Page 78 of Escape to the Sun

Mick nodded, unconcerned with Ash’s coming and goings. It wasn’t anything he wasn’t used to. Ever since coming to Bocas Town, Ash had been pretty transient. At one point, he had a little apartment in one of the buildings on one of the side streets, but it became more trouble than it was worth. Besides, it was too far from the main action of Bocas, where all the drinking, partying, and women were. It was just easier to live out of a backpack and the small locker he had in Mick’s backroom, where he kept some clean T-shirts and shorts. He stopped at that locker before heading upstairs and cleared it out of clean clothes. The T-shirts were virtually untouched. He couldn’t remember when he’d last worn one. But he’d have to when it came time to pick up members of Sherri’s team. And they’d arrive, too. He knew it. His plan would work.

He made the first phone call as soon as he got up to room five. With his notebook in hand, Ash dialed the number Dr. Friesen had emailed him and waited. The phone rang three times before it finally picked up.

“Dr. Friesen?”

“You must be Ash Anderson. I’ve been expecting your call.”

The two men exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes before Ash couldn’t wait any longer. “You said in your email that you didn’t make house calls, but you’d consider an exception.”

“I did,” the doctor said. “And I don’t. But your argument was compelling.”

Ash shook his head. “You mean, I have money.”

“If you can pay for the service, I don’t see why I shouldn’t offer it.” Ash had been in business too long to argue with that. “Besides, I’m intrigued by your friend’s approach. You say she’s fought cancer and won before?”

“She has. But perhaps she didn’t win since it appears to be back.”

“No one ever really wins the war, Ash. But you can win the battle. That’s what I’m hoping to help you with.”

“It can be done?” He wanted the answer to be yes. More than anything, Ash needed to save Sherri. He hadn’t been able to save Carlie, but he would save Sherri. “Naturally, I mean? She won’t use drugs. Well, she has some.” He listed off the chemo drugs Sherri had procured for herself. “But she feels strongly about doing it without hospital intervention.”

“Those are strong drugs. Combined with my natural treatments, she should have a chance. But I agree with you, it can’t be done alone.”

“And you’ll come?”

There was silence on the other end of the line and for a moment, Ash was worried they’d been disconnected. Finally, Dr. Friesen spoke. “I will. I was supposed to travel to New York later today, but—”

“I’ll send you the ticket. You should be able to get on the next flight to Panama City.”

Dr. Friesen chuckled. “Persistent, aren’t you?”

“She’s important to me.”

“I was going to say just that.”

“It shouldn’t be—wait. What?”

The other man laughed. “I’ll come. Send the details to my email address and I’ll get on the next flight.”

Ash was silent for a moment in an effort to process exactly what was happening. “You will? I mean, you understand you’re coming to the jungle? It’s paradise, but…you understand it’s not a hospital.”

“I understand that. It’s exactly the reason I’m interested. It’s not a popular opinion in the medical community, but illness should be treated in a place of peace and tranquility. I’m very interested to meet your friend and learn about her philosophies. But you do have access to a clinic for supplies? I’ll need you to prepare a few things.”

Ash nodded and then said, “Of course.” He flipped a page in his notebook and started taking notes as the doctor dictated a list of items he’d need to get. By the time he got off the phone, Ash was once again excited about the opportunity to help Sherri. Dr. Friesen was going to be just what they needed. He was sure of it. They’d decided together to wait until his arrival to decide on the rest of the team. But they had agreed they would need a team.

His next call was to the airline. It didn’t take him long to organize a first-class ticket to Panama City, followed by a private plane to Bocas Town. There were two airlines that flew in, but they were notoriously hard to get seats on. Especially on short notice. Ash wasn’t even going to take a chance. It was first class all the way. He needed Dr. Friesen at Casa del Sol as soon as possible. But it looked as though he’d have to settle for three days from now, which wasn’t so bad. Everything was falling into place.

* * *

The last thingHeather wanted to do was jinx anything. But her afternoon with her mother had been surprisingly enjoyable. Maybe that was a stretch, but it hadn’t been hard. It had been a long time since they’d been able to sit side by side and not have it end in a yelling match or tears. And even better, her mother hadn’t mentioned anything about her coming home.

Her mother had spent the last few minutes telling her about the beach Ash had taken her to and how soft the sand was between her toes. She didn’t bother telling her mom that she’d been to that beach and knew exactly what the sand felt like. She just sat back, sipped her drink and enjoyed the easy conversation between them. It was nice to hear her mom excited about something. Especially if that something didn’t have anything to do with her or how she should move back where it was nice and safe.

Letting her guard down a little, Heather leaned back in the chair and stretched her arms overhead. With the heat of the afternoon gone, they’d moved their chairs out into the sun to soak up a few of the warm rays. It felt nice on her skin and warmed her from the outside in. “This has been nice, Mom.”

“Nice?”

She turned and opened one eye. “Yes. This. You and me. It’s been nice to hear about your day.”

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