Caitlyn's Journey Pt. 01

Caitlyn was excited as the small propeller plane reached its cruising altitude. Looking out the window, she saw the full expanse of the Okavango Delta - the winding waterways surrounded by grasslands and little islands. Her adventure had begun.

She had always lived according to her parents' wishes. She had endured her mother's insistence on beauty pageants, attended their College and pledged her mother's sorority.

For four years, she smiled through mixers, rush weeks and all the other things that came with Greek life. Some of the elements of sisterhood were fun, but she grew tired of the continual pressure to appear perfect and the limitations it created. Part of her longed to see the world outside the bubble of social reputation and manoeuvrings.

Her parents approved of her major, Tourism and Guest Relations, seeing it as a career she could easily abandon when the time came to marry. She already knew their ideal husband - someone with status, boosting or maintaining her family's image. But this job, a year-long contract as junior guest relations manager at a luxury lodge? This was just for her.

From the moment the plane touched down, she was hooked. The sky looked bigger and bluer, and the air smelt earthy and clean. Grant and Angela, a husband-and-wife team managing the lodge, greeted her warmly. The 30-minute drive from the airstrip to the lodge took Caitlyn's breath away. She saw her first elephants, giraffes, and endless antelope. She had imagined this, but the reality dwarfed her dreams. It was raw, wild, and stunningly beautiful.

Arriving at the lodge, Grant and Angela gave her a tour before showing her living quarters, a small structure with canvas walls, a bed, a small desk, and a private shower. It had none of the luxury of the guest suites, but it was hers.

"Try and experience the place for the first few days," Grant said, handing Caitlyn her luggage. "Join game drives, use the bar, and act like a guest. You won't be very good at your job if you haven't experienced what we offer here."

Caitlyn took the advice and immersed herself in the guest experience. She joined the morning and evening game drives, enjoying the contrasting experience of the world waking up and settling down. She chatted with guests over brunch and cocktails. She marvelled over the dinners; she was amazed that such elegant food could be provided in such a remote location. She kept reminding herself she was here to help create these moments, not live them.

Settling into the actual job was more challenging. The remote location required precision - there were no emergency deliveries if she forgot to order something. Some nights, she struggled to sleep; the silence of night was now laced with the sounds of the wild in the distance. Losing connection to her phone was unsettling. Yet every new experience felt like a reinforcement of her choice.

She learned to adapt. She learned to balance the demands of high-paying guests with the unpredictability of the bush. The weekly arrival of new guests became something she looked forward to. The anticipation and pressure of providing the perfect experience to another group of wealthy tourists became a thrill.

Until one of them stood out.

He was younger and lacked the air of wealth and luxury she had come to expect. No designer outdoor gear or expensive camera. Just well-worn jeans and a dark blue sweatshirt with yellow trim. He was tall and lean, with a handsome face and just enough dark features to hint at some level of mixed heritage but nothing defining. Suddenly, Caitlyn remembered he didn't match any of the guest profiles.

"Who's that?" Caitlyn whispered to Angela as the other staff sang songs of welcome and passed out drinks.

"That," Angela grinned, "is trouble with a charming smile. His name is Will. He's our new guide." Christ, he looks like his father," she finished, shaking her head.

"You know his dad?" Caitlyn asked.

"From a time long before you were born," Angela smiled. "We went to high school together; he was the rugby captain."

"He doesn't look like a guide," Caitlyn observed.

"Why?" Angela challenged. "Because he's young or doesn't fit the stereotype? Maybe he isn't a middle-aged European in khakis or an African storyteller. Will did his apprenticeship here. Our guests deserve the best. By the time he's done in this field, he will have forgotten more about the bush than most people will ever know."

Caitlyn watched curiously as the other staff hugged and fussed over him like a long-lost nephew. She hung back, quietly observing the scene from a distance while everyone had their turn with him.

"Hi, I'm Caitlyn, but most people call me Cait," she said, using her sweetest, most dazzling smile.

"Will," he replied with a casual glance at her uniform. "I'll stick with Caitlyn if you don't mind. I already have a sister named Kate. Not sure you want that association."

Something about his polished British accent and easy confidence threw her.

"What team is that for?" Caitlyn said, recovering quickly and flashing another smile.

"Oxford United," Will replied.

"I've heard of Oxford and the university, but not the soccer team."

"You wouldn't have," Will shrugged. "We're not very good, but it's my home town team. We might be a Man United family, but Dad forces us to take an interest. It's been nice meeting you, but I should probably get settled. I'll see you around."

That was it, no bragging, no attempt to impress her. No lingering interest. Just a few simple words, and he walked away.

Caitlyn stood there confused. She'd never had a boy walk away from her before. She was hot, and she knew it. Boys chased her, the wealthy elite, the sports stars; it didn't matter. But this safari guide with the worn-out jeans and sweatshirt from an unrecognisable team had just walked away.

Caitlyn determined she would learn more about this stranger. His initial rejection didn't bother her once she got over the shock. She hadn't come here to chase a guy; she was here for the job and the experience. But he was close to her in age, it would be nice to have a friend,

Caitlyn decided to join one of his game drives. Angela's words had been playing on her mind. How did a boy from Oxford become a safari guide? Her curiosity only deepened when she listened to the guests rave about their experiences with him.

Angela was right. He was an incredible guide. He assumed complete control of the experience, tempering the guests' expectations over potential sightings with ease and charm. As the drive continued, Caitlyn observed that Will was just as skilled as the more experienced guides she'd already been out with.

He often stopped for no apparent reason, only to point out a creature hiding in the brush once a guest asked what they were looking for. He explained the animal behaviours simply, never condescending or showy, just knowledgeable. By the time they returned to the lodge, Caitlyn had already determined she would join his drives when she could.

"I hope you enjoyed that. I think the guests did," Will said quietly behind her while Caitlyn watched guests accept their morning drinks.

"It was great, thank you," Caitlyn replied.

He gave her a small nod of acknowledgement but didn't say anything, returning to his truck.

Despite her conviction to get to know him, work always interfered. The expectation to interact with the guests outside of planned activities minimised free time. She knew she could have made more effort, but she valued her free time. Most nights, she just wanted to read a book in her quarters or send updates to her family.

Still, she was always polite when they bumped into each other, and she even started receiving little smiles when he said hello.

One evening, long after the lodge had gone to sleep, Caitlyn stayed up reviewing guest profiles for the next arrivals. She wanted to memorise every detail, conscious that she was the least experienced member of the team. Will's arrival and his easy confidence had only made that more glaring.

Finally finished and thinking of bed, Caitlyn was surprised to find Will in the guest lounge, focused on his laptop. Curious, she asked him what he was doing, keeping the coffee table between them in case she was intruding.

"What are you watching there?" Caitlyn asked.

"Women's Tennis, the US Open is on," he replied without looking up. "The satellite connection is better here."

"I love tennis. Mind if I join?"

Will didn't answer her. He just shrugged and shifted to make space. Taking the silent invitation, she helped herself to a beer from the bar and settled in, wondering about his interest in tennis.

"So, who are we supporting?" Caitlyn asked, trying to be friendly now he accepted her presence.

"Smith. the one in the dark blue skirt," Will replied, not taking his eyes off the screen.

"She's pretty. Celebrity crush?"

"No. She's my sister."

"Wait, your sister is Kate Smith? Didn't she just break into the top 30?" Caitlyn said, not quite believing him.

"Well, she's adopted and a spoilt brat," Will said, smiling. "But we aren't as different as you think; she's pretty handy in the bush. Now you get why I didn't want to call you Cait."

"I'm just trying to wrap my head around the idea that your sister is a professional athlete and you're a safari guide," Caitlyn replied. "Shouldn't you be travelling the world rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous?"

"Why would I do that?" Will asked rhetorically. "That's Kate's world. It's what she always wanted. Not me."

"So what do you want?" Caitlyn asked, happy that he was opening up a little more.

"I'm still working that out," he suddenly, closing off again. "I have a few ideas, though."

Before she could press further, his attention was back on the screen. He supported his sister with occasional outbursts of joy and frustration.

Caitlyn followed the game even more curious about Will, his skill in the bush, and his rejection of the status his sister could provide him. It was the sort of connection that people in her world would have used to enhance their image and status. She even wondered how the guests would react if they knew this connection.

Maybe that's why he keeps it quiet, Caitlyn thought; it's not about her; this is for him. Still, she couldn't imagine the beautiful, athletic blonde woman on the screen growing up in the same house as the rugged adventurer next to her.

As the days passed, Caitlyn felt her mind drawn to Will in her free moments. It wasn't just him. It was her curious nature. Why was he in Botswana and not enjoying the lifestyle his sister's status would give him? How did a boy from Oxford know so much about the Okavango? Mostly, these moments lingered at the back of her mind. The demands of the job didn't give her much time to dwell.

Then, Caitlyn's hard work began to pay off. Angela had given her the chance to plan a final night dinner for the guests, and Caitlyn was excited. This was her moment to prove that she belonged in the world of luxury travel. Caitlyn threw herself into the process. She reviewed profiles and coordinated with the chef, imagining a candle-lit dinner at sundown alongside the riverbed. There was only one problem: she didn't have a plan B.

On the day of her dinner, a sudden storm came through the lodge, washing away her dream. There was only one solution, and she dreaded it. She'd have to ask Angela for help. Her emotions were everywhere; she was upset, frustrated, and mostly angry at herself for not planning better. She knew the stakes of failure at this level. She hid in a storeroom to cry out her frustrations before her moment of humiliation. Unfortunately, Will found her.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked, genuinely concerned.

Through her tears, she explained her predicament and her fears of losing credibility with Angela. Will didn't interrupt and let her explain without comment or question. When she was done, he just smiled at her.

"Go to the guest lounge and set it up as a dining room, and I'll look after the rest."

She considered questioning him, but she remembered his natural ease in this setting, and, taking a leap of faith, she decided to trust him.

The dinner turned out to be perfect. Instead of her candlelit dinner next to the river, Will had worked with the kitchen team to make a traditional Setswana dinner. He joined them, singing local songs and telling traditional folk tales, creating a far more immersive experience than she could have imagined.

She didn't know he could speak Setswana, let alone sing in it. This was more than a job to him - it was personal.

As the guests raved about the evening, she silently thanked him. He had saved her big moment. He hadn't taken any credit; he had just done it and, in the process, saved her from a potential disaster. Caitlyn was sure Angela knew because she gave Will a small smile and patted his shoulder just before congratulating Caitlyn on the successful evening.

She waited until all the guests were in the bar before approaching him.

"Thank you. Whatever my original idea was, this was better," Caitlyn said quietly.

"Don't worry about it. The guests come and go, but we have to stay here; we need to look out for each other. At the end of the day, it's about the guest experience, and that's on all of us. They still had a memorable final night. I'll finish up here. Go and join them. Enjoy your moment."

As Caitlyn walked towards the bar, she realised she couldn't deny it anymore. She was drawn to him. It wasn't just his skills in the bush or his famous sister; she now wanted to know him.

Before Caitlyn could think of a plan to get closer to him, Will saved her again.

She was on her way to bid the guests farewell when she spotted a snake just off the path. She was surprised; she still hadn't seen one after months in Botswana, so she decided to take a closer look.

She hadn't even taken five steps towards it before she heard Will's voice shout.

"Caitlyn, stop! Don't approach it."

The authority in his voice froze her in place. She remained motionless as Will walked past her with a snake hook and catching bag. She watched in awe as he expertly caught the snake and bagged it. Once she saw him sit on the floor, she decided it was safe to approach.

As she got closer, she realised Will was shaking. Instinctively, she grabbed his hand to calm him.

"You okay?" She asked quietly.

"Yeah, it's just adrenaline," he replied. "No matter how many times you do it, it's still nerve-wracking when you have to give up the hook to get them into the bag."

"What is it?" Caitlyn asked.

"Puff Adder, angry, aggressive bastards. Most snakes move out of the way long before you get close, but they're ambush hunters; they don't move; they wait. They look fat and lazy, but they have one of the fastest strikes on earth. A bite likely won't kill you, but if you don't get to the hospital quick, you might lose whatever it bit."

Caitlyn shuddered at the thought of how close she had gotten to disaster.

