by Allen, Jewel
Michael wanted to hold hands with Lara, to assure her. Maybe to assure him too. But he didn’t want to attract their captors’ attention to the fact that maybe they meant more to each other than friends.
Even without looking at her, he was aware of her presence. Her calming spirit. In the face of danger, she simply watched, as though she were intelligently taking notes of how she could arm herself verbally. As though her lawyer instinct was kicking in.
Yellow Shirt came forward. He didn’t have a swagger, Michael was relieved to see. Maybe he could talk him into their release.
“Tell me who would care about you dying,” Yellow Shirt said.
“I will, but first, tell me your name,” Michael hedged.
“Call me Angel.”
The others laughed. He shot them daggers with his eyes, but there were still snickers all around.
“So who?” the not-so-angelic Angel said.
“My parents,” Michael said. “And my sisters.” He almost mentioned his brother, Jim, but caught himself.
“You will write their address and name and phone number.” Angel shoved a crinkled piece of paper and a pen under his nose.
Their captors must’ve trusted them to not bolt, as freely as they kept him and Lara, without even tying their hands or anything.
Michael’s brow furrowed in concentration as he thought of his family’s numbers. He needed to look them up. He put his hand in his pocket.
The kid by Lara pointed his gun at him.
“I’m just checking to see the phone numbers,” Michael said, holding up his hands.
Angel nodded for the kid to relax, and Michael clicked on the buttons, got the numbers, and then clicked on the button to send out text messages. What could he say to his family that could help them in this situation?
Love you, he started to type.
Angel approached, suspicion in his eyes. He grabbed the phone and looked at the message. He scowled.
“I need to send them a message about the children,” Michael said. “Someone needs to get them.”
Angel didn’t answer for a long moment. “Fine. Make it quick. And,” he grabbed the front of Michael’s shirt, “I want to read it before you hit send.”
Michael did as he was told. Even if he and Lara didn’t get the help they needed, at least Michael’s family would know he loved them.
He wanted to let Lara know he loved her. He hoped he would have a chance to. He felt the pulse of urgency in his veins.
Angel glanced at her, as though inspecting her for dinner. “Come along, lady,” he said.
“No,” Lara said, her eyes widening as Angel grabbed her forearm.
Michael strode over and knocked Angel’s hand off Lara’s arm.
Angel’s expression clouded over. He produced a gun and shoved it against Michael’s throat.
Michael leaned back his head to make room for the gun. “I can fix your eye,” Michael blurted out.
“My...eye?” Angel echoed.
Michael nodded. “I can tell that you have a cataract.”
Angel gave him that sidelong glance he’d been doing since they first kidnapped them. “How do you know?”
“I’ve seen plenty of them,” Michael said. “I’m an eye doctor, remember?”
“What will you do,” Angel needled him, “cut open my eye and make me see better?”
“Yes.”
“Or you just might poke my eye and hurt me.”
“I might,” Michael said, his jaw set with annoyance.
“But you won’t because my friends will hurt her if you hurt me.”
“I won’t hurt you,” Michael said.
Something in his tone made Angel’s expression still. “You would just cut me open...here?” He gestured at the scraggly dirt lot.
“I would need equipment and supplies from the hospital.”
“We would have to sneak in.” Angel scowled. “I don’t care about my eye getting fixed. Too much risk. And I don’t really want to break into the hospital.”
“You will slowly go blind,” Michael said. “Do you want that to happen?
Angel’s lips formed a tight line. “No. But I’ve lived with it so long I am used to it.”
Michael didn’t say anything. He didn’t know if Angel would agree, but he marveled at his own calmness, negotiating an eye surgery with a kidnapper.
Angel raised his head. His sweaty face seemed to glow. “I would be able to see. That would be nice. What about my father? Can you help him too?”
“Probably. Can I see him?”
Michael walked over to the grizzled man on a clapboard house stoop who gazed sightlessly their direction. “I can do an eye exam. But I’ll need some equipment.”
Angel considered his words once again. “You can fix a cataract?”
“It is a simple procedure. Ten minutes, so long as there are no complications.” Michael rubbed his jaw. “Tell you what. If I do a clinic for you and your neighbors here, will you let us go?”
“I can get more money from your family as ransom,” Angel said, his voice sullen.
“Which will make you an even bigger criminal. With a cataract. You will go blind in prison.”
Angel clamped his lips shut and glared as best as he could at Michael, and Michael nearly laughed. Angel’s “glare” looked pretty unconvincing.
Michael caught Lara’s glance. Her eyes shone with something akin to admiration, though he didn’t want to give himself too much credit. He was desperate, and if fixing their village’s eye problems could help them win their release, then he would do it.
“That was brilliant,” she whispered, her finger catching at his. The little touch made him feel larger than life.
“I love you,” he whispered.
She gazed at him, wide-eyed. “I love you too.”
He squeezed her hand, joy spreading through his chest. Regardless of what happened to them, he was grateful that he and Lara had come this far in their relationship. Now, he needed to figure out how to get everyone the eye solutions he’d promised. His and Lara’s lives depended on it.
