Chapter 19

Pilgrim’s Nest.

Wingman Wally the rooster fluffed his feathers with a purposeful shake, tossing his head back and letting out a caw that echoed across the farm, his daily announcement of dawn. The eastern horizon barely hinted at light; a soft grey that crept upward while the stars to the west held their last moments, reluctant to surrender the night.

The silhouette of the hills around Pilgrim’s Nest stood tall and still, the quiet sentinels of a land just stirring awake. The nocturnal murmurs faded, replaced by the gentle trills of birds testing their voices like instruments tuning for nature’s concert. Somewhere nearby, a francolin chattered, and far off a jackal yapped its goodnight.

As the light grew, more shapes came into focus — a pair of giraffes, necks bobbing high above the bush, gliding towards the waterhole on their lanky legs. They moved with an unhurried grace, like figures in a slow dance. In the distance, the rising sun teased the horizon, casting the first strokes of gold, then orange and blush-pink, warming the morning sky.

The scent of dew on earth filled the cool air, mingling with the bold aroma of my coffee, a liquid lifeline after the restless night. I leaned on the low stone wall of the stoep, feeling the coolness of the stone seep into my palms. The heat from the mug in my hand balanced it out, grounding me in the moment as the world transformed, minute by minute, from shadow to light.

A soft rustle in the bush below, maybe a herd of impalas greeting the dawn, then stillness again. The whole world seemed to be waiting, holding its breath as the first rays of sunlight spilled over the hills, igniting the plains in a warm, golden glow — a new day, blazing its quiet brilliance over the veld.

“It’s magnificent,” a soft voice murmured just behind me.

I turned to see Nadia, her nightshirt catching the early light and her bare feet soft against the patio wooden deck, lending her an almost ethereal appearance. She held a steaming mug of coffee, lifting it to her lips as she stepped closer, her eyes focused on the horizon.

“Morning, Nads,” I said. “Slept well?”

“Like a log.”

“I see you have coffee?”

“Thanks, yes, I’ve got some,” she replied, holding up the mug. “Someone brewed a fresh pot, and the aroma woke me. You’ve got some good poison here — Kenyan?”

“Tanzania Peaberry,” I corrected with a grin. “Arabica Peaberry, medium roast, with tasting notes of brown sugar and a fruity hint. Grown on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. That’s why it is called Volcanica Coffee.”

She took another sip, savouring it, eyes glinting with appreciation. “Now that you mention it, I can taste it. Good on the nose too.”

“So, the coffee aroma was enough to wake you?” I teased.

She chuckled. “Well, not quite. It was the rooster, and also, it’s about time for my morning jog.”

“Wingman Wally can be a bit loud. Well you’re free to roam, but mind the critters still prowling for an early snack.”

Her brow arched, playful. “Critters? Thought you just had jackals around here?”

“There’s also a pride of lions to the east and north,” I said, casually as if listing garden plants. “And near the river to the south, you’ll find Misty.”

Her curiosity piqued. “Who’s Misty?”

“A six-year-old female leopard. A bit of a terror right now — she’s got three cubs she’s fiercely protective over.”

Nadia’s eyes widened, an involuntary shiver running down her arms. “Geez, Alex! You’ve got a whole damn game reserve here.”

I chuckled. “I’d skip the jog if I were you — or take someone with you. Otherwise, there’s a fully equipped gym in the basement. It’s safer than being a lion’s breakfast.”

“A gym?” she echoed, brightening. “You didn’t mention that. Do you use it?”

“Now and then, yeah.”

She grinned, taking another sip of her coffee. “Then I’ll drag Mai-Loan and Darya down there for a pre-breakfast workout.”

I pointed towards the east end of the house. “Stairs going down are at the end of the hallway. Gym’s the first double doors on the right.”

She gave me a mischievous look. “And what’s on the left? Or am I venturing into your secret lair? Your private and very discreet ... BDSM dungeon?”

Her laugh was light, teasing, but I felt a twinge of tension. I caught myself, trying to brush it off with a chuckle. “No dungeon,” I replied, but couldn’t keep the edge out of my voice. “Still, that room’s off-limits for now.”

Nadia caught the subtle change in my tone, her smile fading. She held my gaze, curiosity deepening in her expression. “Alex ... do you have some deep, dark secret hidden away?”

“Nothing like you’re imagining,” I said, trying to keep my tone light but firm. “Just something ... private. Innocent, even. But not for visitors.”

Her smile softened and she reached out, resting a hand on my arm, her voice quiet. “Hey, Alex, I was just teasing. No need to give away all your secrets.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and gave her a small smile. “It’s fine, Nads. Maybe ... one of these days, I’ll show you. But until then, it’s best left alone.”

