Page 64 of In the Heat of the Jungle

Chad frowned at him. “When are you going to stop thinking like that? I would never kill Brandon and Stokely to get at you. I liked your father; he was good to me over the years. He was the kindest and gentlest man I knew. After that South African affair, there were bad feelings between you and me, but I’m not that wicked. My quarrel was withyou.”

“You hurt Joanna to get back at me.”

“That had nothing to do with our trouble. It just happened.”

“It wouldn’t have if I’d been home.”

“But you weren’t. Besides, it would have happened between us anyway. Joanna wanted me as much as I wanted her. When you find her, ask her, and you’ll see I’m not lying.” Chad sighed heavily. “I only let you believe it was for spite because our affair upset you so much. You’re the one who came to our home and attacked me. I had to defend myself. Look at the mess we created. I’m tired of this battle, Jace. Revenge doesn’t matter to me anymore.”

Chad coaxed Leigh into taking a private walk. When they were out of sight, he stopped and asked, “Are you sure you’re all right?”

A glowing smile filled her blue eyes. “I’m perfectly fine, Chad. I’m sure it was nothing. It probably won’t happen again.”

“If it does, I think we should return home.”

Leigh didn’t want to leave this country where her love was exiled. “And let Jace Elliott win my bet? No way. If I have to remain in camp every day, the rest of you will have fun. Today was the worst, so I think it’s over. It was probably one of those brief attacks people get when they visit unfamiliar areas.”

Chad caressed her cheek and smiled. “You do look better. You had me scared and worried. I don’t want anything happening to you. My ward has become very special to me.”

Leigh feared that someone was trying to harm her. She wanted to make certain it wasn’t her guardian. Then she would check out Louisa. To test him, she ventured, “If I decide to sell Webster International, would you like to buy it? I would make it easy and painless for you to obtain the firm.”

“Sell the company? You can’t, not even to me. You’ll be good at running it, and I’m eager to work with you. We’ll make a good team, Leigh. That firm’s been in the Webster family for a hundred years. Don’t consider a sale too hastily. But if you don’t want to run it, I’ll do it.”

“You don’t want to purchase the firm?”

“Yes, I do, if you are determined to sell. I love that company and helped enlarge it. But I hope you aren’t serious. We can do great things with it, together. I’d like us to get closer, Leigh. I’m very fond of you.”

She was relieved that he appeared honest. He seemed to want both the firm and her but did not appear to crave the business in a threatening manner. She smiled. “And I’m very fond of you, Chad.”

The call came that dinner was ready. Leigh and Chad returned to camp, smiling and chatting.

“You’d think one man was enough for that greedy girl,” Louisa muttered to Jace. “I wonder what she’s planning to do about her fiancé in Texas. Poor Tyler Clark is pining away while she’s chasing Chad.”

Jace glanced at the annoyed redhead. “Who is Tyler Clark? I didn’t know she was betrothed. Chad didn’t mention it to me.”

“He’s the foreman on the ranch her aunt owns in America. Leigh told me and Cynthia all about him, several times. She said she hasn’t decided if she wants him to move to London or if she’ll return to Texas. From the way she’s carrying on with Chad, Tyler might have lost her.”

Jace eyed Leigh as he mused on what he’d learned today …

Chapter Fourteen

The following day, Chad suggested they remain in camp to rest and relax, and to make certain Leigh was all right before their trek continued. Everyone agreed, because they were satisfied with their successful hunt for leopard yesterday. As with the rhino head, the leopard’s was sent downriver to Mombasa, along with its exquisite hide.

Seeing such a beautiful creature slain to mount its head on a wall and to use its skin for a cape took away part of Leigh’s enjoyment of the safari. She was glad the British government had placed controls on how many leopards could be slain and was trying to halt poachers, as it would be sad to see them vanish from existence.

Three-fourths of the bearers packed up extra goods and supplies, and everything the party could do without for a while. Chad helped Leigh gather her un-needed items and placed them before her tent. The sleek, dark-skinned carriers headed for the next campsite, to clear the area and prepare it for use, and to avoid the slower pace of the safari group. The hunting party was to leave early the next morning.

While Leigh and the others enjoyed a cooling swim, Jace searched his lover’s tent once more to find the bottle of powder gone. While one of his men stood guard, Jace searched the other tents, finding nothing.

When Johi returned to camp, he told Jace, “The animal walked strange. He was weak, thirsty. He slept in danger. It is bad sign.”

Jace was puzzled and unnerved. “I looked in her tent, Johi; it’s gone. She doesn’t have to lose her bet on purpose to have me. But if she got sick and had to be taken home, or pretended she was, what could I do? I have to question her. I don’t like the fact she’s to marry someone and hasn’t told me. And I don’t like how friendly she is with Chad.” His green eyes were full of conflicting emotions.

“Jace ana wivu sana,”Johi hinted.

Jace scowled. “No, Jace is not very jealous.”

“We huntnyati, simba, tembosoon. Clear head.”

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