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I knehen he told me what happened to Paraila and the tribe that Zach was probably lost to me I knew that I could never compete with the type of love and loyalty Zach had for his people

So it sort of stings just a bit more to know that Zach hadmoment, he opened himself up and put me first, and I had no clue He hadn't bothered to wake me up and tell me He went off on his own, iveme that before he left because iven me some hope for the future

I can only guess by the way he co back, that he had once again changed his mind and determined I wasn't more important than aited for him back in Caraica

Sighing deeply, I push my plate away from me "I'o ahead and leave?"

"Moira don't withdraw Let's continue to talk about this I know you're hurting"

I give her a sad s and I love you for your concern, but I think the best thing to do is leave this alone Zach made his choice, and I have to honor it Some wishes aren't destined to come true"

"I don't believe that I think there's still a lot left on the table here between you two," she says adamantly

"No, there really isn't Actually if I'ht for him to return He would have never been able to live with himself if he didn't"

"So, you won't go to him? Won't even entertain that idea?"

Shakingfor o out to the car if you don'tthe bill I need soht now"

I turn from my sister and I hear her mutter, "Fool," as I walk out of the restaurant

Chapter 29

Zach

Sweat runs in rivulets downhot as Hades here, and I know I'd probably be cooler if I just shedthe protection the long cargo pants, boots, and cotton bush shirt provide ainst the sun, insects, and sharp palm fronds

Lifting up, I place the woven pal in another piece of the roof over Paraila's new longhouse I've been building Glancing down, I watch as Paraila lies in his haauze pad over the arroound in his shoulder, one skinny leg stretched out before hiround so he can sway back and forth

"Your work is good you didn't lose any of your skills while you were away," he comments

I speak back in fluent Portuguese and shoot hi"

"Not as long as I had hoped," Paraila mutters, and I turn a deaf ear to hi into the burned-out clearing of Caraica, dropping my backpack, machete, and three rifles in the dust at my feet I purchased the weapons with souns ent after the Matica I walked straight over to Paraila as he lay on the ground He wasn't happy I had come back either, and that struck a tender nerve

"C'ordero, what are you doing here?" Paraila had asked as he grasped my outstretched hand when I dropped to my knees beside him

"I've returned," was all I told hie on his shoulder to look at the wound It was clean and I couldn't smell any infection, so I covered it back up and stared into his eyes "How are you?"

"I've been better," he entle when she tends to me But I'm alive"

"I should have never left," I told him sadly "This would have never happened I'm so sorry"

Paraila shocked the hell out of er in the center of my chest and said, "Foolish, prideful boy this would have happened had you been here or not The only thing that gaveyou were far away from this"

"So, you wanted me to hide like a woer towardI expected to be met with open arback home

Paraila's eyes warmed a bit, and he patted me on my arm "No one would ever mistake you as a woain that you are a strong member of this tribe But I had wanted more for youyou were taking it"