“How old were you?”
Jax made a slight grimace. “Ten.”
“That’s pretty young to have to grow up so fast.”
Jax shrugged. “It is what it is. What about you? How were you as a child, Karma? Besides adorable as hell.”
Karma closed her eyes briefly, leaning her head back. “The exact opposite of you. Spoiled rotten, daddy’s girl, sheltered and lonely. Hell, I still act like a child.”
“I don’t think that’s true.”
“It is, but I’m trying to change it. I need to move out from under my dad’s wing.” Karma had been searching for apartments online and even applied for a couple of jobs near the school. Her father had offered her a job at his office, but she felt like this was something she had to do on her own.
“I’m sure it was tough with your mother. Has she always been like that?” Jax asked gently.
Karma inwardly groaned. Just thinking about her mother made her feel vulnerable. “Pretty much. I was always trying to win her affection, and she was always reminding me how poorly I failed to do so.”
“I think It’s only natural you cling to your father. He’s your constant.”
“I guess. But it’s time I branch out. I know he’ll always be there if I need to run home with my tail between my legs. I guess I finally realized that I was OK with moving out. Even though I’m still nervous as hell about it.”
“Have you found a place?”
“Not yet, I figure I’ll really start looking next week. I want to enjoy the rest of the time we have together.”
She noticed his body tensed, but he didn’t say anything. Just kept his eyes on the road. A few moments later he turned the truck down a side road, and she saw a sign that read Outdoor Adventures. Her life had turned into a big adventure. Who would have thought she would love it so much?
Jax pulled out the cooler from the back of the truck and grabbed the plaid blanket, hanging it over his forearm. “Ready?”
“I hope I don’t mess up,” Karma said quietly. A cool breeze caressed her face. She took in the tall trees, inhaled the scent of recent rain, and could hear the rush of the river close by. “I went canoeing once at summer camp. That’s the extent of my knowledge on water, and that didn’t end well. The canoe flipped, and it took us almost thirty minutes to unflip it and climb back inside.”
“You’ll be fine. It’s actually quite easy.”
“Uh-huh.” Karma bumped her hip against his. “Maybe for you.”
Jax found a flat area under a huge weeping willow and spread the blanket out, setting the cooler on top of it. “I hope you like ham and cheese?”
Karma rolled her eyes. “You know I like everything.”
“You don’t like lima beans,” Jax reminded her. “Or coleslaw.”
“I’m surprised you remember that,” Karma said with a laugh. “Okay, so I’ll eat almost everything.”
Jax popped the top of the root beer and handed it to her. Karma lay on her side and took a sip as Jax pulled out the sandwiches, potato salad, and fresh fruit. He really was too good to be true.
Once they finished eating they tossed the garbage in the can, dropped their belongings back in the truck, and headed toward the rental building. Karma watched as Jax strode forward and thought for the thousandth time she was really going to miss him.
The attractive redhead behind the counter was blatantly flirting with Jax, but he appeared oblivious. Karma was surprised that she didn’t feel threatened by the woman, even though she had perky breasts that were practically falling out of her tank top, and her eyes were wandering over Jax’s body.
A minute later he looked over his shoulder and waved for her to join him.
He placed his hand on her lower back. “She’ll need a vest.”
The woman looked her up and down. “What are you, a size ten?”
Bitch. Karma wasn’t inclined to argue with the woman in front of Jax or let the girl’s overt dig get to her. So instead she just smiled and wrapped her arm around Jax’s waist.
The girl turned and grabbed two vests and helmets off the rack. She led them back toward the rafts, pointed them in the direction of the path, and went back to her post after a couple of failed attempts to make eye contact with Jax. Karma had to stifle a laugh. They strapped on the vests and pulled the raft behind them down the slight incline, twigs snapping beneath their feet. She could smell the river and hear the rolling water. She hoped the current wasn’t too crazy. She wasn’t kidding when she said she had no experience on water. At least she knew how to swim.
Jax looked over at her and gave her a sexy grin. “This is going to be fun.”
His smile was infectious and automatically she returned it as she tightened the strap on her helmet. She was scared, but she knew she would have fun. If there was one thing she learned from all of this, it was that once you let go of the fear, it really was exciting.
Jax held the raft in the water. “I’ll hold the raft and you get in first. In the back.”
Karma looked at the raft with wary eyes. “Don’t let go.”
“I’m not going to let go. Just get in and sit down, and remember the water can be powerful so we respect it and go with the flow.”
Whatever the hell that meant. Karma made a face as she placed one foot and then the other into the small raft and unsteadily lowered herself. The raft rocked back and forth, causing her stomach to roll. The top of the raft came up a little from the weight of her, but Jax quickly pushed it back down. She reached down and grabbed the oar. Before they made it to the river bank he’d gone over how to hold it and explained she just did the opposite of what he did. Assuring her even if she wasn’t in the raft he would be able to control it on his own. Which brought a slight sense of relief to her.
Jax pushed the raft away from the bank and stepped into it in one fluid motion.
“See? Nothing to worry about.” Jax placed his paddle in the water. Karma watched to see how deeply he dipped it. She was worried if she did it wrong she would make them flip. The water was way too damn cold for that nonsense.
