Page 52 of Holiday Cheese and Capers
They sat on top of the boulder together, catching their breath.
“Thank you,” Bayard said. He pulled out his wand and summoned the cane back to his side. “Should have used the safety strap. I guess I was a little distracted.” He looped the leather strap around his wrist and tightened the safety toggle.
“These things happen. You were doing fine.” Exandra waved his thanks away.
“I wasn’t, actually. But I appreciate the lie.”
They watched the water rushing past, and after a moment, Exandra changed the subject. “So. How about that Brie workshop? The disaster we made...”
“What about it?”
“I couldn’t make up my mind because I was so afraid of disappointing you. Of choosing wrong.” She took a breath. “I hate the idea of making another mistake, Bay. I don’t know if I could take it. Especially after I ruined everything.”
“You didn’t ruin anything,” Bayard said quietly.
“I did. I pushed you to go to that gorge. I pushed you to test your water magic even though you said it was dangerous. I was reckless and stupid and?—”
“You didn’t force me to do anything,” he interrupted. “I was trying to impress you. I wanted you to think I was cool. Brave and capable and worth—” He stopped.
“Worth what?”
“Worth getting to know a little better?” he whispered.
Exandra’s breath caught.
“Worthloving.” He finally got the word out.
“Hey, guys! Let’s keep moving,” Carlos called from ahead.
They stood, and Bayard was more careful with his cane this time. They didn’t talk any more about what he’d just said. They couldn’t.
Not just yet.
After an hourof climbing and rappelling, they reached the entrance to the narrow slot canyon.
It was barely wide enough for one person at a time to fit through in some sections. The walls rose fifty feet on either side, and between them, the shallow river rushed by their ankles and knees with surprising force. The recent rains had raised water levels higher than normal, and the current was strong and icy cold.
“This is the challenging part,” Carlos said. “We’ll walk as a group through the slot now, sometimes wading, sometimes swimming. The water should not be more than waist deep. The current will push against you, but there are handholds carved into the walls. Take your time. Stay close together.”He looked at the group. “Anyone want to turn back? No shame in it. The river’s a little higher than I’d like.”
The other four participants exchanged glances. Two of them decided to head back the way they’d come.
“What about you two?” Carlos asked Bayard and Exandra.
Exandra looked at the churning water, at the narrow canyon walls, and struggled to swallow the fear clawing at her throat. This was too much like that day. Too similar. The water, the rocks, the terrible rushing sound.
“I think we should go back,” she said.
“No,” Bayard said firmly.
“Bayard, look at it. The current’s too strong. This is exactly like?—”
“Don’t you think I know what it’s like?” He shook his head at her. “That’s why I need to do it.”
“But you could?—”
“Fall? Get hurt? Yes. I could.” He looked at her. “Or I could make it through. I could prove to myself that one accident ninety years ago doesn’t have to control my whole life.”
“I can’t—” Her voice broke. “I can’t watch you get hurt again. I can’t be responsible for?—”
