White Water Passion

by Dawn Luedecke

  Beth snapped her head toward Victoria. What had she seen on the beach? She thought back to earlier in the day when they’d made love in the forest, but the wannigan had been long gone by then. She must mean the first day she’d ridden in the bateau. “I understand fully what Garrett is to you.”

  “Good. Then you know that whatever has happened between the two of you cannot happen again. Tomorrow we will be at the mill, and I can’t have Garrett’s and my reputation ruined before we even get a chance to announce our engagement.”

  “Your reputation is safe. I’m a riverman. What I’m doing with Garrett is working to get the logs to the mill. He is yours.” It took everything Beth possessed to say the words, but she had to. For her own sake.

  “You may want to consider staying in the wannigan tomorrow, to save your reputation. My father and his business partners will be at the mill to see the harvest. You wouldn’t want people knowing how you’ve behaved while you were tucked away in a logging camp. Would you?”

  “Thank you for the kind advice.” Beth smiled at the woman, but inside she wanted to scream and tear out her hair. She knew the dangers of behaving contrary to the rules of etiquette, but she didn’t care. Life wasn’t worth living if you weren’t going to take pleasure in it, and for the most part, Beth had enjoyed her time as a riverman.

  Chapter 24

  “Today the hard rapids start,” Garrett said as Beth climbed into the bateau. She settled onto her seat and grabbed her peavey. “I would prefer if you stayed in the boat, unless you are on the beach. Once we get past the worst of it, it is a straight shot to the mill. We should be there by late afternoon.”

  A mixture of emotions slid through Beth as Garrett hopped in the bateau and headed downstream following the logs. Excitement over the end of the drive, mixed with the deep-seated sadness that would inevitably ensue once she no longer had Garrett in her life.

  But for now, she had a job to do.

  They spent most of the morning in calm water with little to do, but enjoy each other’s company. The sun stood high over the mountains when the rapids started to build in intensity, and Beth was forced to hold on to the bateau as Garrett struggled to keep them from slamming into the rocks.

  The sound of logs crashing together reached Beth’s ears, and she peeked around Garrett in time to see a large nest of logs piled ahead. Trees thickened the bank of the river and formed a tunnel leading straight to the center of the biggest rapid she had ever seen. She failed to keep control over her excitement, and wiggled on her seat.

  “Hold tight!” Garrett shouted above the rush of the water. Beth clung tight to the sides of the boat, and smiled. She would be safe as long as she stayed there.

  The Devil May Cares and Bonner men bolted into action, leaping on top of the logs to push with their peaveys. They would test one log, and then another. Free one, only to have it replaced with the log behind it. Beth bit her lip when one man wobbled as his log began to spin. Although the job looked difficult, she knew they could handle it with precision.

  The men loosened logs one by one, but had not yet found the center of the nest when a loud noise from her right made her jump and turn in time to see Blue lose his foot and fall backward onto the nest. What the hell happened? Before she could even scream, Blue righted himself and scrambled to the bank, holding his arm close to his chest.

  Garrett yelled for someone to take Blue’s position, and then turned the bateau to pick his way through the logs and toward the bank.

  Beth grabbed her peavey and started to push against a log as it slammed into the bateau, her blood pumping through her veins in rhythm to the rapid flow of water. The boat jerked and stopped. Garrett twisted and pushed with his peavey, only to turn and try the other side, but it was no use. The log had jammed the boat in the outer edge of the nest.

  “I’m going to jump the logs to the bank to see how bad he’s hurt. Will you be able to manage the boat by yourself?”

  On Beth’s nod, Garrett stood and began to leap from log to log. Beth bit her bottom lip and waited to react if needed. He jumped onto the beach, and Blue waved him away and stood, but flinched as he grabbed at his arm. Garrett took off his shirt and tore it into two pieces. He tied one to make a sling, and the other to anchor the arm around Blue’s torso.

