Peter's Return

by Cynthia Cooke

  “Peter!” she called. He didn’t answer. Couldn’t. Like a warped pretzel, a large-bodied snake was wrapping itself around him, squeezing.

  She had to do something! But what? She looked around her, hoping to find a rope, a ladder, anything—but other than the tables, the room was bare.

  Peter let out another anguished groan and she knew if she didn’t do something, he would die. Suddenly he disappeared beneath the water.

  This was it!

  She ran over to one of the tables and gave it a shove. It barely moved. She pushed again, but the thing was too heavy. She looked around her, but there was no other alternative. This table would have to move. Through her terror and determination, she found strength. She reached deep down inside herself, and pushed that table with everything she had, heaving it across the floor and toward the big gaping hole.

  “Watch out below,” she yelled, as the table crashed through the hole. She grabbed onto the end and held, sliding across the floor, hoping it wouldn’t take her down with it, hoping she could keep one end anchored on top of the hole.

  The far end of the long table hit the bottom with a large wet crash. Emily peered through the hole, hoping she wouldn’t find Peter or Snake crushed beneath the table. Instead she found them clawing their way up, covered in blood. She held out her hand, and Peter grasped it and pulled himself up.

  She threw herself into his arms, not caring that he was wet and gooey and stinky. Just thankful he was alive. He squeezed her tight then reached back a hand for Snake.

  “Thanks for the save, Doc!” Snake said, as he pulled himself up and stretched out on the floor trying to catch his breath. “You do this kind of thing often?”

  “Only when people I love are in danger.” She looked at Peter and smiled. “So, how about we get out of here?” she said and stared out the doorway into the darkening jungle.

  “You’re on,” Peter said. They hurried out the door and into the clearing, but no one said what Emily was thinking, no one said where they would go next, what they would do.

  Rosalia was sitting against a building with Manuel in her arms. Her eyes were large, her skin pale, and Emily could see she was exhausted.

  “What now?” she asked.

  Peter and Snake looked at Rosalia then at each other.

  “The airstrip,” Snake said.

  Peter agreed. “It’s our last hope.”

  “Lead on,” Emily said, and prayed the airstrip wasn’t too far away. They hadn’t walked far at all when they all heard the rumble of a small-engine plane.

  “Hurry,” Peter urged. They tried to run, but the exertion was too much for Rosalia.

  “Go ahead,” Emily called.

  The men ran ahead, and Emily stayed behind, helping the young mother as best she could. “We’re going to make it, Rosalia. You have to believe that.”

  “I do, Dr. Emily. We have to. For Manuel’s sake.”

  Emily heard the scream of a cat, and shivered. It was almost completely dark now.

  “Come on, Rosalia,” she urged.

  Soon they could see lights in the distance. They moved as quickly as they could, heading toward the lights. As they broke into a clearing, they saw a small lit-up runway and a shack off to the side, but no sign of a plane in sight. They headed toward the shack.

  Peter and Snake were nowhere to be seen. “Not again,” Emily muttered.

  Suddenly, she heard the whine of a plane and looked up to see it approaching. “It’s going to land,” Emily said.

  Peter and Snake came running out of the shack. “Quick, into the jungle!” Peter said, and pushed them back into the trees.

  Chapter Fourteen

  From his vantage point in the bushes, Peter watched the plane barrel down the runway.

  “What was in the shack?” Emily asked.

  “Nothing,” Peter said. It had been completely cleaned out. They were running out of options. No phone, no Jeep, no way of getting help for Rosalia and Manuel. He clenched his hands, as the plane moved toward them. Now they had a new threat.

  “Do you know how to fly?” Snake asked.

  Peter shook his head. “You?”

  Snake grinned. “I’m sure we can figure it out.”

  Emily smirked. “At least it should have a radio.”

  Rosalia started praying under her breath.

  The plane rolled to a stop. The men pulled out their knives. The side door of the plane opened. Peter and Snake began moving, each in opposite directions, keeping hidden in the cover of the trees.

