Chapter Seventeen

Rechecking the items he had ready for the journey, Roja glanced toward the main cabin where Harriet Aristides and Nicky were in close discussion, and wondered if he would have a chance to flirt more seriously with the young blonde on the way back. With her parents around, he was keeping a low profile, but once they were away from the camp, it would be a different story. Early the next morning, they were setting off for town, and he would be paid in full. Maybe she would like to spend a romantic evening with him under the stars. Manuel had spent a few days alone with them, but said little about that time. His brother-in-law was never one to gossip, keeping his private life very private. Since he was married to his sourpuss sister, it wasn’t surprising. He turned a speculative gaze toward his intended prey. He couldn’t hear what the two were saying, but the animation of their exchange was evident.

“Harry, it can be synthesized. I’m sure with the resources back at the company we can make it happen. There’s more work to be done here, of course, but I think we have a winner for the company.”

Nicky was waving her hands excitedly, and Harry was getting dizzy watching them. She unexpectedly reached out and caught them between hers. “I’m pleased, Nicky, for your parents in particular.”

Nicky felt her cheeks grow red as she looked down at her hands. Harry didn’t look as if she was going to let go, and Nicky didn’t want her to. Her body pulsed with pleasure as she relished the touch, however innocent. The sparks began again. “Yes, it will be the culmination of a lifetime’s work, not that they’ll see it that way. They’ll go on to other challenges, I’m sure.”

“That’s true, it’s in their blood. Nothing short of locking them up and throwing the key away will stop them, will it? And that brings me around to you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. Nicky, are you coming back with me tomorrow?”

The ensuing silence had both women holding their breaths, waiting for the outcome. The electricity between them was palpable.

Up until that point, everything had been crystal clear for Nicky. But with Harry touching her, standing so close to her that she could feel her soft breath, the decision was not so clear cut. Nicky trembled. She knew what she had to do – Harry had made her feelings quite clear. Lust and desire could not initiate a change; Harry did not want that kind of situation to develop between them again.

“If you don’t mind, Harry, I want to stay. You need me, or someone like me, here. As I’m already onsite, it will save you the expense of sending someone else out.”

Close to tears, Harry closed her eyes and swallowed the lump in her throat. It hurt…it hurt like hell! She had felt Nicky tremble and for a moment hoped that meant she would be returning with her. Now she was bereft at the thought of leaving Nicky behind.

Tell her, Harry. Don’t let the moment pass by, Abby pleaded.

Ignoring the voice of reason, Harry relinquished her hope. “Once I saw you with your parents, maybe even before that, I figured you might want to stay. You love it here, don’t you?”

“Yes. It’s in my blood, too. When the preliminary reports are done, I’ll come back and clear up my affairs. I won’t need my apartment.”

Harry dropped Nicky’s hands, for no other reason than she was shaking and didn’t want her to see it as a sign of weakness. “I understand completely. It’s in your eyes when you look around and in how you settled so easily into the environment. I wish you luck, Nicky, and if you come back my way, will you look me up? We have the yearly parties for the folks in the field, don’t forget.”

Nicky heard the tremor in Harry’s voice. Why would she be upset? This is what she wants, isn’t it? Looking into Harry’s eyes, she saw a deep sadness. She wanted to take Harry in her arms and never let her go, but something was holding her back. “I will, Harry. Thank you for understanding.”

Words had become impossible, and silence enveloped them as they stared at one another. Harry was drinking in the sight of the small woman who had captured her heart. In a short time, Nicky had become more important to her than she thought anyone could ever be again.

Do something, Harry. Find a way to get her to go with you. Don’t miss this chance.

“May I ask you a question?” Harry said at last.

“Of course.”

“Why are you called Ralston?”

Her soft chuckle broke the charged atmosphere between them. Grinning at Harry, she explained. “I was christened Nichola Davina Ralston-Martin. Abby was a Ralston-Martin too. My mother’s name is Ralston, so they double barreled the name. When I went to work for the company, I decided to drop some of the name and simply go by Nichola Ralston.”

Harry’s forehead creased in puzzled contemplation. She couldn’t recall seeing any reference to Ralston as far as Abby was concerned. Admittedly, she hadn’t really looked at any official documents recently, and back when she had, her mind had been in a haze. “I guess I forgot. Will you see me off in the morning?”

“Of course. I’ll give Manuel the recipe for the cakes that Abula says you love.”

Harry laughed. “Yep, I ate a cartload of them; they are fabulous. Thanks. See you in the morning, Nicky. Sweet dreams.” She then turned away to tell Roja that there would be one less going in the morning.

That night, each woman’s dreams were full of sensuous images of the other, each revealing her true feelings in the only way she could.

The morning arrived and the travelers busied themselves with preparations for their departure. Several men were going along to carry the stretcher for Harry. Roja looked over the equipment as Manuel spoke with Nicky.

Eden took the opportunity to speak with Harry privately. “You take care, Harry. I know my daughter would be upset if anything happened to you.”

“I will. Don’t worry about me. Roja wants his money and he’ll not get it unless he delivers me unharmed. Besides, Nicky is explaining Abula’s recipe for the cakes to Manuel, so I guess I’ll be fine.”

“Next time, you’ll have to stay longer. I want you to know you will always have a place in our family. David can be a little difficult at times, but he knows how happy you made our daughter.”

