The animal turned away from them and continued his way, sniffing at the ground.
Still a little rattled, Chuck asked, “Are they dangerous?”
“On their own, they’re harmless. A pack of them is dangerous. This one’s alone, but I wasn’t sure when I first spotted him.”
A strange-looking little lizard ran across in front of them. George pointed down at the little critter. “This little guy looks like he’s from the horned toad family. They look like lizards, but they’re really toads.”
The lizard, about the size of a gecko, suddenly stopped between the two men and raised his head. He stood perfectly still, sensing he was in danger. George made a quick swipe at him to catch him. At the last second, the little guy took off, leaving a puff of dust.
Chuck thought he recognized the little critter. “We have something like them in the southwestern US. Those little toads shoot blood from their eyes when startled.”
George shook his head. “No way.”
“I used to keep them as pets in a cardboard box when I was a kid. When I discovered blood on the sides of the box, I did some research.”
George attempted to grab another of the little reptiles, but missed again. “They’re quick little buggers. Blood from their eyes, eh? I’ll have to remember that one.”
The sun sunk to the horizon, and George finally made the announcement Chuck was waiting for. “We should probably make camp here. It’s going to get dark fast.”
Relieved, Chuck surveyed his digs for the night. His legs ached. “This has been a most eventful day.”
George began picking up sticks to start a fire. “Oh, brother, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
Chuck wondered what else could happen that day and assumed George spoke of the coming day.
They built a roaring campfire, and the two of them enjoyed the heat and beauty of the flames.
After a chuckwagon-type dinner, George pulled two bottles of slightly warm beer from the soft cooler he had carried all day. The two of them told camping and hunting stories until the huge fire burned down to glowing embers in the fire pit.
“Over here, Chuck. Here’s a good place for your sleeping bag. You’ll need to clear out a few stones. I’m sleeping on the other side of the fire. That way we’ll both get the benefit of those dying embers.”
Chuck kicked a couple of rocks off his dirt mattress. “Sure, thanks.”
Soon he lay in his sleeping bag, looking up at a magnificent star-studded sky.
George softly spoke. “This is what I was talking about. Anyone who doesn’t believe in God needs to experience an outback night sky.”
That night, Chuck decided he could never leave Australia. “Amen.”
***
Gary Wagner sat in the plush downtown office of Axum Oil, holding the invitation. He shook his head as he reread the expensive, but tastefully printed summons. He picked up his phone and speed-dialed his friend.
“Hey, Tim. Gary here.”
“What’s up?”
Gary cut to the chase. “Did you get your invitation to the Lane benefit?”
“No. If I got it, it hasn’t made it to my office. I certainly expect one. Nothing’s changed, has it?”
Gary sighed drily. “Oh, no, nothing’s changed. It’s party as usual and we’ll be expected to escort the twins.”
Tim laughed. “It’s not bad. I know a hundred guys who would be ecstatic to escort either one of those two. Are you bailing out on us this year?”
“Of course not, we always have a good time. It seems so… pointless.”
“Last year was such a hoot. Whose big idea was it to sneak out? Oh, yeah, it was yours. That was nothing less than brilliant.”
“Actually, I was checking to see whether you were still in the game.”
Tim’s voice increased at least a decibel. “I’m in the game for sure. It’s become a tradition. You and Lyza, me and Leesa, at the Save the Orchids benefit so the world can see we are all one big happy family up here in corporate America.”
Gary’s voice went flat. “Yeah, then something happened; I fell for Lyza, and she’s all business. I haven’t seen her—you know, been out with her—since last year. That’s ridiculous.”
“Listen, we are there for show. Neither one of those girls has time for anything but business. Take the friendship, and enjoy the time you spend with her.”
“And if someone else swoops in and steals her?”
“Yoo-hoo, Earth to Gary. Every gossip columnist and reporter in LA is waiting to catch one of these gals with a guy. Trust me. Tell her how you feel or move on.”
“That advice rolls off your tongue when you know very well this isn’t your everyday ordinary situation. If I told her I was nuts about her, she would tell me she didn’t want to see me again.”
“Listen to yourself. Why are you pining over someone who doesn’t give a flea’s eyelash how you feel?”
“It’s a bit difficult when we always go double. I don’t get a minute alone with her.”
“There’s a reason for that. She doesn’t want to take a chance on you doing something stupid.”
“Fine.” Gary heard his voice take on a wicked twinge as he pictured Lyza partying in Paris that week with some good-looking Frenchman. “You can order the limo. Make it white this year. In the meantime, I’ll be thinking of something stupid to do.”
Chapter Five
Chuck sat on a short rock stool eating a rasher of bacon and eggs. “George, this grub is the best breakfast I’ve had since I came to Australia. You’re going to make some little gal a great wife.”
George filled their mugs with coffee. “You’re just trying to get on my good side.”
Chuck loved the feel of the crisp morning and cooking outdoors. “Pass me one of those tough biscuits.”
George tossed a biscuit to Chuck. “No more insults.”
Chuck caught the biscuit and smeared butter on it. “You know I’m just having a little fun with you.”
“I learned to cook in the army, and if you don’t stop teasing me, next time I’ll fix what I cooked back then.”
Chuck feared he had insulted his friend. “Now I know you’re serious. Sorry.”
George laughed. “That’s more like it. Give me the respect I deserve.”
Chuck held out his empty cup. “Pour me another cup of joe. It’s just the way I like it.”
George couldn’t resist. “Oh, it’s the way you like your women, right? Hot and strong.”
Chuck leaned back. “How could you tell? But now I’m curious. Why is a good-looking guy who knows how to cook outdoors still single?”
George’s face turned sad. “I never met the right woman.” His faced reddened, revealing an obvious lie. “Well, I did meet the right woman, but she turned me down. She married a rich fellow and moved to England. I haven’t heard from her since. I guess it’s been more than fifteen years. Hard to believe how fast time goes. How ’bout you?”
Wanting to lighten the mood, Chuck grinned. “I thought you knew. I’ve been married for over twenty years to the same demanding, but generous, woman.”
George looked confused. “You