  Logs began to shift next to Beth, so she grabbed the peavey and shoved to help them dislodge. This was the job she’d signed on to do, and she wouldn’t go back looking like a helpless ninny. Especially in front of Garrett. She’d pushed four away when one of the largest logs she’d seen yet slammed into the bateau and sent her flying backward into the water.

  A log slammed into her back and caused instant pain to shoot up to her shoulder and down to her butt. Instant panic filled her core. By some miracle, she’d barely missed slamming her head against the massive logs. She watched from under the water as the trees bounced off each other above her head.

  The sun shone through clear water, and she surfaced to chance a breath, only to duck back into the water and kick off a new log as it flew past her to bash into the nest. This was it. The end. She had to find a safe way out of the merciless waters.

  Her lungs were about to burst, they burned as if consumed by fire. It wasn’t much longer before she would lose consciousness. She kicked and swam toward what she hoped to be the bank, but gained no ground as she struggled. Her arms grew heavy and her body weak. As her mind begged her to give up, a hand wrapped around her waist and turned her to face the logs above her.

  Garrett swam next to her, and she tried desperately not to cry as she grabbed at him. He lowered his mouth to hers, gave her a much-needed breath, and then grabbed her hand to swim toward the center of the river. Once the logs cleared, he surfaced and dragged her face free of the water. As air filled her lungs, she gave in and let a sob free.

  With one hand, Blue used the peavey to maneuver the bateau and shove logs clear of them as they swam, until Beth turned upriver and realized no more logs floated toward them.

  Blue edged the bateau closer. “The rapids!” he yelled and pointed downstream.

  “Hold on!” Garrett shouted and wrapped his legs around her to hug her with her back against his chest. Fear pounded at her chest. “We’ll try to stay in the current. Away from the rocks.”

  * * * *

  Garrett cradled Beth and clung to her to shield her from the jagged rocks as the river tossed them about. A sharp pain pierced his shin when he hit the point of a boulder hidden behind a veil of white water, and he forced himself not to yell. In a few more seconds, they would be clear of the rapids, and safe.

  He sucked in a breath, and water filled his lungs. He coughed and felt Beth’s body move as she did the same. God, he couldn’t lose her this way. In less than a heartbeat, the water stilled and slowed to a gentle roll as they floated into a calm pool.

  Garrett let go of Beth with his legs and, with one arm around her torso, swam to the bank. It took all of the energy he had left to pull her onto dry land and collapse next to her in the sand. But she was safe. Alive. He willed his heart to slow down.

  “I’ve never met a man to cheat the devil like you do, Garrett,” Blue shouted from the water. Garrett sat up as his friend eased the bateau to shore with the peavey.

  “It’s not something I plan to do again. How did you get through the rapids with one arm? Looks to me like you were the one to cheat the devil.”

  “It wasn’t easy.” Blue pushed the peavey into the water with one hand and turned the wayward boat back toward the shore. Garrett waited for Blue to reach them, needing that time to gain strength.

  Beth struggled to sit next to him, her chest rising and falling with deep breaths. His stomach dropped when he realized he’d almost lost her. He’d die before he lost her again.

  Not caring that Blue stood in the boat a few feet off shore, Garrett gathered her into his arms and sat on the bank to hold her. Her body sho
ok, and he knew she cried.

  He ran a hand over her bare arms and slid them back to squeeze her reassuringly.

  “I…I…love you,” she managed to say and burst into tears again.

  “Don’t cry, Beth. I love you too. I have ever since the first moment I saw you on the train platform the season we first met. I knew you would be the death of me. You, so perfect and carefree, scared the hell out of me. Made me forget how to breathe, to talk. Commanded all of my thoughts, my desires. I’ve loved you for years.”

  “You have?” she asked with a sniffle. “For three years?”

  “I am a fool.” He brushed his lips against hers in a gentle kiss.

  “A fool I have fallen in love with, but will never have.” Beth’s words hit him like a fist to the gut. His heart ached each time she reminded him of that.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “Were it beyond my control…”

  He left the statement unfinished, and she nodded. “I understand pride. I understand being tied to something out of your control. I won’t ask you to betray your family.”

