his pants pockets.
“What are you doing here?”
Not exactly the standard greeting for a first-time visitor. She raised her eyebrows.
He must have realized how odd his question sounded because he hurried on. “I mean, I didn’t know you went to church. If I had, I would have invited you to join us.”
“Us?” The question shot out faster than she intended, and Kelli looked down, embarrassed. Did he have a wife or a girlfriend? She wouldn’t want to intrude.
“My mother and I.” He turned as a group of adults filed down one of the side hallways and into the sanctuary. “There’s her Sunday school class now. Come on. I’ll introduce you.”
Kelli followed him toward the sanctuary, her step lighter than a moment before. Although she probably wouldn’t have accepted his invitation, she couldn’t very well get out of it now, could she? Besides, given the choice, she preferred to sit with someone, even her new boss. Sitting alone felt too much like being the loner at the middle-school lunch table.
Jason intercepted a woman heading toward the sanctuary and pulled her aside with a hand through her arm. She turned, and Kelli couldn’t help returning her generous smile.
“Kelli Jackson, this is my mother, Barb Andover.” He paused, then added, “Mom, Kelli is my late boss’s daughter.”
Her hand felt warm as she grasped Kelli’s. Solicitude flooded the eyes that looked into hers, the same green-brown as Jason’s.
“Oh, my dear, I’m so sorry for your loss.” She covered their clasped hands with her other one and squeezed.
“Thank you.” Kelli lowered her gaze to the floor, unable to withstand the deep compassion she saw in Mrs. Andover’s expression. The woman wore a look of shared sorrow, one that could only come from an intimate knowledge of the emotion. Jason’s mother had lost someone close, and the grief was still fresh. Her own mother, maybe? Or, because she appeared to be alone, maybe her husband? Kelli stole a quick look at Jason. Had he lost a family member recently?
“We’d better get a seat.” Jason put a hand on his mother’s arm to guide her into the sanctuary, his smile inviting Kelli to join them.
Kelli fell in beside him, conscious of the curious gazes fixed on her as they made their way to an empty row of chairs halfway down the center aisle. She seated herself beside Jason and looked around. Several people nodded politely and she returned the gesture, then caught sight of another familiar face. Reverend Stephens, the minister from Lillian’s memorial service, was seated up on the podium reading from a Bible.
She leaned sideways and whispered a question to Jason. “Did my mother go to church here?”
“Occasionally.” His lips twisted with a wry smile. “Mostly on special occasions, like Christmas and Easter, until six months ago.”
Six months ago. When she found out she had cancer.
Kelli nodded. Lillian had sought solace in God during her final days. With the knowledge came a sense of relief, and Kelli leaned against the padded seat back, her gaze fixed on the huge cross behind Reverend Stephens. At least she had spiritual comfort, even though she didn’t have any family support.
Not my fault, Kelli reminded herself. If she’d told me, I would have helped. She shifted sideways in the seat. Somehow.
On the other side of Jason, Mrs. Andover leaned forward. “Kelli, how long will you be staying in Florida?”
Kelli glanced at Jason. Had he told his mother of the contents of Lillian’s trust? Judging from her guileless expression, apparently not. How in the world would she explain this bizarre, and temporary, move to Florida? She stared without answering, her mind blank, until Jason came to her rescue.
“Kelli’s taken a job at the zoo for a while. She’ll be here indefinitely.”
Surprise colored the woman’s features, which she politely masked almost as soon as it appeared. “How nice. We’ll have to get together. Our ladies’ Bible study on Wednesday nights is mostly older women, but we’d love to have you join us.”
Kelli was saved from replying when a handful of musicians trooped down the aisle and went to a corner of the platform where a variety of instruments lay ready, signaling the beginning of the service. The minister stood and stepped up to the podium.
Jason leaned sideways. His whisper tickled her cheek with warm, mint-flavored breath. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from the Wednesday-night ladies’ group. Nice as they can be, but they’re a bunch of matchmakers. Their children, grandchildren, neighbors—any single person between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five is considered fair game. A beautiful woman like you would be irresistible to them.”
His grin, meant no doubt to be conspiratorial, sent Kelli’s pulse into a thudding tempo. She barely heard the minister’s introductory remarks through her whirling thoughts.
He thinks I’m beautiful.
By the time the service ended, Kelli had regained her composure. The minister’s sermon went mostly unheeded, but she was able to file out of the church at Jason’s side without his compliment echoing in her brain. She even managed to exchange a few pleasant words with Reverend Stephens at the door.
Outside in the oppressive heat, she veered toward her car. A voice from behind stopped her.
“Kelli, wait a minute.”
She turned to find Jason and his mother hurrying to catch up with her.
