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Her father leaned toward her. “Your uncle and I have a donation for Millie’s fund.” He opened his desk drawer and handed her a check.
Shortly after Millie had arrived, Carol had realized the sweet giraffe was lonely and needed a herd. The cost to bring three or four female giraffes to Happily Inc, including transportation, additions to the barn and care and feeding for a year would be nearly half a million dollars. Way more than she had in loose change in her sofa cushions. She had nearly seventy-five thousand dollars from her fund-raising efforts. Only four hundred and twenty-five thousand to go.
“Thank you,” she said before she glanced at the amount, then nearly fell off her chair when she saw the check was for fifty thousand dollars. “Oh my God! How did you do this? Are you sure? Are you not going to eat for the rest of your lives?”
Ted grinned at her. “We’ll be eating, I promise. Business has been good. We have a couple of new contracts with other cities to handle their recycling. Your dad and I aren’t giving up anything, Carol. We want to help. We believe in Millie and we believe in you.”
She had to blink back unexpected tears. “Thank you,” she murmured before scrambling to her feet and racing over to hug them both. “I can’t believe it. This is huge!”
“You’re a good girl,” her father told her, his voice gruff. “We’re proud of you and what you’ve done with the animals here. Millie needs a herd. This is our way of getting you and her closer to that.”
“Thank you so much. I’m working on other fund-raising plans and I’m talking to a few people about holding a bake sale over the holidays.”
The brothers exchanged a glance as if thinking that was nowhere near enough. She knew that, too, but didn’t have any other ideas. She’d studied zoo management and animal care in college, not fund-raising. She’d interned at zoos, not nonprofits, which left her qualified for her job but with no clue as to how to raise enough to get Millie her herd.
“I’ll look online,” she told them. “I’m inspired to come up with better ideas.”
CHAPTER FOUR (#ud45861f3-7c9d-5a70-a6ed-79e3e914f669)
IT WAS CLOSE to five and the sun was sinking on the horizon by the time Carol was able to drive home. She’d already put out the feed and done a check on the animals. One of the gamekeepers would usher everyone back into their barns and make sure they were settled for the night. She preferred to take the morning shift so she could check on them all before they headed out for their day.
Running a small but vibrant animal preserve took money and time. Visitors and grants provided the funds required for day-to-day operations. Unfortunately she couldn’t find a grant that covered acquiring giraffes—otherwise she would have already applied.
She rounded a curve in the road, then put on her brakes when she saw Mathias walking Sophie up ahead. The dog looked delighted, her nose to the ground as she sniffed every inch, her tail waving happily like a doggie banner. Mathias seemed more resigned than pleased. He brightened when he saw her and hurried toward the car.
For a second Carol allowed herself to believe that he was happy to see her specifically, rather than anyone who might distract him from his still new-to-him roommate.
He and Sophie walked around to the passenger side. She unlocked the door and he slid in, then picked up Sophie and set her on his lap.
“Save me,” he said, then closed his eyes and leaned back against the headrest.
Carol laughed. “I suppose you asking me to save you is better than you offering Sophie to me.”
“I would if I thought you’d take her. She’s exhausting. She’s full of energy, curious about everything, won’t listen and is constantly begging for food. Other than that, it’s great.”
“Poor Mathias. Twenty-four hours down, only seven hundred and twenty to go.”
He groaned. “I’ll never make it.”
“Sure you will.” She reached out and rubbed Sophie’s soft ears. The adorable beagle gave her a quick kiss, then wagged her tail as if asking where they were going next.
“Would it help if I drove you home?” Carol asked.
Mathias looked at her. “Yes, please. And if you could take Sophie off my hands, that would be even better.”
“Not happening.”
“Fine.” He closed the door and fastened his seat belt. “Then stay for dinner. I’m going to barbecue steaks. You’ll have to watch yours, though. As I learned at lunch, a turned back is an invitation. Someone stole my chicken burrito. I don’t want to imagine what I’ll be picking up in the morning, after she does her business.”
Dinner with Mathias? She’d been in his house before, but never over for a meal. What was he—
She laughed. “You’re afraid to be alone with her!”
