top of Leland, but then the boat righted itself and settled into surfing the cascading waves.
“Back right!” Boof yelled.
Leland back paddled with all his strength to keep the boat going straight as they headed for a drop. When they hit the lip, they seemed to hang in the air before the raft smashed down into the crazed waves tossing foam at the foot of the falls.
Somehow they got through without flipping or without anyone going overboard.
“Take a break and give me a high paddle,” Boof said. “You just made it through Knock Your Socks Off rapids and over Ballistic Falls.”
Leland laughed at the dramatic names and raised his paddle to tap it against those of his fellow rafters.
“That was a hell of a ride.” Derek’s voice held the same exhilaration sparking through Leland.
“We can do it again,” Boof offered. “There’s a takeout not far from here and we could portage back up.”
Tully surprised Leland by saying, “Nope, let’s keep going.”
“What’s with that, Gibson?” Leland asked. “You’re usually all about the thrill ride.”
“I’m gettin’ hungry,” Tully said from the bow. “Time to get to camp and have me some venison.”
“Okay, guys, this is a calm stretch. I’ll steer, you rest,” Boof said.
Leland pulled his feet out from under the raft edges and shifted to sit on the inflated thwart that crossed the rubber craft, his paddle resting across his knees. He scanned the riverbanks, admiring the wild forest rising from their rocky soil. He blinked in the slanting late afternoon light that glinted off the water carrying them swiftly toward their camp. His gaze pulled in to rest on the men with him, their scruffy but so-familiar faces framed by helmets and reflecting the same sense of peace and wonder he felt. “I never thought I’d say this, but I’m almost sorry it’s our last day on the river.” Except that Dawn’s absence was a continual ache in his chest.
“Ha!” Tully said. “Told you so!”
Derek laughed. “Yeah, there’s nothing like being dumped in freezing-cold water, bashed into a couple of boulders, dragged back into the boat headfirst, and getting abused for falling out in the first place.”
“An experience we all shared—even Boof,” Leland pointed out, although Derek was the one sporting a black eye to prove it. Leland hoped like hell it would fade before the wedding or Alice would be very unhappy with them.
“Hey, I did it on purpose,” Boof protested. “Solidarity, man.”
“Think of the positives. No need to shave for four days,” Tully said.
“No client meetings and no neckties,” Derek said.
“You get to piss in the woods,” Boof contributed.
Leland chuckled before he said soberly, “No getting shot at by arms dealers”—he glanced over at Derek—“or crazed computer criminals.”
“Yeah, there’s that,” Derek agreed. “And you know a drug cartel won’t come after you here.”
Tully looked over his shoulder. “Hey, I made sure to keep Leland and Dawn out of the official reports. You’ve got to trust me on that.”
“I trust Chad and Vicky’s sense of self-preservation even more,” Leland said. In fact, he trusted Tully, especially as time had passed and no attempts at retaliation had been made.
Movement caught his eye and he glanced up. “Look! Another bald eagle!” He gestured to the huge bird that had just launched itself from a treetop. They’d seen several already but the fierce hook of its beak and the slow power of its wings still made them all watch in awed admiration.
“That never gets old,” Tully murmured, his head tracking the eagle as it winged its way across the river.
“I’m going to say this now in case I get bashed in the head by another rock before we reach camp.” Derek knocked his fist against his helmet. “Thank you for this time. For this experience. For being the two best friends and partners a man could ask for.” He shook his head. “I don’t know how I got so lucky.”
“Group hug!” Boof yelled.
“I think that might capsize the raft,” Leland said.
Tully, however, swung his legs around and enveloped Derek in a bear hug that rocked the boat. “Remember, we’ve always got your back.”
Leland waited until Tully had settled back into the bow before he eased over to wrap an arm around Derek’s shoulders for a man hug that kept the raft level. “I understand now about Alice. How you feel. I know you’ll be happy so I don’t have to wish you that. Instead I’ll wish you good health and a long life to enjoy it.”
Derek gave him a return squeeze. “Dawn’s an