After his death, Julian is left only heir to her estranged father's fortune, including an exclusive lodge in Africa ... her father's business partner wants to get his hands ons the precious land. The manger, how ever will do what ever it takes to keep the lodge, its animals and employees from loosing their homes, even if he has to sacrifice his own freedom or make an heiress fall in love ...
Chapter 1 A visit from a stranger
Julian Davis opens her eyes. She frowns. 'n Thin ray of light is taking full advantage of the gap between the two light blocking curtains she hung just the other day.
"Gmpf." Trust the sun to find even the smallest gap to light up her day, she thought with a sneer.
She was about to get out of bed when she heard a loud bang on the front door. She realised that something other than daylight woke her. She glanced at the silver double bell alarm clock on the bedside table behind her. 09:05
The bang came again and this time a male voice followed.
"Hello?! Miss Davis? Anybody home?"
Julian cringed. She was not in the mood; not for sunlight, not for being awake and not for strange men calling her miss. But she could not stay in bed. Curiosity got the better of her.
"Coming!" she shouted whilst grabbing a robe and sliding into her slippers.
She didn't bother to look in the mirror.
With the automatic movements of many a time she unlocked the door of the small one bedroom apartment in the block of flats, she opened the door.
Four pairs of brown eyes met. For a second, both pairs wide with surprise before one pair narrowed with suspicion.
"Who are you?" Julian blurted out in annoyance. In front of her a tall man in a dark suit was standing, a large envelope in his hand.
"Miss Davis." It was clearly not a question.
Julian's mind raced through memories. The man seemed strangely familiar, yet she could not place him. He spoke with authority and seemed quite unaware of the state she was in.
Her mind searched further, but she could not encounter any run ins with anybody or any other actions that could have lead to a home visit form someone that seems to have purpose of any serious nature.
"Can I come in?" with that he moved past her to the small wooden table which separated the kitchen from the lounge. He pulled out one of the four chairs but kept standing. "Please have a seat, I have important matters to discuss."
Stunned, Julian closed the door and moved towards the table. Although completely confused, she felt strangely at ease ... as though she knew this man ... and as though she could trust him.