Page 43 of Maximum
CHAPTER 12
Silver Line
Maximum
I’d never gone camping before, but I loved the quiet nights on the savanna; and with the snail’s pace the lions led us in, we had plenty of time to observe birds and other wildlife from the car. The presence of the lions seemed to discourage most of them from coming close, though.
“I feel like that alpha male,” I said to Fleur when we were rolling down the trail with the lions leisurely strolling along. “All I can think about is making love to you.”
She chuckled. “We already did it three times.”
“So? That’s what you get when you hook up with a virile young man.”
I loved the soft smile on her face and the way her bare toes rested on the console in front of her showing off her teal nail polish.
“How come you have nail polish on your toenails and not your fingernails?” I asked her.
“With the type of work that I do, it chips off too easily.”
We’d seen other tour jeeps yesterday but hadn’t spoken to anyone. Now, a Jeep van was coming toward us and stopped when they saw the lions. Six excited tourists were snapping pictures while a guide sitting on a special seat on top of the bonnet of the van began explaining about the lions. The driver and I looked into each other’s eyes. Like me, he was probably wondering how we would pass each other on the small trail.
“Just drive around them,” Fleur instructed as the lions roared at the Jeep and showed an attitude we hadn’t seen before.
A female tourist in her sixties cried out in fear when one of the females in the pride walked closer and lifted her paws up to reach for the shoe of a man. He quickly pulled his foot away and the driver started the engine again, which made the lioness withdraw.
The alpha kept walking past the other Jeep but turned his head, roaring. “Did he just tell her to stop messing with the humans and come along?” I asked Fleur.
She nodded and pointed for me to keep following the lions.
Pulling away from the main trail, I was moving on at a slow pace when the guide from the other vehicle jumped down from his seat and approached us.
“You can’t be here. Who let you in?” he said in a stern tone.
“Mike Gallaway,” Fleur explained and took down her feet to talk to the man through her open window. “My name is Fleur Linden and I’m an animal communicator.”
“I don’t care who you are. I want you off the lands. You’re aggravating the lions by following them. One of them almost attacked one of my tourists right now.”
“That had nothing to do with us. The lions have been peaceful all along and they’re moving on.”
“Turn your Jeep around and we’ll escort you out of the park. No day visitors are allowed.”
“Look, sir, I was hired to come here and communicate with the animals. I’m sure Mike told you.”
“Mike isn’t the mayor here. He doesn’t have that sort of authority. I want you out now!”
Looking ahead, I could see the lions had lain down waiting for us. The alpha had his eyes on us, watching the encounter with the ranger.
“We appreciate your concern, but I assure you that we’re not here to harm any of the animals; on the contrary, I’m here to help you settle them and avoid the aggressive behavior that has been escalating. I have enormous respect for your work, but I’m also asking you to respect my work.” Fleur stayed calm and firm.
“I don’t believe in animal communicators.”
“That’s up to you, but I’m asking you to step down from the vehicle and move back so we can continue.”
“I can’t let you harass the lions.”
Fleur looked ahead, focusing in on the alpha, who instantly rose up from his position. “They’re waiting for us and growing impatient. I suggest you let us pass now.”
The tourists in the van were still snapping photos and recording videos when the alpha took a wide stance and roared.
