by T. M. Cromer
Thirty minutes later, the sisters all utilized their specific element inside the circle. They called to the Goddess to ask for guidance and protection of Summer’s sanctuary.
Through it all, an old raven perched in the rafters watching the proceedings. When the circle was closed, he cawed and swooped down on Summer’s shoulder to nuzzle his head under her chin.
“Mr. Black approves of our work here today,” she laughed and rubbed the head of Spring’s familiar. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Blackie Boy. Cooper Carlyle doesn’t stand a chance against the Thornes.”
5
Summer walked into the town hall meeting with her sisters, Winnie and Autumn, at her back. She reminded Coop of a queen with her ladies-in-waiting. Her head was held high and her chin jutted out. Regal and ready to remove heads from shoulders. Probably Coop’s.
Lil directed the Thorne sisters to a set of chairs and settled in beside them. No mistake as to where her loyalties lie.
A buzz filled the room as townsfolk poured in and the panel took their places behind the desk at the head of the room.
“You should talk to her, Coop,” Knox said. Neither man was in doubt as to whom he referred to.
Coop shoved down the urge to do just that. “Why? What point would it solve?”
Knox sighed his disgust. “You’re a stubborn ass. You know that?”
“Because I believe those wild animals need constant, professional supervision?” he asked, angry that he’d been painted the bad guy in this scenario.
“No. I was there this morning. However, she calmed him in nothing flat.” His cousin shoved off the wall and leaned in to emphasize his point. “You’re an ass for not going about this in a different manner. If you sat down and addressed your concerns in a reasonable, concise way, she’d listen. But you had to go behind her back and call in the town heavyweights for this fight. Like I said, you’re an ass.”
After Knox stormed away, Coop headed for Summer. Perhaps he did owe her an apology. His intent was short lived. The meeting was called to order, and Coop was directed to state his case.
He recited the dates and times the elephant had escaped its enclosure and ended up in his pool. He also stated the labor involved in cleaning up after the animal in question.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Summer whipped around to glare at Autumn. Whispering ensued between the two sisters.
“Are you two done? May we continue?” he asked pointedly.
Autumn sat back with a grin. Summer ignored him entirely and stared straight ahead.
Coop returned to the microphone and addressed the morning’s incident with Morty. Keaton and Knox both stood in acknowledgment.
“And finally, the goats in the square this morning, as many of you witnessed firsthand. It is my belief, Summer Thorne is ill-equipped to handle the demands of Summer’s Sanctuary in addition to her mobile veterinary unit,” Coop stated. He cast a regretful glance in her direction.
Her face was a frozen mask. The sister on either side of her each held one of her hands in their grasp. They were a beautiful family unit. But not one able to deal with the rigors of caring for wild animals. As if she sensed his regard, Summer lifted her expressive eyes to meet his gaze. Betrayal shone back at him.
Coop cleared his throat.
“It is my further belief, only the animals deemed wild, such as the elephant and chimpanzee, should be taken from her care and placed in a zoo or other facility better suited to handle those types of animals.”
Summer rose and approached the podium.
With his palm, he covered the microphone. “I’m sorry, Summer. Truly.”
“Go to the Devil, Sheriff,” she spat and shoved his hand from the mic.
“First, I’d like to beg your indulgence for a moment.” She gestured toward the rear of the room. “My sister, Spring, has brought one of the animals in question. It’s my aim to show you exactly how docile he is.”
The double doors at the back of the room opened, and Spring entered holding the hand of a smartly attired ape. Morty wore a blue suit with a pale yellow silk tie. As he walked by where Coop sat next to Keaton, the chimp tugged Spring to a halt.
Damned if the beast didn’t stare them down with reproof in his large brown eyes. Morty focused his attention on Summer and his hands flew about in a flurry of movement.
She bit her lip, as if in an attempt to stem laughter, and nodded. “Yes, sweet boy. I quite agree. Come.”
