Moonflower Read online

  Once he’d showered and put on clean clothes, he went to his study and sent for the Bosmans.

  ‘How was your drive out this morning?’ Sara asked as she closed the study door behind her.

  ‘That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,’ Reuben said, motioning towards the chairs at his desk.

  Once the couple were seated, he came around the desk and sat on its edge. This would have to be handled diplomatically, since Rolf and Sara had done an excellent job so far. Except when it came to Sophie Kyle. He had the greatest respect for the couple, and the last thing he wanted to do was call into question their competence.

  ‘There were a couple of incidents with Sophie Kyle this morning on our drive out. I’d like some background on her. Tell me why you picked her for the job?’

  Rolf’s pale blue eyes met Reuben’s head-on. ‘She was amply qualified, Reuben. She’d graduated top of her class throughout her undergraduate years and has a Master’s degree cum laude. Her area of expertise is endangered species in southern Africa and she grew up in the Western Cape. She was by far the most appropriate person to set up a wildlife programme on a farm like this.’

  ‘How old is she?’ Reuben asked.

  ‘Twenty-four,’ Sara told him.

  ‘Good lord! Does she have any experience?’

  ‘Conservation requires that a person gain experience throughout their studies,’ Rolf explained. ‘You’d be surprised how much experience she already has, despite her age. Both her parents were nature enthusiasts, so Sophie grew up largely in the outdoors. In high school she spent most of her spare time as a monitor on local game reserves. Since then she’s been involved in a number of projects. Her last was the internationally acclaimed African Wild Dog Project, which has been an enormous success. She was part of Dr Benjamin Duval’s team. He’s a famous conservationist, who—’

  ‘Yes, I’m familiar with his work.’

  Rolf looked surprised. ‘She’s got a glowing reference from Dr Duval and his wife, who is also respected in the industry and has worked with Sophie. They couldn’t speak highly enough of her; both of her character and her expertise as a conservationist.’

  ‘And character does come into it, Reuben,’ Sara said. ‘What impressed us with Sophie was her enthusiasm. Her obvious love of animals and the environment, and this country. Conservation is more than just a career for her; it’s a passion, a way of life.’

  Reuben nodded, but wasn’t quite convinced. ‘Okay. We’re tied into an initial three month contract with her anyway. After that, I’ll review the situation personally. If things haven’t worked out, we simply won’t offer her a more permanent position. Could you tell Sophie I’d like to see her, please?’

  Sophie was in the storeroom that had been set up especially for the conservation team near the garages. Sipho and Isaac were helping her take stock of their supplies.

  ‘Miss Sara says Mr Manning wants to see you. In his study,’ Patience announced from the doorway.

  Sophie set out for the house immediately.

  Just outside the kitchen she bumped into Sara.

  ‘I take it things didn’t go so well this morning,’ she said, tucking a stray wisp of frizzy hair behind her ear.

  Sophie was stunned. Reuben must have spoken to the Bosmans. Now why had he done that? Was he going to fire her? Surely not. ‘I got a puncture, Sara, and a wall hanging fell down in the hikers’ cottage, that’s all.’

  ‘Oh. Okay,’ Sara said, sounding totally nonchalant as she passed Sophie and moved down the passage. ‘You need anything,’ she said over her shoulder, ‘just give me a shout.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Sophie said, heading for Reuben’s study. I just might need another job in the next few minutes.

  The study door was closed. Sophie knocked.

  ‘Come,’ came the sound of Reuben’s voice.

  Sophie took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and went inside. The room was exactly as she might have imagined; opulent and English. And Reuben, seated behind the desk, looked right at home. He was busy with a document and didn’t look up as she made her way towards his desk.

  ‘Sit,’ he commanded. Sophie obeyed.

  She watched the top of his glossy head for a full five minutes as he continued to peruse the paperwork in front of him, adding his initials to the bottom of each sheet.

