The Promise of Rain (17 page)

“I think I have one in mind,” Jack said. “I, um, have to check in at the lab tomorrow, just briefly in the morning. I want to make sure everything is under control. Then I was thinking—do you remember that wildlife park we used to go to as kids?”

Anna’s face lit up. “The one with the blind tiger? Yes. What about it?”

“I thought we’d take Pippa there tomorrow. It would feel a little more like ‘normal’ to her than shopping malls and hospitals.”

Maybe help her homesickness. Jack wanted this to feel like home to her.

“That sounds wonderful.” Anna’s eyes glistened, but she pretended to look at a car backing out of its spot, and dried the corner of her eye with her fingertip. She sighed and rubbed her hands along her thighs. “This has been quite a day.”

“We should leave before the squirrels amass an army to chase us off,” Jack said.

“We should,” Anna agreed. “Ready, Pippa?”

“We need to take these,” she answered, hugging her pile of acorns. Several rolled to the ground.

“We can’t take them all, honey,” Jack said.

“Sweetie, I bet the squirrels who live in this tree are so thankful that you helped them gather nuts. You saved them a lot of trouble and energy,” Anna remarked.

“But I want to take some for Haki and Ambosi.” Pippa’s chin wrinkled and started to shake.
Oh, no.

“I’ll tell you what,” Jack said. “Why don’t you take those two big ones and we’ll plant them. There’s a little park where I live, and we can plant them there—one for Ambosi and one for Haki. You could even name the trees they grow into.” He didn’t know if the seeds would take, but he’d be sure to go buy two seedlings and plant them for her. She’d never know.

“But they won’t see dem!”

“I’ll take a picture and send it to them. How’s that?” He pulled out his cell phone and snapped a picture of her on the verge of crying. That was a keeper. Then he snapped one of her pile of acorns. “See, look at that. Here’s your pile, and when the trees grow, we can take a picture of them the same way,” he said, showing her the phone screen.

Her chin quivered a little more, followed by a sniff, then a concession. She wrapped her hand around two acorns and pressed her face against Anna. Time to go before she changed her mind.

* * *

J
ACK
WAS
LEARNING
. He ended up ordering Chinese takeout because steamed rice seemed like a safe bet for Pippa. And Anna had approved. Pippa had fallen asleep shortly after they ate.

“We forgot to stop for a movie,” Anna said, pouring two mugs of decaf coffee and carrying them to the living room.

“I already have one I thought we could watch.” Jack opened the cabinet under the TV and pulled out a DVD case. He handed it to her from his crouched position, figuring she might want something else. “I could run out and grab one of the recent flicks you missed if you’d rather.”

Anna took the case from him and her lips parted the second she recognized it. She flipped it over and ran her thumb over the old Scotch tape he’d used when the plastic cover had ripped.

“My copy of
Hatari!
,” she said. “I can’t believe it. I thought I’d lost it.”

“You forgot it at my place the week before graduation. We never got around to watching it that time, so I hung on to it for you.” Jack shrugged. “We don’t have to watch it again.” He’d seen it more than once with her, and was certain she’d seen it more than that.

“Are you kidding me? This is perfect, Jack! Thank you.” She handed him the case, then, without warning, bent over and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Heat rose in Jack’s face and he touched his cheek in surprise. Anna froze with her mouth open. She might have acted on impulse, but he was not letting her apologize for that.

Jack grinned. “Why thank me?” he drawled, in his best imitation of Sean Mercer’s response to Dallas, thanking him for letting her keep the baby elephant.

Anna shoved his shoulder and laughed. He fell onto his rear and stayed there with his elbows hooked around his knees, watching her settle in with her bittersweet coffee.

This was like old times, with the added bonus of Pippa snuggled in pink bliss. But just because something felt right didn’t mean it was meant to be forever, and Jack had learned early on never to look back. The only option left was to save their friendship.

And this was a start.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

T
HE
WILDLIFE
PARK
featured a small, zoolike section near the entrance that included a petting area with goats, sheep and one character of a donkey. Next to the petting area was a small arena where visitors could pay extra for camel and pony rides. Pippa cackled like a monkey and said her pony needed diapers when he stopped to pee while she was still on his back. That kid was a hoot. Older bystanders were commenting on how she reminded them of Shirley Temple.

