Water splashed in her eyes, making it impossible to tell her location. She inhaled air and water in equal parts. Immediately, she started coughing. Once more, she was plunged below the water as her body bounced off the rocks.
Suddenly, something latched onto her. She was being pulled upward. With her head finally above the water for more than a few seconds at a time, she realized it was an arm around her midsection.
It was Carter. She’d never been so happy to see him in her life. Together they were carried down river. He worked to slowly draw them to the side of the river.
When they reached some rocks on the edge of the river, he was able to stop them. He helped her onto the rocky edge. Her arms were exhausted. She was tired. And she’d lost her shoes in the struggle.
Yet, none of that mattered. Because she was safe with Carter. She turned to him.
“Are you all right?” Concern reflected in his eyes.
“I think so.” As the breeze rushed past her wet skin and clothes, she grew cold. Goosebumps formed on her skin.
Carter ran his hands up and down her upper arms. He pulled her close. She let her head rest against his muscled chest. She could hear the beating of his heart. She’d missed that sound.
She remembered how good they were together, the happy times at baseball games and picnics in the park. But she also remembered how they’d leaned on each other during the bad times like her mother’s passing.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“It’s okay. You’re safe now.”
He thought she’d meant about falling in the water, but what she’d meant was freaking out and shutting down. Maybe there was still a chance for them.
CHAPTER FIVE
Theydidn’twinthecanoe race.
They didn’t get to dine together. But Carter wasn’t giving up.
Sunday morning, he awoke determined to win the challenges that lay ahead of them. After Angela had fallen in the water the day before, it seemed to change her.
She seemed less hostile and more like the Angela he’d come to love. Was it possible this couple’s weekend was actually working? He hoped so.
Yesterday, after they’d gotten to shore, the counselors had caught up with them. They had freed their canoe and brought it to them. Because that section of river lacked any opportunity for a ground extraction, Angela and Carter could only get back into the canoe and row to the end.
He’d had Angela rest while he rowed. He’d noticed that she hadn’t disagreed with him. Instead, she’d sat down in the canoe and faced him.
They’d talked—not about the wedding—not about their relationship—but about Vines Entwined and how just maybe their wedding planner hadn’t had such a bad idea. And then they’d guessed about what other challenges awaited them.
So, after another dinner without Angela, he was surprised when he came down for breakfast and found her and the other women joining the men. A smile pulled at the corner of his lips as he approached her.
“Good morning,” he said.
She smiled up at him. “Good morning to you too.”
“How did you sleep after that spill into the river?”
“I slept hard. I think it totally wore me out.” She sat back as her food was placed before her. “How did you sleep?”
He paused as his food was presented. “Not too bad. The bed is a little soft for my taste.”
He glanced down at the western omelet and silver-dollar pancakes with a side of fruit. And, as seemed to be the norm, there were assorted boxes of cereal and a pitcher of milk in the center of the table.
He found he didn’t have much of an appetite that day. This was their last day at Vines Entwined. Tomorrow, they’d head back to the city. Tomorrow, they would have to give Clara an answer as to whether there would be a wedding or not.
Yesterday, they’d had a breakthrough. He just hoped it would continue today.
There was a nudge at his arm. He glanced over to find Angela staring at him. “Aren’t you going to eat?”