  “It’s much more than that. It’s not my family I would be betraying. It’s you. I’d promise you a life I wouldn’t be able to fulfill. I’ll find a way for us to be together. Even if it takes another three years. Wait for me.” Garrett palmed her warm cheek and stared into her eyes. He wanted to betray his family for her, but did he have the guts to do it? Beautiful and serene, she exemplified the essence of the perfect wife. If only she were under the veil on his wedding day, his life would be complete. He would find a way.

  He stood and pulled Beth to stand. He shot Blue a warning look that his friend instantly understood. He would keep his mouth shut.

  Blue brought the bateau to shore, and Garrett lifted Beth and set her in the boat. He jumped in after and took control of the oars. He had a few minutes left with the woman he loved. He would take his time rowing to the Big Mountain Lumber Mill.

  * * * *

  Two hours later, they flowed around a bend and were greeted with a sight unlike any Beth had seen. The lumber mill sat on top of a small incline above the creek and billowed smoke from its stacks. A large log boom stretched across the river and collected the logs as they flowed into the entrapment. Rivermen climbed the banks to the mill, and the wannigan pulled onto the nearby docks, as men in suits lined the hill below the mill and watched the organized mayhem.

  Garrett guided the bateau to the dock and tossed a line around the chock. As the boat secured to the bank, her heart dropped. This was the end. The end of the drive, and the end of her life with Garrett. No matter what he said, if he was legally bound to another, there was nothing he could do. And she had a feeling Victoria made certain the contract was solid. Unbreakable.

  Carrie ran down the dock to where Beth climbed out of the boat. “Why do you look like you’ve been dragged behind a carriage?”

  “It’s a long story.” And she didn’t feel like talking. All she wanted was to rush home, and bury her face in her pillow.

  Footsteps on the wooden planks brought Beth’s gaze up to watch as Aunt June scurried down the dock, with Victoria gliding majestically behind.

  The ever-regal Victoria shined in the sun, wearing a high-necked dress with flowing skirts that matched the light pastel of a midsummer sunset. She looked perfect, as if she’d stepped out of her boudoir, and hadn’t just floated on a boat down the river. The days spent outside had tanned her skin, but the gentle hues of the gown helped her appear pale and fragile. Had Beth not spent the last few months with her, she never would have guessed that only a few days ago, this woman had stood on the bank holding a fishing pole.

  “I think you’d better get up there,” Aunt June said to Garrett when she stomped up and stopped.

  “Why?”

  Aunt June tipped her head toward the big bugs, as they stood proud on the hill above the river. “You got company.”

  Beth followed Garrett’s gaze to find four suited men, and to their right stood Luther.

  “I thought he shucked outta here.” Garrett started toward the men, his face wrinkled in worry, only to slow when he went to brush past Victoria. Before he could walk too far away, she slipped her arm in the crook of his and followed. He stopped, glanced down at her hand, and then adjusted his arm to escort her up the dock and staircase.

  “Looks like trouble’s brewin’. I don’t want to miss this.” Carrie picked up her skirts, and tromped after them.

  Aunt June motioned for Beth to follow, so she did.

  Beth crested the hill as Garrett stopped in front of the suited men, and Victoria stepped forward to kiss the short round man standing next to Luther.

  Garrett shuffled his feet, and Beth knew then he was nervous.

  “Luther here tells me you tried to put a spoke in the wheel of the Big Mountain, son,” the man she assumed was Victoria’s father, Abner Harrison, said when Victoria settled in beside him.

  “No, sir,” Garrett responded. “I’d never try to ruin your company. We found out who it was, though. My boys should be bringing him to you any day now, and I sent my uncle on the train.”

  Abner nodded. “They’re here, but that’s not what I’m talking about. What’s this business I hear about this young lady?” Abner pointed at Beth. “Taking a position with the Devil May Cares? A woman on a team like that is bad business. Dangerous.”

  Beth’s heartbeat kicked up to rival the speed of a runaway horse. What had she done? Garrett looked back at her, and she tried not to show the panic she felt in her chest. The thought that her decision to deceive her way in camp would affect Garrett’s job never occurred to her.