  “Max!” Emily yelled.

  As Maxwell Vance jumped down onto the runway, Peter’s chest filled with relief. “Yes!” he yelled and ran toward his father. They fell into a clumsy embrace as Emily, Snake and Rosalia, carrying the baby, hurried toward them.

  “What are you doing here?” Emily asked. “How on earth did you find us?”

  “We’ve been monitoring the lab for a while now through high-definition keyhole satellite images. When I saw Baltasar was here, doing his best to clear out the lab, I figured you could use a ride home.”

  “You figured right!” Emily gave Max a huge hug. “You have no idea how good it is to see you.”

  “I had a feeling you might need me, and some of Lydia’s cooking.”

  “You didn’t?” she asked, her eyes widening. She turned to Peter, and he didn’t think he’d ever seen her look happier. They followed Max into the plane where inside he had a small refrigerator full of chicken parmigiana straight from the Stagecoach Inn. “Pinch me, Peter. I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

  “Then I’m there with you sweetheart.” They filled their plates full of food and headed home.

  “Anyone know what happened to Baltasar?” Max asked.

  “We heard a plane depart about twenty minutes before you arrived,” Snake answered through a mouthful of chicken.

  Max got on the radio and started talking. Emily leaned her head on Peter’s shoulder. He placed his arm around her and pulled her close, thankful that they’d all gotten out of South America safe. With full stomachs and relieved minds, they all drifted off to sleep. Even baby Manuel.

  Several hours later, they awoke as they were landing in Colorado Springs. Max piled them into his Suburban and drove them all to Vance Memorial Hospital. By now, they all had infections, and needed their wounds tended.

  Once Peter had his shoulder stitched, and a heavy dose of antibiotics in his system, Max walked into the room.

  “Rosalia’s been admitted. Snake is with her and Emily is getting a few more hours’ sleep in the room next to her.”

  “Good, she needs it,” Peter said.

  “It looks like you all do.”

  Peter nodded and yawned. “It’s been a long day.”

  “Do you want me to see if there’s an empty room here for you or do you want me to take you home? I know your mother would love to see you.”

  Peter smiled. “She’s going to be furious at you, Dad.”

  “She knows there are some things we just can’t talk about.”

  “In theory, yeah.”

  Max nodded. “I know. Believe me, she’s been making me suffer in her own little way for the past three years.” He grinned. “That’s what I love about her, your mom doesn’t take anything from anybody.”

  “Not even from you.”

  “Especially not from me.” Max stood. “Well, come on, let me take you home. I haven’t told your mother you’re back yet. This way, we can both face her in the morning together.”

  Peter grinned and stood. He was tempted to look in on Emily, but he knew she would be sleeping. He’d come back and check in on her later after they’d all gotten more rest.

  “Before we get home,” Max said as they settled in the car. “I want to know what your immediate plans are.”

  Peter stiffened. “I don’t have any. I haven’t thought further ahead than sleep and food.”

  “Baltasar’s Cessna was found crashed in the jungle.”

  Surprised, Peter turne
d to look at him.

  “Don’t get your hopes up. His body wasn’t found.”

  “Perhaps a wild animal…” Peter said hopefully.

  “No trace of anything. He just vanished.”

  Peter nodded. “The man is too evil to die.”

  “How would you feel about going back to find him? You know that jungle better than anyone.”

  “What about my cover?”

  “How many people have seen you?”

  “Just Baltasar.”

  Max nodded his head. “It could work.”

  “Is this what the Director wants?”

  “He’s leaning in that direction.”

  Reluctance weighed down Peter’s shoulders. He’d just gotten home. He hadn’t even seen the sunrise over his hometown yet and his father wanted to send him back. Alone.

  “You know, Dad, I wouldn’t have made it out of Venezuela without Snake and Emily. Without you picking us up. In fact, I don’t think I would have made it out of Baltasar’s anaconda pit if it hadn’t been for Emily’s quick thinking.”

