by Lisa Harris
“You’re extra quiet today.”
She looked up at him, her canvas safari hat blocking the sun that had already left a trail of freckles across her nose. “I guess I’m still trying to sort through everything that has happened the past couple days. Between Oscar being shot, finding out there have been threats against my life—not to mention the discovery that my assistant is actually here to be my bodyguard—yeah, it’s all thrown me for a bit of a loop.”
“Even I wasn’t expecting a situation like last night.”
For him, the shooting and the destroyed room had raised his assignment to a completely different level. No longer was he looking at a situation that could be explained away by a handful of coincidences. He’d gone from babysitting the ambassador’s daughter to full-blown, around-the-clock security detail.
“It’s normal to be scared, Meghan”
“Good, because I am scared, and worried, and mad. And I feel like I should be doing something—anything—to track down the people behind this instead of just sitting around waiting for them to attack.”
“We are doing something.”
“Like?”
“For starters, I’ve contacted a friend of mine who works with the State Department to look into the threats that have been made against you and your father. I want to know that a full investigation is being made at that level.”
“You think it could be someone working for my father who’s involved?”
“It’s possible. I’ve also been in contact with an employment screening service that is performing background checks on all the employees here at the reserve to see if we can find a connection there, and I’ve spoken to the local police detective about the ranger Oscar told us about.”
He’d also spent a lot of time praying that they’d find an answer soon.
She reached into the bag and grabbed a small handful of trail mix, then proceeded to eat it one ingredient at a time. “So is this how you normally spend your day as one of the famed Texas Rangers? Watching over vulnerable females—minus the pride of lions in the background, of course?”
Alex laughed. “I’m not sure that either normal or famed describes my life, and no, it doesn’t always involve vulnerable—albeit beautiful—females like yourself.”
“Oh…you saved yourself on that one.” Her smile was back. “So what do you usually do?”
He stared out across the open spot where Kibibi and her cubs slept. “My primary role is criminal investigation. While I’ve worked a number of cases over the past year, most of my time was tied up on a tough case, tracking down a man who killed half a dozen people across Texas in a seven-week killing spree.”
“I remember reading about that case when it made the headlines. The death toll was horrible.”
“It was, especially for me. While I’ve always managed, for the most part, to keep work separate from my personal life, this case was different.”
“What made it different?”
“The case became…personal.” Alex hesitated, not sure he wanted to dredge up memories better left buried. “Not only were we trying to stop a ruthless, dangerous man from killing again, but I was in charge of keeping one of the witnesses safe.”
She studied him, eyes narrowed slightly, lips pursed as if she were trying to read his thoughts. “Who was she?”
“Her name was Shannon.”
He’d already said too much. He didn’t want to talk about Shannon. Didn’t want to remember about the last day he’d seen her. They’d called him to tell him there had been a murder, but he’d arrived too late to save her. He was there when the medical examiner drove away with her body. Had watched her parents bury their only child. He’d never been able to shake off the guilt of losing her.
“Did something happen to her?”
He picked up the camera and focused in on Kibibi with the zoom as she yawned, baring her teeth, before rubbing her face against one of the cubs who had just woken up. “Why would you think that?”
“Since the day you arrived, your concern over my safety has seemed…very personal. As if you feel you have to make amends for something.”
He wasn’t ready to admit she was right. “I always take my jobs seriously.”
“Maybe, but it feels like there’s more to it than that. As if there’s something you want to prove by keeping me safe. Something that has made this job personal.”
“Being here has felt personal.”
Because of Shannon. Because Meghan was right—he had wanted to prove to himself that he could do this job, that he could keep someone safe.
And because of Shannon, he’d tried not to fall for Meghan. There was no way to deny that Shannon now made up a part of who he was. Knowing her had changed his life. Losing her had cost him part of his heart and made him cautious about loving again.
But a long time had passed, which was why, today, he was more aware of how the woman sitting next to him had changed him. How she’d managed to dig through those thick barriers around his heart he’d tried to set in place after Shannon’s death.
“Did you love her?”
He tipped his head to block the dropping sun, avoiding her gaze. “I was in love with her. Shannon had witnessed one of those murders and was planning to testify.”
“What happened to her?”
Alex closed his eyes for a moment. No one had blamed him for her death, but that didn’t mean he’d forgiven himself. He’d promised to protect her. Had assured her that she was safe.
“She was being kept in a safe house until she could testify. Stamos found out where she was and killed her.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Later it was proved he’d paid someone off to find out where she was.”
“Stamos was arrested, wasn’t he?”
“It took over a year, but yes. He’s on death row now, awaiting his execution. He’ll never hurt anyone else. But his arrest was too late for Shannon.”
The months after Shannon’s murder had passed like a blur. He’d spent every waking moment tracking down Stamos. Putting him in jail had given him the justice he’d been after but not the satisfaction he’d hoped for, because even his arrest couldn’t take away the lingering emptiness. Or the regret that he hadn’t been able to save Shannon. Her death had been a major factor in his burnout and, for the first time in his life, had him thinking about an early retirement.
