First and foremost, I want to thank you all for your wonderful words of encouragement. There is nothing better than a review to give an author the incentive to keep writing. I'm glad you're enjoying my story. Hope you enjoy the next chapter. :o)
Meanwhile at Leopard's Den, Alice's brother, Rowan Collins, had awakened late. Jet lag had taken its toll and he had overslept. He had arrived just yesterday without notice and surprised Alice along with everyone else at the park. He had come with news about their father, news he felt he should inform his sister in person.
It took Rowan a moment to realize where he was. He sat up in bed and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. This morning he would find Alice and he would give her something he had brought back with him, something that was very precious to her. He was looking forward to talking more with his sister. He had missed Alice terribly and was glad they were finally reunited.
After Rowan showered and dressed he meandered into the kitchen for a bite to eat but to his annoyance the house was deathly quiet. "Hello? Is anyone here?"
Charlotte stepped into the kitchen and gave her uncle a hug. "Hi, Uncle Rowan."
"Hello, young lady. Where is everybody?" Rowan asked.
"I'm not sure," Charlotte answered.
Nomsa ventured into the kitchen and smiled at Rowan. "Good morning."
"Morning. I was just asking Charlotte if she knew where everyone was," Rowan said.
"Danny and Alice have gone to check on the waterholes, and the others, they're here and there, and who knows where," Nomsa replied. "Are you hungry?"
"Starved."
"Sit down and I'll make you something to eat," Nomsa said and began to prepare a meal.
"Why don't you join me?" Rowan asked Charlotte. "You can tell me all about your exciting adventures here in Africa."
Charlotte smiled. "Okay. I'd like that."
As the sun reached it highest point in the afternoon, the scorching rays were beginning to drain the life out of Danny and Alice. They had been walking for over two hours. Alice wished she had thought to bring a hat. The heat and the sun were burning her skin without mercy. As the temperature continued to climb, their walk back to Leopard's Den was becoming alarmingly perilous.
"Danny, I want to tell you something," Alice said.
"What's that?"
"The reason why Rowan's come to visit. It's my father, he died last week. Rowan wanted to tell me in person."
Danny stopped abruptly and embraced Alice. "Oh, Alice, I'm so sorry. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. Let's keep walking," Alice suggested.
"All right."
They walked a short distance before Alice continued with her story. "When I learned that my father was sick, I wrote to him, to ask him if I could come and help….but," Alice stopped and couldn't continue.
"Hey, it's okay. You don't have to talk about if you don't want to," Danny said reassuringly.
"No, I want you to know. My father, well, we always had a difficult relationship. We never did see eye to eye on anything. Anyway, when I wanted to become a vet my father took it as being disrespectful to him and his background. And later, to make matters worse, I fell in love with a man, a married man. When my father found out he told me he was ashamed of me and that he never wanted to see me again."
"And what about Charlotte?" Danny asked.
"She never met her grandfather."
"I'm so sorry, Alice. You shouldn't have had to go through all of that. And your father should not have punished his grandchild for something she had no part of," Danny said.
"Yeah, and now it's too late."
"I would never treat my daughter like that," Danny said.
Alice smiled. "I know you wouldn't. You're a good man Danny Trevanion. That's why it so was easy falling in love with you."
"Oh, I could have told you that," Danny said as he puffed up like a male peacock.
Alice chuckled. "All right, all right. I see I should never give you any compliments, just makes your head grow bigger."
Danny laughed and wrapped his arm around Alice's shoulders. "You know, there's one good thing about Rowan coming out here."
"What's that?" Alice asked.
"At least Charlotte can get to know her Uncle," Danny said cheerfully.
"That would be a nice thing, for both of them."
"And it'll be good for all of us to get to know him too," Danny added.
"I'd like that, Danny."
Danny smiled, brought her closer to him and kissed her lightly on the lips.
Georgina watered the plants as Rowan and Charlotte stepped out on to the veranda.
"Do you need some help?" Rowan asked.
"No, thank you. I'm almost finished. How are you feeling?"
"Much better, thank you," Rowan said.
At that moment, Vanessa drove up to the house. The pretty blonde stepped out of the vehicle and approached Georgina.
"Morning," Georgina said.
"Good morning, Georgina. Is Danny around?" asked Vanessa.
"Unfortunately he's out with Alice at the moment. But they should be getting back sometime this afternoon," Georgina said as she climbed down the step ladder. "Vanessa, I'd like you to meet Alice's brother, Rowan."
"Oh? Hello, Rowan. Welcome to Africa," Vanessa said.
Rowan hurried down the steps to shake Vanessa's hand. "Thank you, Vanessa."
"Are you staying long?" Vanessa asked.
"Actually, I'm not sure how long I'm staying," Rowan answered.
"How is Mara's grand opening coming?" Georgina asked.
"It's coming along quite nicely. Our first customers arrive tomorrow. It's quite exciting and terrifying. Anyway, we just need to do a few more things and we'll be ready," Vanessa said.
"Don't worry, everything will work itself out."
"I hope so," Vanessa said.
Did you want to leave a message for Danny?" asked Georgina.
"Well, that black panther I purchased at the auction last week seems a little off. I'm a little concerned and I'd like for him to take a look at her."
"Not a problem. I'll let him know as soon as they get back. I'm sure he'll be able to stop by this afternoon," Georgina said.
"Great. Thanks. Well, I best be going. I have so much to do before the end of the day. You're all coming tomorrow night aren't you?"
"Of course. We wouldn't miss it for anything in the world," Georgina said.
"You must come too, Rowan. I'd love to show you around Mara," Vanessa said sweetly.
"Thanks. I look forward to it," Rowan said as he walked Vanessa to the car.
Vanessa got behind the wheel and drove off as Rowan watched after her.
Danny noticed Alice wilting in the sweltering heat. He too felt like he needed a break from the blazing sun and rising temperature. Fortunately, there were several tall trees just a short distance away. They could stop for a short time and take a much needed rest.
"Let's take a break under those trees," he said, pointing toward the African Wattles.
"I'm okay."
"Liar," Danny said jokingly.
"I'm fine, really. Let's just keep walking," Alice said.
"I don't know about you but my feet are killing me and I need to sit down and get out of the sun for a bit."
"Danny, we shouldn't stop. We're wasting time," Alice said.
"Look, we'll take a ten minute break and then we'll head out, okay," Danny said. "Come on, I can see you're melting in this heat."
Alice finally agreed. "Oh, all right. Ten minutes."
"Ten minutes tops. I promise."
Danny took the lead with Alice following close behind. However, unbeknownst to them, danger was looming in the tall grass just ahead of them. Danny didn't see the threat until it was too late.