Claire's Prayer Read Online Free PDF Page A

together was very pleasing to the eye. Seth couldn’t deny it: she was gorgeous.
    Seth immediately turned as he heard her give the desk attendant her name, her accent unmistakable. She was the one he had waited around all day to collect. Before the young clerk could say anything, Seth stepped closer and held out a strong brown hand. “Welcome to Zimbabwe, Miss O’Sullivan. I hope your flight was okay? I’m Seth Henderson.”
    Claire stared dumbly at him as his deep voice washed over her. They sure come big in Zimbabwe , she thought. Seth Henderson was one of the biggest men she had ever seen. He towered over her, and had the solid build of a rugby player. What caught her attention the most was his deep tan; he obviously spent a lot of time outside. Irish men looked pale and insipid compared to this man.
    Claire suddenly realised she needed to say something. “He… Hello. Yes, I’m Claire. Claire O’Sullivan,” she managed. “Pleased to meet you, Mr Henderson.” Good start, Claire , she thought: she had stumbled over her words as if in a daze. She let her luggage go and her hand met his, to be engulfed in a friendly handshake.
    Her warm hand still in his, Seth pulled himself together. “It’s just Seth. Well, if that’s all your luggage we’d best be on our way. You ate lunch on the plane?” Claire nodded. “Good. We have quite a way to go to Bulawayo, where we’ll sleep over for the night. Okay?” In no time at all, and without waiting for a reply, Seth caught a porter’s attention and had Claire’s luggage stacked onto a rickety trolley. As Seth directed both porter and luggage outside, Claire followed slightly behind him, for the first time feeling unsure about the whole venture. Could she trust this large stranger? She didn’t stand a chance against him if not. Quickly, Seth saw to stowing her cases in the boot of his BMW, then leaned across and opened the passenger door for her. After hesitating for a brief second, Claire slid into her seat and clicked the door shut.
    Expecting Seth to start the car, she jumped in surprise when he settled back with a deep sigh and looked her intently in the eyes. “Listen, Claire – I know you’ve had a rough time lately. I know condolences must seem hollow, but I’m… I’m really sorry about your parents. And, I promise, you really don’t need to look so scared and apprehensive.” Seth grinned conspiratorially. “We are pretty decent people here in Zims – and I don’t go in for harassing young Irish women. Relax, okay, and you’ll have a great stay with us. Impunzi is a place out of time. Anyway, you’ll see for yourself when we get there tomorrow. But, for now, trust me. Okay?”
    Responding to his smile, and the gentle, sincere look in his deep brown eyes, Claire smiled back. “Okay, Seth. Thanks.” Claire settled herself back for the trip. “Do you know Donald and Helen well? They’re good friends of my family.”
    Starting the car and pulling out of the parking area, Seth did not answer her immediately. When they were outside the airport terminal he answered. “Don and Hellie? Yes, I got to know them quite well. They were at Impunzi for a few months last year. They’re a great couple.” Seth paused. “I had a letter from Helen explaining your situation.” His eyes left the road for a second, meeting Claire’s. “Hope you don’t mind?”
    Claire sighed deeply and looked out of the window, to hide the sudden moisture in her eyes. It was somehow startling to be reminded that she had, in Seth’s words, a ‘situation’ at all. “No, I don’t mind. It was just … all so unexpected and sudden. It takes some getting used to.”
    As if sensing her distress, Seth did not answer. Instead, he reached forward and slipped a cassette into the deck in the car. The voices of the Eagles, one of her favorite bands, filled the car and lightened the emotion-filled moment. The BMW ate up the miles, and the soft music brought a calmness to Claire’s