Accidentally Yours

by Bettye Griffin

  Despite the prettiness of the pool area, it was the beach where she and Lauren spent most of their time. Swimming in a chlorinated pool was not a big deal, but the opportunity to frolic in the Indian Ocean might not ever come again, so they spent an afternoon windsurfing and snorkeling before having dinner and exploring the lively local nightlife.

  The next morning, which would be their last full day in Africa, they put on shorts and gym shoes and set out on foot to do some exploring. Diani consisted mostly of hotels, restaurants, and retailers, but the accommodations were of differing architectural types, ranging from mid-rise structures of glass and steel to individual thatched roofed villas. It was on the grounds of the latter type that they came across a huge boabab tree with a hole in its trunk at eye level large enough to climb into.

  “I’ll take a picture of you inside the tree,” Lauren suggested.

  Vivian hastily shook her head. “No, thanks. There might be snakes hiding in there.”

  “Nah. There aren’t a lot of snakes here. I read that most of them are on snake farms.”

  “What about ants?”

  “You just came off a safari and saw wild animals in their natural habitats, Vivian. You think you’re going to be done in by ants at the beach? That’s like climbing all the way to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and then being afraid to look down.”

  “Okay, you get in and I’ll take your picture.”

  Lauren called out to a young man wearing khakis and with a brass name pin on his red polo shirt, just above the hotel’s logo. “Excuse me. Can you tell us if it’s safe to climb inside this tree?”

  “Yes, ma’am. It’s very popular with all the guests. We keep a step stool inside. You might have to stoop a bit to have a picture taken, even on the bottom step; but we suggest you refrain from stepping on the ground because of the possibility of insects. Also, a lot of children like to climb inside, and the stool gives them the height needed so they can look out.” He glanced at Vivian. “Would you like me to take a photograph of both of you inside?”

  “Sure!” Lauren said enthusiastically. “C’mon, Viv.” She handed the employee her camera and grabbed hold of the trunk at the opening. “Shucks. It’s too high to climb into.”

  “I’ll get you a footstool,” the employee offered. “Just a moment.”

  “What a great photo this will be,” Lauren said when he was gone.

  “We’ll have to give him a tip for his trouble. I feel a little guilty. He probably thinks we’re guests here, or else he wouldn’t be so helpful.”

  “No problem. A tip’s a tip, whether we’re guests or not. Oh, here he comes. That building he came out of must be where they keep the lawn mower and stuff.”

  The young man was coming out of a small structure a few yards away, carrying a flashlight and a folding step stool, which he promptly set up in front of the tree. He inspected the inside of the trunk with the light and then motioned for Lauren to go ahead. Within seconds Lauren was inside and was beckoning to Vivian.

  She was still reluctant. “I don’t know. Are you sure there’s enough room in there for two of us?”

  “Are you kidding? This tree is humongous. I think only a giant redwood is bigger, and you can drive a truck through those.”

  She reluctantly climbed the stool and put one leg inside, balancing herself on the thick bark, her upper body outside the trunk. “Where’s the stool?” she asked, frantically waving her leg downward in the darkness in search of terra firma.

  “Right here.”

  She was startled when Lauren grabbed her leg and held it over the stool, but then gingerly slid down, her left leg automatically raising until her right foot reached the step, when she could comfortably bend it to get it inside. “Ooh, this is creepy. It’s so dark!” Her voice sounded as hollow as the tree bark.

  “I’m not thrilled about being in here, either, but it’ll only take a minute.” Lauren waved to the employee. “Okay, you can snap now. Two with each camera ought to do it, in case one doesn’t come out right.”

  He moved the stool to the other side of the massive trunk, where it would not be visible, then stepped back to get as much of the tree in the shot as possible. As Lauren had requested, he took two pictures with each of their cameras.

  The moment he began walking back toward them they began scrambling to be the first to get out The more agile Lauren won, getting one leg out on her first attempt. She climbed up and slid out, and although she stood right outside the tree, Vivian felt more uneasy than ever about being inside the trunk alone. She carefully took a step up—the last thing she wanted was to lose her balance and fall in the darkness—and held on to the bark as she lifted her leg, balanced herself and slipped her upper body out.

  Lauren had again taken possession of their cameras and was reaching into her purse, presumably to compensate the employee for his assistance. Their posing caught the attention of hotel guests along the path, who usually stopped and pointed with amusement, but she noticed something achingly familiar about one of the two men who had stopped to look. She froze, half-in and half-out of the tree. It couldn’t be…

  But as he and his companion came closer there was no mistaking his identity, and she remained transfixed as Zack moved closer, until he stood directly in front of her.

  “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

  Chapter 16

  Sailing

  “I still can’t believe it, Zack, running into you halfway around the world like this.”

  “I was pretty shocked myself. I wondered if it was really you I was seeing or if I’d been out in the proverbial sun too long.”

