Undercover Protector. Elizabeth Goddard
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spotted the main sprawl of buildings. “We’re close. Let’s get inside, dry off and warm up, and we’ll talk about volunteer work over a hot cup of cocoa. Is that all right?”
“Sounds perfect.” He flashed a nice set of teeth.
At least she had a reason to hope that he wasn’t connected with the saboteurs now. It didn’t make sense that someone would volunteer to help her if he really wanted to hurt someone. But the thought caused a shadow in her heart. She didn’t want that to be the case for Gray Wilson. She could ask any hard questions—What he was doing on the road? Where was his vehicle?—once they were inside with the others. But she didn’t want to think he was up to no good. His actions had proven otherwise so far.
Gemma led him through the side door of the main facility they hoped to open up for public education and training in the next few weeks. “This is the resource building. There’s a big fire roaring in the fireplace for days like this. So have a seat. I’ll get you a towel to dry off and a blanket to get warm.”
The faux leather couches could be wiped clean of mud and debris.
She disappeared down a hall toward her office, where she found Cara, her friend and employee, busy working on the computer recording data for the tigers and ordering supplies.
She glanced up at Gemma and gasped. “What happened?”
“It’s a long story. I have a guy out there, Gray Wilson, who says he was coming in for an interview today?”
Cara nodded. “Yeah. I left a message on your voice mail. He called this morning, and you said you needed help and, well, I thought you’d be back in time.”
“I met him on the mountain.”
“What?”
“Yeah. I crashed the CJ into a tree. Gray was there to help me out.”
“Oh, Gemma, are you okay, honey? Do you need to see a doctor?”
“No, I’m good.”
Cara didn’t look convinced. “What about that old Jeep you love? You want me to call the sheriff for you? You’ll need an official report so insurance will cover it.”
“It’s not like the insurance is going to pay.” She only had liability. “But call the county to let them know about the road.”
She dried her hair with one of the towels they kept on hand. Their work at the sanctuary was hands on, dirty work. Grabbing a couple of blankets from a closet, Gemma wrapped one around herself, wishing she had time to run over to her cabin to shower, change clothes and grab a sweatshirt. “Find my other cane for me, if you would, please? I don’t want to keep him waiting.”
Cara nodded. “I’ll find it.”
“Well, I’m off to see if we can use him.”
But Gemma already knew the answer. He was definitely sturdy and able. But she was more curious about his background and what brought him to Tiger Mountain than anything.
She made her way to Gray, who stood by the fire, and offered him the blanket. “Wrap this around you. I can offer you coffee or hot chocolate.”
He was indecisive behind his frown. “I don’t want to trouble you.”
“I’m getting some for myself, so it’s no trouble.”
“Then let me do it for you.”
“Mr. Wilson, you’re not a volunteer here yet. You’re my guest. Now, would you like some or not?”
“Hot chocolate’s fine. And...please call me Gray.”
The mundane act of getting hot chocolate let Gemma compose her thoughts and settle her heart after wrecking the CJ and being carried by a stranger. Blanket still hanging on her shoulders, Gemma carried two cups of hot cocoa out to where Gray waited, hoping he would not look at her leg. There wasn’t anything to see, really. Not like it was hideous or mangled. Instead it was stiff and aching.
She tried to smile to cover the pain. He’d settled on the big old orange couch next to the fire and appeared mesmerized by the flames, deep in thought. Good, he hadn’t watched her limping walk.
“Here you go.”
Slowly he turned his head to her, seeming to shake off his daze. “Thanks.”
She handed the mug off. Of course their fingers brushed. But Gemma had already been up close and personal with Gray, so she didn’t understand the current she suddenly felt. She wondered what he might look like when he was all cleaned up. Where had that come from? Ignore, ignore, ignore. “Well, we’re off to an awkward start.”
He quirked a brow and flashed a dimpled half grin. “At least it wasn’t uneventful.”
Gemma’s heart hammered again at the reminder. At least she thought it was the reminder of her crash that elevated her heart rate and not his dimpled grin.
His smile suddenly dropped away. “I shouldn’t have made a joke about it. You could have died. It could have been much worse.”
Shaking her head slightly, she slurped in the warm cocoa. This was definitely what she needed. Get her core temperature back up and her brain working. It might be spring in southwest Oregon, but the rain dropped cold in the mountains.
“It worked out because you were there, at the right place at the right time. You’ve proven that you’re physically strong enough to handle working for us, but tell me about your background—who are you, where do you come from, why do you want to volunteer and what experience do you have with animals, specifically big cats?”
“That’s a lot of questions in one breath.”
Gemma was botching the interview, but it all came rushing out and then she let the one question burning her mind spill.
“And why were you on the mountain today?” It wasn’t like he’d simply shown up for an interview early. He’d been on the sanctuary property up in the mountains. The thought made her bristle.
* * *
Whoa with all the questions at once. But at least he’d anticipated them, even her last one. He had thought of an answer for that one while she’d gone to get the blankets. He hadn’t expected for anyone to see him on the mountain or to rescue Gemma from a Jeep.
Without hesitation, he said, “I parked my truck where the county road meets Highway 101 and then hiked in. I was early for the interview and like to see the lay of the land where I’m going to work.” It was as simple as that. And completely truthful. “Or, um...volunteer. But whether I’m salaried or not, I always take my work seriously.”
“But you were on private property.”
“Actually, I wasn’t. I was still in the Wild Rogue Wilderness when I heard your cries for help. Only then did I cross over onto your property.” Sure, he’d been checking the tigers and facilities from a distance with a set of binoculars—left behind when he’d run after her. Still, by the look on her face, he might have said too much.
She cocked a brow. “Getting the lay of the land, huh?”
Time to switch the topic. “I recently rented a house on the coast from a friend. I wanted a change of scenery from my place in Portland. I have a biology degree and worked in wildlife conservation before. I know that tigers are the most imperiled of the wild cats. Three subspecies are already extinct. There’s only about three thousand left, living in the wild.”
She arched a brow. Impressed? Or maybe he was trying too hard. He needed this volunteer position. But he couldn’t let her see just how much.
“It’s because I believe in what you’re doing that I wanted to volunteer my time while I’m between contracts. It makes me angry when I read about the dwindling endangered species populations and abused animals. You’re doing a good thing here. I believe in your cause.” Okay, now he was repeating himself. His pulse was beginning