"Caitlyn," Will said, his voice calmer. "I don't want to be condescending, but it's really important to me that you understand that no matter how much we curate the experience for guests, we're still in the wild. Most snakes in Botswana are harmless, but please don't approach anything unless you're absolutely sure what you're dealing with."

The sincerity of his plea broke through Caitlyn's defences. Trying to move on, she brought her attention back to the snake still struggling in the bag.

"I won't; I'm sorry, truly. My curiosity got the better of me. What happens to him?" She asked.

"Oh, he'll calm down, and when the day is a bit cooler, I'll release him somewhere he won't run into many people."

As Caitlyn watched Will walk away with the snake bag, she finally let herself feel the significance of the dangerous position she had unwittingly put herself in. She didn't want to think about what could have happened if Will hadn't intervened. She contrasted his calm, managed behaviour in handling the snake and his immediate reaction afterwards. The shaking adrenaline as he managed his emotions after his confrontation with danger. Caitlyn realised he had saved her again.

He had known the snake was there and was prepared for it--he already had a snake hook and catching bag--but he wasn't prepared for her presence. Her curiosity had put him in a position where he wasn't just responsible for his safety but hers. After the incident with dinner, she felt like she owed him again. From observing him, she knew he wouldn't accept praise or gratitude; he would say he was doing his duties.

"Maybe I can thank him another way," Caitlyn thought. "That's twice he's stepped up for me. Maybe I can step up for him and be his support person. After all, he told me last night we have to look out for each other."

With the guests gone, Caitlyn spent the day relaxing by the pool with a book in her hands, but her mind was on Will. She'd worked with him for months; their lodgings were next to each other, but he had always kept a professional distance. Even the time they watched his sister's tennis match, he subtly redirected her.

She would have to be patient. Start small. Just consistently let him know she was there without overstepping, and hopefully, he would begin to open up to her.

The next morning, she deliberately next to him in the staff briefing. She was aware of him tensing slightly at her presence. There was plenty of room in the lounge, but she'd made her choice. Caitlyn pushed past his reaction with a warm smile before taking her notebook out to focus on the briefing.

Once the guides had been assigned their groups and the meeting closed, Caitlyn put a hand on Will's shoulder, indicating she wanted a moment.

"I just wanted to thank you for yesterday with the snake," She said once they were alone. "I should have said it yesterday, but everything happened so quickly."

"Don't worry about it," Will said, clearly uncomfortable with the praise.

"No, Will, I should worry about it," Caitlyn pressed. "I might be the least experienced here, but that was just basic safety. How can I remind our guests about safety rules and then ignore them? So please just accept my thanks."

"Okay, Caitlyn. You're welcome. But really, it wasn't a big deal."

"Will!" Caitlyn replied, shaking her head. "Please just accept my gratitude without minimising it. It may not have been a big deal for you, but it was for me."

This time, he gave her a small nod and a gentle shoulder squeeze before heading out to join the other guides.

Caitlyn breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Will walk away from her. It wasn't much, but it felt like progress. Like she had chipped away at some of the distance between them, it suddenly occurred to her that she had been worried he disliked her for some reason. He was open and friendly with the other staff and always charming with the guests, but he held her at arm's length.

Yet his behaviour at the dinner and his heartfelt plea for her safety after the snake incident made her think she might have misread him. Maybe he was just one of those people who didn't engage easily. She understood his connection with the other staff; he already knew them when he arrived. And his charm with the guests? Well, that was his job.

Caitlyn didn't realise how much the lodge started to feel like home until it was pointed out to her. The feeling of being an outsider had faded, and she no longer felt like she was intruding when she joined conversations.

One of her favourite nights was a rare guest-free evening when she joined the guides for a drink around the fire. They were swapping stories of their most interesting interactions with wildlife, and Caitlyn was just happy to absorb their experiences.

Tumisang, one of the younger guides, was telling a terrifying yet funny story of a Hippo who took particular displeasure to his presence when he slipped into Setswana. Caitlyn only understood basic greetings and a few simple phrases. Before she could brush it off, Enoch, the head guide, intervened.

"Tumisang, Caitlyn is with us. You can't just slip into Setswana; she doesn't understand. We don't exclude family," Enoch said sharply.

Caitlyn was touched by the older man's intervention. Tumisang's slip didn't really bother her. She had grown accustomed to it, but Enoch's assertion that she was family felt like a validation of her belonging. They weren't just colleagues; they lived and worked together with the same goals. She just hadn't realised it, but this was more than an adventure. She belonged.

"It's okay, Tumi, it happens," Caitlyn said, smiling. "But If you really are sorry, you can get the next round of beers since it's my turn."

Wanting to move the moment along, she turned her attention to Will.

"So, how long have you been fluent in Setswana?"

Caitlyn thought it was an innocent question, but there was something about the laughter and Will's blush.

"Our little brother isn't fluent in Setswana," Enoch said once the laughter died down. "He sounds like it to you, but he's really quite bad."

"What do you mean?" Caitlyn asked.

He's only just conversational because he still translates in his head before he speaks. When he can't think of the word, he mixes in English. It's like his own dialect. It's better now than when it was when he came back. He understands everything, though," Enoch added kindly.

"What do you mean it's better now?" Caitlyn asked, still confused.

"His accent started changing to fit Setswana patterns of speech, and even yours has changed a little. You're no longer the American girl who speaks too fast," Enoch said, patting her knee. "If you keep going, we could have you better than Will by the time you leave," Enoch finished, causing more laughter from the men.

The laughter kept up as Will uttered a complicated phrase in Setswana that sounded like an insult.

"Young one," Enoch said through his laughter. "Caitlyn shouldn't have to hear that, especially in that accent."

They drank together for another hour before the other guides started slipping away, leaving Caitlyn alone with Will.

"So what's the real story with you and Setswana?" Caitlyn asked after she got more drinks.

"Pretty much what you heard. I didn't grow up speaking it much," Will replied. "I can think of only two people in Oxford who speak it, Dad and his friend Alex. Mum and Lily never really let them use it."

"Why?" Caitlyn asked, frowning.

"Dad and Alex have a habit of going off on tangents no one understands," Will laughed. "The rule was if they couldn't include us, then they'd have to leave. Then we'd come here, and as you've worked out, most people here speak decent English, so there wasn't a need for it."

"Tell me more about your family and your connection to Botswana, please?"

"Botswana is easier to explain than what I call family," Will answered slowly, sipping his beer. "My dad is half Motswana, my grandma was from here, and my grandad was a British expat. Dad was born in England, but he grew up here before moving back for University. He brought Mum here so she could see where he came from. She fell in love with it. They've tried to visit at least once a year since. They have a house in the capital."

"That's cool. I didn't realise your dad was Black," Caitlyn said.

"Dad isn't Black. He's mixed," Will said, sitting up sharply. "He's very big on us embracing both sides of our culture, not just identifying as one or the other because it makes things easier for some people to label us."

"I'm sorry," Caitlyn said, meaning it. "It's just... Where I come from, people who are mixed tend to be seen as Black."

"I know, it's the 'one drop rule', and that can of worms is staying firmly shut," Will said forcefully.

Caitlyn was torn. She wanted to know more about Will's perspective, but his voice made it clear this was not a boundary to be tested.

"Will, I mean it, I'm sorry," Caitlyn said, hoping he would accept her apology. "I'm just interested because I've never heard that viewpoint before. I hope you'll be comfortable talking to me about this one day."

She was relieved when he didn't shrink away or recoil from her touch.

"Can you tell me what you meant when you said, 'What you call family'?" Caitlyn asked.

"I have the least traditional family in existence. You have the basics: Mum, Dad, Me, Lettie, and you know about Kate, who's adopted. Then, it gets complicated. I have two proper grandmas and two bonus ones. You have Nana, who is Mum's mum, and then you have Grandma, who is actually Dad's godmother, but try telling her that. My actual maternal grandma on my dad's side died when he was fifteen. He doesn't talk about her, and Mum just says they were estranged. My paternal granddad died the month before I was born; I'm named after him, and we haven't seen my maternal grandad since we were little. Mum doesn't talk about that, either."

"That's already a lot," Caitlyn said, surprised.

"Oh, I'm not done," Will laughed. "Then you have my aunts and uncles. I have nineteen, not including their spouses. None of them but Aunt Maggie, Dad's sister, who's also adopted, is related to us. The rest are just part of this weird, co-dependent family of friends Mum and Dad created."

"That sounds chaotic," Cailyn laughed.

Definitely," Will smiled affectionately. "Take Alex and Lily: Alex is like my dad's protégé. When Mum found out Lily had a crush on him, she made Dad employ her as our nanny for the summer just to get them together. We're weird, but our motto is: family built on love and connections, not just blood."

"Sounds exhausting," Chloe remarked, joining Will in his laughter. "How do you keep everything organised?"

"You don't notice when you grow up in it. Yeah, things can get out of hand, but Mum and her friends keep everything under control. Sometimes not just in the family but the wider community too. Dad calls them the 'Coven'. What about your family?"

Caitlyn took a breath, contrasting her family with Will's. She even hesitated to answer him, wondering how he would react, but this was the first time he had opened up to her. She decided to use the opportunity.

"We're quite a bit more traditional than that," she started slowly. "There's Daddy and Momma, and I'm an only child. I have a couple of aunts and uncles on both sides and several cousins. We all love each other, and we have a lot of fun together." Caitlyn hesitated for a moment but decided to continue. "But there's always an undercurrent of expectation, and growing up, I thought it was normal. We didn't do anything that other families in our area didn't do. I guess it was only later that I realised that it was part of some competition. Everything we did was balanced against our social standing; we had to be members of the right club, attend the right charity events, and associate with the right people. I know they love me, but sometimes, I feel a little overwhelmed by it all. Coming to Botswana has been a break from all that."

"Caitlyn, I hate to break it to you, but this lodge isn't Botswana," Will said quietly. "It's a perfectly curated experience so wealthy tourists can see the wildlife in comfort. I wouldn't even call this glamping."

"I thought this would have been the sort of thing you did growing up?" Caitlyn asked, confused.

"No one in my family would ever set foot in a place like this," Will said seriously. "They'd rather be out there with nothing but a tent and campfire. Their only concession to luxury is that Dad's truck has a built-in fridge freezer. Well, maybe Kate would. She's kinda famous now," he added with a chuckle.

"Will you show me your Botswana," Caitlyn asked hopefully.

"We'll see. It's not just about camping; it's the life my family has in Gaborone. This is just part of the picture. It's getting late, and we're back on duty tomorrow."

Caitlyn found herself dwelling on Will's words in the days that followed. She understood that the lodge catered to wealthy tourists. It just didn't occur to her that it wasn't a genuine experience. The words genuine and authentic were featured heavily in the marketing material and website. Finally, after days of going back and forth on the idea, she sought out another opinion.

"Angela, would you say we offer an authentic experience?" Caitlyn asked one afternoon while they were alone in the office.

"You've been talking to Will," Angela replied rhetorically.

After looking at Caitlyn thoughtfully she closed her laptop and stood up. "Let's talk about this over a drink."

Caitlyn dutifully followed Angela to the bar and remained quiet as Angela poured them both a glass of wine. Once they were settled, Angela started the conversation.

"I would say we offer an authentic, luxury safari experience - equal or better than you would find in other countries such as Kenya, Tanzania or South Africa."

"Okay, let me try this again," Caitlyn said, trying to reframe her question. "Do you think we offer an authentic African or Botswana experience?"

"No, I don't," Angela said simply.

"Really," Caitlyn replied, caught off guard by her bluntness.

"This is where I do agree with Will. Caitlyn, almost no one who lives in Botswana can access a lodge like this. That's a fact. People don't just come here to see the animals. If that's all they want, they can rent a 4x4 and camping gear in Maun and drive into the game reserve. They come here for the illusion of that experience.

That's not to say it doesn't have value; we provide jobs, and tourism is good for the wider economy, but I don't think anyone, the staff or the guests, thinks this is an authentic African or Botswana experience."

"Why does Will do it if he hates it?" Caitlyn asked.

"I don't think he said he hates it," Angela protested.

"No, he didn't. He said his family would never use a lodge like this."

