“You were fighting too hard to live. How could I let you die?”
Juan had a feeling there was more to the story. “You know, Lucas, you’re a real private person, and I respect that, but can’t you give me a little more?”
Lucas sighed. “Chalk it up to a personal tragedy I didn’t want to see happen again. My brother died in a fire—and I was too late to save him.”
“Is that why you’re so angry at God?”
“Partly.”
“Do you believe in Him?”
Pursing his lips, Lucas nodded. “Yeah, I believe in Him.”
That was all Juan was going to get from the man, he could tell. He changed the subject. “What do you think about the new nurse, Amy?”
Lucas cut his eyes to Juan, and Juan felt a flush start up his cheeks. To hide it, he leaned over to pick up the weight he’d just recently dropped. This time, he used his right hand.
“Why? You like her?”
Juan heard the smile in the doctor’s question and couldn’t help the snicker that escaped. “Do I like her?”
Lucas laughed. “I could set you up, you know.”
“I don’t want to be set up,” Juan protested. “I just wondered what you thought about her.”
“She’s pretty,” Lucas admitted.
“I can see that,” Juan muttered, easily picturing her straight, perfectly cut blond hair and gorgeous blue eyes. The dimples in each cheek made his insides curl every time she flashed him a genuine smile. “I mean, what do think of her? Her personality? Her character? Would she be interested in someone who’ll have…who can’t…” He trailed off, embarrassed to express his thoughts even to his best friend.
Lucas became serious. “Someone who’ll have scars the rest of his life and can’t remember who he is?” Lucas finished the sentence for him.
“Yeah,” he mumbled, focusing on curling the weight so he didn’t have to look at Lucas.
“Well, I’ve only been around her for a few weeks, but I would say that she’s the real deal. She’s genuine, compassionate, great with kids…and she’s hurting—maybe, healing. Sometimes her eyes are sad. But, she doesn’t let it interfere with what she wants to get accomplished.” Lucas punched him in the arm lightly. “I also think she’s probably as stubborn as you are. She doesn’t take no for an answer, or have you already noticed that?”
Juan snorted. “I’ve noticed.”
“I figured you had. I’m also pretty sure she’s a Christian.”
“Why do you say that?” Juan looked up, startled. His friend never discussed religion. Avoided the topic as if it would contaminate him to even enter a discussion about God. Of course, Juan wasn’t exactly sure what he, himself, thought about God and, not for the first time, wished he could remember. And yet he found himself praying more and more.
“She reads her Bible every morning out on the dock.” The main orphanage building sat back away from one of the freshwater lakes scattered throughout the Amazon. Recently, a long dock had been added to allow swimming during the times it was safe and to provide easier river access. While Tefe was a small city with roads, water travel was still a necessity. Two new boats with outboard motors rocked gently, tied securely to the gleaming dock. Three canoes, the most common mode of travel, were banked on the shore.
Juan blinked. “She does?” He’d not known that. No wonder he couldn’t find her this morning. Not that he’d been specifically looking for her. Okay, yes, he had. He’d just refused to acknowledge his disappointment when she hadn’t come in to breakfast while he’d been there.
Whoosh.
Juan jumped as something flew past his cheek. “What…?” He turned swiftly, and when he did, it threw him off balance. He landed on his rear.
Another soft, almost soundless, whoosh hissed by him.
“Get down!” Lucas yelled.
Juan wanted to say, I am down, but instead rolled to his right. Thwap! Something hit the mat beside him.
“What is it?” he hollered.
“Someone’s shooting darts through the window,” Lucas gasped as he grabbed Juan’s arm. “Get your back against the wall. Don’t be a target.”
Juan panted, grunted, his muscles still quivering from his workout; his body still recovering from the virus. But he pushed himself against the wall and waited. He wanted to propel himself through the window and tackle the shooter. The urge was so strong, he shook with the effort to force himself still. But as he did, a flash of memory surfaced.
We’ve got a traitor. Get out, get out!
The explosion rocked him. Searing heat scorched the left side of his face. The child cried. They’d been betrayed, set up, sold out.
“Juan! Juan!”
Juan blinked, blinked again. Focused on Lucas. He was saying something, but Juan couldn’t grasp the words. “What?”
“It’s stopped. I’m going to try to find out who it was.”
“I’m coming with you.”
As they started for the door, Amy walked in.
“Amy!”
She jumped. “What? What’s wrong?”
Juan gripped her forearms. “Did you see anyone outside the window? Running from the gym?”
“No. Why?”
“Someone was using us for target practice. Thank goodness for lousy aim.” He looked at the two darts embedded in the wooden wall and the one in the mat on the floor.
Lucas said, “Come on, let’s take a look around.”
“I want to help. Which way should I go?” Amy asked.
Juan shook his head. “No way. This guy was trying to do some damage. I don’t want you wandering around alone looking for him. In fact, why don’t you head back to the main building and let Anna know what’s going on. Call the police and have them send someone over. We’ll look for our shooter.”
Amy bit her lip, hesitated. “Okay.” She turned and headed for the building.
Juan and Lucas split up, although Juan wondered what he’d do if he caught the guy. His overworked muscles told him he sure didn’t have the strength for a fight.
Amy ran to the main building, told Anna what had happened, then decided to go back to the gym to see for herself what was going on. Entering the gymnasium through the side door, she made her way down the main hall to the weight room. She looked inside—and stopped
