by Allen, Jewel
They kicked up a fine reddish dust on the trail as they proceeded. The strap of his camera felt sticky around his neck as the warmth of the day seeped into his shirt. Michael made a mental note to bring his hat the next time they went out in the field.
Beside him, he was aware of Lara. The confident way her body moved. She had changed into an outfit that didn’t scream as much safari but just a nice spring day, a striped white blouse with a hood. But the hood was down, not covering those braids that made her look as if she belonged right there with the red earth.
“Have you traveled much?” he asked her.
“A bit. But didn’t get much sightseeing then. It was usually to see high-profile clients. The law firm would do junkets once in a while, but I learned to steer clear of them. My fellow lawyers liked to get stupid drunk.”
He looked away and asked, casually, “I’m surprised no one has snatched you up in marriage.”
“Oh?” she said in a teasing tone. “And why is that?”
He brought it up. He deserved the question, even if it made him hot under the collar. Still not looking at her, he said, “You have this glow about you, for one.”
“I didn’t expect you to say that,” she said, sounding surprised.
He darted a glance at her. “Why not?”
“I guess I thought you’d say beautiful. Or charming.” She giggled and then sobered. “But I can see why you wouldn’t.”
Now it was his turn to be curious. “Why not?”
She blushed. “Because you’re my boss.”
“Doesn’t change the fact that you’re a beautiful woman,” he whispered, gazing at her intently before looking away.
He’d said far too much. Surely she’d be able to see right through his infatuation, if that was what this was, for his nanny of all people.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets, embarrassed that he’d revealed too much.
The guide stopped and pointed at the horizon. A herd of elephants was making their way to water. Talk about kicking dust. They flapped their ears as they lumbered along.
Michael exchanged glances with Lara. Her eyes shone, her beautiful face all aglow.
“I wish the children were with us,” she said.
“I’m sure the herd will come out again,” the escort said.
“Let’s get them right now,” Lara suggested.
By the time they found the children and went back to the same spot, the herd was still there.
“‘lephant,” Lizzie said, pointing.
Lara hugged her. “That’s right, sweetheart.”
Mick’s lips moved silently. “Six. There are six of them!”
Michael ruffled his hair. “Correct, buddy.” He glanced back at the girls, one light-haired and the other dark, his heart contracting with a foreign emotion.
Chapter 15
Day 3, Maun, Botswana
The next morning, Lara held the children’s hands as they followed Michael and Kalinga to the little plane waiting for them in the middle of the narrow airport runway strip.
Michael helped Lara step inside and then handed the children in. There were four seats with seatbelts. She and Michael helped the children buckle up, leaning toward each other and freezing for a moment.
Their hands touched again, and her heart beat fast. Did he feel that rush too? That magic bubbling up?
Or it could be the anticipation of their bush plane ride.
As the plane taxied down the strip, Lara put her arm behind Lizzie. She startled when Michal moved his arm to overlap hers. His hand touched her back, shooting off a pleasurable sensation down her spine. She didn’t dare look at him.
His finger stroked the fabric of her blouse, and then maybe he thought better of it, because he withdrew his arm.
Disappointment pooled in her belly. Soon the sensation of the plane rising into the air distracted her. There was only the sky and clouds, and below, such green beauty that she almost cried with pleasure.
The sun glinted on the little pockets of water and the bigger one of the delta. Clumps of trees covered patches here and there, but for the most part, it was just one open area, just land and land for stretches.
Lara shook her head, bemused. “Back home, this would be filled with high-rises. Unbelievable. Maybe a fountain or two.”
“High-rise?” Mick asked as he craned his neck to see over the window sill.
“Tall buildings,” Lara explained.
“Like Superman?” he said. “In a single bound?”
“Yes,” Michael said, smiling.
“Giraffes,” the pilot said, leaning the plane sideways. In the open plains, a herd of giraffes walked like they were testing out their long legs.
The children made excited noises.
The plane circled around, and Lara felt weightless too, like the plane, soaring and living life to the fullest. She hadn’t felt this alive in years, like something had snapped back and made her human again.
Her gaze sought Michael’s and held. She allowed her eyes to linger on his scruff, which had thickened in the days of their travel, and his sunburn from the other day deepening attractively into a golden tan. His glance fell to her lips, and she felt that pull of attraction.
He tugged at one of her braids gently, his eyes dancing.
“Ow,” she teased.
“Sorry.” He let her braid go, but his eyes still sought hers.
“Uncle Michael, Uncle Michael!” Mick said. “Is that an animal?”
Michael leaned close to Mick. “It sure looks like it, huh?”
Lara’s gaze followed where Mick was pointing, but her mind was elsewhere. She was thinking of how cute Michael was with the children. How she wished they all could be a true family.
But she was only his employee. The thought of her stepping in as their stepmom of sorts felt wrong somehow. It was one thing to help during his time of need, but another for her to take advantage of it.
