Wild On My Mind by Laurel Kerr

Author:Laurel Kerr
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2018-08-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

As the truck containing the new male camel pulled into the zoo parking lot, Katie glanced over at Bowie with concern…and not for the first time. Ever since Katie had left him with Josh yesterday, Bowie had seemed strangely subdued. Last night, she’d grilled Josh about it, but her friend had remained mum.

Katie sensed there was something off, and it bothered her. She wanted Bowie to enjoy the upcoming zoo festival after all his hard work. With the Sawyer mess hanging over his head, the man needed a break. If Josh had said anything to ruin the celebration, Katie would personally wring his neck.

“Are you sure everything is okay?” Katie asked Bowie again. “You seem quiet.”

Bowie nodded. “Yeah. Just under a lot of pressure with the festival coming up.”

Josh strode up to them, effectively ending the conversation. Bowie stiffened almost imperceptibly, but Katie caught the slight movement. For his part, Josh appeared relaxed…too relaxed. She still had no idea what had transpired between the two men, but she didn’t like it. Since Josh seemed borderline smug, Katie instinctively sided with Bowie. She might not have decided to trust him completely, but she didn’t want Josh making him feel uncomfortable.

She brushed her hand against Bowie’s bicep. Josh’s eyes narrowed slightly, but Bowie’s muscles relaxed under her fingertips. She rested her hand against his skin long enough to send both men a clear message. She wanted Bowie by her side, regardless of Josh’s overprotectiveness.

Bowie smiled down at her, some of the normal warmth returning to his grin. “I better go help the truck driver unload Hank. Camels can be ornery, especially after being cooped up in a trailer.”

Sure enough, a loud, guttural bray echoed through the quiet parking lot. The truck driver had already lowered the ramp and was pulling on the camel’s lead. But there was no sign of Hank, who stubbornly remained inside. Bowie joined the handler and added his strength to the rope.

Hank’s nose and lips appeared first. His large nostrils flared with indignation, his mouth open in a gaping bray. He snorted as the rest of his fuzzy head emerged. Glowering the whole time, Hank used all his strength to resist. Inch by inch, more of his long neck became visible. The rest of the camel remained hidden in the trailer. Not even one foot had made an appearance.

“Glory be, how long is that poor creature’s neck?” June asked. “He looks like candy at a taffy pull.”

“An angry piece of candy,” Josh observed.

“Well, would you be happy about being stretched like that?” June asked.

Just then, the first hoof materialized, then the next. Hank kept his neck low and fully extended. With gravity now helping the men, the camel had no choice but to scramble down the ramp. He did not appear pleased by the process. When his feet reached the ground, he began to twist his head like a writhing serpent ready to strike.

“Oh my, Lulubelle will have a devil of a time charming that one,” June said, laughing.

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