Morty and Spring continued to the podium where Spring then handed the chimpanzee off to Summer.
“What did he say, Dr. Thorne?” Councilman Chambers questioned.
“He expressed an apology to Coop and Keaton. He said he was out of line this morning and that it wouldn’t happen again.”
Coop snorted his disbelief. “Right.”
Both Summer and Morty faced him. Their twin expressions, raised eyebrows and challenging stare, were a sight to behold.
“If you don’t mind, Sheriff Carlyle, you’ve had your turn to speak. Now it’s mine,” Summer said. Having dismissed him, she faced the panel. “May I bring Morty forward?”
Two of the four council members appeared nervous. The other two seemed enchanted by Morty.
“You’re going to lose, C.C. She’s wrapping them around her finger with this stunt,” Keaton murmured in an aside.
“This is Sir Mortimer, and he says he’s happy to make your acquaintance.” To the ape, she said, “How do you introduce yourself, Morty?”
The damned the little charmer lifted Councilwoman Moore’s hand to place a kiss on her knuckles before he graced all the members with a grin.
“Morty has flashbacks to a time when he was abused. However, I am licensed to treat him and can medicate him when needed. He’s in no better hands than mine. I am also willing to implant him with a microchip for tracking purposes and to alert us when he crosses the boundaries of our property.” Summer opened the folder in her hand and passed a single sheet to each of the council members. “The black outline shows our property’s boundary. There is a red line within that border. This is the new restricted area I am proposing for Morty’s tracking device. We will know instantly if he’s crossed the line.”
“How long will this take to put into place?” Councilwoman Moore asked.
“It’s being completed as we speak, ma’am.”
Moore nodded as if pleased.
Keaton was correct, Coop’s cause appeared lost.
Coop stood to state his objection. “First, her idea seems to be little better than an invisible fence used for dogs. Second, we haven’t addressed the issue of his anger issues. Chimpanzees are easily twice as strong as the average human.”
“I’m likely to be more dangerous than Morty, Sheriff,” Summer protested.
“Lastly, the elephant has escaped and ended up on my property on no less than five separate occasions. I have prime breeding stock, and he can easily injure one of my mares.”
“Eddie would never go after your mares. He watches them from afar.”
“Like you watch Coop, Summer?” a female heckled from the back of the room.
Fiery red surged up Summer’s neck and into her cheeks.
“Rosie McDonough, if you know what’s good for you, you’d shut your mouth,” Autumn called. “By the way, how are those genital warts clearing up?”
Titters and full-blown laughter resounded.
“Let us stay focused on the issue,” Councilwoman Moore chided. To Coop, she asked, “Have there been any documented incidents in the time Dr. Thorne has provided shelter for these animals?”
Coop hung his head. “No. I didn’t feel the need to write her up.”
“Without anything on record, Sheriff, I feel we cannot rule on this matter. Summer’s Sanctuary permits are in order, even for the monkey and the elephant.” Moore shuffled the papers in front of her. “However, I’m willing to grant you a concession, Sheriff. Dr. Thorne, you have thirty days to make the necessary changes to the property and animal enclosures to keep t
hem secure. If, during that time, we have another incident, the council will reconvene to address the issue.”
Councilwoman Moore went down the panel one by one for objections. All the council members were in accord.
“Sheriff, we will put you in charge of ensuring the Sanctuary is in compliance.”
“Why can’t you put Deputy Aimes or someone else in charge?” Summer asked.
Coop noted Summer’s sickly expression and suppressed a grin. “I have no problem with that, Councilwoman. Thank you for taking the time from your schedule this evening to address this issue. I have little doubt we’ll be back here within thirty days.”
In the parking lot, Summer paced beside her van. “You call that a win? Now Coop will be on my butt twenty-four-seven, waiting for me to screw up.”
Spring shrugged. “I’m just saying you didn’t lose.”
“Next time we cast a spell, we might want to tweak it a bit. Like count me out. I’m sure it went sideways because of my involvement,” Summer said. “As a matter of fact—”
“Incoming,” Winnie muttered.
