Page 27 of Final Escape
“I did some calling. The tuition is pricey for all three, but the June classes start on Monday. During the first four days you’d be doing both classes every day to get the Water Rescue classes done while you’re taking the First Responder series. You could be done by the end of next week, if you were really serious about this. But this is awfully short notice.”
“It startstomorrow?”
“Right. And they do have several slots available, so you could still get in.”
She cast a wistful look toward the river. “The summers I spent guiding were some of the best in my life. Being out on the river every day, facing the challenges...and I covered a lot of my college tuition with the tips I made, too.”
“I can’t guarantee a set number of scheduled trips, though.”
“Still, it would be a good job for a teacher, since I have my summers off.” She considered for a moment. “Would the class times conflict with my morning teaching schedule?”
“They start at one o’clock and end at dusk, so it would work, though it would be a mighty long day.” He shrugged, sure that she’d decide against it. Hoping that would be her response.
She bit her lower lip, considering. “I’ll do it. It was really sweet of you to check this all out for me.”
Sweet?He’d expected her to shy away from such a heavy commitment. He’dhopedthat she would, because he’d felt an attraction to her since the first day she arrived, and he’d resolved to keep careful distance to avoid any complications. But now, she was looking up at him with a soft smile, and he felt like a complete heel for not encouraging her to do something he knew would make her happy.
“I...well... If you want to go out on the river, you can always come along with the groups if there’s an empty place.” He cleared his throat. “Though I don’t expect you’ll have much time during the next couple of weeks. Sometimes Penny or I go out alone in a small raft or take the kayaks, and you’d be welcome to come along then, if you want. Or you can go alone. No charge. I guess you’ll need to start learning this river.”
Her smile brightened and lit up her hazel eyes. “That would be wonderful. I suppose you can guess that my summer teaching salary doesn’t stretch very far.”
“About that...Penny and I talked it over. I’m not sure how many raft trips we can promise you this summer because business has been slow. Her offer still stands if you’d like some hours manning the office. She pointed out that having someone here at the office would make everything a lot easier.”
“And what about you?”
Her gleaming hair shifted as she tipped her head, studying him. How had he missed the sprinkle of freckles over her nose? Or the way the corners of her mouth tilted up, ever so slightly, even when she wasn’t smiling?
He blinked, trying to remember what she’d just said. “What?”
“Do you mind having me around? I get the feeling that you aren’t so sure you want me here after all. So if it’s just Penny’s idea...”
The problem was that hedidwant her around. A lot more. He cleared his throat. “No...I think she’s right.”
“Then it’s a deal.”
Carrie proffered her hand and he reached out to shake it. And once again, he felt that little zinging sensation of awareness at her touch. A sensation that warmed his hand and sent sparks speeding toward his calloused heart.
“This will probably work out well,” he added. “As it was, we could only have two guides on the river at any given time, since one of us had to stay here at the home base. If you start working for us whenever you have some free time, then maybe I can get back on the road for the rest of the summer and we’ll still have two people guiding.”
“Theroad?” Her startled eyes flew up to meet his. “Are you a sales rep or something?”
“Rodeo.”
Usually, people were curious when he mentioned that part of his life. A lot of the tourists and pretty little buckle bunnies at the rodeos were even starstruck by the cowboys who consistently took home the big paychecks. But Carrie’s eyes now widened in obvious horror. Had she misunderstood?
“Saddle broncs,” he added, when she didn’t respond. “I thought you knew. The pictures up in the office...the bronc saddle on display in the corner?”
“I’ve only been in there a couple of times. I thought it was all just there for Western atmosphere.”
She looked so disappointed that he had to bite back a laugh. “Nope. I grew up on a ranch and competed in high school rodeo, so I just kept at it.”
“B-but you’re operating araftingbusiness.”
“This here is my retirement plan. I’m thirty-three—getting old, by rodeo standards. Since the family ranch is long gone, I started saving toward the future a long time ago. Good thing, because I’ve been laid up for the first two months of this season.”
“Rodeo,”she repeated glumly.
“As soon as I’m cleared by the doc, I need to catch the rest of the season. It’s too late for making the year-end standings, but the money’s still good. After this year and next, I’ll be able to quit.”
