Echoes In The Mist

by Rifi Strawn

  The guests’ fascination with the life-sized wooden statues of elephants, giraffes, and zebras paid off. It was worth dragging the giant sculptures from Torrey’s storage room and strategically placing them to complete the savannah theme. Jeremy had been so helpful in carrying heavy things for her.

  She walked over to Torrey at the silent auction table and looked over the bid sheets. “Hey, everything on our list sold.”

  Torrey beamed. “Some of those animal statues brought in four times the amount I had expected.”

  “I’m so thrilled. Jeremy’s dream of buying more land for the elephants is slowly becoming a reality.”

  “I guess so,” Torrey said. “My late husband received the animal statues from the village chief during his service at the rehab center in Zambia. I’m glad they were useful tonight. Thank you for the suggestions.”

  “You’re welcome. Your backyard offers a natural aura for this special party that no grand ballroom could touch.”

  “I agree.” Torrey checked the time. “We better go. Jeremy’s presentation is starting soon.”

  Stanley sat in one of the chairs as Jeremy took the stage. It would be interesting to see if he’d used her suggestions for the slide show. She smiled at Makeda’s face dominating the silver screen. Now that was the impact she’d wanted to make on the guests. The slides of heartwarming elephant rituals and a daily swim in the river got sighs of appreciation and applause from the donors. They loved her city girl perspective of the bush.

  “At first, I was scared of the elephants,” she said with a broad smile. “But once I got comfortable around the herds, I was able to observe their communication patterns, social interaction, and playful games. Their loyalty and care for each other could teach humans a thing or two. But Makeda’s herd is in danger, and we could lose them, so they need your help.” Her personal experience crammed the donation box with more pledges.

  Jeremy took Stanley aside before she got carried away. “Your charm is certainly infectious, but don’t get them too excited to see the elephants. It’s in no shape to entertain guests.”

  His firm voice surprised her. “Sorry. I was just trying to help.”

  “I didn’t mean to criticize.”

  “But you did.”

  His gaze softened. “You’re doing a great job of promoting the cause. To host a party at the lodge takes time and money that we don’t have right now. You’re an amazing and gorgeous salesperson. You even had me pledging.” He leaned into her and whispered, “I can barely pay attention to my work with you walking around looking so sultry in that dress. And that bracelet looks nice with it.”

  “It’s my go-to accessory now.”

  Jeremy straightened his light blue bowtie. “I better get back to work. Stick to our plan. Do not improvise. Dazzle the donors with your charm and beauty, and keep bringing in the pledges.” He winked and kissed her cheek.

  “I got it.” Smiling wide, she handed a pamphlet to a guest. “Did I tell you about our Name the Elephant program?”

  “I’d love to hear about it.”

  She showed them suggested names and amounts listed at the bottom of the brochure. “In return, you get to name your elephant. We like to name them after African royalty or warriors. They deserve the honor for fighting fierce daily battles to survive.”

  Tonight’s presentation had raised more than three times the amount of a typical fundraiser. After a quick scan at the growing amount, she searched for Jeremy to share the good news. Where did he go?

  Her gaze spotted him standing next to Torrey, greeting a later-comer. The pretty woman wore a backless, flesh-toned gown in a shimmering knit that clanged to her flat stomach, slim hips, and pancake breasts. She must be Claire.

  Arms crossed, she sneered at his ex. The bitch had tried to frame her and get her locked up in that high-end store in the mall. She ought to strangle her boney neck. She seriously didn’t see why Jeremy was so attracted to Claire—other than she was a gorgeous model.

  If she hadn’t gone through Jeremy’s slide presentation, Claire’s pictures would’ve dominated the screen instead of the elephants. In every shot, the model had pranced or gestured to Makeda and Luki as if she were selling them to the highest bidders.

  Stanley adjusted the handcrafted wooden bowl adorned with a circle of elephants. One of the guests was going home with this prized centerpiece. No one was going to lose tonight. She’d made sure every donor received a token of their appreciation.

