Page 54 of Worth the Risk
“Well maybe I have grown up. I’ve never really tried to make it work long term with someone, but I really think I’d like to.”
“That’s great, Rhett. Honestly I’m kind of excited to see how this goes.” He thinks he’s so funny.
“Okay funny guy. What about you? You ever think about settling down?”
“No way, old man. I’m still so young.”
“We’re the same age, Colt.”
“The way you’re talkin’ has me questionin’ that.” He can’t contain his laughter at that.
I flip him off while he gets a hold of himself.
“Why do I even try?”
“Because I’m the only other guy in this town crazy enough to go do all the crazy things you want to do.” I consider that.
“Yeah, I think that is why.” He shoves me a little with his paddle but not enough for me to fall out.
“So, how’s Winnie doing with the bakery and everything?” I decide to ease into this.
“You know her, she’s gonna succeed in whatever she does. She always has.” It never fails to amaze me how Colt talks about Winnie. They’ve been not only siblings but friends for as long as I’ve known them.
“Yeah, she’s always been smart and talented. I remember she used to always pack the food she made when she came with us to raft or hike.”
“Yeah and lay on the bank or hang out at the trailhead,” he snickers. “She hasn’t gotten any more coordinated. I can’t count the times she’s gotten herself hurt over the years. I genuinely worry about her some days.” I smile.
“I think she’s gonna be okay.” I’ll make sure that she’s gonna be okay… I’ve always been protective of Winnie. She’s just someone you want to shield from anything bad.
“I hope so. At least I don’t have to worry about her dating.”
“How’s it been with her dating?” He lets out a short breath through his nose.
“Winnie doesn’t really date. She had a boyfriend a month or so ago, and before that she had another one. She’s never been one to have multiple dates a week or anything. Thank God she doesn’t give every one who looks her way the time of day.”
“I bet.” That’s all I can come up with to say. I don’t know how to bring this up, but I feel like maybe I’m not going about it in the right way.
“Yeah, her last boyfriend lived a couple hours away and he was such a dud.” He’s laughing as he’s talking now. “He owned a peach orchard and I know more than I ever wanted to about peaches now, having only talked to him the two times Winnie brought him around.” That information helps ease the tension I can feel in my shoulders. I want to ask him more questions, but he’s saved from my curiosity by the river. We have a stretch of rapids coming up before take out and we don’t want to miss that. I get situated on the right just before we hit the first set. The water is up and running from all the rain this spring so we breeze right through.
A nice thing about having done this run multiple times and together was that we were like a well oiled machine, we saw the same lines. As soon as we’re through we have another session waiting for us. I love when it’s non stop and all I have time to think about is my next paddle. We thread between two rocks and catch the eddy turning us around. We haven’t seen very many other groups out here today but we’ve caught up to a kayaker just a little ways ahead of us. We watch as he makes it through the next set with ease and follow suit, but when we look up tofind him again, the blue kayak is turned over and its owner is nowhere to be seen.
We get closer to the boat and I’m able to flip it enough to see that the guy isn’t inside anymore. We start paddling faster, hoping to find him. I’m scanning the water when Colt starts shouting that he sees him. He’s floating downstream fast but we should be able to reach him before the next set. As we go by Colt reaches out to grab him but the guy starts panicking and grabbing onto him and thrashing trying to get into our raft.
“Easy man, we’ve got you, but you’ve gotta let me pull you in.” No sooner does he get the words out that the guy slips on the side of the boat and then they’re both gone.Shit.I barely have time to think it before the last set of rapids is on me. I paddle through as best I can but it isn’t pretty. Panic is trying to set in but I know I have to remain calm. Colt will be fine. He’s literally trained for this. Once I pull off to the side he’ll be right behind me. I manage not to fall out and make it to the take out to the left.
I pull the boat up and wade out into the water, watching for them to pop up. Colt’s red pfd comes into my line of sight followed by the other kayaker's yellow one and I release a breath. I get the throw line ready and cast it out for them when they come by. Colt grabs it and then hands it to the other guy and they pull themselves in.
“Holy shit, Colt. Are you okay?”
“I’m really sorry, I panicked and pulled you in with me.” Yellow vest says.
“Yeah you probably shouldn’t be out here alone if you can’t handle it.” I snap.
“Hey, it’s alright, we both made it out of the water, so that's a win.” Sounds like him. He’s too easy going. “We’ll wait for your kayak and help you get it out.” I roll my eyes, not as easy to forgive.
“Thank you guys, seriously, I’m really sorry. After I flipped, it just all blurred.”
“Hey, it’s alright, we both made it out of the water, so that's a win.” Colt says again. I look at him then, really look at him. He’s smiling and brushing his hands over his wet shorts. “We’ll wait for your kayak and help you get it out.” That confirms my suspicion.