Summer glanced up to see Cooper bearing down on their group. “Shit.”
She sneezed. Squeaking and scurrying feet sounded behind her.
To keep him from seeing the mice, she met him halfway. “You may think you’ve won, but—”
“No. I don’t. I wouldn’t call that a win at all,” he countered. “But I have no doubt you’ll fuck up again. I intend to write up a report on all three incidents for today. I can guarantee, if any of your animals gets out to cause mayhem again, you’re done.”
“Why are you doing this?” She swallowed her hurt. After all this time, she should be immune to his antagonistic attitude and personal vendetta against her, but she wasn’t. “What have I ever done to you, Coop?” If her last words came out ragged and raw, she couldn’t help it. She was feeling ragged and raw.
She’d done her best over the years to tamp down her feelings. Worked to always appear cordial without giving a clue one way or the other about her inner turmoil. But right now, she found her emotions impossible to disguise.
He frowned. “This isn’t personal.”
“I can’t help but feel it is. Would you be hauling Rosie up in front of the entire town to defend her business?”
“Rosie works at the Pack’N’Ship, Summer. It isn’t the same thing.”
Her brain was going to explode. No doubt about it. The fury boiling in her chest would find its way to her head and blow the top right off. She could feel it building.
“Right.” She pivoted on her heel ready to leave.
Coop halted her with a hand on her arm.
It was only the fifth time he’d willingly touched her. The first was at a pool party when he bumped her shoulder while flirting, the second was to escort her to his car on prom night, the third was this morning to stop her from rushing to Morty, and then there was the moment on the sidewalk. The one time she thought he was genuinely attracted to her. Each time, she’d experienced a sizzle, not dissimilar to an electrical current. How could he not feel it?
“The most a person could get at the Pack’N’Ship is a paper cut.”
“Or the clap,” she muttered.
His eyes flew wide and a bark of laughter escaped. “Summer Thorne! I didn’t know you had it in you to be petty.”
She yanked her arm free and glared. “Just stating the truth, Sheriff. If you’re going to dip in that pool, you should probably make sure you’re wearing a full wetsuit.”
His intent gaze dropped to her lips then slowly rose. The heavy-lidded look had her lady parts on high alert.
“And how about you, Summer? Care to let me take a dip in your pool?”
The husky quality of his voice went straight for her g-spot. She feared she’d come at the mere suggestion of sex with him.
For a long moment, she stood, sucked into the tractor beam of his sexy, mesmerizing gaze. She didn’t know where she found the strength to fight the pull, but she slowly shook her head until sanity returned.
“Not in this lifetime, Cooper Carlyle. If we’re going with the whole water analogy, I’m going to say that ship has sailed.”
He grinned. “In spite of what you think, I like you.”
“Well, I don’t like you,” she retorted. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have animals to feed.”
6
“Has anyone seen my car keys?” Coop slammed through the kitchen, upending the sectioned basket of wallets and keys.
“Come on, man. If they weren’t in your slot, they aren’t there.” Keaton complained as he sorted through the mess Cooper made. “Did you get the spare set back from the repair shop this morning?”
“Of course. I’m not a moron like some people.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Tensions at an all-time high, the brothers squared off.
Zane ambled in, took one look at the two of them, and turned back around. Their cousin avoided conflict at every opportunity, which was ironic because, as a lawyer, he made his living arguing his case.
Knox, on the other hand, was a born peace maker. His cool head always prevailed. He eased his tall frame into the closest seat. “Come on, guys. Chill.”
Well, so much for words of wisdom. “Chill? That’s all you’ve got?” snapped Coop.
Knox abruptly stood back up, his chair sliding back and creating a screech across the tile. “What’s your problem? You’ve been an ass to everyone, even poor little Chloe, who doesn’t deserve it. And Zane is ready to cut his visit short and head back to Nashville.”
The brothers froze.
