Safari Princess

The grand meeting

Chapter Two

If there is one thing Professor Ben Kruger cannot handle is people wasting his time, he had no time for people that did not take life seriously. He was a man of punctuality; the epitome of perfection his work ethic is why he was so highly respected. The look on his face said it all. He was pissed off! Big time! Ben did not see the stares of women on the station or heard their giggles. He was oblivious to the fact that every woman followed him with her eyes and Oh goddess! Was he a sight to behold, his khaki shorts tightened around his muscular legs, the khaki short-sleeved shirt made his arm muscles look even bigger and you just knew that there was a nice six-pack and other gorgeous muscles hidden under that shirt, his grey eyes can look right into your soul? Just one look at him makes you fantasize, dreaming your wildest, naughtiest dreams with him starring as the main character in brought daylight. He frowned dismayed, this so-called new owner of Safari Dreams is her first day and already she is late, she is so late the afterlife is even ahead of her.

What on earth made his father sell to this woman that had no background at all with animals let alone wild ones, she had no experience with South African culture or tourism how is she that comes from a pampered life as it appears in the States going to manage? The old man was way off his marker this time. He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand angrily. Yes, he and the old man was not on speaking terms for a while now, yes, they did not sit beside the same fire and yes, they had their differences. But to sell their reserve to a total stranger seems like going a bit far just because he will not marry and have children. Really? And if that was not enough the old man came down with the flue suddenly in the middle of summer for heaven's sake and asked him to pick up the queen bee, he felt like a fool with the board with her name on it in big black letters around his neck while she shines in her absence. He must admit that she had a beautiful name, Hope Marie it rolled nicely of the tongue.

As the bus finally arrived, they took their sweet time to get the passengers and their luggage off as if they had all the time in the world. Then the most beautiful creature with the longest legs possible walked up to him, his mouth went dry and almost fell open, he did a double-take, he did not even see her friend next to her. Her hair was like living sun rays flowing down her back and framing her delicate angelic face, she came to a halt right in front of him looking him square in the eyes with the biggest bluest eyes, he could not even focus on what she said all he knew was her voice sounded like an angel choir, he was hypnotized by her full plump lips, then she dropped her suitcase, turned abruptly and walked to the building. All he could make out was the word bathroom and that she wore a sling around her left arm. As she walked away his eyes were stuck to her backside like magnets. Oh lordy, this woman is trouble with a capital T. He combed through his hair with his hand in dismay. If he could not even focus when she was near, how in the hell will the young game rangers be able to focus, and do their work with her distracting them and causing mayhem with their hormones?

After about 10 minutes he regained steam again and irritation rolled through him like a freight train. What is it with women and a bathroom? Do they hold tea parties in there? He has patients to see and loads of work that has to be done damn it! He already loaded all their luggage which felt like they packed a ton of bricks or their whole house in them, almost broke his bloody back. She may feel like she has eternity and beyond and all the time thereafter but his time is precious as the only vet that specializes in wildlife. Only he can do the complex surgeries on the wild animals. The animals' lives depended on him. So, she better hurry up her pretty little butt.

Just as he was about ready to march into the woman's bathroom and throw her over his shoulder to get her out of there, she came walking out and over to him, guess you could call it walking, her hips swaying like crazy she drew every man's attention to her like moths to a flame and he could feel his engine revving up to a boiling point. She was oblivious to everything, she kept on walking her eyes on him her face blank until she came to a halt a few feet away from him, now he could see she had a faint red scar from a fairly recent cut above her one eyebrow her eyes stormy blue as she looked at him. "Sorry for keeping you sir, thank you for your patience we are ready," she said with such serenity all he could get out was a mumbled no problem.

He helped her and her friend into the landrover and they were off in no time. She sat beside him and babbled light-heartedly with her friend in the back who he had no idea what her name was, through a fog he remembered something with a J, June, or something like that. He could kick himself for getting so worked up by this woman. He is always calm, collected, and poised never had any other woman had this effect on him. He got irritated with himself for letting this woman ruffle his feathers. He was not a teenager damn it!