Harry smiled as she wondered if Eden meant Abby or Nicky. It really doesn’t matter now. They’re both gone from my life. A deep sense of loss filled her as she realized the truth behind those words. Abby was lost forever and Nicky… I never really gave Nicky a chance. Struggling to dispel her morose mood, she spoke of her jungle experience. “Next time? Eden, thanks, but no thanks. I suspect that this once was my lifetime limit on remote field trips. What would happen next? I’d probably break my neck.” She chuckled, though she was wondering how many people would actually care.

“You know, once the jungle gets under your skin it becomes very alluring. Maybe there will be a powerful reason for you to want to come back.”

They both turned to look at Nicky, who was still talking with Manuel. Roja was making his way toward the younger woman, leering suggestively.

Harry nodded her head toward the guide. “At least she won’t be subjected to his advances. The man makes my skin crawl with the way he looks at her.” Anger began to seethe inside her as the smarmy man closed in on his target.

Eden watched as Harry’s eyes narrowed on Roja. “Don’t worry about him, Harry, Nicky knows his type and how to handle him.”

“Yes, I know she can. Who knows, you may be right. I may find my way back here one day. Thank you for making me feel welcome, Eden, and for helping me remember Abby without feeling the bitterness I have in the past. After our talk, I felt as though a weight had been lifted from my heart.”

After she gazed into the sincere pale blue eyes, Eden smiled warmly before pulling Harry in for a hug. No one was ever too old for a good hug and she suspected Harry would benefit from one. “Harry, you’re welcome, and thank you for allowing Nicky to stay. It means a lot to us, especially her father. He couldn’t believe it when she told him last night after she spoke to you. I thought the champagne was going to pop.”

“It’s Nicky’s decision totally, always was, always will be. She belongs here with you.” A far away look filled Harry’s eyes. “She’s happy here. Guess that’s something the big city can’t offer her.” She sighed and wiped an errant tear that was forming in the corner of her eye.

Before Eden could respond, they both heard Nicky call out while heading their way.

“Are you ready to go, Harry?” she asked as she bounced up to them, her stance lively.

Obviously, my leaving doesn’t matter to her at all. Harry’s heart dipped dangerously low.

What else can you expect after the way you treated her? When will you learn, Harry? It’s not too late to make things right. Don’t be stubborn, my love. Now is not the time for that.

Harry ignored the voice. What’s done is done and there will be no turning back. She needed to distance herself from the camp and especially from Nicky. I guess she can’t wait until I’m gone so she can go on with her life. “Yes, as ready as I’ll ever be. You take care in the rain, Nicky, and please try not to get sick again. You wouldn’t want me to have to come out here again to see what’s happening with you.” Harry tried to make light of her leaving but both knew her threat to return was hollow. She looked expectantly into Nicky’s eyes hoping to see a positive reaction to her words and saw none. “Okay then, guess I should be going. Who knows what large root awaits me in the jungle. I’ll expect reports on my desk frequently, Nicky.”

Eden listened to their exchange, realizing that each heart was aching for the other while at the same time each heart was afraid of breaking. How can it end like this? It isn’t right. She said her goodbyes and left the two women alone to say their final goodbyes, hoping that one of them would finally speak her true feelings.

Nicky felt like a teenager on her first date saying goodnight. “Don’t go falling again, Harry. I won’t be there to take care of you, which means you’d have to rely on Roja.” The both laughed. “Somehow I can’t see it, can you?”

“Nope. Roja is certainly nothing like you at all, so I’ll stay upright. No more malaria scares, deal?” Harry tired to act casual, but her heart was pounding so hard she was sure Nicky would hear it.

“Deal.”

They stared at each other for a few precious moments and then Harry pulled Nicky in for a hug. As their arms tightened around each other, the sparks flew all around them. Being close one final time was as essential as the air they breathed. Nicky couldn’t stop herself as she leaned in and kissed Harry, tentatively at first. Her lips moved softly over the eager lips of the woman in her arms.

Though Harry’s mind refused to admit it, her body craved the touch. In one brief, bittersweet moment, all her dreams were coming true. Then, she realized it was likely to be the last time she would ever experience this with Nicky. She deepened the kiss, trying to convey all that she couldn’t or refused to say.

“I know why Abby loved you, Nicky.” The words, barely a whisper, floated between them.

“I know why Abby loved you, Harry…”

They broke apart quickly as they heard the two men approaching. Roja was annoyed enough at having the plans changed at the last minute; it wouldn’t do for him to see them in such an intimate embrace. From a moment of total bliss to absolute abandonment was how it felt releasing from the hug. Each was too afraid of rejection to express her true feelings, having to let go but aching for more. The same thought echoed through both minds: how can this be happening?

Within minutes, Harry was on her stretcher and the travelers left the perimeter of the camp for the jungle. Tears threatening to flow, Harry turned back and waved to Nicky.

Abby’s voice was loud and clear in her mind. Don’t do this, Harry! Go back for her.

“Abby, I can’t. I need time away to figure out what I feel.” The litter bearer was looking at her, wondering if she was talking to him.

Oh my love, you already know. Go with your heart.

As she heard the words, Harry’s tears flowed freely.

Nicky couldn’t believe Harriet was leaving “I know why Abby loved you, Harry, because I love you too.” Too late, the words tripped off her tongue as she turned to be engulfed in a loving embrace.

Eden was there to console her daughter, whom she knew hadn’t wanted Harry to go.