I decide to head to the lake in search of a canoe instead of a horseback ride. I don’t know how to ride a horse, and I don’t feel like learning. I’ve had way too emotional a day to tumble ass up in a bush somewhere.
I step carefully into the fiberglass boat, balance with my hands on the sides, and gingerly push off from the dock. The paddle glides through the water, sending me away from the house. It’s not that I don’t want to be here—I do—I just need to get away for a bit to clear my head. I feel emotionally raw from today’s session, and I have some things I’d like to mull over and then tuck away so I can make my peace.
The lake is large, and before I know it, the house looks tiny, although I know it is far from it. I was bored the other day and counted sixteen bedrooms, two kitchens—and it has eight barbecues. I would have continued my exploring, but I ran into Keith, who is also known as Beta Seven, getting ready to head out for his shift. He showed me some of his gear and told me the weather in Montana is nothing compared to the heat and sandstorms they’ve seen in Afghanistan. I wanted to ask about his time there, but the look on his face encouraged me not to.
I tuck the paddle away and lean back, bringing myself to the bottom of the canoe with my feet propped up on the seat. I stare at the clouds, relishing the fact that I can. I drift for a long time. I tune in to every sound. I feel the armor around my chest slowly loosen, and today’s stress starts to melt away. I close my eyes. Yes, this is just what I need—me and nature.
My eyes flutter open as a new sound finds me. It is almost like something is bobbing repeatedly to the surface. I can hear air bubbles. I pull myself up to a sitting position and take in my surroundings. Six pairs of eyes are staring at me through black goggles, mouths covered with oxygen masks, and six massive rifles resting on top of the water. Holy shit! I open my mouth and let go with one earth-shattering scream, making it bounce off the mountains. One person makes a move toward me, and I jump to my feet. The boat rocks, sending me into the water. The cold water is a shock to my system. It’s freezing. My breath is sucked from my lungs in a giant whoosh and doesn’t want to come back. I feel someone wrap their hands around my waist and pull me to the surface. I bat at their arms, kicking with all the strength I have. I scream and clock the nearest with an elbow, causing him to release me. I swim forward and lunge for the overturned boat when I hear my name being yelled.
“Savannah!”
My frozen fingers claw desperately at the wood, but I can’t get a grip. My limbs are becoming stiff, and my heartbeat is out of control.
“Savannah, stop, it’s us!”
“Get away from me!” I shout. “I won’t go back!”
“Savannah, it’s Mark.”
His voice finally registers.What?
He swims up next to me as I’m shaking like a leaf. “It’s okay,” he whispers, holding his gun and his other hand in the air, showing me he’s not a threat. He slowly removes his mask, giving me a glimpse of his face.
I close my eyes and try to calm myself.
“We’re sorry. We didn’t mean to scare you.”
I nod. Being scared doesn’t even begin to register how I’m feeling.
“Come on. We have to get you warm.”
A speed boat shows up, and Mark and someone else climb aboard with me. Mark wraps a blanket around me while the other guy moves to sit with the driver.
He keeps his goggles on but spits out the air piece.
Mark rushes me inside through a door I haven’t seen before, meeting Abigail, who already has a bath running for me in my room. I am whisked away before I can say anything else to Mark.
The warm water burns as it thaws my limbs. I’m still reeling with what happened and feel bad, but at the same time, I’m mad at the guys for scaring the shit out of me and ruining my relaxing boat trip.
Abigail tries small talk as I sit buried in bubbles in the tub. She keeps an eye on me as she chats away. “We’re having company tonight. It will be nice having someone else for dinner. Why don’t you pick something from the left side of the closet tonight?” That means something a little fancier. She prattles on. “You would look lovely in that soft sweater dress. Why don’t you try it on?” She fusses about, and I know she’s worried about me.
I give her a reassuring smile.
Once out of the tub, I stand staring at the clothes. It’s strange having a wardrobe you had no part in buying. The clothes are my style. This would normally shock me, but I guess it was all part of my background check. Plus, you can Google my name and a thousand images will pop up. Google…I haven’t thought about using the internet in a long time. I wonder if I can get my hands on a laptop soon.
I blow dry my hair, letting it fall in waves down my back, and apply some light eye makeup that compliments the pinot noir sweater dress that clings to my body, landing a little lower than mid-thigh. It would have been something I’d wear out to dinner with coworkers. It’s pretty, with a touch of fun. I ponder the V-neckline. There was a time I wouldn’t have, but now I find myself hesitating. It dips a little low, but it is still tasteful. Abigail did say pick something from the left side, and she did mention a sweater dress.
I leave the mirror and head back to the closet to look for shoes. I notice a jewelry box on one of the shelves. I open it and find three beautiful silver bangles. I slip them over my wrist while grabbing a pair of black heels.
Okay, Savi, stop stalling. I shake off my jitters as I walk down the stairs.
Cole
Cole can’t believe what happened this afternoon. He hadn’t heard her screams, as he had been on the phone with his father, who was telling Cole that he was going to stop by for dinner tonight. Cole quickly notified Abigail to make his father’s favorite meal, honey-glazed ribs, and let the guys know to dress appropriately for dinner. His father is still acting CEO of the company and is well loved around here. He is a charmer, to say the least. Cole’s mother gave him a run for his money, but he landed her in the end. Cole was sad she wasn’t coming tonight, but she had a prior engagement—ultimately why his father has some free time. He has a niggling feeling his father has an ulterior motive for showing up tonight. Maybe he has news of a new sighting of The American.
He grabs Mark as he walks by. They are all gathering in the living room, waiting for dinner to be served. His father is in a heavy conversation with Keith, so he takes this time to hear firsthand from Mark what the hell happened on the lake.
“We had just started our drill when we noticed the canoe floating out there. We couldn’t see anyone in it, so we swam over to see what it was doing in the middle of the lake. We approached it carefully, since it’s always tied up on the dock. Then she suddenly sits up and sees us. I can only imagine what was going through her head. I know how our gear looks. Anyway, she hopped up, looking,” Mark’s eyes flicker over Cole’s shoulder, “amazing…”