The children gathered around Carmen and watched anxiously as the helicopter slowly lowered to the ground. The engine stopped and the rotors slowed.
Carmen squinted against the bright light and tightened her grip on the rifle. The door opened and polished shoes dropped to the ground as a man climbed out of the helicopter. He paused briefly, his body silhouetted against the light. Hopefully he was having second thoughts about advancing under the barrel of the rifle in her hands. Finally he began walking toward them.
"Grampa!" Matthew screamed, wriggling from Jonathan's arms, and ran toward the man.
"Matthew!" Carmen screamed as she raced after him. She stopped as the man lifted Matthew into his arms. It was Señor Medena!
Carmen lowered the rifle as the other children raced to him. When Señor Medena looked at her, she turned and pointed at the desert.
"Alex is down there somewhere and he's in danger."
"Alex is safe," Señor Medena answered. "He found a house and called us."
"Thank God." Carmen said in a gush of expelled air. "Then you did get our first call."
He nodded. "Yes, but not enough to know exactly where you were. We were trying to get a ground crew together when Alex called me." His smile was proud. "He is quite the man, yes?"
Carmen couldn't help but smile. "I'd say that was an understatement."
At that moment the horse reached the top of the trail and pranced into camp. Carmen whirled, lifting the rifle to cover the horseman. She shoved the children behind her. "Stop right there."
Jonathan spoke beside her. Is it Dad?"
Carmen held the rifle steady on the man. "Who are you?"
"My name is Jose. Alex sent me to make sure you made it to town safely."
She lowered the rifle. "Where is Alex?"
He jerked his head indicating the desert behind him. "Two men got away and he went after them."
Señor Medena gently took the rifle from her hands and put an arm around her shoulders. "He will be fine," he comforted.
"Why would he do that?" she asked Jose.
"He said one of them had threatened you. He was afraid he would come after you. He asked me to come here and make sure you got to safety and he would keep the men from you."
Without warning, Carmen began to cry. For them, the ordeal was over. They were safe, but for Alex, it continued. She wasn't certain whether her tears were from relief or frustration - maybe both
Señor Medena patted her on the back. "Please do not be concerned. Alex can take care of himself."