  In fact, Sophie completely lost herself in him, which was pretty damned obvious from the way she visibly jumped when he raised his head suddenly to look at her. Her sudden start made him grin, and Sophie felt a bubble of indignation burst in her chest.

  Megalomaniac. And here I was about to apologise for this morning, even though it wasn’t my fault. Well, forget that now!

  She stared defiantly back at Reuben; green eyes blazing into blue. Let him fire me. This isn’t the only game farm in the country. I’ll manage somehow.

  ‘So you’ve come up with a plan?’

  ‘A plan?’ Sophie echoed in bewilderment.

  ‘Species to be introduced to the farm. Conservation of flora. I believe we’re one of only a few places that still boasts indigenous renosterveld.’

  ‘Yes! Sorry. I wasn’t told what this meeting was about. I thought… Never mind. I’ve got detailed lists, work schedules. The costings are on my laptop. I can go and get them—’

  ‘Talk to me, Sophie,’ Reuben commanded, leaning back in his chair, eyes fixed on her face.

  Sophie did her best to ignore the percussion band in her chest. Once she got going on the subject of conservation, there was usually no stopping her. She soon forgot about her opulent surroundings, even the man sitting opposite her. Was unaware of the narrowing of his eyes as they bored into her. Didn’t notice the softening of his mouth, the quicker rise and fall of his chest.

  Sophie rushed full tilt ahead with statistics and costings, then her immediate plans to settle healthy herds and animals. Half an hour later she ended with her vision for the eventual reintroduction of local endangered species.

  Reuben watched from across the desk as Sophie folded one long, tanned leg over the other. Every now and then her thick strawberry-blond ponytail would swish side to side as she explained a point. Passion seemed to infuse every inch of her. She glowed with it, from her bronze hair and golden skin, to the flashing green eyes and deep pink mouth, which she’d run the tip of her tongue over every now and then.

  The Bosmans had been right. She not only knew her stuff, but obviously lived for her work. He and Sophie weren’t so different in that way. And just because he found her utterly disturbing and enchanting, didn’t mean she didn’t deserve a fair chance. Which was exactly what he was going to give her. ‘Some time ago, arrangements were made for myself and my conservationist to purchase the animals we still need for the farm, so it’s just as well you’ve done your research. We leave at seven tomorrow morning. Bring along an overnight bag. We’ll be back the following day.’

  ‘Brilliant!’ Sophie said. ‘I’ll be ready.’

  Reuben nodded, then pulled another document in front of him and ducked his head.

  Sophie unfolded her legs and bounded happily from the study, humming to herself. She didn’t see Reuben lift his head, shake it, and watch every second of her jaunty departure across the room.

  Chapter Three

  Drastic times call for drastic measures. So the next morning Sophie dressed in what she called her interview suit. It was a navy blue short skirt and fitted jacket worn over a white silk blouse. Not her usual choice of threads; she was definitely uncomfortable. Compared to her well-worn khaki shirt and shorts, it felt like a straitjacket.

  Reuben Manning wanted professional, so professional he was going to get.

  The only compensation was that she knew it suited her. The deep blue set off the bronze in her hair and the green of her eyes. Even her cheeks glowed summer-peach beneath her tanned skin, and the suit’s precision cut accentuated her height.

  ‘Gerry Giraffe,’ she told her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Although, judging by the way
the suit moulded snugly to her figure, she was unlikely to be mistaken for anything other than a big-breasted, slim-hipped Amazon.

  Once in her costume for the day, she strode off to the house, breathing in the fresh morning air. It was going to be a scorcher.

  ‘Mr Solomon!’

  She narrowly missed running over the old gardener who’d popped up suddenly from behind an Iceberg bush flanking the back path to the house. He’d stepped out right in front of her. For such a decrepit old man, he moved surprisingly quickly.

  ‘Where are you going dressed like that?’ he asked, suspiciously.

  What could she do but smile? ‘Mr Manning and I are leaving for Brits today. We’re going to buy new animals for the farm.’

