by Tate James
I blinked, confused by the question. “Animals?” I repeated.
“I didn’t stutter,” she snapped. “Do you like animals?”
“Yes,” I replied, “I do.”
She nodded before laying my portfolio flat on her desk and folding her hands under her chin once more. She hummed once before sighing, unfolding her hands, and sitting back. Her constant movement and humming only served to confuse me and make me more nervous. I couldn’t tell if she hated me or not—at least, not until she spoke again.
“When can you start?” she asked.
Shocked, but eager, I jumped to answer. “Right away,” I assured her. “This afternoon, if you need me.”
She shook her head. Her lips twitched, but when a smile didn’t bloom, I didn’t know if I had just imagined it or if she had really wanted to crack a smile. I wondered when the last time she had was. “I won’t need you that soon,” she said. “But I will need you on a project that will last approximately four weeks. You’ll be given room and board during the length of your project and compensated for each photograph used.”
“Room and board?” I asked.
“Yes.” She met my gaze with sharp eyes. “I need a photographer with a willingness to do what I tell them, when I tell them. Is that you, Miss Parr?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded enthusiastically, albeit still a bit dazed and confused.
“Good. Then you’ll be leaving for South Africa in two weeks. You may see yourself back to the lobby. Hannah will book your flight and secure the rest of the details. You will confer with her about contacting human resources. I’d like you on the payroll before you leave. We aren’t like DL, Miss Parr.” She stood from her desk and I followed, reaching out as she picked up my portfolio, closed it, and handed it back to me. “We don’t chase scandal,” she stated. “We mark the extraordinary. And you will be following someone quite extraordinary. An American wildlife veterinarian in South Africa will allow you to follow him and the two guides he lives with on their duties for a period of four weeks. In those weeks, I will expect pictures of the political world, the day to day life of South Africans, as well as the doctor and his companions. You will eat, sleep, and breathe photography for those four weeks, is that understood?”
Feeling like I was being drilled by a sergeant, I nodded and stiffened my spine. “Yes, ma’am.” I was blown away. I had never expected to be given the job immediately. I had also never expected to be leaving the country.
She nodded. “Good. At the end of this assignment, I may have you write a short article depicting your time with the doctor and guides.”
I wasn’t super confident in my writing skills, but I was in the door. I would bleed out on paper for this job if that’s what it took. “I can do that,” I assured her.
“You have a passport, I assume?” Mrs. Young asked.
I nodded.
“Good, see Hannah on your way out.” She gestured towards the doorway as her eyes turned back to her computer, making it obvious she was done with me.
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, feeling a bit breathless.
I drifted from Mrs. Young’s office as if I was floating on a cloud. I couldn’t believe it. I literally couldn’t believe that I had gotten the job. Not only that, but a chance to leave the country for work. I was going to South Africa, a place filled with animals only seen in zoos here. I felt like an adventure was just waiting for me. It was a dream come true.
That weekend, I quit my job at DL with an alarming amount of satisfaction. I walked out of the DL headquarters with my shoulders down and head held high as my old boss—a fat and broody older man—blubbered and hollered from his mold-scented office. I had already finished collaborating with Hannah, Wilde’s receptionist and Mrs. Young’s personal assistant, and was set to leave for South Africa in a matter of weeks. I couldn’t wait. All that was left to do was tell my family.
“You’re going to South Africa?” Noelle’s mouth hung ajar as she stared at me in shock.
“It’s an adventure,” I exclaimed. “I thought you’d be happy for me.”
“I-I am,” Noelle stammered. “I’m just surprised. I mean, wow, South Africa…it’s so far.” Noelle glanced over her shoulder, absently pulling up the strap of her tank top as it slid down. “What about Ryan?”
I grimaced, following her gaze to her latest attempt at getting me to start dating again. Ryan wasn’t bad looking, per se, but he didn’t quite live up to my dreams of a happily ever after in a stained white t-shirt and baggy jeans. I grimaced as he sloshed his beer over onto the concrete patio, laughing at something Noelle’s husband, John, was saying. Even John’s lips turned down as Ryan bellowed a laugh that was more than a bit too loud and continued to pour beer every which way without even realizing that he was doing it. A mistake was what he was. One that I would not be crawling into bed with.
