Page 62 of In the Heat of the Jungle

Leigh frowned as her head swam in a bleary sea. It was happening to her again. She was confused, angry, and alarmed. They were far from medical help, if it was required. She did not know if this annoyance was caused by nature or man.

“If his whiskers are down, he’s relaxed,” Jace was saying. “When they bristle upward, he’s angry and nervous, so be careful. Once we—”

“Chad!” Louisa called out, “Leigh’s in trouble again.” Louisa caught the blonde’s arm and steadied her. “Sit down before you fall.”

Leigh was too shaky to argue. Chad and Jace rushed to her and dropped to their knees, both questioning her with concern.

“Just a mite dizzy. I’ll be fine soon. It’s the heat.”

Chad and Jace eyed her and argued, “No, it isn’t.”

“You go ahead,” Chad turned to Jace. “I’ll stay with her again. She can’t continue like this, and there’s no need to lose the whole day. We’ll camp until you return this afternoon. Reid hasn’t gotten his leopard.”

“Why don’t I stay with Leigh?” Jace suggested. “Johi can take over for me, and the bearers are all skilled hunters. If she needs doctoring, I’m the one best qualified to treat her here. After she’s regained her strength, I’ll carry her back to camp. We’ve already lost three days with rain and stops. Johi can help you get that leopard. Just do as he says, and no taking risks.”

Chad knew Leigh would be safe in Jace’s hands, and that Jace couldn’t make any romantic progress with her in that condition. Chad didn’t want it to look as if he wanted to get her alone. To prevent suspicion, he agreed. “That sounds fine to me, Jace. I would like to get one of those creatures before we leave this area. You sure she’ll be all right and you can manage alone?”

“I think so. She only needs to adjust to our climate.”

“Why can’t Louisa and I rest here and go back to camp with Jace and Leigh?” Cynthia asked.

“Jace will have his hands full tending and carrying Leigh.” Chad answered. “He doesn’t need two complaining females atop his task.”

“We won’t be any trouble, and we can be guards.”

“If trouble arose and you two panicked as you did during the rhino hunt, Leigh could be injured. No, both of you are coming with me and Reid. No more arguing. We’ll see you in camp this evening. Let’s go, everybody. I hear a leopard growling my name,” Chad jested.

With Johi in the lead and the bearers behind the foursome, off they went to hunt for the day.

Jace was surprised that Chad allowed him to be alone with Leigh. Yet the woman was in no shape to be wooed or seduced, and Chad wanted that fearless trophy. Slinging his weapon over his shoulder, he lifted his love and carried her into the shade of an acacia.

“Leigh, can you hear me?” She was trembly and weak. Her body and face were ashen, but her cheeks were fiery red.

“Yes,” she replied, her dry tongue feeling thick.

Their gazes locked, ocean blue with jungle green. “When you feel strong enough to walk, I want to get you into the jungle so I can check you over for injuries. If you don’t feel up to it soon, I’ll carry you. Do you know if you have any odd bites? Or any festering cuts?”

“Only a few mosquito bites. Nothing strange.”

“I need to get privacy to remove these clothes and check you over thoroughly. If a tsetse fly or malarial mosquito got to you, I need to know, now. You have been taking your quinine tablets?”

“Yes, and I haven’t played in any bad water. I’ll be fine. Is this a trick to get me alone and naked?”

“I wish it were, but it isn’t. I haven’t seen any symptoms like yours around here. Is there an illness you might have inherited?”

“None that I know of,” she replied after drinking from the canteen he lifted to her mouth, his canteen.

When Leigh felt steady again, Jace shouldered both their weapons and canteens. He placed one arm around her waist and guided her into the jungle. He found a safe spot and halted them. Leigh took her canteen and drank again, her thirst seeming unquenchable.

“There’s no polite way to say this, but strip.”

Leigh’s head whirled and her knees buckled. “I can’t. I’m too drowsy and limp.”

Jace laid her on the verdant ground, working anxiously to undress her. He examined her from head to foot, and found nothing unusual. When she pulled him to her and entreated him to make love to her, he protested. “That isn’t fair, Leigh. You’re ill. I’ll let you rest here, then carry you back to camp. If you aren’t better by tomorrow, I’m getting you to a doctor.”

“I’m completing this safari,” she argued. “Even if I have to remain in camp every day, I’m not canceling it.”

Jace was scared. He didn’t want to lose her permanently. “This isn’t a trick, Leigh. Forget the bet. My only concern is you.”

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