Dev glanced at him. “You’ve got it bad, man. I hope for Ava’s sake you’re still using your brain at full capacity while there’s a very real threat on her life.”
Micha didn’t bother arguing or denying his feelings. He did have it bad, and he obviously wasn’t hiding it very well. But…“Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”
“So you say, but don’t be offended if I’m looking over your shoulder all the time.”
Micha did want to take offense, but Ava’s safety was the most important thing, so he wouldn’t. “Let me know if I’m failing.”
“Oh, you know I will.” Dev grinned. “What’s a bro for if he can’t point out your flaws.”
Micha tried to sock his buddy in the arm, but he danced away and hurried toward the river. They reached the swollen bank, and the humor rushed away as fast as the water pulsing downstream.
“Whoa.” Dev’s eyes widened. “Your description didn’t do this justice.”
Dang. When an expert thought the flooding was worse than expected, Micha knew they were in trouble. “What do you think about getting the boat out?”
Dev faced the boathouse. “It’s now or never.” He looked at Micha. “But are you sure you want to risk anyone getting in that small boat with the speed of this river?”
“I get that it’s a last-ditch thing. But like I said, it would be better than a bullet to the back and sure death if it came down to that.”
Dev lifted his hand over his eyes and stood staring. “Okay. Then we get the boat out now. No way you could do it if you were running for your life.”
“My thoughts too.”
“We need ropes.” Dev eyed him. “Safety first and no one goes near that boathouse without a safety line.”
“I saw ropes in the shed out back of the cabin on my walk-through this morning.”
Dev nodded and widened his stance. “Then one guy secured with a rope will go ahead to the boat house. Anchor himself there. Next guy joins him. Third guy stays on land and ties a rope around a tree, and the other end is fastened to the guy who’ll pilot the boat.” He pointed at a giant maple. “That tree should do. One guy gets in the boat. The other helps launch it from there, controlling the movement with a tow line.”
“This is my responsibility,” Micha said. “I’ll take the boat.”
“Valid point, but I know more about how to pilot a boat than you.”
“Even in this situation?”
He eyed Micha. “More so in this situation. So I’ll do it, but you and Colin better not let the tow lines get free.”
“What about Ava?” Micha asked. “I’m not sure it’s wise to leave her in the cabin alone while we do this.”
“Better in there than out here.” Dev locked gazes. “You want the boat out? It’ll take all three of us to get it onto firm ground.”
“Then let’s get back. You check out the ropes in the shed, and I’ll give Ava a quick lesson in shooting a gun so she can defend herself if needed.” Micha turned and trudged toward the house.
Giving a person a gun who didn’t have any experience with one could be disastrous. But Ava was sharp. She could master firing a gun and hitting a close-up target. At least when she wasn’t stressed, but even avid shooters froze in the face of danger. So a novice with a gun was a wildcard.
He didn’t know how to prevent that. He didn’t think anyone was coming after her at the moment, but it was possible. Anything was possible.
Still, his gut said having this boat as an escape could mean the difference between life and death. Something he had to plan for if they wanted to end this whole ordeal alive.
Inside, Micha soaked in the warmth and tore off the garbage bag. His jacket was drenched. Not a surprise. He took it off and hung it dripping on a wall hook. His shirt was only damp, but his cargo pants were wet clear through. Too bad. He wouldn’t change just to get wet again in a little bit. Colin had moved to a chair at the small round dining table, but Ava remained on the sleeping bag near the roaring fire, a book in hand.
She put it down and peered at him. “What’s happening?”
“And where’s my bro?” Colin’s concerned tone touched Micha. Micha and his sister had the same vibe as these two. Not as much joking and teasing, but the concern was there and went both ways.
Micha crossed to the fireplace to absorb the heat and chase out his chill. “We’ve come up with a plan. Dev is at the shed gathering supplies to carry it out.”
Colin got up and came to stand near Micha. “And the plan is?”