Before long, Karma was relaxed and enjoying the ride. The current wasn’t too strong, and they glided along with ease through the twists and turns of the river. Jax was doing most of the work and she was just trying to keep up. The water slapping against the raft was somewhat relaxing, and the scenery was gorgeous. Trees were desperately trying to hold onto the last of their flowers, mixing in with the golden leaves of fall. She wished she had brought her camera, but with her luck she would have lost it in the water.
“Like it?” Jax yelled over the rushing water.
“Yes! It’s amazing.” Karma grinned like a loon.
“It’s going to get a little rougher up ahead, because of the recent rains. If I start paddling too fast for you just stop paddling until we get through. Okay?”
“Okay.” She had no problem with letting him take control if things got rough.
They lolled ahead and then Karma heard the change in the water before she saw it. She was surprised at how much louder it was. The only way she could think to describe it was the water sounded angry. As they glided along she could start to see the difference. The blue water was now black and fast moving as they rode the waves.
Jax hollered with delight as the raft quickened and they navigated around large boulders. Karma was surprised to hear herself yelling and laughing along with him. Her heart hammered in her throat when she saw the jagged edge of a gigantic rock inches from her face, but the raft turned swiftly and they continued on.
Her oar smashed into another rock and pulled her shoulder painfully back, causing her hands to go numb. Jax was no longer yelling; he was quiet and that bothered her. She pulled the oar up and shook out each of her hands, letting Jax take control. When she could feel her hands again she dipped the oar back in the opposite side of Jax. He moved back and forth, sometimes staying on one side longer than the other, steering them in the right direction.
Next thing Karma knew the c
urrent grabbed them and slammed the raft into the side of a boulder. Karma flew through the air, plunging into the river. The cold water was shocking and stung her body like a million tiny pin pricks.
Pain shot through her shoulder as she bounced from rock to rock, the river violently pulling her along. She tried to fight the current, but it was useless. She desperately looked for Jax, but she couldn’t see him. The current was moving too fast. Terror gripped her chest as she gulped for air.
She clawed at the rocks, thinking if she could just hold onto one Jax would save her, but she kept slipping and tearing up her hands. It had to end, right? The water couldn’t stay this wild, could it? Her head banged against something, and she absently thought she was glad for the helmet as a wave crashed over her head, pushing her under the water. She remembered Jax’s words—“Just go with the flow”—and willed her body to relax. Why did the water have to be so fucking cold?
Her muscles screamed with pain, and her lungs felt like they would burst. The current pushed and slapped against her body as she raised her head up to catch some air. Dizziness washed over her, and she felt her head again go under. She was so tired. With all her strength, she tried to pull her head back up. It wouldn’t cooperate. She couldn’t breathe. Water lapped over her face, and the current brought her under, but she bobbed back up because of the life vest. A wave tossed her up and over her, leaving her face down in the water.
Her last thought was so this is how it ends.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jax pulled himself out of the water and onto the riverbank, looking around frantically. Over and over he screamed, “Karma!” His heart was pounding so hard it hurt. He tossed off the helmet and vest so he could run faster.
When they first went over he saw her body smashing down into the river, but he couldn’t keep up. The water was too uncontrollable. He would be able to see better from the ground. He sprinted along the riverbank, oblivious to the sharp rocks and branches cutting up his bare feet. His soaking wet clothes clung to his body. He had to block everything else and just focus on Karma. Where the hell was she?
His heart seized in his chest as he wildly snapped his head around, looking for any sign of her. He tried to remain calm like he learned in training, but panic racked his body. He could never recall being this frightened in his life. He knew he would never be able to forgive himself for this. Silently, he pleaded, please let her be alive. How could he have been so stupid to bring her out after heavy rain? The girl at the shop had even warned him the waters were rougher than normal. Always too fucking sure of himself—that was his problem.
Even though he was running as fast as he could it felt as though he were moving in slow motion through molasses. Finally he saw the yellow life vest bobbing in the distance. He ran harder. Thank god she was wearing a vest and a helmet. Of course, she was on the other side, but it looked like she was stuck onto a log. Now he just had to get to her and bring her to safety. He fought the current, slowly making his way to her, watching her the whole time, hoping for any kind of sign that she was okay. Over and over he yelled her name, but she wouldn’t look over at him. Jesus, give him something, any kind of sign that she was alive. Nothing.
When he was close enough to see her pale face and blue lips his heart froze. Fear surged through him.
Jax scooped up Karma’s lifeless body in his arms. Her skin was so cold. “No no no!” he yelled out in anguish as he sloshed through the hip-high water. The current kept pushing him along but he fought it every step, making slow progress until he got to the edge. Gently he laid her on the ground and dropped to his knees. He pressed his fingers to her neck, willing a pulse to be there. A tear slid down his cheek.
His heart ached as he pushed her hair out of her face and clamped her nose, breathing the breath of life into her, silently begging if there was anyone listening to please help.
It felt like an eternity that he went between breathing and chest compression, but it was more like a couple of minutes before Karma coughed and water ran out of her mouth and nose. Relief swept over him, and his shoulders sagged as some of the tension left him.
