Read Online Jackie's Wild Seattle by Will Hobbs - Free Book Online Page A

to the border collie anymore. Maybe the retrievers were all over him with their sticky tennis ball.
    More mumbling, then a minute later, “Let go of those skunks!”
    I could go back to sleep now, at least try.
    As I was turning the corner into my room, the light downstairs went on. No doubt Jackie had gotten up to do a feeding. She’d been bringing the baby squirrels over for the night. They had to be fed every three hours.
    At the foot of the stairs I could hear faint mewing from two plastic laundry tubs on the coffee table. I peeked inside. The squirrels were sorted by age: the tiny ones with eyes still shut in one tub, the ones that were a little larger, with more fur and eyes opened, in the other. Almost all were squirming in their rumpled towel bedding.
    Jackie spotted me from the stove, where she was heating formula. “Hi there. Can’t sleep?”
    â€œNot really. Could you use some help?”
    â€œSure could, but don’t make a habit of it, Shannon. Being able to sleep is a godsend. I wish your uncle could.”
    â€œYou mean he doesn’t?”
    â€œSnatches a little now and then.”
    â€œI never hear anything from his room.”
    â€œSometimes it’s because he isn’t there. He and his partner glide out of here like a pair of wolves.”
    â€œTo do what?”
    â€œProwl the greater Seattle area. Neal parks the van downhill so he can coast down the driveway before he starts themotor. Rosie calls him the Midnight Rambler.”
    â€œWhat a sneak. What’s he doing?”
    â€œRescuing animals, of course.”
    â€œBut it’s dark.”
    â€œHe’s got Sage. At night it’s mostly raccoons that get injured on the road, that sort of thing. In the winter, they do it in the dark and the rain. He’s a nut. He’s devoted.”
    â€œMaybe a tad bit crazy?”
    â€œNeal can’t stand the idea of an animal suffering with a people-related injury and people not trying to help. Believe me, I’ve tried to talk him out of 24/7. Neal says he can’t sleep anyway, might as well be doing what he loves to do. I can’t fire him. He’s not exactly working for me. We’re more like dance partners.”
    â€œWas he doing his Midnight Rambler thing even before he was laid off by Boeing?”
    Jackie nodded, but she also flinched. There was some sort of conflict in her eyes, but it didn’t look like she was going to explain. I said, “You learn something every day around here.”
    â€œNever a dull moment. You’re really getting to like your uncle, aren’t you?”
    â€œI really am. You know, before we came, and early on, I was so anxious about this summer. Maybe I’m still a little nervous, but I’ll never be sorry we came.”
    â€œAnd you’re crazy about your little brother. He’s a real original.”
    I giggled. “Yeah, I love him to death, the little doof.”
    Jackie pulled the formula off the stove. “I’m glad I got the chance to know you, Shannon. You have the eyes of a hawk and the heart of a lion.”
    â€œNot even—”
    â€œYes, you do.”
    â€œI just wish I’d hear from my parents. It’s been three weeks, and I can’t stop thinking about all the terrible things that could have happened to them.”
    â€œDon’t let your imagination get away from you, Shannon. If they were missing, someone would have contacted us. Their e-mails just aren’t getting through, that’s all.”
    â€œTheir palm gizmo mustn’t work, or there’s no phones. That’s the thing, I don’t even know where they are. Yesterday afternoon I tracked down a way to e-mail Doctors Without Borders. They told me they’d get a message through. Why didn’t I think of that before?”
    We sat side by side on the living room couch and fed baby squirrels one at a time. It was as simple as cradling one in your left hand and