Killer Rapids, page 4
“We did.” Jonah helped a middle-aged woman, who was in our group, out of the vehicle. “But we only did easy runs for beginners. From what Ray said last night, today’s run might be a little harder.”
“Thanks,” the lady said. “I’m Ruth, by the way. This is my first time rafting. In fact, this is my first time doing anything alone.” Her face reddened. “I’m newly divorced. Thought I needed something like this to give me confidence.”
“Nice to meet you, Ruth.” Jonah shook her hand. “I’m sure you’ll do great.”
We made the rounds of introductions. In our group, there were the three of us, and then Ruth, Joe, Ray, and a young couple on their honeymoon.
“I’m Charles,” the wiry young man said. “And this is my wife, Trixie.” His goofy grin at using the term “wife” for the first time made me smile.
“Short for Beatrix.” The brunette stuck out her hand. “He’s the only one who calls me Trixie.”
I smiled and shook her hand. “I’m Clarity. Nice to meet you, Beatrix.”
Ray took our group to the side, as each guide did with their group. “I’m going to give you an overview of our trip, teach you some techniques, and what to expect on our route today.”
He moved us over to a flat area of low brush and forest floor. Small logs had been dragged in to act as practice boats.
Ray pointed to the log we stood next to. “I’d like you all to get into position as if you were on the raft. I’m in the back. I need one person who’s done this before and who’s good at steering to sit in front.”
Charles raised his hand. “I’ll do it.”
“Great,” Ray said. “Let’s have three rows of two for the sides.”
Once we were settled into kneeling positions, Ray showed us how to paddle to avoid rocks, make it through swirling currents of water, and what to do when there were unexpected obstacles like logs or fallen trees.
The training lasted an hour or so. I was getting anxious to just climb into the raft and give it a try.
“Now, if you fall in,” Ray said as everyone scrambled to get into the raft, “we may not be able to haul you back into the boat. But there will be another group behind us, and they can try to pick you up.”
“What happens if they can’t?” Brandi’s brows were furrowed in concern.
I had to admit, I felt the pang of anxiety as well. What if somebody fell out of the raft and no one was able to grab them before they went trundling down the river?
“Don’t worry,” Ray said. “Our guides are experienced. We know exactly what to do if someone falls in.” He chuckled. “We’ve never lost a customer.”
I put my hand to my chest. “Oh, good. That makes me feel a little better.”
Ray clapped his hands. “Let’s do this!”
The morning’s temperature had been cool, but the sun was starting to get warm. I was looking forward to getting on the water, where I was sure the spray would cool us down.
All the rafts were halfway in the water and half on shore. Our group was assigned to the middle raft.
I stepped in awkwardly and tried to keep my balance as I sat in the middle row, on the left side. Wait—was it port side? I knew port was left and starboard was right in boat speak, but did that apply to whitewater rafts? I was too embarrassed to ask, so I just sat down and held on to the side handle while everyone else took their places.
Ray and another staff member pushed us off the sand and into the water. We were on our way.
“Watch out on the left!” Ray shouted from the back. “Use your paddles to keep us away from that rock.”
I stuck my paddle out, along with Joe and Beatrix, who were also sitting on the left side, and pushed us away from the large boulder.
“Great job!” Ray called out. “Now, on your right—dig deep to get us out of that dip!”
Jonah and Brandi were on that side and began paddling hard to keep us from plunging into a whirlpool-like eddy.
The boat behind us suddenly came up to our stern and bumped our raft hard. Ray shouted.
I risked a look behind me in time to see a huge rush of water carry the boat behind us right into the back of our raft. Ray toppled off his perch and disappeared into the angry white water.
“Ray!” I leaned over to see if I could spot him.
The guide in the boat behind us yelled, “It’s okay! I see him!” He pointed to Ray’s red helmet, which had popped up twenty yards upstream. He had his legs out in front of him, just as he’d instructed us to do if we fell in.
Brandi gasped. “Ray!” She tried standing up, but Jonah pulled her back down.
