by Maggie Ryan
“You can keep them loose or unzipped a bit in the upper part of the river,” Joanna explained as she helped a young mother fasten the vest around her child. “After lunch, for those who are going to shoot the lower part, you’ll need to keep them securely fastened. There is a lot of rough water, and believe me, you don’t want to go overboard without one.”
Everyone promised to follow her rules and soon the three rafts were pushing out into the river. Joanna kept an eye on Gabe’s raft until she was certain the man knew what he was doing. He had taken the raft with the six young men as well as a couple of older teen girls. The boys were doing their best to impress the young women. Gabe caught her glance and his eyebrow rose in mock amusement at the antics of the young men. She grinned back noticing that Amber had taken a seat in Dan’s raft and wondered if that had been her choice or her brother’s.
Smiling, she turned her attention to her own boat and quickly had everyone introduce themselves. Their raft was in the rear and it took about an hour for the people to grow accustomed to paddling when and where she instructed. The air was full of laughter and contented voices as they traveled down the river. It was stunningly beautiful, the water crystal clear and running slow enough to allow people to relax and enjoy the scenery all around. Joanna smiled when the two children in her raft exclaimed that they could see the fish swimming under the water. Joanna found herself relaxing and accepting the gift of the day. Her world might be crumbling all around her, but for the present moment, she couldn’t think of anywhere else she’d rather be.
Lunch–time found the rafts beached and coolers unloaded. People spread out along the banks of the river. Joanna saw that Amber had joined the two teen girls and the young men. She glanced around to find Gabe and saw his scowl as he too observed his sister.
He looked as if he wanted nothing more than to drag her away but was forcing himself to remain calm. The young men were behaving properly, and he knew he’d do nothing but embarrass Amber. Sighing, he turned to find Joanna standing behind him.
She unconsciously put her hand on his arm, and immediately felt another jolt. She jerked her hand away. Seeing the look in his eyes and the slow curve of his lips, she shuddered. She took a step back and remembered what she was going to say. “She’s fine, Gabe. Come eat something.”
He looked once more towards his sister, sighed and nodded. He joined Joanna on the log where she had been sitting. There wasn’t any spare room but when she began to shift away, his gaze froze her. God, he was making her so nervous. Her hand was shaking as she held out some food. Gabe grinned and accepted a sandwich and bag of chips.
“Relax, Jo. I’m not going to jump you in front of your campers,” Gabe promised.
She blushed, realizing that she had almost expected him to do just that. Trying to cover the fact that she wondered what she would do if he attempted such a thing, she moved onto safer ground. “You are doing great, by the way. I’m sorry I snapped at you earlier.” She handed him a cold can of soda.
Gabe was quiet for a moment. He had so much to ask, but didn’t want her to shut down. He nodded. “Thanks. I’ve always had a great love of this river. I appreciate you sharing it with me.” He tipped the can and swallowed deeply. The cold liquid tasted great and he soon drained it. She offered him another, but he took a bottle of water instead.
Joanna suddenly seemed to realize how comfortable they were and jumped up. “I’ve got to check on everyone,” she mumbled as she rushed away.
Gabe watched as she walked around, making sure that everyone had everything they needed. The young family told her that they had a great time, but weren’t sure about taking the rest of the trip with their children who were growing a bit cranky. Joanna assured them that they could stay and be picked up by the transit van after lunch. Kim would close the store over her lunch period, which included a run to the take out point. The other young couple also decided to return to the camp site. With her raft now emptied, Gabe found himself hoping that Joanna wouldn’t return with them. His unasked question was solved when Dan stepped forward.
Dan knew his boss loved being out on the water whenever given the chance. “I’ll take them back with your raft, Joanna, if you want to go on,” he offered.
Joanna really hated to go back to the store but was also uncomfortable being on the river with only Gabe. She felt like a rabbit just waiting for the unsuspecting grab by a diving hawk. Gabe sensed her indecision and stepped up to them.
“That sounds perfect, Dan,” Gabe said. “I know Joanna was really looking forward to a day on the water. I promise to keep my eye on her.”