“I was sure he’d be a good date.” Noelle sighed, sounding more disappointed than I was. Actually, I was rather relieved he turned out to be such a dud. Though it would have been just my luck to meet the man of my dreams right before starting off on the adventure of my dreams.
I shook my head and reached for her elbow, grasping it firmly and drawing her attention back to me. “It’s fine,” I promised. “It’s better this way, really.”
Noelle’s big brown eyes settled on me once more. “Maybe you’ll meet your true love in South Africa,” she said.
I smiled. “Maybe.” Noelle hooked her arm with mine and, together, we marched to the snack table with her little Kenny yipping at our feet for treats.
3
My stomach dropped as the plane rocked to the side and I clutched my abdomen. I wasn’t normally such a terrible flier, but after sixteen hours nonstop, I was ready for land again. Sweet, stable land. It didn’t rock or tilt. No. Land stayed right where it was supposed to. My Kindle had died hours ago. I had to save the battery on my phone for when I landed. My free hour of wifi had run out, so there was no use trying to pull my laptop out again. There was nothing left for me to do but sit there, clutching my stomach and praying that I’d get out of this hell trap alive and well.
The intercom above beeped, and the captain’s voice came over the airways, sounding calm and just as every bit as relieved as I was when he spoke. “Folks, we will be landing in Johannesburg, South Africa at O. R. Tambo International airport in approximately thirty minutes. During our descent, please make sure to keep your seatbelts fastened at all times and do not move about the cabin unless it is absolutely necessary. As always, we thank you for flying Air Infinity.”
I breathed much easier as I moved to buckle my seatbelt and sit straight, closing my eyes as the plane descended through the clouds. The closer we got to the ground, the better my stomach felt. I managed to crack my eyes open and lean closer to the window, sliding the shade up so I could take a peek out over the vast new world that I was about to explore. Johannesburg was a huge city, I realized. Buildings were everywhere. My breath got caught up in my chest, my eyes widening as I tried to take it all in.
When the plane landed, it took several minutes for me to get out into the aisle and grab my carry-on from one of the overhead compartments. I was so ready to be off the damn plane, I nearly tripped on my way through the exit as several stewards and stewardesses that had made the trip with us waved us on and directed us through the airport. I stopped just inside the cool air-conditioned building, staring around at the normalcy of it all as people streamed around me, hurrying, and ready to get to their next destination.
I couldn’t help it. I needed a moment to just stare and gawk in awe. It was so surprising how something so many miles and hours away from my home could be so similar and yet, it truly felt like I was on a wild adventure. But one look around told me that the businessmen and families waiting to board their flights probably wouldn’t appreciate a squealing woman in the airport. I hefted my carry-on higher and marched off, following the signs, as I could find them in English, that directed me to baggage claim.
As I walked,
I fumbled into my pocket for my cell phone and retrieved it, turning off the airplane mode feature. Almost immediately, a number of emails and text messages assailed my phone—many of them from my sister and parents. After quickly sending text replies to my family to let them know I was okay, I turned my attention to the emails. Pausing alongside the baggage claim area, I read through the emails from Hannah that detailed who my pick-up person would be and where I would be staying.
“Joseph Beaumont,” I read curiously. Apparently, he was one of the guides who had befriended the wildlife vet that I was supposed to follow around. He and another guide had volunteered to pick me up. I read on, finding the second name. Wren Martin. I laughed. The first sounded like a crusty old man while the second name sounded like a college frat boy. I wondered what kind of people they and the vet would be. I hoped they would be pleasant, at least, since it sounded like I’d be sharing accommodations with all three of them. Who knew, maybe one of them would be the love of my life like Noelle had predicted. The very idea, though, was so absurd, that it was laughable.
