Safari Moon by Rogue Phoenix Press Page B

away from the bedroom, found her
an Alaskan size jacket, and hauled her tired carcass outdoors.
     
    They had been out here so long, the night
didn’t seem so dark nor the shadows of the forest so deep. Her head
nodded and her eyes closed. She leaned back against Solo, his chest
making a hot backdrop for her chilled body.
     
    He nudged her. She didn’t know when she fell
asleep, but the sun was clearing the eastern horizon and the wolves
had vanished.
     
    “Good morning, sleepy head. I could get used
to this.”
     
    “What?” Nyssa pushed her hair from her eyes
and stared at Solo. “What?” she repeated for her benefit alone.
     
    “I could get used to this. The engagement,”
he said. “You do know Grandmother will want to see an announcement
in the paper. She won’t believe this confirmed bachelor is really
getting married unless she sees proof.”
     
    Nyssa saw the resolve in his eyes and knew
that somehow she would have to find a way to compromise. “If we
could keep the announcement to one newspaper, the one and only one
Sarah ever reads, we might be able to pull this off. The news can
not get anywhere near a paper that Robert reads.”
     
    “I’ll talk to grandfather but he won’t
understand.”
     
    “Tell him I don’t want a big wedding. Which
I don’t. Tell him we don’t like people prying into our private
lives.”
     
    “I’ll make him understand. I promise.” He
glanced down the trail toward the cabin. “There is no way Robert
will find out although I’m still of the opinion you should tell
him. So don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything.”
     
    “Well, well, well, imagine finding the two
of you out here so early in the morning.” The Colonel’s voice
boomed out in the quiet serenity surrounding them. As if he managed
to startle the birds to, they sent up a cacophony of noise that
could wake the sleeping wolves. “Why don’t you two love birds stop
cooing to each other and get back to the cabin. I’ve already sent a
message to Sarah and she’s on her way. There is no time like the
present. We have a wedding to plan.”
     
    Colonel St. John grinned that devilish smile
again while Nyssa made little choking noises at the back of her
throat.
     
    The Colonel had taken charge.
     
    Charge being the operative word.

Chapter Six
     
     
    “We’re back,” the Colonel’s voice boomed
through the cabin.
     
    Solo focused on the two figures entering the
cabin and grinned with recognition. “Grandma Sarah.”
     
    He rose from the chair and gave her a big
hug.
     
    The Colonel did tell the truth. His
grandmother looked fragile and tired, her face pale. He hadn’t
expected his grandmother so soon, but here she was in front of
him.
     
    Helpless, he waited for his grandmother to
sit down, and studied every feature from her short-cut silver hair
to the white flat sandals she wore. He did want this to turn out
well for everyone--Nyssa included. But he didn’t see how they could
provide his grandmother with a grandchild.
     
    After making sure Sarah was settled
comfortably, his grandfather left to collect the luggage.
     
    “My darling, Solo,” Sarah said when the door
closed behind the Colonel. “It’s so nice to see you again, even if
it’s only for a few days. Did you know your grandfather brought
Reverend Thomas with us?”
     
    Solo nearly choked then, “No, he didn’t tell
me.”
     
    His grandmother’s eyes twinkled with
happiness, and Solo wanted to groan. When Nyssa found out the
Colonel had brought the preacher with him, she’d blow a fuse.
     
    He motioned his grandmother to a comfortable
chair, wishing she’d relax for a few minutes. “My darling Colonel
thought of everything. See,” from her black leather handbag, she
pulled out a stiff official piece of paper.
     
    “A marriage license,” Sarah said. "I guess
money can buy you anything when you have a judge in your hip
pocket."
     
    Solo did groan this time.
     
    “Of course the Colonel says we’ll have