by Rifi Strawn
“Oh, yes. I was just thinking about this fundraiser.” She quickly recovered from her thoughts and delved into the present. “How many people are coming?”
“About fifty,” Torrey said. “I’ve reserved the dining hall at the club to host the party.”
Stanley hesitated. “May I suggest a more intimate setting rather than a grand ballroom for a small group? A dinner party at your home would add a personal touch. We want the donors to feel like they’re part of the family project.”
Torrey tapped her chiseled, feminine chin. “Um. I like that idea.”
Stanley looked at Jeremy. “How about giving them a progress report on their previous donations with a graphic presentation? It might encourage people to give more.”
“I’ll round up some slides to show the new addition at the rehab center,” he said.
While mother and son planned their event, Stanley checked her phone for messages. Mr. Reed still hadn’t gotten back to her. What’s up with that? She could only hope he wasn’t in the hospital fighting for his life. Last year, he barely survived a heart attack.
Putting the phone away, she looked with envy at Jeremy’s close relationship with his mother. A deep wave of loneliness came over her. Oh, what she’d do to collaborate on projects with Aunt Zoie again.
She played with her aunt’s silver ring on her right hand. So far, it’d been a good luck charm and comfort in desperate times. These last few days had been really hard. It finally hit her that Aunt Zoie was never coming back. She missed her face, hugs, and words of encouragement. If it weren’t for the pictures Jeremy gave her, she wouldn’t be able to see her beautiful face here. Mr. Reed had forbidden her from taking any personal pictures to keep her cover.
Stanley scrolled through pictures of Aunt Zoie on her phone, and then swiped forward. There were some good ones of Makeda and Luki. Maybe he could use them in his slide presentation. After a quick look at him, she swiped to pictures of Jeremy she’d taken. Her gaze lingered on his broad shoulders, chest, and defined lean arms and legs. His solid six-pack and hot body would make any woman’s heart beat faster.
She’d sneaked a few pictures of him stepping out of the swimming pool the other day. Droplets of water glistened on his lean muscles in the sunlight and made it look like he’d been bathing in diamonds. He looked so good, she couldn’t resist taking the photographs. His stunning photos in a speedo could raise some serious cash to save the elephants, especially if they went viral like her bikini pictures for the ad. Maybe she should brand him as the hunky wildlife conservationist. God only knows what would happen if she created a frenzy for him and released a new sexy picture of him each day.
Jeremy leaned over. “What are you looking at?”
She quickly put the phone away. “I thought maybe I had some good pictures of Makeda and Luki for your slide presentation.”
“Oh, I have plenty of elephant pictures,” he said.
“Do you have any pictures of yourself playing with the elephants?”
Torrey laughed. “I have some darling pictures of Jeremy as a baby close to them.”
“Mum, don’t you dare show her those baby pictures.”
Stanley’s eyes lit up. “Please show them to me and embarrass him.”
Torrey chuckled. “You’ll like pictures of him working and playing with Makeda and Luki.”
“I’d love to see them.” She smiled. “Maybe we can add some shots of Jeremy playing with the village orphans, and put in a plug for fresh drinking wells.”
“That’s a great idea,” Torrey said.
“I told you she’s good.” He unbuttoned his shirt as he broke out in a sweat. “I don’t feel so good.”
Torrey put her hand on his forehead to check his temperature. “Goodness. You’re burning up. I’ll call uncle Stew.”
“Wouldn’t a real doctor be better?”
“Oh, my brother’s a well-known doctor around here. He’s the best and has treated Jeremy since he was a baby.” Torrey ordered Mira, the maid, to make the call.
Stanley bit her lower lip. Could Jeremy have caught malaria from the children and people in the village? It was going around there. Her immunization shots for this trip better be working. Who’d take care of her if she fell sick here? And if she died from it, how would anyone back home know?
Mr. Reed still hadn’t called her.
