Free Easy Prey (Love-Inspired Suspense) by Lisa Phillips

truck pulled up outside. Minutes later the zoo’s vet strode in, carrying a medical bag. His gray hair was covered by a cowboy hat, and his mustache twitched at the sight of all of them. “Quite the crowd for one mini.”
    Sienna introduced them all, and Elise got to visit with the minihorse while the vet did his examination. She could have diagnosed the animal’s sinus infection herself, but it was nice to have a licensed professional on hand. It wasn’t worth her missing something more serious.
    While the vet did the treatment, Nathan distracted the antsy llama.
    That was how Jonah found them, surrounded by furred creatures and stepping in animal droppings in a barn that might smell bad to most people—but to Elise, it smelled like safety.
    Jonah’s gaze didn’t even stop on them, zeroing in on the vet instead. “I’ll need a word outside when you’re done.” He folded his arms, and the vet—seeing his seriousness—nodded.
    “Is there a problem?” Sienna looked suddenly nervous.
    Elise shot her a reassuring smile. “Jonah’s an old friend. He’s helping me out with a problem right now.”
    “Good friends are hard to find.”
    Elise nodded, wondering at the obvious pain underneath her words. She looked at Jonah. “Everything okay?”
    Hailey said, “I thought Parker and Ames were covering the vet.”
    Jonah lifted his chin to her. “They’re checking a possible address on Fix. I traded with them.”
    Elise studied the man before her. He glanced over, and his brow twitched. Apparently the two of them hadn’t lost the connection they’d had years ago, which didn’t require any words to be spoken for them to communicate.
    Jonah smiled. “Doing better?”
    He knew how she felt about caring for animals, or just being around them and spending time with them. “Nathan had a good idea.”
    Her son grinned his father’s smile. “It’s been known to happen.”
    The smile dredged up long-buried memories. She’d had a heady teenage crush on both Rivers brothers, but after Jonah left and broke her heart she’d found love with Martin. Then her husband had done his best to make his big brother proud and joined the army. Jonah had cost her the two best friendships in her life, not to mention her husband’s future—their life together. Her husband’s need to live up to his older brother had cost her son his father.
    However much Jonah wanted to rekindle some kind of rapport, or a friendship, she wasn’t going to let that happen. No matter how much their connection was still there. She would happily concede the fact that he was capable of protecting her from harm, but he’d never protected her heart.
    “Whoa.” Eric ducked inside and slid the door shut. “There’s a tiger outside. I’m not even kidding.”
    Jonah’s face washed white. Elise laughed and turned to the vet. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be reconnecting with an old friend. Only, could I borrow some tranquilizer?”
    “I don’t have a gun. Only a needle.”
    “I should be able to get close enough for that.” It was risky, but if she was presented the opportunity she’d do it. She’d rather it was her and not a kid out biking who ran into the aging tiger.
    Elise took the full needle and made for the door. Nathan fell into step beside her. “I’ll help.”
    Elise stopped at the door. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
    “No. No way. I don’t think so.” Jonah strode over. “There’s a tiger out there? We need to call animal control.”
    “They haven’t managed to catch her so far.” Elise bit back the snort. “Animal control will have no clue what to do with a tiger. I do. And so does Nathan.”
    “Isn’t it dangerous?”
    “It’ll be more dangerous to other people if we keep letting her roam all over the place. Shera could hurt someone.” Elise didn’t wait for him to argue more. She just slid the door open and slid it closed behind her, dismissing Jonah.
    “Elise—” His shout was muffled by the barn