Tempting Faith

“Aren’t you used to it?”

“No. We’re privately funded. I’m helping Jeff with the cubs as a favor, but for the most part, I don’t work with government agencies.” She stared at the papers stacked on her desk. “Most of these files are for a new project I’m thinking of starting. I counted. There are one hundred and eighty-seven forms there. Who knows how many agencies and bureaucrats for me to deal with.”

“What for?”

She tossed the sheets on the desk and leaned forward, lacing her hands together. “I want to breed snow leopards.”

She half expected him to laugh. She’d mentioned the project to one of the way station’s contributors, and he’d patted her on the head and told her not to bite off more than she could chew.

“Why?” Cort asked.

“They’re almost extinct. I bought some land a few years ago in North Dakota. It’s away from everything. The climate is good for the leopards. If I could get a few breeding pairs and mate them in captivity, in a couple of generations there would be enough to release several back into the wild. They would help not only with the numbers, but by increasing the gene pool. That’s the problem when a species becomes endangered. There aren’t enough genes to create a healthy population.” She stopped suddenly, aware of how she was going on.

But Cort seemed interested. He adjusted his injured leg, then rested his hands on the arms of the chair. “What’s all the paperwork for?”

“I have to get permission from federal, state and local governments. I have to have the approval of all the neighbors. There are zoning permits, financial qualifications. I’ve seen an attorney, and she gave me some direction, but I’m a little overwhelmed by the whole issue.”