  Torrey’s storage room had boxes full of old promotional items. Everyone was going home with an elephant salt and pepper shaker, letter opener, or golf towels embroidered with the campaign logo.

  Stanley handed the wrapped gifts to donors on their way out. “Be sure to check-in on our website for the latest news about the elephants and your donations at work.”

  After the event ended, she looked for Jeremy in the backyard. He sat at a table in a serious conversation with Claire. Stanley’s heart sank. Was he getting back together with his ex?

  In tears, she looked at Clare’s bracelet, identical to the one he had given her. And here she thought she was special to him. He must have a drum full of his grandmother’s beads to give away. It was silly of her to react like this. She’d only known him a short time. How could she have such deep feelings for him? Maybe she’d temporarily lost her mind. She wasn’t one to fall for a man so quickly.

  Missing his affectionate touch, she glanced at Jeremy with Claire again. The elephants had brought them together. Here in Cape Town, there was no need for him to protect her from wild animals. She wished she was back at the lodge with him under the moonlit sky, where his melting gaze and tender embrace were just for her.

  Stomach in knots, she rushed to her room. On the way, she passed by the grand piano in the living room. Her heart broke from memories of Aunt Zoie. She had no one to play for now. Perhaps, Jeremy’s constant attention had temporarily filled the void of losing her beloved aunt. That deep sinking feeling of loneliness she’d avoided overcame her, and tears welled in her eyes.

  She sat on the piano bench and stared at the keyboard. The ebony and ivory keys beckoned her to play them. The rich sound of the Steinway echoed into the large room and resonated down to her core, just like it did at the farmhouse. Pouring all her emotions into playing Everything I Own by the band, Bread, her eyes welled with tears. Oh, yes, she’d give everything she owned just to have her Aunt Zoie and Jeremy back again.

  Hand on her chest, Torrey entered the living room in her robe. Stanley looked up and stopped playing.

  “I’m so sorry. I should’ve asked your permission.” Her voice cracked. “I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m just missing my aunt.”

  Torrey’s eyes glistened. “The last time I heard this piano sound so good was when my husband played. You brought back a fond memory I thought I’d never experience again. Please go on. You play it so well.”

  As Torrey sat in the chair nearby, Stanley glanced out the window at Jeremy and Claire, still talking to each other. More tears flowed. She didn’t know for whom she mourned—her aunt or the possible loss of him.

  Lost in her world of sorrow, a warm hand pressed her shoulder. She looked at Torrey’s sympathetic face and stopped playing.

  “You like Jeremy, don’t you?” Torrey continued after Stanley’s silence. “Jeremy has never looked at Claire the way he looks at you. Be patient with him. He just doesn’t know he needs you yet.”

  The motherly comfort from Torrey gave her a glimmer of hope. Maybe she did really like Jeremy…or even love him. She swiped her moist cheeks and cleared her throat. “Any more requests?”

  Torrey sat back down. “Why don’t you play me your aunt’s favorite songs?”

  Her face lit up. “She loved the Eagles.”

  “I love them, too.”

  Stanley smiled at the gray-haired beauty. Torrey seemed just as grateful as her Aunt Zoie was for her musical healing. Lost in her memories, she didn’t notice his mother had left. As she finished the l
ast song, she saw Jeremy leaning against the door.

  His tender gaze was fixed on her. “How long have you been here?” she said.

  “Long enough to know this is where I belong.” He walked toward her and sat next to her on the bench. He gathered her in his embrace and gazed into her eyes. “You play so beautifully. Your music touches my heart.”

  She looked past him out the window. “Where’s Claire?”

  “She left.”

  Her voice cracked. “I thought maybe she was spending the night with you.”

  He held her hand and put it on his chest. “There’s only room for one woman in my heart, and that’s you.”

  Uncontrollable tears of joy flowed. “I thought I lost you tonight, and it broke my heart, which was surprising. I didn’t know I had such feelings for you.”

  “Funny you’d say that. When I was with Claire, I couldn’t stop thinking about you, and I kept counting the minutes until I could be with you.”