“Not afraid,” he corrected. “Cautious. There’s a difference.”
“Cluck, cluck, cluck.”
“Make chicken noises all you want, this is not an ordinary dog. She has strange powers and not all of them are used for good.”
Carol was still laughing when she pulled into Mathias’s drive.
He had one of the larger homes bordering the animal preserve. It had to be at least four thousand square feet, with views from every room and upscale finishes on every surface. She didn’t consider herself much of a cook, but even she got appliance envy every time she walked into his kitchen. The miles of counter space, the gorgeous cabinets, the massive, professional-size stove.
Carol put her bag on the table in the foyer and unlaced her boots. Mathias took off Sophie’s leash. The dog made a beeline for her water bowl and lapped away. Carol wasn’t sure how she did it, but somehow the dog got water on the floor, the wall and the nearby cabinets as she drank.
Mathias walked into the butler’s pantry and came out holding a bottle of Scotch. “What would you like? Wine? Something else?”
“Are you drinking yours with a straw?”
“I wish. But seeing as you’re here, I’ll use a glass.”
“I still have to drive home. I’ll say wine.”
“Red or white?”
“Red.”
He collected a bottle of merlot and opened it, then poured her a glass. They each settled on a sofa in his family room. Sophie looked between them before jumping up and joining Mathias. She lay down next to him, her paws delicately crossed.
“She’s adorable,” Carol said.
“She snores.”
She laughed. “Such pain.”
“I’m exhausted. How was your day?”
“Good.” She thought about the unexpected check. “My dad and uncle made a generous donation to Millie’s fund. Only three hundred and seventy-five thousand left.” She raised her eyebrows. “Feeling generous?”
“I’d say no problem but Sophie destroyed three weeks’ worth of work in about ten minutes today.”
She winced. “Did she really? I’m sorry.”
“You and me both. I had to bribe Natalie to look after her while I’m in the studio. I’m also looking for a dog walker to take her out a couple of times a day. She has to be kept busy so she’s tired when we get home. Otherwise God knows what trouble she’d get into.”
“Poor you.”
“Tell me about it. So three hundred and seventy-five thousand, huh?” He shifted his drink to his other hand and absently petted Sophie. “Too bad you can’t put Millie to work for some of the money. You know, get her in a movie or something. Do the animals get paid?”
“I believe they’re rented.”
“That’s harsh. You have a unique problem, I’ll admit it. You’re going to have to be creative to find your way out.” He frowned. “How did you get into looking after big animals?” The frown faded. “Or exotic cows, as I like to think of them.”
“I’d rather you didn’t.”
“I know.”
She sighed. “You’re difficult.”
“I’m charming and you know it.”
Sadly, she did. “Violet and I were born in Connecticut and lived there until I was eight and she was six. Then our parents split up. Mom moved us to Manhattan while Dad took off for South Africa.”
“An unexpected choice.”
“He’d always been interested in animal welfare and had the opportunity to work on a large preserve. Violet and I visited every summer. It was very cool.”
She’d loved everything about the experience—the simple housing, the closeness with nature, the animals themselves. When it had been time to go back to New York, she’d started counting down the days until she could return.
“I can’t exactly see Violet loving it,” he said.
“You’re right. It wasn’t her thing. She would only stay for a few weeks, then head back to the States. But I never wanted to leave. I was allowed to hang out with all the adults working there. They let me ride along and help.” She smiled at the memories.
“So your dad moved back here and started the preserve?”
“Uh-huh. I finished college and joined him. He manages the business side of things and works with his brother. My team and I take care of our animals.”
“I don’t see a lot of your team members out at one in the morning, dealing with a sick cow.”
“Stop saying cow. I’d throw a pillow at you but I might hit Sophie.”
The beagle perked up when she heard her name and wagged her tail.
“Cheap talk,” Mathias said, then sipped his drink. “What happens after Millie gets her herd? Are you done collecting animals?”
“We’re going to have to make some decisions. We only have females. Eventually they’ll pass on, so we have to figure out what we want to do. Dad and I have been talking about offering a home for older circus animals, or getting a few males and starting a breeding program. We could look at helping out some of the zoos who want to separate herds for a period of time. Millie is the only species we have that’s endangered, but we could look at helping out with different at-risk species. There are a lot of options.”
