Page 89 of The Hacker
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 amazing woman. I wish you the same.”
Leland sat back. “I haven’t asked her yet but I’m going to soon. I need to find the right time.”
“Fair’s fair,” Derek said with a grin. “If you want me to wear a wig to help with your proposal, I will.”
“Okay, slackers,” Boof interrupted. “Time to put your backs into it. This next rapids are Class V plus. You’re gonna get rocked.”
An hour later, they drifted down the last stretch of calm water before reaching camp. Tully had involuntarily gone swimming in the last set of rapids and they’d barely escaped flipping the raft, so the run had ended well. Boof congratulated them on being true river men.
When the raft came around a bend, Leland spotted a rocky beach with tents set up on it and four people milling around the orange glow of a fire. His stomach rumbled at the prospect of the venison Tully had mentioned. He would appreciate some dry clothes as well.
When they drew closer, he bent forward to squint at one of the people unfolding a camp table. Joy exploded through his body.
“Good God almighty, that’s Dawn!” he blurted out, his heart doing a backflip.
“And Alice!” Derek said, his face lit with an almost equal joy.
Tully turned around and smirked at them. “You’re welcome.”
Just like that the low-level whine of absence Leland had been feeling through the whole trip went silent and he knew. No more waiting.Thiswas the right time.
“Put your backs into it, boys,” he commanded, digging his paddle into the water. “I need to kiss someone.”
Dawn snuggled in against Leland as they sat in front of the snapping campfire that Tully had built just for them in front of their tent. “I still can’t believe that Tully flew Alice and me out here to meet you guys.” She was so grateful, because Leland’s absence had been a hole in her gut, always there, always throbbing like a wound.
