Diamond Legacy by Monica McCabe Read Free Book Online

instead. After a minor game of tug-o-war, Miranda managed to listen to a strong heartbeat and clear healthy lungs.
    “Fit as a fiddle!” she declared. “And strong as an ox.”
    “A perk of living at the clinic.” Letta pulled a banana chip from her pocket and handed it to the monkey. “She’s friends with the entire staff, knows more about the workings of Katanga than most people here.”
    Roz swung down off the table and, for the remainder of the morning, Miranda and Jason became acquainted with a host of animals, either permanent resident, or like Estelle, destined for zoo life. Some were rescues, too wounded or domesticated to release back to the wild, others were part of a herd-thinning or relocation program. As morning pushed toward noon, Miranda grew more impressed with Katanga’s progressive stance on protection and care of African wildlife.
    And not just in Botswana. She learned their extensive network reached as far north as Kenya and as far south as Cape Town. The potential, the overwhelming necessity of the work they did, filled her with awe. Dad had often spoke of the continent’s need for animal and environmental conservation. She’d studied and read about the challenges, but until she’d finally seen Africa with her own eyes, she’d never really understood. Katanga was a shining example of success and possibility. How she envied those who were a fixed part of such vital efforts.
    A low growl from a cheetah distracted her, and she slowly approached a pen. A resentful cat in its prime glared at her. She lifted the chart hanging on the cage just as Jason walked over and interrupted.
    “Letta offered lunch and I’m hungry,” he stated.
    “You’re always hungry,” she replied.
    “And you’re so obsessed you’d forget to eat if I weren’t here to remind you.” Jason grabbed the chart from her hands and hung it back in place.
    “Hey! I want to look—”
    “At a menu somewhere,” Jason finished for her. “Let’s go.”
    He steered them toward the door, and she would’ve argued, but lunch did sound nice. So did a chance to explore further. They hadn’t seen much more than the Oasis Pool and clinic since they’d arrived.
    Quickly leaving behind the quiet sanctuary of the veterinary wing, they headed straight toward the Grand Rotunda, where an unholy racket grew in decibels the closer they got. Laughter and shrieks of school-aged children greeted them, cleverly disguised surround-sound speakers pumped out wilderness sounds and animal calls, and frazzled employees struggled to maintain control of the chaos.
    “There are three main wings,” Letta shouted over the din. “The Okavango holds the clinics.” She pointed as they zigzagged across the Rotunda. “The Kalahari has administrative offices, and Chobe has all the classrooms and learning centers.”
    “And wait until you see the stables,” she declared as they followed a group of school kids toward a busy cafeteria. “We’ve a special one just for giraffes. Twelve-foot doors.”
    She stopped in front of a café and pointed up at a bright green neon sign that read Atjar . “It’s a South African mango relish. Ready to eat?”
    “I’m always ready, sweetheart,” Jason replied with a wink. “Just say the word.”
    Letta’s mouth opened in a little O of surprise, and she glanced inquiringly at Miranda.
    “Ignore him,” Miranda replied. “He’s a natural born flirt.”
    “Says the woman whose love life is nonexistent,” he shot back in defense.
    Miranda glared at her assistant, but he shrugged and turned back to their guide. “Life is short, Letta. You gotta enjoy the ride.”
    “How about we just enjoy lunch?” Miranda opened the door and waved them inside.
    They followed stenciled paw prints on the floor to a chalk menu board hanging above a cashier station, and stared up at the day’s offerings. Letta helped them decide, suggesting Frikkadels for Jason, little hamburgers lightly seasoned with nutmeg, and for Miranda