In the Light of Love

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  “We should get some sleep,” he said softly. “We’ve got a long day tomorrow. Agnes said they’ve already sent word that I’m here. I’m sure patients will be lined up bright and early.”

  Easing herself inside the compartment beside him, Talisa suddenly felt nervous. The proximity of their bodies, and the full moon shimmering overhead, was inciting a rush of warmth through her bloodstream. As Talisa settled into her sleeping bag, still wearing the clothes she’d arrived in, Jericho wrapped an arm around her torso, pulling himself and his own sleeping bag against her. Talisa eased into the warmth he offered, closing her eyes as he whispered good-night, his lips brushing ever so lightly against hers.

  When the first ray of sunlight landed across her face, Talisa was pulled from the much needed sleep that had consumed her. Jericho had risen some time before and his sleeping bag lay empty against the ground. Pulling herself up and out, Talisa stretched her body upward, her arms elongated over her head, her spine stretching skyward.

  “Good morning,” Jericho greeted as he came from the main house back out to the gardens. “Did you sleep well?”

  “I did,” Talisa said, smiling sweetly. “How about yourself?”

  The man nodded. “It was great until someone’s snoring woke me up.”

  Mortified, Talisa’s eyes widened. “Did I really snore?”

  The man laughed. “Like a freight train,” he said teasingly.

  The woman shook her head from side to side, laughing with him. “So, what’s on our agenda for the day?”

  Jericho leaned down to pick up his bag. “Unfortunately, it’s going to be a short hike through the woods first. There’s no running water here but there’s a small waterfall at the end of the trail over there where we can shower and bathe. Agnes says the water’s clean and the area is fairly private.”

  Following Jericho’s lead, Talisa repacked her possessions, helped him dismantle the tent, and then followed as he led the way through the forest. The thirty-minute trek was fairly easy as they maneuvered through the dense trees, the sounds of natural wildlife filling the air around them. Birds chirped, monkeys chattered, and a cool breeze blew the sounds through the morning air.

  There was little sunlight peeking past the tall trees that hovered above them. The air was just shy of being cold and as the two of them stepped in sight of the waterfall, Talisa was in awe. The small flow of water was tucked neatly away on the other end of the island, moisture gushing naturally around them.

  “It’s a little chilly,” Jericho shouted above the sound of the water’s spray as they both leaned over the edge of the wet pool to brush their teeth.

  “It’ll warm up once we get in it,” Talisa said, rinsing the toothpaste suds from her mouth.

  Jericho grinned. “Oh, really?”

  Talisa blushed. “I didn’t mean it like that!”

  Jericho wrapped his arms around her. “How did you mean it?” he asked, pulling her close.

  Wrapping her own arms around his neck, Talisa clasped her fingers together behind his head. “I don’t remember,” she said, just as he pressed his mouth to hers, his lips pulling anxiously at hers.

  Breaking the kiss, Jericho pulled his gray T-shirt over his head, dropping it to the ground. “You ready to get wet?” he asked.

  Talisa grinned, shaking her head at him. “You go first,” she said, toying with the buttons on her cotton blouse.

  Jericho’s gaze was locked on her face as he stepped out of his cotton slacks, his boxer briefs hugging the round of his hips. His mouth fell open ever so slightly as Talisa eased her shirt off her shoulders, dropping it and her denim jeans to the ground. The matching bikini bottoms and lace bra lay like a second skin against her body, the bright yellow of the fabric complementing her complexion. Her youthful breasts stood high and firm beneath the sheer garment, defiant in the open air. His eyes traveled eagerly across her flesh, the sight of her inciting a rage of emotion across his groin. Jericho turned quickly to shield the sudden rise in his shorts from her view.

  Stepping cautiously behind him, Talisa eased into the water, moving to stand beneath the spray of liquid that showered from overhead. The fountain was chilling, but invigorating, and when Jericho pressed his hand to her back, massaging a bar of soap against her skin, she could focus on nothing but the heat from his fingers radiating through her.

