Knowing Vera (Romantic Suspense, Family Drama) (Chance for Love) by Rachelle Ayala Page A

of the terminal, I’m slammed by the heat and humidity. Of course, Zach reminds me it’s the height of summer in the southern hemisphere, and everything’s opposite. Even the driver is on the right side of the vehicle, and traffic moves on the left side of the road.
    “I hope it’s not a long walk to the rental cars.” I’m tottering in uncomfortable stilettos while he’s wearing sneakers. I’m already sweating from the short walk and the high temperatures. “Glad I wore a sundress, it’s so hot here.”
    Zach taps my nose which is damp and laughs. “Last year it was over forty-five degrees.”
    “That’s kind of chilly, isn’t it?” I hate that I sweat mostly on my face. It’s so noticeable.
    “Celsius. But for you,” he checks an app on his phone, “that’s a hundred fourteen degrees Fahrenheit.”
    “Ouch!” I stare at the road signs. “Is everything here opposite? The metric system, driving on the wrong side of the road, people talking funny, I feel like I’m upside down.”
    “We even sell an inverted globe here where the South Pole’s on top. Our compasses are turned around, and so are our maps,” he says this in all seriousness, but I catch the twinkle in his eye.
    “Good, because you’re buying me one on the way home.” I nudge him as we stop front of the car rental. “I want a gemstone globe, a big one, upside down, like you say. Make sure the Philippine Islands are done in diamonds.”
    “Whoa, you’re expensive.” Zach kisses my cheek and loops his arm around my shoulder.
    I pull on my shades, trying not to look like a tourist. Zach rents a car and opens the door for me. It’s strange getting in on the left-hand side. I hope he knows how to drive this thing, because I’m sure I’ll get disoriented and turned around. He limps slightly as he crosses around the front of the car.
    The attendants look at him funny because of his artificial leg, and I bite my tongue. Zach points to the gas pedal. “See? On the right, and so is the brake. Betcha thought I’d be driving with my phony foot.”
    He’s so cute. What’s not to like about him?
    The transmission lever is on the center console, and I’m relieved it’s an automatic. I pull my hair off my sweaty neck and twist it with a scrunchie. “Think we can get a room and a shower? I might need some clothes, too.”
    “You won’t need any if you get a room with me.” Zach wiggles his eyebrows.
    “Why? Mr. Spencer, are you propositioning me?”
    He stops at the end of the lot and leans toward me, his breath in my ear. “Maybe I wanna get you addicted to me.”
    The way his voice rasps, so hot and breathless, husky and sexy, gets my juices running. I reach to rub my cheek on his stubble when he backs away. He’s a tease, that’s what he is. A male tease. I cross my arms and change the subject. “What now?”
    “A nine hour drive through the bush or we sleep in the dust with scorpions under a gum tree. Oh, and the termites. We might find shade behind a termite mound.”
    My skin’s already itching and prickly. “Can you turn on the air?”
    “Hope the car doesn’t overheat.” He’s definitely teasing me now.
    “I knew I should have stayed with Cliff. He’s snoozing on the airplane and will get to Melbourne way before us.”
    “In that case, let’s stay here. I’ll take you to the Opera House, we’ll climb the bridge, and I’ll teach you to surf. Let him go to Melbourne.”
    “I’m here on a mission, not a vacation.”
    His voice barely clears his throat. “Are you pinning all your hopes on finding your father?”
    I don’t answer. It sounds crazy, a fantasy. But a girl never gives up, especially if she’s Daddy’s little girl. I turn my face toward the window and watch the airplanes rise into the clouds.
    We exit the airport and the terrain doesn’t look any different than California—sparse trees, sunny skies and the usual congestion. After passing a golf course, we drive into a straight tunnel that seems