  “I was so scared you two were getting back together.”

  He wiped her moist cheeks. “You’re the first thing on my mind when I wake up in the morning, and the last thing when I close my eyes at night. You are my day and night. I can’t imagine living without you now that you’re in my life.”

  She melted in his arms as he slowly kissed her. Savoring his tender lips, she made up for all those long and lonely nights she’d yearned for true love. It felt so right to be with him. There was no question she belonged to him. Such certainty had never come with any other man.

  His warmth and tender care made her feel secure. She’d missed such unconditional love since her Aunt Zoie died. That deep aching void she’d felt earlier slowly disappeared as he held her in his arms. In a short time, he’d filled the desires of her heart, soul, and mind. He was a part of her now.

  Gently, he released her lips and gazed into her eyes. “Let me show you how much I love you.”

  She took him by the hand to her bedroom. Behind the locked doors, he sealed her lips with another passionate kiss. Her body broke out in a thousand goosebumps as he slowly pulled the zipper down her back. His warm hand caressed her back, and released from her lips. Unwrapping her like a prized gift, he removed her dress. She stepped out of the puddling garment at her feet, exposed to his tantalizing touch in her black lace bra and panties.

  His gaze dropped on her aroused breasts as he lightly brushed his finger against their buds. His warm, soft kisses moved over the round mounds. He unhooked and dropped her bra on the floor.

  His soft hands caressed her breasts. “You’re perfect for me.”

  Biting her lower lip, she squirmed as he gently kissed and tasted her nipples like sweet honey. Craving him, her hand moved over his bulge and she unzipped his pants. He was ready to love her.

  He gasped as she gently stroked him. Eyes drunken with pleasure, he lay her on the bed and gazed at her naked body in the moonlight pouring in from the window. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered as he hurriedly undressed. His handsome face glistened from the silver rays, as he kissed her legs and slowly removed her panties. Admiring her naked body, he lay next to her. “I imagined making love to you a hundred times. Nothing prepared me for this. I can hardly stand it.”

  Her hands moved over his broad, smooth shoulders and chest. He was all man. Firm and hard in the right places. Expressing his love for her breasts, stomach, and legs, he kissed her all over. His breath quickened as his hungry mouth worked its way up her inner thigh. She squirmed and moaned with sweet agony from his lightly torturing tongue on her most sensitive spot. Breathing heavily, she enjoyed shudders of pleasure racing through her.

  Unable to restrain his desire, he gently crushed her under the light force of his body and entered her. His warm breath brushed her neck as he moaned. “Oh my, you feel so good.” He sighed, and then silenced her with a deep kiss.

  His rhythmic moves and erotic whispers tingled her all over. Relinquishing all self-control for his pleasure, she gave herself to him. They were perfect for each other. Her pleasure flowed as he satisfied a hunger that she thought wasn’t possible. He loved her long and hard until she could stand it no more and then released inside her.

  He kissed and rolled off her as he calmed his rapid breaths. “My God, that was the best sex I’ve ever had.” He gazed into her eyes. “You fulfill my desire.”

  She caressed his high cheekbones and beard. “This is the happiest moment of my life. I didn’t think it was possible.”

  He squeezed her in his embrace. “I’ll want you forever.”

  She smiled. “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.”

  He circled her breasts with his light finger. “Last night, when I came to see you, I wanted you so bad. I’d been aching for you all day. It took everything in me not to rip that sheet off.”

  She played with his hair. “What stopped you?”

  “I wanted our first time to be special. There’s nothing sexier than to see the want in your eyes for me. Lately, you’ve been driving me crazy with it. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” She kissed him. “How did we fall in love so fast?”

  He moved a strand of hair away from her face. “Scientists say it takes four minutes to fall in love. It took me only one minute to fall for you. I knew we belonged together the first time I looked into your eyes. And it didn’t hurt that you have a smoking hot body.”

  She smiled as he kissed her neck. “I love it when you say my name in your South African accent. It’s so sexy

  “Oh, it’s back up again.”