“We were wondering— That is, my mom wondered—” A flush hovered beneath Jason’s tanned cheeks.
Mrs. Andover gave him a disdainful look before turning a smile on Kelli. “Would you like to join us for brunch, dear? There’s a nice restaurant not far from here where we go whenever Jason doesn’t have to rush off to work.”
Kelli didn’t hesitate to decline. During the service she’d come to a realization. She may be stuck at the zoo for six months, but that didn’t mean she was going to fall at the feet of her mother’s handpicked replacement, no matter how he flattered her. For all she knew, his earlier compliment was merely a ruse, an attempt to win her trust. She must never forget what Jason’s precious zoo stood to gain if she let her guard down. Certainly he wouldn’t forget it.
She poured regret into her voice. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m afraid I’ve got some work to do this afternoon myself.”
“Oh.” Mrs. Andover’s expression fell, then brightened a moment later. “Well, next week, perhaps. And don’t forget about Wednes
day night.”
“That reminds me.” Kelli looked at Jason. She hated having to ask his permission, but he was her boss now. “My return flight to Denver is Wednesday morning. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to go ahead and keep that flight. I’ve got some things to take care of at my place and my grandmother’s before we close them up for six months.”
His eyebrows arched. “Your grandmother’s?”
Kelli nodded. “I can’t leave her in Denver alone for that long. She’s coming out here to stay with me.”
“Well, the first Sunday you’re back, plan on going to brunch with us,” Mrs. Andover said. “Your grandmother, too.”
Kelli smiled her thanks without committing. She started to turn away, but Jason stopped her with a hand on her arm.
He peered intently into her eyes, as though trying to read her thoughts. “You are coming back, aren’t you?”
Breathlessness threatened. Kelli forced herself to reply lightly. “Of course. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
A slow smile transformed his lips. “Good,” he said, his voice low.
Swallowing against a dry throat, Kelli turned away. For a moment there, it looked like Jason really thought she’d leave and not return. But instead of the triumph she would have expected, he’d looked almost sad.
Jason watched her walk away. He didn’t move as she slid into Lil’s old Toyota, backed out of the parking place and disappeared around the corner of the church.
Then he became aware of his mother watching him with a knowing smile.
“She’s a pretty girl,” Mom commented.
Uh-uh. The matchmaking antennas were twitching like an insect on high alert.
He answered with a noncommittal “Hmm” as he steered her toward his car.
“What was that she said about six months?”
Jason dug the keys out of his pocket and punched the Unlock button. “Kelli’s only working at the zoo on a temporary basis. It was a request from her mother.”
He didn’t want to go into the whole thing about the trust with anyone, even Mom. It felt like a breach of Lil’s privacy. And Kelli’s.
“And then she’ll go back to Denver?”
Jason opened the car door and held his mother’s arm while she sat down. “That’s right,” he told her before he closed the door.
He swallowed a sigh as he rounded the front of the car. No doubt he was in for a grilling at the restaurant. He halfway wished he could come up with an excuse to skip their Sunday ritual and take her straight home. But he didn’t have the heart to do that to her. Mom was so lonely since Dad died, and Jason knew how much she looked forward to the time they spent together. As did he. If only Kelli had agreed to join them.
He paused, his hand on the door handle. Having her beside him in church felt amazingly…normal. Like she belonged there. Did she notice how her husky alto voice had blended with his as they sang? Or the way his skin buzzed, almost vibrated, when he touched her smooth arm a moment ago?
Apparently not. She’d sure left in a hurry.
That’s for the best. In fact, it would probably be best if she found another church to attend while she was in town. He was her boss, after all, and besides, the specter of his failure with Aimee still loomed painfully. And would for many years to come.
But I’m different now. I’ve grown up. I’m responsible. A Believer. God forgave me, washed me clean, like the preacher says.
That may be so, but Jason knew he’d messed up royally with Aimee and he had no reason to believe he wouldn’t do the same with Kelli or any other woman. Besides, he had too much going on in his life right now to worry about women.
Except the one he was taking to brunch. He opened the door and slid into the car.
Chapter Ten
On Monday morning, Kelli expected to be stuck in the conference room again, parked behind another stack of training manuals or something. Instead, she entered the office to find Jason standing beside Angela’s desk, waiting for her.
“I have a board meeting to get ready for today, so this morning you get to work with Raul.” Jason’s tone wouldn’t have been any different if he’d just announced that today was her execution day.
Angela awarded her a sympathetic grimace. “Don’t let him get to you, Kelli. He’s grouchy, but down deep he’s really a nice guy.”
Kelli tilted her head and eyed them with caution. “Raul’s the one who sprained his ankle?”
Jason nodded. “He’s back, but he’s on crutches and needs some help.” He lowered his voice and mumbled something that sounded like, “Whether he wants it or not.”