He will focus on what is important, getting the reserve back from her, and sending her on her merry way in record time, she will understand his father was a bit senile and could not think clearly when he decided to sell. He will also with tact explain to her that she cannot manage the reserve she had no experience and this was no place for a dainty girl like her. Feeling he could see the light at the end of the tunnel finally! Soon this will be over and this woman will go back to where she belongs, and everything can go back to normal. Now that is something to look forward to, he smiled to himself so deep in his thoughts until he felt a small hand on his arm. As soon as she touched him it felt like an electric current moved up his arm that short-circuited his brain.

Mr. Kruger, Mr. Kruger are you ok? " she asked Ben only grunted and nodded yes. Hope felt the instant electrifying chemistry between them. When she first saw him her palms got sweaty, her mouth went dry and her knees went weak she almost sank to dirt right in front of him when their hands touched as they greeted. Oh, Moon Goddess and all! This man was gorgeous! She had the sudden urge to embrace him to feel his muscles beneath her fingers, and she wondered how that mouth that looked so stern would kiss. She had to flee or make a fool of herself right there. So, she retreated to the bathroom to wash her face and cool off. It must be jet lag or some hormones playing up, no man had ever had this effect on her before.

But now she can see this man is a pompous buffalo, he barely greeted them properly and does not even attempt to be polite or friendly. She doesn’t even think he heard a single word she just said. "Mr. Kruger" she tried again "My lawyer said an older gentleman will pick me up today?" "Yes, my Father" Ben answered abruptly with irritation lacing his deep voice "He fell ill suddenly and sent me instead" Hope could tell he was not happy with this arrangement, she has a feeling he dislikes her, but why? They have never met before. His Father? Oh yes! now she remembers older Mr. Jack Kruger's son who he cut off for reasons unknown. "O my, so this is the outcasted son," she thought to herself. How could she not make the link? Mr. Kruger spoke nothing about his children or family other than a son but gave no name. They knew he had a son but was under the impression father and son does not speak to each other. Now she wondered why he sold to her if he had a son who looked very, very capable and could inherit Safari Dreams. What secrets will she uncover on Safari Dreams?

Hope was so deep in thought that she did not notice when they left the tar road for a bumpy dangerously uneven gravel road. She gasped and groaned in pain when her arm hit the door of the land rover. She heard Jane's exasperated voice "Sir did you not see my friend is injured can you be careful please?!" Hope stole a glance at the man beside her. He looked ready to explode like an angry toad. His knuckles tightened on the steering wheel and his face was as red as a tomato. His nostrils flared as if he was a bull ready to storm. But just as quickly his demeanor calmed, he looked at her, his eyes a bit darker and she could sense his contempt "Madam this is Africa, it is harsh, unforgiving and deadly. It is no place for princesses that grew up in cotton balls. This is the only road to Safari Dreams better get used to it" he answered his voice cold as ice. She heard Jane's sharp intake of breath and quickly turned around pleading with her eyes to stop her friend from arguing with this rude man. It looks like he will gladly drop them off right here in the middle of nowhere and leave them to walk further on their own.

Ben knows he was maybe too harsh but this pretty woman beside him is driving him nuts. She just bit her lower lip and all his blood went south to only one place, now he must shuffle in his seat to disguise his predicament. He feels like a horny teenager for heaven’s sake! The sooner he can drop them off the better, he stepped on the gas a little harder.

Under his breath, he cursed the flu that came uninvited and blamed his father for putting him in this position. Even if he is a vet, he knows a little about human injuries as well, he can see she is in bad shape her face is as white as a sheet. He thinks she should still be in a hospital bed. What happened to her and why on earth did she come here to this state? Is she out of her mind? He felt an instant urge to protect her but shook his head to rid himself of the ridiculous thought. The nearest hospital is very far almost two hours’ drive away. Luckily his best friend is a medical doctor and has his own reserve not far from Safari Dreams. He will ask Jacques to go to Safari Dreams to look at her injuries and treat her, if she needs to be hospitalized, they can airlift her with the helicopter. Safari Dreams has a small airfield for this. Jacques owed him big time for saving his pride rhino. He will do what he can when they reach their destination but after that, she and her friend will not be his problem, this is his dad's doing let the old man must sort the rest out.

Hope felt ready to pass out from the pain, sweat beads forming on her forehead. She bit on her teeth not to scream.

