“That river’s currents are …”
“Yeah,” Colin interrupted. “The river’s currents can be a little tricky, but we’ll take it slow. I promise you, baby. The kids will be safe.”
“It’s not just the kids that I’m worried about,” Joshua murmured, pressing his forehead to Colin’s shoulder. “Will you still have cell service?”
“Baby, I don’t know, but it really doesn’t matter.” He reached down to the floor and lifted a box to the table. “Trent brought these. They’re long-range radios. We’re sticking to channel four, but if it gets fuzzy, switch to channel seven. Trent and I will each carry one.” He pulled a radio from the box and handed it to Joshua. “If anything happens, call me. I’ll hear you.”
Joshua nodded, staring down at the walkie-talkie in his hands. “My god, what a brilliant idea!” The notion of Colin being totally out of reach, even for one night, had sent a soft chill cascading down his spine. Hearing about the radios replaced the chill with a wave of relief.
Watching him, Colin’s face creased with a gentle smile. He laid a hand on Joshua’s knee. “Josh, it’s just a short overnight stay. We’ll be fine.” His thumb moved back and forth, and his voice dropped. “Honest.”
Joshua forced a smile, his voice catching. “I—I know. It’s just … you know how I am.” He bent and kissed Colin’s hair, then blew out a quick breath. “I’m glad Alex is going.”
“Yeah,” Colin said. He got to his feet, taking Joshua’s arm as he rose. “Me too. C’mon, bud. Let’s eat breakfast.”
At two o’clock,Joshua was standing on the dock, fidgeting as he watched Colin and Trent load the three large rowboats that would carry them on their overnight excursion.
“Ethan!” Colin called. “You’re rowing boat two. Stay between me and Trent. Everyone, get your life jackets on then help load the food and other supplies. We need to shove off within ten minutes.” He set a final box in his boat, shoving it down hard to secure it, then moved to where Joshua stood. “OK, bud. I’m outta here.” He gave Joshua a quick kiss. “Stop biting that prettylower lip,” he murmured into Joshua’s ear. “I’m not climbing Mount Everest without oxygen: I’m just taking some kids on an overnight campout.”
Joshua nodded. He touched Colin’s cheek, then pointed to the radio. “Call me to say good night?”
Colin gave a soft laugh and kissed Joshua’s cheek. “You bet.”
“Be safe, myyedid.”
“Always my intention,” Colin replied, flashing his dimples in a quick grin, then turned and began to herd the campers onto their boats. “Remember your boat assignments!” he called out. “We gave them to you for a reason. Listen up for instructions as we row in case we run into any surprises.” He clambered into his boat and settled into the middle seat, then grabbed his oars and lifted his eyes to where Joshua stood on the dock. “See you tomorrow,mo chroí,” he called.
Joshua lifted his hand in farewell. “Behave yourselves!”
Trent barked out a laugh. “Oh, fat chance ofthat!” He steered his boat out onto the lake, with Ethan following in boat two and Colin trailing behind them.
For a long time, Joshua stood on the dock, his eyes fixed on the three craft, watching as the three rowboats faded into the distance. He clenched his teeth, fighting off the urge to call Colin back, to demand one more kiss, one more promise that he’d stay safe.He husked out a sigh and moved toward camp, his footsteps echoing against the now-silent dock, the sun warm on his back, but the chill of Colin’s absence still clinging to his bones.
After nearly an houron the river, Trent still rowed with an easy, practiced rhythm. Every few minutes, he glanced backto check on his campers and the rowers who followed. In the second boat, Ethan rowed with determination, his movements less practiced but driven by youthful energy. On occasion, he struggled to keep a straight line, but his stubborn persistence kept him on course.
“You can do it, Ethan,” one of the campers yelled. “Don’t let that old man pass us up!”
“I heard that!” Colin’s voice floated over the water from behind them. “We’ll see who’s old when I leave you in the dust.”
Ethan groaned, pulling on the oars with all his strength. “Guys!! Don’t help me! You’ll just encourage him!” While from behind him, Colin’s campers began to chant: “Co-lin! Co-lin! Co-lin!”
The three boats eased down the river, the distance between them narrowing as they approached the final stretch. Trent retained the lead, while Ethan, determined not to be last, dug deep, his campers’ encouragement providing a second wind.
But, behind him, Colin’s steady pace was paying off. His campers were almost bouncing with excitement, chanting his name in perfect unison. The sound of oars slicing through the still water, rhythmic and steady, filled the air.
Trent glanced back and saw Colin’s boat surging. “Hell no, not today,” Trent muttered, digging in, quickening his strokes, teeth clenched, breath hissing in his chest. Ethan also saw Colin closing the gap, and he let out a growl of determination. “No way am I coming in last!”
Colin’s strokes were calm and powerful, his boat gliding smoothly through the water. His campers were now in a half crouch, shouting, “Come on, Colin! You’re almost there!”
“Sit down before you fall in!” Colin warned, his tone firm but with a laugh in his voice.
As they approached the shore, the campers’ cheers reached a fever pitch. Trent’s boat touched the bank first, his camperscelebrating the win with triumphant shouts. Ethan’s boat was next, sliding in just seconds before Colin’s. “Ha! Second place!” he panted, collapsing over his oars. “Beat him!”
“Justbarely,” Colin teased as his boat glided in next to Ethan’s. He dropped his oars, breathing hard, looking back at his campers, who were grinning despite the loss. “Good effort, team. We’ll get ’em next time.”
Trent was already helping his campers out of the boat. “You almost had me there, buddy.” He leaned closer to Colin, his grin filled with mischief. “Almost!”
Colin laughed and shook his head. “Smart-ass! Next time, I won’t go so easy on you.”
