Him - Timothy Isaac Matthews aka - Tim
Description - 6'3"
Hazel Eyes
Blonde
Husky build
Age - 42
Occupation - Animal Control Officer - ACO - for SPCA (city unknown at present)
Her - Raven Jane Shepherd - changed name to Raven
Description - 5'11"
Hazel Eyes
brunette
large build
Age 39
Ocupation - ceramicist
Empathic/telepathic with animals
Meet when complaint is issued against her and he goes to check it out - complaint is from neighbor - about how many animals seem to be there - neighbor has seen several dogs and cats, and what they thought was wolves, neighbor doesn't know about the deer, rabbits, skunks, coons, etc. that visit and some that stay because they "feel" the land/area is safe for them to be there. Wolves are very protective of her. The wolves met her shortly after she moved in, they have a den in the area, and they're used to using what is now her property as hunting/living area. One night her dogs were raising a fuss, and she was restless, and in a little pain for no apparent reason, so she went to check to see if she could see anything outside. Was surprised to find a couple of wolves, one hurt badly. She slowly opens the door, leaving dogs inside and steps out. Goes down to one knee and starts talking to wolves. Eventually (seemed like forever at the time, but was probably less than an hour or two) the wolves approached her. She treated the hurt wolf, and took care of her until she was totally healed. At that time both wolves went back into the woods, only being seen occasionally, if one was hurt or they needed help. Over the past 5 years they've become friends. A year ago when the female had her pups, Raven (Sam) was there to help.
She moved to area about 5 years ago, bought appx 40 acres, wooded area, lots of privacy, nearest neighbor is probably 1/2 mile away designed and built dream home, stream runs through property so lots of wildlife visit property, property is all posted no hunting/no trespassing. Neighbor hunts and trespasses frequently as land was vacant and great hunting area. And just because it's now owned and posted is no reason to stop doing so in neighbors opinion.
has several pets - 2 dogs - mixed breeds, one looks a little like a wolf (could be a hybrid)
4 cats
Meeting scene - afternoon, warm, mid-June, sunny
He pulls into drive and looks around, sees a fairly large house and lots of lawn and woods, gets out and goes to door, knocks, hears dogs barking inside, no one comes to door. Looks around to see if vehicle present - don't see one, tries to see inside house - no luck (need to check to see what happens in this instance - what ACO actions are)
He gets back into vehicle, and starts to leave, she pulls in, and up to house
He stops and gets out and heads over to her. She gets out, and asks who he is and what he wants
He tells her name, etc., and why he's there, she's stunned - total surprise. Admits to having several pets, and offers to let him look inside house at animals. Matter of fact she's just back from vets with animal - wild - thinking maybe wolf - he sees an animal inside car and hears growling and asks if things are OK, and if she needs help. She says she was at the vets and the animal needs released - admits it's a wild animal. He's very uncomfortable with that, (check to see if it;s legal to help/take wild animals to vets, have them taken care of, then take home to release) She goes around to open door, and as he rounds the car another wolf comes out of woods and heads for them. He stops starts to yell at her to look out. She calmly opens door of car and lets out another wolf, and tells him not to move if he doesn't want hurt. Wolves meet, rub muzzles, then look at her and rub against her, and she "talks to them" says to come back later for more medicine. Wolves leave. ACO is in slight shock.
PROLOGUE or Chapter 1?
:::: Phone ringing ::::
:::: Answering machine clicks on ::: And a woman's husky voice says:
"You have reached 555-9876, we can't come to the phone right now but if you leave a name and message we'll get back to you."
"Hello, this is Albert Woods of Woods, Frost and Styne, attorneys. Please return this call as soon as possible. It is important that we contact you Ms. Shepherd concerning a possible inherentence. The phone number is (980)555-3429, my extension is 4323. I'm looking forward to hearing from you."
TWO DAYS LATER
:::speaking on phone::: "Mr. Woods? This is Raven Shepherd, you called and left a message on my machine?"
"Ms. Shepherd, thank you for returning my call. Yes, I called a couple of days ago, one of our clients recently passed away, and you're name was listed as a beneficiary."
"Mr. Woods, I think you have the wrong person, I don't have any relatives that would leave me anything."
"You are Ms. Raven Shepherd and you live at 342 Royal Lane, (city & state unknown at present) now, formerly you lived at (city & state) correct?"
"Yes,..... but...."
"Do you remember meeting an older woman several years ago in a park in (city & town different from where she's living now)? She was walking a miniature (find breed name)shelty dog named Shelby. The dog got away from her, you caught the dog and brought her back."
"I remember" Raven said smiling. "She said her name was Georgie, and the dog was Shelby. You mean she died? I'm sorry to hear that, She seemed like a nice lady. When the dog took off she was scared that the dog would get hurt. After I brought Shelby back to her, she was in tears, so I asked if she'd like to go sit down and have something cold to drink. She accepted and when she was calmed down, I offered to take her home, but she declined and said her nephew would come get her shortly, that he was a chauffeur and he had to take his clients (other word) to the airport but he'd be back. We'd get together every so often after that in the park. How's her nephew and Shelby? After I moved we didn't really keep in touch much, just an occasional Christmas or Birthday Card."
"Ms. Shepherd, there are a few things you need to know, would you be able to come in to our offices on Tuesday, at 2 PM?"
"I suppose so, but what..."
"All will be explained then Ms. Shepherd, the address is 313 Madison Ave., and thank you."
TUESDAY AFTERNOON - 2 PM
"Mr. Woods, Ms. Shepherd is here to see you" said the receptionist.
He comes out of his office to personally escort her in. He sees a large woman, a brunette with hazel eyes, and a limp. The limp surprises him, and he asks "Are you all right Ms. Shepherd?"
She looks at him, cocks her head and says, "Yes. Why?"
"You're limping."
"That's an old injury, and I always limp now."
"I see, I"m sorry, please won't you come in to my office and we can have our discussion there."
The enter his office (typical attorney's office).
"Please have a seat Ms. Shepherd. Now as I was saying on the phone, Mrs. Jefferson recently passed away and she named you as beneficiary."
Smiling, Raven says "I don't want anything, really. Although I would like to know how Shelby is doing."
"Ms. Shepherd, I don't think you understand you are a beneficiary, matter of fact you are the sole beneficiary."
"But what about her nephew?"
"Mrs. Jefferson had no living relatives Ms. Shepherd. The gentleman who she said was her nephew actually was her chauffeur."
"WHAT?" Raven yelped. "That's not possible, Georgie, didn't have much money, I loaned her some and helped her with Shelby's vet bills while I was living there. After I moved away she told me that her nephew had agreed to help her with the bills, cause I'd made the comment that with the move I wasn't sure how much money I'd be able to send her to help."
"Ms. Shepherd, please, calm down. Mrs. Jefferson was very well off. She left you a very wealthy woman."
"But...but...."
"She also left you 2 other things, besides. Would you like to see them now?"
Looking stunned, Raven nods.
Mr. Woods goes to the side door and opens it, and in comes Shelby. She looks around and sees Raven and comes right over to her, and puts her paws on Raven's knees. Looking at her, tail wagging, just wanting to be held.
"Oh Shelby..." Raven starts to cry, and picks up Shelby to hold her. The reality just starting to sink in. "She left Shelby for me?" She chokes out. "Shelby what are we gonna do girl?" Feeling Shelby's confusion and sorrow deepends Raven's distress.
"Ms. Shepherd, please..." Mr. Woods starts, then stops and hands her a couple of tissues.