"Okay, that's different," Angela replied, setting her glass down. "For Mike, his dad, it isn't just about being the bush. It's about reconnecting with Botswana at a basic level. Will does this because he is good at it; he loves sharing his knowledge, just like Mike probably loved sharing his with him. How else will he do it? He probably has more reasons, but I don't know them."

Caitlyn thought over Angela's words, but before she could respond, Angela continued.

"Caitlyn, you have to understand authenticity isn't just one thing. What we offer is authentic because we know what we're offering. It's not less real than Will's ideas. We can't suddenly have everybody in the world turning up in the Delta, or we'd ruin it. So, we create these exclusive experiences.

Is it the whole picture of Botswana? No. But I would also argue that's the point that maybe you're missing. Botswana is a broad canvas. A safari experience here isn't what you would find in the Kalahari. Drive a hundred miles from here, and the language changes, but it still represents Botswana. If you look deep enough, every country on earth has these issues. No matter where you go, there's no single authentic. It's about finding what is authentic to you."

After thinking through her conversation with Angela, Caitlyn made up her mind. She wanted to see what Will meant. When she asked him before, it had been in the heat of the moment. But she still didn't really understand. Angela's words had seemed more balanced, but she lacked the experience to form her own opinion.

She just needed a plan. A plan that wouldn't leave him the room to refuse. Looking through the guest bookings, she found a two-day window in which they could get away. Wanting some extra authority, she explained her plan to Angela, who agreed to back her up, even suggesting it would be good for her to see the other side of visiting the Delta.

With Angela's support, Caitlyn waited for her moment. She caught him just as he was unloading another group of happy guests from a successful excursion. As she watched him charm the ladies, she suddenly remembered Angela saying he was 'trouble with a charming' smile. He knew how to balance his charm to make the female guests appreciate his attention without overstepping. She imagined that a wealthy divorcee would be more than happy to explore his charms if it weren't for his professional integrity.

As the last of the guests walked away for their sundowners, she stopped him.

"Can I have a minute? Then you can go back to flirting with wives old enough to be your mom," Caitlyn smirked, letting him know she had seen his act.

"Sure, what do you need," Will replied, casually ignoring her jibe.

"Well, I was thinking about what you said. I want you to take me camping and show me some of your Botswana. I know it won't be the whole picture, but it will at least be part of it."

"Caitlyn, we work all the time; it's not like we can just drop everything and disappear?" Will challenged.

"I've already covered that. We have a light week coming up, and Angela says we can go for two days. She'll find us a tent, an air mattress, and sleeping bags. She said to leave the rest up to you, so do you have another excuse?" Caitlyn replied, smiling at her genius.

"All right then," Will replied after a few moments of thought. "I'll talk to Angela about what we need, but I need to be clear about something. Once we're out there, it's my rules - any disagreement, I'll turn us back."

"Sir, yes sir," Caitlyn smiled before hooking her arm into his. "Come on, if we time it right, they may have left some gin for us."

Caitlyn was ready to go an hour before they had to leave. Only being gone for one night had made packing easy, just a change of clothes and some insect repellent. But she was too excited to sit still. She knew the game-viewing experience wouldn't change. He was still driving her around in a lodge's 4x4. But this time, there would be none of his professional polish.

Unable to wait, she headed to their meeting point twenty minutes early. Will was already there loading a cooler into the truck. Instead of welcoming her, he pointed out the remaining supplies on the ground next to the truck, indicating that she should help. Caitlyn was about to pout at her welcome, but he followed up with a grin.

"Just be happy I had the other guys help me with the firewood."

When they were ready to go, he waited for her to get settled before explaining his plan.

"Since you shoehorned me into this, I've decided to turn this into a scouting mission; we're going to look at some areas I haven't used yet. If memory serves, they are pretty good; it's just a bit more challenging on the truck."

Without another word, they were off. For the first hour, they stuck to the trails Caitlyn was used to. She was a little disappointed they didn't see much.

"All the drives you've been on are early morning or late afternoon, prime viewing time. I'm hoping by the time we get to our campsite, we'll have more luck," Will explained.

"I've always wondered, do you guides know where the animals are ahead of time?"

"Yes and no," Will answered carefully. "We get a feel, like lions preferring certain areas and things like that, but nothing is ever guaranteed. Sometimes we do know, we have to make a choice not to show the guests."

"Why would you do that? They pay a lot of money for this experience. Aren't you robbing them by not showing them?" Caitlyn challenged.

"My ethical duty is to the animal, not the guest," Will said matter of factly. "We had a mothering leopard with newborn cubs less than a mile from the lodge a couple of months ago, and we had a duty to protect her. We could have exposed her to guests, which might have made her feel threatened and led her to expose herself and her cubs to bigger dangers. I get that for many people, the leopard is a bucket list animal, but I have to look at the bigger picture; if she chooses to expose herself and her cubs, fine, that's nature. My job is to show nature at work, not affect it."

"I thought our job was to try to meet every guest's expectation," Caitlyn said, thinking through Will's statement.

"For you absolutely, you're in guest relations," Will said with a shrug. "Mine's a bit more nuanced; I can't just think of the guest in front of me; I've got to think of every guest that follows them and their experience. It's my job to guide them and hope they have a fulfilling experience. Why do you think my first conversation with them is always about managing expectations?"

"What kind of dangers would the leopard face?"

"Other predators," Will replied simply. "Hyenas, lions, even a male leopard if the cubs aren't his. Baboons would target them, given the chance. Leopards and baboons have been enemies since long before we started observing them."

Caitlyn was about to ask another question, but the terrain suddenly got more challenging, and she accepted that he needed to concentrate. As he drove, she thought about his words, wondering how hard it was to make that choice to deny a guest. Her job was simple by comparison; her responsibility was to the guests. His was to protecting the environment they sold.

As they got further into their trip, Will's prediction came true. It was always Caitlyn's favourite part of a game drive, seeing the Delta come alive as the animals came out from their afternoon hiding places. They were watching the daily interactions at the waterhole when Caitlyn had another question.

"It still amazes me that I'm not bored of this yet," Caitlyn whispered. "How do you make sure it never gets boring?"

"I just remind myself that it's a privilege to be able to experience this," Will said, not taking his eyes off the scene unfolding in front of them.

As the sun began to set, Will moved them on to get their camp set up. Before he did anything, he explained his rules to Caitlyn, the measures he was taking to keep them safe, and her obligation to help him. Once he was done, he pulled out a camping chair for her and poured her a gin and tonic before setting up camp around her and building their fire.

She frowned a little when he set up his camp chair a little away from hers, but instead of confronting him, she just moved closer.

"You know, I've been here like seven months, and I still don't know why we always serve gin and tonic at sundown," Caitlyn observed.

"The way I learned it, it actually has medicinal purposes. Before we had modern medicine, malaria was a problem until we found quinine, but the problem was that the tree bark was awful, so they developed tonic water to make it palatable. But tonic is also pretty grim, so the British colonialists started mixing it with gin to make it worth it. There are better medicines these days, but the tradition remains."

"Teach me more, please?"

"Okay, since you already have a G&T, I'll skip rule one," Will smiled at her. "Rule two, nerves are good. Nerves mean you're paying attention."

"Where did you learn that one?"

"It's something Dad says every time he's in the bush," Will said nostalgically.

For the next couple of hours, Caitlyn listened to Will tell her stories about his life in the bush with his family and the lessons he had learned while he seamlessly made their dinner. Caitlyn was struck by his effortless movement, managing the fire with complete ease. She thought he was impressive in managing his guest parties, but that was always from the truck's driver's seat. This was Will in his natural environment.

As they settled down to eat, Caitlyn was startled by a low rumbling sound in the distance,

"Will, what was that?" She asked, fear creeping into her voice.

"Sounds like lions," Will said casually. "Maybe a couple of miles away. I wouldn't worry about it. It's not the lion you can hear that should scare you."

As the night deepened. Caitlyn had a revelation; she was probably having the world's most personal and intimate safari experience. Her guide wasn't just attractive; he was competent and confident without being arrogant. And he had done it all just because she had asked him to.

Caitlyn knew that when they went to bed, she was going to make a move on him. It wasn't about their growing friendship or what might happen afterwards. It was about how she felt about him in that moment. He was always true to himself, and she was going to be true to herself. Maybe it would develop into something more, maybe it wouldn't. That didn't matter.

This was one of her favourite moments - the build-up. She loved the anticipation almost as much as she loved the act itself. Mentally, she was counting down the moments to Will, telling her it was time for bed. She imagined how it would be with him; she imagined it would be an extension of the man she saw every day, assured, confident in his every move and caress. The thought thrilled her.

Letting the images flash through her mind, she rested her head on his shoulder. She felt him stiffen for a moment as he relaxed to her contact. Content she pushed the thoughts of their upcoming encounter away as he tried to teach her how to navigate using the stars.

Caitlyn was so lost in his words that his sudden movement startled her as he sat up.

"Fire's burning down and it's getting late, we should probably head in for the night," Will said gently.

Caitlyn didn't immediately respond and just smiled as she watched him get up. Instead of following him, she held out her hand so he could help her. Getting up, she stepped as close to him as she could.

"Caitlyn, what..." Will started, but Caitlyn hushed him with her finger.

"Don't overthink this," Caitlyn whispered. "Just be here with me. We can worry about tomorrow when it happens."

Before Will could respond, Caitlyn kissed him. Closing her eyes, she took her first taste of his lips; it was just him, the slight hint of their dinner, the remnants of the gin they had been drinking and something that was just him. Even his unkempt stubble felt right. Breaking their kiss, Caitlyn found his eyes.

"Are you with me?" She whispered.

She watched as he closed his eyes tight and tilted his head back before he returned her gaze. There was no response; he just nodded, and, taking a breath, he kissed her again before guiding her to the tent.

Despite her fantasies, there was no elegant way to maintain their contact as they both crouched through the entrance. As soon as they were standing again, Caitlyn had her lips on him again, impatiently using her foot to kick the air mattress to the side to give them more room. She clawed at his shirt, eager to start removing the barriers between them.

Succeeding in the task, she let her fingers run over his toned abs, taking in the feel of his skin. Suddenly, she pushed him back.

"I gave you a head start," she giggled. You can finish the job and leave your boxers on. I want that job."

Caitlyn watched as Will lost his boots, socks, and shorts.

"Good, now, watch," Caitlyn said as she slowly began to unbutton her shirt. It was when only as she shed her jeans that she had an intrusive thought. It suddenly occurred to her that she wasn't as perfectly groomed as she normally was.

After a moment's panic, she pushed the thought away. This wasn't about showing him the perfectly manicured version of her he'd never seen. This wasn't about appearances or living up to expectations but about who she was in that moment. Holding on to that confidence, she finished stripping, modelling for him with all the ambience a dim camping lantern can provide.

"Caitlyn, you're..." Will started

"That's exactly the reaction I was looking for," Caitlyn smiled, stepping towards him and settling her hands on the waistband of his boxers. Now for my prize," she whispered, kissing him again and sinking to her knees.

This was it; his hesitation disappeared, and she was going to see all of him. Pulling his boxers down in one swift movement, and what she found gave her a thrill. He was big - not a pornstar, but bigger than she'd ever experienced, the kind of big that caused a mix of fear and desire. The kind she wanted to try.

A shiver ran down her spine as she took him into her hand. She stroked slowly before kissing the tip gently and licking the first drops of his pre cum. She loved oral sex, the act of giving her partner pleasure, the strange combination of power and submission at the same moment. She felt him stiffen as she explored his shaft, savouring his unique balance of hard yet yielding flesh.

Caitlyn ignored her initial discomfort as her jaw stretched around his extra girth. She wanted this, so she adjusted to accommodate him and found her rhythm. She was focused. Nothing mattered but his pleasure. She took direction from his body, backing off when she felt he was close, and then it happened - his surrender. She felt his hand on her head. She knew he wanted her to finish, but he didn't try and direct her movements. Reassured that she was still in control, and she picked up her tempo, knowing her prize was close. And then it arrived.

"Caitlyn, I'm..."

Caitlyn immediately pulled back, keeping him in her mouth and stroking him to the end, swallowing every drop.

After kissing his tip one more time, she stood up, but before she could find some water to rinse her mouth, he pulled her into his embrace and kissed her.

