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Sylvie jutted a finger at me. “The last time we let you drive, we ended up stuck on a fire hydrant. You’re not driving.”
My lips turned into a frown. “That was one time.”
“One time too many.” Marge snorted.
Alice rubbed her neck. “Yes. I think I got whiplash that day. Sorry, Doris. No driving for you. Get in the back. I don’t want you anywhere near the wheel.”
With a humph, I flopped into the back seat. Sylvie climbed in beside me. “If it makes you feel any better, the fact you crashed is why I ended up with Tom again. Who knows what would have happened if we’d kept driving that day?”
My heart lifted at her words. “Yeah. You’re right! It was a good thing I crashed. God works in mysterious ways. Perhaps it was He who grabbed the wheel that day.”
“Or perhaps we crashed because you forgot you were driving and ducked.” Marge glanced over her shoulder from the driver’s seat.
I shrunk a little.
Miguel arrived at our vehicle to take our belongings that couldn’t travel down the zipline with us, telling us they would get secured on the shuttle and be waiting when we arrived.
“My bag can stay with me. Got my passport in here.” Marge patted the small satchel strapped across her chest. She’d been bragging about her theft-proof Faraday bag ever since we’d arrived for the cruise. It locked, was slice-proof, and had some strange feature that stopped people from scanning her credit cards. “You ladies better give me yours so they don’t get stolen. They’ll be safe in this bad boy. You don’t want to be caught in Mexico without your passport. Pull out all your cash too. Credit cards can be canceled, but passports and cash can’t be trusted with strangers.” Marge looked at Miguel. “No offense. Just can’t trust anyone these days.”
“No offense taken. Your bags will be locked securely in the safe on the bus, but if you’d feel better keeping your cash and passports on you, by all means. Just no bags that can get caught on the way down.”
Marge insisted we keep our passports on us at all times since she was certain the little safes in our room would be robbed by employees like she’d seen on a television special some years back. Not wanting to get stuck here without them, we all followed her advice and toted them everywhere we went.
“Good idea.” Sylvie reached in the backpack and pulled out her passport and the small cash she had, giving it to Marge. Alice and I did the same, and then we handed Miguel our purses and Sylvie’s backpack. Before he trotted off, Sylvie stopped him. “Our knitting basket is in there. So don’t lose that bag.”
Only we knew why that knitting basket was so important, but he nodded his head. “Of course. I promise everything will be secure and awaiting you when your adventure is over.” He took our bags and headed to the waiting bus, handing them to the driver.
“You brought the basket?” I asked.
Sylvie nodded. “Yes. I thought we could draw the final wish, my wish, after we finish up this leg of the journey. Thought it would be a solid way to end the adventure.”
“Good idea!” I agreed. “I can’t wait to see what you picked. Last time it was wonderful, and it brought me to my Axel.” My heart warmed as I thought of him.
“I think you ladies will love it,” she said certainly. “But I’m not telling you what it is. We’ll pull it after we’re done.”
“Deal,” we agreed.
Miguel returned to the group, addressing us all and giving us a rundown on the way the UTVs worked, which was exactly the same as the ones on the ranch.
Marge grunted her understanding, then Miguel went up front and hopped into the first UTV. When he started up the mountain on the narrow, dirt path, we followed behind the other camouflage vehicles puttering along in a line. The trail wound through the thick foliage, rising and falling over the rough terrain we bumped along. When we got to a straightaway, our vehicle slowed down.
“What’s happening? Did we stall out?” Sylvie leaned forward, looking at the dash.
The engine puttered while we idled.
“Nope.” Marge grinned.
“Then what’s going on? Why are we stopped?” I asked, starting to get nervous watching the group disappearing around a turn.
“Just wait. You’ll see.” Marge smiled, her grip on the wheel tightening as she kept us immobile.
A few more long moments passed, and my nerves started to get the best of me. “Marge. We’re going to lose the group and get lost in the jungle! Hurry up and catch them!”
Marge looked over her shoulder and grinned. “Oh, that’s the plan. These SOBs are driving so damn slowly. I want to get a little room so we can see what this puppy can do.”
“Wait. You’re what?” Alice looked over, her flawless brows furrowed.
Marge’s smile stretched wider. “Just hold onto your hat, sweet cheeks. This baby feels like it’s been waiting to let loose.”
