was supposed to or not, but she did and now I can’t stop thinking about it and is it really true? Can your mother talk to animals?”
Renee held in a groan. “She doesn’t talk. She listens while they tell her what’s on their mind.” She braced herself for laughter and possibly derision, because really? Communicating with animals?
“Thank God.” Carol moved closer to her desk. “I need her help. I’m desperate. There’s something wrong with the giraffes. I don’t know what, but they feel off to me and I’m responsible for them and I worry I’m not giving them enough attention with Devon and everything, and I could really use her help.” She paused to breathe. “If that’s not asking too much.”
“You want my mother to communicate with your giraffes?”
Carol nodded vigorously. “Please. I know something’s wrong, but I can’t figure out what and I’m scared.”
Renee had no idea what to say. It was not the reaction she’d been expecting, or had ever gotten before. “Um, sure. Let me call her right now.” She pulled out her cell phone and dialed. When her mother answered, she explained the situation, listened for a second, then hung up.
“She says she will absolutely do her best. I’m going to get her right now and we’ll meet you at the animal preserve.”
“Thank you.” Carol raced out, turned. “Really. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to meet your mom.”
“Give us twenty minutes.”
Renee was still contemplating the unexpected turn of events as she parked in front of the Sweet Dreams Inn. Verity was waiting by the main doors and quickly hurried to the car.
“I hope I can help,” her mother said as she fastened her seat belt. “I’ve never been able to understand wild animals because we don’t share a language. Domestic animals are different, of course. I’m hoping your friend’s giraffes have been around people enough that they can share their thoughts with me.” She smiled at Renee. “This is very exciting.”
“It’s not how I spend my day—that’s for sure.”
Renee drove out past the dump and recycling center and entered the animal preserve. Carol was there, along with Ed, her father. Renee made the introductions.
“I put the female giraffes in their barn,” Carol said, leading the way. “I’ve kept them separate so they won’t distract each other.”
“I have to warn you that while I’ll do my best, I can’t make any promises,” Verity said before explaining how she couldn’t communicate with wild animals. “We don’t have a shared frame of reference.”
“Makes sense,” Ed told her. “What about birds and fish? Or is it just mammals?”
“I’ve never been able to tell what a fish is thinking. I can get through to some birds. Doves are silent but swans don’t shut up and they have opinions about everything. I’ve always wanted to try communicating with a dolphin, but I haven’t had the chance.”
“Fascinating,” Ed murmured, holding open a large door. “Let’s go see what the ladies think of you and vice versa.”
Renee felt incredibly out of place in a dress and pumps. Her mother was in jeans and Carol and Ed wore what she would describe as safari gear—khakis and polo shirts. Given their work at the preserve, their wardrobe made sense.
The barn wasn’t a barn at all, but a huge open building with big cages or stalls with wood and chain-link walls. The ceiling had to be at least twenty-five feet high, which made sense when one was housing giraffes.
There were tall windows, plenty of light and lots of ventilation. Renee inhaled the scent of hay and fresh air. Three beautiful giraffes watched them curiously. They were leggy and powerful with stunning faces and incredibly long lashes.
“The giraffes are usually kept outside during the day,” Carol told them. “We bring them in at night to keep them safe. They’re not exactly domesticated but they were all born in captivity and have a ‘will work for food’ mentality. I’m hoping you can tell me what they’re thinking.”
“Wonderful,” Verity said. “They are simply wonderful. What a joy to work with them every day.” She glanced at Ed. “You started the preserve?”
“My brother and I did. We’d had plans for a while and just needed the right location and an influx of cash.” He shrugged. “We found this place right as a distant relative passed away, leaving us the heirs. It all worked out.”
They smiled at each other. Renee couldn’t help thinking this was the strangest afternoon she’d had in maybe forever.