by Allen, Jewel
Lara tried to do so, but the horses shied away from each other, as though sensing danger.
The leopard emerged from the bush.
There was no time for a handoff.
“Just go, Lara,” Michael said.
Tomas rode briskly and leaned over, grabbing Lizzie, who clung to him. Now Lara could move faster, but not before the leopard sprang...right into her horse’s powerful kick.
The horse’s rear hooves sent the leopard back into the brush and propelled the horse into a lope. Somehow, Lara stayed on her mount, loving on it by leaning forward and clinging to its neck. Minutes passed with her in this position until she had gone quite a distance. They were nearly back at the stables when she finally dared lift her head to look around.
She slowed and turned, hoping against hope that no leopard was chasing after her. Lara looked around anxiously. Everyone was accounted for, and the leopard had stayed behind.
Closing her eyes, Lara took a deep breath, her body shaking.
Michael got off his horse, strode over to practically lift her off her saddle, and held her close. He kissed her until she was weak at the knees.
“Don’t you do that to me again,” he said, leaning his forehead against hers.
“Don’t worry,” she said, breathless and not necessarily from the riding adventure. “I won’t make it a habit to flush out leopards while on horseback.”
He kissed her again, and she pulled away and hid her blushing face, conscious of the stable employees watching.
Debra came out, beaming. “I heard it on good authority that you outran a leopard,” she said. “And no one fell off!”
Michael pulled Lara close. “You are looking at a magnificent horsewoman here.”
Tomas rode his mount alongside and got off, handing Lizzie over to Lara. Lizzie promptly cried.
“Did that scare you?” Lara asked, soothing the child.
Lizzie stopped crying and nodded, her chin trembling.
Mick puffed his chest out. “I galloped,” he said.
Michael ruffled his hair. “Attaboy.”
Kalinga took one look at them upon their return to the vehicle and searched their eyes. “Did something happen?”
Lara nodded slowly, the experience finally catching up to her. She couldn’t put it into words.
Kalinga glanced at Michael for help.
Michael put an arm around Lara. “A leopard attacked her horse.”
Kalinga gaped at them. “It’s unusual for wild animals to attack. This leopard must have been so close to you already, and well-hidden. Normally, a guide will not take you alongside such danger.” He focused on Lara. “Are you all right, miss?”
“Yes,” Lara said, though she was still shaking. “Thank you.”
Kalinga rubbed the back of his close-clipped hair. “I apologize that this has happened on my watch.”
“It’s definitely not your fault that the leopard was there,” Michael said. “Thankfully, we were safe. Mick here rode a horse all by himself.”
As Kalinga fussed over the boy, everyone else got in their seats. Mick climbed in, his face split into a huge grin.
Chapter 27
Michael gazed at Lara’s face upturned to the sun as they ate lunch on the restaurant patio. And to think, he almost lost her on that horseback ride. Watching her horse kick that leopard spooked him, but so did her breakneck dash to safety.
He followed her every movement with his gaze as though he was keyed in to her and nothing else mattered. She and the children laughed about something, which made his heart contract with gladness. They looked perfect together.
He raised his drink to his lips and then set it down again in shock.
Esther was approaching their table.
“Well, hello,” he said, taken aback. “I thought you left already.”
“I decided to return,” Esther said, grinning. “Capetown has a water restriction, and it’s no fun. So I called your tour outfit and asked what your itinerary was.”
Michael’s glance flicked toward Lara. Her expression looked pinched.
Goodie. Esther was back. Just when he was making inroads with Lara.
Esther raised an eyebrow. “You don’t sound too excited to see me.”
Well, it was true. He wasn’t. How to say something without lying...
“I was just surprised,” Michael said.
Lara stood. “If you’ll excuse me and the children.”
“Don’t run away.” Michael gazed into her eyes, pleading.
“Yes,” Esther said. “Michael tells me you used to be a lawyer. How exciting. Not sure how you go from lawyer to nanny, though. What a demotion in pay, at any rate.”
Lara gave her a brittle smile. “I was ready for a change. I don’t know why everyone thinks that is so odd.”
Michael could sense the exhaustion behind Lara’s words. It was probably tiresome, having to field questions about her former career all day.
“What do you do, Esther?” Lara asked as she took her seat again.
Esther tossed her dark hair and helped herself to a chair. “I am a precious object collector. I travel all over the world looking for things people had not thought of selling until I talked them into it.”
Lara cocked her head sideways. “Sounds like a tough sell.”
Esther shrugged. “Sometimes. But that’s part of the challenge, isn’t it? Finding something of value and convincing owners to part with it because someone else cannot live without it.”
“What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought for a client?” Lara asked.
Esther’s eyes glittered. “I’ve paid nearly a billion for a piece of jewelry. The client was from Morocco. A sheikh.”
Michael whistled.
“Anyway.” Esther shrugged. “All in a day’s work.”
Michael noted the differences between the two women. Light and dark hair. Maternal and bachelorette. Lara still won, hands down.
“So this evening,” Esther asked Michael, “what are your plans?”
