When we broke apart, I vowed, “Forever, G. You’ll always be mine and I’ll always be yours.”
We drifted off to our remaining chores, our thoughts locked on the terrifying unknown.
.............................
A few hours later, when I brought Galloway some water, his forehead was burning up and a hazy film covered his eyes.
Instantly, the dizziness in my blood switched to cold-sweats. “Are you feeling okay?”
He took the bottled water, guzzling it down. “I’m fine. Stop fussing.”
“I’m not fussing.”
“Yes, you are. You’ve been buzzing around me all day. What’s up, Estelle?”
He was right.
Ever since he’d hurt his finger, I’d been watching him. I couldn’t stop my paranoia—not after losing Conner. If Pippa or Coco were out of my sight for too long, I choked up and dashed to find them.
Galloway was no different.
I hated that I loved them all so much but had no power to protect them.
“I’m just worried.”
“Well, be worried about the journey, not me.” Galloway brushed past, dumping the oars by the water’s edge. “I’m fine.”
He’s not fine.
Something isn’t fine.
But what?
“G...I—something isn’t right.”
He scowled. “Don’t start that, Estelle. You know what today is. We’re not delaying any longer.”
In the past, he’d indulged my whims of instinct and listened. But today his snappy attitude stopped me from blurting my fears.
He’s right.
I shouldn’t make today any harder than it already was.
I smiled apologetically, clutched the empty water bottle, and forbid myself from touching his hot forehead again.
It took every reserve not to climb up his height and force him to sit so I could take care of him—to reassure myself that he was okay. Instead, I turned my back and headed toward Pippa and Coco to tick off our remaining items.
If he’s still hot in an hour, I’ll say something.
Only, I didn’t need to.
An hour passed and he put down the axe and disappeared into the house.
Sharing a worried look with Pippa, I trailed after him.
I found him lying on our leaf-stuffed bed with his forearm over his eyes.
My heart rolled over as I fell to my knees and touched his cheek.
Hot.
So, so hot.
Bowing over him, I kissed his lips with so much fear, so much terror, I couldn’t breathe. “G...what is it? Tell me. Please, God, tell me.”
He groaned a little as I lay beside him, doing my best to hide my shaking. “Stop fussing, woman.”
“I’m not fussing. It’s gone way beyond fussing.” Nuzzling his neck, I sucked in a gasp at his scolding temperature.
He’s sick.
He’s burning up.
He has a fever.
What do I do?
How do I fix this?
We can’t leave.
God, don’t leave me, G.
“Estelle, I can hear your thoughts. They’re so damn loud. I’m okay...truly.”
I sucked in a shaky breath.
First, Conner.
Now, him.
I couldn’t handle it if he lied.
If he got sick.
If he...
died.
“What’s wrong?” My voice was whisper quiet. “Tell me how to make it better.”
His eyes tightened; he turned to look at me. “I just have a headache and feel a bit sick, that’s all.” He swallowed, his throat working hard. “It might’ve been the fish for lunch. Or I’m just dehydrated.”
“Do you want some water?”
His lips quirked. “You’re so good to me. But no, I just want to nap in the shade. I’m sure once my headache goes away, I’ll be fine.”
Looking through the window, I calculated our time to depart. We’d agreed on pushing off late afternoon in the hope that we’d have enough daylight to move closer to another island and it would be dark enough that we’d see flashing lights or the glow of smog from a village better than in full sunshine. Not to mention, rowing in full zenith would’ve been impossible.
On the other hand, setting sail just before dark might be the worst idea we’d ever had. A full night on the ocean with nothing to illuminate our path? We might row the opposite way. However, Galloway had promised he knew north from south and had a good guess which star to follow.
“Just rest, G. Get better. We can leave tomorrow. No problem.”
“No, we’ll leave today. I’m fine, Stel. You’ll see.”
The heavy depression (that never left thanks to Conner’s death) wrapped a thick cloak around me.
I kissed him again, but my lips found burning skin rather than the salty coolness I knew and loved.
It took everything I had to leave him to sleep and spent the longest afternoon of my life with Pippa and Coco, whispering about the pitfalls and hopefully achievable tasks we’d set ourselves. Doing whatever I could to keep my mind from dismal thoughts.
Neither of us mentioned Galloway’s sickness.
Neither of us brought up Conner.
Both were subjects far too hard to tolerate.
By the time I brought him dinner of coconut milk and squid, he was worse.
His hazy gaze had turned glassy, and he complained about the fire’s brightness, even though there was no way it could affect him being so far from the house.
If he had a migraine, it was severe.
He might have swelling of the brain.