Yes, her heart was in pieces right now. But she’d find a way to survive this.
Capri closed the truck door with a decisive click, taking a deep breath before heading back to the office, ready to tackle the rest of the day. After checking incoming emails and phone messages, she rejoined Bodhi outside.
Capri moved for the garage doors of the main building and yanked them open. Inside the aluminum and wooden structure, where the rafts and gear were stored, was a mix of rugged functionality and organized chaos.
The walls were lined with sturdy wooden shelves, each one sagging slightly under the weight of coiled ropes, helmets, and paddles, their bright colors standing out against the rough-hewn wood. The floor was scuffed and worn, bearing the marks of years of heavy boots and dripping wet gear, with a faint smell of rubber, river water, and the earthy scent of damp wood hanging in the air. In the center of the space, multiple massive rafts were propped up on metal racks, their faded exteriors bearing the scars of countless journeys down the treacherous rivers. The high ceiling, crisscrossed with exposed beams, gave the room a cavernous feel, the light filtering in through small, grimy windows casting long shadows over the equipment.
Despite the disorder, everything had its place, a testament to the countless hours spent here preparing for the unpredictable adventures ahead.
Bodhi sauntered over, stretching lazily as he approached the stack of gear. “Ready to load up, boss?”
Capri shot him a look, her voice edged with a tinge of impatience. “Let’s get moving. We’ve got a long day ahead.”
They moved with practiced ease, securing two rafts to the company trailer, tying down the life vests and paddles. Capri’s hands were steady, but her mind was anything but. She was the owner, the boss, the one who knew these rivers better than anyone. But today, they weren’t here for the tourists or the thrill-seekers. Today was about testing the water—literally. The spring thaw had swollen the rivers to near-dangerous levels, and she needed to ensure their routes were safe. At least, that was the reason she told herself.
As they drove toward the river, Bodhi leaned back, a casual grin on his face. “So, why the sudden need to ‘test’ the water? Don’t we have guides for that?”
Capri kept her eyes on the road, her knuckles white against the steering wheel. “The Snake River’s been unpredictable this year. I want to see it for myself.”
In truth, she needed the rush. The way the water could rip you apart or cradle you in its currents—it matched the chaos inside her head.
When they arrived at the riverbank, the Snake River snarled ahead of them. The water churned, dark and fast. The air was thick with the scent of wet earth and fresh pine, a combination that usually brought Capri peace. But today, it only fueled the fire within her.
“Capri, are you sure about this?” Bodhi’s voice had lost its earlier levity, replaced with concern. He could see the danger in the water, the way the rapids twisted and turned, foaming white against the jagged rocks. “Make sure we stick to the left channel. Reports coming in say it’s a bit tamer.”
Capri ignored him, dragging the first raft toward the water. “Got it.” She turned to him, her voice challenging. “You can sit it out if you want. But, I need to check the runs, just like I do every year. It’s the job.”
Bodhi hesitated, watching her with a mixture of worry and disbelief. “Well, Cap. I ain’t letting you go alone. The rapids are wicked, and the water’s running high?—”
“Just load the raft, Bodhi,” Capri snapped, her voice cutting through the roar of the river.
As they launched into the river, the water moved with a steady, almost deceptive calm, its surface rippling gently under the early morning light. The current was strong but not yet menacing, carrying the raft forward with a sense of purpose.
Overhead, an eagle soared, its wings outstretched against the clear sky, casting a fleeting shadow on the water below.
The riverbank slipped away behind them, the aspen trees lining the shore swaying slightly in the breeze as if bidding them farewell.
As the raft glided smoothly down the river, Bodhi relaxed a little, leaning back as he dipped his paddle into the water with easy strokes. “Not so bad after all,” he said, flashing Capri a grin. “I was thinking you were leading us straight into the jaws of death.”
Capri smirked, her eyes on the horizon. “Don’t get too comfortable, Bodhi. The river’s just being polite right now. It’ll show its true colors soon enough.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “You always gotta be so dramatic, Cap? Maybe this time we’ll get lucky.”
Capri’s smile faded slightly as she murmured, “Luck can often be fickle.”
As they continued downriver, the gentle current gradually began to shift, the once calm waters now starting to bubble and churn with increasing energy. The trees along the banks thinned out, giving way to jagged rocks jutting out from the shore, and the soothing sound of the river was replaced by the distant roar of rapids.
Capri’s grip on the paddle tightened, her gaze sharpening as she scanned the turbulent water ahead. The air grew cooler, and the sun dipped behind a cloud, casting a shadow over the river, as if warning them of the challenge that lay just around the bend.
Suddenly, the raft surged forward, caught in the grip of the current. Capri’s hands clenched the paddle even more, her muscles tense, her mind focused on the treacherous path ahead.
“Hold on, Bodhi. Here we go!” she yelled over the roar of the water.
The first rapid hit like a freight train, the water slamming against the raft, jerking it sideways. Capri’s heart pounded in her chest, but she didn’t flinch. She powered through, her paddle blade digging into the churning water, forcing the raft forward.
Bodhi’s voice cut through the chaos, yelling over the roar of the rapids. “Capri! Left! Take the left channel!”
But she was beyond listening. Yes, the right channel was narrower, rockier—deadlier, but she was a highly skilled raft guide. She had this. And that was where she was going.