“I’m taking Lara and the children on a sunset boat ride on the Okavango.”
“How sweet is that,” Esther said. “Lara and the children. Like you are a family.”
Lara stood, and Michael could tell that there was no stopping her this time.
“Why don’t we get ready for the boat ride, kids?” she said.
After she left, Michael leaned back. “Listen, I appreciate your interest in our friendship, Esther, but that’s about all there is. I have an obligation to the children and Lara, first of all, on this trip, and I’m not exactly interested in acting like a bachelor.”
Esther’s expression cooled. “That wasn’t what you were saying a couple of nights ago. You said, and I quote, ‘This was fun. I wish you were staying longer so we could chat more.’”
“It was fun. And I do enjoy talking to you.” Michael considered his words. Was it worth telling her he had only flirted with her out of spite? Now he felt horrible.
Esther’s shoulders relaxed. “That’s fine. I understand. Go on your boat ride, and if you want, we can have a nightcap. Surely you’re not romancing your nanny, are you?”
Michael spoke in measured tones. “She’s a wonderful woman. I’d have to be blind to not find her attractive.”
“I see. Of course. How could you not resist her, a built-in mom?”
“She has been more than a great nanny.”
“And of course, it doesn’t hurt that you have billions to your name.”
“She’s not that kind of woman.”
“Oh?” Esther taunted. “Then she’s not a normal woman. Any woman would notice that. I’m sure she hopes for financial security now that she’s quit her profession. How could she possibly sustain a lifestyle without a sugar daddy?”
“You’re wrong,” Michael said, but not with as much conviction as he thought he felt.
Her eyes darted past his shoulder, and she leaned forward, covering his hand with hers. “My sympathies. It’s certainly h
ard when gold diggers are after you.”
He sensed movement behind him and turned. Lara was approaching the table. Michael pulled his hand away, but it was too late. By her set mouth and hurt expression, he was sure she had seen them. And probably heard that last part.
“The children and I will be waiting in the lobby,” she said.
Michael rose, irritated with Esther.
“Tonight, don’t forget,” Esther said. “I’ll be here.”
Chapter 28
Lara wished she hadn’t come back to the table. Seeing Michael hold hands with Esther after the horseback ride made her feel stupid for trusting him. How nice for him that Esther could return and reconnect the rest of the time during this safari.
Michael joined them in the lobby, alone.
“Where’s Esther?” Lara asked.
He gazed steadily into her eyes. “I told her this was a cruise just for you and me and the children.
Her chest loosened with relief, but she remained wary. “You could have invited her,” she said.
“I could, huh? Glad to have your permission.” His eyes danced as he took a step toward her, and she felt a little frisson of surprise. “You want to be my scheduling secretary, allowing me to see other women?”
She stepped back, and he followed until she couldn’t move past a little fountain with a faux jungle.
His gaze dropped to her mouth. “You ever think about my kiss, Lara?”
She swallowed visibly and shook her head. “No.”
“Liar.”
“I’m too busy with the children.”
“Fair enough. But at night, when you’re flossing your teeth?”
She crinkled her nose. “Flossing my teeth?”
“Getting ready for bed. Brushing your lovely hair...”
She ducked out from his space. “Oh, would you look at that? The children are trying to get in the fountain.”
They really weren’t.
She whirled upon him. “What are you doing?” she whispered.
He raised his hands. “What?”
“Why are you being...a pest?”
“You mean why am I flirting?”
“Yes.” Her voice came out breathless.
“Why shouldn’t I flirt with you? You’re a beautiful woman. I’m a...okay, if I may say so myself, I don’t look half-bad, do I?”
She gave him a stony look.
“Anyway, we’re both unattached. As far as I know. Right? You don’t have a boyfriend waiting for you?”
She shook her head. “You have Esther.”
“Who is not my girlfriend.”
“She acts like she is. And I’m obviously a gold digger.”
He closed his eyes and then opened them again. “Listen, what she said there...”
“Is the truth?”
“Of course not. Don’t be silly.”
“Then why didn’t you defend me?”
“I didn’t have a chance. You came, and that was the end of the conversation.”
“Of course everyone will think I’m just a gold digger. I’m a nanny to a billionaire’s children, after all.” Tears filled her eyes.
He reached for her. “It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks.”
“Then why not take advantage of your nanny, huh?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks, so let’s just sleep together.”
“What kind of a jump in logic is that? And you used to be a lawyer?”
She moved away, her face crumpling in tears.
“Lara, listen. Let’s talk about this later when we’re both calm.” He touched her arm.
She shrugged off his hand. “No. That’s okay. Why don’t you pursue Esther since she’s obviously moneyed and you don’t have to worry about her being after your fortune.”
With a little huff, she turned and left him gaping after her.
Chapter 29
Doubts plagued Michael once again.
As they had plunged deeper into their safari, he felt reckless. And yet at the same time, he hadn’t been more sure about anything in his life.
He wanted Lara for his.
