Page 35 of Falling

“Keep us straight,” Chuck shouts. The raft suddenly picks up speed. I can’t fight it anymore. My mind drifts to sleep no matter what Peter does.

The next thing I know, I’m being lifted out of the raft. My eyes open long enough to see Peter step into an ambulance, still cradling me against his chest.

Men cover me in blankets and push a needle into my hand. Warm liquid floats through my body. A light is shining in my eyes. It makes my head hurt. My wet clothes are removed before I’m wrapped in fresh blankets. I drift off again.

The light above my head is muted when I wake again. My hand grazes a bandage on my head. There’s a noise at the end of my bed. A warm hand takes mine. I know the hand as well as I know my own.

“Peter?” I croak.

“I’m here,” he answers. I force my eyes open. He’s standing next to me in a pair of scrubs. “Fuck, Geneva. I thought I’d lost you.”

“But you came to my rescue,” I say. “Just like you always do.”

“Just like I always will.”

“What did Rand and I do to deserve you?” I ask.

“I always assumed I’m just another stray you kept.” He smiles. I would like to say something snarky, something very Geneva-like, but my head hurts too much. “You get some rest. The doctor doesn’t think there’s anything wrong, but he wants you to stay overnight just to be sure.” He straightens the covers over me. “I’ll be right here.”

I want to tell him to go back to the hotel so he can get some rest. That would be the smart thing to do. But I’m selfish. I don’t want him to leave me alone. I want to scream at him to stay with me forever.

When I hear him settle back in the chair at the end of the bed, I’m struck by something I guess I’ve always known. Peter isn’t going anywhere. Not without me anyway.

My mind plays tricks on me when I fall back asleep. Once again, I feel myself pulled under the water. No matter how hard I fight, I can’t reach the surface. I look down to see why. My ankle is chained to the bottom of the river. I can’t get loose. My lungs spasm as I try to hold my breath. It’s no use; I’m going to drown.

An otherworldly voice tells me to just give in. To take that last watery breath. I can’t, not yet. I still have too much I want to do. Too many mountains to climb. People I want to hug just one more time. I want my nephew to know who I am. I want to give Peter the chance at the love he deserves. But the river won’t turn me loose. My fight is in vain.

“Shhh.” I hear through the nightmare. “I’ve got you.” The bed dips, and strong arms wrap around me again. Peter pulls me against his chest, and I press against him as the last vestiges of my dream evaporate.

“You’re okay.” He tucks the covers around us. My mind finds peace this time as I drift back off. For once, I’ll let him be strong enough for both of us.

* * *

“Good morning,” a doctor says, pushing through the door. I sit up, rubbing my sleepy eyes. The space next to me in the bed is empty. I find Peter standing across the room sipping on a coffee. “How are you feeling this morning, Miss Randolph?”

“Better,” I admit. He listens to my lungs, checks my pulse, and shines his penlight in my eyes.

“Excellent. I think we can get you out of here. There isn’t any damage, save for a small concussion. You’re very lucky, Miss Randolph. Every year, people drown while rafting that river. I’ll have the nurse bring your paperwork.”

The doctor turns and shakes hands with Peter. They walk out together. Peter returns in a few minutes with another cup of coffee and hands it to me.

“Are you hungry?” he asks.

“Not really. I’m just ready to get back to that rainshower.” He pulls clothes from a sack and places them on the bed. “How are these clean?” My previously wet, filthy clothes from yesterday are now freshly washed.

“I paid one of the orderlies to do it after his shift.”

“Peter Winsloe. Making it rain and resourceful all at the same time.”

He smirks at me.

“You couldn’t exactly go home with your ass hanging out of the back of that gown,” he says.

“Did you peek?”

“Of course.” We grin at each other. Everything is going to be fine. “I’ll wait outside while you dress.”

I climb off the bed. When the door closes behind him, I quickly peel off the hospital gown. My leggings feel amazingly warm as I pull them on. I choose the heavy sweater to pair them with. He’s even managed somehow to dry my boots. How much did he pay that orderly? I’m tying my last bootlace as the door swings open.

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