“Zac’s had worst things to worry about.” The frown on Levi’s face deepened. “Do you want to have dinner with us or should I take Zac somewhere else?”
Brooke wrapped her hand around her fiancé’s elbow. “You can stay, but only if you buy everyone dessert.”
Levi grinned at Megan and Willow. “Is that all right with you?”
“It sounds great,” Megan replied.
Willow nodded. “It’s okay with me, too.”
Levi smiled at his fiancée. “It looks as though we’re having dinner together. Have I told you how much I love you?”
Brooke swatted his arm. “You only say that when you want to distract me from something.”
Megan led the way across the room. “It’s probably from dessert. Levi knows you’ve got a sweet tooth.”
Willow didn’t think that was it at all. Levi loved Brooke with everything inside him and it melted her heart to see them so happy. Even, she thought with a smile, if he had gate-crashed their bachelorette party.
Five months ago,Zac would have said you were crazy if you thought he’d be sitting in a bar in the middle of Montana, drinking wine with four women and a man he loved like a brother. But here he was and, what was even more surprising, he was enjoying himself.
It was easy to see why Willow, Brooke, Megan, and Emma were friends. They shared a similar sense of humor, they finished each other’s sentences, and they genuinely cared about each other.
Levi easily slotted onto their meandering thoughts, listening more than talking but still contributing.
Zac watched Megan absently rub the top of her stomach. She laughed at something Emma said, then sat back in her chair, content to let the conversation carry on around her.
A sinking feeling settled in the pit of Zac’s stomach. He thought about the pregnant women in the camp where he worked, the dire living conditions that made it difficult to keep everyone safe and well, let alone raise a newborn baby.
“What was it like living in Afghanistan?”
He turned to Willow and looked into her deep brown eyes. The words he told most people stuck in his throat. She hadn’t asked him the question out of politeness. He saw genuine interest, a curiosity about what was happening on the other side of the world.
“It’s difficult living in Kabul. Throughout Afghanistan, more than a million people have lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their future because of the droughts and conflict. Sometimes, you feel as though you’re making a difference. Other days, you could be banging your head against a brick wall.”
“What are the biggest problems?”
“Poor sanitation, malnutrition, and infant mortality. The aid agencies are doing everything they can to help, but it will never be enough.”
Willow frowned. “Why do you keep working in refugee camps? Wouldn’t it be less stressful to work in America?”
The answer to Willow’s question was as complicated as the conflict he’d left behind. “It would be less stressful, but I want to work where I’m needed the most. If a doctor leaves a camp, it has a huge impact on everyone.” There were more reasons he chose to stay, but sharing them had never been easy.
He looked across the table at Levi. He envied his friend’s ability to let go of the past, to create a future with the woman he loved.
After ten years of giving everything to his job, Zac had nothing left for anyone, including himself.
A gentle nudge on his arm pulled Zac’s thoughts back to the table.
Willow smiled. “You look like you’re a million miles away. I hope they’re happy thoughts.”
He forced a smile. “I discovered you’re the person who left the preserves and jams in my pantry. They’re amazing. I’d like to pay you—”
“You don’t need to. When Mabel told me you’re working for Doctors Without Borders I wanted to do something special for you and your guests. It’s the least I could do.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“Is that what you do for a job? Make jams and preserves?”
