Love in the Wild: Book 3 Read online

  Love in the Wild

  Rachel Hope

  Copyright 2021 by Rachel Hope

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Design: Stephanie Anderson, Alt 19 Creative

  Editing by: Dayna Hart, Hart to Heart Editing

  Rachel Hope’s website: www.rachelhopewrites.com

  Facebook: RachelHopeAuthor

  Instagram: RachelHopeAuthor

  Contents

  Love in the Wild

  Dedication

  Also By

  1. Chapter 1

  2. Chapter 2

  3. Chapter 3

  4. Chapter 4

  5. Chapter 5

  6. Chapter 6

  7. Chapter 7

  8. Chapter 8

  9. Chapter 9

  10. Chapter 10

  11. Chapter 11

  12. Chapter 12

  13. Chapter 13

  14. Chapter 14

  15. Chapter 15

  16. Chapter 16

  17. Chapter 17

  18. Chapter 18

  19. Chapter 19

  20. Chapter 20

  21. Chapter 21

  22. Chapter 22

  23. Chapter 23

  24. Chapter 24

  25. Chapter 25

  26. Chapter 26

  27. Chapter 27

  28. Chapter 28

  29. Chapter 29

  30. Chapter 30

  31. Chapter 31

  32. Chapter 32

  33. Chapter 33

  34. Chapter 34

  35. Chapter 35

  36. Chapter 36

  37. Chapter 37

  38. Epilogue

  39. Epilogue

  Check out Book 4 in the Series

  40. Chapter 1

  41. Chapter 2

  42. Chapter 3

  43. Chapter 4

  44. Want to Read More?

  Want More?

  Acknowledgments

  About Author

  Love in the Wild

  To my Family,

  For continually supporting me in all that I've done.

  I wouldn't be able to write family dynamics nearly as well without you.

  Love you to the moon!

  Also By

  Rachel Hope

  The Brunch Bunch Series

  Love in the Ring

  Love Under Arrest

  Love in the Wild

  Love on Wheels (Out in March 2022)

  Love by Design (Out in May 2022)

  Love in the Details (Out in July 2022)

  Chapter 1

  January - Issy

  Rushing around the apartment on the first day of the new year, Issy was on the hunt for her favourite travel mug. Reporters didn’t rest on holidays.

  “Dean, have you seen my mug? The one with the llama on it… you know it says ‘No Prob-llama’?” Issy turned to look at her boyfriend of four years.

  “Issy, I need to talk to you.”

  She paused between the kitchen and the front hallway, watching Dean shuffle his feet. Worry creased his brow, and she stood on her toes to kiss him and wash away that worry. Dean leaned away from the kiss, leaving her hanging in the wind.

  “Hey, I’m not mad about last night, you had every right to celebrate with the promotion before Christmas—.” She bit her tongue to stop herself from adding a but.

  She stepped back to look up at him.

  “Well… you know I got this promotion at work.” He hedged, licking his lips.

  “Yes, and it was well deserved! You’ve worked so hard for it, with the scrub articles and then that whole exposé on the cheese racket downtown.” Issy could list all of Dean’s successes. She’d been there for most of them, helped him achieve them. They had gotten together in the last year of journalism school, and then jobs at the same newspaper—she liked to joke that their life story was already at the printers.

  “Yeah, the exposé on the cheese was definitely a winner.” Dean conceded, he ran a hand through his hair. “But that’s not what I’m trying to say…”

  “Well tell me, I’ve got to get to work!”

  “With this promotion, I just don’t think you and I can be together anymore. You aren’t high enough calibre to be on my arm for the swanky events that I’m going to be expected to attend.” It fell out of Dean’s mouth like he had been practicing it for a while. “Delilah and I think that perhaps now would be a good time for you and me to cut the strings that bind us and let you get your own wings.”

  “I’m sorry, what?” Issy gaped. “Did you just dump me and tell me that another woman told you to do it? The copy-editor at the Post? What the Hell, Dean?” She spluttered. “I’m not a high enough calibre –? Who helped you with all your research? Who edited your work before you submitted it? Who helped, dropping everything to help you? And I’m not good enough?” Issy slammed her hand on the counter, making the dishes rattle underneath. “You can pack…. Leave your key. I’ll spread my wings right now, you stupid twit. I have to go.”

  Pushing past him, she grabbed her jacket off the hook and left the condo. It was too early in the morning to be slamming doors—she had elderly, busybody neighbours, and she didn’t want to have to deal with them on top of this surprise.

  Pulling her hood up, she pushed out of the lobby of her condo. The snow was falling in giant flakes. Trudging along the unplowed sidewalks, she passed the dregs of partyers returning home in the cold morning light. “Happy New Year!” they yelled at anyone they passed. Issy barely noticed them. I thought he was going to propose. Has he been cheating on me with Delilah? How long had that been going on?

  How could she not be good enough? Issy felt the cold of the snowflakes falling down her cheeks, then realized that no, it wasn’t snowflakes- she was crying.