“Sit! He knows what he’s doing.” Jonah put his hands on her shoulders to prevent her from diving overboard.
Astrid, the Olympic athlete in the boat behind us, had different ideas. She plunged into the water and shot toward Ray. As she attempted to grab his arm, he pushed her away. “I’m fine!” he shouted into the spray.
She was a strong swimmer and once the water flattened out into a calm spot, she swam to shore.
Ray had also reached shore, and was standing at the edge, waiting for our raft to reach the calmer waters. Astrid stood next to him and put her arm around his shoulders.
We paddled to the beachy area and Ray climbed in.
“Are you okay?” Brandi looked stricken. “I thought you were going to drown!”
“I’m fine.” He had a sheepish look on his face. “Just goes to show you that even if you have years of experience, Mother Nature calls the shots.”
Brandi was visibly relieved. “Thank God you’re all right.”
“I’m just fine. It takes more than falling out of a raft, or the rapids, to kill me.” He chuckled.
The boat that’d been behind us had managed to pull to the bank of the river as well.
“Astrid?” Ray said. “You can rejoin your team. It was reckless of you to jump in after me, but I appreciate your concern. Thanks.”
She gave him a coy smile. “You’re welcome.” Her Swedish accent made her seem exotic and alluring.
Brandi narrowed her eyes. “What was that all about?” she muttered under her breath.
“Looks like the Olympian has a little crush on your man.” Jonah waggled his eyebrows.
Brandi whispered, “She better not try to steal him from me. I’ve been waiting all my life for someone like him.”
Ray had been too busy to notice our murmuring. “Charles! Steer us back into the middle, okay? Everyone else, paddle!”
We pulled into the deeper water and soon, we were zigzagging through the turbulent white water once again.
An hour and a half later, we arrived at our destination, thoroughly wet and exhausted, but grinning from ear to ear.
We’d just finished dragging the rafts up the beach, so we could break for lunch. My arms ached and felt like wet noodles. I shook them out to relieve some of the muscle tension.
“That was amazing.” Jonah plopped onto the shore.
“Wasn’t it?” Brandi glanced over her shoulder and smiled at Ray, who was directing the loading of the rafts.
A dragonfly came flitting by. I watched it hover over the water for a moment before it zipped off into the tall grass at the water’s edge.
“This is nice.” I sat and pulled my knees up to my chest, hugging my legs. “It’s nice to have a break from the city.”
Ray came down to sit beside Brandi. “Are you guys ready to eat?”
Jonah grinned. “Of course. Bring it on!”
Ray laughed. “Good. Our lunch is being set up in a meadow, just a short hike from here.” He got up and brushed his shorts off. They’d already dried after his spill in the river. “Let’s get on the trail.”
After bouncing up and down in a raft for the past several hours, my legs felt like Jello on a merry-go-round. The walk felt great after the whole “sea legs” thing wore off. I was starting to feel a little more normal. Except for my grumbling stomach.
“How far is it?” I unbuckled my life jacket and slipped it off my shoulders.
“It’s just up there.” Ray pointed. “See?”
Ahead, there was a clearing. The trees had given way for a circular meadow populated with wild grasses and low shrubs. As we approached, I noticed a tent had been erected, and there were a few staff members working on what I hoped was lunch.
The scent of sizzling hamburgers and barbecued chicken filled the air.
“Yum!” My stomach let out a loud rumble. “I could eat a horse.”
Brandi made a face. “No. You love horses. And you’re not French.”
Jonah laughed. “Good point.”
I frowned. “You know what I mean.” And they also knew that I got grumpy without regular feedings. The adrenaline must’ve kicked my metabolism in gear, because it felt like I hadn’t eaten in days.
Brandi grinned. “She’s hangry.”
I was about to complain when Ray called out to the group. “Food’s ready! Come and get it.”
“Oh, thank God.” I quickened my pace to where the staff was working.