The pain was like sharp daggers in her arm. Her ribcage felt ready to disintegrate from all the shaking. She suspected he drives like a maniac on purpose. She wants to beat him or something but another sharp pain knocks her back. She felt sick to her stomach. "Oh gosh please don't let me throw up in front of him" she begged silently eyes closed. While she took short shallow breaths and concentrated not to be sick, she thought she heard him whisper "It's not far now, almost there" but maybe he is talking to himself or the wreck he is driving. How the hell this thing can even drive was beyond her, she hopes it will stay in one piece long enough for them to reach their destination. The rattling and screeching coming from the wreck were deafening. O how she wished that she packed more painkillers but she thought she was strong and could handle it. This is what she gets for being stubborn. In the back seat, Jane felt ready to jump over to the front seat and beat the bear of man senselessly or slowly strangle him. How dare he speak to them and treat them like dirt. But he drives like a maniac and all she could do was hold on for dear life. She can just imagine now how she and Hope will be full of bruises and scratches when this is over. Poor Hope she heard her groan softly again, her friend must be in excruciating pain now. Her arm was operated on again only two weeks ago, her ribs have not healed yet. This must be torture.

Just when she wanted to search for something like a wrench to hit him over the head with for causing Hope pain, she saw him glancing at Hope slightly. Was it concern she saw in his eyes? She heard him softly mutter that it is almost over and they are almost there or something like that. She can only pray he was reassuring Hope and that this will soon be over, it feels like her kidneys tore loose and are now floating loosely in her body. She felt sick to her stomach, the lunch they had earlier when the bus stopped in a small town, she cannot even pronounce the name off pushed up her throat, she had to swallow hard and take a deep breath not to be sick all over the wreck. She just has to keep it together Hope needs her, it won't do if she also passed out or fell sick.

Ben had his hands full controlling the land rover as it bounced over the uneven road, normally he is a skilled driver but the road was very uneven and bumpy. He tried to take it easy not to cause more injury to Hope but it is no use. The heavy rain they had recently washed most of the road away. Normally the government scrapes the road frequently but they were behind schedule because of too many damages to all the roads in the area. So, he clutched the steering wheel until his knuckles went white to control the vehicle as much as he could. Even his teeth rattled as the vehicle shook. But normally he drives these roads and doesn't even notice, he is used to it. But she is not, and he could tell she is in pain. Great now he is even focusing on driving smoothly for her and being concerned about her. "Hold your horses, Ben you just met her, you know nothing about her no need falling off the deep end cool your beans! " he scolded himself.

Luckily, he was right and after a while, the gates of Safari Dreams came in view. As he made the short distance, he saw Joseph one of the security guards pacing up and down. When he saw the land rover, he began to run towards it. Ben instantly knew something was up. He stopped and stepped out immediately. "Sir, sir! Poachers" he screamed as he reaches them. "Where?" Ben asked his voice dangerously calm but cold. "Near the water hole," Joseph answered. "Dead or injured?" Ben asked while looking in the distance a deep frown on his forehead "Mother rhino dead horn taken, a baby rhino is in bad shape you better hurry! " Joseph replied he knew this doc was a man of few words but lots of action. Everyone was afraid of him he was also a great ranger, not just a vet. He never missed his target when he shoots and he never backs down from a fight. He protects the animals, his workers, and his family fiercely. He knew the look

in Ben's eyes, the man is out for blood, he could not blame him, he wants to catch these lowlifes and make them pay. Daisy was one of their pride Rhino cows now she is gone and that is for a horn. Her poor baby. Joseph was saddened he hope the doctor good do his magic and save it. Ben jumped back into the rover and sped off, the two girls staring at him wide-eyed. They must have heard everything, he hoped they understood the danger they placed themselves in. He can only pray Hope will do the sensible thing and call off the deal. As he understood the contract conditions were, she had to stay here a month or two and personally get the feel for the place before the deal is final. He will personally pay back everything she paid so far. He cannot afford to babysit them while he hunts down deadly dangerous criminals and treat very injured animals and also try to mend fences with his dad on top of it all. He suddenly got a bright idea, instead of going to the hotel and dropping them first as he intended a few seconds ago, he drove straight to the water hole. These girls need a big dose of the reality they faced here in Africa. Why not start now. No time like the present. When they reached the water hole, he saw daisy lying their blood all around her. There was only a gaping wound where her horn should be. White-hot anger flowed through him. He swore out loud balling his fists. "How f*****g dare, they!" He went to Daisy and kneeled by her sadness overwhelming him. He did not notice the women climbing out of the rover.