  “You’ve managed alone for three years, Peter. When the chips are down, we’re always there to help.”

  “I’m not sure I like the isolation. I’d always thought that I liked working solo, but now I’m not so sure.” He paused. “Now, I think I like working as part of a team better.”

  “You mean working with Emily.”

  Peter thought about that. Thought about going back into the jungle without her, about leaving her behind. “I’m not sure,” he admitted. “I think I’d like to stick around Colorado long enough to find out.”

  “You’re real good at what you do, Peter. You have good instincts. You can have your job and have Emily, too.”

  “Emily’s not like Mom. She won’t sit back and let me leave her over and over again.”

  “Your mom had you three boys to worry about.”

  “We weren’t a substitution for you, Dad. And you should have been around more…we needed you.”

  Max kept his eyes glued on the road. The only indication that he was distressed by Peter’s words was the way he kept rubbing his face. Peter didn’t want to cause problems, but Max needed to know what he’d done to their family, if he was going to understand the decision Peter was facing. “Besides, you know I can’t give Emily a bunch of babies to keep her busy. I don’t have that option.”

  “You can adopt.”

  “That’s true. But would it be fair to the kid? To only be around part of the time? To take the chance of never coming home at all? Emily wouldn’t sit idly by and make the best of the situation.”

  “She would if she loved you enough.”

  “I don’t think putting up with loneliness and fear is a measure of love, Dad.”

  Max sighed. “What about you, Peter. What is it you want?”

  “I want to feel good about what I do. I want to feel like I’m making a difference in the world. But I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

  “Do you want Emily back?”

  Peter sighed. He remembered how he felt when he saw Emily sitting up in her bed at Baltasar’s estate wearing that pale pink nightgown, her hair slightly mussed and falling around her shoulders. She’d looked at him with large eyes filled with vulnerability, with longing. He’d wanted to pull her into his arms and never let her go.

  Then he pictured her up above him at the mouth of that hole, her face red from the exertion of pushing that table—she’d been so brave. He’d never been more proud of her, more awed by her strength and determination. “She’s an incredible woman.”

  “That she is,” Max agreed.

  “I’m not sure if I deserve her.”

  “Peter, she would be lucky to have you.”

  Peter looked at his father. “After everything she’s been through, I’m not sure she still wants me.”

  The next morning, Peter woke to the scent of frying bacon and strong coffee wafting through the house. He took a hot shower, put on a fresh change of clothes and felt almost human again. He walked softly down the stairs and stood in the kitchen doorway for a minute just watching his mother cook.

  Emotion filled him as he took in her appearance. She looked older and more tired. She turned, her eyes widening with shock and surprise as they met his. The egg whisk clanged as she dropped it on the floor. Her hand flew to her mouth, muffling a soft gasp. Her big brown eyes filled with tears. “Peter,” she cried and flew across the room.

  “Hi, Mom,” he said, and squeezed her tight.

  She drew back and looked at him, her motherly gaze taking in every nuance in his face, her fingers tugging at his hair, the same way they had for as long as he could remember.

  He gave her a warm smile, and said, “Morning, Mom. Breakfast sure smells good.”

  She smiled. “And you can use some, too. You’re skin and bones. Come, sit down and eat.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said and sat at the table. He missed her, even more than he’d realized.

  “I’m not going to ask you where you’ve been,” she started, but something dark filled her eyes as she said it. He didn’t like seeing that shadow there. It was the same look she’d always got whenever their father had come home from one of his “business” trips. “I’m just going to ask if you’re okay.”

  “I’m great, Mom. Now that I’m home.”

  “You planning on staying for a while?”

  She wasn’t looking at him, just poking at the eggs in the pan.

  Max walked into the room. “I don’t think he’s decided yet. He’s got a headstrong woman on his mind. The kind that gets under your skin and needles at you.” He gave her cheek a quick peck.

  She turned and glared at him, then scooped the eggs into a bowl and set them on the table next to a platter of bacon and fried potatoes. “Anyone want toast?” she asked evenly.

