Chapter 37
Kayaking
"Okay,AdventureGirl,whereare you taking me today?"Gray asked as he placed his lunch cooler in the back of Riley's jeep.All she'd told him was to pack a lunch, sandals, and, in her words, "for gawd's sake, bring some sunscreen!"He wouldn't ever forget after the rollerblading incident, though the sunburn had led to some closeness with her he wouldn't mind repeating.
"It's a surprise, but you're going to love it!"Riley grinned, helping Bear into the backseat.He was getting big but still needed a boost to hop in.As Riley looked at Bear, she realized the vet had been right; he was going to be a big dog.
As they drove along the east end of the island, their conversation flowed easily.Gray's research, her secret tiny getaway island Riley planned to show him one day, and, of course, what snacks she had packed.
"I never realized how essential snacks are for an outing until I met you," Gray teased.
"Trust me, we don't want a snack-cident," Riley quipped, making them both laugh.
Up ahead, Gray saw a sign and smiled as the words came into focus: "Lucayan National Park."He lightly slapped Riley's knee."I've been dying to come out here!Did I tell you that, or are you psychic?"
"I knew, of course!Honestly, everyone who visits should see this place.The mangroves alone are worth it, but I've got more planned."She shot him a sly smile, and his heart skipped a beat.
"Riley!Glad you made it!"A fit, friendly man strode toward them as they got out of the jeep, Bear in tow.He scooped Riley into his arms, spinning her around while she laughed, pretending to resist.
"Gray, this is Bowen," Riley said, as Bowen set her back down."He's a guide for one of the island's conservation agencies.Bowen, this is Gray, the researcher I've been telling you about."Bear jumped between the men, eager for attention.
"Okay, okay, Bear, sorry I didn't greet you first!"Bowen laughed, giving the dog a scratch behind the ears before extending a hand to Gray."Nice to meet you!Riley's been all, 'Oh, Gray this, Gray that,' ever since she knew you were coming."
Riley turned away, trying to hide the blush creeping up her neck.Bowen just laughed harder."I'm messing with you.But seriously, Gray, we should grab a drink sometime.The mangrove here is a unique biome, and we've been wanting to get someone out here for baseline research.We have a dedicated group of volunteers who would love to assist however they can."
"I've seen nothing like this before," Gray said, taking in the mangrove trees.Instead of being completely submerged, their roots rose out of the water like a labyrinth and were a vibrant reddish-brown colour.The roots appeared smooth to him, but the tree branches were gnarled, dense, and tangled.He had the image of a giant tree on stilts.
As Gray stared at them more, the roots appeared to be like arteries, branching off into the water, but above the water they came together to form the strange trunks that the roots suspended in the air.The top of the mangrove tree displayed incredible emerald green leaves that seemed thick and potentially tough.He knew little about them, but he wanted to learn more.
"I know some folks who'd jump at the chance to work here," Gray added."Let's make a list of what you need, and I'll talk to my boss.We can see which professor has a student perfect for this project."
"Brilliant, let's get you both set up."Bowen motioned to a row of kayaks waiting nearby.
"We're going kayaking?!"Gray's excitement was impossible to hide.
"Ever kayaked before?"Bowen asked, grabbing a paddle.Unlike a canoe paddle, this one had blades on both ends, angled at 45 degrees.
"Never.You'd think living in California, I'd have tried, but the ocean there is freezing!"
Riley and Bowen exchanged puzzled looks."How cold is it?"Riley asked in disbelief.
"Don't look at me like I'm a wuss!That water is freezing," Gray said defensively, though he knew he sounded a little lame.
"Well, no cold water here," Bowen chuckled."The mangroves keep it warm.Riley arranged for you to go solo today.She's an expert, and Bear's her co-pilot."
"Like the bumper sticker!"Gray laughed.
Both Riley and Bowen looked confused.
"You know, 'Dog is my co-pilot,' instead of 'God is my co-pilot.'"Gray grinned as Riley cracked a smile.
"You're the weirdo now, Gray," she teased, though in truth, Bear was her perfect co-pilot.She'd even trained him to sit still in the kayak after a few not-so-graceful attempts with both her and the dog ending up in the water.
"Copilots aside, the kayaks are wide-bottomed so you sit higher in the water," Bowen explained."It helps keep you from tipping over, and the paddle's easy to use."He demonstrated the proper stroke, moving fluidly through the motions.Meanwhile, Riley went to grab their lunch from the jeep.
"All set?"she asked when she returned, dragging her kayak to the water's edge.
"Riley--" Gray hesitated, and she turned, thinking maybe he didn't want to go.But his expression stopped her in her tracks.His eyes were wide with wonder."I know I've said this before, but thank you.For showing me all these places.This is like nothing I've ever seen."