She turned to the side and held her hair back as she threw up.
She’d never looked more beautiful, Jax thought as he swallowed hard, trying to push back the emotions that ran through him. She was alive.
Her eyes fluttered open. She licked her lips. “Jax?”
“I’m here, Karma.” His voice broke. “You’re going to be okay.”
She tried to sit up, but lay right back down. “I’m dizzy, what happened?” Her eyes blinked several times.
Jax cleared his throat, not trusting himself to speak. When he finally got the words out his voice sounded hoarse. “The raft tipped over. I’m so sorry, Karma.”
“For what?” Her head lolled to the side, and she met his eyes.
“I failed you. I didn’t keep you safe.” It was tearing him apart. Jax reached down, unclamped her helmet, removed her vest, and picked her up. Her face and body were badly bruised, and her hands were bleeding. She started at him blankly, still not comprehending the enormity of the situation. She shivered in his arms and he held her tighter.
“I’m so cold,” she spoke through chattering teeth.
“I’m going to get you back to the truck and take you to the hospital,” Jax said unsteadily. His arms tightened protectively around her battered body. “Shh, just close your eyes.”
Karma closed her eyes.
Jax hesitated, looking up and down the river, and decided it was probably faster to follow the water. Maybe they would cross someone camping. He wasn’t sure how far away they were from the truck if they went backwards.
He pulled her closer to his chest, and his lips brushed her forehead. All he could do was give her his warmth from his body heat. He trudged forward over the uneven ground. His body was exhausted from running and fighting the current, but he had to get her to safety.
It hit him like a knife to the gut. He’d almost lost her. His eyes blurred, and he blinked back the tears. If he had doubted his feelings for her before he now knew without a flicker of doubt they were real. Nothing like a brush with death to put things in perspective. He looked down at her sweet face, and such powerful feelings washed over him. She was going to live and she was his. He would fight her tooth and nail if she tried to run from what they had. And if she still insisted on walking away next week, he would wait. As long as it took.
He stumbled on a rock, nearly dropping her, reminding him they were not out of the woods yet. He needed to get her out of the wet clothes and warm. How long had he been walking? Twenty minutes? Thirty? Too long. Why the hell wasn’t there anyone out?
Karma had not regained consciousness yet, and he was beyond concerned. They were out in the middle of nowhere.
Suddenly, amidst the sounds of the rushing water and the rustling leaves, he heard another noise—it sounded like murmuring voices. His heart leapt with hope. With renewed energy, he ran faster; the voices became louder. Off to the right was a picnic area, and a group of teens were talking and laughing.
Jax trudged up the grassy slope and broke through the bushes, startling the kids.
“I need blankets. If you don’t have them take off your clothes.”
The kids looked back at him, frozen in place.
He could see the panic in their eyes. He knew he probably looked intimidating, not to mention a little crazy. “She fell overboard. I need to get her out of these clothes.”
One of the girls looked from his face to Karma’s. The girl ran to her car and came back with a wool blanket. Jax could have kissed her. He laid Karma down on the blanket. He gently shook her, saying her name, but she didn’t wake.
“Turn around,” Jax said evenly. They looked at him and didn’t move.
“I have to take off her clothes. Give her some privacy.”
They all turned at once.
Jax pulled off her pants, wrapped the blanket over her legs, and tugged off the wet shirt.
/> “Give me your sweatshirt,” Jax said through clenched teeth. One of the boys pulled his sweatshirt over his head and tossed it back at Jax without turning.
Jax lifted her body and pulled the sweatshirt down over her head. Karma started to stir. “It’s okay. I’m just changing your wet clothes,” he said gently.
Her eyes snapped open. “Wh-what?” she stammered, looking bewildered.
Jax pulled her arm through the sleeve. She helped him with the other arm.
“I need one of you to give me a ride back to the Outdoor Adventure shop so I can get my truck.”
The girl who got the blanket seemed to be the only one with a whit of common sense. She nodded her head and pulled out her keys from her cut-off shorts.
“I’ll take you.”
“Thank you,” Jax said, pulling Karma to standing and wrapping the blanket around her like a skirt.
“I’m so tired,” Karma said again, wearily unsteady on her feet.
“You went through quite a shock. Exhaustion is normal.” Jax leaned her against him and helped her to the car. He sat in the backseat with her and laid her head on his thigh.
“Can you turn on the heat?” Jax asked, and the girl reached down to switch it on.
“Am I okay?” Karma asked.
“How do you feel?” Jax asked, brushing her hair back out of her face.
“Weird. Disoriented, I guess. Where’s the raft?”
“Lost it. But don’t worry about that. We just need to get you to the hospital and have them check you out.”
Her eyes closed again and he felt her even breathing as she dozed off again. He loved the sound of her breath, the feel of her chest rising up and down.
Fifteen minutes later, they pulled into the rental store. He tried to remember if there was an aid station at the shop, but couldn’t recall. He gently moved Karma’s head off his leg and jumped out of the car. “Just wait here. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay,” the girl said, and glanced over her shoulder at Karma sleeping in the back.
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