Scattered Seeds

Chapter Thirty-Three

Richard Beckett was nervous.

No, terrified was more like it.

He was going home; home to Michela.

Would she even care that he’d returned?

Rick debated on calling Micky to let her know that he was coming, but once again he chickened out. He would be devastated if she told him not to bother returning to Caelestis Station.

“Well, mate,” Tom spoke, rousing Rick from his churning thoughts. “Suppose this is it.” Tom clasped Rick’s expansive shoulder, and then squeezed with affection. “If you’re ever in London look me up.”

Rick attempted to smile. “I’ll try to watch some of your movies,” he joked.

Tom chuckled before giving him a fraternal embrace and stepping back.

“Louise,” Rick spoke to the petite blonde beside Tom. “As Sy was a good man. I was honored to work with him, and Jowhar will never be the same after his loss.”

Louise gave an agreeing nod, hugged the pilot, and then told him that he always had a place at the UNICEF colony should he ever wish to return.

“Doctor,” Rick said as he extended a large hand.

Samuel met his grip and clasped Rick’s hand in both of his. “I’m going to miss all of your connections in Dadaab, and the way you always managed to dig up whatever I requested,” the doctor reminisced.

“There’s a new pilot scheduled to arrive tomorrow. He…,” Rick tried, but Samuel cut him off with a shake of his head.

“He won’t be anywhere near your caliber, I’m sure of it,” Samuel told him with a sad smile. “Be careful out there,” the doctor spoke before freeing Rick to finish his good-byes.

“Good luck with your station, and,” Luke paused to offer Rick a wry smirk. “Making up,” he added with a wink. “That’s the best kind of sex, they say.”

Rick’s cheeks reddened under his blonde beard, and he wagged his head at the English publicist. The very idea of making love to Michela again sent the man’s dormant hormones into overdrive.

“I just hope she takes me back,” was all Rick could reply after releasing Luke from a bear hug and mussing up his floppy hair.

Luke moved to join Tom, which left one last person for Rick to let go of. He stepped in front of Jess, and her downcast face was shadowed by his massive frame. The pilot waited for the American to look up at him. When she did not, Rick gently spoke her name.

Jess’s brown eyes glistened when they met Rick’s. He could see that she was losing the battle to bridle her emotions, and remorse for leaving his friends tugged at the big man’s soft heart.

“We will see each other again,” Rick spoke with confidence.

Tears spilled out onto Jess’s cheeks as she pitched herself into her Aussie brother’s thick, muscled arms. Rick stroked her hair and repeated that this was not their final farewell. When Jess was done sniffling, he held her by the shoulders and stared down at her.

“Thank you,” Rick said with a solid nod. “Thank you for waking me up and making me remember where I need to be; who I need to be with. Thank you for sending me home.”

Jess smiled up at him as she dried her eyes. “Sure thing,” she replied after taking a calming breath. “You call me after everything settles down. I want to hear that you didn’t pussy out on that lady of yours.” 

Jess playfully punched at Rick’s bicep, and he hugged her tight once more. Rick took the Outback hat off his head, and then placed it on that of the woman in front of him.