Page 24 of Tiger Queen

I stifled a giggle. “They’re really cool, actually. David owns some Crossfit gyms up in Richmond, so he’s jacked. Anthony is a computer programmer. He’s enthusiastic about everything and it’s super cute. And the middle brother… Jake is a bad boy. Tattoos and a leather jacket and an attitude. He reminds me of that guy you dated sophomore year. So yeah, they’re nothing like their father.”

“Rachel,” she said slowly, “are you letting your attraction to these guys cloud your judgment?”

“No! I’m not attracted to them like that. I mean, I am. They’re super hot. But that’s not why I’m doing this. You said it yourself: I needed to find a way to make my resume stand out. What better way than by fixing Crazy Carl’s Zoo? Plus it’s pretty much my dream job, even if it is temporary.”

I heard her sigh on the line. “Rachel, I don’t know if I like this…”

“Why aren’t you supportive of me?” I demanded. “This whole thing was your idea. You should have seen this place when I got here. It was awful. It still is, but we’re working on it now. I’m making sure these tigers are being put into proper homes.”

“If they’re telling you the truth.”

“I believe them. They seem genuine.”

She sighed again. “I’m sorry. I’m just afraid you’re getting in over your head. I want you to be careful, Rachel.”

“I will,” I promised, though deep down I feared she was right.

12

Rachel

I couldn’t sleep at first. Then I remembered the portrait hanging over my bed with Crazy Carl’s eyes that seemed to look directly into my soul. As soon as I moved it to the closet I was able to drift to sleep.

Anthony was sitting at the kitchen table when I came downstairs the next morning. He was busy working on his laptop, but he removed his headphones as soon as he saw me.

“Morning!” he said with a boyish smile that instantly made me feel welcome. “Sleep well?”

“I slept great, actually.”

“Hungry? I can make you breakfast.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that, I was going to—”

He hopped up from the table. “I insist! How about eggs and protein pancakes? They’re the only two things dad has plenty of. I made some pancakes this morning and still have some batter. It’ll be real easy, I promise.”

“That actually sounds amazing,” I admitted.

Anthony pulled a chair out for me at the table and then pushed it in after I was seated. Then he rushed into the kitchen and started preparing the food. He definitely seemed like the youngest child. Enthusiastic and easy to please everyone.

“I love to cook,” he said while pouring batter onto a hot skillet. “Problem is I never get to cook for anyone. You ever notice most recipes serve four or five people? That’s too much food for just me. So I stick to simple things.”

I chuckled. “I know what you mean. I’ve lived on Ramen noodles and cheese sandwiches for the last decade.”

“Right, you just graduated from college. With your master’s?”

“Doctorate of veterinary medicine.”

He whistled. “That’s legit. I mean, I knew you were like, an animal doctor. But I didn’t think about how you would get a doctorate for it. I bet that sounds stupid. It didn’t sound as dumb when I said it in my head.”

“You didn’t read my resume?” I teased.

He cracked eggs onto the pan. “David took care of that. When he said he wanted to hire you, I trusted his judgment. I saw your Virginia plates. Where’d you get your degree?”

“Florida State.”

He whirled toward me. “No shit? I went to Duke. Big conference rivals.”

“I went to almost every football game as an undergrad,” I admitted. “I seem to remember crushing Duke on several occasions.”

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