She studied me, eyes lingering, as if weighing my words, before her smile returned. “Alright, mysterious man. Your secrets are safe with me—for now.”

The morning light softened as the first rays slipped over the horizon, painting her face with a gentle glow.

“Do you name all the animals around here?” Nadia asked after a quiet moment, looking out towards the bush, her mug now half-empty.

I chuckled. “Yeah, the ones that stand out. Like the rooster, the leopard ... then there’s Caesar, the male lion, and Tsarina Vladivostok, the matriarch of the pride.”

She gave me a sidelong look, eyebrows raised in amusement. “A Russian name for an African lion? Alex, you’re having way too much fun out here, aren’t you?”

“Guilty as charged. You want the full tour? I could introduce you to the cows too, one by one.”

She let out a laugh, shaking her head. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’d never remember all those names anyway.” She paused, glancing at the house with a sigh. “Well, time to play drill sergeant. I’ll go drag those two sleepyheads out of bed and haul them to the gym.” She drained her mug, then with a quick, practised move, swung her shapely legs off the low wall, flicked her flaming red hair over her shoulder and headed back inside, the hem of her nightshirt catching the morning light as she called over her shoulder, “See you at breakfast!”

I watched her go, the laughter she left behind still lingering in the air. Lucky Dave, I thought to myself with a grin — Nadia had a natural way of brightening a room and an energy that made mornings a bit easier to handle. It was hard to imagine her as a deadly soldier. Highly trained and highly skilled.

I lingered on the stoep a moment longer, letting the last notes of the dawn chorus settle around me, then slowly turned to head inside. The farmhouse seemed warmer with everyone here, a comfortable kind of life I hadn’t realized I’d missed until now.

================ With a smile on my face, I padded quietly to the kitchen, where the scent of sizzling bacon and fresh coffee filled the air. Outside, the morning sun had cast a golden glow over the fields, already alive with the quiet rustling of grazing cattle and the distant neighs of horses let out into the paddock by the farmhands. Morning chores on the farm were checked off, and I could focus on a little indulgence — Georgie’s breakfast in bed.

Balancing the tray loaded with a generous spread, I made my way up to her door and gave a gentle knock, not wanting to barge in unannounced.

“Who’s it?” she called, voice light and curious.

“Alex! Can I come in?”

“Yeah, sure...” came her answer. “I don’t look too good though...”

I eased the door open with my foot, still carefully holding the tray, and took in the sight of Georgie by the dresser, her reflection faintly visible in the mirror behind her. She sat on a small wooden stool, brushing out her hair. Her red tresses fell loosely around her shoulders, framing a face marked with exhaustion and bruises.

Her borrowed nightshirt, loose and soft, draped over her frame and did not hide much. It highlighted just how small and vulnerable she looked at that moment: a little relaxed but showing me her injuries for the first time. Deep purplish bruises marred her legs and arms, with faint streaks of dirt and smudges still clinging to her skin — a reminder of what she’d been through.

My chest tightened as I took in the full extent of her injuries. Bruises of every shade — from angry purple to fading yellow — spotted her arms and legs, telling a story I hadn’t witnessed but could feel in my gut. There was a cut on her knee, raw and red, and even though she tried to look composed, her eyes gave away a hidden pain. I could see the way her fingers rested uneasily on her thigh, almost like she was shielding herself.

I held the tray of breakfast in my hands, but for a second I couldn’t bring myself to move, overwhelmed by the instinct to reach out and make sure she knew she was safe now.

Seeing her like this — hurt, fragile, yet resilient — stirred something deep in me, a mix of anger and protectiveness that I wasn’t prepared for. All I wanted was to do something to ease the pain in her eyes, to replace the bruises with laughter and the fear with warmth. But for now, all I could do was offer her this small gesture, hoping it might bring her some comfort.

Steeling myself, I stepped closer, setting the tray gently before her. “Here you go,” I said softly, trying to keep my voice steady. As she looked up at me, a flicker of gratitude softened her gaze, and I felt an unexpected surge of warmth.

She glanced over, eyes bright and warm, though her right eye was still a bit swollen and coloured from yesterday’s bruising.

“Room service, Madam,” I announced with a grin. Georgie laughed, the sound lifting the mood immediately.

“Is that breakfast for me? You’re spoiling me, Alex. I could have come down.”

“Nope,” I replied. “Today, you get to stay right here and be served. Doctor’s orders — you’re still in recovery, after all.”

She raised an eyebrow, looking unconvinced but amused. “I’m a little stiff and sore, I’ll admit, but I can’t lie around forever. My mum always said the sooner you get moving, the better.”

“Oh yeah? Did you get roughed up often as a kid?” I asked, thinking about the sporty BMW Z4 parked outside that hinted she might have a bit of a wild streak.

