by Ava Miles
“Your visa doesn’t seem to be in order, Mr. Vajra,” the official said. “I’ll need you to stay here. The rest of you can go.”
“It’s Dr. Vajra and that’s ridiculous.”
Joseph made a shooing motion with his hands and started to usher her aunt and uncle and Hargreaves out of the room.
“His visa should be in order,” Michaela said, hanging back. “We got ours at the same time.”
“Ma’am, he’s traveling under a different passport than you are,” the official said, giving her a hard glance. “You’re an American, and your papers are in order. Please, join the rest of your party.”
Iggie was starting to sweat at his temples. “But there are a ton of Indians in Kenya. The British brought us over to manage this country.”
His historical recitation was both insensitive and challenging, not something that would gain him favor with the Customs officer. “It will be fine, Iggie. Don’t worry.”
“You should go, ma’am,” the official said, taking Iggie’s arm. “This could take a few days to work out.”
“A few days?” she and Iggie said at the same time.
“Ma’am.” The man stood at full military attention. “Please leave now.”
She nodded. “Of course. Iggie, just answer their questions.” Try to be nice, for the love of God.
“I shouldn’t have to answer anyone’s questions,” he said with a huff. “My visa is in order.”
She reached for patience. “Fill out whatever new forms they require. We’ll wait for you.” She didn’t have to ask if he had his cell phone, which was always on him, even in staff meetings. Although he likely didn’t carry it when he went to see Connor. Her brother wouldn’t stand for it, for one, and Iggie respected those above him. Just not those he considered below him—Michaela included—although since she was a Merriam, he was a bit more circumspect with her.
Perhaps that had something to do with Boyd’s dislike of Iggie. While she couldn’t believe most of her colleagues would have been ugly to him, she’d believe it of Iggie.
A hard glance from the Customs official prompted her to cut off the moment of self-reflection—so not the time—and head to the door. There was nothing more she could do.
Joseph rushed over to her as she emerged from the office. “We should go, Dr. Michaela, and see about our luggage. I can come back for Iggie once he’s finished. He has his cell phone, yes?”
“He does,” she said, casting a glance at her aunt and uncle and Hargreaves. They were all tired, even after sleeping on the plane. And the jet lag…
The time difference was nine hours for them, ten for her. Sure, they’d overnighted in London, but today’s flight had been almost nine hours. They’d left London at six in the morning, eight Nairobi time, since Boyd had texted her that he wanted to leave for the Maasai Mara today and not stay over in Nairobi.
It’s only a forty-minute flight, he’d texted. Sure, she’d replied, tell that to my older companions. They aren’t used to traveling two days straight. But Boyd hadn’t relented, saying his timetable had already been set back by two weeks. She’d talked to Uncle Arthur and Aunt Clara, and they’d insisted they were game. Hargreaves went along with whatever they decided. Well, with Iggie being held by Customs, they were going to be delayed a bit longer.
After signaling to her relatives that she’d only be a few minutes longer, she pulled out her cell phone and called Boyd.
“Hey, Mickey! Here at last. Welcome. Are you coming my way? I’m scorching on the landing strip, but the plane is ready to go.”
“Hello to you too. Look, Iggie is caught in Customs. Some visa thing. We can’t leave today. The official said it might take a few days. Do you want to book a hotel or shall I?” She had a few she preferred from past trips.
“No, come to Wilson. If Iggie is being held that long, we can’t wait around for him. Remember how I got delayed in Malaysia for three days because I happened to be on the same plane as those missionaries, and the officials refused to believe I wasn’t with them?”
He’d had her go ahead, and he’d caught up with her. “What do you propose then?”
“I can hire someone I know in Nairobi to help Iggie find us once they let him out. You know I’m right.”
Although she couldn’t deny he had a point, Iggie was a Merriam employee. She couldn’t just abandon him out of convenience. “I feel I should do something more. He’s not used to this kind of problem, Boyd. Not like us.”
“So call your headquarters and get your people started on trying to get him out earlier. Of course, that could backfire. You know how some officials don’t like it when outsiders try to interfere with their Customs decisions. But we can’t wait. You know that.”