"Will, I need to..." she protested.

"Shut it, it's my turn," he growled, kissing her again.

The kiss and the sensation of his hands beginning to explore her body overtook Caitlyn's protests. He had taken control; it had become his show. Caitlyn closed her eyes, focusing on the sensation of the strong yet surprisingly soft hands exploring her body. She moaned slightly as he broke the kiss.

"Bed."

It was a command, not a request, and Caitlyn wanted to obey; no, she needed to obey. Maintaining eye contact, she retreated in slow, deliberate movements, sensually emphasising her compliance; lying back, she spread her legs slightly, offering what she was now certain he desired. As she watched his eyes roam over her, she realised that something had changed. There was something predatory about his lust.

She had led him here, but suddenly, she was his prey. And she wanted to be caught.

Caitlyn remained still as he knelt on the bed, pushing her knees, spreading her slightly wider for him. She saw the small smirk that came with her willing obedience; he was toying with her, and they both knew it.

She shuddered as he began to use his lips to explore her. She held her breath as he trailed little kisses along her neck and her collarbone, letting out small gasps of pleasure as he found her sensitive spots.

In the confines of the tent, she could smell her arousal in the air as he continued his journey. She was whimpering by the time his lips reached her most sensitive parts. She needed more. She wanted to harness the raw desire of the night. She wanted him to take her.

Pushing his head away, she caught his eyes, "Will, I... I need more than that; I need you inside me; I need to feel you claim me."

She moaned loudly at the first intrusion, the split second of resistance before the inevitable surrender, but she kept her hands on the small of his back, pulling him deeper, wanting more, needing more. She revelled at the friction, the tension, the stretching and moulding to accept him. Her body's surrender was complete as he lightly bumped against her cervix. Embracing the moment, Caitlyn pulled his face down to hers, engaging his lips again.

"Will... fuck me," she whispered hoarsely.

As he found his momentum, Caitlyn lost herself in the passion of the moment, the familiar rhythm of being filled, his withdrawal only to fill her again, the controlled force of his trust, the passion in his eyes. This wasn't romance; this was lust in its rawest form, and Caitlyn had never felt more alive.

By the time their climaxes receded, Caitlyn was spent, just lying there sweating in the now stiflingly hot tent. She knew she should move and clean up, but she couldn't. Minutes passed before she felt Will get up; she watched silently, appreciating his thoughtfulness as he opened the ventilation flaps and dug into his bag for water. He passed her a bottle before pulling out a clean wash cloth and lightly wetting it for her. He waited until she cleaned up and tossed the cloth into the corner of the tent before he rejoined her.

"So," he said cautiously after he got comfortable.

"Tomorrow, Will, tomorrow," Caitlyn said, gently kissing his cheek and settling down with her arm draped across his chest.

Sleep took her in seconds.

As Caitlyn stirred, she knew she was alone before she opened her eyes. She could feel his lingering warmth under the blanket, but she could also hear him moving outside. Part of her was disappointed. She briefly recalled his comforting warmth as she fell asleep. The other part of her was thankful for the space to think through her thoughts.

As she rolled over, she felt the familiar satisfying ache that came the morning after a night of great sex. As she replayed the night before, her thoughts became more conflicting. She had never been as free or giving with anyone, even in long-term relationships. She had always enjoyed sex, but she'd never had that overwhelming surrender to the moment before. Was it the moment, being alone with him in one of the wildest places on earth, or was it something deeper?

It couldn't be something deeper; she still knew very little about him, but the strength of the connection was so powerful that she wanted to experience it again. How could she have that without ruining the delicate balance of working together so closely? Slowly, a solution formed; it wasn't perfect, and it had the potential to be disastrous, but she felt helpless against her desire to be with him again.

As Caitlyn exited the tent, she found Will waiting for her with a cup of coffee. Their eyes met, but neither spoke nor made any attempt for contact beyond the simple transfer of the cup. Caitlyn noted the same concern in his eyes that she had seen when he had found her crying in the storeroom--the same worry he had during their encounter with the snake. Drawing her courage, she gave him her most reassuring smile.

"What's for breakfast?" She asked.

His chuckle broke the tension, and the concern in his eyes turned to amusement.

"Sausage, eggs and campfire toast, and you're helping. We need more coffee," He smiled, gently squeezing her bicep and pulling their supplies out of the cooler.

Caitlyn smiled and punched his shoulder before going to the makeshift wash area he'd created for her. On her return, she settled in next to him, joining him in the act of making breakfast. It was a simple act, and for Caitlyn, it was perfect. The companionable silence emphasised their new closeness and removed the need to talk while she worked out how to present her idea.

The silence continued as they ate until it was broken by the loud crack of wood snapping. Fear ran through Caitlyn as she looked at Will, but he was already looking in the direction of noise.

"Will..." Caitlyn started but went silent at Will, pressing his finger against his lips and indicating for her to look.

A lone elephant was coming out of the bush, less than fifty yards away. Even now, after months in the bush, they still amazed Caitlyn. Their sheer size was always awe-inspiring, but their eyes, to her, always looked like they were full of memory and wisdom. As they sat in silence, Caitlyn had no doubt the great creature was aware of their presence, but they were nothing more than an insignificant detail on its journey through life.

Watching the elephant as he continued on his journey, giving them no more attention than he would a bird, Caitlyn thought about her life. All too soon, her adventure in the Okavango would be over, and she would be heading back to her old life, the world of expectations and appearances. This adventure would fade into memory as she began to focus on her future. This realisation solidified her commitment to the decision she had already made.

"Will," she said, drawing his attention. "We need to talk about last night."

Caitlyn noticed him tense, but still, he turned to face her. The concern she had seen earlier had returned, but he held her gaze.

"Yeah, Caitlyn, I..."

"No, Will. Please let me go first. I need to get this out," Caitlyn interrupted.

She waited for him to nod his agreement before continuing.

"Will, I don't want you to think last night was a mistake because it was what I wanted. I seduced you; never forget that. It was sudden and unplanned, but I wanted it. I didn't come out here with this big plan. I just wanted to see this place through your eyes. I guess everything just felt so personal and intimate. Just sitting here, listening to your experiences and feeling your love and devotion to this place resonated with something deep inside of me. That's all I needed to want to be with you. I've never done anything like that before, but I couldn't stop myself, and I'm happy about it. "

Caitlyn took a moment to breathe and let him process her words.

"Now we've opened the door, so to speak, I don't want to stop. I know it could be disastrous and complicate things at work, but I don't care. Watching that elephant just now just made me realise how insignificant time really is. My time here will end soon, and all I will have of this experience are memories. I want these moments to be as happy and memorable as possible. No labels, no expectations, just the opportunity to enjoy whatever this is we have, and until we can't anymore."

Now, the words were out there, and the courage Caitlyn had felt just moments earlier was replaced by nerves. She told herself she was prepared for his rejection, but her hope for his agreement took root, manifesting in the fear of rejection. But she could not look away from him. She had to know if he had felt the same connection she had and if he wanted more.

She watched as he brought his hand to his face, covering his mouth and closing his eyes tightly in thought, processing her confession. The longer this silence stretched, the more the discomfort in the pit of her stomach grew. Caitlyn fought the urge to do something that would break the tension, to say more, to take her confession back. She couldn't do that. It was her truth.

Finally, she saw him take a deep breath and relax his shoulders, meeting her gaze.

"Caitlyn, I can admit last night wasn't a mistake; I can't deny that being out here with you felt personal and intimate," Will began slowly. "I also felt the moment. Part of me wants to say yes and explore whatever this is. But then there's the realist in me: we work long hours, six days a week. I don't see how we can do that and add this without complications. I'm not saying no. I'm just asking you to give me the time until we get back to think this through and resolve my thoughts."

Caitlyn felt a mixture of relief and disappointment at his answer and gave him a weak smile. He smiled back at her reassuringly before continuing.

"And just for the record, I've never had a night like that before," He told her before grinning. "Well, that's not strictly true; I've had one-night stands before; I'm actually quite easy. I've just never been with someone as beautiful as you or out in the bush."

Caitlyn giggled, then burst out laughing and broke the tension.

"Asshole," she replied, tossing her napkin at him.

Caitlyn tidied up breakfast while Will broke down the camp, leaving both to their thoughts as they considered the possible ramifications of taking the next step in their relationship. She appreciated the space. While he had broken the tension, she still wanted to consider how she would deal with his rejection. He was right; they did work long hours, and there were a whole raft of complications to consider, but for Caitlyn, her biggest concern was whether she would be able to remain on friendly terms with him if he didn't want to continue knowing her desires.

Just before they left, Will surprised her by hugging her and kissing the top of her head.

"Hey, no matter what happens a few hours from now, I'm still going to look out and care for you for the time we have left," he whispered before letting her go and helping her into the truck.

Caitlyn pushed the 'what ifs' out of her mind and focused on her present and the reasons she had requested this trip: getting to know more about him and his views on life.

"So how does a boy from Oxford become a safari guide?" she asked as they finally got going.

"I kind of fell into it. I had just graduated from university and wasn't sure what I wanted to do next, so I decided to take a gap year with a view to doing my master's afterwards. I knew I was going to spend most of it here because Botswana is where my family comes to figure things out. I was looking at potential backpackers' camps and other places in Maun where I could work. Something to do, earn some pocket money and be close enough to the bush if I wanted to explore. I was having a beer with my Uncle Don, and he suggested I become a guide and do that instead. I found a company that did the relevant training, signed up, did my apprenticeship at the lodge, and here we are. The best part was that because it was educational, I was back on the parental payroll; Mum and Dad paid for it, though Dad wasn't happy when I asked to add a snake-handling certification."

"Why would your dad mind that? It's useful, right?" Caitlyn asked.

"It is, but Dad has a massive snake phobia. He had nightmares about me wanting to have snakes in the house," Will replied, laughing gently.

"So your dad, who grew up in Botswana, has a snake phobia; how does that work?"

"It only really kicks in if he sees them; even on screen, he'll turn away, but it's more like an out-of-sight, out-of-mind thing. He knows they're out there, probably not very far away, but he also knows most snakes will want to avoid him, so he tries not to think about it. The few times we came across snakes as kids, he always pushed his fear aside to move us to safety," Will said, pride creeping into his voice. "I mean, looking back, it was Uncle Don who mostly dealt with the actual snake while Dad moved us away, probably further than necessary, but I still appreciate the fact he was always prepared to confront his fear for us."

"And where does Uncle Don fit into your strange family?"

"Dad's best friend since they were five, almost brothers. It's not Dad's closest sibling bond, but it's close; his mum, Auntie Sharon, is one of my bonus grandmas."

"I still can't get my head around your family."

For the first time since she arrived in Botswana, Caitlyn didn't get distracted by the beautiful surroundings. She just focused on getting to know more about Will and his life. He gave funny answers and asked her questions about her background. Caitlyn felt he was truly listening to her as he asked follow-up questions or gave her a new viewpoint. She felt seen and heard, maybe for the first time in her life.

Back at the lodge, She immediately went to help Will unload the camping gear, but he stopped her.

"I've got it. I just want to say something first," he said with the confidence she was used to. "About this morning, my answer is yes, but I have a rule--no secrets or holding back. Tell me if something is bothering you, and we deal with it as it happens. I don't want little slights affecting how we deal with the guests. Angela and the others can work it out and ask questions, but I don't want the guests wondering if anything is happening between us. Deal?"

"Deal," Caitlyn said immediately. Quickly, she looked around, and seeing they were alone, she stood on her toes and kissed him.

"I'll see you later," Will finished, giving her bum a gentle pat as he dismissed her.

In the days that followed, Caitlyn began to regret not taking the time to discuss with Will how their new dynamic would actually work. The concerns he had raised on the camping trip and their agreement to keep their relationship away from the guests made finding personal time difficult. Even so, they would share little moments. She would feel his fingers trace against the small of her back as he passed, never once giving a sign that there might be something more between them.

Caitlyn wasn't so discreet, as she often found herself watching him from afar as he interacted with the guests or prepared his truck between game drives. She was caught about three days after the camping trip.

"So, how long did it take for him to get into your sleeping bag? Or did he invite you into his?"

