Black Hills

and short of breath?”
    “It’s a good sign. Now, are you ready to sit back up so you can get a look at this ring? Lil helped me pick it out.”
    “Lil?” She popped straight up. “She knows about this? Who else?”
    “Well, I had to tell Joe and Jenna. They’re my parents in every way that matters. And Ella at the jeweler’s. It’s hard to buy a ring without her knowing about it. That’s all. I wanted to surprise you with it.”
    “You did. A lot. But—”
    “You like it?”
    Maybe some women could have resisted taking a good look, but Tansy wasn’t one of them. “It’s beautiful. It’s, oh, it’s gorgeous. Really. But—”
    “Like you. I couldn’t ask you to wear a ring that wasn’t. It’s rose gold. So that makes it a little different. You’re not like anybody else, so I wanted to give you something special.”
    “Farley, I can honestly say you’re not like anyone else either.”
    “That’s why we suit. You just listen a minute before you say anything. I know how to work, make a decent living. So do you. We’re both doing what we’re good at, and what we like. I think that’s important. This is our place, yours and mine. That’s important, too. But most important is I love you.”
    He took her hand and kept his eyes, so clear and serious now, on hers. “No one’s ever going to love you the way I do. Joe and Jenna, they made me a man. Every time I look at you, I know why. What I want most in this world, Tansy, is to build a good life with you, to make you happy every day of it. Or most every day, because you’ll get mad at me sometimes. I want to make a home and a family with you. I think I’d be good at that. I can wait if you’re not ready to wear this. As long as you know.”
    “I have all these arguments in my head. Rational, sensible arguments. And when I look at you, when you look at me, they all seem weak. Like excuses. You’re not supposed to be the one, Farley. I don’t know why you are. But you are.”
    “Do you love me, Tansy?”
    “Farley. I really do.”
    “Are you going to marry me?”
    “I really am.” She let out a quick, surprised laugh. “Yes, I am.”
    She held out her hand. He slipped it on. “It fits.” Her quiet murmur was thick and shaky.
    Dazzled, he stared at the ring, then at her. “We’re engaged.”
    “Yes.” Now she laughed, full out, and threw her arms around him. “Yes, we are.”
    Lil kept the staff working on the other side of the compound as much as possible. She had to shift her own position to keep the picnic table in view when interns led a group around the habitats.
    She told herself it wasn’t like spying. She was just . . . keeping an eye on things. And when she saw Tansy go into Farley’s arms she didn’t quite muffle the cheer.
    “Sorry, what?” Eric asked.
    “Nothing, nothing. Ah, can you make sure everything’s set up for the school group tomorrow morning? In the education center. Take a couple of the other interns along.”
    “Sure. Matt’s going to do his exam of the new female tiger this afternoon. I was hoping I could observe. Maybe even assist.”
    “If Matt clears it.”
    “The word is you’re going to take the barricade down between the enclosures.”
    “Yes. When Matt finishes the exam. She’s still caged, Eric. It’s a bigger cage, and it’s clean, it’s safe. Once we take the barrier down, she’ll be free to interact with her own kind, and she’ll be able, when she’s ready, to roam her habitat, walk in the grass, run. Play, I hope.”
    “I wanted to make sure it wasn’t just rumor. I hate what they did to her. Cleo was different. She was so sleek and arrogant. But this one, she just seemed sad and tired. I guess I feel for her.”
    “That’s why you’ve been getting better at your work. Because you feel for them.”
    His eyes brightened. “Thanks.”
    Was she ever that young? Lil wondered. So that a compliment from an instructor or trainer put that look in her eyes, that spring in her step? She supposed she had been.
    But she’d been so focused, so absolutely determined to carve out her route. Not only to reach the goal but to make up for what she’d lost. To make up for Coop.
    She drew a breath as she studied the compound. All in all, it had worked out for her. Now it would be her decision, her choice if she wanted to open back up, take back what she’d lost.
    She heard the steps on the gravel, slow steps, and whirled to defend. Matt wheeled back so quickly he slid and nearly