She did. “I still feel—”
“Think about your family members,” he said, cutting her off. “The longer you dawdle, the more tired they’re going to be. Mickey, I have super nice accommodations waiting for everyone. Aren’t you ready for a hot shower and a bed?”
Even though the family jet was hardly uncomfortable, it was essentially the same as any plane—a long metal tube. She craved the simple convenience of water and shut-eye after a long journey. “Fine. We’re coming your way.”
“I’m breathless with anticipation,” he said and then disconnected the call.
Time to call Connor directly. He’d want to hear this news from her. By her count, he’d be well into his morning even though it was barely seven o’clock in California.
“Hello, Michaela. I didn’t think you’d check in this soon, as resistant as you were to the idea. Is there some problem?”
Resistant? You bet. She loved being off the grid on her trips. “Yes. Iggie has gotten detained in Customs on a visa issue. The official said it might be a few days, so I thought our people could work on having him released earlier. Unless they feel that might piss people off and delay things more.”
“A visa issue, huh?”
“Well, he’s Indian and it’s Kenya,” she said in frustration. “Who knows the reason? After dealing with Customs all over the world, I’ve stopped trying to find any rhyme or reason for this sort of thing.”
“Are you delaying the trip for Iggie?”
“Boyd doesn’t want us to, and I tend to agree. He says he’ll hire someone in Nairobi to help Iggie catch up to us.”
“I see,” Connor said, humming on the line. “I think it’s wise to go ahead, but this hiccup has my gut twitching. You don’t think anyone got wind of Boyd’s find, do you?”
She thought it through. “It seems improbable. I mean, why delay Iggie and not me or Boyd? We’re more essential to the operation.”
“Have you ever had trouble in Kenya before?” Connor asked.
“Sure,” she said, feeling her jet-lagged brain catching up with her body. “It’s like everywhere else we go. Depends on who we come across, if they have a power trip, if they don’t like outsiders, or if they’re corrupt.”
“This official didn’t ask for a bribe?”
“No, but it’s not always about bribes, Connor.”
“No, it’s not,” he agreed. “All right, I’ll get someone on it if that’s prudent. Given the situation, I’d like you to call in daily for updates.”
Not her preferred way of doing things, but she knew he was right. “I was going to have my phone on for Iggie obviously, but you’re going to hate the phone bill. I might have to use the satellite phone in places to check in, certainly upriver, I expect, if we need to keep communicating that long. Texts are the best if they come through, so you should use that as our primary method of contact.”
“I don’t care about the cost, Michaela,” Connor said. “I only want to make sure Iggie gets out and you and the rest of the party are safe.”
That brought a smile to her face. “I love you too, and we’ll be fine.”
“I’m going to reach out to some people,” he said. “Leave your phone on.”
“Keeping it charged is a bigger problem on the road, but
I can do that in the Rover,” she said.
“I shudder to think of the plumbing you’ll be facing on the road.”
She laughed. “Any time you want to accompany me…”
“I prefer Michelin restaurants and indoor toilets that flush, thank you.”
“Oddly, the plumbing issue has never bothered me.”
“How are we even related?” he asked dryly.
“I wonder that sometimes too.”
“Ha. Ha,” Connor said. “Be careful, Mickey.”
“Always. Bye, Con.”
When he ended the call, she crossed to her drooping party. “All right, let’s go. Customs is keeping Iggie. Something about his visa. I just called Connor and he’s getting people on it. We’re going to continue on with Boyd, and Iggie will meet us in the field.”
“Iggie’s visa, huh? Are you sure they didn’t detain him for being an asshole?” Uncle Arthur was rubbing Aunt Clara’s back as he said it.
“The former probably,” she replied, motioning to Joseph to lead them out.
“It’s the way he holds himself and talks to people,” her aunt said. “Like he’s above everyone. Imagine him thinking Hargreaves was here to serve him. And Joseph, I was mortified when he didn’t shake your hand.”
Joseph simply shrugged. “It’s not the first time someone has refused.”