  Peter stood up and pulled his mother into his arms. “Sit down, Mom. I’ll make the toast.”

  She looked up into his face, and almost cried again, but she pulled it together and gave him a small smile. “You always were such a good boy.

  Peter grinned. “I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you, too, Peter.”

  Emily woke in a hospital bed. She stared at the white sheets and yellow blanket and wondered if it had all been a nightmare or if she was dreaming and would still be in the jungle when she woke.

  Her friend, Kate Montgomery, stuck her head in the door. “You awake?”

  “I think so,” Emily grumbled. As she moved, every muscle in her body ached, then she knew it wasn’t a dream.

  “Want some coffee?”

  Emily smelled the heavenly brew wafting through the room. “I would kill for a cup of coffee.”

  Kate smiled. “I thought so.”

  Her friend came into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. Emily sat up and took the offered coffee. She took a deep smell and smiled before taking a drink of the hot liquid. “Ah, coffee has never tasted so good.”

  “What happened to you out there?” Kate asked. “I hate to say it, but you look like a mess.”

  “And you haven’t even seen my feet yet.”

  Kate grimaced.

  “Leeches,” Emily said and shuddered. “I guess I got that adventure I wanted.”

  Kate groaned. “Did I mention Adam wants to go back?”

  “No way!”

  Kate nodded.

  “How are you with snakes and spiders?”

  Kate’s eyebrows rose. “Well, they don’t send me screaming for the hills.”

  “Cats?” Emily asked.

  “I love cats,” she replied.

  Emily smiled. “Then you should be just fine. Just remember, there are a lot worse things in the jungle than snakes and spiders.”

  Kate furrowed her eyebrows. “Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Emily laughed at her skepticism. “By the way, how is my friend, Rosalia?”

  Kate’s face darkened. “She’s not good, Em.”

  Emily’s hear
t sank. “What is it?”

  “Sepsis. It’s raging through her body. The doctors are doing their best to fight it.”

  “I knew she needed antibiotics, but there was nothing I could do.” She shook her head. “We just couldn’t get her here quick enough. First that horrid man with his grenade launcher and then we ran out of gas. It was just horrible.”

  Kate stared at her wide-eyed, then shook her head and patted Emily’s knee. “She’s a fighter, Emily. We’re all praying for her.”

  “And Manuel?” Emily was afraid to ask, but her friend gave her a wide smile.

  “He’s perfect—healthy, strong, a good baby.”

  Emily blew out a relieved breath. “Thank the Lord.”

  “You did a great job.”

  “Thanks, I surprised myself. I did all kinds of things I never thought I could do before. I delivered a baby! When that precious little life slipped into my hands, it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen, the most joyous moment I’ve ever had.”

  “You’ll have a baby of your own, someday,” Kate assured her.

  Emily looked grim. “I hope so.”

  “I know so. You’ll make a terrific mom.”

  “And you’ll make a terrific godmom.”

  Kate smiled and leaned forward to hug her. “I’ve missed you.”

  “You, too.”

  They both took a deep swallow of their coffees. Then Kate lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Is it true? Is Peter back?”

  Emily nodded.

  “And are you two…?”

  She shook her head. “I thought we might be for a while there, but God opened my eyes.”

  “Oh?”

  “I know that Peter is happy doing what he does. I don’t think he’s the type to ever settle down and raise a family. I realize that now, and trying to force him to live in a box wouldn’t make either of us happy. It just wouldn’t work.”

  “Oh,” Kate said, obviously surprised. “I’m sorry to hear that. I always thought you two were perfect for each other.”

  “Don’t get me wrong. I love Peter. I just realize now who he is. And I love him enough to let him go. I’m ready now to get on with my life, to move forward and put the past behind me. To put Peter behind me.” But even as she said the words that sounded so logical, so confident, an ache grew in her heart and she knew her life would never be the same. There would always be an empty spot in her heart that only he could fill.