“Hold off on that.” Dev bent forward to study the boat. “Boat’s floating free. My weight might bring it down enough that we’ll need to release it, but I don’t think so.” He handed one of the ropes connected to the tree to Micha and then pulled the other one around his waist and secured it with a complicated knot.
“Using one of your fancy-schmancy boating knots, I see,” Micha said, trying to lighten up the mood.
Dev didn’t look up but kept tying. “Won’t trust my life to just any old knot.”
Andboom, the truth of what they were doing lingered not only in his words, but the dire nature of his tone, and hung in the humid air.
Life and death.
Had been for days. Micha hadn’t known such a feeling since his military days, and his tight gut reminded him why he didn’t like it. This time was worse. Much worse. It involved the lives of people he cared about. Sure, his fellow Marines’ lives were on the line too, but they could protect themselves, and Ava couldn’t. Unless she could handle the gun and even then, it was iffy.
Dev catapulted into the boat and settled in the back. “Still floating so I’m good to go after we get a towline fastened.”
Micha took the other rope attached to the tree and secured the boat with another knot. Dev inspected the knot and gave a crisp nod of approval. Micha then took the last rope from his shoulder and handed it to Dev to tie to the bow.
“Let’s run this plan one more time,” Micha said, as he didn’t want there to be any miscommunication when Dev’s life could be at stake.
“I’ll row out of here,” Dev said. “Make a sharp turn to the left as soon as the current allows it. If I’m able to do it right away, I’ll come up alongside the boathouse, which will hopefully stop the flow of the river long enough for you and Colin to help pull me to shore.”
“Then you get out, and together we haul the boat to shore where Colin is babysitting the ropes.”
Dev nodded. “That’s the plan. Might take a few tries, but yeah. Let’s hope it works. Maybe pray too. Couldn’t hurt, right?”
“More than that, it could help.” Micha closed his eyes. Offered a heartfelt plea for their safety and success. Added one more—to bring this problem to a close and clear Ava’s name.
He opened his eyes. Found Dev staring up. Then he suddenly lowered his head and tied off the rope to the bow. “Let’s do this. Release the winch, and I’ll get out of here.”
Micha cast up one more prayer, then released the crank and gave the boat a shove. The cold metal bit into his nearly numb hands, but he kept pushing so Dev didn’t have to work as hard.
The boat slipped out, and Dev had to crank the oars to keep it moving ahead. The rear end caught on the boathouse. Dev turned but couldn’t keep the front end moving out and free the rear. Nothing for it but for Micha to wade into the frigid water and push it free.
“I got it.” He plowed in, stifling a gasp that his body wanted to emit when the water reached his waist.
He grabbed the boat. Shoved hard. It moved forward, but not far enough. Micha went in deeper. To his chest now. His whole body screaming to get out and get dry. He ignored it. Knew he would adjust some. Pushed again and set the boat free.
The rushing current took it, tightening the rope and jerking on the winch. The rope held. The boat snapped back a fraction, but Dev kept his balance and rowed hard.
Micha plunged toward the side door and out onto the dock, the water only up to his knees. The rain assaulted his face, and the wind whipped into his wet clothing. He didn’t remember ever being this cold in his life, but he had to go on. He couldn’t let the current take Dev downriver.
Dev rowed hard, his face tight with the exertion. He pointed the boat alongside the boathouse. Micha grabbed the rope and turned, wrapping it around his body and backing up. The current strained his muscles, burning, ripping. He held fast and moved. Inch by inch until the boat was fully protected by the boathouse and the current no longer threatened to take it away.
He let out a breath. Drew another. But his gut clenched. They might have gotten the boat out, and the three of them would get it to shore, but he’d seen firsthand how the current grabbed it like it was a child’s toy, not an adult-sized craft. If it turned out to be their only escape, how in the world would he safely pilot the thing with Ava inside?
Would it be the right thing to do for her, or sure death?
A decision he didn’t know how to make without God’s help. And even then, would he fully trust God if He said go and put her in that boat to set off down an angry surging river?
The guys had been gone for an hour, and Ava was starting to panic. She wanted to pace to let out her anxiety, but she couldn’t. She had to keep the gun pointed at the door. To be quiet and listen through the rain pelting the metal roof for any sound hinting at danger. To listen for three sharp beeps signaling her protectors’ return. Oh, how she’d come to depend on them and thanked God for the day she enrolled in their class.
But what if they were in trouble? Didn’t come back?
Micha left the vehicle keys, but if they didn’t return, she wouldn’t be able to just leave. She would have to go looking for them. But then, what would she do if she didn’t find them? What if they’d been swept downstream?
Her heart started pounding. Her palms sweating. She set the gun on her knees and swiped her sweaty hands over her pant leg.
Please let them be safe.
She took deep breaths. Tried to trust.