  ‘Hmph.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Once you fall in love with this place, you’ll never leave,’ he told her. His expression changed to one of triumph and he pulled from behind his back a rose the colour of a ripe apricot.

  ‘What a beautiful rose,’ Sophie said, reaching out and taking it. ‘I’ve still got the one from yesterday. I’m going to dry and press it when—’

  ‘Off you go,’ Mr Solomon said, waving her impatiently away. He stepped off the path and disappeared among his rose bushes.

  She thought about what the old man had said: ‘Once you fall in love with this place, you’ll never leave.’

  Mr Solomon was probably unaware that life today was largely governed, not by feelings, but by contracts, and hers said she had just three months. In fact, she’d barely made it through her first day, which is why she planned to be on her best behaviour today.

  But first, a big hearty breakfast in the kitchen. Her ferocious appetite meant she’d won her way into Mrs September’s heart where many others had failed. The stern cook-cum-housekeeper had made sure Sophie had first removed her jacket and tucked a large tea towel into the top of her blouse, just in case she spilled anything.

  Once fully fuelled, Sophie met Reuben at five minutes to seven in the entrance hall. And from his double-take, she could tell the suit was worth every penny she’d paid for it. With eyes wide and eyebrows lifted, he ran a hand along his freshly-shaven jaw.

  How could Sophie have known that he, too, had chosen to wear a navy suit, tailored to fit and emphasise every manly line of his body to perfection, from muscled thighs and narrow hips to flat stomach and broad shoulders? His tie was pale yellow silk, and gold cufflinks glinted against a crisp, white shirt. His thick, dark hair was immaculately combed and the darkness of his brows emphasised near-perfect, creamy skin. His eyes below the strong, dark brows were every bit as navy as the suit. Her stomach flipped.

  Quite suddenly, Reuben scowled, turned on his heel and threw a ‘let’s go’ over his shoulder. Sophie followed him out to the car on wobbly legs.

  The car turned out to be a very large and sleek Mercedes Benz.

  ‘Holy cow,’ Sophie said, ducking her head and scrambling across the seat. ‘Wow!’

  She looked up to find Reuben staring at her legs, which were slightly splayed. She quickly pressed her knees together. There simply was no ladylike way Sophie knew of to clamber across a seat. The chauffeur stood beside Reuben looking slightly baffled. Reuben’s gaze slid along Sophie’s thighs, stopping at the tight pull of fabric across her hips. The look in his eyes was unmistakable and Sophie’s breath caught in her throat.

  Not a good way to start the day. Take your mind off him, Sophie told herself, looking around for a distraction. ‘There have to be a whole load of gadgets inside here. Can I have a look around?’

  Reuben’s frown deepened. He shook his head, sighed and made a sweeping gesture with his hand. ‘Knock yourself out.’

  And Sophie did just that. As Reuben seated himself, pulled a sheaf of papers from his briefcase and began rifling through them, Sophie got stuck into all the buttons and gadgets around her; there were even temperature controls for individual seats—real bum warmers. They were almost at the airport when she realised that the paperwork had ceased beside her. She turned to find Reuben watching her.

  ‘Bit of a gadget junkie,’ she said, smiling self-consciously.

  He carried right on staring at her. Please stop it! Sophie wanted to tell him. He made her uncomfortable when he looked at her that way. Why, she didn’t know, because being five feet eleven and with her vibrant colouring, she was used to turning heads when she walked into a room. But this was different. It made her heart do somersaults and her breath come in small dramatic puffs. It happened too quickly; that was the nasty thing about it. She didn’t see it coming, could do nothing to stop it. Worse, was that she wanted more. Once that fizz hit her bloodstream it had a hint of addiction about it.

  Sophie thought it best not to draw attention to herself, so she straightened her suit, settled back in her seat and crossed her arms in front of her chest as they left the freeway and turned in at the airport.

  Once inside, she got to experience for the first time in her life the kind of treatment doled out to tycoons and other privileged passengers. Doors were held open for them and their bags left in someone else’s capable hands as they were whisked into an executive lounge. Then, with behinds resting on plush couches, they were offered coffee by a pretty young woman in a beige suit.

