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“You’ll need to hurry,” the driver told us, unloading our backpacks from the bed of the truck. “Flight in twenty minutes.”
We pulled on the packs and followed our driver to the low squat building that served as an airport. There were no planesto be seen, but our guide had assured us that all was arranged. We’d take a tiny plane to Nairobi where we’d transfer to a passenger jet back to Atlanta and finally to Denver. From there, we’d be in the car another three hours, but it would all be worth it to see Kasper Ridge again.
The green mountains of my home and jagged stone peaks would be a jarring counterpoint to the African continent, where we’d spent the last eight months. Emily had more assignments than she could take at this point, so she’d gotten in the habit of planning trips and selling pieces based on her plans, rather than the other way around. My own life had molded to hers, and in Africa, I’d focused on consulting for an organization working to restrict the access poachers had to the game preserves that were home to some of the most endangered species on earth. I’d helped the non-profit understand how drone technology could assist with identifying heat signatures in far flung areas of the preserves and used my military experience to help them develop mobilization plans to counter those threats. There was a long way to go, but it was work I loved, and it allowed me to travel with Emily.
Now, however, we were heading home for a while. To Kasper Ridge. To spend some time with family.
We’d managed to shower in Atlanta during the layover, and we each scored a power nap on the way to Denver. By the time we were pulling up in a taxi to the roundabout in front of the resort, I felt almost alive again. The fresh mineral and greenery scent the mountains always carried helped too.
I stood in front of the resort and found myself grinning up at it and just breathing.
“Happy to be home?” Emily asked, coming to stand at my side.
“Happy about so much,” I told her, wrapping an arm around her and squeezing her tight.
Just then, Antonio came bustling out the front door. “I thought that was you guys,” he said, a smile splitting his face from ear to ear. “Aubrey’s gonna go nuts. Wait, did she know you were coming home?”
I gave Antonio a hug. “Nope. It’s a surprise.”
“It sure is,” he agreed, moving to hug Emily. “It’s so great to see you guys. Your timing is perfect too, we just had a wedding clear out, so things are pretty calm.”
I took one more deep breath of the late summer mountain air and followed Antonio into the lobby.
“Am I seeing a Ghost?” Wiley called from the bar as we moved inside.
“Sure are,” I told him. “And an Emily.”
“Wow. Welcome back, you guys! It’s so great to see you.” Wiley greeted us much as Antonio had, and my heart settled inside my chest. It was good to be home. To be loved. To be at peace.
“You think we might be able to get most of the family together for dinner tonight?” I asked Antonio and Wiley hopefully. Being on the outside of resort operations felt a little strange, but also liberating. Still, I knew they might have other obligations.
“I bet we can,” Antonio said. “If we do it in the restaurant, just in case anyone needs to attend to anything.”
“Jensen’s in the bar tonight,” Wiley said.
“CeeCee’s brother? The one with the taxidermy?” Emily asked, her eyes wide. I’d told her about Jensen’s previous job as a ride-share driver, and his habit of stuffing roadkill.
“Yep,” Wiley said. “See? Rufus has a friend.”
We followed Wiley’s extended arm to see a mottled and misshapen animal standing next to Rufus the stuffed bear, wearing a fishing vest and holding a pole.
“What is that?” Emily asked. “A beaver?”
“A groundhog?” I suggested.
“Dunno,” Wiley stared up at the odd beast and scratched his head. “Even Jensen’s not sure. We just call him Kevin.”
“Kevin,” I said. “Okay.”
“So... dinner at six?” Antonio asked. “I can let the chef know.”
“That sounds perfect,” I said. I turned to Wiley. “Think Aubrey will be mad if I don’t tell her I’m here until then? I want it to be a surprise.”
“Of course she will be,” he said, grinning. “But that’s okay.”
“Can Finn come up at six too?” I asked.
“I heard my name!” A boy stepped out of the bar, a shock of dark hair in a scramble on his head and my sister’s wide dark eyes making it perfectly clear who he was. “Uncle Archie! Emily!” Finn ran at me full speed, and I dropped my pack to catch him.