I jumped and moved around the baggage carousel when I spotted my black and gray suitcase. I rushed up to the edge and reached over. Just as I closed my hands around the handle, the whole suitcase was taken from me and lifted away and placed on a very large shoulder. I paused and looked up in part surprise and part awe.
A scruffy looking man with a blond beard and a gaze hidden behind a pair of sunglasses flashed a million watt smile down at me. “You must be Jenique Parr,” he said, propping out a palm that was proportionate to the size of the man’s massive build. My suitcase, a good fifty pounder, looked positively dainty up there.
“Uh…” I reached out hesitantly, taking his hand. “That’s me.”
“Name’s Jay,” he said, shaking my hand. I noticed that despite the bulge in his muscles, he was quite careful with my small hand in his paw. “Jay Beaumont.”
“Oh, Joseph?” I asked, clarifying.
He smirked but nodded. “That’s my given name, but I prefer Jay.”
“Cool,” I replied, with a smile as he released my hand. “I go by Jen.”
“Nice to meet ya, Jen. Shall we head out?” He gestured towards the sliding glass doors, leading into the pick-up and drop-off area.
I nodded. “Lead the way.”
Jay ambled out of the airport, men and women alike jumping out of his way. The women, however, leaped out of his way only to turn and stare as he passed by. The man had a smile for everyone, his teeth gleaming white against his sun-kissed skin. My mouth watered as I wondered what it would taste like if I ran my lips down the column of his thick neck.
I shook my head, surprised by the direction of my thoughts. Maybe I should call Noelle, I thought, and let her know that her crazy idea might have some merit. She’d love anything that brought me further and further away from the heartbreak of my past. Waiting on the curb was a quietly idling, old, tan jeep. No, I realized, not tan. The Jeep’s color, perhaps something gray or black was nearly completely covered by mud, sand and dust. Another man sat in the driver’s seat.
The second man was just as tan as Jay. His eyes were also hidden by sunglasses as he turned to look at me while Jay stowed my suitcase in the trunk. “You must be the photographer.” It was a statement, not a question. I nodded anyway as Jay moved around and then helped me into the back seat of the jeep. The second man twisted and watched me as I set my carry-on under the seat in front of me after retrieving my camera from the inside. If I was to be riding around Johannesburg or even the African wild, if they decided we were heading straight to the wildlife care center, I was going to have my baby set and ready to go. I didn’t want to miss a moment. “I’m Wren Martin,” he said finally, holding a hand out. I took it.
Wren’s fingers were warm and callused. When his grip tightened in mine, I sucked in a breath, feeling the squeeze all the way down to the pit of my stomach. If Noelle knew that I’d be living with two hot men—possibly three if the vet was just as attractive as these men—she’d blow a gasket.
“Finally glad someone’s interested in our boy,” Wren said, pulling his hand away from mine and twisting around to face the front.
“Y-your boy?” I asked.
Jay buckled in as Wren put his blinker on and pulled out into the slowly moving lane that ran alongside the pick-up and drop-off lane. “Yeah.” Wren laughed. “Doc’s been doing this kinda shit for years.”
“Like what?” I pressed as he pulled into heavier traffic.
“He rehabilitates a lot of the animals that come through the clinic. Takes care of them but makes sure they can still survive out in the wild, on their own. That kind of stuff. Be mindful, he isn’t all that excited about having someone follow us around all the time, but he’ll get over it,” Wren finished.
“Why’d he agree to do this if he doesn’t want to?” I asked.
Jay laughed, a low, throaty sound. “Doc didn’t get to make the choice. The owner of the clinic thought you would make good publicity for donors who may want to help keep them in business. After Mr. Bornman—he’s the owner—put it that way, there was no way Doc could refuse.”
“Oh. Well, I’ll try my best to stay out of the way,” I said.
Jay twisted around in his seat and grinned. “Don’t worry your pretty head about getting in our way, sweetheart. We’ll take care of ya.” He winked and nearly sent my heart into overdrive before he turned back to face the windshield again.
