CHAPTER SIX
Sunday, September 10th
Zakouma National Park
Brooke walked out of her small hut and enjoyed the sound of the Salamat River. It was running high because the area had been drenched by a week of thunderstorms. She knew that meant they were not only going to be dealing with the epidemic of hepatitis E that had hit Am Timan and the surrounding villages, but also malaria.
Taking a moment to enjoy the quiet, she filled her lungs with the fresh morning air and thought about the men who were going to be showing up later today. One in particular had her body humming with anticipation, and she wasn’t sure how much she should give in to those feelings.
When Frisco had informed her he and his men were coming down to the park instead of flying home right away, she couldn’t believe it. After a long deployment, they should all be itching to get home at the first possible opportunity and not hanging around her and Piper in the middle of nowhere.
In fact, his whole speech about wanting to help out and see the park was so full of holes that she didn’t know where to begin digging for the truth.
Or maybe that simple explanation was the truth, and she was just being a Doubting Dora for no good reason. She knew that if there hadn’t been a major outbreak of hepatitis in the area, then she and Piper would’ve been on the first plane headed home to the land of Egg McMuffins. God, the way she missed those breakfast sandwiches was indecent, and she’d been dreaming of one for almost four months.
But McDonald’s was still a week or two away, so the best thing she could do was put it out of her mind and focus on how she and Piper could help with the outbreak of hepatitis. The area MSF director had informed them that it had started in Siebe and then spread like wildfire through the surrounding villages because the river that ran through the area was often used as a water source without consideration for cleanliness.
MSF usually didn’t get involved with facilitating clean water for a population, but in the case of Am Timan, it had become necessary because it was the only way to curb the outbreak from spreading further. Before they left N’Djamena, they’d been told there was a team of volunteers working on improving the water towers and making sure the water was chlorinated, which would hopefully work in concert with the medical care provided and end the outbreak.
Standing next to the edge of the bank, she watched the water rush past and wrestled with the familiar feeling of helplessness in the face of all there was to do. The need was endless, and she always struggled when it was time to go home, and this time, it seemed a bit more bitter because she wasn’t sure if she had what it took to come back.
Which made her feel selfish.
Her father had instilled a no-quit attitude in her and her brother, and needing to go home felt like she was quitting. Even though, rationally, she knew it wasn’t the case, her emotions were a long way from accepting it.
She sat down, rested her head on her knees and watched a batch of butterflies move off the plants that swayed in the morning breeze. Seeing them flit from plant to plant made her envious because she had never developed the ability to move from thing to thing without concern or worry. Her life had been driven in one direction for so long that it made her wonder if she even had the capacity to change courses if she wanted to.
The sound of heavy footsteps mixed with the wind rustling the leaves made her turn, and she saw Carrick approach. “Are you and Brendan heading out?”
“In about an hour.” He handed her a mug of coffee and joined her on the ground. “The director is flying us around the park so we get an idea of where the poachers most often attack. We’ve tapped into their satellite feed, but it’s always nice to get a visual before we put boots on the ground.”
“Did you ever think when you were on the Teams that you would end up in a small country training men to become better antipoaching rangers?”
He let out a small laugh and leaned back. “Never came up on my radar.” He took a gulp of coffee and looked over. “You, on the other hand, were always going to end up in the middle of a country in conflict trying to help in any way you could. I saw that back when you were going to college.”
“Seeing the people who helped my mom and me pretty much cemented what I was going to do with my life.” Moving her finger through the loose dirt, she smiled at the memory of the woman who had raised her; not only was she loving and funny, but tougher than any person she’d ever met, and that included her father the rear admiral. “Tell me if you see any elephants, because Piper and I would love to catch a glimpse of the herd before we go home.”
“I’ll ask the director where their watering hole is and see if they’ve got room for us on one of the night drives.”
“Thanks, Carrick.”
“Can’t leave this part of the world and not see some wildlife.”
