In Full Bloom (Second Chances 1)

“Hello.”

“Hey, Princess,” he said. “How are the pandas?”

“Adorably vicious. I didn’t realize how long their freaking claws were. They had one sedated earlier today to do some dental work.”

“Holy shit. Are you telling me had your hand in a bear’s mouth?” he asked.

“Yep,” she said. “Wouldn’t be the first time, either.”

“I never really thought about the particulars of what you do. I mean, I know you work with animals, but wow. You live on the edge, baby. I just play with flowers all day,” he said. “That’s actually a little bit emasculating.”

“I think both you and I know there’s nothing about your manhood that’s the least bit in question,” she said drily.

“I know,” he agreed. “Just wanted to hear you say it.”

“Oh Jesus,” she said, laughing.

“So, other than your brush with death, how was it?” he asked.

“The zoo is huge,” she said. “I feel like I walked a million miles today. I didn’t think it would be this big. It’s like a small city.”

“Have you never been there before?”

“Nope,” she said easily. “My boss seemed shocked, too, but you know how I grew up. My parents were a little, shall we say, self-absorbed. After everything happened, there weren’t exactly any family vacations.”

“Hmm,” he said, pausing for a minute. “Clearly we need to travel.”

“Mike said the same thing. The next few fellowships are mine, apparently,” she said.

“Mmm,” he grumbled again, clearly not pleased with the idea of her being gone.

She yawned and said, “You seem grumpy. Rough day?”

“Tired, baby. Just tired. It was a long day. Great sales, though. You sound whipped,” he commented.

She stretched and settled back into the pillows, then said, “Someone kept me up all night.”

He said, “I didn’t hear any complaints.”

She could hear that damn smug grin right through the phone.

“Cause I was too busy moaning your name. I know, I know,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“Yeah, you were,” he said, amusement lacing his voice.

They talked for a few minutes more until he finally said, “I’m gonna let you go though. Call me tomorrow with more panda-related adventures.”

“Will do,” she said. “I miss you.”

“Miss you, too, baby. Bye.”

“Bye,” she said.

Taryn lay there after she’d disconnected the line, deeply considering going to sleep right now. She decided she needed to eat and shower. Not in that order, though. Shower first.

Feeling somewhat revived after her shower, she turned on the television and perused the room service menu. She called downstairs and ordered a ham and swiss on rye with chips and a coke. Not exactly the dinner of champions, but it would have to do. Her feet weren’t leaving this room until morning.

The remainder of the week was spent treating small wounds, performing physical exams, giving shots and dental cleanings to the pandas. Mid-week, they had been joined by a few doctors from the Miami Zoo. Together they had been able to take care of the entire annual healthcare regimen for the animals.