Chapter Thirteen
Heart pounding, Stanley helped Torrey walk Jeremy to his room down the hall. He leaned on her so hard that she shrunk a few inches from his weight. Oh, God, please don’t let anything bad happened to him. Without him, she wouldn’t survive in Africa. And he was her only ride back to Zambia. Besides, she didn’t have enough money to buy a plane ticket, and she’d miss him at the lodge.
Torrey removed Jeremy’s jacket before helping him lie down on his king-size bed and then pulled off his shoes. She stayed out of the worried mother’s way as she propped his head on top of the pillows leaning against the sleek, dark wood headboard.
He curled into a fetal position and moaned. “I’m freezing.”
“Mira,” Torrey yelled. “See where Stew is? He should’ve been here by now.”
“Madam, I already called,” said the nervous maid. “He said he’s five minutes away.”
“Bring me the ice and towels to bring the fever down.” Torrey sighed. “And hurry.”
Mira rushed out and nearly tripped on the rug in the hall.
Nervously, Stanley checked the internet on her phone to search for Jeremy’s symptoms. A medical website said he could have a common cold, bacterial infection, or a deadly disease.
Mira rushed in with a bucket of ice cubes and towels.
She didn’t trust that maid one bit. Earlier, when Jeremy finished his glass of water at the table, Stanley gave him her full glass to drink. He got sick minutes after drinking it. Could Mira have tampered with her drink?
The alarm beeped. “Madam, the doctor is at the gate. I’ll show him in.”
“Okay.” Torrey wrapped more ice cubes into the hand towel and pressed it on Jeremy’s forehead.
Stanley took another look at her phone. Why hadn’t Mr. Reed called her back? If she got sick here and died, no one would know about it back home. He was her only lifeline besides Jeremy. She gave Torrey a skeptical look. Why did she choose her brother to treat her son in an emergency instead of calling an ambulance? Maybe she’d lost her mind in a panic. She looked at the wall covered with Jeremy’s framed photographs from infancy to adulthood. It would be tragic if the picture of him with the elephants was his last.
Mira returned with a pudgy red-headed man. His white apron was covered in fresh blood and dirt embedded under his fingernails. He must be a vet or butcher, not a medical doctor. Her heart raced with worry for Jeremy’s sudden illness. She’d better do something to save his life in this house, or he’d die.
She cleared her throat and politely introduced herself to the doctor. “Hi. I’m Stanley, Jeremy’s assistant in Zambia.”
“I’m Dr. Stevens. Nice to meet you.”
“How long have you been practicing medicine?”
He gave her the look over and said, “Twenty-eight-years.”
“Um. I looked up Jeremy’s symptoms on the internet, and it said he could have a bacterial infection, the flu, or inflammation of the kidneys.”
“It could be anything,” he said. “Trust me, I’ve seen it all in my years of practice.”
She cleared her throat. “You also treat humans?”
He chuckled. “Yes.”
Why did Torrey trust this dirty man to treat her son? “In case you need to use the bathroom, Mira just cleaned it and brought in fresh towels from the laundry room.”
After a quick look at his dirty hands and bloody apron, he walked toward the bathroom. “I rushed over here from a fatal accident on the road. Mira said this was a life and death situation.”
The sound of a water faucet behind the closed bathroom door gave her hope that the doctor was scrubbing hims
elf clean. She stepped back when he walked out. His dirty apron was gone, hands were clean, and his hair was combed. He didn’t look half bad in his dress shirt and pants.
The doctor held out his hands as if to present himself for inspection. “Do I look like a real doctor to you now?”
“Um, yes, but where’s your lab coat?” she joked.
He smiled and walked over to Jeremy. “What did you get yourself into this time, you wild man?”
“I don’t know,” Jeremy murmured. “I was feeling fine until an hour ago.”
“You must’ve picked up a bug or something in the bush. Sometimes reactions to bites or poisonous plants take hours to show up.” Dr. Stevens pressed his stethoscope on Jeremy’s chest and back. “Your lungs are clear, but your heartbeat is a bit fast. I see no signs of infection anywhere.” He handed Torrey a prescription bottle. “Give him a pill at breakfast and one at dinner for seven days. Jeremy should be feeling better later today.” He patted his nephew’s arm. “Drink plenty of water and get some rest. For good measure, I’ll give you a shot of B-12.” He winked at Jeremy after a quick glance at her. “No strenuous activity, and that includes sex.”
