CHAPTER TEN
“Mama? Mama! Stop right there,” said Gaspar as he headed to the boat. She was standing with that smug smile on her face and she turned to see Gaspar and Luke looking at her. “Mama, what just happened? What does all this mean? Do we not have to help with the animals any longer?”
“Don’t be absurd, Gaspar,” she laughed. “We got more animals than we know what to do with and there will be more coming. You know there will be so don’t even act shocked.”
“Grandma, there needs to be more,” said Luke.
“She has a gift, a gift that would only come alive here, at Belle Fleur. It’s a rare gift, as you both know.
Most of you can speak to the animals in some way or another, some more than others.
But that child can speak to the smallest ant, all the way to largest mammal.
She might very well be your greatest weapon yet. ”
She kissed them both on the cheek and turned, smiling at them.
“Gotta run. Matthew is waitin’ for our afternoon boat ride around the bayou. I love that time with him.”
She just sort of disappeared, like a sprinkling of gold dust that fell softly to the earth. But nothing about Irene was ever soft.
“What do you make of that?” frowned Luke.
“I think we believe her. You saw it, I saw it. Hell, we all saw it. That young woman was like the animal whisperer. They all came to her. She sat down, they just curled around her and started talking to her like a pet therapist.”
“Is that what she is?” asked Luke.
“Fuck if I know but it will be nice to have someone else hear all the complaints.” They both stood there a few moments watching as the animal team walked further into the island. “Wait a minute. Did Mama say there would be more animals?” Luke stared at his father.
“Oh, shit.”
“We know this is a lot to take in, Blake but as you can see we have plenty of room for the animals and more are probably coming,” said Lucy.
“Surprisingly, it doesn’t feel like a lot. It feels natural and normal. It feels like home. Like this should have always been my home.”
“Well, we’re going to let you wander around and get used the layout. If you have any questions, come and find us. Oh, did AJ give you the communications device and walk you through that?”
“He did. I got my injection late yesterday, behind my ear and I tested it this morning. I heard everything he said perfectly.”
“Good. Don’t ever take off the bracelet or ring…”
“Necklace,” she smiled. “I chose a necklace.”
“Good, don’t ever take it off. If you need us just press the comms device and someone will always hear you. Zane, you walk her around and we’ll see you all at dinner.”
“Ready?” he said smiling at her.
“I am,” she grinned. “I’m so excited about this. I can’t believe that I get to live and work here.”
“Blake? About earlier when I removed my shirt.”
“It’s okay. I saw the scars. That woman, the one who pretended to be your mother, she did that to you?”
“She did. Every last one of them. I have a few across my backside as well, but nothing like my back.”
“It must have been so painful,” she said taking his hand in her own.
“It’s funny. The longer I get away from all of that, the less I think about the pain. It seems like someone else’s life I was living.” She nodded as they continued to walk, still holding hands.
“Can I ask a question?”
“Ask me anything,” he smiled.
“Considering your living situation and all that, have you had any experience with women?” She noticed the blush on his cheeks and almost regretted asking.
“The year that I was away from them, I did have a few encounters with women. Most were just one-night stands. I’m ashamed to say that but I kept thinking I have to get on this bicycle. Wait. I didn’t mean bicycle.” Blake laughed, nodding her head.
“I know what you meant. But you’ve never had anyone in your life that was a serious relationship?”
“No. How about you?” he asked.
“I haven’t had a lot of experience. Two serious boyfriends, both ended up being colossal jerks and cheated on me. I have really bad instincts with men. Usually, anyway.”
“Usually?” he asked with a smirk. She turned to stare up at him and smiled.
“I’m really hoping I’m about to break the cycle,” she said letting her hands slide up his forearms and then to his biceps.
“There’s something about you, Zane. You made me feel safe from the moment we spoke on that bridge back there.
Safe and desired. I could see it in your eyes.
It was so refreshing to meet a man that wasn’t a player. ”
He smiled down at her, tucking a red wayward curl behind her ear. She closed her eyes, leaning into his hand.
“I am definitely not a player and I definitely would like to spend more time with you.” He wrapped one arm around her waist pulling her tighter to his body. Blake reached up, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and tilted her head slightly as he moved closer, his lips touching hers.
It was sweet and innocent, soft and gentle as his lips moved over her own. She dug her fingers into his hair as his hand slid up the side of her leg, the hem of her dress riding higher.
“Zane,” she whispered, “I need you.”
“I need you too, baby. But not here.”
“Why?” she asked innocently. He let her fall back from his own body and turned her to notice that they’d been followed by every animal on the island.
“Because dozens of pairs of eyes are upon us.”