Dan looked between the two and saw that his boss was actually blushing. He couldn’t say he understood what was happening, but acknowledged something was definitely going on between the two. He grinned, sensing that perhaps the woman he had come to really admire and respect might actually be interested in someone.
“Not a problem,” Dan reassured them. “I’ll go relieve Kim and pick ya’ll up at the take out later this afternoon. I think it will be an easy run. The river isn’t that fast today and we haven’t had problems with anyone.”
Joanna couldn’t protest without raising questions from her co–worker. She shot Gabe a look that might have staggered a lesser man. Gabe just stood with his thumbs hooked in his pockets and smiled down at her.
Joanna shrugged as if it didn’t truly matter to her. “Fine, I guess that will work.”
Soon the extra raft, the coolers that had contained their lunch, and those returning to the camp site were loaded into the van. Joanna distributed bottles of water and cans of soda into the two smallest coolers. They were much easier to tie into the rafts and took up less space. She returned to the river bank to see that Gabe was directing those remaining to police the area for stray trash and making sure that life vests were on. Joanna climbed into Dan’s raft noticing that Amber was now with her. She grinned as Amber took her seat.
“How are you doing?” Joanna asked. She was pleased to see the happy smile on Amber’s face.
The young woman leaned towards her and whispered, “I’m great…I got to wear my bikini. My butt’s a bit sore but this is so much fun.”
Joanna laughed, knowing that Amber’s bikini was a source of concern for her older brother. The young woman was healthy and athletic but wore her beauty as easily as she wore her skin. Joanna grinned when two of the young men switched from Gabe’s raft to hers. Gabe scowled but Joanna simply gave him a wave and motioned to push off into the water. The sun bore down and Gabe heard a few complaints.
“Man, this vest sucks. It is too hot to wear this thing,” one of the frat boys, Tommy, said as he began to unzip his vest.
“Son, keep it zipped,” Gabe instructed. Tommy looked over and continued to unzip the vest. Gabe stopped rowing for a moment and bent towards the young man. “Zip it or you’ll find yourself on the bank and hoofing it back to camp.”
Tommy glanced at his friends and saw them glance away. He was embarrassed, but didn’t want to either back down or see if this guy was serious.
Gabe softened his voice. “I know how hot they are but it’s better to be hot than to drown, don’t you think? Listen.” Everyone grew silent, and yet the day was filled with noise. Tommy looked down river as Gabe said, “Those are rapids and by the sound of them, they are pretty close. Make your choice, but we sure could use your help with the oars.”
Tommy quickly zipped his vest and picked up his oar. “Thanks,” he said.
Gabe simply nodded. He’d once been young and dumb himself. He planted his feet between the raft’s sides and bottom and instructed others to do the same. His raft quickly gathered speed as the river’s current grew faster. He glanced over his shoulder to see Joanna preparing her own people for the run. The raft bounced over a rock and Tommy almost fell out. Gabe reached out to grab him by the vest and hauled him back to safety.
Tommy laughed, planted his feet more securely and soon was whooping as the water surged all around them. They made it
through the rapids and were congratulating each other as they turned to watch Joanna bring her raft through. The scene was repeated several more times as the day progressed. The air was full of screams of fright, whoops of laughter and calls of bravado as both rafts navigated the length of the river. By the time they reached the take out point, the campers were exhausted but thrilled. The trip had been exhilarating with no incidents.
Gabe took off his vest and leaned over to Tommy. “You did really well. How about cooling off with a swim?”
Tommy grinned and thanked him. The river was soon full of splashing and good–natured fun as the group dove into the calmer water. Joanna and Gabe bailed out the water from the rafts in preparation for loading them on the trailer.
“I had a blast, thanks, Jo,” Gabe said as he scooped another jug of water off the bottom of the raft. She smiled and then, without conscious thought, dumped her own jug of water over his head. He gasped in surprise and then grinned seeing her look of horror. He dropped his own jug, stood straight and before she knew it, had her over his shoulder and was heading for the river.
