“I didn’t. Because I was working, fiddling and finagling, plotting and planning. I’ve got to head into town shortly, and deposit this.”

She pulled the check out of her pocket, held it by the corners, tipped it back and forth as if it danced.

“What-is that-Holy shit!”

Tansy threw her arms around Lil, and the two of them bounced in a circle. “Lil, this is amazing and wonderful and out of the blue. Coop? How many sexual favors did you have to offer and/or provide? Does he have that kind of money?”

“I didn’t offer and/or provide any sexual favors. But for this kind of dough, I would have. And yes, apparently he does have this kind of money. Who knew?”

“Does he have more? We can both offer and/or provide. I’m in.”

“We’ll keep that in reserve.” Because it still dazzled her, Lil studied all the zeros again. “I’ve spent this about ten times in my head overnight. I’ve got prices on security systems, security lights, cameras. New gates. We’ll see how far it goes. And to add to it, Montana is donating ten grand, with the stipulation we use at least part of it to build Cleo a spiffy new home in the spring.”

“When it rains, it freaking monsoons.”

“My mother always says life’s made up of cycles, of checks and balances. I like to think this is to balance out the horrible. Matt spoke with the vet in Butte, and we’re good there. I’m dealing with the permits, documentation, the paperwork, the logistics.”

“Jesus, Lil, we’re getting a jag. We’re actually getting a black jaguar.”

“And I need you to go to Montana and bring Cleo to her new home.”

“Sure, but you always go to check out the animals.”

“I can’t leave now, Tans, not even for the two or three days this’ll take.” She scanned the compound, the humans and animals. “I can’t take the chance that something could happen while I was gone. And since this is moving so quickly, I want to be here to help with the temporary habitat, and finalize plans for the permanent one. I’ve arranged for the crate and the box truck.”

“Problem there would be I’ve never driven one of those rigs.”

“You won’t be driving. You’ll be in charge of the cat. Her safety-public safety-her health. It’s about a seven-hour drive-eight, tops. Farley will handle the rig.”

“Oh, Lil.”

“Big picture, Tansy. He can handle the truck, and he’s a top-level volunteer. He’s the best one for it, and he’s got enough experience helping around here to assist you in any way you might need. I don’t anticipate any problems.”

“Your big picture’s logical. But what about the yen? What about that?”

Lil knew exactly how to play it. She widened her eyes. “Are you telling me you can’t handle Farley and his yen?”

“No. Not exactly.” Trapped, Tansy hissed out a breath. “Damn it.”

“You could be there in six hours if it goes well,” Lil continued, talking fast, “check out Cleo, charm and reassure the owner. Spend the night, load her up the next morning, and be back here before feeding time.”

Now, shamelessly, Lil added the big guns. “I can’t do it myself, Tansy, so I need you to do me this really big favor.”

“Of course I will. But it’s a situation.”

“Then why did you have dinner with him last night?”

Scowling, Tansy stuffed her hands in her coat pockets. “How do you know I did?”

“Because interns eat, too, and talk.”

“It was just a burger.”

“And this is just transport. I’ll put everything together for you before the end of the day, and you can go over any medical stuff you feel you might need to with Matt. You can leave in the morning. If you get here by six, you can get an early start.”

“You’ve already talked to Farley.”

“Yeah. He’s bringing the rig over here tonight.”

“Tell him to plan on leaving at five A.M. It’ll give us a good jump on the day.”

“Done. God, Tansy, you’re bringing home a jag. Now I’m going into town to swell our coffers before I deplete them.”

SHE HAD a number of errands to run in Deadwood. The bank, the store, the contractor, the post office. Since it would save time later, she loaded up at the feed-and-grain.

She saved Coop for last, since she saw his truck outside the stables they kept on the edge of town.

She took the folder with the information and specs she’d gotten off the Internet and went into the smell of horses and leather and hay.

She found him in the third stall, sitting on a stool as he wrapped the right foreleg of a chestnut gelding.

“Is he all right?”

Coop nodded, his hands steady and competent. “Just a little strain.”

“I had some business in town, and thought I’d drop this off when I saw your truck. I got information on a couple of security systems I think would work for us. I’ll leave it on the bench out here.”

“Go ahead. I made a call earlier. Contact I have in the business. I like their system, and he’d shave a little off the cost for me.” He named the system.

“That’s one of the two I have in the folder.”

“It’s a good one. If you go with that, he’ll give us the contact for the closest rep out here. They’ll come out, help you design and install.”

“All right. Let’s just go with them.”

“I’ll give him a call when I’m done here, have him contact you.”

“I appreciate it. I’ve also got an official letter of thanks from the refuge acknowledging your generous donation. Your accountant may want that on file. And Farley will be staying overnight in the compound.”

He looked over then. “Okay.”

“I’ll let you get back to work.”

“Lil. We have more to talk about.”

“I guess we do. Sooner or later.”

SHE WAS UP to see Tansy and Farley off in the cold dark. Farley’s easy cheer started her day with a smile, despite the occasional dirty look from Tansy.

“Try to avoid speeding tickets, especially coming back.”

“Don’t worry.”

“And call me when you get there, or if you run into any problems, or-”