Brooke nodded and decided to do a little digging, because Frisco and Carrick had not only been teammates but also friends. So, if anyone could give her the 411, it was going to be him. “Speaking of wildlife… What can you tell me about Frisco?”
Carrick snorted and then tried to choke his coffee down. Once he got himself together, he looked over and shook his head. “I can tell you in no uncertain terms that you’ve turned that man inside out and upside down. I’ve known him for over ten years, and I’ve never seen him acting the way he is.”
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“I guess it depends on how you feel about it. If you’ve caught some feelings for him, then I’d say it’s a good thing. If you haven’t, then it’s going to be a shit show.” He set his coffee cup down and stretched his legs out. “He had to call in favors to be able to come down here before flying home, and if you’re not into it, he just made an ass out of himself to get a second date with you.”
As she slapped the ground, a puff of dirt flew up. “He made it sound like he and the guys wanted to see the park.” She took a sip of coffee and looked at the river. “He never said anything about this trip being about a date.”
“Not surprising. A guy is never going to admit the truth if he’s not sure how the girl feels, especially someone like Frisco.”
“What does especially someone like Frisco mean?”
“The guy hasn’t had a girlfriend since I’ve known him. He’s a one-and-done kind of guy.”
“Great,” Brooke replied with a moan. “When women list their top-ten things to avoid, a hit-and-run man is usually at the top.”
“Not if that’s what you’re into.” Holding up his hands in defense, he gave her a smile. “A lot of men from the Teams are not interested in relationships because of the nature of the job. You know better than most what being married to a SEAL can cost someone, so don’t judge him.”
Closing her eyes so all she saw were small pricks of light, she let out a sigh. “You’re absolutely right. God willing, he was honest with whomever he was with and everybody got what they wanted. I’ve never been a one-and-done gal, but who knows what the future will hold? For all I know, we could be perfectly synced for one another and want exactly the same thing.”
“Every guy has his kryptonite, and maybe you’re Frisco’s.”
Opening one eye, she looked over at Carrick and let out a laugh. “I’ve always wanted to be thought of as something that can destroy a person.”
Shrugging, Carrick looked out over the river. “When you meet the right woman, she’ll always have that kind of power.”
“Have you ever met anyone like that?”
Letting out a snort, he sat up. “Nope, and I really don’t expect to. I’m not a fall-in-love kind of guy. I’m happy with my casual hookups and don’t ever see that changing.”
“Neither did George Clooney.”
“And I have so much in common with a famous actor that I can see where you might draw a parallel.”
“Everyone has their Amal, even you, Carrick.”
“Doubt it.”
“Doubt what?” Piper asked as she walked up.
“The whole George and Amal thing can happen to anyone, even someone like Carrick.”
“Yeah, he pretty much ruined it for all you self-proclaimed life-long bachelors,” Piper responded. “No one is ever going to buy the lone-wolf thing again.”
Carrick got to his feet and crossed his arms. “As much as I’ve enjoyed your views on bachelors and my life, I’m going to bug out and find Brendan so we can go do our job.”
“Find us some elephants,” Piper instructed as she fixed her long braid. “I have to see some before we go home.”
Brooke stood and brushed off her shorts. “Piper is an adoptive mother to one, and her name is Gigi.”
Carrick put up his hands and started walking backward. “I can probably live my whole life without hearing about Piper’s adopted elephant.”
“Which is why it’s going to be tough for him to find anyone,” Piper said as he moved away.
“I’m just fine how I am.”
Brooke clicked her tongue and waved. “The ones who need someone the most always say things like that.”
“Hello, pot, say goodbye to kettle,” he called out before disappearing around the corner.
“Whatever.” Linking arms, Piper led Brooke toward the main area where the restaurant was located. “Let’s go wait for the MSF Jeep.”
“Are we starting in Iber today and then moving onto Am Timan tomorrow?”
“Yes, there’s a tent set up in Iber, and I just got word we’ve got a lot of women and children looking forward to our visit.” Piper gave Brooke a hip bump. “This is a great way to end our stay. No bullets flying over our head or suicide bombers trying to come through camp makes this like a vacation.”