Torrey rolled her eyes. “Did you have to say that?”
“I’m making sure I cover everything.”
She laughed nervously. “Don’t worry about me. Having sex with the boss is not part of my job description.”
Torrey shook her head. “Jeremy and Claire are no longer together, so there’s no danger of extra-strenuous activity.”
The doctor gave her the once-over. “I can see why they broke up?”
“Shh…” Torrey took her brother from the room after he gave Jeremy a shot in the hip.
Stanley stayed with Jeremy until he dozed off. Watching him sleep was nice, but maybe if she hung out with his mother and uncle, she might get some more gossip about him. It wouldn’t hurt to know what she was dealing with here.
She joined Torrey and Dr. Stevens in the dining room. They welcomed her at the table and continued to talk about Cousin Levi’s upcoming barbecue.
Mira offered Stanley water. “No, thank you, but I’ll have coffee, please.”
Dr. Stevens smiled. “Where are you from in the States?”
“All over.” She came up with a quick phony explanation to keep her cover. “I’m an army brat, we moved around.”
He put his coffee cup down. “I spent some time in the US studying.”
“Where?”
“Boston.”
“How nice.” She hesitated. “You seemed very upset about the car accident.”
“Yes. I couldn’t revive the elderly female.”
“I’m sorry. How old was your patient?”
“Oh, about fifteen, I’d say.”
She smirked. “That’s elderly.”
“If it’s a goat, that’s old.”
She giggled. “Oh, I thought you were talking about some old lady.”
His smile faded. “I’m going to miss that old goat.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Torrey poured Amarula into his coffee and continued the family gossip.
Stanley listened to every word. His mother had a wedding, birthday, or graduation to attend practically every weekend. Not once did she mention the fundraiser to her brother. What was up with that?
After the doctor left, Torrey showed her the guestroom where she’d be staying. It was next door to Jeremy’s room, which was nice, otherwise, she would have trouble finding him in this enormous mansion.
The white décor of the house continued to her room, but with hints of blue in the rug and chandelier. What a change this was from the rustic accommodations of her hut at the lodge. “I’m going to love staying in this room. It’s so beautiful and peaceful.” She looked up at the chandelier. “I’m looking forward to counting these gorgeous crystal drops instead of the mosquitoes before I fall asleep tonight.”
Torrey opened the window to let the fresh air in. “There’s no mosquitoes here—just butterflies and hummingbirds.” She waved her over to see them over the blooming flowers in the garden.
“They look like little fairies.”
Torrey smiled. “I’ll let you unpack and rest. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks. I doubt I’ll need anything here. This place is pretty sweet.”
After Torrey left, Stanley dropped on top of the fluffy bedding and stretched her arms and legs on the luxurious king-sized mattress. She didn’t miss her rickety bed at the hut one bit. She could fully extend her body without touching the bedposts or walls.
She turned onto her side to face the open window. The fresh air pouring in was scented with sweet roses. There was no fear of predators or biting bugs flying into her room here, and yet she missed the sound of Zambia’s gushing waterfalls and the trumpeting elephants.
Her gaze moved to the crystal clock on the nightstand. It was four o’clock and time for Makeda to lead her herd to the river. Luki loved to swim and splash water. If only she could be as carefree as him. She sat up from the soft tapping on the door.
“It’s Torrey.”
She ran her fingers through her hair. “Come in.”
Through the slightly ajar door, she saw his mother’s beautiful face. “Sorry to bother you.”
“I wasn’t sleeping.”
“I just checked on Jeremy, he’s still sleeping. I’m having tea on the porch. You’re welcome to join me.”
“That sounds nice, I’ll be there soon.”
Torrey left, and she grabbed her shoes. She flipped and shook them and then stopped. What was she thinking? There were no bugs here. On her way to tea, she checked on Jeremy. He was fast asleep hugging the pillow like a security blanket. How cute.