  His touch was electric, its fire burning with fierce intensity. Jericho drew a slow trail across her shoulders, down the length of her arms, to the lace edge of her brassiere. He continued past her belly button, and finally rested his hands teasingly against the shelf of her buttocks, his fingers itching to sneak beneath the elastic of her panties to press against the round of her behind.

  Talisa pressed herself tightly against him, her pelvis caressing his in a slow grind as her own hands danced like butterflies over his chest and around to his broad back. Jericho’s mouth danced a tango against hers as he kissed her greedily, his tongue sneaking past the line of her lips. The kiss was hard and deep and when Talisa finally pulled away she could barely breathe from the sheer beauty of it. Jericho pulled her hand to his lips and kissed the tips of her fingers, his wanting dropping like rain from the intense stare between.

  Talisa laughed softly, dropping her forehead against his chest. “Jericho, this water is freezing.”

  Jericho laughed with her. “I hadn’t noticed until you stopped kissing me,” he said, rinsing the last of the suds from her skin before easing her out of the spray of fluid.

  Reaching for his T-shirt, Jericho brushed the moisture from her body, buffing warmth and color back into her skin. He stopped as his fingers rubbed against the scar line that ran a short length across her abdomen. Curiosity, then awareness, crossed his face as his eyes moved from the dark blemish to Talisa’s face, and back again. Flush from his discovery, his excitement filling his spirit, Jericho wanted to jump up and down with joy.

  He laughed loudly, tossing his head back in glee. “I can’t believe I didn’t remember it before this. You told me I had beautiful eyes. Then you said that you thought you could love me.”

  Talisa laughed with him, rolling her eyes. Color rushed to her cheeks.

  “So,” Jericho asked, a smug expression on his face, “did you mean it? Do you really think you can love me?”

  Talisa grinned widely. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we, Dr. Becton?”

  His expressive lips curled in an indulgent smile as Jericho grinned back. He watched Talisa kneel down to pick through her bag for a change of clothes. Fighting the sudden urge to lay her across the grass-covered land and cover every inch of his maleness with the softness of her femininity, Jericho struggled to maintain some self-control. He turned his back to her, offering her a semblance of privacy as he moved to hide the rise of his erection.

  “Don’t you peek,” he chimed jokingly, easing the moment for them both.

  Talisa responded with a low giggle, her own excitement coloring her cheeks a vibrant red. The two of them stepped quickly out of their soaked undergarments and into a dry change of clothing before turning back around to face each other.

  Hand in hand, they strolled back toward the guest house, easy conversation passing the time. When they were in sight of the home’s entrance, Agnes stood gesturing excitedly in their direction, calling out for the doctor.

  The little boy who lay on the floor inside could not have been more than seven years old. Rail-thin, the child was as tiny and as fragile as a piece of fine china, his dark skin as dark as pure onyx. The flesh against his pencil-thin legs was blistered raw and the sight of it made Talisa gasp in shock. Agnes was pressing a damp cloth to the little boy’s head as she offered him a sip of warm fluid to drink.

  “What happened?” Jericho asked, leaning down to inspect the wounds as Talisa pulled supplies from his medical bag.

  Agnes clucked softly under her breath before answering, her English quite adept, the words punctuated by her thick accent. “His mama live up country and has no
money to care for him. Sent him to her family here on Bukasa but they too poor also. Had no bed for him to sleep in so he sleep outside by the fire last night. Baby roll into the hot embers and burn himself awake. The mama’s relatives send him here to me for medicine.”

  As Jericho cleaned the charred flesh and coated it with an antiseptic burn cream, Talisa held the little boy’s hand. Tears of pain misted in the child’s eyes but he did not cry. Talisa wanted to cry for him but she didn’t, holding back her own hurt. As Jericho taped the last bandage, they could feel the gratitude wash over the little boy’s spirit.

  The child was the first of many patients the two aided that morning, the elderly and the infirm coming one behind the other to see the blue-eyed, black American doctor who would help them for free. Later in the afternoon, when Talisa went to check on the little boy, the child was gone, roaming back to his relatives for the promise of shelter.