Chapter 42
“Sit over there,” Angel barked.
Lara followed Michael to a bench, guarded by this scrawny kid who looked like he should be going to school and not playing vigilante.
As they sat, their arms brushed against each other. Lara drew comfort from his nearness. Especially since she knew he loved her.
A little bubble of happiness fluttered in her chest. She glanced at his handsome profile, one that had become very dear to her. He turned to her and smiled, his eyes holding a sweet promise.
If only they could be back safe with the children. The thought weighed heavy on her mind.
He draped his arm around her waist and whispered, “We’re going to be okay.”
She raised her eyes to his. “I know. I’m worried about the children.”
His hand stroked her back. “I trust Kalinga enough to know he will keep them safe. I don’t know how he’ll be able to do it, but he’s smart enough that he could figure things out.”
“I hope so. I like Kalinga too, but I wish now that Lizzie and Mick were with us.”
Michael gave her an incredulous glance. “With these kidnappers?”
A quiet sigh escaped from her lips. “I know. It’s no better. But at least I would know where they’re at. This not knowing scares me.”
“I wonder if I’ll be accused of negligence and be denied as their official guardian.”
“I’m sure the courts won’t blame you for this.”
“I wonder if my family knows yet.”
“Does Kalinga have their contact info?”
“I don’t know.” Michael closed his eyes. When they next opened, his expression was pained. “This isn’t exactly turning out to be a dream vacation. Sorry.”
“Yes, it’s all your fault that we’re now in the clutches of this sad little army.” Her joke sounded hollow. Flat.
Her glance took in their guards, the boy and a
man who smelled strongly of onions. “They say they want your money, but frankly, I think they just don’t have anything better to do. I can see why living here would make you want to give up on life. You can’t even get enough money from the bank for your daily needs.” She shuddered.
“Precisely. Some people get caught up in a revolution without necessarily believing in the cause.”
Angel returned and stood before them. He appeared agitated, glaring at Michael. “Your family is talking to the police.”
“You can return us safe and sound,” Michael said, “without anyone knowing what you did.”
“You said you could fix my eye. Give me back my vision?”
“Yes,” Michael said. “Help me get to the Zambian village where I ran a day clinic, and I can help you.”
To Lara’s surprise, Angel said, “All right. We’ll do it.”
Chapter 43
The next day, Michael was back in the Zambian village.
The truck lurched to a stop. They reached the village in the late afternoon. Michael got out of the truck and squinted against the sun.
Lara came out and stood beside him. Her eyes glowed, and for a moment, he was struck by her beauty. Her goodness. He could picture her with him someday, going to different communities all over the world where he could help eye patients.
But of course, just because they loved each other didn’t automatically mean she would choose to be with him for the long-term. She still had to make her decision, and he hoped he would be part of her future.
In the back of his mind, the children weighed on him. He hoped Kalinga was able to get ahold of his family. And that the message he had recorded had reached his sister, Helen.
A two-story building stood to the right. A narrow parking lot buffered the hospital from a tall fence with barbed wire coiled atop. Onion Breath led them out while the boy acted like some thief about to pull off a great heist.
Michael had called ahead, and a man and a woman came out of the building and met them.
“Dr. Monroe,” the man said. “It’s a pleasure to see you again. My name is Matsuge. And this is my wife, Silnia.”
“Thank you for responding to our...call.” Michael shook their hands and turned to Lara. “This is Lara, my...girlfriend.”
Lara gave him an inscrutable glance as she clasped their hands. “Nice to meet you.”
“If we had known you were going to be here earlier, we would have prepared properly.” Matsuge glanced at Angel and his men, noting their drawn guns, his expression turning strained.
“All is well,” Michael said, mostly to assure himself. “We’re just grateful to have your help. Have you had any luck getting ahold of the other volunteers?”
“Yes. They are coming down as we speak. I’m sure by the time you get in your scrubs, you could have some people here.”
Michael turned to Lara. “Would you like to volunteer too?”
Her eyes widened, her gaze turning jittery. “Sure. Will there be much blood?”
“Just a little. It’s a relatively bloodless procedure, and it takes about ten minutes.”
She bit her lip. “Great. Sign me up.”
As Angel and his men took them to the hospital’s second floor, Lara touched Michael’s arm. She leaned close, her closeness a comfort. “Will you have to anesthetize Angel?”
Michael nodded. He reveled in how close she stood next to him. If he leaned in, his lips could touch her forehead.
“We could just escape while Angel’s out,” she whispered.
“I’ve thought of that,” he admitted. “But I figure if he is grateful to me—us—chances are, he’ll let us go.”
“That’s the hope,” she said. “I suppose I can help by doing legal work for them.”
“For when they get arrested on kidnapping charges?” He stifled a smile. Their eyes met, and for a moment, he was lost in hers.
At the doorway, Angel came out, glaring at them.
Michael cleared his throat. “We’d better go in.”