Quietly, she closed the door and walked down the spacious hallway to the back door. Torrey sat at the café table in the garden and waved her over. “I have coffee ready for you,” she said.
“Thanks.” A bit nervous, she sat in a chair across from Jeremy’s mother. What if she said something to offend her, or told her too much about herself? Torrey was dunking her biscotti in her hot coffee mug just like Jeremy had taught her. “I see where Jeremy got this idea.”
Torrey smiled. “His father used to dunk his biscotti in Amarula-flavored coffee.”
Stanley stirred the liquor in her cup and gave her a sympathetic look. “You must miss your husband. I can’t even imagine what that’s like. I miss my aunt so much.”
Torrey put her cup down. “I keep waiting for him to come home.” Her eyes welled with tears. “I worry about Jeremy’s safety in the bush. Every day that he cares for those elephants, he risks losing his life just like his father. I’d love for him to live in the city and get a regular job.”
Her gaze skimmed the beautiful mature woman. “Torrey, have you ever considered remarrying? You’re lovely.”
“Why? I have everything I need.” Torrey gestured to her beautiful mansion and gardens. “Most men my age like younger women or only want me for my money. And I’m not marrying and raising a man younger than my son.”
Stanley took a hot sip. It was nice to know Jeremy was raised by a strong, wealthy woman. Her inheritance probably wouldn’t tempt him like most men. He must have first-hand knowledge of potential suitors trying to swindle him for their money.
“Jeremy is lucky to have your support for his good cause.”
“I worry about him missing out on life trying to carry-on his father’s dream to save the elephants. I have no choice but to support his cause. I’m ensuring my son’s safety by keeping the poachers away.”
Two hours passed by in a flash. She had more in common with Torrey than she’d ever imagined. They had plenty to talk and bitch about. For a minute, she’d forgotten she was Jeremy’s mother and talked about how much she liked him.
Torrey checked the time. “I better get dinner ready.”
“I’ll check on Jeremy.”
“He should be out with his uncle’s feel-good drugs. They
work every time.”
“They must,” Stanley agreed. “The color was back in his face when I last checked on him. He had me scared there for a minute.”
“Thank God, Jeremy is resilient.”
~*~
Stanley stopped a yawn as she gazed at Torrey’s elegant dining room. The table glistened with fine china for the late-night dinner. If she wasn’t so tired, she’d enjoy the elaborate spread and the low-lit crystal chandelier more. At ten o’clock at the lodge, she would have been fast asleep, and here she’d just been served her first course. She wasn’t hungry, but Torrey had made a special meal for Jeremy and her.
To her surprise, Jeremy walked in.
Torrey’s face lit up. “You’re up and walking. You look good.”
“Dr. Feelgood’s drugs work.” His soft gaze shifted from his mother to Stanley. “You doing okay?”
“Yes. Your mom is a great hostess.”
He pushed back his damp hair from his handsome face. He must’ve taken a shower. She glanced at his clean blue, dress shirt and dark gray slacks. If he was trying to impress her, it was working.
As he pulled out the chair at the head of the table to sit, Torrey cleared her throat.
He looked at his mother. “What, Mum? Am I not supposed to sit here?”
After a quick glance at Stanley, Torrey continued to sip on her soup.
Mira served Jeremy his bowl with bread and a smile. He ate as if he hadn’t had food in days. The medications must’ve worked up his appetite.
Torrey admired Stanley’s jewelry. “Did Jeremy give this bracelet to you?”
“Yes, it’s a welcome gift.”
“Then Jeremy must’ve told you it’s from our nonprofit stores.”
“No. What else do you sell?”
“We sell African jewelry, arts, and crafts.”
Jeremy proudly smiled. “Mum’s pet project keeps women and children out of sex slavery.”
“I admire your family’s dedication to good causes,” she said. “I wish there were more people like you two in this world.” A blush came over him. “You’re so humble. I love that about you.” She looked at his proud mother. “Jeremy always shares the limelight at the rehab center with his staff, after a successful operation or rescue of an animal.” Not once during their chats, did he hint he came from a privileged family.