A Kiss of Adventure Read Online Free PDF Page B

your ways. Neither are my paths your paths. She had learned the verse at Hannah’s feet many years before. Now it echoed in her mind and heart. What if God intended to accomplish through her exactly what she’d always expected—but in a far different way than she’d ever imagined? Remain in him . . . and you will bear much fruit.
    She shook her head in confusion. Much fruit? How, when she was being chased by the Tuareg and forced to travel with a renegade like Graeme McLeod?
    Trust in the Lord your God.
    She drew a deep, steadying breath.
    Trust me.
    She nodded. “Okay,” she whispered.
    “Huh?”
    “I said okay.” She lifted her focus to Graeme’s eyes. “So now what happens?”
    “Unless you’d prefer to travel to Timbuktu by dromedary, you can hitch a ride with me.”
    “You realize I’m supposed to be in Bamako. If I don’t go back, everyone will be looking for me.”
    “I thought you just said you’d go!” Frustration filled his deep voice. “Look, suit yourself. I’m going on to Timbuktu, and to tell you the truth, I’d rather go it alone.”
    “Something wrong with my company?”
    He shot her a glance, his eyes traveling over her, taking in her dress, her mutinous expression. “You’re a scientist, right? Trees and all that. Well, the desert is no laboratory, and the Tuareg won’t care about your college education or your test tubes. You can’t walk very well in a skirt and sandals. You won’t eat three squares a day or drink soda pop, you know?”
    She knew. She also knew she felt more at home in the wilderness than she ever had in a laboratory.
    “I can drive you back to Bamako,” he went on, “but the Tuareg will grab you in a second. Remind me to tell you about the Tuareg sometime. They have fascinating ways of dealing with those who disappoint them. Either way—it’s your choice.”
    “Doesn’t sound like much of a choice to me, McLeod.” She stood up and strolled to the Land Rover. Her hands brushed the tips of the elephant grass. She picked one and chewed its sweet end. She didn’t want to have to trust this guy, to put her life in his hands, but what else could she do?
    Arthur would be frantic, of course. She thought of the man who wanted to make her his wife. With his blue eyes, light brown hair, and square shoulders, Arthur always drew attention. And his circumspect behavior and air of sophistication always commanded respect. He had told her he cared for her, and she believed him. He was a gentle, quiet person—nothing like this character who claimed to have “rescued” her. Tillie closed her eyes and tried to let the cool night breeze drifting across from the river calm her.
    All right, Lord, I’ll go toward Timbuktu. She would go with Graeme McLeod—at least until Arthur caught up with them, as she was sure he would. She would pray for safety, and she’d use whatever opportunity God brought her to do his work.
    A rustle in the grass startled her, and she turned to find Graeme beckoning her to join him. He held a bunch of bananas aloft like a prize and shook it lightly, a silly grin softening his face. His expression reminded her of an excited, endearing boy. Shaking her head at the transformation in him, she walked back to the fallen log and curled her legs beneath her on the grass.
    “Care for some dinner, mademoiselle ?” He held out a banana to her in both hands, as if displaying a bottle of rare wine for her inspection. When she made a face and snatched it from him, he laughed aloud and began peeling his own fruit. Taking a bite, he chewed thoughtfully for a moment. “I won’t risk a fire tonight,” he said. “Maybe I’ll be far enough by tomorrow to chance it.”
    “So, how far is Timbuktu?”
    Graeme let out a breath. “You’re coming with me, then?”
    “As long as you keep your distance. I don’t fraternize with kidnappers.”
    He mused for a moment. “Well, you might be useful in the long run.”
    “Useful?”
    “Crocodile bait.” He gave