Daniel's Lynx

By Ava Hayden

Daniel Rigaud never imagined he’d be starting over at fifty-five, but relocating from his city practice to small-town Alberta to become the staff veterinarian at the Lac LaForge Wildlife Rescue Center might help him forget his deceitful ex—especially considering his handsome new neighbor, Ronan Magister.

 

At fifty-three, Ronan’s given up on love and prefers to keep relationships short and sexual. It’s easier than revealing his secret—he’s a lynx part of the time. Something about Daniel makes him long for more, but telling the truth proves disastrous. Daniel believes he’s traded one deceptive man for another.

 

If Daniel actually fell for Ronan’s outrageous fabrication, then he might be worried that several animals were caught in poachers’ traps near their homes that morning. He might wonder why Ronan isn’t answering his phone….

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2016 Daily Dose package "A Walk on the Wild Side."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
• Release date: Jun 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781634775076

Book preview

Daniel’s Lynx

By Ava Hayden

Daniel Rigaud never imagined he’d be starting over at fifty-five, but relocating from his city practice to small-town Alberta to become the staff veterinarian at the Lac LaForge Wildlife Rescue Center might help him forget his deceitful ex—especially considering his handsome new neighbor, Ronan Magister.

At fifty-three, Ronan’s given up on love and prefers to keep relationships short and sexual. It’s easier than revealing his secret—he’s a lynx part of the time. Something about Daniel makes him long for more, but telling the truth proves disastrous. Daniel believes he’s traded one deceptive man for another.

If Daniel actually fell for Ronan’s outrageous fabrication, then he might be worried that several animals were caught in poachers’ traps near their homes that morning. He might wonder why Ronan isn’t answering his phone….

DANIEL STARED, the cardboard box in his arms forgotten. A gorgeous specimen of Lynx canadensis vaulted the low ornamental cedar fence behind his neighbor’s house and padded through the backyard.

Daniel blinked and squinted. But it was—definitely was—a lynx. And that was impossible. Well, obviously not impossible, since the lynx was right there, but why would a healthy lynx come into a town in broad daylight?

The lynx disappeared behind the wraparound screened-in back porch of the house next door. Daniel placed the box on the mattress and massaged the muscles in the small of his back. That box was the last for the bedroom. Now would be a good time for a break.

Downstairs, Daniel pulled on walking shoes and a jacket, and exited through the back door. His bungalow perched at the edge of a ravine. His house and his neighbor’s were the only two homes on this cul-de-sac, a narrow lane in the oldest section of Lac LaForge, Alberta. He’d looked at newer houses on the east side of town but had been drawn to the remoteness of this unfashionable, dated little neighborhood. On the westernmost edge of town, it had a clear view of the Rockies, just an hour’s drive away, though they looked closer.

Daniel walked along the grassy access strip, city land that ran behind the homes backing up to the ravine. He scanned the ground where he’d seen the lynx cross, but the dry, late-September grass didn’t retain prints.

Lose something?

Daniel’s head jerked. A man stood across the fence from him; Daniel hadn’t heard him approach.

No. I was looking for tracks. I saw a lynx right around this spot.

The man smiled. I think you probably saw the Maine coon cat that lives around here. Murphy’s almost as big as a lynx.

It was definitely a lynx, said Daniel.

The man’s eyebrows rose at his tone of voice.

Way to get off on the right foot with a new neighbor. Daniel forced a smile and stuck out a hand.

I’m Daniel Rigaud. I just moved in next door.

The man stared at Daniel’s hand a moment before shaking it. His grip was firm, his palm warm and rough.

Ronan Magister. He stepped back and rested his hands on the low fence.

He wasn’t a tall man, but he was muscled, compact, and lithe. Hard to tell his age. He had silver at his temples and white strands threaded his reddish-brown hair. Late forties, maybe?

What brings you to Lac LaForge? asked Ronan.

I’ve taken the veterinarian position at the wildlife rescue center.

Ronan’s gaze sharpened, and then he smiled. They do good work.

Daniel nodded. He couldn’t pull his gaze away from Ronan’s luminous hazel eyes. Bewitching eyes.

Something rustled in the brush behind him, and he swiveled to look. Two squirrels raced up a tree and chased each other, leaping from branch to branch. When Daniel turned back, Ronan’s eyes snapped to his. He was fairly certain Ronan had been focusing on his ring finger and its faint band of lighter skin.

Ronan stepped back.

Welcome to Lac LaForge. Good luck with the new job.

Thanks.

Ronan walked like a dancer, smooth and graceful. He disappeared around the corner of his house.

Daniel crossed his own yard and headed east on the old-fashioned narrow sidewalk. He’d take advantage of the beautiful day to check out his new neighborhood.

RONAN STOOD at his front window. Daniel strode out of the cul-de-sac and around the corner, brisk and confident. A veterinarian who worked with wildlife. Great. Just great. The lynx shouldn’t have been out in daylight, but he’d gotten complacent. The house next door had been empty for a year.

Once Rigaud started his new job, they’d probably never see each other. Pity. Daniel was six feet of sturdy man, hair more gray than black, receding a bit but otherwise thick. Dark brown eyes with long lashes. He hadn’t shaved that morning, and the scruff suited him. He was trim, no beer belly or paunch, although Ronan had seen a hint of love handles. The better to hold on to.

Midfifties, at a guess. His face was lined like someone who’d spent lots of time outdoors. Or who had gone through some