Page 23 of The Risks of Reuniting

I watch, amused, when his face pinches for a second as the tartness hits his tongue.

"Oh, yeah, what's that?" I ask.

"There is a bus . . ." He pauses, thinking of the correct word in English, and I wait because he recently asked me to stick with mostly English as a way for him to practice, and I'm happy to do it. "Recorrido?" He looks to me.

"Touris the English word."

"Okay. Bus tour in Lima. You see the city, then you walk to see the old buildings too."

"That could be fun. Where is it?"

"Plaza Mayor and San Agustín," he answers, taking another handful of berries. "We can bring your friends."

I think of the way Chloe avoided my eye contact at breakfast the past two mornings and feel hesitant. However, my desire to show her Peru outweighs my concerns that she'll reject the offer. I've wanted her to see this for a long time, and it may be the only chance of it happening, even if we aren't going about it the way I'd hoped.

"Yeah, okay."

Cesar smiles and takes a swig of water. "I will get . . . " Another pause while he taps his hand against his knee in thought. "Tickets?"

I nod. "Yes. Tickets."

"It will be fun."

He's right, it will be fun. The thought energizes me, and I get back to work, digging into the next square of soil for the peppers that will be planted. I imagine, with each pass of the hoe, that I'm filling the mouth of someone who desperately needs this food. I love the sense of purpose and helping others. It's what drove me into pharmacy as a career choice. I felt drawn to the idea of assisting people with their health and helping do it in a safe way.

This desire to help others was something Chloe and I had in common. She did it through her dental hygiene. And those same inner values had delivered us both here, to a place where we could make a difference even if it was in a temporary way. Now that I've had a taste of it, I know it won't be my last humanitarian trip.

I used to love watching Chloe and Allie get all worked up as they'd talk about the things they were studying, and when they began working on real patients at the University clinic, swapping stories about relieving people's pain through good care, it was even more inspiring. She's so beautiful when she's passionate about something.

"What are you thinking about, amigo?" Cesar interrupts my thoughts with a laugh.

It's probably for the best. I need to stay focused on the garden, not on the dancing eyes of a woman who is still unsure about being near me.

"Carrots," I tease. "I have a real love for them."

Cesar laughs. "I thought you were dreaming of a pretty lady. You had a funny smile."

I'm sure I did. "Tell me, do you have a pretty lady waiting for you at home?" I ask him.

His grin widens, and his eyes crinkle. "Si. Ana. She is the woman all want, but I want her to only look at me."

I reach over and give him a high-five. "Is it working?"

He shakes his head. "No, but I can wait. She will." I don't doubt it. Cesar has a way of gettinginto your affections. "Do you have a woman?"

I shake my head, my heart momentarily flopping on my chest. "I did, but not any more."

Cesar frowns. "You are a nice man, you think about others. You will find a girl."

Nice? I hope so. I try to be. But I can't deny that one time I failed spectacularly at thinking about others, and it created the biggest heartbreak of my life.

Chapter 9

Chloe

Thereissomethinginmy bed, and I discover this by flopping back onto my mattress after a very long day of dental emergencies and squishing whatever it is. The thing squeals, and wiggles, and I do the same, screaming out a high-pitched cry and jumping to stand. Rachelle startles from across our room and joins my screaming as my covers shift around and a slightly mangled rat shoots out the side, jumps to the floor, and disappears under her bed.

We look at each other as the screams die down, both of us with our hands pressed to our chests, our hearts pounding and eyes huge. We're in our pajamas, face cream still thick before it soaks in. Rachelle's hair is tied on the top of her head, and honestly we probably look scarier than the rat at the moment.

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