But now he felt stupid. Awkward. Honestly, she’d won this round. He was scared again. She’d pushed him away, and he didn’t know how to reach her.
Lara’s face was turned away from him on the boat, but he could see her tawny skin, burnished a beautiful golden color from the setting sun over the Okavango.
The boat was a flat-bottomed schooner with railing rope and a captain, Innocent, at the helm. They had the entire boat to themselves.
He thought back to Esther “waiting” for him back at the lodge. There may have been room for her on the boat, but he didn’t want her to ruin the blossoming friendship and more between himself and Lara.
But...what if?
What if Esther was right, and Lara just wanted him for his money?
Michael could operate on a patient’s eye with confidence, but faced with having to win over this beautiful woman, he was all thumbs.
She stood with the children by the railing, holding on to their hands tightly, when Innocent pointed across the water.
“Hippo in the water,” he said.
And indeed, there was a hippo in the water, yawning.
“How cute,” Lara breathed.
Michael walked over and stood behind her, and she looked over her shoulder, the expression in her eyes turning to flint. He gave her room and moved away. He certainly didn’t want to aggravate her.
Two other boats coasted to a stop nearby, so now the hippo was hemmed in on three sides by humans jostling to take photos. Michael got a few shots.
“I actually heard once,” Michael said, “that if a hippo is yawning, it’s giving you notice that it wants you to leave him alone.”
“It’s true,” Innocent chimed in. “It’s their way to fight for their territory.”
“Well, it still looks cute,” Lara retorted.
As she was too. But he didn’t dare compliment her out loud.
Michael smiled at her, and she pulled her gaze away.
Lizzie came over and asked for him to carry her and then shortly got down. He was grateful for that little affectionate moment. After Lara’s coolness, he could sure use a friend.
Thankfully, there was plenty to divert his attention. On a little marshy peninsula, black-and-white African jacanas and white egrets shadowed another hippo’s slow-pokey movements. The hippo’s hide was a shiny dark-chocolate.
“More hippos,” Mick said, pointing with his own hippo. Michael was afraid he was going to drop his stuffed animal, the kid was so excited.
A hundred yards away from shore along the foothills, a giraffe walked toward them as though on stilts. The setting sun turned the animal a warm hue of spotted brown and yellow. For Michael’s shots, the giraffe seemed to pose for him.
“You’ll have to share these photos with me,” Lara said.
Michael looked into the viewfinder. “I can have a book made.” And then his glance took her in.
Her, standing there by the rail, looking relaxed. He snuck a photo of her. When she gazed at him suspiciously, he took photos of the giraffe instead.
“Are you taking pictures of me?” she asked, crinkling her nose.
“Maybe just one.” He smiled tentatively.
“Don’t mix that up with your hippo pictures.” She smirked.
“Nope. Not a hippo. Maybe a lioness, with your tawny hair.” He reached out and touched her hair.
She stared at him, transfixed.
Not surprisingly, she looked away, turning resolutely toward the banks. Moments later, she gasped.
Following where she was pointing, Michael watched a giraffe running down the mountain on its stilt legs.
“Probably a male chased away from the group for one reason or another,” Innocent said.
“Fighting over girls, most likely,” Michael said. “These girls are so much trouble.”
Lara h
eld up her hand at Lizzie. “High five for girls, Lizzie.”
“High five,” Lizzie said, smacking Lara’s hand.
The children were enthralled with all the animals, running to the rail to get a better view.
Two elephants came down to the water to splash themselves, sucking water up their trunks and spraying it all over their wrinkly bodies.
“Now the only thing we need is a glorious red sunset over the African plains,” Michael said.
“Coming right up,” Innocent said, giving Michael a snappy salute.
Innocent headed down the channel back to the dock, slowing the boat as a red African sun set behind the silhouettes of Acacia trees.
“We also need a soundtrack swelling in the background,” Lara said, taking photos with her phone. “I want a framed photo of that sunset, okay?”
“You got it.”
Michael snapped photos of the sunset and then snapped a couple of Lara, her blonde hair a light halo against the stunning landscape.
She gave him an almost defiant stare, as though to say, I dare you to love me.
He might just take her up on it.
Chapter 30
Lara was grateful for the children. Without them, she wouldn’t be able to fight off the temptation to be with Michael. They couldn’t possibly think kisses while she had the children snuggled in the crook of either arm in the back seat of the safari vehicle.
Of course, without the children, Lara wouldn’t be on safari with Michael.
It was dinner time, and Lara’s stomach growled. She had finished her lunch abruptly when Esther reappeared on the scene.
Speaking of the devil, Esther was waiting for them in the lobby of the hotel, dressed as though she were gearing up to attend a glamorous event. Her shoulders shimmered where her off-shoulder blouse laid them bare.
Michael carried Mick while Lara carried Lizzie.
“How was it?” Esther asked, but she was only looking at Michael.
“It was wonderful.” He turned to Lara, his intent gaze leaving her confused.
“Would you like to have dinner with me, Michael?” Esther asked.
“Lara and I made other plans. We’re doing room service. These children are pooped.”