Page 63 of The Politician

They caught up with the group, and she became aware of the sound of rushing water to their right. Kendra eventually took an opening from the track and stopped at the river. Inflated black inner tube tyres were set out on the sandy bank.

The water moved on a gentle current towards Cheow Larn Lake. The water looked neither deep nor dangerous, and she released a deep breath even though she hadn’t thought she was anxious. Lush forestation lined the banks on both sides and in the distance beyond, the imposing karsts stole the skyline. Sarah noted the absence of any inflatable vests and the fear in Erica’s eyes as she scanned the man-made crafts and stared at the murky water.

Kendra went to Erica. “You okay?”

Erica nodded, but she looked anything but okay.

“Not a big swimmer, eh?”

Erica shook her head.

“The deepest point is up to my chest. Mostly, it’s about waist deep. If you fall in, grab the ring. I’ll stay close to you all the way down, so you don’t need to worry. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Kendra lifted Erica’s chin and smiled softly. “You’ve got this, Erica. You’re going to feel like you’ve conquered the world once you’ve done the first run. We won’t be able to keep you out of the water.”

Dani took Erica’s hand.

Sarah grew taller and stronger watching, and even though she didn’t need the reassurances, they still affected her. She locked eyes with Kendra, and the heat of her gaze sizzled its way to her toes. If they’d been alone, she would have made love to her here on the bank. Instead, she walked straight into the water until it covered her crotch. Little good it did to stave off the throbbing ache, but the sudden thought of what might lie in the water took her mind off Kendra. She stepped out. “Just getting myself ready,” she said to the women staring at her and smiling. “It’s wonderfully warm,” she said.

Dani waded in slowly until the water reached her knees. “It’s quite nice,” she said, nodding and clearly trying to reassure herself.

“Okay. If you’re feeling comfortable, grab a tube and play away. Usually, you put your bum in the donut ring and hang your legs and arms over the sides. Use your arms to paddle and turn. It’s an easy current, so float around, get used to it, and enjoy yourselves. We’ll be heading about two hundred yards downstream. You’ll see another sandbank like this one on the right. Get out there, and we’ll come back here for a second run.”

Sarah grabbed a tube and made her way into the water. Nadia followed her. Dani encouraged Erica into her tube before getting into her own. Erica’s muffled squeals sounded closer to fear than delight, but she slowly smiled, and Sarah enjoyed watching her sense of achievement grow.

“I’ll be right there with you,” Kendra said to Erica. “Big smiles. You’re doing great.”

Erica ran her hands through the water and squealed excitedly as the tube started to circle so that she was heading downstream backwards, gripping the side of the tube.

Sarah lingered in the water next to her, just to make sure she didn’t panic if she tumbled into the water. “You’re doing great,” she said.

Kendra gave Erica a thumbs up. “Go, girl,” she said and whooped.

Sarah sunk her bottom lower into the water, leaned her head back against the soft rubber, and raised her feet out of the water. The river’s flow quieted the birdsong and the frogs’ chorus that could be heard from the track. But the stunning green landscape and the height that towered above them, shading the route in places, was more spectacular than even the Alps after a heavy snowfall. She glanced across to Erica, who was laughing and racing with her friend and caught Kendra watching her. Her breath caught. Kendra made an incredibly sexy Amazonian. But more than that, she’d enjoyed watching Kendra lead the group and her sensitivity to their needs. She was perfect.

She dismissed the fleeting thought that her time here would quickly come to an end, but the crushing feeling settled in her chest. Was it too much to hope that she could be with Kendra? Was she deceiving herself to think they could put the past behind them and create a future together?

The sinking feeling dragged her lower inside the tube, and she pulled herself up and dangled her feet in the water. She couldn’t face that possibility, no matter how close to the truth it may be. She knew how to fight in the political arena and get what she wanted, but she’d never had to fight for love.

“Good fun?” Kendra asked the group as they made their way out of the water at the lower bank.

“Fantastic,” Dani said.

“Who wants to go again? We can do the snake run.”

“Snakes?” Erica asked, her eyes wide.

Sarah laughed.

“We hold hands and twist our way down like a snake. I’ll hold yours, Erica. You’ll be great.”

Dani nudged Erica with her tube as they made their way back along the track. “This is brill,” she said.

Sarah agreed. It wasn’t a black run, but it didn’t matter. It was relaxing and fun. She made a point of being last in the water this time around, and when Kendra’s hand tightened around hers, it was as though Kendra held her heart with tenderness. She felt safe and loved, and she wanted the sensation to be with her forever.

28.

“WHO WANTS ANOTHER?”Malee asked, offering up the jug of hooch.

Kendra smiled at Sarah and shook her head, although a bit of chemical assistance usually helped to subdue any fears that might pop up as they trekked into the jungle for their overnight stay in the treehouse.

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