She laughed, shaking her head as she went over to the bed and sat down on it.

“Let’s see ... I broke my left arm when I was twelve after I fell out of a tree,” she began with a smile. “And I’ve had my fair share of spills off horses too.”

“Well, you can’t say you’ve truly ridden a horse if you haven’t fallen off at least once,” I chuckled, pouring her a cup of coffee from the carafe. “Or at least that’s what they say around here.”

She nodded, taking the coffee gratefully. “I had a knack for it, apparently — got thrown off twice in one day once! My dad used to joke that I was just helping keep the local clinic in business.”

We both laughed, the warmth between us as easy as the sun now flooding her room.

“Where’s your breakfast?” she asked, noticing the single plate on the tray.

“I’ll get something now-now. First, I’ve got to make sure you’re all set up here,” I replied with a grin.

“Aww ... Alex. You’re too sweet.” She gave me a warm smile that seemed to fill the room. “But tell you what — take mine downstairs while I get dressed, and I’ll meet you in the dining room. Or even better, let’s go out to the patio. Breakfast tastes better in the fresh air, don’t you think?”

I hesitated, looking at the carefully laid-out plate. “But the bacon will get cold and greasy.”

“Pop it in the oven to keep it warm.” She laughed, giving me a playful shove on the arm. Her fingers lingered just a second too long, and I felt an electric thrill ripple up my spine. “I only need five minutes, then I’ll be down.”

“Five minutes? Really? What about all the, uh, war-paint and powder?” I teased, raising a brow.

She rolled her eyes, grinning. “Oh, Alex! Let me clue you in — the Georginia Harpers of this world don’t need war-paints and powders. What you see is what you get. No enhancements,” she declared, holding her arms out with a proud little flourish. “And besides, you won’t find a single powder puff or paint pot anywhere here in this room.”

I gave her an exaggerated nod. “I rest my case, ye ‘onner!” I chuckled, reaching for the tray. But just as I was about to turn to go, she put a hand on my arm again, this time a little softer, a little more deliberate.

“Leave the coffee, though ... I’ll bring it along,” she said with a quiet smile that made her eyes light up.

“Right. Can’t go without the wake-up juice.” I placed the mug back on her nightstand, giving her a quick wink. She lifted it with both hands, holding it close as if savouring the warmth, her eyes meeting mine over the rim.

“All right, Miss ‘No Enhancements,’ I’ll see you on the patio,” I said, stepping back with the tray.

She chuckled softly, her laughter following me as I left the room. This easy, happy energy felt natural — and as I headed back down, I found myself looking forward to our breakfast together, feeling the morning sun already warming up the day.

===================== I glanced at my watch, then out from the quiet patio where a light breakfast was laid out, ready for when Georgie joined me. Mai-Loan was in the field where the cattle was grazing. I think she was longing to be back with her herd out on Don’s farm.

Nadia, Darya, and Ronny went out to the river on three of my quadbikes. Yeah, let them at least have some fun while they are here.

Leon took the two teens out shopping and then on to his place. I was missing my friend Ally as I did not spend much time with her the last couple of days. But I sort of saw that she was devoting all her attention to her new ‘sister’, Zara. I wondered what would become of Zara once all this crap with Andreotti was eventually over.

The air was crisp with just enough morning sun filtering through the trees to promise a perfect day. My phone buzzed, and Ash’s name flashed on the screen.

“Morning, Ash,” I greeted. “I’m just about to have breakfast with my favourite news hawk.”

He let out a knowing chuckle. “Hmm ... How is she?”

“Better than I’d expected, actually,” I said, settling into my chair. “A bit bruised around the right eye, a little stiff and sore here and there, but otherwise she’s still her chirpy self.”

“That’s Georgie for you. Tough as nails,” he replied. “Good. Now, can you leave her in the care of my Angel flock for a day or two?”

I raised an eyebrow, sensing something in his tone. “Yeah, I think so. Nadia, Mai-Loan, and Darya are still around. Why? Something up?”

“Oh, you could say that. Word from Leon is that you’ve got a bit of a score to settle with our friend, The Ghost?”

“If I lay my hands on that mother...” I let my voice trail off, picturing just how satisfying that would be.

“Ha! Thought as much. Well, you might get your chance sooner than you expected.”

I perked up, intrigued. “Why so, Ash?”

“With most of his usual cronies out of action or cuffed up, he’s planning on handling the next delivery himself. First time in a long time he’s been out in the open.”

My eyebrows shot up. “No kidding? Going solo on a delivery? And you’ve got a bead on where this grand unveiling is supposed to happen?”

“It’ll be coming through the Oshoek Border Post.”

I blinked. “The Oshoek Border Post? I figured he’d fly it straight to OR Tambo International.”