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Black River Jamaica~ The Past...
“Difficult to sketch in a place like this, right?”
Kamili Okonkwo looked over from the view she’d been absorbed by for what had to be at least thirty minutes. She smiled at the tall, fair-skinned man who had spoken.
“It shouldn’t be,” quiet laughter flavored her response. “A place like this...an artist could fall in love,” her gaze shifted back toward the brilliant early morning horizon. It was accented by a vast mountain range to one side and a sky that promised another day of exotic weather.
Dr. Maxwell Davis eyed the woman he had finally built up the courage to speak to. She had been coming to the same stretch of beach for the last eight days. He’d first assumed she was a student-her manner was so focused, and disciplined. That day was the first he’d seen her exhibit a trace of distraction.
“So you’re an artist,” Max probed. Now that he’d overcome the enormous hurdle of speaking to her, he was determined to keep the chatter going for as long as she would allow.
She laughed and he smiled at the sound. Her laughter was as lovely as she was and to call her lovely was a serious understatement, Max thought.
“I’m nowhere near that talented!” she laughed again. “Architect,” she corrected.
Max’s heavy brows rose several notches. “Impressive,” he said.
Kam’s gaze narrowed, her smile was a knowing one. “Even though it’s not what you expected to hear?”
Soft chuckling came from Max’s direction. “Do most people say that when you tell them what you do for a living?”
“If most people are my family, then...”
Now, Max gave more than a chuckle. He barked out a laugh that seemed to crack against the crisp morning air. “You have one of those too?”
“Now, this is unexpected,” Kam raved, folding her arms over her sketch pad. “What are the odds of meeting someone on a lovely stretch of beach who also has a family that doesn’t approve of their career choice? Tell me,” she encouraged.
Max offered a light salute. “Dr. Maxwell Davis, at your service,” he said.
“Pleased to meet you, Dr. Davis. Kamili Okonkwo, AIA,” she attached her designation for playful good measure even as a frown shadowed her features. “Surely your family doesn’t object to you being a doctor?”
“Ah,” Max smiled whimsically. “That would depend on the type of doctor, Miss Okonkwo AIA. My family doesn’t think Ornithology counts.”
Approval and surprise widened Kam’s eyes now as she smiled. “You’re an Ornithologist?”
Surprise brightened Max’s eyes as well. “Marine Ornithologist, specifically. You’ve heard of my kind?”
“Only in a Bond film,” Kam joined in when Max barked off another laugh. “I had to look it up to see if you guys were real.”
Mutual laughter took hold once again.
“Are you in Black River for research?” Kam asked when they sobered.
Max nodded. “I am, actually. You ever hear of World Shorebirds Day?” He offered a knowing smile when Kam’s brows lifted in a show of bewilderment.
“Bird enthusiasts,” he continued, “Ornithologists and the like descend on exotic locales to observe, collect and share data. It’s quite the event,” he added.
Kam’s bewilderment shifted to a look of high regard. “Are exotic birds your specialty?” She asked.
“Shorebirds, but yes. I study species that tend to migrate to the Caribbean.”
“So you’re from here?”
“Not quite. California.”
Kam pursed her lips as if to attempt a whistle. “Long way from home,” she noted.
Max shrugged. “Best birds are here.”
“And the best views,” Kam fixed her eyes on the horizon once again.
“And here I am boring you with my work,” he prompted her with a nod. “Your turn.”
“For?” Mild laughter held the word on her voice.
Again, Max shrugged. “Well, the fact that you’re coming here for inspiration must mean you’re gearing up to create quite the destination.”
“No, nothing so relaxing as that,” a bit of her earlier glee waned. “Trying to decide on a project I’ve been asked to take.”
“Not appealing enough?” Max guessed.
“That’s what I’m trying to decide,” Kam raised her sketch pad for emphasis. “It’s not looking very good for the industrial park my client is hoping for.”
“Uggh,” Max cringed. “That’s a long way from an exotic shoreline.”
“Indeed,” Kam sighed.
“Places like that aren’t ones my kind like to hear about coming to places like this,” Max said. “Developments like that often spell disaster for the species I study,” he continued, “Events like World Shorebirds Day are about a lot more than cataloging bird behaviors. People visit the areas these birds inhabit and migrate to in order to gain a first-hand view of what’s happening to their environment- our environment.”
“Dr. Davis,” Kam nodded, considering. “I think you may have just helped me to make up my mind about The Safari Industrial Park.”
Max whistled now. “That’s a shame,” he mused, “the Safari part doesn’t sound so bad.”
“Hmph, trust me, they aren’t looking to create an animal haven but they do seem to have some involvement with research.”
“Oh yeah, how so?”
“Afraid I’m short on details there,” Kam sighed. “Client wasn’t too keen on sharing more- which was another reason I was leery about taking the job.”
Max smiled forlornly. “Sorry to hear about your troubles.”
“You and me both. My firm could really use the exposure,” she tacked on a refreshed sigh. “But we do alright and I can wait for the next big fish to swim by.”
“That mean all your hard work is wrapping up?”
“Not exactly. We’re still making a name, but we’ve got a steady client base. None of us have time to twiddle our thumbs, but taking this off my plate,” she gestured to her sketch pad, “will free up a lot more time.”
Max looked hopeful. “Enough time to grab lunch with me today?”
“I don’t see why not...” Kam smiled consideringly. “Maybe I can convince you to hire my firm for that new state-of-the-art Shorebirds research facility you didn’t know you needed.”
Max’s laughter carried on the tropical breeze. “I’ll be lucky if my current grant holds out until I can get another.”
“I believe in you, Max, and the work you’re doing. All will be well,” Kam promised.
“Appreciate it,” Max replied easily enough but his expression beamed devotion that sidled up to longing.
Kam missed the look while she collected her things. “Maybe you should reach out to The Safari for your next grant,” she teased. “Help keep them honest,” she slanted him a wink and patted his arm when she moved by.
“Thanks, Kam,” a thoughtful light sparked in Max’s gaze. “I just may do that.”