“I definitely did not hate you.”
“Oh, just admit it. You kind of did.”
“I didn’t think you were worth Masego’s time.”
“Ouch. I guess I kind of deserved that.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I made a rash judgment. It also didn’t help you were so goddamn beautiful.”
My breath sucked into my lungs and I couldn't think to respond, so I let him grab my hand and lead me through to the tarmac just as our plane descended. I felt a weight lift from my shoulders when the tires touched down. Our hands broke and we rushed the cargo plane. I didn’t want to think what it cost to arrange for that. When the hatch lowered and the deck collapsed, tears spilled down my face.
Pembrook, dressed in the most ridiculously hilarious outfit I’d ever seen him in, jeans and a flipping t-shirt, struck ground. The same ground I stood on, Pembrook stood upon and I felt like a little piece of home had followed him. I may not have had the best home life, but it was all I had ever known before Uganda. I was well-traveled, yes, but they aren’t lying when they say home is where the heart is.
My cheeks flushed as I turned toward Ian who approached Pembrook as I stood mute a few feet behind. He was my new home. Ian was home. Butterflies rushed throughout my entire body and my hands clenched the shirt that lay at my stomach. Oh my God.
Pembrook waved my direction and approached me. I met him halfway and yelled over the deafening engines. “Pemmy! I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Neither did I, but I thought I’d take a few days off and check on you. Report back to your father that you’re still alive.”
“Thank you, Pemmy, but we both know my father doesn’t care how I am.”
“That’s not....” he began, but I cut him off.
“I’m still glad you came.”
He smiled warmly and hugged me hello. I realized then that Pembrook was my family. “It’s good to see you too, Sophie,” he said, patting my back. He pulled me from his arms and examined me. “You look...well, not dead.”
Ian and I both laughed. “We’ve been up caring for ill children, Pembrook, cut me some slack, will ya?” I teased. He watched me for a moment as if he wasn’t sure if it was me or not and that made me laugh harder.
He cleared his throat. “Yes, yes. It’s why I’m here. Follow me,” he ordered and marched up the hatch into the hull of the plane. “I took the liberty of getting as much as I could think to replenish what supplies you’ve already used as well as for future use.”
My eyes took in the boxes and boxes of saline, different meds, needles, sterile gloves, etc. and I almost cried. I lovingly ran my hand across the top of the saline boxes. “I’m so grateful.”
“For what? You asked. You’re my, ahem, employer and I complied.”
I turned and rolled my eyes at him. “Thank you anyway, employee Pembrook. You went above and beyond the job requirement.”
He smiled in answer.
“I’m going to see if I can get permission to bring Charles’ truck around. Be right back,” Ian said.
I watched Ian walk away and continued to watch him until I could no longer see him.
Pemmy cleared his throat, snapping me away from my stare. I turned to him.
“Are you happy?” he asked simply.
“I am,” I answered without hesitation, startling even myself with how easy it was to admit it.
Suddenly an idea took hold. Christmas. It was only six weeks away. It was going to be my first warm Christmas. My family had always flown to Switzerland for the holiday for no other reason other than my mother’s friends vacationed there together.
“Listen, before Ian returns.”
“Ian?” he asked, amused.
I waved him off. “Dingane, whatever.” But paused, an overwhelming need to defend him bubbled forth. “His name is Ian, you know.”
“Is it?” he asked, stupefied.