Their cousin never lost his temper. Not in the twenty-two years they’d known him. The man’s picture was in the dictionary under the word Zen. He’d come to them as a silent, motherless seven-year-old. Not speaking or smiling. Over time, he opened up and became more of a brother than a cousin.
“Well? Aren’t you going to deny it?” Knox demanded. “Ever since the meeting, you’ve been a complete jerk, snapping everyone’s head off. Boo hoo, so you lost the vote to out Summer’s Sanctuary. Get over it.”
“You don’t understand, Knox.”
“Then explain it. Because while I get that your intent was safety, this pissy attitude is over the top.”
And wasn’t that the problem? Coop didn’t know what exactly was bugging him. Or maybe he did.
Even after he’d crushed Summer’s romantic dreams, she hadn’t hated him. The disdain in her eyes, directed solely at him during the meeting, had stung. Hell, it still stung. He’d never seen such iciness coming from her in all the years they’d been acquainted.
Summer was warm and sunny like her name. To see her hard and devoid of emotion bothered him. Made him want to do whatever it took to make her smile again. But he couldn’t. The residents of this town needed to be protected. Those animals of hers had real issues.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. There’s no excuse.”
Knox gave a single abrupt nod and left.
“I’ve never seen him even raise his voice,” Keaton said, staring in wonder at their cousin’s retreating form. “That must mean you truly were an asshole.”
“Screw you,” Coop said with a scowl.
Knox was right. Coop didn’t need to go around like a bear with a sore tooth. What he needed to do was head over to the Thorne estate and determine a solution to keep those animals better contained.
As he started for the exit, he stopped and turned back. “Ya know, I get that I’ve been an ass, but why are you upset?”
Shutters came down over Keaton’s normally expressive eyes. “No reason.”
“I’m here if you need to talk.”
“Does that make us girlfriends? Are we going to share our feelings and write in our little pink diaries?”
“Whatever. I’m offering an ear to get whatever is bothering you off your chest. Don’t want to talk, it’s cool.”
“I don’t have anything bothering me. Life is good. O
r haven’t you heard Autumn left town?”
Now Keaton’s restlessness and discontent made sense. Autumn Thorne had always been an open wound for him.
Because there were no words to make it better, Coop left Keaton to brood over his coffee.
“Coop?”
He poked his head back into the kitchen, brows raised in question.
“Thanks anyway. Check the ignition for your keys. You seemed distracted when you came in today.”
Sure enough, his keys were already in the car. He groaned.
The situation with Summer had him scattered and out of sorts. It was imperative he resolve the issues between them. If only because, as sheriff, his job required he be in top form, both mentally and physically.
He pulled up to the Thornes’ animal barn and parked. Through the newly installed windshield, he watched Summer halt the wheelbarrow.
They warily studied each other for a full thirty seconds, before he gathered his balls in hand and exited the cruiser.
“Hey.”
“Sheriff.” Her expression resembled nothing if not a woman less than thrilled to see him. “To what do I owe today’s visit? All animals are present and accounted for as of two minutes ago, so I know it’s not that.”
“I thought we could work out a compromise.”
“I don’t believe I need to compromise. I won the vote last week, or have you forgotten?”
Snippy didn’t suit her. “Cut the crap, Summer.”
Her brows shot skyward.
Oh, hell. “I didn’t mean it that way.” He scrubbed a hand across his forehead. “Look, can we start over? On this issue at least? I know you can’t forgive me for being a jerk all those years ago, but on this, I need you to see I wasn’t doing it to be spiteful.”
Did he imagine her expression softening?
He pressed his advantage. “As sheriff, I’m responsible for the safety of the residents of Leiper’s Fork. I’m here to see what we can do to fortify the cages and pens so your animals stop roaming the countryside. Fair enough?”
When Cooper turned the full wattage of his warm smile on Summer, the coldness in her soul melted a good twenty degrees. Instead of being a frozen block, her heart was merely a melting popsicle.