Free The Right One by R.M. Alexander Page A

wild, and simply doesn’t trust people.”
    Cami watched the cat still drugged from the tranquilizer, pupils enlarged, teeth bore. “Can’t blame him.” Tank and Alex rode along the side of the property in one of the ranch’s pickups. “Here come a couple of my men now.”
    Mr. Lasseter stepped back, making room as the two men parked and stepped from the truck. 
    “Alex, Tank, this is Mr. Lasseter. And this,” she nodded to the cats, “is Cato and … Regellius.”
    Mr. Lasseter nodded. “That’s a good name for him. Certainly fitting. Do you boys need help?”
    Alex smiled. “Cats like Regellius there, I reckon we’ll need all the help we can get. If you would mind helping us get them in the truck, you can follow us to the clinic and vet can start getting them checked out.”
    Mr. Lasseter turned to Cami, friendliness wiped away by the scorch of scorn. “Ms. Lockhart, I assure you, having them checked out is completely unnecessary. If there were problems with the animals, we certainly would have let you know.”
    “I’m sure you would have. And I’m not at all concerned, but it is a step we plan to take with each animal we take in. It protects each of the cats, and helps us get a feel for any specialized care required.”
    His face softened as he exhaled a heavy thrust of air. “My apologies. You’re protocol is none of my business, and I have to admit, is good procedure. It’s good to hear the cats will be in such good hands.” He stepped forward, knocking on the side of the trailer. “Tyler, need a hand out here.”
    He edged along the truck and stepped in with ready hands, still silent, without a smile.
    Five pairs of hands and varying levels of strength eased the cats from one truck to another, and then, after a passing three minutes, transported the animals into the clinic and temporary cages where they’d stay until exams were passed with flying colors. Mr. Lasseter and Tyler left without further exchange.
    Cami walked back into the clinic, nearing Regellius’ cage with a warm smile, the cat easing out of sedation as he lay on a bed of straw. 
    She stooped lower, resting fingertips on the gray concrete floor. “Hi Regellius. Welcome home.”
     
     
    The doorbell caught Cami’s attention as she wiped a rag over a set of wall shelves. Placing the tiger figurine back in its roost, she hurried across the gray berber, opening to a full bouquet of flowers.
    “Ms. Cami Lockhart?”
    She reached out and took the arrangement. “Is this for me?”
    “Yes.” The delivery man handed her the black handheld computer. “I’m going to need you to sign here, please.”
    Cami juggled the vase and pen, signed her name.
    “Thank you. Enjoy the flowers.”
    “Thank you.” She closed the door, carried the vase to the coffee table, set it down and poked around the blooms and greens for a greeting. Finding the small card, Cami pulled it out and read, dropped her shoulders. “Unbelievable.” Scratching her head, she looked to the flowers. “Paul Schotter. You get an A for effort, don’t you?”
    A knock and she chuckled, tossing the greeting against the table. She opened the door to Alex leaning against the frame with one hand, single rose in the other. “Alex? What’s … what’s this?”
    “A congratulations. And a thinking of you.”
    Cami smiled. “My day for flowers.” She took the rose, holding the flower beneath her nose. “My favorite, thank you. Do you want to come in?”
    He nodded, leaned in to peck her cheek, walked into the room, stopping short to see the bouquet on the coffee table. “Someone beat me to the punch I see. They’re …” Alex glanced at the single rose in her hand. “Beautiful. I guess I needed to aim a little higher, huh?”
    She shook her head. “No, not at all. Yours is beautiful. These,” she gestured to the bouquet. “They’re just –" A kiss? He’s never done that before. She walked to the thermostat, studied the numbers. Cooler than it