  He turned his head back to Abner. “Beth proved to be a great asset to the rivermen.”

  Victoria’s father shook his head and stared at the ground. “And here I thought you were someone to ride the river with, Garrett, but you’re not shooting straight with me. Your father vouched for you. I gave you a chance, and for a while you were a fine investment. After you sent word about the man with the cane, I’d thought you loyal beyond the standard. From what I hear happened up there this summer, though, I can no longer trust you.”

  “I’ve got no reason to lie to you, sir. Elizabeth came into camp a shave tail, but proved she could hold the ax with the men. I’d take her for another season before I would the lowlife mudsill you’ve got standing beside you. If you got your information from the likes of him, and I suspect you did, you got taken by a lowlife.”

  “That ain’t the truth of it!” Luther shouted and pointed to Beth. “She swindled her way into the camp dressed as a man, and then bulldozed her way to the Devil May Cares. She’s nothin’ but a con artist, she ain’t earned her way like I have. I should be one of the Devil May Cares. Hell, I should be their leader. I’ve been with the company since I was a young buck. I deserve this. Not this lying whore.”

  Garrett jerked toward Luther and grabbed his collar. Beth flinched at the action. She’d never seen Garrett react so violently before. This wasn’t like the good-natured rows at camp. “I should have licked you when I had the chance.”

  He cocked his arm back to deliver a blow, but Victoria stepped forward. “Elizabeth saved your company from ruin, Father. If it wasn’t for her, not only would you not have been able to meet the contract, but good men would have lost their lives. Elizabeth Sanders saved the Big Mountain Lumber Mill and should be praised for her role during the season, not tossed in the fire and called a swindler. Luther was the one who almost killed Elizabeth so he could have her job. As much as I hate to admit it, we owe Elizabeth for saving our company.”

  Beth couldn’t believe what she heard. Only yesterday Victoria was warning her away from the man she was destined to marry, yet today she defended her. Although the woman didn’t deserve Garrett, she didn’t deserve Beth’s hatred either. Tears filled Beth’s eyes.

  “Is that the truth of it?” Abn
er slid his gaze from his daughter, to Garrett, and brought it to rest on Beth.

  “I’m sorry, sir,” Beth said. “I overheard the man with the cane and another plotting against your company, and I swindled my way into the camp so I could expose them. I should have come to my brother or Garrett, but I didn’t. I wanted to help, and I thought joining the Devil May Cares was the best way to do so. It was wrong of me, but I don’t regret any of it. We caught the man and exposed the plot against your company, and I’d do it again if it meant saving this company and an entire town from ruination.”

  Abner lowered his eyes to slits and stared at her. His face didn’t twitch. The look in his eye stayed constant, but unreadable as he sized her up. “You’re right. You saved the town I built with my company, and exposed Sanchez—the man with the cane? Who, by the way, has since decided to try his luck elsewhere, after some persuading.” He clenched his fist, and then eased to stand relaxed. “I’ve worked hard to make this company what it is today, and it’s a matter of pride to me. The company will one day belong to my son-in-law.”

  Victoria shot Garrett a fluttered smile as her father continued, “It will remain in the family for years to come. The one thing I abhor the most is a liar and a cheat.” Beth’s heart beat fast and panic stole her breath. “The way I see it, you did what you did to protect my company, and in doing so you protected my family and my town.” He turned to Luther. “You have dishonored this company and jeopardized not only the future of Big Mountain and all who depend on it, but you showed a complete disregard for the life of another, and not simply a logger, but a woman. I suggest you tuck tail and run like Sanchez did. Maybe you can meet up with him since you seem to be of the same mind. If I ever see you or him around these parts again, I’ll have you arrested.”

  Luther opened his mouth to protest, but Abner waved him off, and turned to Garrett. “Escort him off my property.” He turned to Aunt June. “And as for you, no more bringing women to my camp without running it by me first. Can’t have the men getting distracted by female sensibilities.”