“Tell me about her.”
“Why?”
“Because I sense that she was—at least at one time—an important part of your life. Our past makes us who we are, both the good and the bad.”
“She was smart, beautiful and sometimes too serious.”
Like someone else he knew.
“Someone told me recently—i.e., Kate—” Meghan said “—that you can’t let your past dictate your future. Sometimes you have to let that past go.”
“Sounds awfully wise.”
“Let’s just say it’s something I’m trying to figure out, as well.”
He studied Meghan’s face, her long hair pulled back in a loose ponytail and those bright brown eyes looking to him for answers. After years working as a Ranger, he’d learned the necessity of separating himself emotionally from his work, because he knew that getting personally involved only complicated things. Keeping everything at an arm’s length allowed him to look at situations objectively and do his job the way he was trained.
But Meghan had waltzed into his life and made him realize that something was missing. Made him want to forget his determination to control his emotions and give his heart another chance with love. And he knew what he wanted to happen next. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her. To tell her that he was falling for her…had already fallen for her.
Instead he lifted his camera and turned back to the cubs who were now waking up. That wasn’t the answer she was looking for, and he didn’t want her to end up like Shannon. He didn’t want to lose her.
FOURTEEN
Alex finished twisting the long ballo
on into the shape of a sword, then gave it to the chubby boy of seven or eight who smiled up at him. He’d spent the afternoon making balloons and handing out food to the seventy-five children who were clearly enjoying every moment of today’s festivities. Those festivities had included three-legged races, water-balloon fights and—the biggest hit of the day so far—a giant homemade piñata filled with candy.
The boy scurried off with his sword, only to be replaced by another boy asking for a sword. Alex blew up the balloon, then twisted it into the fairly simple shape he’d managed to master over the course of the day. Except for his sisters’ kids, he’d never spent a lot of time with children, but clearly balloon animals crossed all boundaries of culture and language.
He finished making the handle, then gave it to the boy, reminded again of how much had changed since he first arrived. He’d come to Africa for two reasons. One, to fulfill his commitment regarding Meghan’s safety. The second reason was to once again visit his mother’s homeland. But something else had happened since he’d arrived.
For months, he’d struggled with his faith. He’d seen so much evil over the past decade—and especially the past year—that it had finally left him feeling empty and burned-out. He spent his days trying to keep crime off the streets, but he’d grown tired of the constant fight for justice. Tired of feeling that while they might be winning some of the battles, the bad guys were winning the war.
But, like a camera, Meghan had managed to zoom in on the important things for him to remember. In the midst of threats on her life and poachers, she’d reminded him that there was still good in the world. And as with Nathi, she’d reminded him that sometimes it was the smallest things that in turn made the biggest difference.
He’d watched her all afternoon, looking perfectly at home with the kids in a pair of jeans and a yellow-and-gray-striped T-shirt, her smile never leaving her face.
He grabbed the last pink balloon, blew it up and started shaping it into a crown, then headed over to where she stood by the drink table, passing out drinks and chatting with the kids, who clearly loved her.
Alex walked up to her and handed her the balloon. “For you, my lady. It’s a princess crown.”
She laughed and set the pink creation on her head.
“I see you’ve made a few new friends today.” She pointed to a couple of the boys swinging their swords together until one of them popped, evoking a string of laughter as they ran off together.
Alex couldn’t help but smile. “I admit when I first got roped into the project I was convinced I’d made a huge mistake, but I’m glad they are enjoying the balloons.”
“And I’m glad you decided to join us.”
“Me, too. And as for you, you look like you’re enjoying yourself.”
“I am.” She filled another plastic cup with water and handed it to one of the girls. “Being around these kids reminds me of what is important in life. Politics and disasters will always take over the headlines, but sometimes it ends up being the simplest things in life that really matter.”
Squeals pulled his attention to the soccer field. In his bright orange T-shirt and with a large smile on his face, Nathi was running with the ball.
“Go, Nathi!”
Alex watched as Nathi ran down the field with the ball, but his heart was focused on the woman standing beside him.
*
Meghan cheered on Nathi as he approached the goal. At the last second, he kicked it too far to the left, missing the chance to score. The ball rolled off into the field. Nathi scurried after it into a patch of tall yellow grass blowing in the afternoon breeze.
Meghan turned to get one of the girls a drink, then stopped at a high-pitched scream. Nathi had fallen on the uneven ground and now sat holding his leg. Dropping the empty cup, she ran across the field to where he sat and knelt down beside him.
“Did you sprain your ankle?”
Nathi looked up at her. His eyes were wide and filled with terror. He shook his head.
“Nathi? What’s wrong?” Meghan studied his leg. Blood trickled down his calf beneath two fang marks.
Meghan felt her lungs constrict.
