Moonflower Read Online Free PDF Page A

flora. I
believe we’re one of only a few places that still boasts
indigenous renosterveld .’
    ‘ Yes! Sorry. I wasn’t told what this meeting was about. I
thought… Never mind. I’ve got detailed lists, work schedules. The
costings are on my laptop. I can go and get them—’
    ‘ Talk to me, Sophie,’ Reuben commanded, leaning back in his
chair, eyes fixed on her face.
    Sophie
did her best to ignore the percussion band in her chest. Once she
got going on the subject of conservation, there was usually no
stopping her. She soon forgot about her opulent surroundings, even
the man sitting opposite her. Was unaware of the narrowing of his
eyes as they bored into her. Didn’t notice the softening of his
mouth, the quicker rise and fall of his chest.
    Sophie
rushed full tilt ahead with statistics and costings, then her
immediate plans to settle healthy herds and animals. Half an hour
later she ended with her vision for the eventual reintroduction of
local endangered species.
     
    Reuben
watched from across the desk as Sophie folded one long, tanned leg
over the other. Every now and then her thick strawberry-blond
ponytail would swish side to side as she explained a point. Passion
seemed to infuse every inch of her. She glowed with it, from her
bronze hair and golden skin, to the flashing green eyes and deep
pink mouth, which she’d run the tip of her tongue over every now
and then.
    The
Bosmans had been right. She not only knew her stuff, but obviously
lived for her work. He and Sophie weren’t so different in that way.
And just because he found her utterly disturbing and enchanting,
didn’t mean she didn’t deserve a fair chance. Which was exactly
what he was going to give her. ‘Some time ago, arrangements were
made for myself and my conservationist to purchase the animals we
still need for the farm, so it’s just as well you’ve done your
research. We leave at seven tomorrow morning. Bring along an
overnight bag. We’ll be back the following day.’
    ‘ Brilliant!’ Sophie said. ‘I’ll be ready.’
    Reuben
nodded, then pulled another document in front of him and ducked his
head.
    Sophie
unfolded her legs and bounded happily from the study, humming to
herself. She didn’t see Reuben lift his head, shake it, and watch
every second of her jaunty departure across the room.
     

Chapter
Three
     
    Drastic
times call for drastic measures. So the next morning Sophie dressed
in what she called her interview suit. It was a navy blue short
skirt and fitted jacket worn over a white silk blouse. Not her
usual choice of threads; she was definitely uncomfortable. Compared
to her well-worn khaki shirt and shorts, it felt like a
straitjacket.
    Reuben
Manning wanted professional, so professional he was going to
get.
    The only
compensation was that she knew it suited her. The deep blue set off
the bronze in her hair and the green of her eyes. Even her cheeks
glowed summer-peach beneath her tanned skin, and the suit’s
precision cut accentuated her height.
    ‘ Gerry Giraffe,’ she told her reflection in the bathroom
mirror. Although, judging by the way the suit moulded snugly to her
figure, she was unlikely to be mistaken for anything other than a
big-breasted, slim-hipped Amazon.
    Once in
her costume for the day, she strode off to the house, breathing in
the fresh morning air. It was going to be a scorcher.
    ‘ Mr Solomon!’
    She
narrowly missed running over the old gardener who’d popped up
suddenly from behind an Iceberg bush flanking the back path to the
house. He’d stepped out right in front of her. For such a decrepit
old man, he moved surprisingly quickly.
    ‘ Where are you going dressed like that?’ he asked,
suspiciously.
    What
could she do but smile? ‘Mr Manning and I are leaving for Brits
today. We’re going to buy new animals for the farm.’
    ‘ Hmph.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Once you fall in love with this
place, you’ll never leave,’ he told her. His expression changed to
one of triumph and