Left for Wild - Harloe Rae Page 0,43
of a production. This dinghy is little more than a concave interior with two beams across where we’re perching. I imagine stability is questionable at best.
Halder chuckles at my rigid movements. “You don’t need to be so careful. We’re safe in here. The curved bottom and walls are designed for balance.”
I peek over at him from the corner of my eye. “If I recall correctly, you’ve never driven one of these before. Did you suddenly earn your badge in river travel?”
“I’ve been in plenty of canoes and boats, Blakely. Just not as the main man in control.”
A disapproving hum vibrates my throat. “Your earlier announcement was a tad misleading.”
“I apologize.” The tinkle in his eyes says he’s not sorry in the least.
“So, Captain. How well versed are you in nautical terms?”
His shoulders bounce with a husky laugh. The rich sound makes me shiver. “Not very. But I can give you a lesson on the parts of a boat.”
“Please, enlighten me. My knowledge is squat. I’m sure that comes as a huge shock based on my willingness to board this rickety beast.”
“That,” he hitches a thumb behind him, “is the stern. You’re near the bow. The hull is what makes up the main exterior. There’s the keen underneath. Overall, this type of shape is crafted for a smooth ride.”
“So you say. And I find myself almost ready to agree. Minimal bumps so far.” I hold up a hand and watch my arm remain steady.
“We haven’t left our dock yet.” He lifts one of the spliced branches from its anchored spot in the shallows and the boat glides sideways. “See? I’ve been holding us in place with these oars.”
Somehow I missed that massive detail. “Okay, great. I’m freaking clueless, and too focused on staying dry. When are we moving? Shouldn’t that happen soon?”
“Yes.”
“So?”
“Things are bound to get rocky.”
A furious rhythm kicks up against my ribs. “Are you trying to freak me out?”
He paddles us a bit farther along the embankment without giving the river too much open rein for sweeping us away. “I’m just being upfront so you can prepare to be unsteady and tipsy. Maybe it’ll be a perfectly soothing journey. This boat is capable of that. Don’t let the dents and dings fool you. Either way, we’ll be just fine.”
“I really appreciate the abundant enthusiasm.” My deadpan tone reveals pure sarcasm.
“You’re bringing out my sunny disposition.”
“What if we hit rapids or a waterfall?”
“We row to shore like our asses are on fire. Worst case? We tuck and roll.”
I swallow against the acid bubbling in my stomach. No big deal. This is a means to an end. Just pull the ripcord. “Let’s do it.”
He raises the oars so the wood no longer drags against the rocky floor. The churning in my belly eases when we don’t immediately lurch forward at breakneck speed. I hold my posture at a standstill meant for sculptures. We glide slow enough for me to relax the pinching strain in my muscles. The natural pace is manageable as the boat drifts along with the gentle flow. But will this last? A glance upward has me ready to duck and cover.
Gray swirls of inky darkness are aiming for us. The forecast hasn’t improved. If anything, being in the water places us in a direct path of the brutal chill. I tug the hood over my head, peeking up at Halder from under the fuzzy trim. “Is the wind going to push us really fast?”
Halder tracks my gaze. “Nah, we’ll probably be fighting against it. The worst blasts are coming from directly ahead of us. We’ll go until a welcoming plot catches our eye or the storm makes traveling too dangerous.”
I chew on the inside of my cheek. “I vote for stopping at our earliest opportunity.”
“Because you’re afraid of the canoe?”
“No.” I huff at the truth he spills. “Merely to give us ample time to get settled in our new site for the evening. Shouldn’t we do that before getting slammed with snow?”
“That’s good sense, Blakely. You’re beginning to talk like a professional pioneer.”
The idea of earning that title almost has me busting out a cackle. “Let’s take it easy with all that. You’re still the expert. I mostly want off the boat when these gusts are threatening to toss me regardless.”
“Well, this is much faster than walking. We should find a decent spot easily enough. By then, you’ll have a pair of sea legs for our journey tomorrow.”
I press my lips together to trap a snarky retort. There’s