Alex was right behind her. “Meghan?”
“It’s a snakebite.” She turned back to Nathi. “I need you to try to relax. We’ll get you to the hospital, and you’ll be fine.”
Alex started pulling off Nathi’s shoe and sock.
“Meet me at the Jeep.” Meghan jumped up. “I’ll go grab the keys.”
Alex scooped up Nathi and started carrying him while Meghan ran back to the table where she’d left her bag. Inside, she fished for the keys, trying not to panic.
Kate ran up beside her. “Do you want me to come?”
Meghan shook her head. “I think it’s better if you stay here with the kids. They’ve looked forward to this day for a long time. Maybe you can serve the afternoon snacks as a distraction.” Meghan finally found the keys. “And have someone call Nathi’s aunt. She needs to know what has happened.”
Kate nodded as Meghan run for the Jeep.
Alex was ready with instructions. “Sit with him and keep him as quiet and still as you can. I’ll drive. Make sure you keep his leg lower than his heart.”
Meghan nodded, trying to remember what Samuel had taught her about snakes. Her fear, though, wasn’t just about the bite but also the possibility of secondary complications.
Alex flew down the road while she held on to Nathi.
“How serious is this?” she asked Alex.
“I don’t know. His body is already weak. You need to start praying.”
“I am.” She ran her fingers across Nathi’s face and brushed off a patch of dirt from where he’d fallen. He’d had so much fun today between playing soccer, crossing swords with his friends and even running in the three-legged race.
“Stay with me, Nathi…. You’re going to be okay.” He nodded at her, the fear still evident in his eyes. “The doctors have antivenom and antibiotics to treat you with.”
Meghan grabbed her phone off the seat beside her and called the hospital to let them know they were coming, wanting to believe her words that he would be okay.
Please, God, this sweet little boy has already come so far. Please let us get there in time to save him.
Five minutes later, Meghan was shouting for someone to help as Alex ran beside her with Nathi in his arms to the front of the hospital. Dr. Archer exited the front of the hospital and hurried toward them.
“Bring him in. We’re ready for him.”
The doctor started shouting instructions to his staff.
Meghan kept up beside them as they transferred him to a gurney and hurried down the breezeway. “Please tell me he’s going to be okay.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as we get him stabilized.”
Meghan watched them wheel Nathi into the emergency room. The panic from when Oscar had been shot had returned. “I certainly didn’t plan to be back here again so soon.”
“Me, either.”
Oscar had continued to improve and was supposed to be released later today. Now they just needed another bit of guidance from God to help a friend survive.
“You okay?” he asked.
“No, I’m frustrated.” Meghan sat down on the bench beside him and leaned back against the wall, her nerves about to snap. “Nathi’s already faced so many difficulties. It’s hard to see him have to deal with something else.”
“I know, but I have to say, today’s made me think about something.”
She looked up at him. “What is that?”
“Too often we blame God for all the problems we face. At least, I’ve found myself doing that. Last night I read a few verses in James where it says that religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is—”
“—to look after the orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted from the earth.” Meghan finished the verse for him.
“Yeah. I think I’ve tried to make my faith too compl
icated. I watched you and Kate with the kids today and realized how easy it is for me to focus on what’s wrong out there to the point that I forget to see God’s hand. Because no matter what is happening around us, He is still here. He knows that there are children who’ve lost their parents, and widows who feel left alone, but God is still God and He wants to use us to be His hands and feet in their lives.”
She knew he was right. God didn’t leave just because something went wrong. He was right here in the middle of this messed-up, crazy world, using people willing to make a difference for His glory.
“You’re the one sounding wise today,” she said. She sucked back the tears, needing to blow her nose and find a way to pull herself together. “I’m going to go to the restroom. I’ll be back in a minute.”
As Meghan walked, she wiped the back of her hand across her face, brushing away the tears. Nathi had wedged his way into her heart over the past few months; his smile and the quiver in his chin when he laughed were all so dear to her.
Still, Alex was right. Bad things happened, but God was still God.
She walked down an empty breezeway and realized she’d taken a wrong turn. This section was still under construction, with plans to open next month.
For a split second she wished she’d asked Alex to come with her. Which was silly. Only those at the school knew she was here—a handful of teachers, Kate and Ian. She was safe and needed to stop looking for trouble around every shadow.
A woman stood at the end of the breezeway. There was something familiar about her. It only took her a second to place her. She’d been staying at the lodge on her honeymoon. She and her husband came from somewhere in Eastern Europe.
“Excuse me?” the woman said. She started walking toward Meghan.
“Can I help you?” Meghan looked around, wishing it wasn’t so quiet.
“You work at the lodge.”
“Yes.”
“My husband and I are honeymooning and he came down with some nasty stomach bug. I’m trying to find the pharmacy.”
“This wing is still under construction. You’ll have to go back to the main part of the hospital, which is down this breezeway and to the left. The pharmacy is there.”
