Safari Island Shifters: The Complete Collection(66)

Ward laughed. “I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to work as much as I do.”

“Morning, boys.” A small, curvy woman entered from the kitchen. That twangy accent was instantly recognizable. Clementine Blue was a world-class chef who’d gotten her start on reality TV. She was one of Ward’s best gets. She’d been invited to the island to work on a wedding.

The wedding itself was controversial. A member of People for Animals was marrying one of the park safari guides. Ward had billed it as a second chance wedding, saying that even people who made mistakes should get second chances. The bride had wanted to hire Clem but there was another chef on the island who wanted a shot at catering the event.

Ward had been sure he was going to lose Clem the minute he let the second chef push his way in. But it had turned into one of the best decisions he’d ever made. The two chefs had ended up working the wedding together and falling in love. They were now both working on the island and had gotten married earlier that year. Now, the island boasted two world-class restaurants with permanent chefs in residence.

Clem was also a media darling. She was as colorful as her name suggested and was always good for a quote.

“Morning, Clementine.” Mitch waved. “Have you seen Joan?”

Clem nodded. “She’s in the kitchen sneaking some leftovers from last night.”

“There are leftovers?” Mitch asked.

“Not anymore.” Joan came in smiling.

“You really shouldn’t have eaten those,” Clem said. “You’re going to get me in trouble with the health inspectors.”

“I would eat your food out of the garbage,” Joan laughed. “I didn’t leave any evidence. You’ll be fine.”

“With that auspicious opening, Joan, I’d like you to meet Ward Langston. Ward, this is Joan Marin.”

“Nice to meet you.” Ward put out his hand for her to shake. She looked much different than she had on Friday night. She was covered from head to toe this time. Her dark brown hair was pulled up in a high bun and her makeup was minimal. She wasn’t wearing any jewelry, either. Her long, light-colored skirt went to the top of her sensible flats. She was wearing a long-sleeved shirt in some light material.

This Joan was dressed like the sexiest librarian Ward had ever seen. He’d never thought he would be into the all-covered-up look, but damn did she make it look good.

She smiled at him. “Very nice to meet you, Mr. Langston.”

“Please, call me Ward.”

“Now that we’ve all met, let’s get this interview going.” Clem rubbed her very large baby bump. “I’m not supposed to be out of bed more than a few hours.”

“Right. Places, everyone,” Mitch told his crew. Then he went to check the camera placement one more time.

Ward sidled up to Joan while everyone else was busy. “You look really sexy this morning, Ms. Marin.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Is that any way to speak to someone you barely know?”

“We could get to know each other better,” he suggested. “What about dinner at my place?”

“I have to work,” she said.

“Not all day. I know Mitch takes evenings off. What about tomorrow night, say nine?”

She considered it for a moment. “Okay.”

“It’s a date, then.”

Ward moved away from Joan as Mitch came to speak with her about the interview. That wasn’t so hard. Maybe it was going to be a lot easier to start taking time off than he’d thought. Or maybe he was just excited about spending time with Joan. Either way, he was going to have his first date in months. Pretty good for a Monday.





Four


Joan checked the address one more time before knocking on the door. She was doing another pre-interview for the special. This one was going to be a little more exciting. She was interviewing Branch and Maura Dunkin, who were the second couple married by Safari Corp. Unlike Addison and Chet, these two had a pretty controversial story.

The corporation had framed it as a second chance love story. Branch and Maura had gone to the same high school but they’d fallen in love on Safari Island. Most interestingly, Maura had been involved with a botched terrorist attack attempted by an animal rights group. She had helped one of the leaders of the group get onto the island and he’d tried to kill an elephant calf. It was all very scandalous until after the spin doctors had gotten hold of it.

Branch’s love had helped Maura see the error of her ways. Now, she was a big fan of Safari Corp and felt very sorry for what she’d done. Mrs. Dunkin hadn’t gotten charged with anything major; she’d just gotten a slap on the wrist and community service for a few months. It was all very bizarre to Joan. No one had even questioned Maura’s motives for marrying Branch or Safari Corp’s involvement in the wedding. It was a little too convenient as far as she was concerned.

She couldn’t come right out and say that, though. She’d be sent home immediately. The trick was going to be finding out more about Maura’s AFP involvement without rousing suspicion or pissing anyone off. Besides Mitch, she didn’t want Ward getting angry either.

She should have never agreed to go to dinner with the gazelle shifter.

She didn’t think there was some massive conspiracy going on, but there had to be more to the story. But maybe something a little more interesting than the cutesy part of it.