She didn’t have time to react before Jason opened the door and gestured for her to precede him. With a farewell shrug for Angela, she left and then walked fast to keep up with the long-legged pace he set.
“So I take it Raul doesn’t play well with others?”
Jason acknowledged her wit with a chuckle. “You could say that. He’s been here a million years, so he feels like he owns the place, especially the Small Animal building.” He cocked his head to look sideways at her. “Lil was one of the few people he actually liked. Maybe he’ll cut you some slack because you’re her daughter.”
They passed a small yard on the left with a couple of strange pig-looking things inside, both of them wallowing on the ground in a cloud of dust. Kelli held her breath until they were well past, partly so she wouldn’t breath in the dust and partly because they smelled horrible.
“You’ll work with Raul this morning,” Jason told her as they approached the Small Animal building, “and then with Cameron this afternoon.”
Kelli studied him through narrowed eyes. “What kind of animals does Cameron work with?”
“Primates.”
She heaved a relieved sigh. She could handle a few monkeys.
When they approached the building, Jason started to open the door, then paused with his hand on the handle. Kelli had to tilt her head to look into his face.
“If you want me to keep an eye on the house while you’re gone, I’ll be happy to do that.”
“Thank you. Somebody needs to feed the cat.” She twisted her lips. “Maybe you can get him to leave the closet. I sure can’t.”
“Give him time. Leo just takes a while to warm up to people.” His tone became softer, more personal than a moment before, the drawl more pronounced. “I hope you were serious about coming back.”
Mouth dry, Kelli cast about for a response. Was he asking as her boss or as Lillian’s trustee? Or was his comment more personal? The soft look in his eyes would have been flirting in any other man. And the pounding in her chest would have meant she liked it.
She tore her gaze away from his face and spoke to the hand resting on the door. “I was serious.”
A smile played around his lips for a moment, then he swung the door outward and held it while she entered.
Raul stood peering into the desert-fox enclosure, balanced on metal crutches, his right foot in a blue medical boot. He looked up, turned and hobbled toward them with surprising speed. One look at his wizened face sent uneasiness shafting through Kelli.
“I don’t need no helper,” he announced halfway down the hall. “I can handle my animals fine by m’self.”
Kelli shrank under the glare he turned on her, but Jason stood firm. He acted as if the man had not spoken.
“Kelli Jackson, meet Raul Santos. Raul has been at Cougar Bay longer than anyone else on staff.”
From his name, Kelli had expected someone of Hispanic origin. The dark hue of his skin might have been hereditary, or it might have come from a lifetime spent working in the sun. Hard to tell behind all the creases and wrinkles.
Scraggly gray eyebrows dropped low over piercing dark eyes. “Been here at this zoo since I was twelve years old, and I don’t need no help from no green gal who ain’t got the smarts to close the door behind her.”
Kelli winced. Apparently word of Friday’s incident had made the rounds. So much for him cutting me some slack
because of my mother.
Jason spoke in a placating tone. “That’s exactly why I want her to work with you, Raul. She needs someone who knows what’s what to show her the ropes. With your extensive experience, you’re the best man for the job.”
Raul wasn’t falling for the flattery. The glare he turned on Jason would have flattened most men. Kelli’s opinion of Jason rose when he not only didn’t flare up, but actually smiled into Raul’s scowling face.
“Besides,” he continued, “you’re going to have trouble getting down on the floor to clean those exhibits properly. I don’t have to tell you, of all people, how important cleanliness is to the animals’ health. Kelli can help you. She did a good job with that Friday.”
Raul turned a skeptical frown on her, as though he didn’t think her capable of adequately cleaning a cage. She clamped her teeth together to keep from snapping a sarcastic comment, which certainly wouldn’t help. She was just about to suggest to Jason that she could go work with the monkeys this morning instead of waiting until after lunch when Raul yielded.
“I’ll check her work,” he told Jason, as though she were not standing right beside him. “If she don’t do it right, I’ll make her do it again.”
While Kelli fumed, Jason clapped the man on the arm. “She’ll do fine. At noon send her over to Cameron.”
As he turned away, he gave Kelli an apologetic smile and a one-shouldered shrug. Then he was gone.
Kelli watched the door close behind him, dismayed to feel so forlorn at his departure. She turned warily to face her grouchy taskmaster.
“First things first,” Raul told her. “I don’t care who your mama was. You’re my assistant. That means you hafta do whatever I tell you, y’hear?”
For a moment, Kelli bristled. She drew upright, spine stiff. Her, an assistant to this cantankerous old man? Then she happened to look down at the animal on the other side of the window beside them. It was Felix, the skunk. Her indignation dissolved.
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