Kerry tugged on the paper. “I’d rather start with the Australia Section. I love koalas.”
“Koalas? Those little furry things with weird faces?” He snatched the map back. “We can see the elephants and camels if we get off at the Asia Train station.”
She stared at him open-mouthed. “What do you mean weird? Koalas are cute. And cuddly.”
“You want to cuddle, I’ll oblige.” He twitched his eyebrows.
She laughed and shook her head. “All right, if no koalas, then let’s start at the monkey house.”
“Anxious to visit your relatives?” He grinned, and she swatted his arm.
They alighted at the Asia Train Station, and spent a bit of time with the elephants and camels. From there, they wandered down to the monkey house and then the koalas.
The entire time Damian kept her hand in his. How normal that felt disturbed her, made her want to pull her hand away and run to the nearest exit. Away from him and the feelings she didn’t want. Eventually, his touch became so natural she dismissed it, and enjoyed Damian bringing her attention to various things she would have missed had he not been with her. So far, she’d been quite impressed with his knowledge of exotic animals.
Her initial suspicion of Damian had eased the night of Bev’s delivery. Now, after spending time with him, it pleased and irritated her to find him smart and interesting. Anymore time together and he could easily chip away at her new resolve to stand on her own two feet.
Cody had been a boy when she’d fallen in love with him. Over the years, he’d grown into a man, but in some ways he’d remained a boy to her. On the other hand, Damian was all man. A strong, powerful male. Who was also fun, thoughtful, and ever the gentleman. And sexy. Her heart sped up, and she cast him a glance.
Better steer your thoughts far away from that direction.
“I thought a rancher only knew about cattle?” she teased. Anything to divert her mind from how her body hummed with awareness.
“He better know a great deal about cattle, but I’ve always found all animals interesting. In fact, I plan to one day venture on an African safari.”
“Really?” Her lips tilted in a slight smile.
“I looked into it, and you can go with a group, led by professionals.” His face glowed with enthusiasm. “The thought of waking up to an amazing sunrise over the Savannah, and then heading out on safari really appeals to me. I thought about either Kenya or Botswana. They both have safaris where people even take their children.”
“Seriously?”
“Absolutely.” He chuckled. “It’s become the new Disney World.”
She stared at him as they walked.
“What?”
“I’d always thought I would like to go on an Alaskan cruise, but now you’ve given me the itch for a safari.”
“Tell you what.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. “You go with me on an African safari, and I’ll go with you on an Alaskan cruise.”
Goosebumps rose on her skin from where his warm breath fanned her neck. “Damian. No involvement, remember?” The no involvement slipped out, but despite uttering the words, her body’s reaction to his closeness made her wonder if it was already too late.
He shrugged. “Doesn’t hurt to ask.”
Kerry shaded her eyes as she looked up at the large clock in front of the Administration Building. “It’s one-twenty. We’d better leave.”
The warm breeze wafting into the truck from the open window blew curls into her eyes. With the sun emerging from morning clouds, she fished in her purse and whipped out large sunglasses. With her eyes covered, she snuck a glance at Damian.
If ever there was a man she could consider getting serious with, it was this sexy cowboy. Unfortunately, with him in Amarillo, and her in Albuquerque, it would probably not work. The idea flitted across her mind to give up on the Albuquerque move, but she quickly dismissed it. This was her first adventure beyond Tulsa, and her provincial life there. So far, that life had consisted of one boyfriend and one husband—she was a babe in the woods.
But heavens, Damian was hot. And no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t ignore the thumping of her heart when he flashed her that killer smile. His touches caused tingles to skim her body, shooting right to her center. Hard to disregard.
She shifted her gaze out the window at the bustling city. Shoppers strolled from store to store, lugging packages, anxious to see more. They passed an ice cream parlor where a young boy licked a cone that dribbled down his hand. His mother texted as she walked, totally oblivious to her son’s dilemma.
Could she be happy here, where she knew no one? Or would this adventure of hers have her scurrying back to the safety of her life in Tulsa? Or…
Don’t go there.