Caitlyn jumped at the voice and turned around, only to see Angela standing there with a knowing smirk on her face.

"Was it before or after he lit the campfire?"

"Angela! That's inappropriate," Caitlyn protested.

"No, sleeping with a guest would be. And I know Will is too professional for that. The jury's out on you," Angela replied, smirking.

"Hey, he's the one who flirts with every guest over forty," Caitlyn protested.

"But he never crosses the line, and more often than not, the husbands tip him extra for getting the engine started. But seriously, since the day he arrived, you've shown a little extra interest in him, then you magically decide he needs to take you camping, and since you got back, you've been staring at him like a lovesick puppy when you think no one is looking."

"Angela, stop. I don't want to talk about it," Caitlyn said, continuing her protest.

"Then stop making it so obvious," Angela countered before softening. "Look, I don't mind; you're both young and attractive. I'm amazed it's taken this long," Angela softened.

"Fine," Caitlyn said, giving in. "I knew it would happen about an hour before we went to bed. When we got back, we agreed to be discreet and keep it away from the guests. But we both work such long hours it's been hard to find a moment with him. It's not like we can secretly text about plans out here."

"Well, I'm glad you're keeping it away from the guests," Angela replied. "As for the other thing, your lodgings are next to each other. Just knock on his door after the lodge goes to bed. Don't tire him out too much, though; he gets up before you, and the guests need him on top form," Angela added before walking away and giggling.

As Angela walked away, Caitlyn turned her attention back to where she had last seen Will, only to realise he must have left on another drive.

"Is it really that simple?" She thought to herself as she pondered Angela's advice. "Well, trying is better than doing nothing."

Caitlyn waited until all the guests had been served their evening drinks before joining Will, who was observing the scene on the periphery.

"Tonight," she whispered firmly, not looking at him.

"What?" he whispered back.

"You'll see, but tonight," without another word, Caitlyn walked away, the picture of professionalism, checking to see if any guests needed a refill before dinner.

When she finally got away, she saw Will standing at his door as she walked past. She motioned for him to go inside and give her a few minutes. She briefly debated a quick shower but had a better idea. Picking up her things for the next morning, she confidently made her way to his lodging and knocked on the door.

"Hey."

Caitlyn didn't answer except to put her finger on his lips and direct him back inside before closing the door behind her and making sure it was locked.

Inside, she kissed him quickly.

"I think my hot water is out. Can I use yours?" she smiled seductively, unbuttoning her shirt.

The shared shower was lukewarm at best, but Caitlyn didn't care; it was the feeling of him bathing her in the open air. It was the contrasts, the cool night air, the barely warm water, his firm touch in the soft rain of the shower. Well, at least that was the idea. Will quickly worked past her defences, taking control of her and fingering her in the shower. Just like their first time together, she was pursuer turned prey, and just like the first time, she loved it.

By the time they made it to bed, Will was less forceful in his commands; her submission to him was a given, and they both knew it. This wasn't the time for long, tender lovemaking; it was about satisfying the urge to be together. The knowledge that their time was limited added to the intensity, and Caitlyn was urging him to the end, chasing the release they both needed.

Caitlyn woke up with the same mixture of satisfaction and disappointment she had felt the morning after their first tryst. Again, she was deeply satisfied by the experience of being with him, and again, she was disappointed that he wasn't with her when she woke up.

She knew she was being ridiculous; he had to get up before dawn to prepare for the first drive of the day, and she only had to be ready by the time they returned. But logic didn't fill the void where his scent lingered. There was something about his absence that cheapened what they had shared. It may have been a relationship without labels, but their connection was real. She just wanted a small gesture to acknowledge that.

As she took another shower, Caitlyn wondered how to broach the topic without sounding like a needy girlfriend. She was most certainly needy, but that was only in the context of their sexual connection. She didn't actually mind only receiving small pieces of his attention throughout the day. She enjoyed watching him playfully flirt with the guests and how happy it made them to receive just a little of his charm. She could share him, maybe not physically, but she could share his charm, his assured confidence, as long as he gave her little sign that their connection wasn't just one way.

Thankfully, the morning was busy, and they didn't see each other while she thought about talking to him. It was mid-afternoon when she finally took a break. Wandering around, she smiled at the guests enjoying the facilities and talking about their day as she looked for him. She knew where he would be--with the other guides talking around the trucks, getting ready for the late afternoon drive.

Steeling her courage, she asked him for a moment, ignoring the knowing looks, grabbed his forearm and led him away.

"Caitlyn, what's wrong?"

"Why didn't you wake me?" She asked bluntly, knowing as she said it would have the exact opposite of the effect she wanted.

"Sorry, I didn't think about it. You know when I have to be up, I figured you wanted the extra sleep."

Caitlyn took a deep breath before speaking again, ensuring her tone was much more balanced.

"I get it, I do, and I know you think you're being thoughtful, but I need to know that I'm more than a convenient lay. It doesn't have to be anything big like morning cuddles; just wake me and say goodbye; a kiss would be nice, but just say goodbye, okay."

"Okay, I'll say goodbye," Will replied, smiling. "Thank you for this, by the way; the boys were already giving me shit for how tired I looked this morning. I can't imagine it's going to get better after this."

"You deserve it," Caitlyn laughed. "Now remember to charm your adoring fans and help them pretend this is a 'wild' experience."

With their increased communication, they worked out a system: whichever finished their duties first would leave their lantern on as a signal that they wanted company for the night. They rarely spent more than two nights in a row together, but it was never less than four nights a week.

As their bond grew, it became less about sex and more about just being together; sometimes, she left her light on because she'd had a stressful day and wanted the comfort of his presence. Sometimes, he needed a night away because he'd had a risky encounter with an animal. It didn't mean that she didn't begin to resent the nights they spent apart. She'd started stealing his t-shirts for those nights, finding comfort in his scent.

She knew she was developing feelings. She knew she should talk to him about it, but she couldn't. She couldn't risk him pulling back from her when they had so little time left. And then they made a mistake. They made love.

It wasn't intentional; maybe it was on her part. She didn't know. All she knew was that one moment they were in the middle of sex, then their eyes met, and something passed between them. Without thinking, she grabbed his face and kissed him passionately. Will responded in kind by slowing down. The passion faded and was replaced by something else, something deeper, more tender, more real. Neither Caitlyn nor Will attempted to bring the passion back, just holding each other's gaze as they rocked against each other.

Sleep did not come easily to her for the first time since they started. She could tell by his breathing that he wasn't asleep either. She knew she should say something and ask him what he was feeling, but she couldn't think of the words. Her thoughts about how to confront this change continued long after she heard Will's breathing slow as he drifted off into sleep.

"Maybe we don't have to confront it," Caitlyn thought. "We just got lost in the moment, and nothing's changed. Nothing has changed. We're still leaving in a month and going our separate ways."

Caitlyn held onto this thought as Will kissed her goodbye the next morning, and she continued to hold onto it the days that followed, but the truth was it was hopeless. She was lying to herself, and she knew it. While she still craved his touch, she pulled back from him, unable to give herself the freedom she'd previously enjoyed with him without admitting that she wanted more than this.

Instead of making plans to head home, she used the time to brainstorm ideas on how to be with him a little longer. Finally, she realised she didn't even know what his plans were. She needed to talk to him.

A couple of nights later, she left her lantern on, but when he came, she met him outside and directed him to sit in the staff social area.

"Will, as much as I want you, I want to talk to you about something first," Caitlyn started while he sipped the beer she'd offered. "What are your plans for when we finish? Are you heading straight back to England, or are you staying in Botswana for a bit?"

"I'm staying for a couple of weeks. Auntie Sharon's eightieth is coming up, and attendance is non-negotiable; Kate's even coming off tour to attend."

Caitlyn smiled at the thought of a professional athlete being forced to attend a birthday party but pushed forward.

"I was hoping that if you were staying, I could stay for a bit. Let you show me the country beyond the lodge and the Delta, but I can't intrude on your family time."

"Caitlyn, it's okay, really," Will replied quickly. "Auntie Sharon won't mind; she'd probably get a kick out of meeting you, and it would be cool to show you Gaborone. Let you contrast this place against the emerging capital and tell me what you think?"

"Are you sure?" Caitlyn asked her hope building.

"Yeah, it won't be a problem. I'll email Mum in the morning to let her know you'll be staying with us. It'll be fun. You can see the mayhem firsthand."

"I'd like that, thanks," Caitlyn said softly, happiness surging through her. "Now I think I said something about wanting you."

That night, for the first time in a week, Caitlyn was able to fully let go and embrace the feeling of being with him and their connection. As she fell asleep with his arm around her, clutching his hand to her breast, she was already plotting how to keep this going.

Caitlyn remained vague in telling her parents her reasons for not coming home immediately. She told them a friend was going to help her see more before she returned, but she deliberately left Will out of it. Knowing her mom, she'd demand that Caitlyn use the lodge's satellite phone to call her and explain their relationship. It was a question she didn't know the answer to, and she didn't want to answer. She just wanted to enjoy whatever time she had with him without complications.

Strangely, she was excited to see him with his family. Was he different, or did he have that same assured presence around them that she had become accustomed to? Did they really tease each other as much as he told her they did? There was also the small part of her that she was slowly accepting; she wanted to see if she fit in.

"Mum says she can't wait to meet you," Will told her a couple of nights later. "She just wants to know if we're sharing a room, or is she putting a camp bed in Dad's office for me."

"Your mom is okay with us sharing?" Caitlyn asked, surprised, knowing her parents would never allow that the first time she brought someone home.

"Yeah," he shrugged. "We're in our twenties. I mean, I can't just go out and bring girls home, but if we're respectful about it, she doesn't care, and Dad is probably less bothered. But if you're uncomfortable, I'm okay sleeping in the office; it won't be the first time."

"No," Caitlyn said a little too quickly. "I'm happy to share with you if your parents don't mind."

Even though she'd had two weeks to come to terms with her decision, Caitlyn still couldn't believe what she was doing as she waited for Will to return with the keys to their rental car. The old her would never have dreamed of doing something so impulsive, so uncertain. But this version didn't care. She just knew that she was getting more time with him.

And she was getting two days of his attention before she met his family. Will had suggested they fly, pointing out it as a 10-hour drive without stops, but she'd overruled him. In her mind, it wasn't a fair contest; a short flight versus being his passenger princess for her day? There was only one real choice. Of course, she didn't tell him that; she'd argued that this was about her seeing more of Botswana, and she couldn't do that from a plane. It was only a little white lie; she wanted to see what he had to show her. The fact that it included a night in a hotel made her choice even simpler.

The experience was everything she imagined--the hotel dinner, the night of passion in the hotel. She grumbled from the 4 a. m. wake-up call so they could make the drive. Will had conveniently forgotten that part. But she was happy. Will had bought her all the snacks and treats she asked for and promptly handed over control of the music system once they hit the highway.

"What's your favourite song?" She asked as she began queuing up some of her favourite playlists.

"I don't have one."

"Come on, everyone has a favourite song, tell me. I promise I won't laugh if it's bad," Caitlyn pleaded.

"Seriously, I don't have one," Will replied. "Music to me is more about the mood I'm in. So it's more about knowing my favourite song for that mood."

Caitlyn went silent at the thoughtfulness of his answer before probing further.

"Okay, give me an example?"

"Well, if I want to be reflective, it might be Stairway to Heaven or Losing My Religion, maybe 7 Years, by Lukas Graham. If I want to zone out, it's probably hip hop, Eminem, or Jay Z. If I want to be upbeat, it might be something with more of a pop influence. If I'm drinking with Dad, we might just listen to some classic rock on the deck. It changes and evolves."

Taking his answer into account, she found a playlist that had a nice blend of classics and modern hits.

It was the best road trip of her life. At times, they were silent, content in each other's presence as Caitlyn observed the landscape changing around her. Sometimes, it was flat as they skirted the edge of the Salt Pans. Sometimes, the road was marked by hills and rocky outcrops. At different points, they spoke about everything and nothing at a much deeper level than they ever had before. Travelling through towns and villages she could barely pronounce, Caitlyn felt herself getting pulled deeper into his orbit as the journey progressed. She almost couldn't believe him when he told her they'd nearly arrived.

When they reached a guarded gate to Phakalane Golf Estate, she realised that Will might have been holding back more than she had suspected.