“No! Put me down!” she yelled, her hands beating against his back. He felt like a solid wall of concrete and carried her as if she weighed nothing. Amber turned to see what was happening.
“Dunk her, Gabe!” Amber called, laughing.
Joanna continued to squirm to no avail as Gabe simply held her tighter. “No, please….my clothes…No…oh no!” she squealed as she was unceremoniously dropped into the river. She came up sputtering. She couldn’t believe he had just dunked her – clothes and all – into the water. He stood over her and quirked his eyebrow as if asking if she’d like to pour another jug of water on his head. She remembered the shock of him lifting her and easily carrying her to the water.
She shrugged and then burst into laughter, “Thanks! I really wanted a reason to cool off.”
He was surprised by the lovely sound of her laughter. The two were soon splashing at each other while everyone cheered them on.
Dan walked down to the river’s edge to see his boss on Gabe’s shoulders playing chicken with several other couples. They were all laughing and splashing and he smiled. Joanna took her job far too seriously and it was a very rare thing to see her doing what others did naturally, just plain old having a good time on a hot summer day.
Chapter 4
Joanna stepped out of the shower and put on a fresh uniform. She dried her hair and brushed it until it shone. Once it was neatly braided, she put her hat on and went out to her Jeep. She couldn’t seem to stop thinking about how she was feeling. The day had been perfect, the sun and water had felt good and the company, well, it was pretty darned good as well. She blushed remembering how it had felt to be on Gabe’s shoulders, his arms hanging securely around her calves as she played chicken. She also remembered how it felt when he easily lifted her off his shoulders and turned her towards him to set her on her feet. She had been so close to him that her breasts had been pressed against his chest. She felt her nipples tighten just remembering the sensation.
She gave a small moan as she drove to the office. She had never expected to feel this way again, as if every nerve in her body were alive and well. She was both expectant and terrified. She had promised herself that she would never again trust any man the way she had before. It had cost her so much and taken so long to be able to stand alone. She parked the Jeep and took a few minutes getting herself under control. She walked into the store and found Dan and Kim busy restocking the shelves. She was soon helping them though it wasn’t a necessary part of her job.
“Your guy said he’d be by in a bit,” Dan said, which immediately got Kim’s attention.
“Guy? What guy?” Kim asked.
“Gabe, that’s who. Those two were quite the pair today,” Dan offered.
Kim looked over to see Joanna’s face and saw her friend looked slightly ill.
“Gabe as in Gabriel Jamison?” Kim asked, her eyes never leaving Joanna’s face. She saw her friend flush and turn away as if to hide her reaction.
Dan answered, “Yeah, that’s him. He’s the one that moved up to the high camp yesterday. He has his entire family coming in tomorrow for some kind of reunion.” Dan paused, when he realized that Kim was listening, but not looking at him. He followed her gaze to see their boss busying herself with paperwork on the counter. He lowered his voice, “Why? What’s wrong with Gabe? Who is this guy?”
“Someone from Joanna’s past,” Kim said as she turned to pick up a box of disposable cameras. “Leave it alone, okay? I don’t think she appreciates the discussion.”
Dan shook his head as he took the box from her. “Women! No wonder men will never understand them,” he muttered. “I’m telling you, Kim, our boss definitely has an admirer. I haven’t seen her have so much fun on the river before.”
But Kim only scowled as she gave her reply. “Get to work, you bum, and keep your thoughts to yourself.”
Dan shrugged and took the box towards the shelf where he’d stock them. “I know what I saw, that’s all I’m saying,” he said.
Kim walked towards Joanna who was trying to appear as if the conversation had meant nothing to her. The way her hands were trembling as well as the color of her cheeks told a different story. When she turned and saw Kim approaching, she lifted her hand and shook her head. Kim gave her a soft smile and shook hers as well. She had been Joanna’s friend far too long to let this pass.
“Are you okay?” Kim asked so quietly that only Joanna would hear her.