The rest of the acreage consisted of a stay-in-your-car driving tour of some larger animals in a more natural setting. Overall, the place looked like it needed some upgrades. There were some families around, but nothing like the crowds that Jack and Anna used to dodge as teens.

It was much more tame than Jack recalled. The driving tour was fun, but it was a mere suburban backyard compared to driving around Busara. Funny how perspectives changed. Still, it was fun remembering and recognizing things, and Pippa seemed to be enjoying it. So far, things were looking good and going according to plan.

Jack paid for a bag of popcorn and took it over to Anna and Pippa, who sat on a bench in front of a spider monkey cage. Ambosi would go mad if he was caged like that. Jack didn’t know where
that
had come from. Ambosi didn’t even like him.

Anna took the bag of popcorn from Jack. “Thanks.”

“We should look for the owner and say hi,” he suggested. Jack scanned the area. He didn’t recognize anyone.

“I guess we could.” Anna let Pippa grab a handful of popcorn. “Why don’t we go see if he’s at the main ticket booth?”

Anna took Pippa by the hand and followed Jack. He doubled back and held Pippa’s other hand.

“Ready? One. Two. Three,” he said. Anna caught on and they swung Pippa into the air for one giant leap. She cracked up.

“Again,” she said.

“One. Two. Three. And up.”

“Again!” she demanded.

After three more “agains” they’d reached the kiosk where they’d bought their tickets on arrival. They hadn’t seen the owner then, but if anyone knew where he was, they’d be here. It wasn’t the biggest deal. Mr. Chase seemed to recall who they were after a few reminders Jack had given over the phone. Anna didn’t know they’d spoken and he’d asked Mr. Chase to keep it that way.

“Well, I’ll be,” a voice said from their right. “I haven’t seen you two in ages.”

A man who looked to be in his sixties stopped in front of them. Mr. Chase. He’d lost the hair on top of his head but still wore one long braid—now silver—over his shoulder. He’d put on some weight, too.

“Didn’t you two used to come around here every other weekend during summers? And you—” He pointed to Anna. “You went to veterinary school, didn’t you?”

“Um, yeah,” she said, cocking her head. “How’d you know? I can’t believe you remembered us.”

Jack gave his head a subtle shake and hoped Mr. Chase would catch on. The man cleared his throat.

“Oh, word gets around. You know how it is. Besides, not many folks came here as routinely as you did. Your faces became a fixture here,” he said. “And who is this cutie?”

“This is our daughter, Pippa,” Jack said.

“Pippa, did you know your mommy and daddy used to come around here all the time?” Mr. Chase asked.

She shook her head.

“Well, you come by as much as you like, squirt. Bring your mama along. You know, I won’t be open much longer,” Mr. Chase said.

“You’re closing?” Anna asked.

He scratched the back of his head as he looked wistfully at the park’s dated attractions. He sighed and returned his attention to Anna, Jack and “squirt.”

“I’m losing money. Have been for a while. My staff is getting older and the younger generation has better things to do. They don’t unplug long enough to spend time with nature. They watch wildlife shows in HD. Just like the real thing, right? And my parents need someone around full time. Age-related dementia. They live in Seattle. I’ll be moving out there. Probably retire in the family home.”

“Sorry to hear about your parents and the loss here,” Anna said. “This place will be missed. What’ll happen to the animals?”

Okay, she was curious. That was promising. She cared. It didn’t matter where on the planet she found an animal in need. Anna cared, and she wasn’t the type to stand by and watch.

“I honestly don’t know. Guess that depends on who buys the place.” Chase stated.

“That makes sense,” Anna said.

Well, didn’t it? Jack stood there in nerve-racked limbo, trying to get a solid read on her. Anna bit the corner of her lip as she looked down and looped her fingers through the curls on Pippa’s head. Jack took a slow, deep breath. He was right. They were thinking along the same wavelength.

“I wonder if one of the wildlife organizations or rescue groups could help out? Maybe put you in touch with a facility or person that can place the animals in good care,” she said.

So not quite the same wavelength. Jack let out his breath.

“I’m on it,” Mr. Chase said.