  ‘The real thing!’ Sophie said joyfully, as she took a sip of the steaming brew.

  Reuben’s head snapped in her direction. He was frowning at her again.

  ‘Not instant,’ Sophie said, holding her cup up to him.

  Reuben glanced around, as if checking that no one else had been privy to Sophie’s latest bout of exuberance. Turning his deep blue orbs on her, he said, ‘I take it you’ve never flown first class.’

  Sophie chose to ignore the drollness in his voice. ‘Of course not. You know how expensive it is?’

  ‘No,’ Reuben said, looking down at the papers he’d just pulled from his briefcase.

  ‘Well, take my word for it. It’s expensive.’

  Reuben glared at her. ‘Tell you what, Sophie. Why don’t you go over your purchase figures or your costings, then you might not find all this so distracting.’

  ‘No need,’ Sophie said. ‘They’ve been checked and double checked.’

  ‘Well, then. Do you think you could be quiet for just a minute so I can get some work done before we board?’

  Damn, the man’s got a near-terminal case of grumpiness. And she could be quiet. He made her out to be a chatterbox, which she most certainly was not. In short, the man made her feel like a complete klutz, which again just wasn’t her. She was used to spending long hours in the bush, often alone, without talking and without mishap.

  How dull life must be if you had all this money, so many wonderful experiences, but couldn’t feel the joy in it.

  The thought dissolved her anger and Sophie suddenly felt sorry for the man. Responsibility obviously weighed heavily on him.

  Reuben was finding Sophie’s naiveté a little annoying, even embarrassing at times, he thought as he settled into his plane seat. But another part of him had to admit that he found her fresh and enchanting. No prizes for guessing which part of him that was. But even her girlish behaviour and complete lack of finesse did nothing to detract from her beauty. If anything, her unaffected behaviour and that severe, body-hugging business suit had sent him into overdrive. It was just as well he’d learned in the boardroom the value of a poker face. He was having a hard time stopping himself from staring at her like a wide-eyed schoolboy.

  Reuben glanced sideways; watched her wriggle slightly into the plush seat; run her hands over the armrests, back and forth, back and forth, long fingers splayed. He could see them against his chest, fingers moving across his belly, his hips… Now that’s done it! It was his turn to squirm.

  Just then Sophie looked up at him; smiled. Her arm brushed his. But Reuben’s brain was fried; he found it impossible to return her smile. He was trying too hard to hold onto his sanity.

  When their plane landed two hours later, he’d failed miserably to get any w
ork done. Sophie was just too distracting with her fidgeting and her questions. The woman was going to drive him mad.

  They were met by a chauffeur service at the airport and whisked away to Brits to attend the game sale.

  Enter Sophie’s world, Reuben thought. She was right at home there. All traces of gawkiness were gone. She strode around, inspecting animals in pens, discussing the health, history and status of herds. And there were khaki-clad, tanned people everywhere. Many of whom stopped to greet Sophie by name. It wasn’t lost on Reuben that all the accompanying bear hugs were carried out with great enthusiasm by men, young and old.

  Reuben appreciated the way Sophie included him in everything. Introducing him to acquaintances, explaining which animals they should buy and why. He found himself getting caught up in it all. Not least Sophie, who he found a very different creature in her natural surroundings; knowledgeable and commanding.

  Sophie was thrilled that he’d booked them into The Palace of the Lost City.

  ‘Legend has it that a palace was built here for the king of an ancient civilisation from the north of Africa, and he lived here in the valley until it was destroyed by an earthquake,’ she told Reuben as they sped along in their chauffeured Mercedes.

  The Palace was every bit as impressive as Sophie had hoped, with its enormous facade of stone made to look ancient and weathered. Every room was fronted by North African arches and wrought iron balconies. Towers topped by green wrought iron cupolas rose into a turquoise sky.