Page 5 of Wild Bred

He shrugs, clearly uninterested in the tour. “Maybe some other time. We’ll see.”

I feel a pang of disappointment, but I keep my smile in place. “Sure, no problem. I’ll leave you to it, then.”

I turn to leave, bummed that this visit didn’t go as I hoped it might. I guess it was wishful thinking, hoping that I could get on friendly terms with Reid. It seems like he just wants to be left alone.

But as I walk toward the door, Reid's voice calls after me.

“I could help reinforce Daisy’s enclosure, if you want.”

The smile that had fallen from my lips returns. I turn around to face him and push up the side of my glasses. “You’d do that?”

“If it means keeping that monkey in check, then yes.”

Reid comes over to the sanctuary the following afternoon, the sound of his truck rumbling up the sanctuary’s gravel driveway with purpose. I’m cleaning out the macaw enclosure when he arrives, and the vibrantly colored birds start squawking when they hear Reid’s truck, calling out at the top of their lungs, “Visitor! Visitor! We have a visitor!”

With jittery energy, I put away the broom I was using to sweep the floor and make my way out of the enclosure to greet Reid in the parking area at the sanctuary’s entrance. Today he’s wearing beat-up jeans, dirty boots, and a faded blue work shirt with the sleeves rolled up over his muscular forearms. Despite his rugged appearance, his blue eyes shine. He looks worn out from the labor he’s already done today, but also ready to make good on his offer.

“Daisy’s enclosure is this way,” I say, greeting him with a smile as I point toward the trees on the west side of the property.

Reid grabs a metal toolbox from his truck and walks with me, saying nothing as we make our way through the dappled sunlight filtering through the branches above. When we reach our destination, he takes in the sight of the large enclosure and finally speaks. “This is all for one monkey?”

“Yep. I like to give the animals plenty of space.” I smile. “Although, obviously, Daisy can’t help her curiosity about what’s beyond the boundaries. Here, I’ll show you where she escaped.”

I lead him over to the area of the fence behind a bush that Daisy managed to pry apart without my noticing.

“I thought this fencing was secure, but as you can see, I underestimated Daisy's determination. I patched it up, but I’m concerned it’s going to happen again.”

Reid nods. “You need a heavier gauge mesh. We can also install an electric wire along the perimeter to deter her from trying to escape.”

I scoff. “I’m not installing an electric wire. That’s cruel.”

“It’s not meant to hurt her. One little zap and she’ll learn to stay away.”

“No. Not going to happen. Installing heavier-duty fencing should be enough.”

“Fine. I’ll run into town and pick up the materials we need.”

“I’ll come with you,” I say.

“You don’t need to.”

“Actually, I do. I need to pay for it if I’m writing it off as a business expense.”

“Fine. Let’s go.”

As we walk back to Reid’s truck, I can’t help but feel annoyed at how this is going so far. I thought this would be an opportunity for us to connect, but it’s obvious that Reid isn’t interested in that.

When I open up the passenger door of his truck, I find a jumble of tools and various odds and ends in the way.

“Sorry,” Reid says, quickly sweeping the items out of the way. “I don’t usually have a passenger.”

I climb into the seat, not minding the mess. From what I’ve seen of Reid so far, this is what I expected his truck to be like—dirty and practical.

Desperate to find out more about my new neighbor, I peer over at him as he drives us away from the sanctuary with a single hand firmly gripping his steering wheel.

“So what are your plans for the house?” I ask.

“Nothing fancy,” he says, keeping his focus on the road. “Don’t worry. It won’t be an eyesore.”

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