"What is this place?" She asked curiously.

"It's where we live when we're here," Will replied nonchalantly, punching a code into the residents' gate.

As they entered the estate, Caitlyn was lost in her thoughts. "People who lived on a golf course were typically wealthy. People who kept one as a second home definitely were, but Will had never shown any hint of privilege."

Caitlyn remained silent as she took in the mix of houses; some were the mansions she expected, and some were more modest, and there was no defined style. It never occurred to her to think of Will as wealthy. The man she knew preferred the bush to the luxury confines of the lodge.

But he had dropped clues; maintaining lives in two countries wasn't a normal middle-class experience, and neither was having a tennis professional for a sister. His parents even paid for his training after he graduated from university. Her intrigue continued until they pulled up at the house that was somewhere in between--not quite a mansion, but a far cry from modest.

"You ready for this?" Will asked as he turned off the engine.

"I think so," Caitlyn said uncertainly, now her entrance into Will's world wasn't what she was expecting.

"Look, it'll be fine; Mum and Lettie are pretty harmless, and Kate, well, she's great unless the spoilt tennis star comes out, but that almost never happens at home and definitely not with Mum around. Dad might take a while to open up, but that's nothing against you. It's just who he is. Chances are that once the introductions are over, Mum's going to kick me and Dad out of the house so she can get to know you."

"Really," Caitlyn answered, not feeling reassured.

"She'll offer you a glass of wine, ask you a few questions, and tell you how happy she is to host you. Then you'll come to find us at the clubhouse for dinner. It'll be great; just think of it as the price you have to pay for your first burger in a year."

"That does sound amazing," Caitlyn admitted. "Come on, let's do this."

Caitlyn had thought to hang back while Will reconnected with his family, but that choice was taken away from her. As soon as his mother, Sarah, was done fussing over her son, the woman she had met barely two minutes earlier welcomed her with a hug, followed by his sisters.

"And you must be Caitlyn," Sarah gushed. "Before we do anything else, just a quick house rule. Once you work out where things are, just help yourself. You're only a guest for as long it takes you to get yourself situated, then make yourself at home."

"Blink twice if he's kidnapped you," Lettie said to Caitlyn as she offered another hug.

Caitlyn couldn't help but be absorbed into the welcoming warmth of the Smith house as the welcomes continued. By the time all the introductions were over, Caitlyn had almost forgotten what she'd been worried about. Even his father, Mike, was more welcoming than Will's description suggested.

Looking at Will, Caitlyn noted that apart from a few features that were definitely Sarah's, he was almost identical to his father, to the point she estimated they were only half an inch apart in height.

"Why don't you let Will show you your room?" Sarah said kindly. You must want to change after being in the car all day. We'll have a glass of wine on the patio and give the boys a head start at the clubhouse."

Caitlyn couldn't help but smile as Will showed her to the patio table and his mother's casual dismissal.

"Thank you, William. Now find your father and piss off. We'll see you in a couple of hours."

Caitlyn was conscious that Lettie and Kate were watching her as they waited for Mike and Will to leave. Moments later, they heard the door shut, and Sarah caught Caitlyn's attention.

"I hope you don't think I'm rude for kicking them out but Mike needs a drinking buddy, and I don't want Will complaining when I start showing you pictures. Now tell us about you."

It wasn't the interrogation Caitlyn was expecting; it was a genuine attempt to get to know her. Her connection with Will never came up. They just asked how Caitlyn had found the experience of living in the Delta. For so much of her life, she'd defined herself by her family, the people they connected to, and the doors it opened. But none of that mattered here. It was just about her. Even Kate, the international tennis player, had none of the ego she associated with high-level athletes; she was just a girl at home for a week with her family. By the time Lettie linked their arms as they walked to the clubhouse, Caitlyn felt more than welcome. She felt like she was bonding. She also understood so much more about Will.

If the bonding had been great, then being a part of the family dinner was even better. It was just sitting at a large table on the veranda overlooking the putting green, sharing stories and being together. The banter between the siblings was great. Apparently, Kate and Lettie had a year of bullying their big brother to catch up on and were particularly appreciative of Caitlyn's presence as they began the task, taking glee in his hesitance to retaliate in front of her. Caitlyn was just happy to sit there in the residual warmth of the setting sun and absorb being around this loving family.

Occasionally, she caught Sarah looking at her curiously. But every time their eyes met, Sarah just smiled before shifting her attention to mediating between her children or trying to include Caitlyn.

Back at the house, Lettie and Kate quickly determined it was a night to stay up while the "oldies" went to bed. Caitlyn felt a little left out as Sarah hugged and kissed her children good night. Sarah must have felt it because she reached for Caitlyn as soon as she was done with Will.

"Come here. I require a good night hug from everyone sleeping in my house."

Caitlyn didn't know if it was an actual rule, but she allowed herself to be hugged by the mother of the house before Kate took her hand and dragged her back outside, where Will and Lettie were waiting with more drinks.

Caitlyn felt Will give her thigh what she thought was a discreet squeeze under the table, but they were caught as soon as she smiled at him.

"Hey!" Kate said loudly. "You have your own room for the cute shit. I had to do extra training to be allowed to drink on this trip, and I'm not wasting it watching you two have cute moments."

Caitlyn laughed as the moment was broken, and she accepted a glass of wine. Sensing an opportunity, she tried to ask Kate about her tennis career but was immediately shot down.

"The tennis player is currently hibernating. This week, I'm just Kate Smith, a girl trying to get drunk with her siblings and a new friend."

The night quickly returned to the banter from the clubhouse, but only this time did they make a bigger point of including Caitlyn. It was amazing. She couldn't remember having such a carefree night of fun with her family. Maybe when she was a child, but it became more about being 'appropriate' as she became older. Half the jokes would have brought looks of silent disproval from her parents, but here, it didn't matter; it was just a family having fun together, and she was a part of it.

Caitlyn groaned when Will gently shook her awake the next morning.

"Dad wants to know if you want breakfast," he said, smiling as she wiped the sleep away. "If you want to sleep a little longer, we can always do something later."

"No, I'll get up," Caitlyn replied, forcing herself awake and stretching. "Just give me a minute to get dressed."

As Caitlyn dressed she continued to think over the differences between Will's family and hers. First, there was the idea that Mike was cooking breakfast, something that she just couldn't imagine her own father doing. Then there was the fact it wasn't even compulsory. In her household, mealtimes never changed, and alternative plans were always arranged in advance.

As they walked to the kitchen, she distracted herself from the temptation of holding Will's hand by taking in the house properly for the first time. It was nice but not extravagant. There were family pictures, and the furniture and appliances were obviously of high quality, but there was nothing that screamed wealth and luxury. It felt normal.

"Morning, Dear," Sarah said brightly. "Coffee?"

Caitlyn nodded gratefully before observing the table and wondering where she should sit. Thankfully, Will guided her to a seat opposite Kate and pulled out her chair.

"Aw, isn't that cute," Kate smirked before winking at Caitlyn.

"I'd be careful, Kate, your personal trainer is still my best friend," Will replied. "I'd be very happy to give Aiden a call about how far off the wagon you fall this week."

"You wouldn't dare," Kate protested. "Anyway, my manager says I can't take the whole week off. I only get tonight for Auntie Sharon's party and tomorrow to recover."

"Michael, you didn't," Sarah said loudly.

"She's the one who chose this life and asked me to manage her career," Mike shrugged. "Even you can't overrule me on this one; it was her manager talking, not your husband."

Even with the banter, Caitlyn could feel the love in the exchanges. As breakfast continued, Caitlyn was once again happy to be a quiet observer, but the Smith women were having none of it and directed a lot of the conversation her way. Finally, the topic got brought back to the party, and Caitlyn started feeling uncomfortable.

"Is there any way we can go shopping before tonight? I don't have anything to wear for a birthday party," she said quietly.

"You really don't need anything special," Sarah replied. "Sharon's house is less formal than ours.

Caitlyn was shocked by this response. In her world, milestone birthday parties were big formal affairs with rented venues, guest lists, and speeches. Sarah made this sound like casually visiting the neighbours. Still, Caitlyn wanted to get out of the house and steal some time with Will.

"That's good to know, but I probably still need a few things now I've got access to real shops again. Not being funny, but Will's shampoo sucks."

"Auntie S is going to love you," Lettie laughed. "Keep talking about him like that; she might decide to keep you."

"What do you mean?" Caitlyn asked, confused.

"Sorry, it's hard to explain. You just have to see it," Lettie smiled. "But trust me, there is nothing the woman loves more than a bit of sass."

After breakfast, Will gave Caitlyn what he called the abridged tour of the city, promising to give her the full experience later. Still, Caitlyn was surprised at how spread out the city was. Caitlyn could identify the poorer areas contrasting with the new modern areas. Still, as she looked around, she saw nothing that fit her preconceived notions of what she expected to find in an 'African' city. By the time they stopped in a mall for lunch and to do her shopping, Caitlyn decided that Gaborone was just another normal city.

During the meal, Caitlyn decided she was going to buy a dress anyway. Sarah may have assured her the party was informal, but she still felt uncomfortable turning up at a party in jeans and a t-shirt. Anyway, this was her introduction to some of the wider family. After going through several stores and comparing what was available, she finally found a nice summer dress that she was happy with. She'd actually known by the second store she visited that she was going to pick that dress, but she really enjoyed Will's sighs of frustration as she dragged him around the complex with her.

When they got back to the house, Sarah took note of Caitlyn's decision and didn't react but gave the smallest nod of approval. Feeling more secure, she put her things away before joining the sisters, watching TV until it was time to get ready.

By the time they got to the party, Caitlyn felt her nerves returning. Kate and Lettie did an excellent job reassuring her while they did their makeup, but she was still conscious of her place as the outsider. Cryptic comments like, "You'll be fine; it's Dad and Will who have to worry" didn't help. The nerves only increased when a tall, stout man opened the door.

"Hey, Brother," the man said, hugging Mike. Caitlyn reflexively squeezed Will's hand while the man moved on to Sarah, and then he spotted her.

Breaking the hug, he immediately turned to Will. "You actually brought her? To this? Wow," he said, turning to Caitlyn. "Hi, I'm Don, sometimes Uncle Don. Welcome, and enjoy the show."

"It's nice to meet you," Caitlyn said hesitantly, following the group inside. They were barely across the threshold when she heard another loud voice.

"Where are my grandchildren?!"

Caitlyn looked around the foyer for the source of the noise when she saw an elderly woman come marching over. This time, Caitlyn was spotted immediately, and the woman she assumed was Auntie Sharon smiled brightly at her.

"Hello, Darling, welcome. Let me just sort out the miscreants, and we'll have a proper introduction." Auntie Sharon immediately turned to Mike and Will. "Arsehole, you're late; what are my guests going to eat if you're not here? Go and take over the braai. Junior Arsehole, get a drink for me and my guest, then join the party."

Auntie Sharon gave Caitlyn another sweet smile before turning to Sarah and the girls. They all received warm hugs and kisses on the cheek before Sarah joined her friends in the kitchen, and the girls went into the garden to join the party.

"Now, come sit and tell me all about you and what crimes you committed in your past lives to attract the attention of the Will?"

Caitlyn remained silent throughout the interaction. She had no idea what to think as the loud, boisterous woman led her by hand to the parlour. The idea of having to explain herself to this forceful woman was almost overwhelming, but there was no escape. On the way, Auntie Sharon explained her behaviour.

"I'm sorry about that, but bullying Mike is one of my great pleasures. I love him dearly, but he's a bit too clever for his own good and quick-witted, so I need to make sure I get the first shot. Will gets it virtue by being his son. It's my grandmotherly duty to repress any development of similar traits."

Caitlyn didn't know whether to laugh. The words sounded like a joke, but Auntie Sharon was completely serious.

"Don't worry, you'll see; I call all of them arsehole, moron, fuckface, whichever insult they deserve at the time. Mike gets it the most because I need to make sure I send him back to England with enough to last till I see him again."

Caitlyn still didn't know what to say as they took their seats, so she looked nervously around the room as a distraction while they waited for Will to return with their drinks. Caitlyn knew Auntie Sharon was watching her, and the few times she dared to look, there was an amused smile looking at her. Will tried to give her a reassuring smile as he delivered the drinks, but she was still nervous when Auntie Sharon finally patted her on the knee.