“You’re right.” They walked quietly for a few feet, and then Brooke stopped abruptly. “What should I do about Frisco?”
“Smooch him as much as you can and enjoy it.”
“Not my forte,” Brooke replied.
“Maybe it’s time it became one. We’re in a small country on the African continent, and if a man wants to romance you, then all you’re allowed to say is, ‘Yes, please.’” Sliding her eyes over, she waggled her eyebrows. “You must’ve kissed the hell out of him in N’Djamena.”
The white MSF Jeep rumbled along the dirt road, and Brooke was saved from having to answer. Truth was, he’d kissed the hell out of her and, despite her reservations, she was looking forward to it happening again.
Even if he wasn’t the man she was looking for.
***
Frisco walked into the Tinga Lodge and saw Brooke sitting in the far corner with a book propped on her lap as she looked out into the inky dark sky. Standing still for a moment, he took the opportunity to soak in her beauty.
Her dark hair was braided in some kind of fancy design that he would be hard-pressed to describe, and her beautiful shoulders were exposed.
The idea of scraping his mouth and then his teeth across her delicate skin had him almost panting, so he wiped the picture from his mind. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he got himself in check before he approached, because the last thing she needed to see was the wild need beating in his body, before she was ready.
Taking one last fortifying breath, he then moved in her direction, knowing that whatever time they spent together would move them closer to where he wanted them to be.
Tangled together.
As he got closer, she looked up, and, for one unguarded moment, her face lit up with a happiness that had never been aimed in his direction. Willing himself not to pounce, he returned her smile and closed the gap that separated them.
“You made it!” Brooke exclaimed.
“Planes, trains, and automobiles,” he replied as he bent down on one knee and took her hand. “If someone had suggested a camel as a way to get here, I wouldn’t have minded a bit.” Lifting her hand to his mouth, he pressed a kiss to it and then grinned. “How in the hell did you get more beautiful in the last forty-eight hours?”
Leaning back, she gave him a disbelieving look. “Either you need glasses or are extremely desperate.” Running her hand over her tank top, she let out a laugh. “At least I had a shower today.”
Moving forward, he cupped her face in his hands and buried his nose in her neck. “You smell like the best thing on earth.” When she shuddered, he felt a moment of deep satisfaction, because her reaction told him the truth.
Despite what her smart mouth might come up with, she was into him.
Which was fine, because he loved a smart mouth. He’d never been into women who couldn’t hold their own, and Brooke was probably the finest example of what he was attracted to most.
Just as he was about to lean forward and press their mouths together, he felt her pull back. “No smooches in public?”
Moving her head side to side, she gave him a small smile. “I don’t want to put on a show for the people sitting over there.” She tilted her head and shrugged. “We seem to forget where we are when we kiss, so I thought we should wait.”
“I can do that.” He stood slowly and prayed his pants did their job. No need to advertise that he was no better than a kid when it came to control. “I saw that the bar was open; how about I get us a drink and then we can catch up?”
“Perfect. I’ll take a beer.”
He put his hand to his heart and took a step back. “I knew you were perfect.”
Smirking, she shook her head. “If I was home, I’d be at the Bali Hai restaurant, ordering the Aloha Kiss.”
“No problem, baby. When we get back to San Diego, that’s where we’ll go for our first date.”
“Sweet talker.” Pointing to the bar, she raised an eyebrow. “How about just a beer for now?”
Leaning over, he gave her a quick kiss. “Your wish is my command.” When her face flushed, he figured he’d done as much as he could, so he sauntered toward the bar. As he waited for the man to finish preparing drinks for another guest, he thought about what Bryce had said the other day. He was now in Brooke’s world, and he needed to make the most of it, so she would forget about his job and think only of the way he made her feel.
Whatever happened over the next couple of days was going to show them both what kind of chance they had when they returned to San Diego. Looking over his shoulder, he studied the woman who’d captured his imagination and knew he’d do anything to make sure they could make a real go of it.