Read Online Under the Desert Sky by Sara Luck - Free Book Online Page B

remember.” Phoebe felt a flush in her cheeks, which she hoped Christian didn’t notice.
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    As Christian began to eat, he thought about how much he was enjoying this breakfast. It wasn’t just the food, though the pancakes were quite good. He was enjoying the ambience of a family meal, something he couldn’t remember having experienced before in his entire life. Though Mrs. Van Koopmans had been good to him, he’d never considered himself to be a part of her family, nor had she ever encouraged it. This was something entirely new for him, and he was enjoying what this meal represented much more than he would’ve thought.
    Then, as if unwilling or unable to carry this fantasy any further, Christian pushed his chair back from the table.
    â€œThe pancakes were delicious.” He took a last swallow of coffee. “I am most appreciative.”
    â€œAnd the collops, Wet. Don’t forget the collops,” Will added.
    â€œI could eat that many pancakes and more, but we’ve got work to do. Are your nesting birds close by? I think I should check on them.”
    â€œI dread to think what you might find. I only have my original six pairs of adult birds, and if they’re gone, I’ll . . .”
    â€œLet’s hope all is well. Are they in paddocks?”
    â€œYes, if that’s what you call their pens. You’ll see them when you get to the rise.”
    â€œWhat about Wapi?” Will picked up one of the crisper pancakes. “Can Wet give this old pancake to him?”
    â€œNo, honey, we don’t need to encourage him. Anyway, isn’t taking care of Wapi one of your jobs?”
    Christian’s eyebrows rose. “Should I know something about . . . Wapi?”
    â€œHe’s an orphan chick. One of my nests was washed away by a thunderstorm, and Will insisted we rescue the eggs and put them in the incubator. Only one hatched, and now he’s become sort of a pet, or a nuisance, depending on how you look at it.”
    â€œNow, how do you know Wapi is a boy?” Christian asked. “I’ve always heard it’s hard to tell the sex of an ostrich until it gets through the hobbledehoy stage.”
    Phoebe laughed. “Are you calling our birds awkward? Never. The Sloan birds are the best in the valley. Isn’t that right, Will?”
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    â€œWell, I’d better go make the acquaintance of this fine flock,” Christian said. “Where’s your tackey?”
    â€œTackey? I don’t know what that is.” Phoebe’s brow furrowed.
    â€œDon’t tell me you go out among the birds without a stick,” Christian said, astonished.
    For an instant, a scene flashed across Phoebe’s mind when, yes, she had gone among the birds without a stick. “It’s by the gate,” Phoebe said, her voice devoid of emotion as she quickly turned away.
    Christian was confused by her reaction, but didn’t question her. “Give me a pancake, Will, and if I get to meet Wapi, I’ll give it to him.”
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    When Christian reached the first enclosure, he found several sticks that had thorns still intact. Picking what he thought was the strongest one, he opened the gate and went in search of the nesting birds.
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    Phoebe was busy in the kitchen mixing up bread dough. She was thinking about the $600 Mr. Prinsen would’ve paid her for her hatchlings, but the loss, while distressing, hadn’t devastated her. She credited that to the comforting support she’d received from Christian De Wet.
    Hearing the screen door open, she said, “You’re back. Please tell me the nests and the birds are safe.”
    â€œWere the birds in danger? I hadn’t heard that.”
    â€œFrank!” She dropped her spoon on the floor. Picking it up, she turned toward him.
    â€œI heard about