Sabrina was Marc’s fiancée. She happened to be a gifted singer-songwriter. She had left the area to pursue a music career, but hadn’t had the same fortune Jason had. Sabrina and Marc were a little older than Jordan, Fletcher, Zeke, and Naomi. But because Sabrina was also involved in the country music scene, Jordan and Jason had definitely been aware of her.
“Oh, that’s awesome, I’d love to hear her perform,” Jordan said.
Marc nodded. “Go on in. I’ll even just charge you regular price on the drinks rather than double tonight,” he told Zeke.
Zeke laughed. “Thanks, man. You’re a real charmer.”
They headed into the bar area and found a high-top round table with four stools. They were able to drag two more over from a nearby table. They settled in and the waitress came over to take their order.
Jordan ended up with a blue concoction in front of her that was raspberry flavored. Apparently, Marc had invented it himself.
She took one look at it and burst into tears.
Zeke lifted a brow as he took a long draw of his beer. The bar had three of their own beers on tap. Bad Brew, Badder Brew, and the Baddest Brew. The Baddest Brew was the darkest and apparently one of Zeke’s favorites.
He swallowed and set his glass down. “What the hell?”
“It just reminded me of that time that Fletcher and I ate and drank all blue stuff at the fair and then he ended up getting sick and puking blue all over me.”
Zeke rolled his eyes. “Very romantic.”
Jordan shook her head. “The point is, I know we’re just getting started on the marriage thing. I know that we have a lot of things to go through and figure out. But we’ve already been through a lot. This should be a little easier by now. But he has to realize that sometimes we’re going to get bogged down in the middle of our plans, with setbacks and things we didn’t expect.”
She took a long drink from her glass. It was delicious. It was one of those drinks that was going to go down very easily. As was the next one. Or two.
Zeke sat back, cradling his beer glass. “He’ll figure it out. When it comes to you and those kids in his classroom, he’s always going to be super protective. And a little irrational. But he’ll figure it out.”
Jordan sighed and took another drink.
“So, you just need money?” Donovan asked.
Jordan nodded. “Pretty much.”
“I could do something,” Donovan said.
Zeke looked at him. “Something like what?”
“Like an exhibition or something. I could sign some autographs. We can put something up on YouTube.”
Zeke looked confused. He looked at Jordan and then back to Donovan. “You’re just going to sign some autographs.? How can that raise money?”
Naomi leaned in. “You don’t know who he is?”
Zeke shook his head. “He’s Griffin’s brother. And?”
“He had a show on the Go Wild channel.” Naomi said. “He traveled the world rescuing and rehabilitating wounded wild animals. That would pair perfectly with the animals with special needs that you have and the message you want to promote with the program. Rehabilitation, recovery, adaptation. That’s what he’s all about.”
Donovan was staring at her.
Naomi glanced at him. “What?”
“Gorgeous and sweet and you know who I am?”
Naomi looked surprised and didn’t say anything to that as she sat back in her chair.
Jordan watched her friend with fascination. Naomi looked…a little rattled.
Naomi took a breath, then nodded. “Yes, I’ve seen an episode or two of your show.”
Donovan leaned an elbow on the table, a slight grin teasing his lips. He looked a lot like Griffin, but his dark hair was a bit lighter and both his hair and beard were shorter. His left arm had ink running all the way to his wrist and his skin was tan and more weathered looking, obviously from being outdoors in a variety of conditions.
Right now, looking at Naomi, he seemed downright enchanted. “Really? Which ones?”
“There was one where you rehabilitated a polar bear up in Alaska.”
He nodded. “Which one was your favorite?”
Naomi cleared her throat. “I saw one with a dolphin too. That one was great.”
He grinned. “Thanks. That was amazing.” He turned to the others at the table. “The goal of the show was to highlight wildlife rehabilitation around the world so people were aware that it happens. We covered what to do and where to find resources if people encounter injured wildlife where they live and ways humans often contribute to illness and injury in wildlife. But it was very cool just getting to interact with lots of different animals myself.” He looked at Naomi. “I think my favorite was when I rehabbed a kangaroo down in Australia.”
She frowned. “You never worked with a kangaroo. There was one with an echidna, but no kangaroo.”
He lifted a brow. “Maybe you missed that episode.”
“No. I’ve seen them a—” She broke off and pressed her lips together.
Donovan laughed. “Now, don’t be embarrassed about seeing my whole show. Please. Gorgeous women aren’t often into bloody animals. Or seeing my blood.”
Jordan couldn’t put her finger on how she knew exactly, but it seemed that Naomi was a little flustered. By Donovan Foster.
Charlie laughed. “I’ve seen a couple episodes myself since Griffin told me about you. And yeah, saving poor, defenseless, injured, and scared animals and facing down danger and being willing to risk being bitten or stung or clawed while you’re trying to help super cool things like dolphins and kangaroos.” She rolled her eyes. “No woman would ever find that attractive.”
“He never worked with a kangaroo,” Naomi muttered.
Donovan grinned. “Well, sure, once I tell them about all of that. But very few have seen the show.” He looked at Naomi again. “And definitely not all of the episodes.”
She blew out a breath, clearly regretting him learning that.
Donovan’s grin grew. “And have you seen my YouTube series?”
Naomi didn’t respond right away. She was chewing on the inside of her cheek.
Jordan looked at Zeke. Zeke gave her a look with wide eyes and a grin.
They both focused back on Donovan and Naomi.
“I’ve caught a couple of those episodes as well,” Naomi finally said.
“Uh-huh,” Donovan said, with a knowing smile. “And how did you come across those? I ask because it’s important for marketing purposes. Of course. Great to know how people find the show.”
Naomi shook her head. “I don’t remember. I might have been watching videos about…giraffes or something.”
Donovan nodded. “I see. So you’re an animal lover?”
“Yes,” Naomi said. “Of course.”
“And wild animals in particular?”
She nodded.
“And where’s that come from?” Donavan asked. “Did you grow up around a lot of animals?”
“Wait, are you flirting or do you really not know who she is?” Charlie asked.
Donovan glanced at his brother’s girlfriend. “Um. Naomi LeClaire. The woman with the best taste in television in Autre, Louisiana. Am I missing something?”