Free Claire's Prayer by Yvonne Cloete Page B

Seth jogged up the path.
    Concentrating on the sounds of the wind, leaves and occasional bird call, Claire did not hear him approaching. Leaning back on her arms, she was allowing the peace and serenity of Impunzi to fill her whole being. A gentle smile curved her lips as she recalled the intense feelings Seth aroused in her. If only Kacey were near to talk to – as scary as the feelings were, they made her feel so intensely alive. And they couldn’t do her any harm, could they?
    Seth came upon her suddenly; her eyes were still closed, face raised to the sky. Seth’s eyes strayed over her, noting how relaxed and at peace she seemed – noting, too, the curve of her long eyelashes and the gentle smile on her lips. He felt a tightening deep in his stomach. The urge to touch her became almost too strong for him to control. Trying to block off the feelings she evoked in him, Seth moved suddenly and a loose stone clattered down, bouncing off the side of a boulder.
    Startled, Claire’s eyes flew open and saw Seth silhouetted against the skyline. With the sun behind him, basking him in a golden glow, he looked extraordinarily handsome. He seemed large and vital: a man perfectly attuned to this wild place. Claire’s eyes fixed onto his arresting, rugged face, met his wide-set, dangerously gentle eyes, and felt the physical pull of his mesmerising gaze. Jerking her eyes from his, pushing herself hastily up and wondering how long he had been watching her, Claire drew a deep, calming breath.
    Clearing her throat, she greeted him. “Hello, Seth.” Turning from him to take in the panorama again, she added, “The view from up here is stunning.”
    Moving to stand beside her, Seth silently accepted her right to ignore the tension of that morning, and continue as normal. “Yes, it is stunning, isn’t it?”
    Pointing to the north, he directed her gaze to the lodge area. “Do you see that first lodge, Claire? That’s where you’ll be staying. It’s the one nearest to the house, which you’ll find convenient for meals. Organise with Joseph what time you’d like your lunch sent across, but breakfast and dinner will be at the main house, okay? The lodges can also be self-catering, but I think this arrangement will suit you better.”
    Readily agreeing, Claire followed Seth down the kopje. She sensed an aloofness in him now, but thought it best to leave things as they were. She neither understood nor knew how to handle the effect he had on her, so she chose to ignore it. Her eyes, defying her decision, clung to his muscled form, admiring the way his body moved in perfect coordination. For just a second, she allowed herself to imagine the feel of his strong hands, and the steady beat of his heart under her palm. Not paying attention to the uneven surface, Claire stubbed her toes painfully on a protruding wedge of stone. She welcomed the pain: it forced her to stop thinking about Seth.
    Up in her room, washing before lunch, Claire hoped that the move to the lodge, away from Seth’s immediate presence, would help her to gain control over her wayward emotions. Peace and quiet and some good, hard work might just get him out of her mind. Lingering in the room until she heard the gong, Claire felt calmer knowing that Naomi would, with her chatter and levity, lessen the tension that was present whenever she and Seth were together.
    Lunch was a deliciously mild curry and rice, served with a large accompaniment of side dishes. Complimenting Joseph again on his culinary skills, Claire laughed.
    “I’m going to have to keep a better control of my appetite if you keep cooking like this!” she scolded him. “It might be a fight, but I refuse to leave Impunzi looking like an elephant!”
    Laughing mightily, Joseph accepted her praise. “I’ll take you up on the challenge, Miss Claire,” he smiled.
    “Good for you, Joseph,” agreed Seth. “A little temptation never hurt anyone.”

Chapter Six
    Watch and pray that you may not enter into