"Seriously, I don't bite," she said in a much kinder and relaxed tone. "That was just a little bit of theatre I've had going with Mike since he was a teenager. I want to know about the girl Will thinks is important enough to introduce to us. You clearly have feelings for him, and I want to know about them so I can help you."

"Will and I are just friends," Caitlyn tried to protest, but Auntie Sharon stopped her.

"Let's skip to the bit where I'm right. He has feelings, too, if that helps. It's the curse of the Smith men that they will always find a way to talk themselves out of what they want. It's one of the reasons I treat Will the same as Mike; they're so different and yet the same. This is one of the ways they're the same. So if you want this, you're going to have to be the one who leads. Once you have him, that's another story, but you have to get him there."

"How do you know Will has feelings for me?" Caitlyn replied, feeling hope course through her and finally meeting the older woman's eyes.

"Because you're here. Will has been doing solo trips in the Delta since he was 18. He's made loads of friends at campsites and backpacking lodges. Do you know where those friendships end? At the airport in Maun. But not you. He's brought you here. He's bringing you into his world and he's telling us that he likes you and wants us to like you, which is fine if he'd do anything about it. But he won't. He'll just find the next excuse to hold back."

"Like me going back to America?" Caitlyn whispered.

"Exactly," Auntie Sharon nodded. "So you're going to have to decide what you want because he's already prepared himself to let you go."

"I don't want to leave him; every time I think about it, I get cold. Even now, just hearing you say he's ready to let me go makes me feel cold. That's why I'm here. I should be on a plane home as we speak. I just don't know what to do. We're still separated by an ocean."

"I can't help with that, dear. But if you want an idea, maybe you could conveniently fly back via England and ask to visit Oxford. Then, talk to Sarah; he won't be able to say no if it comes across as her idea. Now, let's get back to my party and let the rest of the mob meet you."

The rest of the party passed in a blur as Auntie Sharon introduced her around as Will's friend. Caitlyn couldn't even pretend she would remember all the names she learned that night. But she would remember the hugs and the welcome she received. She would remember the smell of woodsmoke and grilled meat in the air. She didn't know these people; they knew nothing about her except for the connection with Will, which was enough. That was enough for them to accept her.

As the party ended and most of the guests left, Will and his family stayed behind with the cleanup. Caitlyn tried to help, but Auntie Sharon refused, reminding her she was a guest. Instead, she wandered the house until she found a bar/recreation room. One wall was lost to the expansive glass doors that led out to the garden, while the other was filled with pictures.

Curious, she explored further. She quickly realised it was a mosaic of the family she had found herself involved in. As she explored the years of connections and love, she found a picture that made her stop and look closer.

It was Will, but not as she knew him. He was only 5 or 6, building a campfire with Mike. She could see how he had aged into the man she now knew, but strangely, he looked the same. She was so absorbed she didn't realise she was no longer alone.

"You can have it you like," came Auntie Sharon's voice breaking her reverie. "I have enough pictures of Arsehole and his junior model building a fire. We won't miss it."

"Thank you, Auntie Sharon, I'd like that," Caitlyn said softly.

"Sharon," was the soft reply. "You don't have to call me Auntie. It's for the freeloaders I helped raise. Even Sarah gets to skip that one."

"If it's all the same to you, I'd prefer Auntie."

"As you wish, now come on, everyone is having one more drink before you leave."

When they got home, Caitlyn was so content that she happily followed Kate and Lettie on the patio so Kate could enjoy her 'last night of freedom'. She'd wanted to be alone with Will, but there'd be time for that; feeling a part of his world was no consolation prize; it was a separate gift itself. Ignoring Kate's jibes about 'cute moments', Caitlyn took Will's hand, laid her head on his shoulder, and listened to the siblings talk. She was happy enough with his proximity and the squeeze he gave her to acknowledge her presence. She didn't feel the need to contribute.

She did end up contributing. The girls were making fun of Will, and Caitlyn decided to tell her version of Will flirting with the lodge guests.

"I don't think two days is enough for me to accept you teasing our brother like that," Lettie said, her face a mix of amusement and mock defiance.

"I think it's only fair. I do have to share a bed with him after all," Caitlyn replied carelessly.

"She really is one of us," Kate squealed. "Finding your voice's the key to surviving this big oversized family. Dad gets away with not saying much because everyone knows that it's serious when he makes a point of being heard. But for the rest of us, it's about making sure our voice is acknowledged."

When they got to bed, Caitlyn made sure to snuggle up to Will as tightly as she could before kissing his cheek.

"Thank you for including me. I'm having the time of my life."

"Really, I went into tonight fully expecting you to book the next flight home when it was done," Will replied, chuckling gently.

"No, it's been perfect. Your family, Auntie Sharon's party, everything has been perfect. Not in a superficial way, and that's what makes it perfect. There's nothing superficial. You're just normal people who love each other. If it was my grandmother's birthday, we'd have rented an event space at the Country Club or a fancy hotel. Everyone would have to get dressed up, and it would have been as much about who was there as it would have been about her birthday. I'm not even sure Auntie Sharon cared that it was her birthday party; she was just happy having all of us together."

Before Will could respond, she repositioned herself and straddled him. She felt him grow beneath her as she ground gently while kissing him deeply. Tonight wasn't going to be about passion. She was going to make love to him, and this time, it would be no accident.

Breaking the kiss, Caitlyn adjusted her position so she could guide him into her. Sinking slowly, she kissed him again, savouring their connection. She was in no rush; she just wanted to channel her emotions through sex. Will must have felt it because he made no attempt to take control or accelerate her, happy to let her gently rock against him, slowly drawing out their mutual pleasure.

She relented as she felt Will's orgasm approach, and he became more desperate. Raising her tempo, she pushed him further, not caring about her own climax. She was emotionally satisfied by the effort, and the thought of pleasing him without reciprocation drove her until she felt his release inside her. Smiling, she kissed him again before collapsing against his chest, resting her forehead against his until he softened and slipped out. Finally, she roused herself to clean up and before she slid back into bed, snuggling up to him with a whispered "Good night".

As the days in Gaborone passed, Caitlyn grew more attached to Will and his family. She was seriously considering following Auntie Sharon's advice to follow Will to Oxford, but it wasn't that simple. She had no idea how to approach Sarah. Worse, she didn't know how her parents would react.

If she delayed going home again, they would start asking questions. Her vague reasons about wanting to explore with a friend wouldn't hold up again. How would she describe Will to them? Telling them he was a safari guide wouldn't impress them, and mentioning his connection to Kate felt manipulative. Maybe she would just tell them he was British, and they met at the lodge. But before she did that, she needed to talk to Sarah.

Then there was Will. Auntie Sharon had told her she would have to take the lead in progressing their relationship. But she didn't know his plans for the future. Would he stay in England? Would he take up another contract at the lodge? Did he have a bigger plan? A plan that she could be a part of?

The opportunity to talk to Sarah came when Mike and Sarah hosted another gathering before Kate left, and Caitlyn was presented with three choices: join Mike and Will on a supply run, join Lettie at the gym for 'girl time' while Kate practised, or stay at home and help get the house ready. Seeing her opportunity, she decided on the latter.

"How was your chat with Sharon?" Sarah asked casually as they peeled potatoes.

"It was good," Caitlyn replied cautiously. "We spoke about my background, my time in the Delta..."

"And you spoke about your relationship with Will," Sarah finished for her. "Oh, don't look so surprised, Dear. I was in your shoes once - trying to find my place in all this. I've had 27 years of Sharon's nosiness. So what did she say?"

"She said he has feelings for me, but if I want to take them further, I need to be the one to step up," Caitlyn said, dropping her gaze.

"At least she saved me a conversation," Sarah laughed. "So what's your plan, or did Sharon give you a hint there too?"

"She thinks I should get you to invite me to Oxford and extend my time with him," Caitlyn said, facing Sarah. "I want to, I do. Meeting you and being a part of this has been amazing, but I still have my family in America, and I'm not sure how they will feel about me chasing your son around the world."

"Well, if you want to come to Oxford, you'll be welcome," Sarah said, smiling. "You might have noticed by now, but generally, we have a pretty open-door policy. I can't tell you how to deal with your parents, but I'll make you an offer. We're only home for a few weeks before we join Kate at the US Open. Why don't you fly with us? I'll make Will come along, and we'll drop you safely with your parents before we join Kate. That makes it sound less permanent, and you'll have more time to work things out. If all goes well, we can even have your parents join us at the US Open."

"You'd really do that?" Caitlyn asked, surprised at the generosity of the offer.

"Are you asking me if I would do everything I can to see my son happy?" Sarah teased. "The only times I've ever seen Will smile as much as he has this week has been when he played rugby as a teenager and out in the bush. You did that. So yeah, I will do what I can to keep that smile on his face."

"Thanks, I'd really like that," Caitlyn said sincerely. "I'll call my parents and see what they say."

"I'm not sure you'll be thanking me when you have to sit through a day of watching cricket," Sarah smirked. "But you're welcome."

"I've never seen a cricket match," Caitlyn admitted.

"Lucky girl," Sarah snorted before looking up, her expression turning serious. "Caitlyn, just one thing: please don't mention Kate's career to your parents. If they like us and Will, great, but I don't want our connection to Kate to be a part of that. Too many people already try to get close to her for her status. Our job is to protect her, personally and professionally, and that includes you and your family, no matter how you feel about my son."

Suddenly, Will's hesitance to talk about Kate when Caitlyn first met him made sense. He wasn't ashamed or hiding his sister. He was protecting her.

"I promise, Sarah, I'll just mention he has two sisters and incredible parents," Caitlyn smiled.

"Caitlyn, as much I love compliments, you don't have to kiss my arse. That's Mike's job."

They spent the rest of the morning laughing and joking together as Sarah took Caitlyn through the side dishes they were preparing. Sarah taught her the family recipes for familiar staples like potato salad and coleslaw. She also learned to make some of the more Botswana-specific side dishes she'd only seen at the lodge, like pap and chakalaka.

Sarah's openness struck Caitlyn. She thought of her aunts, who would argue over who made the best apple pie, guarding their recipes. There was no competition here, just a willingness to share and include her.

When everyone returned to help with the final jobs, Caitlyn felt she had gotten closer to Sarah. Knowing that Will's mom had accepted her as a potential long-term partner for Will gave her a courage she didn't know she was missing.

She resolved to call her parents as soon as the time difference made it appropriate.

Caitlyn enjoyed the gathering. Without the celebration of a birthday, it was a lot more relaxed, and there was somehow even more banter. Lettie and Kate, in particular, teased Caitlyn, not out of malice but to include her. It actually reminded Caitlyn of similar gatherings she'd been a part of at home. Sarah and the other women her age took over the living room while they gossiped about each other's lives; Mike, Will and the other men surrounded the braai, as she remembered to call it. While the younger adults mingled, keeping a cautious eye over the younger cousins splashing around in the pool.

All the while, Caitlyn kept an eye on the clock, mentally tracking where her parents might be spending their Sunday and when it would be best to call them. After checking the time for the fourth time, she realised she would just have to wait. Her parent's routine was predictable, and she knew they'd want a longer conversation. The gap between church and brunch at the country club wasn't long enough. Neither was calling after brunch when her mother would be busy preparing for her family's version of Sunday dinner while her father began watching the early NFL games.

She put her phone in the bedroom to remove the distraction so she could focus on being present and enjoying herself. The call would happen, she told herself; there was no point worrying about it until she actually had to face it.

As she left the bedroom, she was immediately grabbed by Kate.

"We need you. Your boyfriend bet he could down a beer faster than Daddy and Uncle Don," Kate said loudly. "Loser goes in the pool. We need another observer. Mum and Aunt Penny are staying out of it."

"Will's not..." Caitlyn stammered.

"Save the denials for when you aren't sharing my parents' guestroom. Now focus," Kate replied. "Daddy and Uncle Don are evenly matched, and I've never seen anyone beat them. If Will does it, this will be back in Oxford before I am."

"Is this sort of thing normal?" Caitlyn asked, following Kate.

