Katie's Rescue by Pamela Tracy

Author:Pamela Tracy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“DON’T YOU HAVE things to do?” Katie asked Luke.

“Aquila is one of my top priorities.” Luke moved away from her and started motioning.

Behind them, a truck pulled up. It was only then that Katie noticed a small crowd was gathering. Most were watching Aquila, but some were watching both her and the cat.

“Feeding time?” she asked.

“Think you can hoist a fifty-pound piece of horse meat over the wall?” Luke asked.

“No, and neither can you,” she said, nodding at his hand.

Two of the college student volunteers walked over to Terrance’s enclosure. Katie felt a little guilty suddenly. She’d come to visit Aquila every day, but she’d never once glanced at Terrance. Her budding friendship with Ruth should have warranted Terrance more than a passing glance.

The crowd followed the two college students. Both were physically fit, obviously not afraid to get dirty and willing to joke with the crowd about serving horseflesh.

Terrance waited for his meal. When the meat landed just to the left of him, he gave an aloof glare—clearly critical of the volunteer’s aim—and walked over. Instead of carrying it off, though, he lay on the ground and promptly bit down. Luke told the crowd, “A decade ago, he’d have taken this off to a private area and start tearing into it, but in lion years he’s about one hundred and thirty-five.”

The college boys came to Aquila’s enclosure next. One sauntered over and introduced himself to Katie before saying, “We’re glad you’re here. Aquila’s a great guy. We’re all looking forward to seeing him gain weight.”

The crowd gathered closer, mesmerized by what was about to happen. Most were families, but a few couples rounded out the group. The meat sailed over the top of the fence, landing exactly where Aquila was pacing toward. When it landed, it rolled.

“Come on, guy,” Katie whispered.

“He’s never attacked his food,” Luke said. “Not once.”

“And it doesn’t look like it will happen today,” said the college student.

It was Ruth who snapped Katie out of her silence. “Girl, say something, yell at that fool panther. Even if you won’t go inside his area, you can open your mouth.”

Before she could think, or even breathe, Katie yelled, “Aquila, go for it!”

Aquila’s ears went up. Slowly, one paw went in front of the other. It couldn’t be deemed a run, but was definitely movement. When Aquila got to the meat, he picked it up firmly. Then, carrying it, he turned and walked away from the crowd.

“Good,” Luke breathed.

Katie took one step in his direction.

But a familiar sound threading through the noise of the crowd stilled Katie’s steps: someone talking, but not. Katie retreated to watch a young girl who was speaking as she signed to a woman who was probably her mother. “Will eat? Seem sick.”

The woman signed back. “Think yes.”

Katie smiled at the wistful glimmer in the girl’s eyes.

Most of the crowd followed behind the truck as the volunteers moved on to feed other animals. The young girl remained, staring at where Aquila had stood.

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