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“Did she sleep well for you last night?” I ask Mum.
“Yes, all night.”
“Tell the truth, Grace,” Dad quips. “She didn’t go to bed until after nine when Faith and the kids left. She woke with me before dawn.”
“Well, thank you again for letting her sleep over, but it sounds like both you and Rose need to have an early night.”
“Same,” Samuel says as he takes a seat.
“Can I get you something to eat?” I ask him.
“I already offered,” Mum adds. She tilts her head at Samuel. “I can cook you eggs or anything you want.”
“It’s fine. I’m still full after my protein shake,” he says convincingly.
I let it go and fail to mention I noticed some of it in the glass when I opened the refrigerator.
“I appreciate everything you have told us this morning.” Dad’s expression is genuinely grateful. “Eden told us stories of how they bonded together, and it warms my heart how Mum somehow brought my sister and my daughter together.” He swipes a tear. “I only wish I got to know her and tell her how brave and wonderful our mother was in both of our worlds.”
“Dad…” I choke up. I go stand behind him, wrapping my arms around him. “She knows.”
“Is Dawn safe now?”
Samuel gives a subtle nod. His gaze lowers to the table.
“But?” I move around the table and sit beside him then place a hand on his shoulder. “Something is troubling you.”
“When we stopped migrating, they set up a new camp. It wasn’t until I sailed along the river a few miles that I found a remote Colombian community. We didn’t make it to Peru. The risks outweighed the safety of stopping rather than crossing the border again.” He glances at me. “We’d lost a few more men. At one stage, I ventured into a small town with a small amount of American cash on me and the gold nuggets Kaikare gave me. I bartered and purchased sneakers, medication, and food. It wasn’t enough to sustain everyone. We’d traveled hundreds of miles by boat and just as many by foot.”
“You had boats? It surprises me as I assumed you wanted to stay out of sight and deep in the jungle.”
“We had no choice,” he murmurs. “And I stole the motored curiaras.”
Samuel could have murdered someone by his guilty expression. “I’m sure they understood.” Resting my head on his shoulder, I then squeeze his hand.
“We’d already encountered thieves, and we handed over some other valuables Kaikare had hidden in her pack. She wisely grabbed them at the last minute. Rest assured…” he glances at Dad, “… Kaikare keeps Ivy’s pearls hidden.”
Dad lowers his gaze, and Samuel gives him a minute before continuing. Interrupting Samuel is the last thing any of us want, and we don’t want him to stop talking.
“We eventually abandoned the boats to trek through the jungle to avoid larger towns and any attention on us. Most of the river journey happened at night and the jungle trek on foot during the day. When we discovered the remote community, we set up a new camp, a new home, and the warriors built a makeshift raft only to get me to the next river community. It was no secret I intended to leave and find you when the Ularans decided on a place to settle. I didn’t realize the closest community was only ten miles away. A volunteer doctor was working when I arrived. He helped me to find my way out. I told him about the Ularans and how they’ll keep to themselves. If any of them venture close, he can explain he knows me and ask if he could check on them. Like in other communities, I explained their lack of immunity and minimal interaction with the outside world. He promised to keep in contact, only I didn’t have a phone number to give him except my father’s number as I’d lost my satellite phone in the river months ago.” He kisses the top of my head. “It’s why I couldn’t contact you.”
Something doesn’t sound right. “You’re worried because…”
He closes his eyes slowly and opens them again. “Guerrillas infiltrating the area.” He shakes his head. “I don’t know. I don’t have the answers.” Samuel bows his head. “The location isn’t ideal, although I have to have faith in Dr. Jacques.”
“You’re a remarkable man. Never doubt it, son. The lengths you went to keep my sister safe and help the community are honorable.”
Samuel drifts into silence. His expression turns skeptical as he bows his head. “I feel I failed them.”
He’s struggling, and an audience isn’t what he needs if he breaks down. I sense he’s still hiding something, and it’s why the cracks are showing.
“No, you saved them,” I say firmly.
My parents agree.
Raising my phone from the table, I make a point of checking the time. “We talked about taking Rose on a picnic today.” Pushing up from the table, I place my cup in the sink, giving Samuel an opening to leave.
* * *