She clucked her tongue. “It’s abominable. I don’t like him, Michaela. Honestly, I wish Customs would keep him for the entire trip.”
She did too, but it wouldn’t be professional of her to say so. “Well, if you have anything else to say about him, now’s the time.”
Her uncle snorted. “He’d better be good at what he does. I wouldn’t hire someone who comports himself like that, and if it comes to it, I’ll tell Connor.”
Although she doubted any of this would get back to Iggie, she resisted the urge to cheer. “Fine, no one likes Iggie, but Connor wants him here, so he’s here. I’m sure everyone is tired, so let’s get going. We have another plane to catch.”
Everyone groaned.
After loading into the minivan, they set off for the local airport. Everyone’s spirits lifted at the sight of giraffes ambling along in the game park they passed on the way. There was something so arresting about the sight of the larger-than-life animals against the backdrop of a modern city. When they arrived at Wilson, Boyd was waiting for them on the tarmac. He had on loose tan pants and a white cotton shirt, his go-to on trips like this, and he looked good enough to eat. With no pith helmet in sight. Oh, she was punchy.
She was horrified to realize she was happy to see him.
He walked forward in his long-legged stride and stretched out his arms. “Welcome to the land of milk and honey.”
“That’s the Promised Land, you idiot,” she said, just to be contrary, as he walked toward her. The glint in his big brown eyes told her he was happy to see her too. Maybe too happy. Surely, there was no need for him to get so close. What was he doing?
When he grabbed ahold of her by the upper arms and kissed her flush on the lips, she knew. Bold was his signature, one of his most attractive qualities. When they’d started going out, she’d loved his directness and had responded in kind. Both of them were physical people, and they’d always understood each other on that level. But this was more than that…
He was reminding her of their potent connection, something she couldn’t allow. Their impromptu kiss at the overlook had been a mistake, a weak moment that she regretted.
She’d also replayed it in her mind too many times to count.
“Dammit, boy, you stop that right now!” Uncle Arthur came over and swatted Boyd on the shoulder. “Step away from my niece. I’m much too damn tired to be a chaperone right now.”
Boyd laughed. “The next time I kiss her, please say something like ‘Unhand her, you miscreant.’ I’d love that.”
“You have a good vocabulary,” her uncle said, crossing his arms—a gesture undercut by his obvious attempt not to laugh, “for a bounder.”
“I think we’re going to get along just fine,” Boyd said. Turning to Clara, he said, “Mrs. Hale, how are you this fine afternoon?”
“I’m eager for the next leg of our journey, young man,” she said, standing up taller.
Boyd gave Michaela’s arm a quick squeeze—she hadn’t pulled away despite her best intentions. “Mickey, can you get everyone settled on the plane? The in-flight entertainment is all primed and ready.”
“It is?” Her aunt’s pace seemed to pick up as they walked to the plane.
“Along with the pretzels and seltzer water, no less,” her uncle said with a laugh. “Clara, it’s a safari plane.”
“A six-seater Cessna 210,” Hargreaves said.
Arthur harrumphed. “Good eye for a butler, but I still think we’ll be lucky if the seat belts work.”
“They do,” Boyd called. “I checked. No pretzels, Arthur, but there’s a cooler full of bottled water. I know how thirsty traveling makes Mickey here.”
His downright sexy wink made her stomach flip again in happiness.
“Hargreaves, will you help Joseph with the luggage so we can get going?” Clara asked.
Boyd crossed to Joseph and the two shook hands. “I’ll help Joseph with the luggage, Hargreaves.”
“It’s my job, sir,” Hargreaves said, his voice carrying across the tarmac. “Please settle yourself on the aircraft. Joseph and I will see to everything.”
Boyd went around the van and popped open the back, grimacing like she’d expected. Her aunt had brought an appalling amount of luggage. Hargreaves only had a black carry-on, God love him. She fought the urge to smile at Boyd’s expression.
