Page 26 of Final Escape
“Or maybe not. Just remember I warned you,” he said in a low voice. “Associating with the bad elements in town can mean you get tarred with the same brush.” The pager on his belt hummed. He reached for it, read the screen and turned for the arched front doors of the church. “If I were you, I’d watch my step.”
* * *
ON HER WAY HOME FROMchurch an hour later, Carrie smiled to herself, thankful she’d gone. After the service, Ivy again apologized over her gaffe, then proceeded to introduce Carrie to everyone in sight.
She’d already seen many of the members around town or at school, so being able to connect names and faces would help her fit into the fabric of the community.
But the deputy’s insinuations had played through her thoughts during the service, and even now she couldn’t forget what he’d said. Clichéd or not, his words had held more than a veiled warning about her association with the Bradleys.
Logan hadn’t been kidding when he’d said that reporting the damage to the raft wouldn’t do him much good because he figured the local sheriff’s department probably wouldn’t be much help.
And now she had to wonder. If she ever had trouble with prowlers or stalkers or a certain ex-husband while living at the Bradley place, would they bother to come quickly...or even come at all?
* * *
LOGAN TIGHTENED THEfinal strap on the life jacket, then grinned at the elderly man who had been grumbling for the past ten minutes about his wife’s decision to go rafting. “It’s an easy run, from here down to the fork. You’ll think you’re in an easy chair back home.”
“Right. But if that little girl over there—”
“Tina. She’s been river guiding since she was seventeen.”
“Well, if she misses that fork, what then?”
“The Wolf is calm to that point. There, she’ll take the right fork into Selby Creek and you’ll enjoy another five miles of quiet water before you land.”
“Hmpf. And if she goes to the left, we die.”
“No. The main channel does change to some serious white water.Thatwould be more like a cycle through your washing machine. But it won’t happen. Promise.”
“You’d better be right. She looks about as strong as my twelve-year-old niece.”
Tina finished loading the last of four women, then beckoned. “Ready, sir.”
Grumbling, the man squared his shoulders as he trudged over to the raft, clearly not wanting to be shown up by his wife and the other silver-haired women who were already on board and chatting gaily about their river adventure.
At the sound of tires crunching on gravel, Logan turned and found Carrie pulling to a stop by the office. She stepped out of her car, pretty as a daffodil in a slim yellow skirt, top and matching jacket, the sunshine picking out golden highlights in her sleek cap of mahogany hair.
He felt his heart stop for just a moment before it remembered to pick up its regular beat.
“Howdy,” he called out, knowing it was probably better to get this over now...despite Penny’s feelings to the contrary.
Carrie smiled and walked over, slipping out of her jacket and draping it over one shoulder as she crossed the parking area. “Beautiful day for a float,” she said, eyeing the elderly group of passengers in Tina’s raft. “Are you going out, as well?”
“Later. About the raft guiding...” He cleared his throat. “I checked with our insurance agent. Do you have the certificates for Swift Water Rescue and Wilderness First Responder?”
“That must be something new. I haven’t guided since I was in college.”
“So you probably just had First Aid and CPR.”
She nodded. “And the usual river training, plus four summers of experience.”
“Unfortunately, our insurance rates are sky-high as it is, and we’re required to supply proof of certification for every guide or they’ll double the cost of our policy.”
Her face fell. “How soon can I be certified?”
“The First Responder class takes eight days, and the Level I and II Water Rescue classes add up to over four. Not that much—but they’re only taught a couple times a year in this area.”
“Is it hard to get in?”
