Gail and Callie didn’t have a chance to speak again as they opened the gates and led the baby animals out to the big open pen. The little ones were more than eager to stretch their legs and greet the new day. Callie wished she could feel the same way. Her day was going downhill in a hurry.
She was leading the lamb out when the phone rang in the office. She glanced up, but Gail was already hurrying to answer it.
“Okay, Lamb Chop, off you go.” She patted the animal on the back and it joined the others in a half-hop, half-walk gait that had her smiling. The young animals were cute. Kind of like being around puppies all day. But it wasn’t what made her truly happy.
“Mr. Campbell wants you at the main office as soon as you can get there.” Gail wiggled her eyebrows. “Maybe your prince has returned.”
Only if he wanted to be a dead prince.
Chapter 10
If Rogar was on the other side of her boss’s door, Callie might just lose what little sanity she had left. She opened the door and cautiously walked inside. No sign of Rogar. In fact, the only person she did see was Mr. Campbell.
Why the hell was she disappointed? Relief is what she should be feeling.
“Come in, come in…uh…”
“Callie,” she supplied.
“Yes, Callie.” He gave a short laugh. “My mind went blank.”
She’d been working at the zoo for how many years? Had done every menial job that was thrown her way, and without complaint. Well, none that Mr. Campbell could hear. At least his father had known her name.
She sighed, wondering what Mr. Campbell could want with her this time. “Is something wrong?”
“No, not at all. On the contrary, it’s absolutely wonderful.”
Ohmygod, she was getting the animal keeper job. She’d be working with the big cats. Okay, technically, Mr. Campbell didn’t do the hiring and firing, but he was aware of what was going on, so he made recommendations all the time. He called them recommendations, but it meant you had the job. Really, who was going to say no to the boss?
This was fantastic, the best thing that had ever happened to her…
Calm down. Wait for him to tell you the good news.
“Have you seen this morning’s paper?”
Huh? “No, I haven’t.” She rarely read the paper. It was usually too depressing.
He opened it on his desk, running his hand down the crease. She walked closer, then swallowed hard when she saw the picture of Rogar with Sheba. The jaguar was rubbing against his legs. Above the article it read:
Mysterious Man Hypnotizes
Jaguar and Saves Child
“You can’t buy PR like this!” Mr. Campbell grinned from ear to ear. “This is just great. Exactly what we needed.”
She instantly deflated. So much for getting the animal keeper job. It couldn’t be much longer, though. Mr. Campbell had practically promised the job to her.
She raised her chin. “How is the boy, by the way?”
He frowned. “Bruises, that’s all, and a mild concussion. We’re taking measures so that something like that won’t happen again. Our lawyer said we were clearly not at fault. Even the newspaper article favored us rather than the kid.”
“I’m glad he’s recovering.”
“Yes, but that’s beside the point.”
Mr. Campbell could be a real pain in the ass sometimes. “What is the point?”
“The public loves a hero. We all want more John Waynes, but these days they’re few and far between.”
“And that has what to do with me?” If he expected her to go into the cage with Sheba, he’d better think again. At least, not like Rogar had done. She had to admit, Rogar had a very special quality. And why shouldn’t he, since he was part jaguar.
Part jaguar? Shared his body with one? She mentally shook her head. So confusing.
“I want you to find him,” he beamed.
Her pulse began to race as dread filled her. “And why would you think I’d know where he was staying?”
“Because he took you home last night when your car wouldn’t start.”
Did everyone at the zoo know her personal life? “We met again purely by coincidence. He saw my car wouldn’t start, and offered me a ride home. That’s all there was to it.”
Mr. Campbell’s shoulders slumped. Good, let him feel what she felt when she realized she wasn’t here to get the job she’d been wanting forever and ever.
“Why did you need to find him?” Surely a few photos wouldn’t be that big of a deal. It had to be more than that.
Mr. Campbell puffed his chest out, regaining some of his excitement. “Picture this, Rogar working with the big cats.”
There was a moment of silence. Enough for her to know she didn’t like where he was taking her.
“You were there. You had to have seen the way he handled Sheba. The whole zoo is buzzing. Everyone tells me he was hypnotic, that he had the cat worshipping the very ground he walked on.” He rubbed his hands together. “And they want more.”
She could feel the color drain from her face. “But…but I was promised that job.” She’d been passed over so many times, and yet, they would give it to a stranger?”
“There will be another opening, and I’ll make sure you get that one, but think of what he could do in the way of PR, the extra funding for the zoo…”
And a substantial raise for Mr. Campbell from his father who still controlled the purse strings.
She squared her shoulders. “I’m sorry, I don’t know where he is,” she lied.
Mr. Campbell frowned, it was quickly replaced by a devious glint in his eyes that she had a feeling didn’t bode well for her.
“You know, I’m sure we could add another animal keeper job working with the big cats. If you bring this man to me, and we hire him, then you could even start immediately.”
Excitement flittered through her, then died a fast death. Rogar would never agree to stay. “Your idea won’t work. The guy is super wealthy. He gave me a ride home in his Jaguar, and he paid for a private tour of the zoo. I even heard he might be a prince or something. He doesn’t need a job.”
“Oh.” He sat down heavily in his leather chair. “You’re probably right. Okay, then I guess you can go back to work.”
There was no better time than now. “Mr. Campbell, about that job as animal keeper…for the big cats?”
He looked up as he folded the newspaper. “What about it?”
“Well, I am next in line for the first opening.”
He tossed the paper to the side. “There isn’t an opening, though, so why are we having this conversation? Besides, you know I don’t do the actual hiring.”
Ass. “Yes, sir.” She turned on her heel and marched out of his office.
She was never going to get the job. She would be stuck with the baby animals for the rest of her life. The closest she would get to the big cats would be the fat stray that was in the petting zoo.
But if Rogar walked in right now, they would hand him the job on a silver platter. It wasn’t fair. For a moment, a thread of anger at Rogar weaved through her, but just as quickly, she dismissed it. It wasn’t Rogar’s fault. Mr. Campbell was another matter.
She didn’t notice that she was going in the opposite direction of the petting zoo until she was at the bridge that led toward the big cats.
Oh, who cared? She didn’t. At least, not right now. She hurried to the pit. Sheba was resting in the shade of one of the trees. She purred from deep in her throat, welcoming Callie. At least, that’s what Callie liked to think. And maybe Sheba was glad to see her. Could Sheba sense the animal inside Callie?
This couldn’t be happening. It was too insane. First, Rogar tells her that he’s an alien. Then he tells her she’s part alien, too. And that she has an animal guide.