My lips couldn’t form a reply, so I just nodded, though he couldn’t see me as easily now that he was facing away unless he tried looking at me in the rearview mirror, but I glanced that way and ascertained that he wasn’t even trying. So long had passed though, it would have been awkward to finally verbalize my answer. After several minutes of silence, I noticed that Wren was taking us away from the city. With an air of excitement in my veins, I readied my camera and held it up, snapping pictures as we went, my hair whipping about my face. The sun was high in the sky, but I could tell that it was already late in the afternoon.
Wren and Jay stopped for gas, offering to grab me a snack while they went into the station. I declined and when they came out, they handed me a drink anyway. I laughed and thanked them as they pulled the jeep top up and secured it. The longer we drove, the more tired I became. Even though I had just sat for sixteen plus hours, I was ready to crawl into a bed and close my eyes.
Hours after our initial meeting, Wren pulled into a small parking lot of a short brown building. Along one side were large fenced in areas that I assumed were meant for the animals. On the other side of the building, was a large hut with a cone-shaped roof.
“Here we are,” Jay said, popping his door the moment Wren came to a stop. “Home sweet home.”
As Jay helped me out from the back of the jeep, lending me his hand as I climbed out, I stretched and yawned. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?” I asked as he reached back in for my carry-on, with my camera neatly tucked away once more.
“Shoot,” he said.
“Why do you have an American accent?”
He laughed. “Why do you?”
I blinked, confused. “Because I am American.”
“Well, then, you’ve got your answer.”
“Is everyone at the clinic American?” I nodded to Wren as he marched up to the front door of the main building, holding my retrieved suitcase in one hand. “Like you and Wren and the vet?”
Jay shook his head. “Well, it’s really just us at the clinic,” he said. “We’ve got some people who stop by every once in a while, but no one else stays so far out here. Could be Mr. Bornman just thought you’d be more comfortable hanging out with Americans and, seeing as we’re already here, we don’t mind taking you in for the month.”
“Oh, well, thank you anyway. I really appreciate it.” I smiled and followed him as he led us into the building. I yawned once more as Wren opened the door and moved us through a short hallway down to another that led to the kitchen. I jumped when my s
tomach grumbled.
Jay and Wren both looked over at me with amusement as Wren set my bag by the doorway and moved to the fridge.
“I was wondering when that would happen,” he commented.
A blush rose to my face as I moved around the kitchen and towards the table where I grabbed a chair and sat down. “Sorry,” I mumbled, embarrassed.
They both laughed. “Don’t sweat it,” Jay assured me. “You probably haven’t had anything good to eat since you were home. God knows airplane food tastes like wet cement.”
“You know what wet cement tastes like?” I teased in mock horror, my blush slowly dissipating.
Jay shrugged. “Weird shit happens at Bible camp.”
This time, my horror was completely real. The look on my face, however, was Jay’s breaking point. He burst out laughing, slapping his hand on the kitchen table I was seated at, while Wren puttered this way and that, shaking his head.
“Don’t pay him any attention,” Wren said. “It only serves to inflate his ego.” Even as he said it, though, Wren winked at me. His smile was small but radiant. His eyes lingered on me as I chuckled, unsure if Jay had been joking or not.
Jay slid into the seat across from me. After a moment, Wren carried over a bag of chips and dropped them down between us. “Here, you can snack on this while I work on dinner,” he said before smacking his friend on the back of his head. “You can help me.”
“What?” Jay asked with a pout. “We finally get an interesting girl here, and you want me to cook?”
With a straight face, Wren answered, “Because you’re not pretty enough,” before turning back and cranking the knobs on the old gas stove in the corner.
Grumbling, Jay slid out of his seat and reached into the fridge before tossing me a water. I took it gratefully, chugging half the bottle as he started pulling stuff out and tossing them to Wren. I watched them work, wide-eyed and appreciative. They worked together like a well-oiled machine. Their bodies moved with grace around each other as Wren cooked, and Jay cut and tossed in what was needed. I had no clue what they were making, but within minutes, my mouth was watering at the delicious aroma.