"Not really," Kate answered. "I guess they've been bullying him, and this is his way of fighting back. He's going to lose, and we all know it, and it's going to be amazing."

"This doesn't sound like the Will I'm used to," Caitlyn whispered as they entered the garden.

"The Will you're used to is a professional safari guide," Kate replied. "This is my brother. After me and Lettie, no one can get a rise out of him faster than Uncle Don and Daddy. He knows he can't win, but backing down makes it worse. Despite what you've seen, Daddy isn't really a big drinker, though everyone says he could take on any challenger."

"If Will can't win, why are you so excited?" Caitlyn asked.

"Because it's payback for every time he pulled the 'he's the oldest card'," Kate laughed. I can't beat him at anything except tennis, and he won't play with me, so I take pleasure in watching others do the job. As long as it's family, anyone else, and I wouldn't tolerate it."

Caitlyn tried to give Will an encouraging smile as Kate positioned her in front of Mike instead of Will to make sure there 'was no match-fixing'. The rules were simple: Caitlyn just had to make sure there was no excessive spillage while Auntie Sharon judged the winner.

Caitlyn barely had time to comprehend that the race had started when Mike's glass was back on the table. It was the fastest she'd ever seen a beer disappear.

More impressive was that Mike gave her a broad smile and a wink.

"Still got it," he said as if it wasn't a challenge at all.

Much like Kate predicted, Will lost and was about to throw himself in the pool, but Don stopped him.

"Come on, Nephew, you know the rules; on the floor."

Caitlyn watched in amusement as Will meekly lay down, only to be picked up by his hands and feet. Don and Mike swung him a few times before launching him into the pool while everyone cheered.

Slightly concerned, Caitlyn went to the edge of the pool to see his reaction. She shouldn't have worried; he had a big smile when he surfaced and swam towards her.

"Hey, give me a hand?" Will asked, still smiling.

From the glint in his eye, she knew she should have refused and stepped back, but she wanted to join in and be part of the moment. So, against her better judgment, she extended a hand to him with predictable results. Falling into the water after being out in the hot afternoon, she embraced the cool water. Surfacing, she instantly swam over to Will, kissing him publicly for the first time.

Feeling a little self-conscious about her bold move, she broke the kiss and dunked him before sprinting away to the shallow end before he could react. As she walked up the pool steps, she saw Sarah and Auntie Sharon giving her approving smiles before Sarah turned serious.

"Don't even think of setting foot in my house in those wet clothes."

"I wasn't going to, but can I have a towel, please?" Caitlyn replied, still smiling from her approval. "I've got my bikini on. I'll hang these on the line and change before we eat."

Turning around with her towel, she saw Will shedding his shirt. Even though she saw him naked most days, she still found her eyes drawn to his lean body and the easy way he carried himself. Filing the image away for later, she focused on drying herself and getting changed.

The dinner was amazing. Caitlyn had realised early on that Sarah and Mike were good cooks and genuinely enjoyed bringing people together. As the dinner turned to Kate's departure and her upcoming tennis schedule, Caitlyn focused on the idea that this family was made by choice, not obligation. Yet, listening to everyone talk around her, she could have closed her eyes and believed that they were bonded by blood.

After the last of the farewell hugs, Caitlyn finally retrieved her phone. There was no more putting it off. She'd made her decision. It was time to call her parents. Asking for some privacy, she went outside and, dipping her feet in the pool, she pulled up her mother's number.

As she summoned the courage to press the call button, Caitlyn gave herself a pep talk. She was an adult. Ultimately, they couldn't stop her. They weren't going to appear in Botswana or Oxford and demand her return. Whatever they said would just be a hollow threat. Taking one more breath, she made the call.

"Hi, Momma."

"Hi Honey, where are you now?" Her mother, Eleanor, asked.

"I'm at my friend's house, splashing my feet in the pool and looking at the stars," Caitlyn answered honestly. "How is everyone?"

Caitlyn listened to her mother fill her in on the latest news from their community and family. Caitlyn had figured it was best to enjoy the familiarity of her mother's gossip before she dropped her bombshell. It gave her the time to work out what she was going to say.

"So Honey, when do you think you're coming home?" Eleanor asked once Caitlyn knew all the gossip. "We miss you, and surely there isn't much more to see?"

"I'm still working on that," Caitlyn said slowly. "It might not be for a while, maybe a month. The friend I've been staying with, his mother, invited me to spend some time with them in England before I come home, and I said yes."

"Caitlyn Armstrong! You never mentioned this friend of yours was a boy," Eleanor said firmly. "Explain yourself now."

"His name is Will, and we met at the lodge," Caitlyn said carefully. "He's originally from Oxford, but his parents have a vacation home here, and he invited me to join him and his family, and now they've extended that invitation."

"Do you really expect me to believe that you've extended your stay in Africa and now plan to go to England for a friend?"

"I like him, Momma, and I think it might be real, so his Mom said I could join them while we figure things out," Caitlyn said quietly.

"Okay, and what happens when you figure things out?" Eleanor said sharply. "Are you going to stay in England forever and just forget us, your parents, your family?"

Caitlyn took a deep breath to compose herself before answering. "No, his family are actually going to be in the States in about a month. Sarah, Will's mom, suggested we all travel together and maybe get to meet you once Will and I work it out."

"I'm so glad that his mother is giving us the dignity of meeting this boy after you get to decide if he's right for you. Look, Caitlyn, I don't know what to think or how I will explain this to your father. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye, Momma, I love you," Caitlyn replied meekly, ending the call.

"Bye, Honey."

As Caitlyn replayed the call in her mind, her initial thought was that it could have been worse. Her mother could have demanded her return or put her father on the phone. She liked to think she would have stood her ground and refused, but she'd never refused her parents before. Looking at the stars, trying to compose herself, Caitlyn heard the patio door open. It was Will.

Not wanting to let him into her inner turmoil, Caitlyn signalled she needed a few minutes. She knew she had to talk to him, as well. All of this would have been pointless if he didn't want her to join him. She didn't want to dwell on that thought; instead, she focused on the differences between her mother and Sarah. Sarah had invited her to Oxford because she wanted to give Caitlyn and Will a chance. Her mother was disappointed that Caitlyn made a choice for herself.

That conflict needed to be resolved if her relationship with Will was to survive. The question was how? And that couldn't be answered until she spoke to Will and worked what they wanted. Then, they could worry about what happened when they brought their worlds together.

"You okay," Will asked as Caitlyn joined him in bed.

"Yeah, I just surprised my Mom with some news," Caitlyn said cautiously before continuing. "So this morning, while you were out, your mom invited me to spend some time in Oxford. I want to, but only if you're okay with it."

"It's funny you think I have a choice in who stays with my parents."

"Will, you know what I mean," Caitlyn replied, looking him in the eyes. "As much as I want to see England, I'm not coming if you don't want me there. We can just end this here, and I'll head home."

"Caitlyn, I was teasing," Will replied, taking her hands. "Of course I want you to come with us. I mean you'll probably be bored of Oxford in a few days, but we can take trips to other places. Is there anything else Mum said?"

"Maybe," Caitlyn smiled. "But I'll let her decide when to clue you in. Now bed, aren't we taking Kate for brunch before she heads back."

With Kate gone, Caitlyn convinced Will to spend more time showing her around. Sometimes, Lettie joined them, but other times, it was just her and Will. They had just finished a hike to the top of Kgale Hill, the only significant hill in the area offering a view over the whole city when Caitlyn decided to find out about Will's ambitions.

"So what's your big goal, or are you going just to take short contracts at the lodge until you figure it out?" Caitlyn asked.

"I haven't worked out all the details, but I've been running through some ideas to make a safari more accessible," Will said thoughtfully. "Right now, it's just exclusive lodges or overlanders who drive themselves and camp. It's hard because I do believe in Botswana's high-cost - low-impact model. But I also find it unfair that the experience is limited to the 1%."

"Tell me about your ideas?" Caitlyn asked.

"Well, there are two real options. I could run a mobile safari out of Maun and lead groups from the Delta through to Vic Falls; a few companies do that already. The other option is to lease a concession and build a small lodge. I need to do some more research and work out which is more practical."

"I could help with that," Caitlyn said hopefully. "You understand the bush, and I understand guest expectations."

"Maybe," Will replied hesitantly. "Honestly, I'm going to procrastinate a bit. Right now, I'm looking forward to getting back to Oxford and enjoying the summer. Mum also wants me to join them in the States when they go over for Kate. I don't suppose you had anything to do with that?"

"She may have mentioned it when she invited me to Oxford," Caitlyn replied, not meeting his gaze. "It would be good if you came though. I've really enjoyed seeing your world, and I would like to show you mine, even if it's only for a few days," she finished hopefully.

"Let's see what Mum's plans look like before we make our own," Will smiled. "Now, let's get back and in time for happy hour. Dad isn't so generous with his tab in England, even with guests."

As they prepared to leave Botswana, Caitlyn remembered that she wanted to buy trinkets and gifts that would reflect her time there.

"Can you take me to a real market and help me haggle?"

"I can make sure that no one takes advantage of you, but I won't help you haggle," Will replied in a defensive voice.

"Why not?" Caitlyn challenged. "Don't you want to help me get a good deal?"

"I want you to get a fair deal," Will said carefully. "But I won't let you haggle a bad deal for the trader. If I took you to a proper tourist shop you wouldn't try and haggle the price. Why should a market trader be different? Yes, some will try and take advantage of you and I will make sure that doesn't happen, but I won't let you take advantage of the fact they don't have the authority of their own store. You wouldn't argue about the price of an apple in a supermarket, why doesn't a stall owner get the same respect unless you think being supported by a massive corporation gives them value?"

"But in an established market, they have been vetted for quality, and the price is fair," Caitlyn argued.

"Maybe," Will said, quiet anger tinging his voice. "But you're not seeing the bigger picture. The big store doesn't care about its suppliers; it cares about the profit margin. A big store can go a day without making a sale, and the manager will still sleep at night. Your 'good deal' at a street market might force the trader to skip a meal to feed their children while still finding the energy to be there tomorrow. We aren't talking about mass-produced goods here; we're talking about hand-made sculptures. Some of these traders are true artists; if they had access to a Western market, they'd be millionaires. So no, You can either pay them a fair price, or we can just go to a tourist craft shop where they will overcharge you. I won't argue about this, and you better not let Dad find out we had this discussion. He's more serious about it than I am."

After Caitlyn had agreed to go to Oxford, Sarah surprised her one morning by casually mentioning that she had added Caitlyn to their flight plans rather than letting her worry about it. When Caitlyn asked about paying for her ticket, Sarah gave her such a withering look that she immediately backtracked and just asked for the chance to contribute where appropriate. She couldn't imagine just giving away a thousand-dollar plane ticket to someone she had only known for a few days. But Sarah had been clear that she would do everything to give Caitlyn and Will a chance, and Caitlyn recognised it as Sarah living up to her words.

Travelling with the Smith family was an interesting experience. They had access to the most exclusive lounges at the airport, but on the plane, they were seated in the premium economy section. To Caitlyn, it was obvious that they had access to the privileges of wealth but picked and chose when to use them.

"Mum refuses to travel business class," Will explained as they boarded. "She'd rather sit in a shit seat and with Dad than sleep in one of the pods. At this point, we've done the journey so many times it doesn't really make a difference. I think Kate travels business class when she's on her own, but even she knows to sit with the common folk when they're with her."

Caitlyn chuckled over Will's explanation but couldn't help but think her parents would never sacrifice status and comfort for togetherness.

For most of the flight Caitlyn quizzed Will about Oxford and what to expect when they arrived. Will humoured her with Lettie's help until the cabin dimmed and demanded a few hours of sleep, saying that the first day would be busier than she expected to prepare herself. Confused, Caitlyn looked to Lettie for clarification, but she just rolled her eyes and told Caitlyn, "She'd see". Getting settled, Caitlyn set her monitor to the travelling map before lifting the armrest between her and Will and getting comfortable against him. She smiled when he wrapped his arm around her, helping her get more comfortable.

***

For those of you familiar with my other work, you might recognise a few of the characters. I've been playing with this idea for a while and this made the most sense to me. As always, please rate and comment. I really appreciate it. Thanks for reading. TB