She cleared her throat and glanced out the window. All her life, she’d been running away from this—from this notion of family, being committed, tied down, branded—and now that she was at the cusp, she couldn’t act on it. But even as she looked away, she was acutely aware of Michael. Of his low rumbly voice that flipped her stomach. His relaxed, lean figure as he told Mick that the shapes very well might be wild animals. He would be a great father to them. And whoever the lucky lady was who would take her spot in their family picture someday—click!—was lucky indeed.
But she knew it wouldn’t be her. She needed to make other plans.
This was so tough, though. The children tugged at her heartstrings. She would have to steel her heart from them too. She would—
“Birdies!” Lizzie said, pointing out the window.
A flock of white birds flew past, making Lara’s breath catch at their sheer number and magnificence.
The pilot said, “Egrets.” The plane circled a few more minutes and then started its descent. This time, Lara’s stomach flipped from the plane’s movement, though Michael’s heated gaze may have contributed to it. Down, down, down they flew, until the plane touched down on the rudimentary airstrip with a little thud and then coasted into an earnest landing.
Michael got out first before helping the children out one by one, and then he held up his arms for Lara.
She could have jumped into his embrace. No one would have thought anything of it. She wanted to very much. But then part of her remembered her place, her purpose. She hardly knew Michael. This attraction she felt for him could be as fleeting as the wind over the savanna.
What woman in her right mind would resist the allure of a romance on a safari?
This woman would.
“I’m good,” she said, waving his assistance away and jumping out of the plane onto the red soil.
Chapter 16
Something had changed with Lara. She had noticeably withdrawn. Michael tried to make eye contact with her, but she refused. Their little flirtation on the plan
e—he was ashamed to admit that’s what it was—had been so playful and promising. He had hoped—
For what?
That when they landed they could have something to build upon their new friendship. He tried to rack his brain for anything he might have said before her demeanor completely changed.
Before she withdrew, Mick was pointing out what he thought were elephants. Michael knew they weren’t; the shapes looked like boulders or maybe even shadows, but he’d kept the little boy’s hope alive.
Did she take offense at that, he wondered? A mark against him and his parenting skills? Lying to the children?
Ah, but he was no good with reading women’s minds.
It was really not fair. Of all the women he’d want to pursue a relationship with or had ever been around much to have an opportunity with, it had to be the nanny. Who very well couldn’t easily say no to his advances since he wielded the purse strings.
Bad idea, Michael.
They walked separately to Kalinga waiting by the Rover. Lara helped the children in the back and followed them in but didn’t look Michael’s way. Nor did she acknowledge his help when he shut the door after her.
Yeah, something was definitely afoot.
His head reeled at the change, and his heart hurt a little.
At least he hadn’t gone too far down this rabbit hole. She set a good example. He needed to keep everything on a professional level.
He walked around to his door and opened it to climb in. Catching a glimpse of her face in the side mirror, his heart rebelled.
Fight for her.
He liked her, didn’t he?
For a moment, he indulged the words, until she raised her eyes to his like a cruel whip, cool and unresponsive. He buckled up and faced Kalinga.
“What did you think, sir?” Kalinga asked.
“It was fabulous.” His voice sounded lighter than he felt.
The children chattered to Kalinga about the flight, the giraffes, and the birds they saw. The other two adults in the car remained mute. Together, but miles apart.
Inwardly, Michael groaned. In his head, their situation unfurled like a pathetic soap opera.
They had just barely met. Just because he was in the presence of a beautiful woman for the next week and a half didn’t mean he needed to fall head over heels in love with her.
Kalinga took them back to the resort, where the concierge welcomed them. Emile, his tag said, reminded them of their Mokoro ride.
“Mokoro?” Michael echoed.
“Yes, sir,” Emile said. “It is the traditional dugout canoe ride along the banks of the Delta.”
“Great.” As was his habit of late, he nearly turned to share the anticipated pleasure with Lara, but he stopped himself just in time.
Keep it professional.
So he turned to the children instead. “Want to go on a boat ride next?”
Mick held his breath comically and then nodded. Lizzie danced in excitement while holding on to Lara’s hand.
Bless the children. They would make the rest of the safari bearable. At least someone was happy to interact with him.
But he couldn’t help but flick his glance to Lara’s. And maybe pour out a question into the universe.
What happened to the almost-them?
She lowered her gaze and smiled at the children. “Come. Let’s put on bug spray.”
Michael watched them go off to their rooms with a little pang tightening his chest. He looked around, a little at a loss. He didn’t have bug spray. Maybe he should go over and have Lara put some on him too.
Maybe not.
Definitely not.
He ran his fingers through his hair and sat in one of the sitting configurations in the lobby. He would wait for them here. There were a book and paper on the coffee table, so he picked both up and tried to read. After several minutes, he gave up. Maybe he could go back to his room. And maybe he would cross paths with—
“Dr. Monroe?”
He turned to find a woman with shoulder-length black hair striding toward him confidently. She was stunning, like one of those fashion models on runways. He stood and smiled. She obviously knew him, but he couldn’t place her.
“Yes, I knew it was you.” She held his hands, pleasure in her eyes. “Do you remember me?”
