We can take it from here, Buck said. Thank you.
While you are preparing sandwiches, Ill check the room upstairs for you, Big Jake. She turned to leave the kitchen, crossed the wide-open living area and mounted the stairs to the second floor.
Footsteps behind her made her turn back.
Harm climbed the steps a few feet behind her.
Talia stopped midway up the staircase. Are you following me?
He nodded. With all the crazy things happening, I thought Id check the room for uninvited guests.
I can do that myself, she insisted. Ive lived here long enough to know what to look for.
Would you have looked for a cobra in your bed? he asked.
Talia shivered and pressed her lips into a tight line. Probably not. Weve never had that happen here at All Things Wild.
Then humor me. Let me look first.
Youre not going to be around forever. I need to do these things on my own.
I get that, but it would make me feel better to help, since Im here already. He winked and waved her ahead. Ladies first. At least to the bedroom door.
She led the way to the guest room she had in mind for Big Jake. Maybe I should have all of you move into the lodge if things are getting...how did you say?
Hinky. If you have another room in the lodge, Id like to snag it as well.
Talia paused in reaching for the door handle of a room. Are you afraid of snakes, like T-Mac?
Harm shook his head. No, but I dont like that these things are happening to the resort. Someone is playing games with you. They might make it more personal.
In the back of her mind, Talia had thought the same thing, but she hadnt let the possibility take root until Harm voiced it. You think someone is targeting my resort and me?
Harm took her hand in his. I dont know, but while were here, let us help. Let me help.
But youre my guests.
In case you hadnt noticed, were not your normal uppity clientele. Weve slept in deserts, jungles and swamps. Weve been shot at, had explosives go off nearby and nearly been killed so many times, you start to think youre invincible, or just that your number is not quite up yet.
Yet, she whispered. You never know when that might happen.
Exactly. We could step on an improvised explosive device or be hit by a bus. We dont borrow trouble. We wait for it to come to us. But that doesnt mean we dont take precautions.
Like?
We brought our own weapons. Were prepared to take on anything and anyone.
Talia smiled. Im kind of glad my guests left room for you and your team to stay. She nodded. Thank you for offering to help. While youre here, I accept. She held out her hand. He engulfed it in his own, sending sparks of electricity throughout her body.
As quickly as she took his hand, she pulled hers free, heat suffusing her cheeks. Ill just be a minute checking on this room and the one down the hall. Do you think T-Mac would like to stay in the lodge as well? Seeing as hes so afraid of snakes? I dont want him to be uncomfortable in one of the cabins. I cant imagine how that cobra got into Big Jakes room. These things never happened while Michael was alive.
Harm touched a finger to her lips. Ill ask. In the meantime, let me check the rooms first.
Talias lips tingled where his finger touched them. She fought to keep from puckering and leaving a kiss on that finger.
What was she thinking? It wasnt as if hed want her to kiss him. He wasnt there to get involved, especially with a grieving widow. Harm was there to relax and enjoy his vacation.
Yet Talia couldnt deny those female parts that had been dormant since her husbands death had come alive when Harm had touched her. How, after only a year, could she be interested in another man? Knowing what it was like to lose the love of her life, she wasnt ready, nor was she certain she could handle the potential heartache again.
Shed been blessed with true love with a kind, gentle man who saw the beauty of the earth and shared it through his photography. Talia wasnt at all sure she could love anyone else. And Harm was completely different. He had harder edges and deeper scars. He wasnt anything like Michael.
But those hard edges called to her, making her want to smooth them. When he touched her with his callused hands, she could imagine those hands skimming over her naked skin, bringing her body back to life when she thought it wasnt possible.
Talia stepped back. Thank you, she said. Not sure whether she was thanking him for checking the room or for reminding her that she was still alive, a woman who had a body that required more than just food and sleep.
Harm faced her. Youll wait here?
She nodded.
As soon as he turned his back and entered the room, she pressed her palms to her heated cheeks.
Get a grip, woman, she chastised herself. Hes off-limits. Youre not ready.
You loved Michael.
Her last thought brought her back to earth with a thud. Shed loved her husband. Past tense. Michael was gone. But he wasnt forgotten.
Harm was back far too soon. All clear.
Good. Talia forced a smile and stepped through the doorway, past Harm and into the bedroom. After a cursory glance to make certain everything was clean and in order, she joined Harm in the hallway and led him to the room hed sleep in. If it was the one closest to hers, she couldnt let that bother her. It wasnt as though shed picked it intentionally. The room just happened to be available, with clean sheets and a fully equipped bathroom.
So why didnt you put Big Jake in it?
Talia shrugged off the nagging thought and waited until Harm emerged with the all-clear announcement.
This will be your room, if you dont want to stay in the cabin.
Ill grab my gear and move in tonight. He looked around the hallway. Where do you stay?
Talia hesitated.
Its okay, he said with a slight smile. Im not going to put the moves on you. I just want to know which way to run if I hear a scream in the night.
Im not worried about that, she said. I sleep with a pistol under my pillow.
Harms eyebrows rose. And I bet you know how to use it.
She nodded. With deadly accuracy. My husband taught me how. I practice enough to be good at it. A lone female in the African bush is a natural target. Even when my husband was alive, I was alone quite often when he took groups on camera safaris.
Im glad to hear it. I really am surprised that you havent moved back to the States by now.
She glanced away. I dont have anyone back in the States. My parents died in a car crash shortly after I married Michael. It was part of the reason I didnt mind moving to far-flung places. I didnt have a home to fall back on. The world was our playground. I followed him around for the first few years of our marriage. Then we bought this place and built it up to what it is today. I couldnt just walk away when he died.
I get it. I dont have family back in the States. Just my brothers.
You dont have family, but you have brothers? Talia frowned. I dont understand.