Cardwell Ranch Trespasser - By B. J. Daniels Page 0,15

past House Rock for the Mad Mile in the lower canyon.

The Mad Mile was a mile of continuous rapids. The cold water ran fast with huge waves, holes and a lot of adrenaline paddling in the Class IV water. That stretch of river required more precise maneuvering, especially this time of year when the river was higher, and she wasn’t looking forward to that.

Hilde noticed that Dee and Dana seemed to be having a great time. She was glad she’d decided not to say anything to Dana. She could almost talk herself into believing that Dee hadn’t pushed her at the falls. Almost.

She didn’t dare sneak a look back at Colt. She concentrated on her paddling. Not telling Dana was the right thing. It wasn’t like Dee was...dangerous.

That thought hit her as the raft made the curve in the river just before the Mad Mile. She could hear Dana explaining about the next stretch of river ahead. Dee actually seemed interested.

They made it through the first few rapids, and the raft passed under the bridge. House Rock was ahead, a huge rock that sat in the middle of the river, forcing the fast water to go around it on each side.

The ride became rougher and wetter with spray coming up and over the raft. There were shrieks and screams and laughter as the raft dipped down into a deep hole and shot up again.

Hilde could see House Rock ahead. It was the other rocks they had to maneuver through that were the problem. The guide picked a line down through the rocks and shouted instructions to the paddlers.

The standing waves were huge. The raft went into the first one, buckling under them. The front of the raft shot down into the huge swell, then quickly upward, stalling for a moment.

Hilde reached with her paddle to grab the top of the wave and help the raft slip over it when suddenly her side of the raft swamped. She tried to lean to the middle of the boat, but Dee was pushing against her. Before she knew what was happening, she was in the water, the top of the wave crashing down on her, the current pulling her under.

As she struggled to reach the surface, Hilde realized she wasn’t alone. Dee had fallen out of the raft as well—and she had ahold of Hilde’s life jacket. She was dragging her under.

She fought to get away, but something was wrong. She couldn’t see light above her. Was she trapped against House Rock? She’d heard about kayakers getting caught against the rock and almost drowning.

But she wasn’t against a rock. She was rushing downriver through the huge rapids—trapped under the raft. Somehow, her life jacket had gotten hooked onto a line under the raft. As she struggled to get it off, she realized Dee still had hold of her. She kicked out at the woman, struck something hard, then worked again to free herself.

She couldn’t hold her breath any longer. The weight of the raft was holding her down. If she didn’t breathe soon—

Arms grabbed her from behind. She flailed at them, trying to free herself from the life jacket and Dee’s grip on her. The life jacket finally came off. She had to free herself from Dee’s hold and swim out from under the raft before she drowned.

The darkness began to close in. She could no longer go without air. She felt her body give in to the strong grip on her.

Chapter Five

Hilde came to lying on a large flat rock with Colt Dawson kissing her. At least that was her first impression as she felt his mouth on hers. She coughed and had to sit up, gasping for breath.

She could see where the raft had pulled over downstream. The guide was leaning over Dee, who was lying on the side of the raft. “Dee.” It was all she could get out before she started coughing again.

“Dee’s all right,” he said.

Hilde shook her head and let out a snort. “She tried to drown me.” Her voice sounded hoarse and hurt like the devil.

Colt looked at her for a full minute before he said, “She tried to save you and almost drowned.”

She shook her head more adamantly. “She was the one who hooked my life jacket on the rope under the raft.” Hilde could see he didn’t believe her. “It’s not the first time she’s tried to hurt me. When we were up at the falls, she pushed me.”

He seemed to be waiting.

“Then she