  “I like it up.” She smiled, feeling his hardness.

  She rolled on top of him. His splayed fingers captured the curves of her butt. Tingling from his hungry mouth, kissing and gently devouring her breasts, she moved his hardness into her core. Her moans of pleasure were music to his ears. His breath quickened as he moved rapidly and then released.

  Leaving him drunken with pleasure, she lay next to him.

  He sighed. “Am I in heaven?”

  She cuddled next to him and whispered, “You’re definitely in my heaven.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  The next morning, Jeremy held Stanley’s hand as they walked to see his mother. Torrey was already seated at the breakfast table, drinking her coffee.

  Jeremy kissed Torrey’s cheek. “Good morning, Mum.”

  “It’s almost noon. You two slept in late.”

  Without hesitation, he kissed Stanley’s lips and pulled out a chair for her. “I haven’t slept this good in a long time.”

  She avoided eye contact with Torrey. “Sorry we’re so late.”

  Torrey stirred her coffee. “I don’t want to know any more.”

  Jeremy sat next to his mother, across the table from her. They were two feet apart, and she missed his touch. Mira gave her that knowing look and poured coffee into her cup. She must’ve gone into his room and noticed his untouched bed.

  Stanley looked at boxes of stationery on the table. “What’s this?”

  “We need to send thank you notes to the donors today.” Torrey tapped one of the boxes. “After breakfast, I’ll need you to address the envelopes and stuff them with my handwritten notes.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Jeremy opened his laptop. “Last night’s party was a huge hit. We raised four times the amount of our most successful campaign.” His affectionate gaze lingered on her face. “It’s all because of you. The silent auction was an excellent idea.”

  “Yes.” Torrey smiled. “And I got rid of those huge wooden animals I didn’t know what to do with.”

  “I gave the auction winners tips where to display them in their homes.”

  “They seemed thrilled to have them.” Torrey checked the time. “I’d like these thank you notes to go out in tomorrow’s mail.”

  After a light breakfast, Stanley stuffed and addressed an envelope with Torrey’s handwritten note to Claire’s father. She smiled at the little heart by his mother’s signature. It seemed love was also i
n the air for the widowers.

  She nearly jumped from a stroke on her leg under the table. Smiling, she glanced at Jeremy. His gaze on his laptop, he worked without a hint of mischief. Playing footsies had never been this exciting.

  After a quick glance at his mother, she relished the tingling sensations of his light touch traveling up her leg. It’d better not be Torrey’s foot. Just in case, she dropped her pen to look under the table. Jeremy’s feet were tucked under his chair, and so were his mother’s. She sat up and smiled when his foot lightly grazed her leg again. She reached down and caught it. Her heart fluttered when he winked at her.

  Torrey looked up from her phone. “Levi wants you to bring Stanley to his barbecue tomorrow.”

  Jeremy closed the laptop. “Claire must’ve come here to spy.”

  “The whole family is expected to come,” Torrey said. “I guess Levi doesn’t want you to leave your guest behind.” She gave Jeremy a curious look. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”

  “We’re going sightseeing.”

  “Stanley might like the penguins at Boulders Beach.”

  “I love penguins,” she said.

  “We better get going.” Jeremy stood and offered her a hand.

  Torrey’s steady gaze fixed on Jeremy. “I have a feeling Levi might drop by.”

  “I’ll make sure I stay away.”

  “Don’t forget to warn Stanley about Levi.”

  “Warn me about what?”

  Jeremy crossed his arms. “My cousin lost his wife five years ago. He acts as if it happened last week. He preys on pretty girls like you for sympathy.

  “How did he lose his wife?”

  “Stomach cancer,” Torrey said. “Tina was diagnosed in March and died in September. I guess it happened so fast that Levi is still in denial.”

  “How long had they been married?”

  “About fifteen years,” Jeremy said, “Levi and Tina were high-school sweethearts.”

  Stanley thought about her aunt. “It’s hard to let go of people you love no matter how sick they are.”