Page 36 of Impossible Rapids

Shawn dug in his paddles, wishing he could keep staring at Julie. She looked vibrant and happy with her blonde hair in a ponytail and her cheeks pink. He looked ahead to see the river narrowing, white water churning and forming small waves. Power surged through his veins. The water and challenge and fresh air recharged the batteries of his soul.

“Let’s nosh! We’re riding the rapids, mate,” Brylee hollered, obviously excited to conquer their first real rapid.

Shawn chuckled. “This is only a class three. We’ll see some real rapids before this week is over.”

“Yeah!” Cash let out a guttural whoop. “Bring it on.”

“That’s right,” Julie called happily.

They reached the start of the rapids. The boat bounced like a bucking bronco as the water flung them up and down, all but bent the boat in half, and tried to swallow them whole.

“This is only a class three?” Brylee hollered, trying to paddle but mostly clinging to the rope with one hand.

“Yes, ma’am,” Shawn called back. The rapids were definitely bigger this time of year, just like the rafting company had said they’d be.

“This is going to be so fun!” Julie cried out. She was digging in with her paddle, her feet wedged under the rubber underside, just as he’d instructed. Good girl.

“Bring it on, partner,” Brylee yelled back. She raised her free hand up like a rodeo champion trying to balance or show off or something.

Shawn grinned and focused on digging in his paddles deep and hard, enjoying the push and pull with his upper body strength, the sun shining above them, the freezing water splashing his hands and face, the gorgeous view—Julie and the lush green mountains and fast-moving river. He worked too many hours and spent too much time inside. This was really living, and he savored each sensation.

“Cold!” Brylee screamed as water splashed them and they rode up and down a wave. She whooped happily as if the forty-five-degree water was a warm sauna.

Cash returned the whoop. “You got this!” he called to his wife.

The whitewater gradually calmed. The raft fishtailed a little as they brought it under control.

“Nice job,” Shawn congratulated Julie and Brylee.

“You’re the rock star,” Julie said.

“Thanks.” Shawn wanted to duck and not accept the compliment, but he was in his habitat. He, Jagger, Hays, and Grayson used to go on rafting trips every summer, trying out different rivers, including this one. After Grayson’s death, they’d gone a couple times but not since Mercedes had gotten sick and Shawn had retired from the Navy to be with her and Franz.

“Seriously,” Cash said, his voice full of admiration. “I’ve been with Navy SEALs who didn’t have command of a boat like you do.”

Shawn tensed. Cash was a Green Beret Captain and would’ve had missions with other special ops teams. He probably had no idea that Shawn had failed Hell Week twice and had to watch his buddies Jagger and Hays go on without him. He’d almost moved to the Army and tried to be a Green Beret with Grayson, but he needed the water and loved the Navy far too much. It was the only thing he and Grayson used to disagree about.

“Thank you,” Shawn managed.

He glanced back and saw their security guys were through the rapids. Hays lifted a hand to him from his perch in the back. The four of them had always taken turns being captain. Great memories. Things had changed a lot since those days.

Looking forward, he saw Julie was focused on Hays as well. His stomach clenched, and he had to look away. Should he try to push them together? They’d be an incredible couple.

Shawn saw the river narrowing again. Time to focus. Thank heavens. He wasn’t a matchmaker like Julie and Mercedes, and he had no desire to push Julie toward anyone but himself.

A selfish brat. Just like his mom had always said.

The sound of her voice in his head tried to suck the joy from the moment.

No. Shawn was not selfish. Not anymore. He’d protect Julie and somehow not reveal he loved her. He’d protect Franz and his legacy. He’d honor Mercedes and Grayson’s memory.

At the moment, he was a Viking—captain of this small craft, respected by Cash and Brylee, revered by Julie. At least that was how it felt as he dug in his paddles, cold water splashed him and energy pumped through his veins, and Julie glanced back with a happy smile on her face.

He wanted to be the one who put that smile on her face. Every day. That couldn’t happen so he would enjoy today.

Chapter

Ten