Whitewater Rendezvous

“Maybe another half hour. We’ll have to take her in the raft.” Chaz glanced back toward Megan. She knew the jarring ride downriver was going to be painful on her shoulder, and she really hated moving her with that head injury. “We’ll have to lash her kayak and mine to the raft.

I’ll ride with you.”

“What’s the river like between here and there? Do you remember?”

“It’s not too bad,” Chaz said. “We’ll lead in the raft, take it slow, and have Pat take up the rear. She’s certainly capable.”

They spotted Elise, Pat, and Linda returning from downriver, each carrying a kayak. All three looked weary and anxious to be rid of their burdens.

“Hey! You found it!” Sally waved. “Great!”

“How’s Megan doing?” Linda asked as she set down her kayak and stretched to relieve the soreness in her back.

“The trip is over for her,” Chaz said. “Although I don’t think her injuries are too serious, she needs to see a doctor.”

“I was afraid of that.” Linda plopped down onto the nearest big rock and frowned as she surveyed the steep rock walls all around them.

“How you going to get her out of here?”

“We’re going to take her downriver in the raft a ways, then radio for help,” Sally said. “We can’t get a signal out, here in the canyon.”

“Is she all right to travel?” Pat asked.

“No choice,” Chaz said. “We can’t stay here. It’s too dangerous.

If we get bad weather the river could rise and fl ood us out in no time.

Don’t worry, we’ll take it real easy with her.”

While the others tied the two kayaks behind the raft and prepared to get underway, Chaz effi ciently fashioned a sling and secured Megan’s arm against her body with an Ace bandage. “It’s not going to be a comfortable ride, with that shoulder,” she warned.

“Peachy.” Megan watched Chaz work on her, admiring the musculature in Chaz’s arms and her long, strong fi ngers. It helped distract her from the pain in her head and shoulder.

“The sling will immobilize it as far as possible. That should help.

And I’m going to ride with you.”

“All right.” Megan stared down at the sling and felt thankful to be alive.

• 171 •

KIM BALDWIN

Sally redistributed the gear in the raft to make an area for Chaz and Megan that was as comfortable as possible.

“Okay, I think we’re ready for you,” Chaz said, stooping down and leaning over Megan again. “Can you walk there, or would you like me to carry you?”

“I can make it with some help,” Megan said. So Chaz and Sally got on either side and gently helped her to her feet.

Chaz took off her helmet and gently set it on Megan’s head.

“No, Chaz,” Megan protested.

“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice,” she said, fastening it securely.

Chaz settled her long frame into the space they cleared in the bottom of the raft, with her back against one of the infl ated sides, then stuck out a hand to assist Megan. “I want you to sit here, in between my legs, with your back against my chest, so I can try to cushion you.”

Megan hesitated, scoping out how she was going to get into the raft without falling right on top of Chaz. She felt clumsy and unbalanced with her arm in the sling. “You don’t need to do that,” she protested.

“Please?” Chaz asked. Still pissed at me. And now, even needinghelp, doesn’t want to be anywhere near me. Not that I blame her, I guess.

She continued to extend her hand, waiting patiently, and fi nally Megan succumbed and allowed herself to be led carefully into the welcoming circle of Chaz’s embrace.

As soon as she sat down, Chaz enfolded her in her arms, careful to avoid the sore shoulder. Megan’s body was rigid and tense. “Try to relax against me,” she whispered in Megan’s ear as they got underway.

“It’ll make the ride a lot easier on you.”

Megan could feel the warmth of Chaz’s breath against her neck as they headed downriver, and it helped immeasurably to distract her from the pain that every bump and jolt of the whitewater sent through her body.

The sudden change in circumstances was only still sinking in. I’mleaving. The thought depressed her. She had seen all she was going to see, at least for now, of this magical wilderness that had captivated her and made her forget entirely about work, and home, and everything familiar. She missed it already.

You miss her already, Megan thought, unconsciously relaxing into Chaz’s arms.

• 172 •

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14