  They sat at a table at an open-air restaurant on the hotel grounds. Vivian had been stunned to see Zack, to the point where she had frozen in her precarious position and he wordlessly helped her out of the tree, his hands firmly ensconced in the area just below her armpits and just above her breasts, giving her no choice but to put her arms around his neck and hold on as he swung her out and to the ground. The close contact of the sink-or-swim position, her front brushed against his, made her forget herself and possibly had the same effect on him, for neither of them moved away from each other once her feet were on the ground. They merely stared at each other with undisguised longing. Only Lauren’s discreet throat-clearing, followed by a request for introductions, prompted them to break apart, flustered. Zack introduced his travel companion, Bill Byrd, and she introduced Lauren.

  Then Zack suggested lunch, casually reaching for her hand and holding it until he pulled out her chair at their table.

  The waiter appeared and took their drink order. “I’d like a vodka with grapefuit juice, and I’d appreciate it if you could bring that right away, please,” Vivian requested.

  Her words came out in a monotone, like she was in a trance, prompting Zack to laugh. “You sound like you’re in shock.”

  “Maybe I wouldn’t be if you had mentioned you were coming to the coast of Kenya after you left Tanzania.”

  “I honestly didn’t think of it, since we’re only going to be here three days, two of which are half days because they’re the days of arrival and departure, respectively. Today is our only full day here.”

  “Ours, too. I know you’ll be flying out of Tanzania, but maybe we’ll be on the same flight to London Wednesday.”

  Zack shook his head. “I wish we were, but our connection is through Amsterdam.”

  “How many were in your safari party?” Lauren asked.

  “There were a dozen. Four of us went as a group, but the other two took the excursion to Victoria Falls,” Zack answered.

  “It was a hard choice to make,” Bill added, “but I’ve always been a beach person, and I’ve seen the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans but never the Indian. Maybe I’ll get to the falls next time.”

  “We all work at the same hospital,” Zack said. “Bill’s an anesthesiologist.”

  Lauren asked which hospital that was, and Bill answering her directly marked the beginning of their four-way conversation
breaking up into two one-on-ones.

  Vivian began to relax even before her drink was delivered. Perhaps all she really needed was to sit down. This was real. Zack was actually here in coastal Kenya. They would both be leaving in the morning, but that left the rest of the afternoon…and all of the night.

  She noticed other diners smiling at them. They must have looked like a cozy foursome, a black couple and a white one. Bill and Lauren seemed to be carrying on an intense conversation.

  “Did you guys see a lot of game?” she asked.

  “Lions, tigers, and bears. Oh, my.” He spoke in a childlike singsong fashion.

  “Come on, Zack. I know there aren’t any tigers in Africa. I don’t think there are any bears here, either. It’s too hot for them.”

  “Okay. We saw three elephants, a zebra, a lion, and a couple of different species of antelopes with funny names.”

  “You saw lions? I’m so jealous. We didn’t see any. But we did catch a glimpse of a leopard napping in a tree.”

  They continued to compare notes, and when Lauren and Bill rejoined the conversation they made plans to meet on the beach after lunch.

  *****

  Vivian’s hands shook as she brushed her hair. She tossed a small jar of gel into her bag. Yesterday a wire brush had been sufficient but today she wanted to look perfect. She made sure the skirt of her azure two-piece swimsuit wasn’t bunched up inside her cover-up, a white, strapless culotte that was no longer than a pair of shorts and barely extended past the skirt of her swimsuit. Sunglasses, white slip-ons and a white sailor hat completed the look.

  “Imagine coming all this way and seeing someone you know from New York,” Lauren said on the way downstairs.

  “I knew he was taking a safari in June, but he said he was going to Tanzania. He didn’t mention the extension to the Kenyan coast.”

  “I wish we were spending more time here.”

  Vivian knew what her friend was thinking. “I have a feeling Bill isn’t going to forget you, Lauren. I saw his body language. He’s definitely interested in you.”

  “And what about Zack? You two looked like you were about to spontaneously combust, and you’ve never even mentioned him to me.”

  She shrugged. “It’s…complicated,” she said, knowing it sounded lame.

  “Well, I think when you two get back to the States you should set about simplifying matters.”

  “We’ll both be in Colorado next month.”

  “The wedding you’re going to?”

  “Yes. Desireé is a friend of his also. Actually, he’s known her fiancé since they were kids. He’s going to be the best man.”

  “I don’t think Denver is as romantic a setting as Kenya, but I guess it’ll have to do. Oh, I see them.” Lauren waved.

  When the parties met Zack took Vivian’s arm and propelled her aside. “I’ve taken the liberty of renting a sailboat for the two of us.”

  “What about Lauren and Bill?”

  “Bill said he can think of a lot of things worse than spending an afternoon alone with Lauren. Trust me; it’s not a problem.”

  *****

  The boat swayed gently in the ocean water, safe from the waves that formed closer to shore. Neither Vivian nor Zack wore a life preserver, but the bulky orange vests were within easy reach.

  “You know, we probably should wear these things. You never know what might happen,” Zack said.

  “Especially with me in the boat, huh?” she joked.

  “That wasn’t what I meant. The last time I kidded you about that you nearly bit my head off, remember?”

  She shrugged. “I guess I’ve gotten over it.” The truth was she was so happy to be sharing part of her African experience with him she didn’t mind joking about their history together.