They’d set out folding tables and were beginning to set out trays of hamburgers with all the fixings and grilled chicken.
“If you’re vegetarian,” Ray said. “We have veggie burgers over on this tray.”
“Even if I were vegetarian,” I said, “I would probably go for the meat. I think I’m protein-deprived.”
I filled my plate with fruit, chips, and a big juicy hamburger. I grabbed a soda and sat down on a stump to inhale my meal. Brandi and Jonah joined me, plopping onto a patch of meadow grass to eat.
For at least five minutes, we were quiet as we gulped down our food.
I finally came up for air and looked down at my plate. It was empty. “Ah.” I rested my hand on my stomach. “I feel so much better.”
“Me too.” Brandi got up and made her way over to Ray.
“Do you see that?” Jonah pointed at her with a carrot stick. “She has totally abandoned us.”
I laughed. “Can you blame her? She’s got a live one on the line.”
Jonah shook his head and grinned. “True. I haven’t seen her this happy in a long time. I hope it all works out for her.”
The lunch crew began clearing the serving tables. Ray looked up from his conversation with Brandi and shouted, “Head back to the river, everyone! Time to get back in the water.”
CHAPTER 7
We’d finished another long run of white water, and Ray’s crew had secured the rafts high up on the banks of the river.
Our tents had already been set up a few hundred yards from the water’s edge, under the cover of the forest.
As we approached the campsite, I took in the scent of fir and cedar trees. “It smells so nice here.”
“It does. Kind of like those evergreen scented candles from the Bath and Body store.” Brandi stepped on a twig. The snap echoed off the nearby tree trunks. “There’s Ray.” She pushed ahead of us and met up with the adventure guide, who was in an intense discussion with his cousin, Arnold. They both stopped in mid-sentence as Brandi sidled up to them.
“I wonder what that’s about.” I pushed a loose strand of hair out of my eyes. “They seem kind of upset. They must be continuing their argument from a few days ago.”
Jonah shrugged. “They’re family, so you know how that goes. Sometimes you get pissed off at the ones you love.”
“True. I know how that is.” With eight siblings, I was well aware of how family dynamics worked. “They’re just cousins, but they must be pretty close, considering they’re working with each other.”
The footsteps crunching on the path behind us made me turn around. “Oh! Hi, Astrid.”
“Hello.” She gave us hardly any notice as she walked purposefully toward Ray, her blond braid swinging. Once she reached him, she squeezed herself in between him and Brandi.
Brandi’s face flushed. She clenched her fists and took a breath through her nose.
Jonah and I scooted in closer so we could hear their conversation. This was getting interesting.
“Hi, Ray. That was a great run.” Astrid touched his arm.
“Yeah.” Ray subtly took a step back. “It was pretty great.” His eyes flicked to Brandi as he gave her a reassuring smile. “Tomorrow’s run will be even better.”
Astrid’s friendly expression hardened as she followed Ray’s gaze. Her blue eyes seemed to frost over for just a moment before she regained her composure. “I’m looking forward to it.” She tugged on Ray’s arm. “Can you show me which tent I’ll be in?”
He nodded. “I might as well let everyone know all together so I don’t have to repeat myself.” He clapped his hands. “Attention, everyone! We’ve got six tents set up—three green ones for the women, and three blue ones for the men. Feel free to choose a tent. Your bags and sleeping bags have been placed by that large boulder next to the alder tree.” He pointed at a spot off to the side. “Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.”
Jonah spotted his stuff right away and dashed off to a tent where some of the guys were heading.
Brandi and I found our stuff and turned to assess our options.
The green tents were situated further into the trees on the left. The men’s tents were to the right.
I shivered in my wet clothes and was relieved to see a large campfire circle was set up in the center, outlined with big river rocks. Logs were set up around the outskirts of the circle for seating.
We watched Astrid go into the first tent.
“Let’s take the second one.” Brandi marched past me and disappeared into the opening of the tent.
I followed on her heels and ducked under the flap.