  It was late when the two of them finally crawled back inside their sleeping bags for another night of rest. Jericho’s stomach rumbled with hunger and it was only then that Talisa realized neither of them had stopped long enough for a full meal.

  “Jericho?” Talisa whispered his name into the cooling air.

  The man wrapped his arm around her, brushing his fingers against her cheek. “Yes?”

  “I’m glad I’m here with you. I can’t think of any other place I would want to be.”

  Jericho smiled, pressing his face into her neck, then leaned to kiss her shoulder, dropping off to sleep with his body pressed close to hers.

  The ferry departed early the next morning. Talisa and Jericho sat side by side, his arms wrapped protectively around her shoulders as they hopped from one island to another, headed in the direction of Buggala. The sun was shining brightly, and in combination with the rising temperature and the clear sky, Talisa knew another beautiful day was promised to them. She settled her body closer to Jericho’s, reaching to hold his hand. Both stared out to the waves of water that splashed against the sides of the ferry, falling into low swells behind them.

  As Talisa inhaled the rich essence of the culture, she realized that not only was she enamored with the country, but also its people. The friendly inhabitants of the cluster of islands had welcomed them warmly, opening their arms in hospitality. Only the inner beauty of its people overshadowed the exterior beauty of the land. As she sat beside Jericho she could sense that he was as taken with their surroundings as she was. His eyes were closed, his head tilted slightly back, enjoying the movement of the air and the fine mist of water that rained around them.

  From the ferry dock, the duo hiked down to the white sand beach and Hornbill, the guest residence that would be home to them for the next few days. Within minutes Jericho had secured a private banda right on the beach, the round, open-sided, grass-roof structure affording them a semblance of privacy. As Talisa dropped her possessions against the double bed situated in the center of the room, Jericho eased his way toward the entrance, staring out into the open air and the water. The sun shimmered down over his face, warm light caressing his skin. Talisa eased up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist as she leaned her cheek against his back.

  “I think we should get started,” Jericho said, brushing his palm against the back of her hands.

  “Do you think we’ll have as many patients to see today?” Talisa asked.

  Jericho chuckled softly. “No, not at all. We’re not here to work today. We’re here to just relax and enjoy each other,” he said, turning around to pull her into his arms.

  Surprise carved a look of confusion across Talisa’s face. “You’re kidding, aren’t you?”

  Jericho shook his head. “No. I’m very serious. We’ve worked hard this week, and we deserve a chance to rest up for the upcoming week. Plus you and I need this time between us. Think about it, Talisa. We met under some unusual circumstances. Then we reconnected under unusual circumstances. This is so incredible that it’s almost unreal. We need this time to just talk about nothing as we get to know one another. Besides,” Jericho said as he kissed her quickly, “the more time we spend together, the more time I spend thinking about making love to you, and that was never going to happen at the orphanage.”

  Talisa smiled coyly. “And that might happen here?”

  “A man can hope, can’t he?”

  Jericho kissed her again, a multitude of quick pecks that teased her cheeks, her forehead, her eyelids, and finally her lips. His mouth was searching, his lips dancing a slow two-step against hers. His touch was so soft, so gentle, that Talisa could feel herself slide into the beauty of it. When Jericho pulled away, taking a step back from her, Talisa still stood with her eyes closed, and her head tilted back ever so slightly. Her breathing was slightly elevated, her breasts ballooning up and down in rising exhilaration.

  “Let’s go canoeing,” Jericho whispered, the sudden comment spinning Talisa out of her moment of reverie.

  Opening her eyes, Talisa stared into Jericho’s, swimming headfirst into the emotion embodied in his gaze. His longing was undeniable, desire painting his excitement across his face. Sweat had beaded across his brow and both his hands were cupped nonchalantly in front of his crotch, attempting to hide the telltale sign of pure lust. A seductive smile blossomed across Talisa’s face as she stepped in toward him, her hands falling against the waistband of his slacks. Nodding her head, Talisa’s gaze was still locked with his. Her wanting was just as clear as she pressed her lips to his, allowing the words to ease past her lips in a rushed whisper. “Whatever you want, Dr. Becton.”