“I apologize. My mind has gone blank. Please remind me.”
She pouted attractively. “Esther Mastroni. John’s daughter. You worked a miracle on my father’s eyes.”
“Of course. I see the resemblance.” That Italian nose, the dark features, the widow’s peak. She was as beautiful as her father was handsome. “How is your father?”
Her dark eyes gleamed. “Ornery as ever. He will be celebrating his eightieth birthday. Thanks to you.” She touched his arm. “I’m serious. You have given him a new lease on life.”
“I’m so glad to hear that.” He covered her hand with his.
The sound of little footsteps broke up their friendly moment. The children and Lara had arrived.
“Oh,” Esther said. “Is this your beautiful wife?”
Michael’s glance clashed with Lara’s. “This is Lara, my charges’ nanny. Lara, this is Esther Mastroni.”
“Hello,” Lara greeted her coolly.
Did he detect some speculation in Esther’s eyes? As though assessing Lara? She turned her attention to Lizzie and Mick who were nearby but out of earshot. “And these aren’t your children?”
“Well, they aren’t. Not yet.” Michael blushed. “I’m sorry. I need to explain. They are my late brother’s children. He and his wife—were killed in a car accident.” His voice faltered.
“I’m so sorry.” Esther opened her arms, and he stepped in for a hug. She smelled good and felt good too. He didn’t realize how his heart still hurt from losing them.
“Thanks,” he said, drawing away.
“Well, we need to catch up. I need to hear about your charity projects. Where’s your latest?”
“I have one in Zambia on this trip, actually.”
Intrigue filled her eyes. “Are you doing anything right now?”
Oh, apart from falling in love with his nanny?
“We’re just about to go on a Mokoro ride,” Michael said.
Esther’s eyes lit up. “You’ll love it. I was just about to go out on my last safari. I head out tomorrow.” She cocked her head. “How about dinner tonight?”
“We’d have to do it with the children,” he said. He couldn’t get himself to add Lara to the mix. That might strike Esther as odd.
“Don’t worry about us,” Lara told Michael. “I can keep the children occupied tonight. They might even want a swim when we get back.”
Michael felt something shift. Any chance he had with Lara had slipped away in favor of Esther, who didn’t mean a thing to him.
“Perfect,” Esther said. “Ring me at suite four.” To the children, she said, “Have fun, bambinos.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Michael told Lara.
“Do what?” She blinked innocently at him.
“Make it so I had a separate dinner with her. We could have all eaten together.”
She shrugged. “It was obvious she wanted you for herself.”
He could sense tension in the air. More than ever.
Michael stuffed his hands in his pockets. “She’s a former patient’s daughter. That’s all.”
Lara was already moving away. “Mick, don’t climb that, please.”
Michael wanted to climb something too and make a Tarzan ape yell. Why was Lara being so stubborn about dinner?
Drawing that professional boundary, perhaps?
He could learn a thing or two from her.
Chapter 17
The outboard engine whined as the boat taking them to their Mokoro canoes cut the waters of the Okavango. Lara sat with the children on the second row while Michael sat behind them. The boat could have seated three rows of people, but they were the only ones in it. It was a safari guide rule. For child
ren under a certain age, they needed to do private guides. Probably to not ruin other grown-ups’ experience. Luckily, even though these children had a lot of energy, they were well-behaved.
Lara had suggested Michael sit in front so he could get a better view with his lens, but he said he was too tall, that he’d block their view. He was correct on that, but it still unsettled her that he sat directly behind her. He could be looking at her spine or her silly hair...
Thank goodness the flirtation on the plane didn’t continue. She didn’t know how to handle it. And it looked as though it handled itself.
She’d gotten Michael off her back. She discouraged his interest. Lara wished for it, and she got it. So shouldn’t she be happy?
He had scared her off, she ran the other way, and now he had that Italian chick to romance tonight.
Esther Mastroni. That was her name. An Italian-sounding family name. Beautiful in a man-eater sort of way. When Michael introduced Lara as his nanny, Esther’s eyes leaped with pleasure. Not to mention she gave Lara’s braids a raking with those heavily made-up eyes.
Later, Lara would take out these stupid braids. They made her feel like a freak.
She had to look away to hide the confused emotion that surfaced at Michael’s dismissive introduction.
“...my charges’ nanny.”
She was just his nanny. What did she expect?
The motorboat slowed, and the pilot, Phillip, pointed toward the shallows along exposed roots of mangroves. “Alligator,” he said.
There, peeping just barely above the water, was a little baby alligator.
Behind her, Michael clicked away while she helped the children find it.
They passed several birds, which Phillip identified as the open-billed stork, darter, reed cormorant, and the green-beaked heron. One interesting bird was the buffalo weaver, with its white body, yellow tush, and black wings. It clung with its little claws onto a hollow woven nest with a circular entrance.
“Will we see any big animals?” Michael asked.
“Probably not on this boat ride, sir,” Phillip said. “We might on the island.”
Phillip pulled up to the opening of a little waterway where canoes were docked on a sliver of bank.