darling.” She returned the flirtation.
Ryan joined the group.
“So that sounds exciting!” he said. Ambar smiled.
At 11.00 am they all met outside the building and were given their directions. They were told to get their supplies ready and head off in an hour.
After Ambar had packed up some food water, blankets, camera and notepads she looked around for Jess.
“Her and Luciano headed off already.” She heard the familiar voice of Ryan say beside her.
“They looked eager to begin.”
“Yeah, I bet.” Said Ambar.
They both laughed.
As they headed off into the jungle Ryan asked.
“So do you wildlife courses often?”
“First time.” Ambar replied. “How about you?”
“Yeah, I have done about ten. Been doing one a year for about ten years now.” He said.
“So what made you decide to suddenly start?”
“Ummmmm.” Ambar’s voice trailed off uncertainly.
“It just seemed like a good idea.” She finished quickly.
Ryan looked at her curiously, wondering what he had said to offend her.
They continued to walk in silence.
About half an hour into the journey they reached a point where many birds and butterflies congregated and decided to stop for a snack and to see what they could see.
Ambar laid out the blankets and some food, and took out her notebook, sitting and placing it on her lap.
They sat in the spot for a few hours, talking and pointing out the different species they recognised to each other. As the mid-afternoon shone, and having already spotted and recorded eight of the twenty species they had been given, feeling pleased with their progress, they decided to head deeper into the jungle before heading back for the evening.
Chapter 5
They sat together deep in the jungle, Ambar looking through the binoculars at a bird she had spotted in the tree, trying to determine whether it were one species or another. She concentrated hard, squinting, trying to notice distinguishing features that would give her the answer she needed. They were so deep in the jungle they could barely see the sky overhead for the tree growth.
Not knowing that storm clouds had gathered above their head, Ambar jumped startled when a loud clap of thunder rolled overhead.
“What was that?” she asked Ryan.
“Sounded like thunder.” Ryan replied.
“Oh God, I hope not.” Said Ambar.
Sure enough, within moments a burst of heavy rain began to pour down upon them.
“Fuck!” said Ryan as they both rushed to quickly gather their supplies.
They searched for the biggest tree for some shelter and managed to find a dry sheltered spot.
“Oh God.” Said Ambar. “What a disaster.”
“I know.” Said Ryan.
“Looks like we are stranded. At least for now.”
The storm continued into the evening. As the sun went down Ryan looked at Ambar, staring out into the rain.
“I think we better camp for the evening. We don’t want to head back in the dark. It would be too dangerous.”
“I was just thinking that.” Ambar replied.
Her blonde curly hair was wet and her white t-shirt clung to her breasts. Ryan could see a sadness in her beautiful blue eyes, and felt like he wanted to comfort her. Though he could tell that she did not feel safe with him. Although she was nice and friendly, she seemed distant, and not really very interested.
He got the blankets and laid them out in the only dry spot under the tree.
“We should be fine here.” He said.
That night, shivering and cold, as they lay under the tree, they found themselves moving closer together to stay warm. As their bodies touched, Ryan felt a surge of passion running through him. The way her breasts had looked in her wet, clinging t-shirt, the sadness of her smile, the mystery of her eyes.
As he ran his hand along her back down toward her thighs, Ambar whispered.
“Don’t.” She said it, but her body stayed close to his.
“I’m sorry.” He said.
She allowed him to hold her in his arms, but stopped
Suzanne Woods Fisher, Mary Ann Kinsinger