“Hargreaves, this is all the luggage you’re getting right now.” He handed him the carry-on. “I have enough respect for my elders—like Joseph here—to be offended if you insist on hauling more. You’ve been traveling for two days, man. Give a little in this moment. We’ll have you dig the Defender 90 out of the mud if we get stuck, don’t worry.”
Hargreaves cast him a look through narrowed eyes before taking the bag. “You and I will come to terms, sir, sooner or later.”
“But let’s make it later,” Boyd said. “Mrs. Hale? Are these all yours?”
“Yes, Boyd,” her aunt called gaily. “I hope I can call you Boyd.”
“Beats jerk.” He pulled a face. “Mickey and I going to help you repack for our trip up-country if that’s okay with you. She should have told you to pack lighter.”
“You might have mentioned it, young man,” Clara said with a piercing look. “I trust you and Michaela to pack what’s best, but I won’t abide you touching any of my underthings, Boyd.”
“I wouldn’t presume,” he called as they walked up the steps to the plane and disappeared. “Why didn’t you give your aunt some guidelines?”
She went over and socked him. “Since I didn’t know much about our trip, I didn’t make any suggestions. Besides, you’re already the bad guy, so I figured I’d let you really fall into that role. I like being the good niece.”
“You set me up, Doc?” he asked under his breath, leaning close enough for her to catch his scent—man, sweat, and a tinge of musky aftershave. “You know that kind of game turns me on.”
“I couldn’t resist a little fun after what you pulled.” Her belly grew tight, and she fought the urge to lean into his hard body. She loved it when he smelled like this, so primal. His scent had always been its own foreplay. She made herself lean back, hoping to break the tension. “I’ll send the extra stuff back to the corporate jet. It’s leaving tomorrow.”
“I’ve missed you, Mickey. I can’t stop thinking about that kiss at the overlook.”
“We can’t do things like that,” she said, her knees trembling at the mere suggestion. “That kiss—”
“Made me want to strip you naked and take you then and there,” he said, tracing a line of sweat dripping down her neck. “Tell me the truth, did you think about it too?”
&n
bsp; Lying wouldn’t do anyone a service. “My body might not be over you, Boyd, but my heart sure as hell is.”
He stopped short. “Huh. I hadn’t thought of that. Your body and heart aren’t in accord, huh? What about your mind?”
“My mind sees you as a business partner. Nothing more.” Oh, she was such a liar.
“Hmm. I’ll have to think on that.” He brought his finger to his lips and licked it slowly. “You still taste the same in the heat. Salty. Lush.”
She gulped. Fought a whimper.
He lowered his hand slowly, but his dark eyes were as hot as the tarmac. “You should probably get on board before we give everyone a show. You aunt and uncle might need you to introduce them to—”
A loud shriek tore through the air, followed by her uncle’s unmistakable shout. That jolted her out of her reverie.
“They’ve met Marvin,” Boyd said, laughing. “You’d better go rescue him.”
“Oh, poor Marvin.” She hoped his tail didn’t fall off at the stress. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“My brain went soft when you stepped out of that minivan. Even after traveling for two days, you’re still the most beautiful woman in the world.”
He’d always said that. Didn’t matter if they were drenched from tropical rains or she had mud on her face. To him, she was the complete enchilada, he’d teased. No one else had ever made her feel so desirable. So important.
“Marvin will be happy to see you, Mickey.”
Another loud shout had her running to the plane, taking the stairs two at a time, only to come upon Hargreaves standing in the narrow aisle holding Marvin behind the neck in a perfect reptile hold. What the—
“Hargreaves saves the day,” Arthur was saying, rubbing his brow. “Where did you learn that?”
Marvin gave a loud croak, his orange-spotted turquoise body twisting in the hold. “Madam had a boa constrictor for a short time, and I took a class on handling reptiles. I’m quite proficient.”
“You had a boa, Clara?” Arthur asked, wiping his brow with a handkerchief.
“I bought it hoping it would keep Reinhold out of my bedroom.” Her aunt leaned her head against the window she sat beside, tragedy lacing her tone. “Who knew I would come to love it so? My plan didn’t work though. Reinhold had people take my poor Peanut away.”