  Chapter 15

  Angela was folding gray flannel blankets into a neat pile when her husband slid into the room, easing up behind her. He hugged her tightly, his embrace reflecting the anxiety sweeping through his spirit.

  “What is wrong?” Angela asked softly, her instincts sensing that all was not well. Turning around in his arms to return the hug, she studied the tense lines of the man’s face. “What has happened, Peter?”

  “The fighting in Sudan and the northern border has intensified. The rebels are killing everyone in their wake. The refugee camps are overflowing. Families are trying to make their way down from Kitgum and Gulu. We need to prepare to help as many of them as we can. The children will need us. They will need our help.”

  Angela shook her head, tears misting in her eyes. “When will this war end, Peter? How much more can Uganda endure?”

  Peter tightened his grip around her torso. “Uganda is growing stronger each day. One day soon we will know our wealth again. Our people will be healthy. What we have accomplished thus far is just one of many miracles that has blessed our people. Our children will learn and they will grow to help us rebuild our country. If we put our faith and hope in our children, they will not disappoint us. We have to believe that.” Peter wiped at a tear that had fallen against Angela’s cheek.

  Angela sighed, the gesture reflecting the deep despair she was suddenly feeling. Peter kissed her forehead, allowing his full lips to rest against the softness of her skin. “We will need Jericho,” the man said as he turned to walk back out the door. “Many of the children will need a doctor.”

  Angela nodded her agreement. “I will send word for him to return immediately.”

  The day could not have been more spectacular, Talisa thought as she lay across the bed waiting for Jericho to return from the bathhouse. She pulled her arms over her shoulders, crossing them behind her head.

  They had gone canoeing, laughing easily as they shared stories of childhood antics and teenage dreams. As they sat alone, surrounded by the waters of Lake Victoria, the morning had passed too quickly. Time had rushed past, leaving them behind as the sun shifted its position in the clear blue sky. There was magnificent birdlife on the beach with white-headed fish eagles fishing some thirty feet from the shoreline. Kingfishers, storks, herons, and hornbills flew above the trees around them.

  They had strolled the length of beach hand in hand, caressing each other idly. Jer
icho had run his appreciative palms along her curves, acquainting himself with the lines of her body. Saying little, they’d taken in the abundance of their surroundings and each other.

  An early dinner had been incredible, freshly caught fish grilled right on the sand, their plates overflowing with a cornucopia of pineapples, mangos and papayas. After a full meal, they had gone hiking through the tall trees, then had rested by the shore, watching the antics of Punky, Hornbill’s resident mascot, a small monkey notorious for stealing food and trinkets left unattended. Punky’s comedic battles with the large German shepherds and a few of the other guests had kept them laughing until their sides ached. And now, after watching the most incredible sunset Talisa had ever seen, she was waiting for Jericho to join her, to spend the night alone beneath the star-filled sky with no one near enough to disturb them.

  Not realizing Jericho had reentered the room, Talisa still lay with her eyes closed, her relaxed body sprawled against the cotton sheets, memories of their day together dancing behind her eyes. Her full breasts pushed like ripe melons against the cotton fabric of her thin tank top, and the very round curves of her buttocks peeked past the short line of the boy-cut boxers she wore.

  Jericho inhaled her beauty, enamored with the bliss that shadowed her face. Talisa was breathtaking and Jericho was suddenly overcome by the heat that rushed from one end of his body to the other. He shivered with longing, scarcely able to restrain himself. Her name caught in his throat as he whispered it into the warm air, the lilt of it resonating throughout the room.

  Rising up onto her elbows, Talisa’s gaze met his, the swell of her breathing answering his call. As Jericho crawled over her, his towel-clad physique hovering easily above the length of her body, Talisa felt as if the moment was unreal, a sweet dream born from a lifetime of fantasy. Jericho’s lips skating across her lips, his tongue anxiously seeking out hers, lifted her into the moment, the reality of it burning like fire through her womanhood.