Page 60 of Drake Eternal

“Ethan,” I said and bent down to give him a kiss on the forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“I’ve been better,” he said and nodded. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll feel better after a good sleep.”

“Good,” I said. “I know the chief of medicine at the local hospital, in case you need anything.”

He squeezed my arm. “I’ll be fine.”

After everyone had said hello, we boarded the executive jet I chartered to Arba Minch Airport, a smaller airport near Yebelo. Once there, we took a taxi for the three-hour drive to the hotel.

We checked in and I helped Ethan to his hotel room and into bed. He practically collapsed once he felt the bed beneath him. I took his pulse and checked his O2 saturation, then I placed a bottle of water on the bedside table and felt like I could leave him for the night.

“If you have any issues, just call,” I said to Elaine.

“I will,” she said and gave me a quick hug.

EPILOGUE

Iwent back to our hotel room, which was across the hall, and closed the door behind me.

“I’m exhausted,” I said to Kate. Sophie was already in her pajamas and was waiting for her bedtime story. Liam was seated on the sofa, his Gameboy in hand.

Sophie held up a book. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak — one of her favorites that wasn’t Frozen related.

“What about Anna and Olaf?”

“This,” Sophie said and pointed to her bedroom. “I want to see wild animals tomorrow.”

I smiled and went with her to her bedroom, taking the book from her hand. “We will. After we visit the grave, we’ll go to the Wildlife Sanctuary and see some rhinoceroses.”

Her smile said everything.

Later, once I knew she was asleep, I sat with Kate and Liam in the small living room and watched the news, glad that I was on holiday now, and no longer had to concern myself with any lingering casualties of the flooding in Kenya.

The hospital was in good hands and the staff were able to keep up with demand.

“I guess it’s time for you to hit the sack, too,” I said to Liam, checking my watch. “We have a busy day tomorrow.”

“Okay,” Liam said and yawned. He put his Gameboy on the coffee table and followed me into his bedroom, which was next to Sophie’s. I sat beside him once he was under the covers and then tucked them in around him.

“I’m so glad you were able to come,” I said and leaned down to give him a quick kiss on the forehead. “Your grandfather would have been so happy to have a grandson named after him. He was so brave, and you’ve been so brave, too.”

“I wish I knew him.”

“Me, too. Good night.”

“Good night.”

I got up and turned off the light, glancing back one last time as Liam turned over and faced the wall.

I went back to the living room where Kate was sitting on the sofa. She patted the space beside her.

I sat down and leaned back, one arm slipping around her shoulder.

She leaned her head on my shoulder and snuggled closer. “I’m exhausted.”

“Me, too, but when we do get back home, I want to spend a whole weekend alone with you. Maybe we could do something special, like go to one of the dungeon parties Dane invited us to attend. What would you think of that? It’s been too long. I need some Katherine time…”

Kate smiled, her eyes narrowing. “Whatever you want. I need some Master D time, too.” She kissed me and then covered her mouth. “Sir.”

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