The smallest one now had a stick that he was swinging around and poking at the inflated parts of the raft, like it was a balloon he was trying to pop. Cody swiped it from him before he could do any damage, but then the other boy started kicking at the remaining life jackets.
Poor guy. I would guess our rafting guide was at least somewhat familiar with kids but not used to having to put his foot down with someone else’s children. I wasn’t sure if I should try to step in or not? The parents didn’t seem bothered at all.
It took maybe another ten minutes for our group to get the boys to calm down and finish preparing everything for the ride. By the time we got the boat in the water and were able to set off, all the other rafts were far ahead of us, out of sight, surely way beyond the next bend in the river.
I didn’t mind too terribly. Away from the prying eyes of the rest of the tour group, Noah and I wouldn’t have to worry about keeping our relationship a secret until the end of the float trip.
“I’m Melissa,” the mom introduced herself as we drifted away from shore. “This is Jacob.” She pointed to her husband and then the boys between them. “And these two are JJ and Killian—Kill for short.” Then she sent a threatening look their way. “They will behave nicely. Or else.”
JJ and Kill both smirked, and I was pretty sure they both bounced a little harder on their seat.
But seriously…Kill? Who named their kid Kill?”
Despite that ominous introduction, the ride itself settled into a pretty relaxing rhythm after that. The raft glided along smoothly and quietly, its movement almost hypnotic, like the river was humming beneath us.
I straddled one of the inflated pontoons near the front, one foot on the floor of the boat, the other skimming the water. Noah sat just behind me, and since the rest of the boats had gone ahead, there was no reason for me not to give in to the pull, using Noah’s big, solid chest as a backrest.
Without a word, his hands found my hips, steadying me as the boat swayed. His thumbs traced soft, absent circles against my sides, like he wasn’t even aware he was doing it.
The water was glassy and deceptively calm, its surface reflecting the red canyon walls towering around us. Light shimmered off the ripples, and a dry breeze tugged at the edges of my hair.
When I tipped my head back against his shoulder, Noah’s breath slid across my temple. We didn’t talk. We didn’t need to.
It was the kind of quiet I hadn’t realized I’d been craving—where nothing had to be explained, nothing had to be earned. I could just...be.
At some point, his fingers slid lower, linking with mine where they rested on my thighs, and I threaded my fingers through his without hesitation.
The raft rocked gently beneath us, but I felt steady. Anchored.
Our trusty guide sat perched on a raised metal seat in the center, both hands gripping a set of oars, lazily moving them back and forth like he’d done this a thousand times before.
“I could fall asleep.” I was lulled by the sun, by the drifting shore, and by the fact that, away from everyone else, I could just enjoy the moment.
We might as well be completely alone.
“You should then.”
“But then I’ll miss the canyons.”
The idea of closing my eyes really was tempting though, and with his arms around me, I knew I’d be perfectly safe.
How was it that I could be so excited to be with him, but so relaxed at the same time?
Or, I was relaxed, until JJ leapt out of his seat and began jumping on the middle of the boat like it was some kind of miniature trampoline.
“Careful there, kiddo.” Cody didn’t seem all that concerned as he rowed us into the current. Even though the entire boat was jostling with each bounce.
“What’s in the cooler?” their dad, who looked to be in his early thirties, asked as he worked his way to the back of the boat. And then, upon opening it, “Anyone else want a beer?”
Oh, yeah. Tay had mentioned that refreshments were provided.
“Let me see what they have.” Bending over, Melissa climbed along the inflated pontoons to the back. She didn’t return but cracked open a beer and claimed the seat by the cooler. Both she and her husband were half-listening, half-checked out, sipping beers like the river was just another lazy Sunday.
“I’m surprised they let people drink on these things,” I mused quietly.
“It’s not ideal.” Noah’s shrugged, though his words were as low as mine.
Cody went right on rowing, his eyes focused ahead.