"W-What happened to her" Hope asked softly behind him. She was not prepared for his rage when he jumped up and faced her, he came so close his breath on her cheek she staggered back almost falling over. He grabbed her by her good arm and held her upright. His eyes were wild and almost like a glass. "You are the new owner of Safari Dreams, so you better get acquainted with the harsh reality. Do not even once think that you only came here to relax and look beautiful there will be no time to be pampered here. There is a lot of work to be done. These animals get slaughtered for their horns and tusks and skins to feed these criminals’ greed. This is not a palace for a princess. Africa is not the States, it is dangerous to do you understand?" He said to her in a soft but dangerously cold voice. She shivered and nodded. He abruptly turned away from her and walked around the dead rhino inspecting the ground around it for clues.

Hope felt sick as she stared at the dead animal, who could be so mean? She felt tears pricking her eyes. Her problems were forgotten, she kneeled by the dead animal's side not noticing her shoulders shaking and tears falling to the ground. Suddenly everything got too much for her. Jane tried her best to soothe her friend when Ben curtly told them to get back in the land rover. Why can this asshole not see she Hope went through hell recently? She wanted to hit him with a rock right then but stopped herself, they needed him to get to the hotel. But she will give him a piece of her mind soon that is no maybe! He sped off like a bat out of hell knocking her backward. She saw Hope grabbing her injured arm again. She counted to ten and took deep breaths, calming herself so she doesn't physically harm and potentially murder the man. She cannot afford to go to jail right now.

Hope sat silently beside him as he drove like a stunt driver on a mission. She had no doubts now that he dislikes her. He thinks very poorly of her. He has the misconception that she is a princess that does not like to get her hands dirty. He said as much. Her cheeks flushed with anger. Oh, Boy was he in for a surprise. She bit her lip. She will show him! They arrived at a big charmingly beautiful building; it was lush with extraordinary gardens. As Ben parked the rover and got out an older man came towards them. Hope looked from the older gentleman to Ben and back again. The resemblance was uncanny. This must be Mr. Kruger, when he opened the tin cans door for her, he gave her sling one look then gently helped her out like a true gentleman. Jane climbed out and helped Ben with their luggage. Old Mr. Kruger looked her up and down. "Your pictures do not do you justice, you are much more beautiful in real life," He said with a smile. Hope blushed. "Thank you, sir," She said shyly. "Call me uncle Jack, no need for formalities. We are going to spend lots of time together" Hope smiled then frowned "Sir are you not ill your son said you had the flu, must you not be in bed still" "Yes I am just slipped out to meet you personally, I couldn't wait for" Uncle Jack cackled. He looked like a kid that stole a cookie from the cookie jar. Hope couldn't help but already like him, he is pleasant and kind. He is nothing like his wild boar of a son.

"Tell me did my oaf of a son treat you well?" Uncle Jack asked, "You raised me, what do you think?" Ben said suddenly behind them irritation in his voice. "I raised you all right, but the mule-headedness you got from your mother, will never listen to no reason," His father said and looked at him displeased. "Just because I disagree with your way of thinking and of doing things, I am mule-headed?' Ben asks exasperated. "Who sold our property on a whim, who did not want to listen to reason," He asked his father now standing toe to toe with the older man "If you listened to me none of this would have happened!" His father yelled at him "Listened? To what? Marry a woman I did not love, just so you could have grandchildren?" Ben was now almost beside himself. Both men forgot about the girls who were now staring from one man to the other mouths hanging open. "I wanted you to have children so they could inherit all this! That is why I sold it! What is the point to give it to you when you plan to die alone with no one to leave all this to! I have tried to get you a girlfriend since you were twenty-five, but you brush all of them off!" Uncle Jack yelled again. "Who the hell made you cupid? I can get my own woman please stop meddling in my life damn it!" Ben yelled back "I stopped meddling alright! That is why is sold it, now you can die a lonely asshole with no family!" His father said his face red with anger, then he started to cough really bad. Hope rushed to him then she looked at Ben accusingly. "Shame on you Mr. Kruger for upsetting your ill father! Have you no heart?" "Me? He started it!" Ben said still angry