Joanna began to nod and then paused. Her stomach was churning and her pulse was racing. She truly had no idea if she was okay, or would be ever again. Kim was a dear friend, one that had helped lead her to a place where she had felt safe. A place that she had managed to embrace and begin a life where she could support herself as well as let her surroundings heal her.
“I don’t know…it…it was just a huge shock,” Joanna said. “I never expected to see him again, and…and I don’t know how to feel or what to say.”
Kim nodded and reached out to put her hand on Joanna’s. She knew Joanna was attempting to keep herself under control. However, Kim also knew that Joanna was not truly living. Sure, she was a great person, a wonderful boss and even better friend, but that was not enough to complete anyone’s life.
“Maybe it’s time, Joanna,” Kim said softly. “There must be some reason that he found you out here in the middle of nowhere.”
Joanna tensed and then pulled her hand out from under Kim’s. “He didn’t come looking for me, Kim. He just happened to wind up in the same neck of my woods. It’s nothing…I’ll be fine. Let it go.” Joanna’s voice had steeled as well as her posture. She straightened her spine and handed Kim a clipboard. “You and Dan need to go inventory the shed. Make sure all the tubes, canoes and kayaks have been returned and go ahead and lock it up. Okay?”
Kim took the clipboard. “Let me help, Joanna. You don’t need to go through this alone.”
Joanna shook her head and Kim saw her hand go to stroke the long braid that was lying over her shoulder. It was obvious the woman was struggling to hold herself together.
“You can help by doing your job,” Joanna said.
Kim was slightly taken aback. Joanna had never spoken to her in that tone before. In fact, Kim had never heard her sound so hard. Her encounter with Gabriel had affected her far more deeply than she was admitting.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Kim said and added softly, “I’ll be here if you need me.”
Joanna felt guilty for snapping at her friend. She wanted to apologize, but Kim had turned away. Sighing, Joanna turned back to the paperwork. It wasn’t much but perhaps enough to keep her mind from straying where her heart was aching to go.
A few minutes later, they all looked up as the bells above the door chimed. Gabe walked in and Dan nodded to Kim. Kim’s face tightened. This guy might be magnificent – a perfect physical match for her friend – however, she’d heard Joanna cry over this man. Kim woul
d never allow him to hurt her friend again, but was willing to give him a chance. She would wait to see where they were going. She picked up the clipboard where she had put it down to help Dan with the restocking.
“Come on, let’s close up the shed,” she suggested.
Dan looked between Joanna and Gabe, who was striding towards the counter. He would much prefer to stay. He wasn’t given the choice when Kim pulled on his arm. Shrugging, again wondering how men and women ever got along, he followed her from the store.
Joanna watched her coworkers leave and almost called them back. She opened her mouth and then closed it again. She was a capable adult woman. She was the boss, the one in control. She could handle this.
Gabe had seen the two leaving as well. His glance told him that the store was empty except for the two of them. His eyes found Joanna and locked down. He saw her mouth open and close and then watched as she stiffened. She was obviously preparing herself for some type of confrontation. He hid his disappointment and forced his voice to be light and easy.
“How’s my partner?” he asked and was glad to see her control slip just a little as a quick attempt of a smile touched her lips before they compressed again.
She shook her head and said, “I’m not your partner.”
He understood they were back to barely speaking. “Hmmm, you sure look like the same girl who skunked all those others on the river,” he teased.
Joanna relaxed a bit, realizing he was speaking about playing chicken and not playing at anything else.
Gabe continued, “Not too bad for us old folks is it? Even Amber had to admit she was impressed.” His words earned him a smile.
“I’m sure she hated that. I can’t believe you talked me into playing chicken. I haven’t done that in years,” Joanna said.
Her voice was almost wistful and Gabe found himself wondering how often she let herself go and just have fun. He had a feeling it had been a very long time. Gabe’s voice lowered as he made the final approach towards the counter. Joanna looked as if she wanted to step away from him. He felt a flare of anger. What in the hell had happened to this woman? She acted as if she expected to be attacked at any moment. Gabe was a very patient man, but his patience was thinning. He was tired of skirting around the elephant. It was time to take his best shot.