39Early that afternoon, Becca thanked Oscar for taking her birding. She had enjoyed the trip and found herself wishing she'd taken a sketch pad and charcoal pencils along. She'd discovered the desert was full of many odd and interesting plants and creatures. The foliage, especially, differed structurally from what she was used to. Still, the spare, sometimes gangly, plants had an exotic beauty that made her want to draw them. Perhaps she would join Oscar again. He'd commented that he took several birding trips each week— “rain or shine, heat or cold”—and graciously welcomed Becca to join him anytime.
Becca waved him off, grateful she had managed to control her temper. Had she lashed out at the man she might have soured her relationship with him and the others. He was only being kind.
She