Anna nodded and gave him a bright smile. “It was so nice to see you again, Mr. Chase. Jack, it’s time to get home. I think Pippa is going to go sloth on us any second. We’re way past naptime.” Anna shook Mr. Chase’s hand and Jack followed suit with a quick nod.

“Good to see you again,” he said, then reached down and scooped Pippa up. “No rabid monkeys allowed here, so naptime it is.”

Anna beamed at him knowingly. Yes. He remembered every word she’d uttered at Busara, good and bad. Just like he remembered how much she used to love this place.

* * *

J
ACK
DROVE
DOWN
the dirt road from the main entrance of the animal park. Pippa was exhaustingly happy. She’d been far more taken with the little gift shop here than the toy store she’d visited in town. Animal everything, everywhere.

She swung her feet from her car seat as she played with a stuffed lemur plush toy. She’d told the shopkeeper that Ambosi would be jealous of its tail. The clerk had no idea who Ambosi was.

A thud hit Jack through his seat every five seconds. And those little legs held more power than they let on. He flexed his fingers on the steering wheel.

“Hey, monkey, stop kicking, okay?” he said, eyeing her in the rearview mirror.

Anna reached back and held Pippa’s ankles. “Stop. Your daddy has to drive,” she said.

“Thanks,” Jack murmured.

Anna propped her elbow against the door and rested her head against her palm.

“It’s sad about Mr. Chase’s parents,” she said. “I hope he finds a buyer who’ll take good care of the place, or at least find new homes for all the animals.”

“Maybe zoo breeding programs?” Jack suggested.

“I doubt it,” Anna said. “A few of the animals, maybe, but most of them were too old...or not endangered. Breeding programs tend to focus on endangered or at-risk species.”

“Well, hopefully he’ll find someone interested in the place.” Jack glanced at Anna.

“It won’t be easy.” She sighed.

Another kick bolted him. “Hey, no kicking,” he stressed. Pippa stopped.

He glanced in the rearview mirror and saw his daughter’s big eyes staring back. Her thumb was nestled in her mouth. His throat clogged up. He was a parent. He hoped Pippa would never feel burdened with taking care of him if his health declined in old age. He never wanted to be anyone’s burden again. His biological parents hadn’t suffered from dementia, but they’d fried enough brain cells on heroin. They’d stared at him plenty of times when he’d been a little boy, looking as if they had no idea who he was. Pippa would never experience that.

“Hey, Pips. I can’t drive with the kicking, but I’m not mad. Okay?”

He got a quick nod in response and felt his chest go limp.

Everyone got sucker punched by life sooner or later. Some more than once. Right now, he had a lot to figure out. Stuff he could handle without burdening Anna. She’d taken on enough...made it this far on her own. It was his turn to step up to the plate.

“Nothing meaningful is ever easy,” Jack said.

From the way Anna rested her head back on the seat, reaching behind her to rub Pippa’s leg softly, he knew she agreed.

* * *

J
ACK
’
S
PHONE
RANG
just as he merged onto the main road into town. Zoe’s name appeared on the screen. Anna jolted at the sound. She’d dozed off and he’d enjoyed stealing glances at her peaceful face.

“I’m sorry. Could you answer that for me?” he asked. “I’ve been getting flak for ignoring calls.”

Anna pulled her hand back from Pippa, whose head kept nodding, then jerking up. Drool glistened at the corner of her mouth. Anna picked up his cell and answered. Her voice sounded drained and tired. Jack suspected it wasn’t all about being jet-lagged. This was probably the first time in years she wasn’t surrounded by the responsibilities of camp. Here, she could let go. He could do his part. He liked that.

“Oh, hey, Zoe. He’s driving. Hang on.” Anna pressed a button and held it up. “Okay, you’re on speaker.”

“Jack?” His sister’s voice came through.

“What’s up?”

“Can you guys swing by later? I need your help,” Zoe said.

“What kind of help?” he asked. He’d help no matter what, but she was his sister and giving her a hard time was a requirement.

“I’m expecting Ben to Skype this evening, and I need to get to the boxes at the back wall in the garage. The boxes you stored with us during your apartment move are in the way.”

He’d never intended to leave his stuff there that long, but he was always so busy at the lab. Ben had helped him unload some of his stuff in their garage while he was in town during his last leave, a couple months ago. Moving boxes right now... Not the best time.

