Jack seemed pleased when she didn’t deny it.

‘So, travel guide guru, where are we going?’ she asked.

‘A real sanctuary,’ he answered, his spirits lightening because she’d acquiesced so easily. ‘An animal one.’

Emerald Springs was a tiny wildlife hospital only a few miles down the road from the Green Veranda. A private facility that specialised in the rehabilitation and release of injured wild animals.

Stephanie read the sign. ‘It’s closed to the public today.’

‘We’re not the public.’

He got out of the car and walked up to the main entrance.

‘No?’

‘We’re patrons.’

She swivelled and looked at him with sharp eyes. ‘You mean you gave them a heap of money so they’d let us come here today?’

‘Pretty much,’ he said blandly. ‘Is that dreadful of me?’

He didn’t wait for her answer. But he refused to think it was dreadful. It was for her pleasure.

‘You must be Jack Wolfe.’ A woman greeted them as soon as he walked in. ‘We’re so thrilled you could join us today.’ She smiled at him broadly and lifted her hand to pat her hair. ‘Just delighted.’

Jack smiled back at her.

It turned out she was the director of the facility, and she was happy to take them on a tour herself. She talked and talked as she showed them the surgery and the care suites.

‘I cannot thank you enough,’ she said to Jack, for the third time. ‘Your contribution will make a huge difference to our work.’

He felt awkward, knowing Stephanie was eyeing him. ‘It is, of course, an anonymous donation.’

‘Of course.’ The woman smiled and leaned a little too close. ‘Just between us.’

Out of the corner of his eye he could see Stephanie’s eyebrows arch, and she walked away towards a glass cage holding an enormous snake.

Jack extricated himself from the director with an apologetic smile and walked to stand next to Stephanie.

‘They don’t scare you?’ he murmured.

‘Of course they do,’ she answered, not looking at him as she answered. ‘But they’re fascinating.’

He turned to look straight at her. ‘Yes.’

‘I think you wanted to see an echidna most especially?’ The director interrupted the moment, her eyes only on Jack.

‘Stephanie is very keen to see one, yes,’ he said pointedly, watching the woman’s smile dim a fraction.

Yeah, she seemed to have chosen to ignore the fact that he had a woman with him. And not just any woman.

He took hold of Stephanie’s hand to emphasise it, pleased when he felt a teasing stroke of her fingers before she laced them between his.

‘Of course.’ The clinical director reverted to being a wholly professional tour guide with a smile. ‘We have a very special treat for you today, Stephanie, if you want to put on a pair of those gloves…’

It turned out it was a baby echidna that had been rescued and was being hand-reared. It was so tiny it fitted into Stephanie’s small hand.

Jack drank in her reaction, her glowing features. She was in raptures—definitely not too ‘cool’ to show enthusiasm. So refreshing.

‘You have to hold this little honey,’ she told him, all wide eyes and huge smile.

‘I sure do.’ He caught her eye briefly and then carefully took the tiny animal from her.

He knew she felt the sizzle—her flush gave her away.

‘It’s just adorable,’ Stephanie said, staying near him to look down at the weirdest-looking little thing ever.

Jack knew they were timid creatures that curled up like hedgehogs when frightened. And, like hedgehogs, they had little spikes to warn off attackers. A very showy defence mechanism that kind of reminded him of someone else with painted armour.

Eventually the director spoke. ‘I’m so sorry, but I’m going to need to get back to my office—and this wee one needs some rest.’

‘Of course—thank you so much. We don’t want to take up any more of your time,’ Jack said smoothly.

‘I’ll get one of our volunteers to come down in case you have any more questions. You can stay as long as you like.’ The woman smiled broadly at them both. ‘And, Jack, thank you once again for your generosity.’

She put the echidna back into its cage and left.

Jack couldn’t resist going up close to take another look at it.

‘I thought you preferred to see creatures in their natural habitat?’ Stephanie teased.

‘She’ll be back in the wild once she’s big and healthy enough. Everyone needs help sometimes.’

‘You know these babies are called puggles?’ Stephanie brushed against him as she stood beside him. ‘So cute.’

Tags: Natalie Anderson Billionaire Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net