  Chapter 2

  February - Issy

  “And for all those lovers out there, the countdown is on. Only two more days until the Superbowl of romance, Valentine’s day! And to keep you in that loving spirit, More Than Words will play right after these messages…” Issy groaned and rolled over, trying to slap her alarm clock into submission. No one needed a countdown to Valentine’s day less than Issy.

  Still single and so not ready to mingle, she had taken to working off-hours to avoid the new Power Couple at work.

  Rolling back into her pillows, Issy debated if she could have a sick day, just until Valentine’s day had passed.

  The alarm went off again. “…and the weather for the next three days will be positively balmy compared to regular winter temperatures. We will rest around zero with a high of plus three, but don’t put your toques away yet, this warm front will pass in time for Winterlude next week…”

  Crawling out from under her palace of bedroom wonder, she made her way through the condo. She’d heard through the office grapevine that Dean had moved directly into Delilah’s place. She wanted to say good riddance, but sometimes the apartment felt big, now that it was just her.

  After her morning tea, she grabbed her scarf and jacket and headed out to the subway to catch her connection to the zoo. Issy had a meeting with the head zoologist at 10. She had spent the last couple days looking up any articles written in the last five years that mentioned the zoo.

  She couldn’t find any current photographs of the Head Zoologist—she’d googled until her eyes glazed over—but David Suzuki always flashed before her eye
s.

  There were some group photos on the zoo’s website, they were unnamed, but there seemed to be the same few faces in each. The one that caught her eye most frequently was a redhead. That girl knew how to pose for pictures and knew her angles. Issy hoped that she wasn’t the head zoologist—she just intimidated her, even on the screen.

  Rocking with the sway of the subway as it rounded each bend, Issy pulled nervously at her ponytail. Her usual style. Anything more extravagant led to a halo of freedom fighters which made her look like she was more of a ragamuffin than an adult.

  Not high enough calibre.

  Issy straightened her shoulders. I may look like a child, but I am a card-carrying adult. I got this. It wasn’t the most inspiring pep-talk but it was all she had time for—the next stop was hers.

  “So, you’re here to interview the good Dr. Walker about the zoo? Can I ask what’s the angle for the article?” The receptionist looked at Issy with an open face and kind eyes. She was older than Issy, and it looked like she had been working there for a while—her desk was clearly marked as her territory.

  “My editor told me to find something romantic at the zoo for the Valentine’s issue.” Issy tried not to roll her eyes too hard.

  The receptionist nodded. “That’s right, I forgot. Valentine’s Day is this week. My Charles is planning a surprise, which means Chinese buffet and a new plant. We’ve been together for nearly twenty years now, and he’s so predictable.

  “I’m Angie, by the way. It’ll always be me you talk to first if you have to call back for anything.”

  Issy nodded along with the receptionist. She was used to having people tell her anything—she just had one of those faces. It was a useful trait to have as a journalist. While waiting for the Good Dr. Walker, Issy took the chance to look around her, there was a fundraising thermometer on the wall, looking pathetically low, as well as framed photos of the different animals which she assumed were from the zoo itself. Whoever the photographer was, they had a great eye for the personality shot.

  Chapter 3

  Garrett

  Garrett had forgotten that his boss, Dr. Griffin, had arranged for a journalist to come in for a behind-the-scenes look at the zoo.

  Today just wasn’t a good day for it.

  Adrienne, the gorilla, got food from a tourist which had made her sick and Garrett had spent the night trying to soothe her and keep her mate, Rocky, calm as well. Wrangling two gorillas is never easy, especially when one is sick and the other is worried, but if the boss says talk to the journalist, then so be it.

  Distractedly, he heaved himself out of his office chair and tried to finger-comb his curly hair into some semblance of order. Perhaps he was due for a haircut soon. He would meet with this writer in the boardroom—it was more impressive, and he wouldn’t have to tidy up his office.

  The zoo had become Garrett’s home away from home over the past few years. He had apprenticed under Dr. Griffin, and when Dr Griffin had chosen to go on sabbatical to study Komodo dragons in Indonesia, he had recommended Garrett as his interim replacement. It had been too good an opportunity to turn down, but it had also opened Garrett’s eyes to a lot of the problems the zoo was having. Caring for the animals wasn’t cheap. Taking in rescues, though a good practice, was not cost effective, and in Canada, the busy season was just as seasonal as the weather. Donations were down, and visitor numbers were down. They were making enough to stay open, but not enough to make improvements.

  Reaching across his desk, he pushed on the paging system. “Amanda, please check on Adrienne in about an hour. She was improving when I left her, but I want to make sure she stays that way. Watch out for Rocky. He’s worried about her.” Waiting for the buzzing acknowledgement, Garrett was thankful for the competence of his vet tech. She was good at following directions, though he didn’t think she had a passion for the animals or her career.

  Garrett grabbed a donor portfolio from one of the filing cabinets and proceeded through the maze of hallways from the bowels of the administrative building to the waiting area. Maybe he could get the journalist to write about their donor program, and then this interview wouldn’t be a complete waste.