The tent was spacious, and if my calculations were correct, there’d be four women per tent. Brandi was unrolling her backpack to one side, and I set my stuff down next to her.
“Smart move picking a different tent than Astrid’s,” I whispered.
“I can’t stand that Amazonian woman. She’s trying to get her hooks into Ray.”
Unrolling my sleeping bag and flopping down on it, I said, “She’s pretty obvious about it. I wonder what he thinks of that.”
She gritted her teeth. “I don’t know. But how can I compete with her? She’s like if America’s Top Model and American Ninja Warrior had a baby.”
“More like Swedish Ninja Warrior,” I said.
Sighing, she leaned back on her heels. “She’s everything I’m not.”
“Brandi, he clearly is interested in you. You’re gorgeous, smart, and fun. How could he not like you?”
Ruth and Beatrix entered the tent put their stuff down and started to get unpacked.
I turned to them and grinned. “I’m glad we’re bunking with you guys.”
They returned my smile.
“Same,” Beatrix said. “This will be like a sleepover!”
Ruth laughed. “I haven’t been on a sleepover since I was sixteen. And let me tell you, that was in the Jurassic period.”
Brandi giggled. “Oh, stop it. You’re not that old.”
Ruth snorted. “Whatever you say.”
Beatrix stopped what she was doing and sniffed the air. “Did they start cooking already? That smells amazing.”
“Let’s go see if they need help.” I ducked under the flap and emerged outside, taking in the scent of heavenly food.
Joe, my friend from our table at the Black Swan Inn, was hovering near the fire pit, watching the chicken sizzle on the metal grill. He rubbed his hands together. “I can’t wait to eat.”
More heads peeked out of the surrounding tents as the smell of food filled the forest air.
People began inching closer to the where the cooking was happening, as Ray’s crew tended to the Dutch ovens filled with roasting potatoes. Some of the big cast iron pots contained desserts, which I guessed from the aroma of bubbling berries.
“Is that blackberry cobbler?” Brandi sniffed the air. “God, that smells amazing.”
My stomach rumbled in agreement. I scurried over to one of the chefs. “Is there anything we can help with?”
The tall man smiled and said, “No, we’ve got everything under control. Though, if you’d like to direct people toward the drinks, that would be great.” He pointed to two large coolers.
“Got it.” I began herding folks toward the cold drinks and grabbed a beer for myself.
Once I’d settled on the logs surrounding the firepit, I let the heat of it warm my body. I sighed with pleasure as the chill of the river dissipated. I hadn’t even realized how cold and wet I’d been until now.
Brandi and Jonah joined me, and we stared into the flames as we sipped our drinks.
“This is the best.” Jonah’s serene smile made him look so young. Like all the stress we’d been through in the last couple of months had been erased.
I nudged him with my elbow. “It is. We’re lucky to be here together.”
Brandi had scanned the area and had locked eyes onto Ray, who was talking to Joe, Astrid, and a few other people from the other rafts. “Excuse me a moment.” She got up and made her way to the group.
“She’s got it bad for him.” Jonah grinned and ran his hand over his stubble.
I laughed. “She does. I hope it all works out for her.”
The minute Brandi joined the small group, Astrid stepped closer to Ray and giggled at everything he said.
“Gross.” I narrowed my eyes. “She is really horning in on Ray. I hope Brandi doesn’t punch her. Or maybe I should…”
Jonah snorted. “Yeah, Astrid is trying way too hard. It’s kind of pathetic, if you ask me.”
“Ray doesn’t seem to be taking the bait. Why do you think that is? She’s certainly beautiful and strong. And she’s super into him.” I put my empty bottle down next to me.
“I don’t know. She’s probably not his type.” He watched Ray smiling down at Brandi. “But Brandi is. Obviously, he has excellent taste.”
I smiled. “It makes me like him even more. He’s a nice guy. Want another beer?” I stood up.
“Yeah, I’d love one.”
I took our empties to the recycle bin next to the coolers and grabbed two cold brews.
