CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
“So, it’s safe for me to return home?” asked Harmon.
“Yes, sir,” smiled Jeremy. “The toxins from your soil are gone and the ground is safe. Robbie and Remy will be coming out to talk to you about drilling on the property for you. Robicheaux Oil will provide a partnership agreement that we’re sure will meet your needs.”
“Y’all have sure been kind to me,” said Harmon. “I can’t believe I was making all these people sick. What about the folks that died? Do I hold responsibility in that?”
“Not all,” said Georgie smiling at the man. “I’m with our legal team and I’ll be helping you understand the contract for drilling rights. But you have no responsibility in the virus whatsoever. You had no idea what was in the soil. As far as anyone knows, it was just a strange bacteria.”
“Can I go back to work?” he asked.
“Harmon, you won’t need to go back to work,” smiled Georgie. “You’re going to be a very, very rich man. You can retire to your cabin now, expand it, or you can build an entirely new one.”
“I like my cabin,” he said smiling. “I had a friendly ghost there now and then. I know y’all think I’m crazy. It was a woman about my age. She’d come around now and then and just smile at me.”
“Is that so?” said Jeremy smiling at the others.
“Yes. Do you think I’m crazy?” he asked.
“Not at all,” said Georgie. “Strange things happen in the bayou and if you think you saw a nice woman, then you did. Did she ever speak to you?”
“No. She just smiled. Honestly, after my wife died it gave me some peace. She was like company but without all the conversation.” He laughed, shaking his head at his own comments. “It does sound crazy but I hope she’s there when I return.”
“You never know, Harmon. You never know,” smiled Georgie.
It was another three days before all the patients were released from the hospital. The chaos caused by Cressida and her mother left dozens dead and others wondering if they would ever be the same.
But the medical team was finding their new normal. With the seniors trying to fully step away from the clinic, their new team was learning to work well with one another.
Kennedy and Virginia took on senior roles, along with Layla, while Vivienne, Ambry, Ajei, and Kelsey were the head nurses. Their new doctors were finding their place among the team. Felicity, Amelia, and Darcie all had cottages on the property and were loving their new roles.
Quentin and Jeremy were certainly enjoying being on the property as well. Like many of the former service members, finding a place where they understood them and their history was pretty damn special.
They were interviewing every day for new doctors and nurses, hoping to not only expand the staff, but expand the specialties offered in the clinic.
Luke, Cam, Eric, and Hex went out to the animal sanctuary to ensure the animals that all was well. It was no surprise when they found Gaspar and Trak speaking to them in a little animal circle.
“Did you ever think you’d see something like this?” frowned Cam.
“Listen, brother, that man is my father-in-law and if you think for one minute I’m stupid enough to piss him off, you’re wrong. He’s capable of doing whatever the fuck he wants. If he wants to have an alligator as his best friend, so be it.”
Cam could only laugh as they got closer to the scene. Benglash, the tigress that had been there a few days ago was circling Gaspar as if she were looking at her next meal. Cam touched the weapon at his hip and the animals stilled.
“What the hell are you doing?” asked Gaspar.
“Well, she looked hungry,” said Cam. “Sorry.”
“She’s not hungry. She’s happy. Can’t you tell the difference?” Cam stared at Gaspar for a moment and then laughed.
“No. I can’t.”
Gaspar took a seat on the bench beside Trak who was gently stroking the head of Alvin. The two Russian wolves walked up and he greeted them like old friends.
“Hello, Oleg. Hello, Vansa. You both look well today.” The wolves let out low slow growls and Gaspar chuckled. “No, you cannot eat the flamingos. They are not dinner. If you’re hungry just let us know.”
“This might be too much for me,” smirked Luke. “I never thought I’d see my father taking over for my grandmother.”
“I’m NOT taking over for my mother!” protested Gaspar.
“Then what do you call this?” asked Hex.
“I call it… I call it, serving. That’s what I’m doing. I’m serving the animal kingdom instead of the human kingdom. It makes me happy.” He shook his head at his son and friends.
“In fact, truth be told, it makes me happier than I ever imagined possible. The animals are wise and knowledgeable beyond what we can imagine. They knew what was causing the virus and we just weren’t listening. I’ll try to ensure that I listen more intently in the future.”
Vansa and Oleg nudged his hand, begging for a little love and he gladly provided it. Benglash licked his arm, tasting the saltiness of his flesh and actually smirked at him. When they turned and left, he smiled at the men.
“What did you want again?” he asked Luke.
“Actually, I have no idea. That was enough to keep me happy for a while. I’m glad you’re doing well with this, Dad.”
“Me too. Don’t tell your grandmother but I probably owe her a lifetime of apologies. The animals are really something else and I’m glad we saved them.”
“Where is Chaos?” asked Eric. Chaos was Gaspar’s new puppy. A Great Dane that he’d found on his last op.
“He’s with Lucy and Sniff learning to not chew on Alexandra’s shoes. If he ruins one more pair I’m going to be the one sleeping in the dog house.”
“Dad? Are you really doing okay with this whole retirement thing?” asked Luke.
“I am. Really. I think we all are,” he said looking toward Trak for confirmation. Trak, in his own way, grinned at them and gave a curt nod. “We needed to stop. For our own sanity. It will happen for all of you one day as well. Just don’t put it off too long. We did.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re all happy with the decision.” They started to walk toward the other animals when Gaspar called to them.
“Boys? You did great work with the virus and finding the cause. Nice job.”
The men all smiled as they continued to walk the island, stopping to pet the animals and speak to them in their own way. Semu was always willing to translate via sign language.
When they got back to the boat, Trak and Gaspar were gone but the men were still smiling.
“I think we’re nothing more than little boys,” said Luke laughing at them.
“Why do you say that?” asked Cam.
“Because we got a compliment from my ‘daddy’ and we’re all still smiling like a kid who just got his first base hit.”
“You know what,” smirked Eric. “I’m okay with that.” Cam laughed, slapping his back.
“Me too, brother. Me too.”