  It hadn’t been ten minutes since Angie had buzzed him, but she gave him quite the hairy eyeball as he came around the counter. He gave her a half smile and shrugged. Turning to the reporter, he froze. This couldn’t be the reporter… she looked too young, too open, not cynical enough. Her hair looked like she’d attempted to tame it, but it looked no better than his.

  “I’m Dr. Walker—Garrett—and you’re from The Post?” He reached forward to shake her hand. It was small and delicate within his grasp. He towered over her when she stood up. Instinctively, his grip tightened. He wanted to protect her.

  “Isadora Jones, and yes, I am.”

  “Isadora isn’t a name you hear often. Any significance?” He tucked his reaction to the journalist to the back of his mind to focus and make intelligent conversation.

  “My mom was a bit of a hippy. She looked up Badass Princess Names, and I got stuck with Isadora. I usually go by Issy, though.”

  “Oh…” Garrett couldn’t think of a better response. He really needed to start hanging out with more humans than animals.

  Leading the way back to the boardroom, Garret took the opportunity to show off the zoo along the way. The nursery and veterinary station, with big picture windows so anyone could look in on the animals in the nursery or the recovery rooms. Usually, people enjoyed these two areas.

  “So, you’re here for a behind-the-scenes look at the zoo?” Garrett asked as they each grabbed a coffee from the machine in the boardroom.

  “Sort of. I’m here to write a piece for Valentine’s Day… a ‘Love in the Wild,’ if you will. Is it ok if I record this, in case I have any follow up questions?” The journalist plunked her cellphone on the table. “I was thinking we could talk about the mating habits of some of the animals here—those that mate for life, and those that have more promiscuous leanings, like more than one mate. Do you think you could get me enough material for that?”

  Garrett looked at Issy, who was examining him like she was trying to gauge his reaction. Wiping his face, he tried to hide the smile that was lurking. What kind of interview did Dr. Griffin sign him up for?

  “Animals with promiscuous leanings? Animals don’t have judgmental tendencies like humans do, so it’s just their natural inclinations.” He smiled as she flushed and looked away.

  “I didn’t mean to sound judgmental. I can’t say I’ve put much thought into animal sex lives until this morning.”

  Garrett liked it when Issy was flustered; it brought rosiness to her cheeks.

  “Well, let’s go on a tour of the zoo. I’ll tell you the good stuff about the animals. In return, can we bring some light to our need for funding?”

  “You mean the sad fundraising thermometer wasn’t just a prop to guilt people into donating?”

  Garrett looked at the journalist.

  He could read the emotions that raced across her face as she realized her faux pas and decided to throw her a bone.

  “No, it’s not a prop. How about we do the tour, and then we can go over how maybe you and this article can help save the zoo.” Pausing to clear his throat, he finished his coffee, eyed Issy’s cup, and she took the hint and gulped hers back.

  Garrett stood, “Shall we start? You might want your coat. Walking between the enclosures will take us outside. I have to stop by my office so I can pick up mine. Can you find your way back to the front desk on your own?”

  “Two lefts and a right, three picture windows, a fundraising non-prop, and I’m there, right?”

  He liked that she could make fun of herself and recognize her offence at the same time. He nodded and held the door for her, “Just give me five minutes and I’ll be there for the grand tour.”

  Chapter 4

  Issy

  Issy thought about Dr. Walker as she walked back the way they had come. He did not look like
David Suzuki at all—more like an ex-rugby player. He had a mop of curls that she wanted to run her fingers through.

  Why can’t I ever keep my thoughts in? Asking if the thermometer was a prop?

  Something moved in the big window as she passed—a gorilla, pacing back and forth across the floor.

  As Issy was about to turn away she saw one of the rock walls move, and a feminine hand reached through with a banana upheld. Immediately, the gorilla turned toward the door, and in walked Jessica Rabbit incarnate, in medical scrubs. This was the vet tech that was always looking perfect in those group photos, and surprise, surprise, she was still looking perfect now.

  Issy watched as the gorilla took the banana out of the vet’s hand and glimpsed herself in the reflection of the window—her freedom fighters were out in full force. There was no comparison between this tech and herself. She wasn’t even in the same league.

  “Sorry, I got distracted at one of the windows in the hall back there. The gorilla caught my eye. The enclosure seems smallish. Is that the norm?”

  “What you saw is essentially a hospital room. Adrienne wasn’t feeling well and is in for observation.” Garrett informed her as he opened the door.

  She pulled her coat tight around herself. There weren’t a lot of people around.

  How was this zoo running? Where did their funding come from? She pulled her collar up around her. She might be beside an extremely hot and out-of-her-league man, but she was also outside, in February, in Toronto. Warmth felt like it was being sucked out of her bones. Her brother used to joke that she was born with a pint less blood compared to everyone else.

  “I thought we could start at the farthest side of the zoo and work back. There’s a canteen at the halfway point which gives us a break, and I can answer any questions that you’ve come up with.”