African Skies by Karen Rispin

Author:Karen Rispin [Rispin, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-78161-1
Publisher: The Crown Publishing Group
Published: 2011-05-11T00:00:00+00:00

LAUREL SLEPT UNTIL THE DAWN BIRD CHORUS WOKE HER. IT wasn’t a morning she had to be out observing the troop by the time the sun came up. She let her breath out with a sigh. Lilith was only a thin heap seen through the haze of the mosquito net over her bed.

The growl of a big diesel engine in the distance made her frown and lift her head. Darren had said he was bringing in a truck. Is that him? Quickly she slid out from under her mosquito net, dressed, pulled a brush though her short hair, and went out. Ambaro was over by the dining banda. Laurel waved and Ambaro waved back with a smile. “Chakula iko.”

Laurel knew enough Swahili now to recognize the word for food. “Thanks.”

The truck sound that had gotten her out of bed had stopped. Laurel longed to ask Ambaro if she’d heard it or knew what it meant, but she didn’t have the words. Slowly she walked toward the dining banda.

“Hey, Laurel!”

Darren. She spun around to see him waving from the lower end of the camp. He came! Without thinking she ran toward him only to come to a stop staring. “What happened to you?”

He grinned, white teeth flashing a contrast to his incredibly dusty face. Even the smile wrinkles in the corner of his eyes were coated. “Sorry I didn’t make it last night. Had to winch the truck out of three dry riverbeds. Flying has made me soft.”

Laurel almost laughed. Darren Grant looked anything but soft. Everything about him spoke of lean strength, confidence, and power. He grinned at her through the dirt smudges, the dark stubble on his cheeks creased with those incredible dimples.

“Yeah, soft. I should have known how bad that road is, but flying is the easy way around.”

“I’m sorry for the way Lilith spoke to you. I never know what she’s going to say.”

“Not easy having her for a mother?” His eyes were sympathetic. “I’d say you were the one who was hurt. I tried to say that I didn’t want to push you, but she’d hung up. If you’d rather not talk …”

“But I do. I’ve got this idea of how things might be made better on the Wilson and here at Ndovu. I’ve been so worried.”

“Worried for your animals?”

“Yes, and for the children. The little ones …” She ducked her head. He’ll just say I can’t care about them and the animals.

He touched her arm gently. “I know what you mean. Come with me. I’ve got something to show you.”

“I can’t. Jede is going to bring a bunch of school kids up this morning.”

“It’s not even seven. They can’t be expected yet.” His hand was still open. “Come and see. Please?”

She reached and took his hand, feeling the warm, strong fingers close over hers. The action had been automatic, but she didn’t regret it. His hand over hers felt so good.

As they walked down toward the airstrip, Darren looked at her several times as if he wanted to say something.

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