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She nodded. “But what no one knows is how often I’ve wondered what it would be like to give it all up and run away. To pack a bag and see the world, not from the back of a taxi, but on the back of a motorcycle or in an open jeep or even on a camel.”
Passion drenched her tone. Her longing made his heart contract. He recognized what it felt like to yearn, even though he’d long ago come to terms with the futility of craving what could never be. He’d promised himself to never be that weak again, but his developing connection with Harper sparked a long-buried emotion. Hope.
“What does all this have to do with your trip to South Africa?”
“I realize it’s all been in vain.”
Harper’s hand had been hovering near the door handle since the car had entered the airport limits. As soon as the vehicle came to a complete stop, she was out the door. The driver popped the trunk, and Harper had her bag on the curb before Ashton even exited the car. Despite her haste, he moved quickly enough to block her path into the terminal.
“My flight leaves in ninety minutes. I have to get through security.”
“Then you don’t have a lot of time to waste. Why are you going to Africa?”
“I have something I need to take care of.”
“Such as?” He crossed his arms over his chest and regarded her as if he had all the time in the world to wait for her answer.
She blew out a breath. “Some complicated family business.”
“Hotel business?”
“Personal business.”
“And you don’t feel like sharing?”
“Maybe when I get back.”
“Talk to me, Harper.” Ashton was more than a little disturbed to feel her slipping away from him. “I told you things no one else knows.”
Her gaze pleaded with him to let her go, but he held firm and at last she caved. “Fine. I’m going to find a man who might be my father.”
“I thought your father was dead.”
She paused a beat before answering. “The man I thought was my father is dead. I think my real father is a wildlife photographer who leads photography safaris throughout Africa.” She sounded completely composed as if this was old news, but the tension around her mouth betrayed that all was not well.
It all came together in a heartbeat. “So you’re not a Fontaine?”
“It appears I’m not.”
“And finding this out has led to the questions you’ve been having about the decisions you’ve made in your career?”
“I’m not a Fontaine.” Agony fractured her voice. “I have no right to be CEO.”
“You have worked toward this all your life.”
“My grandfather wants one of his granddaughters to take over the company.”
“And you think he will reject you after twenty-nine years because you’re not biologically related? Could anyone be that heartless?”
“You don’t understand how important family is to my grandfather. After my father...” She grimaced. “After my father died and Grandfather discovered he had other granddaughters, he came up with his contest to determine who was best qualified to run the company.” She dashed away a tear from the corner of her eye and rushed on. “It was my birthright. My dream. I’d dedicated my life to proving I deserved to be CEO one day, and he expected me to prove it all over again.”
Horns honked behind him as cars jockeyed for space at the curb. Departing passengers hurried past. A police officer, directing traffic, blew his whistle. The chaos pressed against Ashton’s back, but he braced himself and focused completely on Harper.
Four words summed up everything he felt for her. “How can I help?”
He put out a hand, offering comfort and support, but she backed away.
“You can’t.” She gave her head a vehement shake.
