Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 69582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
It was at the base of the mountains. Mountains were on one side, and a bubbling river was on the other.
When we’d moved, we’d contacted the local game wardens in the area and told them about what we did.
Mom and Dad had been rehabilitating wildlife forever. I’d joined in because their love of animals had been instilled in me at a very young age. And all three of us had built the Wildlife Rehab Center in Alabama up to what it was.
When social media had started to do its thing, I’d taken to the internet to promote the cause.
Now the WRC had over a million followers who loved to experience the everyday life of a recovering raptor or bear.
Or, sometimes even a squirrel or two.
When we’d moved, the family had “branched out” so to speak.
Mom and Dad had left WRC Alabama to be run by my brother and sister, Harvey and Essie.
Meanwhile, they’d followed me to Montana because let’s face it, seeing your one and only grandchild close to death was enough to cause anyone to panic.
I wasn’t sure they’d stay here forever, but for now, they were a permanent fixture.
Dad found out from the local game wardens in Jesper County that this place had come up for sale.
It was big enough that we could spread out with the recovering wildlife, while also providing the area with valuable resources that we would need as we got the wildlife back up to snuff.
I’d just sat up and decided that I needed to get dressed when claws sounded against stone right outside my window.
I smiled as I saw Possum perched on my windowsill.
“Hello, Possum,” I said as I opened the window for him. “You’re up early.”
Possum was actually an Osprey.
He’d come to us as a malnourished baby and had been released into the wild as soon as he was well enough.
The only problem was, he hadn’t wanted to be released into the wild.
He’d wanted to stay where we were, and he was getting three five-course meals a day.
He’d become a beloved pet to us, and we hadn’t been able to abandon him.
Though he caught his own food now, he found human company necessary for his day-to-day life.
He walked awkwardly along my windowsill.
“What do you need?” I asked him.
His golden eyes took me in, not moving.
I let him be and got ready for the day.
The trial started today, and I needed to leave soon or I’d be late.
Two hours of driving every day for the two weeks they suspected we’d be there was going to really freakin’ suck.
What was going to suck even more was having to face the man that I’d acted like a child in front of last night.
I stood in front of my closet and checked out all of my clothes.
I had to wear something business casual, according to the judge.
I also needed to make sure that it was warm, because it was freezing inside the courthouse yesterday.
That, and it was already getting colder.
I wasn’t looking forward to winters here.
I especially wasn’t looking forward to all the snow that was said to be in store for us.
Claws scraped against my hardwood floor and I sighed. “You are not allowed in my room, young man.”
Possum screeched at me.
I sighed. “Go outside. I’ll give you your snack when you get down there.”
He ignored me and continued his unblinking stare.
I got dressed in leggings, a soft gray cashmere sweater, and my boots.
I curled my hair and applied way more time and energy into my makeup than I had in years.
I glared at my reflection in the mirror.
“You’re trying too hard,” I told myself.
And for someone that was a complete asshole at that.
I’d been in line beside him yesterday while I listened to the cashier talk to him and him not reply.
He’d been so rude to her, and it’d only set my anger on fire.
Who did he think he was?
I stomped out of my room and down the hall, claws clicking and then feathers fluttering behind me.
When I was downstairs, I got Possum his treat before letting him back outside.
I was running late, so I didn’t stay any longer even though I could hear my mom getting up and moving about.
In my car on the way to Bozeman, I gave myself a pep talk.
I could do this.
I could spend two weeks around a man that scared me.
It wasn’t like he was going to attack me when I was in a courtroom, for God’s sake.
I didn’t know how long I was driving before my new car started to sputter.
I glanced at the gas light to make sure I had gas. Full.
I studied the instrument panel, and everything was clear.
Then the car gave one final choke and died.
I pulled over into the only place I could, a runaway truck exit.
I pulled as far to the side as I could and got out, glaring at the stupid car.