Mathias stared at her. “You’re putting what I do in perspective. I make dishes.” He glanced at Sophie. “And you break them.”
“You create beautiful things. I take care of a few gazelles and a giraffe.”
“Still, impressive.”
The unexpected compliment made her want to squirm on her seat. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m going to start the barbecue.” He rose. “Now, tell me, how do you like your, um, cow?”
He’d moved away from the sofa, so she tossed a pillow at him. He avoided it easily, then shook his head. “Violence is never the answer, Carol.”
“You can say that because you’ve never had to deal with anyone as annoying as yourself.”
“Millie would be very disappointed in your attitude.” He looked at Sophie. “We won’t tell her, will we?”
Sophie barked in agreement.
Carol sighed as she followed them both into the kitchen. Mathias was an interesting guy, she thought, watching him pull steaks out of the refrigerator. More than interesting. Funny and sexy. If only, she thought...then told herself to get real. She would have a lot more luck wishing for the three hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars she needed than wishing someone like him would notice someone like her. Plus a night with Mathias would simply be that—a night, while the money would mean friends for Millie. A far better use of her wishing time.
* * *
VIOLET SPENT NEARLY twenty-four hours alternating between hurt feelings and rage. Neither was especially conducive to sleep so she was up and showered before dawn. At seven, she got in her car and went by the donut place, then headed out to the preserve. With luck she would arrive just as Carol was finishing up with her charges.
She parked by the main barn. The morning was cool, the sky clear. As she watched several gazelles came bounding out and headed across the grass. A minute later she saw the ever stately Millie walking out to greet the day. Violet collected coffee and donuts, then went in search of her sister.
Carol was in her office, waiting for her computer to boot. Her eyes widened with surprise.
“Do you know what time it is?” she asked, her tone teasing. “Shouldn’t you be asleep?”
“I wish.” She offered one of the coffees, then set the box of donuts on the desk. Irritation and hurt and a dozen other emotions burned. “I’m so angry, I couldn’t sleep.”
Her sister immediately looked concerned. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“Yes. No. I guess. I just...” She stomped her foot, wishing Ulrich’s head was in the vicinity of her shoe. “For the record, English dukes are stupid. Especially Ulrich.” She collapsed into a chair and groaned. “I hate him. No, I disdain him. He’s loathsome.”
“Okay, tell me who he is so I can hate him, too.”
“You know I get buttons from all over the world,” Violet began. “I got started when I was in England like twelve years ago.”
“Nana Winifred,” Carol said. “The dowager duchess of...” Her voice trailed off as her eyes widened. “His mother?”
“Grandmother. And she’s not the problem. I buy and sell buttons. That’s what I do. It’s how I make my living. But does he know that? No. Instead of asking anything, he waltzed into my store with his prissy accent and accused me of stealing!”
Violet briefly explained what had happened. “He threatened me, if you can believe it.”
“What a jerk. Do you need to talk to a lawyer or something?”
“I don’t think so. I have records of all my purchases. I didn’t steal anything. As for taking advantage of his grandmother, I buy everything sight unseen. If anyone is at risk, it’s me. He’s a pinhead.” She sipped her coffee. “Good-looking, but still. That’s no excuse.”
She thought about everything he’d said. “He didn’t talk to me first, you know. He just accused. There was no thought that he might have been wrong. And to think that all this time, I’d liked him.”
Carol’s brows drew together. “Okay, you’ve lost me again. What?”
“That summer when Mom took me to England and you stayed with Dad, that’s when I met Ulrich. He was four years older and I thought he was so sophisticated and handsome. There was a dance. He danced with me.” She didn’t mention the part about him telling her that she would grow up to be a beauty. That was too private to share, even with her sister who knew almost everything about her.
“I was a kid and he was nice at a time when not many guys were. I daydreamed.”
“Your handsome prince.” Carol’s tone was sympathetic. “Or in this case, your handsome duke.”
“Who turned out to be a complete jerk. I hate him.”
