All Chapters of In love... with her own African beast: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Chapter 20The dinner was great. The food exquisite and the ambience exactly what Hurter’s Retreat can offer to visitors. A beautiful African night, with all the nocturnal sounds to make it complete. Especially when the huge male lion roared right next to the fence separates the houses and buildings of Hurter's Retreat from the rest of the bush and wildlife.“King is getting ever closer. His territory is now even bigger than the size of that of the lions of the Kruger National Park," explains Sergio. “But he is sure to move back again once there are other lions released as well. Or even if a pride might come through from the Limpopo Park. But that can only happen when we are sure that there are enough prey animals in the area."For Leah, it was fantastic to listen to everything Sergio's bosses were planning for the next few years. They are part of the largest wildlife relocation programs ever.Leah was really just a flower pot on the wall at last night’s occasion. One of the waiters wh

Chapter 21“A man and his cat.” One of the ladies in the dining room smiles as Sergio walked in with little Gato on his heals. He picked her up and cuddled her to his chest. And she sticks out a paw to touch his cheek. A daddy daughter moment as Sergio smiles in her face, slowly blinking his eyes. Cat communication, between them. Gato blinks back. “I just love a man who adores cats.” The ladies colleague agrees as she also walks over to stroke Gato’s head.Leah can not agree more, even though she says nothing. In South-Africa her dad’s mother always had one or more cat at a time as pets. And when an new one needed a home for a stray, Oumie always made room for an extra one. In her house and in her heart. At least that is something she and Sergio shares. A love for cats, wild or domesticated.“Did you enjoy your lion sighting?” John brings in a tray with Sherry glasses on it.“Oh yes indeed. Good to see that predators are now moving in to do their part in the balancing of the food ch

Chapter 23"What did you do to poor Sergio, Leah?" asked John Hurter, Leah's father, when they all gather in the dining room for supper that night. "He says you almost tore his arm out of his potty."Sergio laughs. "No, it's really not that bad, John. My shoulder is okay again now. Was probably more my scorned masculinity than anything else. But I know one thing now, a man shouldn't try anything with Leah. She can protect herself against bad characters."But John doesn't laugh along. He looks proud of her. "So sensei Haya was able to teach you something over the past few days.""Oh yes indeed. And tomorrow evening he's going to teach me how to work on Sergio's punching bag.""No, don’t you use poor Sergio as a punching bag. He may be a big guy, but he is a gentle giant," Maria called out, just as she enters with a bowl of fried fish in her hands. Fish that Manual also breeds in his garden of Eden! The farm is self-sustainable by now.“No, I am not going to exercise my boxing skills on

Chapter 25Leah felt a lameness descend on her. The conversation with Sergio went a little wrong. She didn't mean that there could never be anything between the two of them. It's just the time is not right and the way it would have happened is inadmissible. She doesn't want to lose control of herself. But what she saw in Sergio’s eyes was defeat, loss and hurt. A man who had just given up on any idea of her. Maybe she should have been a little more motivated.She’s seen it too many times between her fellow students.Even had a bad experience herself, before. There was that fellow student at the art college in their final year. Not someone she felt anything romantic for. Though she liked his art. The images he made with clay. How he approached design. His hard work. He was a very talented guy and Leah knew he was going to get somewhere with it.She respected him for that, not for the way he worked his way through every female student in the college. Never thought that he would ever co

Chapter 29It may not be that far to where Sergio's family lives. The road just isn't as easy to drive. Even with a four by four. But at least it's nice and a bit of a grace to arrive at his people for that late lunch, his mother promised.Spicy curried fish and salads. His father and mother are as always happy to see him. His younger sister Silvia and her husband too. And the dogs, the three cats and the tamed chicken rooster Kallie are also happy to see him.But the one who can't wait to be alone with him is the neighbour’s daughter, Alice, who are working at the front desk. Alice was also back here in the small coastal town after her third divorce, his sister warns him when the two of them were alone for a second or two."Warmer and more worked up than ever. Just beware... And just protect your wicket, if you don’t want to score." She had a good laugh.Why does he have to protect anything? Besides, he doesn't have a connection to any woman at the moment. Maybe he would have felt di