Discipline Down Under by Patricia Green Page B

becoming friends.
     
    * * *
     
    The pace was brisk as they wound their way through the eucalypt forest. Tripp could tell that Peggy was impatiently tolerating their being accompanied by Nigel, and he was pretty sure he knew why. It had been a mistake to get intimate with her. He’d known it was the wrong thing to do, but one thing led to another and boom! Hormones had taken over. It couldn’t happen again. They had one more night together, and Tripp thought he might sleep outside again. The nights were warm enough and it was unlikely for critters to come by and try to do him harm. Certainly, separation during the bedtime hours was the best way to avoid another mistake.
    It was disappointing that he couldn’t stay close to Peggy. He liked her a lot. Respected her determination and spunk. She was cute and, although he didn’t want to dwell on it, she was a good root as well. Taking her fully would have been sublime, and following that up with some proper dating and getting to know one another away from the bush would have been perfect. But she was American; sure to go back to the United States sooner rather than later, and the last thing Tripp needed was a long-distance love affair. Neither of them needed that. If she’d been Australian, or even a permanent resident foreigner in his country, that would have made a huge difference. But the reality was that she was not. She had a temporary visa and that was all.
    There was also her date with Matt to consider. It was possible that Tripp was reading much more into their affair than was warranted. She’d agreed to meet Matt easily enough. And, it wasn’t like she’d been a virgin when they’d done it together. She knew how to give head well enough. That might say something about her. Or maybe it was his own bitterness at their separation talking. Tripp tried not to care.
    So, he trudged forward, leading the way through the trees and mulch, without stopping to allow Peggy to take pictures. She’d messed up their schedule, so unfortunately, this was the price she’d have to pay. There would be plenty of wildlife around the billabong, and if they could make it tonight as he wanted, tomorrow morning could be spent taking photos. It would have to do.
     
    * * *
     
    Peg was utterly exhausted by the time they made it to the billabong. It was about an hour after dark when they got to the campsite. Someone had left quite a mess before them, and it took another hour to clean it up and prepare it for their overnight habitation. Tripp set up the tent, and put together a small fire in the fire pit.
    Nigel had talked nonstop all day. It was amazing how much he had to say that was completely uninteresting for Peg. Her ears perked up when they talked about Tripp’s time as a ranger. She didn’t learn much, however.
    When Tripp asked Nigel if he wanted to camp out with them that night, Peg wanted to rip her hair out and scream. There was no way she was going to get a moment to see how Tripp felt about their relationship. And the next day they’d separate for good. They both had to go back to Katherine, but separately. Tripp had more clients waiting for his guidance, and Peg had to think about what she wanted to do next. Going to Perth to stay with her father was her most likely option.
    It was depressing to think about losing touch with Tripp. She wanted to be with him more.
    “Tripp,” she began as he sat quietly with the chattering Nigel. “Can I talk to you a moment?”
    He met her gaze briefly, then looked away. “Nigel, will ya excuse us, mate?”
    “Of course.”
    “Thanks.” He stood and Peg led him a few yards away toward the billabong. Peg knew there were no crocs in the water; Tripp had assured her of that.
    “Tripp, about last night…”
    “No worries, Peggy. It happened, that’s all. I’ll keep my doodle in my trousers from now on.”
    “I wish you wouldn’t. I mean, I wish you wouldn’t be that way. I know that with Nigel around we have to be circumspect,