Daughter of Destiny by Lindsay McKenna

reaching up to run his hand along the camel’s rounded ears and gently scratch them, “we’re looking to rent two camels to take to an Aboriginal village about two day’s ride from here. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Kalduke?”
    Coober eyed him, rubbing his stubbled jaw. “Mate, I don’t generally hire out my boys to tourists to go gallivantin’ off into the Red Center alone. I offer one-, two-or three-hour rides, where each camel’s nose peg is hooked to the saddle in front of ’em, and I’m leadin’ the line. There’s not a Buckley’s chance of renting them for that kind of hike.”
    Jake nodded. That was an Aussie idiom for no chance at all, he knew, but he held aces up his sleeve, and Coobermight change his mind. “I understand, but I’ve had quite a bit of experience with racing camels in Saudi Arabia two years ago. Maybe you know Sheik Abdul Mohammed? He’s one of the top breeders, raising and selling the best racing camels in the Middle East.”
    Coober’s green eyes widened. “I’ll be gob smacked, mate. Of course I know of ’im!” His voice rose in excitement. “Why, I have four of his offspring right here! Two geldings and two broodmares.”
    Grinning, Jake said, “I’d like to see them. Are they back there?” He pointed to another group of barns and corrals partially hidden behind a high brush hedge.
    â€œThey are, mate.”
    Jake felt Coober testing him, probably trying to figure out if Jake was being honest. It was one thing to be a name dropper, quite another to be proficient enough around camels that Coober might rent two of his animals for them to take to Kalduke.
    â€œIf I show you that I know how to ride a camel and take care of it, would you reconsider renting us two of them?”
    Again, Coober rubbed his spiky jaw. “I dunno, mate.”
    â€œWe’re willing to give you a thousand U.S. dollars a day to rent your animals. I promise we’ll take good care of them.”
    Eyes lighting up at the promise of good money, Coober grinned. “Well, mate, now you’re talking. But listen, these camels are my friends, and I can’t just let you walk out of here on your word alone. I won’t rent to roughies.”
    â€œI understand,” Jake told him solemnly. Aussie slang was a world of its own, and Jake knew “roughie” meant a rough or wild, irresponsible person.
    Several camels had gathered around Coober, and one was nibbling playfully at his hat, another tugging at the damp red-and-white kerchief around his neck. Camels were like curious children, and Jake was thrilled to see such intelligence in their dark brown eyes—eyes framed with the longest, thickest black eyelashes in the animal kingdom.
    â€œTell you what, mate,” Coober said, “how about I take you and your missus back there and watch you groom, saddle and then ride them? Once you’ve got them properly saddled and all, we’ll take a short ride so I can see how you handle them.”
    Kai opened her mouth to protest. No way was she climbing up on a camel! Not without adequate preparation and instruction first!
    Jake gave Kai a glance, his voice apologetic. “My wife is just getting over a nasty migraine from our sixteen-hour flight, so she’s not up to riding today, mate. We were planning on starting this trip tomorrow, when the doctor gives her the go-ahead. Would it be okay if you watch me go through the motions? Decide whether or not you want to rent us two of your camels, based on my performance?”
    Kai snapped her mouth shut. Jake was fast on his feet, she’d give him that. She sent Coober what she hoped was an appeasing smile.
    â€œOh…sorry, missus. My wife, Darla, always gets them head-bangers, too. Nasty roughies, they are. Lay her up a day or two. So you have my condolences.”
    â€œYes…well, er, I’m not feeling up to riding much