“Hang on. When I helped carry your crib and boxes of Chad’s outgrown clothes down, I thought we stacked them behind my boxes. Wasn’t that the point? So they wouldn’t be in the way?”

“Yep,” Zoe said, her voice exuding energy.

Anna’s eyes widened and she straightened in her seat. She splayed her hands out as if to say, “Don’t you get it?” Jack squinted at her, then at the road ahead.

No. Way.

“Zoe, are you pregnant again?” he asked.

“Yep!” she squeaked through the speaker. “I need to get the outfit Maddie and Chad came home from the hospital in, so I can put it in the background when I Skype Ben. It’s how I told him about Chad. Maddie wants to put it on one of her dolls and carry the doll while she talks to her dad, see if he notices. I think it’s a great idea, don’t you?”

“Very cute. And congratulations, Zoe,” Anna called out.

“Congrats, Fertile Myrtle,” Jack said. And here he and Anna were just talking about breeding programs earlier.

“Jack!” Anna said, punching him softly in the arm. She closed her eyes and shook her head.

“What? It was a joke,” Jack said.

“Jack, dear. I love ya, but promise me you’ll never quit your lab job and go to work in public relations.” Zoe chuckled. “You guys stopping by or what? I hate to ask. I know you probably have plans, Anna, and I don’t want to—”

“Are you kidding? We’re on our way,” she said, before Jack could answer.

“Thank you. You guys are the best.”

Zoe disconnected the call. Jack put his right hand over Anna’s. Anna turned her head in surprise.

“Thank you,” he said, then quickly let go, because he realized he didn’t want to and the feeling scared him.

She slipped her hand back into her lap and stared straight ahead. Her cheeks glowed. Because of his touch or because of Zoe’s news? He decided it was the latter.

Was that how she’d looked and acted when she’d found out she was pregnant? Or had she been robbed of that joy because she’d been alone? Right now, she’d be experiencing it vicariously through Zoe, but he’d never be able to give her back what she’d missed. Unless she hadn’t missed out entirely. Clearly, she hadn’t missed or needed his friendship. Sharing the news? Showers and shopping and all the other stuff women bonded over? She had Niara.

Suddenly, Jack felt more appreciation for Niara’s role in Anna’s life, and in Pippa’s, than he had before. She really was like family to Anna, just as the Harpers had become his. But the one person who she should have been able to turn to hadn’t been there for her, because he’d somehow hurt her and she’d cut him out of her life.

Anna had always been there for Jack. She’d been there through his toughest years. His awkward, quiet teens, hiding in the chair at the back of their health ed. class because he could hear his name being passed around when drugs were discussed. The kid whose parents were addicts and had died of an overdose. That’s how he was known to everyone—except Anna. She had never walked away from him until the morning after Pippa was conceived. He missed that friendship. Owed it to her. He’d rebuild it, rebuild their connection, but this time he’d stop short of breaking it.

He glanced in the rearview mirror at Pippa again. His parenting instinct had kicked in and he kept automatically checking on her. Her eyes were drooping. What was it with cars, kids and sleepiness? He had a lot to learn.

Ben was about to find out he was a dad again. He had yet to find out he was an uncle. Jack couldn’t wait for him to get back in a couple of months. Ben would have plenty of dad advice, for sure.

Jack had friends he hung out with on occasion—a group of other doctors and lab techs who’d meet up at a pub on Fridays after work—but not the kind he really connected with. He’d never caught on to the whole hang-out-with-buddies thing. There was Ben...or Kamau, he realized. Talking to Kamau was like talking to a college buddy he’d known for years. Jack liked the guy. Found his advice entertaining, and he’d never admit it to him, but the vet was pretty astute. Observant. Spot on, in fact.

Kamau wasn’t here, though. It was good to know, however, that if Jack’s idea didn’t work out, someone trustworthy would be around for Anna when she returned to Kenya.

Alone.

* * *

O
NLY
FOUR
OF
Jack’s boxes had fit into his car, so he’d left Anna and Pippa at Zoe’s while he went to drop them off at his place. The rest had gotten moved aside for the next load. In the meantime, Zoe had found what she needed.