Page 48 of Perfectly Wild

“They’re simply words to guys like Ethan.” He turns and looks me in the eye. “It’s best for both of you if you give it back. It’s not just a friendship ring. Otherwise, he would’ve gifted you a candle or something less committal.”

I let out a long sigh. “You’re right. I didn’t want to rock the boat. He’s still a friend.”

“And a friend would understand you’ll never wear the ring. Please give it back.”

Samuel’s right. My concern isn’t what he’ll do with it. Because I’ll never wear it. It’s sitting there, a waste of money. If it’s mine to do whatever, then I could sell it, except we don’t need the money. He’s never given Bree a ring like this, and he’s closer to her as afriendthan me.

It’s true.

Keeping it gives Ethan hope.

“I’ll take it to work on Monday.”

21

SAMUEL

Samuel never told Eden the truth.

Not a lie as he has had every test, including those for parasites, and still no findings to indicate a reason for his extreme abdominal pain. He doesn’t believe stress or grief is the cause. The nightmares are happening less. Yet his health isn’t improving. The lethargy remains, and he’s struggling by the end of the day, barely placing one foot in front of the other.

Sundays with his family are special. Soon, he’ll be working weekends. Eden will be alone for longer periods, and after what she said about Ethan, he knows the douchebag will take every opportunity to win her back. He hated himself for insisting she gives the ring back. It’s not in his makeup to be jealous, but when it came tohim, Samuel isn’t taking any risks.

He rolls over on the couch and stares at his beautiful fiancée. In his heart, they’re already married, sealing their love in Ulara. Except society measures a couple in other ways. Family and friends have expectations. A shaman’s ceremonial word will hardly convince Eden’s father that Samuel is here for the long ride.

Eden’s eyebrows pinch. He checks the book she’s reading—her grandmother’s journal. The words inside have opened a new world of understanding of her grandmother, and Eden wants Samuel to do the same. The journal she bought him is on the coffee table, a pen beside it.

He picks it up, and Eden’s eyes meet his. No words, only understanding. Her gaze lowers to her grandmother’s words of the past.

Samuel opens the first page of his journal.

His mind refuses to cooperate, so he acts as if he’s at work and making initial notes.

December 2018

Eden is safely on a plane, and when I return to Ulara, everything has turned to crap.

The shaman is shot.

I make a promise to protect Kaikare and lead the Ularans to safety. The promise includes continuing Kaikare’s training to be a healer. I deliberately avoid the word ‘shaman’ as I have taught her to incorporate some modern medicine practices.

Convincing the elders to leave immediately didn’t happen quickly enough. Kaikare stepped in, and I realized I had to earn their trust in my role as a leader.

Many of the elderly knew they wouldn’t make the journey, which is why they refused to leave and preferred to die in the only home they have known.

When I couldn’t convince them otherwise, it again divided the people as they knew I deserted them to their own fate. When I asked Asoo if he could investigate their well-being, he told me he already heard the miners had taken over the area, and the elders were gone. What or how he doesn’t know, but it was too risky for him to ask further questions. I didn’t want to implicate him in any way.

For several weeks we walked and slept in makeshift camps, pacing ourselves for the elderly who attempted the journey. If I knew what I did now, I’d never have made them leave. They may have suffered less if death came by way of a bullet in Ulara.

For months, my endeavors to save them led many to their fate. Some of them were aware and yet trusted me with their lives. The burden became heavier every passing week, especially when my survival looked bleak.

Kaikare is the strongest person I know.

People died because of me.

22

IVY

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