  “I think your confidence has been restored. Now that you’ve gotten through your safari without so much as a scratch, you’re realizing all that other stuff was just flukes.”

  “It’s not me I was worried about. It’s the people around me who have things happen to them.”

  “No one can say that life with Vivling is dull.”

  “You’re right, no one would say that,” she agreed. “Because you’re the only one who calls me Vivling.”

  “I don’t know where I got that from, but it suits you. It’s good to see you, Vivling. All of you.” His eyes swept over her body in obvious appreciation.

  “Thank you.” She didn’t feel in the least self- conscious of his appraisal of the skimpy cover-up she wore; instead she practically preened from his approval. She had lost eight pounds and felt she looked pretty good. She felt equally favorable about his attire. If there was anything that turned her off more than people with dirt under their fingernails, it was men who wore those tight-fitting trunks that hugged their genitals. Zack’s loose-fitting navy trunks were more discreet, as was the navy nylon sleeveless A-line undershirt that covered most of his chest but allowed a full view of muscular arms and a hint of beefy pecs. She, too, had never seen so much of him; when he slept on the sofabed in her living room he had worn a crew neck T-shirt with sleeves. Zack was not a large man, but he was definitely well built. “I was going to call you when I got home.”

  “That’s a pretty neat trick, considering you don’t have my number.” She tried to keep the bitterness out of her voice, but it still hurt that he hadn’t asked for her contact information.

  “No, but I know your work number.”

  “True. So what were you going to call me for?” And whatever it is, why didn’t you do it sooner?

  “I wanted to talk with you about flying out to Denver together. You haven’t made your reservations yet, have you?”

  “No, but it’s at the top of the list of things to do when I get back. The wedding’s on a Saturday, so I figured I’d go out Thursday and come home Sunday.”

  “That won’t give you much time for sightseeing. Ozzie says it’s beautiful out there. Or have you been there before?”

  “No, this’ll be my first time. I did want to save some of my vacation time. This trip took most of it.”

  “Why not go out on Wednesday? One day shouldn’t make much difference. Remember, there won’t be much free time on Saturday, and Friday will be cut short because of the rehearsal and dinner.”

  “Aren’t you forgetting something, Zack? I’m not in the wedding party.”

  “No, but I thought it would be nice if you came with me to the dinner. I’m sure Desireé won’t mind.”

  She didn’t bother to conceal her happiness. Maybe now they would get somewhere. “Really?”

  “Sure. And if you’re coming to dinner you might as well come to the rehearsal. You can stand in for Desireé. You know how the bride never participates in the rehearsal drill; it’s considered bad luck or something. Will you come?”

  “Sure.”

  “Good. With you there I won’t have to worry about Desireé’s friends. Ozzie’s warned me they’re all man hungry.”

  Her good disposition promptly became a memory. “Is that the only reason why you want me to go with you, to protect you from famished females?” Her voice was like a scale, each word ascending as she rapidly approached the category where she would shatter glass.

  “No, of course not. I’m sorry, Vivling. I don’t know why I’m always saying such thoughtless things to you.” He reached for her hand. “Maybe it’s because I’m trying too hard to make you like me.”

  Her eyes widened; this was the last thing she expected to hear. She could feel the vitality flowing into the previously limp hand he held. “What makes you think I don’t like you, Zack?”

  “That probably wasn’t the right choice of words. I want you to like me as much as I like you. I’ve been wanting to ask you out from the start, and especially after that week I spent at your place.”

  “And you thought I’d say no?”

  “I didn’t think I was your type. Remember, I’ve met a lot of your male friends, and I thought you went in for those corporate types.
To be honest, I’m not used to being turned down. I don’t know if I could handle it.”

  “Maybe it wouldn’t be an issue.”

  “Are you saying you’d go out with me?”

  She laughed. “After all we’ve been through together, it would be a sin not to go out with you.” It was incredible. The picturesque scenery of blue ocean water breaking into frothy waves crashing into the white sand had faded the moment he made that remark about Desi’s man-hungry friends, but his confession of wanting to spend time with her made everything brighten again. She had waited months to hear this and was beginning to think it would never happen, and now that it had, she couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so happy.

  Her joy was about to increase. Zack raised her chin with his index finger and was kissing her before she could blink. It was only when they felt the boat rock that they broke apart, laughing when each recognized the terror on the other’s face.

  “I guess we’d better keep an eye out for the ocean,” Zack remarked. “What say we continue this after dinner?”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  They had dinner in the setting of an underground cave, then went dancing at the popular Bush Baby disco. Because their respective flights left early in the morning, all four of them agreed it wouldn’t be a late night. Still, Lauren and Bill were still dancing like teenagers when Vivian and Zack returned to her hotel, a rather bland seven-story building that, unlike the more provincial setting where the fellows were staying, could have been anywhere in the world. They sat in the comfortable cushioned rattan chairs in the lobby and talked.

  Vivian usually napped after water sports, but the day’s hectic schedule hadn’t allowed time for it. To her dismay she yawned while Zack was talking. “Oh, I’m so sorry!”