"Mr. Kruger if you say another word, I swear will beat you with something, now help me get your father inside you are not a child damn it!" Hope said looking him dead in the eye. Ben stared at her his mouth going open then shut. He helped her and Jane with his father, he did not expect her to lash out and talk to him like she did. He was shocked, he thought she was shy and reserved. But no, she looked ready to beat him even though he is twice her size. He listened while she talked soothingly to his father while they helped him sit in a recliner in the front room. The girl at the front desk ran over. "Ben, I did not see him sneak out I am so sorry" Ben was still looking at Hope when he answered curtly "Tracy phone Doctor Jacques ask him to come to Safari Dreams urgently" She nodded and rushed back to her desk. "I do not need a Doctor" His father tried to protest but started coughing again. "Sure, you don't" Ben mumbled under his breath. He walked over to Tracy "The Doctor said he will be here in an hour" "Thank you and please send Grace to help the two ladies get to their rooms to settle in. And let me know when the Doctor came, I will be in the office with my dad". Tracy nodded and immediately did as he said." Dad there's something urgent we need to discuss; it can't wait can we talk in your office" Ben said as he returned to them. Jack looked at his son and the look on his face made him nod and get up. Hope helped him but Ben took over from her. "I need to speak to my father privately please, Grace, will take you to your rooms please excuse us" He walked off with his father and left them standing there.

Father and son reached the office and Ben closed the door behind them. "What is it?" his father asked worried, he knew his son well and he can see something's up. "Poachers" Ben answered and it was as if he slapped the old man. His father turned ad white as a sheet. "What? When?" Jack asked "Looks like early morning or last night" Ben answered his father stared at him waiting for him to give all the information. "I am sorry it's Daisy, she didn't make it and her baby is in bad shape I will do what I can" Ben explained. He watched as his father got up and walk to the cabinet with slumped shoulders, he poured whisky in two tumblers and handed one to Ben. "Thank you I appreciate it" Ben took the whisky took a sip appreciating the quality of it on his tongue. "Dad this girl you sold to" He started. "Her name is Hope," Jack told him. "Yes Hope, she will not be able to handle this on her own, she knows nothing about wild animals or South African culture or tourism," Ben said. "She will need all the help she can get" Jack agreed. "Did you notice she is injured; her arm is in pain? It looks like she needs to be in a hospital. That is why I asked Jacques to come. Not only for you but her also, I want to know the extent of her injuries and if she will be able to handle the hard responsibilities of Safari Dreams in that state" Ben said looking intently at his father. "Son she is practically the new owner, she has no choice now," Jack said but looked concerned for Hope "What do you think happened to her?" He asked frowning. "I am no medical doctor but it looks like a car accident or something," Ben said.

"Practically the new owner? Did she not buy Safari Dreams already?" Ben asked suddenly. "She paid half upfront already, I asked for her to come to live here for two months first before she paid the rest. We will treat the first half as an investment for her" Jack explained the situation to Ben. "So, you are now partners?" Ben asked again he knew nothing about the sale but he intends to find out everything now. He wants the property back in the Kruger family name, the sooner the better.

"Yes, Ben we are partners still for now, but she intends of buying everything" Jack looked at his son seriously, why could the boy not listen and be married by now and have children. He wants to see and play with his grandchildren before his time came, was that too much to ask for. Suddenly he got an idea, a great idea! A lightbulb just went off. Oh, boy! Why did he not think of this earlier? He got a satisfied smile and closed his eyes. "Jack old boy you are a genius!" he thought to himself. But he better be careful, he must plan and execute this properly for this to work. Ben looked at his dad confused, why does the old man suddenly look like a cat that got cream? The old man must be senile, here they were talking about serious matters and now he looks like he just won the lottery! What the hell? Ben shook his head. His father sat upright so suddenly it startled him. " Ben let me know what Jacques says and please arrange an urgent meeting with Hope if she gets a clean bill from him, you must also be present," He said urgently. Ben nodded in agreement.