Page 123 of Perfectly Wild

The fresh sea air wafts around Samuel as he sits at an outside table near the Glenelg foreshore. It has a trendy vibe with its outdoor cafés. Many offer organic food, and yet he struggles to feel at home, even by the beach with the woman he loves. He’ll stay and work and do everything he can to make his family work. Except the cost of his health has him second-guessing his decision. One trip to Peru could be life-changing for him.

Michael slides into a chair opposite him. “Sorry I’m late, mate.”

They both chuckle at the way he saysmate.

“Are you settling in okay?”

Michael grins. “I enjoy the laid-back lifestyle and how easily assessable everything is.” He leans back in his chair and pushes some dark strands out of his eyes. “Yasmine is awesome, man. I’m not messing up this second chance.”

“How long can you stay?”

“I’m still sorting visas and hope the accounting company I worked for can organize work for me here. Pass some regulations.” He shrugs his shoulders. “If not, I’ll make the trips back and forth until I know Yas is in for the long haul, and we can make it official.”

“Official?” Samuel chokes out. “I knew you wanted to give it a go, but are you seriously thinking of moving here?”

“We’re not sure. Yas suggested she could spend some time in LA. She’ll give anything a shot.”

“I’m happy for you both, and it would be nice to have a friend here.”

Michael taps the table as though he wants to say something. “You know you barely have time for your family yet alone our catchups.”

Samuel eyes him carefully. “I hope it’s not the case for the long term.”

He juts out his chin. “You don’t plan on staying in the medical field? Because we both know nothing will change in the future.”

His friend knows him well. “I devised a two-year plan for Eden and Rose to have financial security if—”

“You’re planning on leaving them?” he asks incredulously.

“If something happened to me,” he finishes. “Or…” he shakes his head, not knowing how to answer Michael. To say it out loud sounds selfish. How does he explain if he can’t live in society, if he’s not cut out physically and mentally to cope, and he can’t continue like this? It would leave him with no other choice than to leave Eden with family and return to nature. He doesn’t plan on living like a recluse, yet short visits to see them he could cope with. He can’t ask her to leave her family and friends to be with him. He’s different, he acknowledges it, but how different is yet to be seen after his tests are completed. The investigations won’t reveal anything he doesn’t already know.

“It’s a time thing.”

“Right.” Michael leans his elbows on the table and leans closer. “You’re going to break her heart.”

“Not as much as if I were dead.”

Michael eyes him carefully. “So you’ll work something out? You know she’ll travel to the other side of the globe to be with you.”

“I do, and it’s why I won’t ask it of her. She has the support of her family here… I’m not really a people fan.”

Michael laughs. “Not people, man. You’re not a fan of entitlement and arrogance in society. You’re a great doctor, and it’s because you care for people. You’ve got to give yourself more credit. And stop running away from the very thing that scares you.” He reaches out and lightly pats Samuel’s shoulder. “You have to give her the choice.”

“If it comes to that, I would. It’s why I need to go to Peru. It might be the answer to everything.”

Michael opens his phone. “It might not be either. To be honest, I didn’t gain much knowledge this time. I also wanted to be there for Yasmine and take care of her.” He places his phone on the table. “I sent his number. If I can be frank, I’d be trying something else before rushing over there. If you don’t get the answers you want, then what happens?”

Samuel hesitates because he doesn’t want to consider his last option.Leaving them.

“What do you suggest?”

Michael raises both his hands defensively. “Hey, man, I’m not getting involved. But if it were me, I’d be seeking the advice of an indigenous healer. Ask around. Your doctor friends should know of someone.”

“Funny, it’s what my father suggested.”

Michael grins. “Well, I’m starved. You want to get some food?”

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