Angel looked like a man deprived of caffeine. He sat on the operating table, his knees bouncing up and down, jittery. When two American volunteers entered the room, he looked about ready to run from the room.
“I’m not sure about this,” Angel said.
Michael dried his hands at the sink. “We don’t have to do it.”
“Tell me more about the other surgeries you’ve done.”
“In a few days, you’ll be able to see better. Maybe even right away. You’ll have an eye patch. Your eye will heal. Best of all, you’ll be able to see clearly.”
Angel lay down. “Just do it. I don’t want to think anymore.”
Michael had the volunteers prep the anesthetic. He had Lara help get Angel covered up. Her presence was soothing, but soon, Michael didn’t even notice his surroundings anymore. It was time for him to perform this surgery, and he turned his complete attention to it.
Chapter 44
Lara was proud of herself for not passing out. Watching the cataract surgery made her feel queasy.
Angel looked like a pirate with his white eye patch. Subdued. Michael explained the post-op care, but Angel seemed to not be listening.
“You didn’t need to do that, but you did.” His voice rose in amazement.
“I have the skill, and I was here to do service anyway, so I figured, why not?”
“Now I feel extremely foolish,” Angel said. “Taking you away from your children.”
Lara’s chest clenched with worry. She’d not had time to think of them during the procedure, but now the thought of them weighed heavy on her mind.
“I’m hoping my sister is with them right now,” Michael said.
“Would you like to talk with your sister?” Angel asked.
Michael’s expression brightened. “If I could. Yes, please.”
“Go ahead.” Angel nodded. “Call her.”
Lara eavesdropped on the conversation, her heart exulting at the snatches she heard.
“You’re with them?” Michael said. “Thank heavens. Yes, we’re all right. I don’t know when, but hopefully soon.”
Michael turned shining eyes toward Lara. “Helen is with the children in Botswana. I owe her big. She has a lot of kids, and I’m sure it wasn’t easy for her to drop everything to come.”
Angel pushed off from the operating table and gazed at Michael with his good eye. “Tell your sister you’re going back.”
Lara’s heart thudded.
Michael stared at Angel. “You mean...?”
“Yes.” Angel pinned him with his one-eyed gaze. “I’m releasing you two.”
Michael clasped hands with Lara and started moving away.
“Not so fast,” Angel said.
Michael’s heart pounded as Angel gestured with his gun for him to come nearer.
Chapter 45
“I have to thank you,” Angel said, transferring the gun to his left hand and shaking Michael’s.
“You’re welcome,” Michael said, and he meant it.
Michael held Lara close throughout the drive in the truck from Zambia back to Botswana. The ride had started with him putting his arm around her shoulders, and then she leaned against his chest and fell asleep.
There were dark circles under her eyes. The trauma of the past two days had obviously gotten to her. He was glad they were on their way to safety.
If Angel didn’t change his mind.
Michael’s heart squeezed in his chest for the lovely woman in his arms. He would hold her for as long as she would let him. And if she decided to fly the coop anyway, he would let her go. Even if it was going to be the most difficult thing for him to do.
Maybe the children could help convince her to stay.
His masculine pride wanted her to want him for himself. With or without the children.
Speaking of children...
His sister, Helen, stood at the porch of the elegant Chilwero, the two children in hand.
The boy and Onion Breath let them o
ut, for the first time cracking smiles. Angel didn’t smile, but his unbandaged eye gleamed.
“Thank you,” Michael said as Angel waved and drove off.
Michael turned to see Lara open her arms for the children to run into. A few steps behind, he joined in the fray. They hugged so tightly that Michael was able to scoop them all into his big embrace. In the flurry of kisses on the children’s faces, he kissed Lara’s cheek too. She blushed prettily, and his heart ached at having to say goodbye.
He had promised to let her go if that was her heart’s desire, and he was going to honor that promise.
“Michael,” Helen said as he got up and approached his older sister. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”
“Me too.”
“And who is this lady?” She jerked her brunette head toward Lara.
“A wonderful woman whom you should meet.”
Michael made the introductions, and the two women assessed one another before hugging.
“Any friend of Michael’s is my friend,” Helen said.
Kalinga stood shyly to the side. Lara hugged him, and Michael shook his hand.
“Thank you, friend,” Michael said.
Kalinga pressed his hands to his chest. “I am honored to help.”
The children soon got caught up in telling Lara everything they’d been up to.
“We saw a big ‘lephant!” Lizzie said.
Lara gave her a high five.
Mick showed her a necklace with a picture of a leopard. “Aunt Helen gave me this so I could be brave.”
Michael could tell Lara’s energy was flagging. “How about let’s let Lara and me get a bite to eat and maybe a warm shower, and then you can tell us all about your adventures?”
Lara gave him a grateful look.
Nearly an hour later, when Lara met up with him, her gaze lingered on his jaw. “You’re growing a beard, Dr. Monroe.”
He touched his scruff with a rueful smile. “I didn’t think anyone would mind.”
She gave him a coy smile. “I don’t.”