Page 101 of Cavern of Silence
His face lights up. "You did? Tell me!"
"You're going to think I'm crazy."
"Hit me with it."
"I want to swim with the pigs."
His forehead wrinkles in surprise. "Okay, you've got to explain that one."
"There are these wild pigs in Exuma, Bahamas. I had passengers on my plane who showed me pictures. The ocean is crystal clear, and they swim right up to you. You can feed and pet them in the water."
"No way."
"Yes. And the beaches are pure white."
He beams. "Well, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm down with a piggy swim. Add it to the list."
I laugh. "I told you it was crazy."
"I think it sounds pretty fun. I'm impressed with your knowledge of swimming pigs."
"Okay, tell me the craziest thing on your list."
He turns onto a dirt road and thinks for a few moments. "I'm not sure if I would do it. I think I'll have to be in my nineties because it's a death wish, but it's on my list."
"What is it?"
"Canoe down a waterfall. But not a small one. A legit one."
"Okay, you are crazy."
He snorts. "That's why I have to be old and decrepit to do it. What else—"
There's a huge boom and the Jeep slides.
"Hold on!" Ryker grips the steering wheel with both hands, trying to gain control as I brace myself against the dashboard.
We skid across the dirt and slide into the ditch. When we stop, smoke is billowing out of the hood.
"Julieta, are you okay?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Yes."
We get out and survey the damage. The tire popped and the rim is bent.
"Great."
"Do we have another tire?" I ask.
"No. We took the Jeep that had the tire issue during the rescue. We were riding on the spare."
"So, what do we do?" I ask.
He slings his backpack over his shoulder. "We walk and find a place to set up camp."
We stroll for hours in the dark, talking about bucket list places and things to do. Ryker tells me about some of the places his job has taken him to, mostly in Europe.
